United News of Bangladesh

As winter gently settles across the country, the historic Shalban Bihar and the Mainamati Museum in Cumilla are becoming alive once again with colour, calm and charm, inviting tourists with their timeless wonders. Under the Department of Archaeology of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, the sites have been beautified with flower gardens, strengthened security systems and enhanced cleanliness measures. Members of the Tourist Police and Ansar remain on duty day and night to ensure visitor safety. Two ancient archaeological sites of Bangladesh sites—Shalban Buddhist Bihar and the Mainamati Museum stand against the green slopes of the Lalmai–Mainamati hill range, which is a living testimony of Bangladesh's ancient Buddhist civilization, architectural style and culture.  A Window into 7th–8th Century Buddhist Life Shalban Bihar, located in Kotbari of Cumilla Sadar upazila, is believed to have been built between the late 7th and early 8th century by Shri Bhavadeva, the fourth ruler of the Deva dynasty. Spread across nearly 37 acres, the quadrangular Bihar measures 167.7 meters on each side, with outer walls almost five meters thick.  At its heart stands a central shrine, surrounded by 115 monastic cells where Buddhist monks once lived, studied and meditated. Each cell contains three niches designed to hold statues, oil lamps and religious objects.

There can be few jobs as unrewarding as that of a Bangladeshi traffic sergeant. This is particularly true if you happen to be posted in its overpopulated, unplanned capital. By its very nature, the job entails long hours spent outdoors, which in this part of the world exposes you to very hot and humid conditions, apart from putting you in the thick of both air and noise pollution. On top of all that, you must deal with an unruly, irreverent populace that puts no premium on the civic sense to abide by traffic laws and can even be openly hostile to people in uniform when pulled up for their actions. On October 31, 2025, at approximately 11pm, Sergeant Md. Zahid Hossain Mintu and Constable Shahidul Haque of the Ramna Traffic Division were on night duty at Moghbazar Crossing. At that time, a private car was coming from the direction of Moghbazar Railway Gate towards Mintoo Road. When Constable Shahidul Haque Sahed, under the direction of the on-duty sergeant, signaled the car to stop, the driver ignored the signal and attempted to speed away. Read more: How to Get Traffic Updates in Dhaka: Useful Apps and Sources With the help of other traffic officers, the vehicle was eventually stopped. When asked to show vehicle documents, the occupants - Mahbub Hasan Siam (20), son of Md. Kabir Hossain, and Khairul Alam (20), both residents of Keraniganj, began shouting on the road, forcibly grabbing Constable Shahidul Haque by his police uniform, and alleging that he was a “fake police officer,” while using abusive language. Their actions constitute an offense under Section 75 of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police Ordinance. Legal action was also taken against the vehicle under the Road Transport Act, 2018. Subsequently, the two accused were produced before the Special Metropolitan Magistrate, Ramna, who sentenced them to 15 (fifteen) days of simple imprisonment. This is just one story that demonstrates the challenges faced by the Traffic Division of Dhaka Metropolitan Police in the course of performing their duties. Disobeying the traffic rules everywhere has now become almost normalised in the city, despite the Traffic Division’s best efforts to impose some order on the roads. As Dhaka expands further, experts warn that without comprehensive traffic management reforms and long-term planning, the capital’s roads will soon reach a breaking point — making everyday life even more difficult for millions. Recent traffic‐enforcement drives by the DMP illustrate the scale of the problem. In early November 2025, the Traffic Division filed 2,580 cases over just two days across various parts of the city, with 676 vehicles dumped and 176 towed in that period. On Nov 8, 2025 they reported filing 1,037 cases in a single day, towing 96 vehicles and dumping 277. Another earlier drive on October 21 saw 1,658 cases, with 398 vehicles dumped and 130 towed. Meanwhile, nationally, BRTA data shows alarming accident and fatality numbers: in 2023, the authority recorded 5,024 deaths in road accidents and 7,495 injuries involving 7,837 vehicles. The urban crawl City‐officials point out that Dhaka, where amenities were originally planned and designed for a much smaller population, now accommodates over 20 million residents, while thousands of new vehicles join the roads each month. According to BRTA statistics, in one recent dataset, Dhaka alone had over 43,398 buses, 42,968 covered vans, and a large volume of other vehicle types registered within its metropolitan area while the average traffic speed on Dhaka’s roads has fallen from about 21 km/h in 2006 to just 5 km/h in 2024. Commuters are bearing the brunt. “I leave home at 7am and still end up late to the office. The traffic feels endless,” said Mahmud Hasan, a private‐sector employee travelling from Mirpur to Motijheel. The toll is not just time: health costs, fuel waste, and lost productivity mount steadily. Read more: Traffic police back to work after one week Despite continued investments—such as the mega projects like elevated expressways and metrorails—the results remain patchy. Without coordinated, long-term traffic management initiatives—covering road‐space reallocation, public transport strengthening, parking regulation, the harnessing of technology, and behavioural change—the capital’s roads risk pushing everyday life closer to breaking point. Autorickshaws pose dilemma Another persistent problem is the unregulated movement of autorickshaws and battery-powered three-wheelers. Though these vehicles serve as an essential mode of transport for short distances, their sheer number and frequent violations of traffic rules make them a major source of gridlock. Many operate beyond their permitted zones, occupy key intersections, and often stop abruptly to pick up passengers — severely disrupting traffic flow. “Auto-rickshaws are convenient but undisciplined,” said a private car driver Shahin. “Many drivers ignore signals, drive against the flow, and use roads where they are banned. Without strict regulation, they will keep adding to the chaos.” According to DMP reports, unauthorized three-wheelers and easy bikes continue to enter restricted areas such as key city corridors, despite repeated drives. Traffic authorities have seized hundreds of such vehicles in recent operations, but enforcement remains difficult due to their large numbers and high commuter Equally troubling is footpath encroachment, which forces thousands of pedestrians onto already congested roads. In many areas — including Gulistan, New Market, Mirpur, and Farmgate — sidewalks remain occupied by makeshift shops, tea stalls, and parked motorcycles. Hawkers have virtually taken over walkways in commercial hubs, leaving little space for foot traffic. According to DMP officials, the lack of usable sidewalks increases the number of pedestrians walking on the roads, reducing vehicle speed and increasing the risk of accidents. “We conduct eviction drives almost every week, but the vendors return within days,” said a DMP zone officer from the Traffic South Division. “As long as there’s no coordinated rehabilitation plan for hawkers, the problem will continue.” Read more: DMP Chief calls for traffic police involvement in road accident investigations

