United News of Bangladesh

The National Citizen Party (NCP) will contest the upcoming national election with the 'Shapla Kali' symbol and plans to field candidates in all 300 constituencies, said its convener Nahid Islam. In a video message to the nation on Tuesday (4th November 2025) night, Nahid said the party expects to finalise its list of candidates within November. “We have submitted all necessary documents to the Election Commission in June for registration, but the commission delayed in approving our desired symbol ‘Shapla’,” he said. “After months of back-and-forth with the Election Commission, NCP finally obtained the ‘Shapla Kali’ symbol,” he added. Read more: NCP among three parties set to get EC’s registration Nahid said the party has continued working for the people throughout the period, reaching out to communities through its July campaign and gaining strong public response. “We’ve built public opinion across the country in favour of reform and continue to speak for justice,” he said. Confirming preparations for the parliamentary election expected in February, Nahid said, “We are ready for the election. Inshallah, we’ll field candidates in all 300 seats under the ‘Shapla Kali’ symbol.” Calling upon new faces to join the party, Nahid said NCP welcomes everyone who wishes to engage in honest politics and rebuild Bangladesh. Read more: Abbas fears interim govt may use illegal means to secure win for Jamaat, NCP “We will nominate competent, honest, and patriotic candidates in every constituency,” he said, expressing hope that the public support the party has earned will be reflected in the election results.

BNP on Tuesday suspended the nomination of Kamal Jaman Mollah for the Madaripur-1 constituency. The announcement came in a press release signed by the party’s Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi. The release said Kamal Jaman Molla’s name was announced during a press conference as the BNP candidate for Madaripur-1 (Shibchar Upazila), one of the 237 parliamentary seats. “But due to unavoidable reasons, the nominee’s name for the constituency has now been suspended,” it added. With this, BNP’s list of announced candidates now stands at 236. The decision seems to have been taken following criticism, as Kamal Molla is reportedly closely linked to Awami League leaders. Some social media posts showed him with former State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Dr Murad Hassan and Awami League MP and actor Ferdous. Kamal Molla is also the brother of Jamal Kamal Nuruddin Molla, who served as Vice President of Shibchar Upazila Awami League and was elected Chairman of the Upazila Parishad from the Awami League. These connections are said to have raised questions about the party’s nomination process, forcing the party to act promptly.

BNP senior leader Mirza Abbas on Tuesday (4th November 2025) voiced deep concern that the interim government might resort to ‘unlawful means’ to secure victories for the two parties it now relies on — Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizen Party (NCP). “The way this government is acting, it’s clear they have no strength of their own. This government survives by leaning towards two parties — one is a party they themselves created and the other is an old one,” he said while addressing a discussion and doa and milad mahfil. Abbas, a member of the BNP Standing Committee, said the interim government does whatever these two parties tell it to do. “The latest proof is the (allocation of the NCP’s) election symbol. The government must do whatever they say. Who are these people? Where did they come from? What is their popular base? Do they have any support anywhere in Bangladesh?” he said. The BNP leader also said that if an election had been held, it would have become clear how many votes each side would receive. Fakhrul asks BNP leaders left out of candidate list to stay loyal “I am deeply worried that the government may resort to illegal means to ensure the victory of these parties. Just like the previous Awami League government that held midnight voting instead of daytime voting, this government may also indulge in any such acts,” he said. Dhaka South City unit BNP organised the programme at Nayapaltan Ananda Community Centre, marking the 6th death anniversary of former BNP Vice Chairman and the last mayor of undivided Dhaka city Sadeque Hossain Khoka. In an oblique reference to Jamaat, Abbas questioned whom the citizens of this country do not consider necessary, and are now making such long speeches. “Those who never wanted Bangladesh in the first place now want to rule it. I simply can’t understand that.” He said this party opposed the creation of Pakistan in 1947, opposed Bangladesh in 1971, and in 1996 and several other times spoke against the interests of the people. “Yet, they are now talking big. The BNP leader also accused Jamaat of trying to divide the nation by using religion in politics. “We will not let the nation be divided. But there is a section of people who want to split the nation for their own gain.” He said those who want to divide the nation also want to bring back the Awami fascist force that ruined the country. “The people of Bangladesh will never allow that to happen.” “Look closely, and you’ll see they are so excited because they assume they will get the Awami League’s votes. But that is not true. The people loyal to the Awami League will not vote for anyone else. They will vote for a patriotic party,” Abbas said. He lamented that the country is now in a terrible state for lack of good governance. "Who owns the country? Who runs it? It feels as if the country has no owner — no one is looking after it. Everyone is just busy talking about reform, reform, and reform! But what exactly are you reforming? I don’t understand that,” the BNP leader said. Election uncertainty may endanger democratic transition: Tarique He said many people are now coming to Dhaka in search of work due to rising unemployment across the country, making it difficult for pedestrians to even walk on the footpaths because of the huge crowds. The BNP leader said many people have set up shops on the pavements, causing problems for ordinary citizens. “If you pay attention — when you drive or take a bus — you’ll see there are now lots of battery-run rickshaws everywhere. These people are unemployed and looking for work, so they have turned to this.” Abbas said the interim government has no initiative to solve the problems of unemployed people in the country. “Instead, they have turned everything upside down, creating opportunities for a section of people to plunder the country. A new class is now thinking only of looting and destroying the nation.” He said those who never dared to raise their heads before are now speaking arrogantly. “Where did they get this boldness and power from?” About BNP’s announcement of 237 candidates for the upcoming national election, Abbas said many capable aspirants could not be nominated because of the presence of several similar candidates. He said those who did not get nomination are naturally disappointed, but urged everyone to work together to ensure the victory of the party’s candidates. Read more: NCP among three parties set to get EC’s registration

