United News of Bangladesh

Political parties, taking part in the Election Commission’s (EC) dialogue on Thursday, voiced concern over the prevailing law and order situation and demanded an impartial role from the administration and proper enforcement of the electoral code during the upcoming national election. They also expressed views on issues such as the influence of black money in elections, party registration, voter security, enforcement of the electoral code, and the amount of security deposit and election expenditure. Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin said the Election Commission wants to act as a true referee in the upcoming national election, emphasising the need for cooperation from all political parties. The EC arranged two separate sessions – the first one with six political parties and the second one with another six parties – in Nirbachon Bhaban as the Commission opened its electoral dialogue with registered parties ahead of the next general election likely to be held in early February 2026. Liberal Democratic Party-LDP, Bangladesh Congress, Bangladesh Muslim League, National People's Party, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan and Jamiyate Ulamaye Islam Bangladesh joined the morning discussion, while Communist Party of Bangladesh-CPB, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal-JSD, Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal-Basod, Revolutionary Workers Party of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Nationalist Front-BNF and Bangladesh Nationalist Movement-BNM attended the afternoon session. Addressing the first session, the CEC said "You (political parties) will play in the elections. You are the players. We really want to be in the role of referees. Without your cooperation, it is difficult to play the role of referees and hold fair elections." Nasir Uddin said cooperation from political parties is essential to ensure a free, fair, and credible election. “If we do not get cooperation from the main players (political parties), the election will inevitably become questionable,” he said. Referring to the recent surge of posters in Dhaka city, he said, “The city is flooded with posters, though the use of posters has already been declared illegal. “These (posters) must be removed. Those who put them up should take them down. We will be strict. We will not spare anyone; we will blindly jump over these violations. Once the election schedule is announced, we will take immediate action,” he said. The CEC also urged political parties to strictly follow the electoral code of conduct, saying, “If anyone stubbornly refuses to comply, it will create a conflicting situation. We do not want confrontation. We want to move forward to ensure implementation of the code of conduct with everyone’s cooperation.” Referendum, national election together in Feb: Prof Yunus While addressing the second session, the CEC said the Election Commission will be able to give its opinion on holding a referendum on the July National Charter 2025 only after receiving the matters formally from the government. "If we know the matters formally, do exercises, and all sit down in the commission and discuss, we can give our opinions. It would not be appropriate to give opinions now," he said, replying to a question sent by reporters, seeking the Commission’s opinion over the announcement of the Chief Adviser to hold the referendum and the national election simultaneously in a single day. The CEC said he couldn’t even listen to the speech of the Chief Adviser as he was in the dialogue. “I actually did not listen to the speech. I do not want to give my opinion right now,” he said. Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Thursday said that the national election and the referendum will be held simultaneously in the first half of February next year. LDP Presidium Member Chowdhury Hasan Sarwardy said there is still a serious lack of security. “I think adequate measures have not yet been initiated to ensure a conducive electoral atmosphere. Security operations should be launched before the announcement of the election schedule to restore public confidence,” he said. CPB President Sajjad Zahir Chandan said no immediate action was taken against the violation of election code in the past. “If those who have muscle power or political influence engage in irregularities or violation of electoral code, no instant action is taken against them. The authority used to say that action will be taken later. This culture must change for a fair election,” he said. Fakhrul sees Feb polls as a chance for truly representative parliament He also proposed reducing the election security deposit, saying, “If we truly believed in equality, we wouldn’t fix the deposit at Tk 10,000. Our specific proposal is to set it at Tk 500 so that poor and working-class people can participate. Otherwise, it’s discrimination.” CPB General Secretary Abdullah Kafi Ratan urged the EC to ensure strict enforcement of election laws and announce a specific time or week for schedule declaration in a bid to remove confusion among people. Bangladesh Muslim League Adviser Zahir Uddin Muhammad Babor urged the EC to take steps to improve the election atmosphere, while Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan Secretary General Maulana Yusuf Sadek Haqqani called for strong EC action against the use of black money in elections. Revolutionary Workers Party of Bangladesh General Secretary Saiful Haque said instructions given to deputy commissioners, superintendents of police, and officers-in-charge are crucial. “After the schedule is announced, you must bring election-related ministries and agencies under your control to prevent any allegations of partiality. Otherwise, even a good election will not be possible,” he warned. CA’s speech fails to meet public expectations on referendum: Parwar JSD Senior Vice-President Tania Rob alleged that certain political actors are already trying to influence the administration. “If they start controlling officials even before the schedule, one can easily guess what will happen during the polls,” she said. The EC will sit with 12 more political parties in two sessions on Sunday next (November 16) as part of its electoral dialogue. The six parties who are being invited for the Sunday’s morning session are Gonoforum, Gono Front, Islamic Front Bangladesh, Islami Oikyajote, Bangladesh Supreme Party (BSP) and Bangladesh Jatiya Party. The six other parties for the afternoon session are Bangladesh Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal-Bangladesh Jasod, Bangladesh National Awami Party-Bangladesh NAP, Trinomul BNP, Krishak Sramik Janata League, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis and Islami Andolan Bangladesh. The Commission aims to complete the dialogue with all registered political parties within this month before the announcement of the national election schedule in early December. In late September 2025, the Commission opened a series of electoral dialogues with different stakeholders amid talks with civil society representatives on September 28. Later, the EC held separate dialogues with the representatives of teachers, senior journalists from different media outlets, election experts and election observers.  