A day after announcing BNP’s list of 237 potential candidates for the upcoming national election, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday (4th November 2025) urged party leaders who were not nominated to have faith that the party will give them due responsibility and respect. In a post on his verified Facebook page, the veteran leader also said this election might be his last as a contestant. Fakhrul, who has been nominated to contest from Thakurgaon-1 seat, expressed his sincere thanks to BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman and all party leaders and activists for their longstanding support. “This may be my last election. Those who did not get the nomination, please have faith — InshAllah, the party will give you due responsibility and respect,” Fakhrul writes. Four Sitakunda BNP leaders expelled over  nomination-related violence  He recalled his long political journey and the sacrifices made by his family, saying, “When I decided to return to politics in 1987, my two daughters were very young then. They were studying in Dhaka. My wife was also very young. At first, she was completely shocked — she couldn’t realise what a life of terrible uncertainty she was stepping into.” Expressing gratitude to his wife Rahat Ara Begum, Fakhrul said she took their two daughters to school and to the doctor on her own. “I remember when my elder daughter had to undergo an operation — I spent the whole night in the car on the way to Dhaka, just so I could be by her side. I’ll tell those stories some other day, InshAllah!” he said. Fakhrul said thousands of BNP leaders and activists across the country have similar stories of sacrifice. He urged the people of the country to pray for him and all his party members. “We will stand beside you and work for you, Inshallah. BNP has the ability to take the country forward with dignity.” On Monday evening, Fakhrul announced the list of 237 BNP candidates out of a total of 300 at a press conference at the party Chairperson’s Gulshan office, disappointing many potential aspirants who were not considered for nomination. Supporters of some aspirants in different parts of the country also took to the streets to express their anger. Read more: Abbas fears interim govt may use illegal means to secure win for Jamaat, NCP

Egyptian Ambassador to Bangladesh Omar Mohie Eldin Ahmed Fahmy met BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday (4th November 2025) morning and discussed various issues related to the upcoming national election and bilateral relations. The hour-long meeting, which began around 11am, was held at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office, said BNP media cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan. Deputy Chief of Mission at the Egyptian Embassy Soheila Mahran accompanied the ambassador during the meeting. Fakhrul urges BNP leaders to strengthen digital presence BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Joint Secretary General Humayun Kabir, and Organising Secretary Shama Obaid were also present. Sayrul said the meeting covered issues of mutual interest between Bangladesh and Egypt, including Bangladesh’s next national election. The Egyptian Ambassador reaffirmed his country’s continued support for Bangladesh’s journey towards a better future, he said. Enemies of Bangladesh trying to create instability again, warns Fakhrul