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday said the national election scheduled for February 2026 can lead to the formation of a truly representative parliament that will discuss and resolve people’s unsettled issues and set a clear roadmap for the nation’s future. “I want to emphasise that there will be disagreements and not everyone will agree on everything. The Chief Adviser’s address may seem acceptable to many, but differences of opinion can still exist,” he said. Speaking at a dialogue on the election, the BNP leader said the interim government has already announced that the election will be held in February 2026 to elect a parliament representing the people. “The main point is that this parliament will be able to discuss and resolve the people’s unresolved issues and set out a clear roadmap for the country’s progress within a specific timeframe,” he added. Fakhrul said since people are the true owners of the state, their representatives in parliament must guide the way forward. “But if we fail to elect that parliament and instead a few individuals or intellectuals try to impose their views, we must consider how acceptable that will be to the people.” The Foundation of Strategic and Development Studies arranged the dialogue titled ‘National Parliamentary Election 2026: The Necessity for National Unity’ at a city hotel. Fakhrul spoke about Bangladesh’s long struggle for democracy, recalling that the nation has paid heavily for democracy but has rarely had the opportunity to practise it properly. “Since the Pakistan period, democracy here has been repeatedly disrupted and weakened…democracy has never truly been practised in this country, and that is why today we see so much mistrust, anxiety and instability in our society,” he said. The BNP leader paid tribute to those martyred in the July struggle who sacrificed their lives to fight autocratic rule. “We are grateful to the martyrs who have given us a chance to give democracy an institutional form.” He said it is now necessary to build democratic institutions to overcome the political crisis. “I believe our main responsibility, wherever we are and in whatever capacity, is to fulfill our duty by working to institutionalise democracy.” Fakhrul said the sooner the nation can form an elected government through an election, the better it will be for the country, marking the start of the democratic journey forward. “I don’t see any reason for despair… I’m not depressed at all. In fact, I believe that since there is so much discussion and debate about democracy now, a fresh breeze of hope is emerging — a new fragrance that will pave the way for a new democratic order in Bangladesh,” he said. Govt to be solely responsible if reforms imposed beyond consensus: Fakhrul Fakhrul warned that the proportional representation (PR) system is still not widely understood by ordinary people. “You cannot simply push complex systems on people who are not prepared for them… The PR is still not understandable to the public. I’ve made that clear again today. We must make an effort to make it understandable — we have to explain it to the people and prepare them for the system.” He also said BNP has long aimed to unite the forces that fought against fascism. The BNP leader reiterated that they have clearly proposed forming a national government after the election with those political parties and groups that joined them in the anti-fascist movement. Fakhrul said this demonstrates their genuine intention to unite the nation on fundamental issues and move forward together. “I believe if we all understand and realise this, we will surely be able to move ahead successfully. I want to repeat again that election is the only option to return to a democratic path.”    

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s central executive council is holding an emergency meeting to work out its next course of action following the chief adviser’s announcement that the national election and the referendum will be held on the same day. The meeting began on Thursday evening at the party’s central office in Moghbazar, said Mujibul Alam, senior assistant of Jamaat’s central publicity department. Members of the executive council and the party’s legal experts are attending the meeting. Earlier in the day, Jamaat Secretary General Prof Mia Golam Parwar announced the meeting during a press conference held shortly after the chief adviser’s televised address. CA’s speech fails to meet public expectations on referendum: Parwar Parwar said holding the referendum and the national election simultaneously could create complications for voters. “If both take place on the same day, a voter will have to cast a ballot in the referendum and another in the national election. This will create confusion,” he said. He said the party’s next course of action would be finalised after detailed discussions at the meeting and subsequently communicated to the nation through the media.

BNP senior leader Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Thursday warned that his party will not take responsibility if Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus takes any decision beyond the framework of the signed July National Charter. “We will fully implement the charter signed through consensus in the next parliament. If the Chief Adviser stays within that framework, we have no issue. But if he or anyone acts outside it, we will not take responsibility,” he said. Khosru made the remarks while talking to reporters after a meeting between BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and newly appointed French Ambassador to Bangladesh Jean-Marc Séré-Charlet at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office. He said the people of Bangladesh, as well as democratic countries, want a timely election. “Those who try to hold the government or the people hostage for political gain will become isolated from the public.” The BNP leader said the country must not be allowed to fall into instability, and no party’s programme should disrupt or delay the election. Khosru, also a BNP Standing Committee member, accused some political parties of trying to obstruct the election and prevent the restoration of a democratic order in the country. “Those who are plotting against the election do not want it to happen. No party has the right to hold the government or the people hostage and deprive citizens of their voting rights. Those who try to do so will be cut off from the people,” he said. The BNP leader said the people of Bangladesh now want tolerance, stability and peace as they want to build the country. “Political parties that pursue intolerance and create instability will not have a good future.” Referring to recent incidents of violence, including arson attacks and crude bomb explosions, Khosru said such acts have no link with the election. “Those who do not believe in democracy are behind these incidents. But their actions will not disrupt the election process or delay the vote. The people are waiting for a return to democratic rule.” Khosru also said their party has already announced the names of 237 candidates, and the remaining nominations will be finalised in the next few days. “So, there is no question about whether the election will take place. The people have no doubt about it, though some individuals might.”

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar on Thursday said the nation’s expectations regarding the proposed referendum were not fulfilled in the Chief Adviser’s recent address. Speaking at a briefing at the party’s Moghbazar central office, Parwar said the Chief Adviser’s remarks lacked clarity on how the referendum would be conducted alongside the national election. “If the national election and the referendum are held on the same day and balloting is suspended in any area due to unrest, what will happen to the ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ votes in the referendum?” he questioned. Referendum, national election together in Feb: Prof Yunus He said the Chief Adviser’s speech did not clearly explain the mechanism of managing both national and referendum ballots on the same day. Earlier in the day in an address to the nation, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus said the national election and the referendum will be held simultaneously in the first half of February next year.  

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar on Wednesday said the nation has resisted ‘Awami fascists’ who have been trying to create violence and anarchy across the country in recent days. “The looters, mass killers, and murderers can no longer return to this country. The nation has resisted them; even today, they could not stand on this soil,” Parwar said at a press conference at the party’s central office around 12:30pm. The event was organised to protest arson attacks, vandalism, and anarchy allegedly carried out by the Awami League and its allies. The press conference was attended by Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Maulana Abdul Halim, Central Executive Council member Saiful Alam Khan Milon, Dhaka South Ameer Nurul Islam Bulbul, Dhaka North Nayeb-e-Ameer Abdur Rahman Musa, Dhaka South Nayeb-e-Ameer Advocate Dr Helal Uddin, and Dhaka North Secretary Dr Rezaul Karim. Parwar alleged that Sheikh Hasina is “threatening Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser and others from India by using Indian media, calling it “astonishing behaviour.” He said those who have committed injustice and crimes will not be accepted again by the nation.  

BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed on Thursday said the Chief Adviser has violated the July National Charter through his outlines on the implementation of the charter in his speech to the nation. “The Chief Adviser himself signed the July Charter. In his speech, he violated the charter by including matters beyond the signed charter and adding new elements that were not mentioned in it,” he told UNB giving his initial reaction to Prof Yunus' address to the nation. “If we analyse his speech alongside the signed charter, we will see that he has grossly breached it.” the BNP leader added. Earlier in the day, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus announced that the national election and the referendum on the July Charter will take place on the same day. In a televised address to the nation, he said a meeting of the Council of Advisers had approved the July National Charter (Constitution Amendment) Implementation Order, 2025. “To implement the July Charter, this order includes several important provisions. These include holding a referendum on the constitutional amendment proposals of the charter and, subsequently, the formation of a Constitution Reform Council,” he said. Later, speaking to reporters at his Gulshan residence, Salahuddin said the interim government and the July National Consensus Commission have created the current political crisis by going beyond the signed July National Charter. He said the order issued by the government to implement the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) included ‘many new and personal ideas’ that were never part of the original signed charter. “We have already made it clear through our party’s press briefing that we will not agree to any matter imposed outside the signed July National Charter, and it will not be binding on the political parties that signed it,” the BNP leader said. He alleged that several issues have been forcefully added, and political parties were being asked to say ‘yes or no’ to matters not included in the signed charter. “Many of the provisions in the order issued today (Thursday) are new and reflect their (govt’s) personal preferences.” The BNP leader warned that such steps could lead to division instead of unity. “Some may be happy with this, but are we heading towards disunity in the nation? Are we creating divisions instead of harmony? Will the Chief Adviser take responsibility for that?” He said the party would review the Chief Adviser’s address to the nation in its forum and issue a formal reaction. Responding to a question about how the July Charter was violated, Salahuddin said the document was signed in a historic event witnessed by the entire nation. “The printed copies of the signed charter are available to all. Each section contains clear notes on proposals, consent, and notes of dissent from different parties.” “This was not a conventional note of dissent. It was specifically stated that if any party mentions its differing views in its election manifesto and wins the people’s mandate, it can implement those issues accordingly. Has that principle now been abandoned? If the Chief Adviser goes beyond his own signed document, it amounts to a breach of the charter,” he clarified. Referring to the proposed ‘Constitution Reform Council’, Salahuddin said the idea was never discussed or agreed upon in the National Consensus Commission. He questioned the intention behind including such new ideas in the order without the consensus of the political parties. The BNP leader said the Election Commission, under the Constitution, is responsible for conducting parliamentary and presidential elections. “The MPs elected through that process will take oath as members of parliament — not as members of any Constitution Reform Council… Setting a timeframe, forming a council, and proposing constitutional reforms within 180 days are new ideas. Do they have the authority to do that?” Salahuddin asked. He questioned whether dictating the next parliament through such orders has any legal basis. “Is this not interference in the sovereign authority of parliament?” In Bangladesh, the BNP leader said, there is only one sovereign body — the National Parliament — as per the Constitution. “No court can interfere in discussions or proceedings inside parliament. So imposing such obligations would amount to interfering in the sovereignty of parliament.” Salahuddin also said the idea of forming a constituent assembly or a reform council was contradictory. “If there had been any national consensus to form such a council, the Constitution would first need to be amended to empower the Election Commission for that purpose. Are we back in the pre-independence situation where we need a constituent assembly again? Bangladesh already has a Constitution. These ideas are conflicting.” Replying to a question, he said both the government and the National Consensus Commission were responsible for the ongoing crisis. “They formed reform commissions first, then a National Consensus Commission. After nine months of discussions, the National Charter was prepared and signed. Why are you going beyond it now?” The BNP leader said the crisis began when the consensus commission, chaired by the Chief Adviser himself, made recommendations to the government going beyond the signed charter. “He signed it as the Chief Adviser and then made recommendations to himself.” He reiterated that BNP wants only the signed July Charter to be implemented. “The charter was prepared and signed based on consensus, including the Chief Adviser’s signature. Let’s just implement that.”