BNP has expelled four local leaders in Sitakunda upazila of Chattogram for their alleged involvement in violence, clashes and road blockades following the announcement of the party’s nominations for the upcoming 13th parliamentary election. In a press release issued early Tuesday (4th November 2025), the party said the expelled leaders are Sitakunda upazila Swechchhasebak Dal President Alaudin Moni, General Secretary Helal Uddin Babor, Sitakunda Municipality unit Convenor Mamun and Sonai Chhari Union Jubo Dal General Secretary Momin Uddin Mintu. The release, signed by BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, said the four were involved in violent activities on the Dhaka-Chattogram Highway in the Kadam Rasul, Bhatiari Bazar and Jalil Gate areas on Monday evening, soon after the party announced its list of 237 candidates. BNP announces possible candidates for 237 constituencies They have been expelled from all party positions, including primary membership, for acts deemed against public interest and party discipline, it added. The statement also mentioned that the expelled leaders are known followers of BNP Joint Secretary General Aslam Chowdhury, who was not nominated to contest from the Chattogram-4 seat. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced the list of 237 party candidates at the chairperson’s Gulshan office in Dhaka on Monday evening. RPO (Amendment) Ordinance: Coalition candidates must contest under own party symbols

Chief Organiser (North) of the National Citizen Party (NCP) Sarjis Alam has warned that if the Election Commission (EC) turns into a partisan body like before, it will face the same fate as its predecessors. “We want the EC to maintain the constitutional status of the institution in a highly impartial, fair, and independent manner,” he said. The NCP leader made the remarks at a press conference following a meeting with the conveners and member secretaries of four districts under the Mymensingh division, held at a hotel in the city on Monday evening. Sarjis Alam said those “murderers who ordered the killing of more than a thousand people during the July uprising, as well as those involved in the genocide, BDR massacre, Shapla Chattar killings, and incidents of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings, cannot participate in any democratic election in Bangladesh.” He added that the Awami League and its ally Jatiya Party “have no moral right to contest the next election.” Regarding the party’s electoral symbol, Sarjis Alam said the NCP will contest the polls with the symbol ‘Shapla Koli’ (water lily bud). “However, we will continue to call upon the EC to act neutrally. If they behave in the same way as before, it will create a serious crisis of confidence,” he warned. The party’s senior joint member secretary Nahida Sarwar Nibha, divisional organizing secretary Ashiqin Alam, and other local leaders were also present at the event.    

BNP on Monday (3rd November 2025) nominated 10 women to compete for 12 seats among the 237 for which it announced candidates for the upcoming national parliamentary election. That leaves the party on course to meet the requirement of nominating at least 5% women candidates for the existing 300 parliamentary seats in the next election, according to the July Charter. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced the names at a press conference held at the party Chairperson’s office in Gulshan. BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has been nominated for three constituencies — Dinajpur-3, Feni-1 and Bogura-7. The other women candidates are Afroza Khan Rita (Manikganj-3), Tahsina Rushdir Luna (Sylhet-2), Farzana Sharmin Putul (Natore-1), Sabira Sultana (Jashore-2), Ishrat Sultana Ellen Bhutto (Jhalakathi-2), Sansila Jebrin (Sherpur-1), Sanzida Islam Tuli (Dhaka-14), Shama Obaed (Faridpur-2) and Chowdhury Nayab Yusuf Ahmed (Faridpur-3). At present, there are 50 reserved seats for women in the Jatiya Sangsad. Besides, under the Representation of the People Order (RPO), political parties must nominate at least 5 percent women candidates in direct elections. According to the Election Commission’s directive, all political parties are also required to have 33 percent women representation in their committees. BNP announces possible candidates for 237 constituencies The original target year for achieving this quota was 2020, but it has since been extended to 2030. In previous elections, the number of women directly elected to parliament has been limited. In the 1991 election, 5 out of 39 women candidates were elected, 8 out of 36 in 1996, 6 out of 38 in 2001, 19 out of 59 in 2008, and 18 out of 29 in 2014. In the 2018 election, 22 of 69 women candidates won, while in the 2024 polls, 19 women were directly elected. The National Consensus Commission has proposed increasing the number of reserved seats for women from 50 to 100. While most political parties have agreed to the proposal, BNP suggested that the upcoming election be held under the existing system, with the increase to take effect in the next parliament. Read more: Next election to determine Bangladesh’s future direction: CEC