The BNP Standing Committee is set to hold an emergency meeting on Thursday evening (November 13) following the Chief Adviser’s announcement that the next national election and a referendum will be held on the same day, along with the approval of the July National Charter implementation order. The meeting will begin at 7pm at the BNP Chairperson’s office in Gulshan, said BNP Media Cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan. He said BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman will join the meeting virtually and preside over it.Earlier in the day, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus announced that the national election and the referendum on the July Charter will take place on the same day. In a televised address to the nation, he said a meeting of the Council of Advisers had approved the July National Charter (Constitution Amendment) Implementation Order, 2025. Referendum, national election together in Feb: Prof Yunus “To implement the July Charter, this order includes several important provisions. These include holding a referendum on the constitutional amendment proposals of the charter and, subsequently, the formation of a Constitution Reform Council.” A senior BNP leader said while their party welcomes the announcement of the election and the referendum on the same day, it has reservations about the implementation order and the nature of the referendum. He said the meeting of the BNP Standing, the highest policymaking body of the party, will discuss these issues in detail and decide the party’s next course of action. Read more: Chief Adviser breached signed July Charter, says Salahuddin

Democratic countries around the world want a democratic order to be restored in Bangladesh soon through a fair election, so that they can work more closely with it, BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said on Thursday (November 13). “Democratic countries around the world want to see a democratic order restored in Bangladesh soon through a credible election as it will make it easier for them to cooperate with Bangladesh. They are clearly conveying this message,” he said. The BNP leader made the remarks while talking to reporters after newly appointed French Ambassador to Bangladesh, Jean-Marc Séré-Charlet, met BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. New French envoy meets Fakhrul The hour-long meeting, which began around 12pm, was held at the BNP Chairperson’s office in Gulshan. Amir Khosru, BNP Joint Secretary General Humayun Kabir and Organising Secretary Shama Obaed were also present at the meeting. Khosru said the election was naturally a topic of discussion during the meeting and the French side wants the election to be held as soon as possible. “They emphasised that an early election would create opportunities to advance various areas of cooperation between Bangladesh and France. They expressed hope that the election could take place in the first half of February,” he said. The BNP leader said several important issues were discussed in detail during the meeting. “One of them was how Bangladesh-France relations might take shape under a new government and the direction the relationship is heading,” he said. Khosru said the French side shared their thoughts on this, and both sides talked about the possible areas of future cooperation. He said the discussion particularly focused on expanding collaboration between the two countries in trade, investment and other areas, especially in the creative industry. Tarique warns against political volatility, urges election participation Khosru said France is well-known for its rich film, music, art, and cultural heritage, mentioning that renowned Bangladeshi artist Shahabuddin Ahmed also lives in France. “Alongside trade and investment, we discussed the possibility of major cooperation in the creative industry, which is a key part of our future economic and cultural programme. If our party comes to power, we plan to work closely with France in this sector,” he said.  

Newly appointed French Ambassador to Bangladesh Jean-Marc Séré-Charlet met BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday (November 13) and discussed Bangladesh’s current political situation and the upcoming national election. The hour-long meeting began around 12pm at the BNP Chairperson’s office in Gulshan, said BNP Media Cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan. EU Ambassador meets Mirza Fakhrul, discusses polls BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Joint Secretary General Humayun Kabir and Organising Secretary Shama Obaed were also present at the meeting. Sayrul said the two sides discussed matters of mutual interest, including the political situation, election preparations, and investment in Bangladesh, as well as ways to strengthen bilateral and economic relations between Bangladesh and France in the future. Read more: Tarique warns against political volatility, urges election participation