Juboshakti, the youth wing of the National Citizen Party (NCP), has strongly condemned and protested what it described as a ‘false and politically motivated’ case filed against party Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary by a Jubo Dal leader. In a joint statement on Monday, Juboshakti Convener Advocate Md Tarikul Islam and Member Secretary Dr Zahedul Islam said the defamation case was intended to harass Patwary for his “truthful and constructive remarks” made during a recent discussion. Earlier in the day, Kazi Mukituzzaman, a member of the convening committee of Dhaka South Jubo Dal, filed a defamation case against Nasiruddin Patwary with the court of Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Md Zakir Hossain, accusing him of making defamatory remarks against Jubo Dal leader Rabiul Islam Nayon during a conference at the BMA Auditorium in Dhaka on November 1. The court later directed the Detective Branch (DB) of police to investigate the allegations and submit a report. Responding to the development, Juboshakti leaders said, “Nasiruddin Patwary has always stood for truth-based and rational politics. His comments reflected accountability and political integrity. The individuals, engaged in extortion and corruption, are now trying to hide their misdeeds by filing this baseless case.” NCP’s Nasiruddin Patwary sued for ‘defamation’ “Such politically motivated cases are nothing but an attempt to intimidate young, emerging voices in Bangladesh’s political arena. Punishing someone for speaking the truth contradicts the spirit of democracy and freedom of expression,” the statement says. Juboshakti leaders urged the top leadership of the BNP’s Jubo Dal to immediately withdraw what they called a ‘false case’ and to take legal action against those actually involved in extortion and corruption.    

The eight-party alliance, including Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, has announced a fresh set of programmes to press home its previously declared five-point demand. The announcement came at a press conference on Monday where Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish Ameer Maulana Mamunul Haque made the declaration. Speaking at the event, Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher said, “One of the parties is suddenly opposing the consensus we reached earlier. We hope they will clarify their stance soon. Unless the July Charter is implemented, there is no use debating whether the referendum will come before or after the election. The referendum itself must ensure the implementation of the July Charter, otherwise attention will shift during the ‘yes or no’ vote on election day.” Maulana Mamunul Haque said, “Bangladesh is now on the threshold of the 13th national election. Yet the dream that people saw through the July Charter—the vision for a new political framework—remains unfulfilled.” “Our struggle to realise the five-point demand of the eight-party alliance will continue. We have long been urging for the July Charter to be given legal status. The government must immediately issue an order to implement it. A separate referendum must be held on the July Charter before the national election. Any amendment to the RPO will not be accepted—we demand it remain unchanged,” he added. He further expressed optimism that all political parties could reach a consensus through dialogue and that the next national election would be held on the legal basis of the July Charter. The newly announced programmes include a mass procession on November 6 to submit a memorandum to the Chief Adviser and a protest rally on November 11. Commenting on the government’s seven-day deadline, Mamunul Haque said, “We believe the parties will hold discussions and reach an understanding within this time.” Leaders present at the press conference included Islami Andolan Bangladesh Ameer Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim (Charmonai Pir), Maulana Yunus Ahmad, Prof Ashraf Ali Akon, Jamaat leaders Dr Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher and AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad, Nizami Islam Party’s Mufti Harun Izhar, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish Ameer Maulana Mamunul Haque and Secretary General Maulana Jalal Uddin, Khelafat Majlish Secretary General Dr Ahmad Abdul Kader, and Jatiya Ganatantrik Party (JAGPA) spokesperson Rashed Pradhan, among others. Earlier in the morning, top leaders of the eight parties met at the central office of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish in Purana Paltan, Dhaka. Shafiqur re-elected as Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami The five-point demand centers around the implementation of the July Charter and related electoral reforms. These are: implementation of the July Charter before the national election through a separate referendum, legal recognition and constitutional basis for the July Charter to ensure the upcoming election reflects the new framework; no amendment to the Representation of the People Order (RPO) — the electoral law must remain unchanged, and finally formation of an interim or neutral administration in line with the July Charter’s spirit to oversee the upcoming 13th national election. It also called for the release of political prisoners and withdrawal of false cases to create an inclusive and participatory political environment.