Soil fertility in eight districts of northern Bangladesh is steadily deteriorating, raising concerns about long-term agricultural productivity, according to a new research report by the Rangpur Divisional Soil Resource Development Institute (SRDI). Researchers say that fertility loss, nutrient imbalance, and increasing soil acidity are spreading rapidly across the region, with organic matter, the foundation of healthy soil, falling to its lowest recorded levels in some areas. “The decline is so severe that even heavy application of chemical fertilisers is failing to translate into higher productivity,” the report warns. Researchers estimate that fertilisers worth hundreds of crores of taka are wasted annually, as crops are unable to absorb essential nutrients. The SRDI conducted tests on soil samples from 38 upazilas across five districts in the Rangpur division. Md. Saifur Rahman, chief scientific officer of the institute, said healthy soil must contain adequate levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, zinc, calcium, magnesium, boron, molybdenum, iron, manganese, copper, chlorine and organic matter to sustain crop production. Read more: Enough fertilizer in stock to last till December: Agriculture Secretary “Fertilisers should be applied based on soil health tests and nutrient requirements. This ensures satisfactory crop yields while preventing qualitative deterioration of the soil caused by arbitrary fertiliser use, which can reduce production,” he said. The alarming soil condition is not confined to the north, he noted, but is also seen across other regions of Bangladesh. Fertiliser Misuse Md Sirajul Islam, additional director of the Rangpur Agricultural Extension Department, highlighted the widespread use of chemical fertilisers. “At least 20 types of fertilisers, both legal and illegal, are being used in agriculture. Farmers are most familiar with seven, including urea, molybdenum, magnesium, phosphorus, boron, potassium, and sulfur,” he said. Farmers often rely on estimates rather than scientific measurement, resulting in imbalanced or inadequate application. “Proper application is essential for soil health,” he said, warning that the issue affects not only the Rangpur and Rajshahi-Barendra regions but also districts across other river basins. Experts pointed out that about 80% of farmers directly involved in agriculture are uneducated and apply fertilisers without guidance, exacerbating the decline in soil health. Read more: Shahjalal Fertilizer Factory resumes production after five-month closure Alarming Decline of Essential Nutrients SRDI scientists say a healthy crop requires 16 essential nutrients, 13 of which must come from the soil. Latest tests, however, show nine of these nutrients are now at minimum or critical levels in many parts of northern Bangladesh. Organic matter has dropped to 1–2% instead of the ideal 5%, soil pH has fallen to 4.4–5.5 rather than 6.0–7.5, nitrogen levels are 0.09–0.18% against a recommended 0.27–0.36%, and sulphur is far below the optimum 22–30 ppm. Biological Systems under Threat Excessive chemical use, coupled with reduced application of cow dung, compost, crop residues and other organic materials, has sharply reduced soil biodiversity. Beneficial organisms such as earthworms, which naturally mix soil layers and maintain fertility, have declined significantly. “This breakdown of biological processes is damaging the soil’s long-term health,” said Saifur Rahman. Although Bangladesh has 39 fixed soil-testing laboratories and several mobile labs, the majority of farmers never have their soil tested. Experts warn that without accessible soil testing and proper fertiliser use training, the country could face significant drops in food production in the coming years. Read more: Hidden hands in the fields: Dealers blamed for artificial fertiliser shortage in north Looming National Crisis The SRDI report cautions that if current trends continue, Bangladesh may face reduced yields in staple crops, increased pest outbreaks, and a rising dependence on fertiliser imports. These challenges could make cultivation costlier and reduce farmers’ profit margins.

As Bangladesh approaches its national elections scheduled for February 2025, crime statistics indicate a rise in criminal incidents across the country, but police insist that the apparent deterioration in law and order does not reflect the real situation. A senior official at the Police Headquarters, preferring not to be named, said the force is “fully prepared” to ensure nationwide security during the polls. He cautioned that comparisons between past and present crime figures could be misleading. “Earlier, many crime incidents were not recorded at local police stations. Now, almost every incident is being documented. So when you compare the two periods, it may seem like crime has increased. But in reality, law and order is better in many areas than before,” he said. The official also highlighted the role of social media in timely case registration. “In the past, cases were often not recorded properly and on time. Now, when an incident occurs, social media becomes active instantly, compelling the police to register cases promptly and accurately,” he added. Crime Trends According to police headquarters statistics, October saw 319 murders nationwide, slightly up from 297 in September but just below 321 cases in August. Dacoity cases rose to 56 from 50 the previous month, while robbery increased to 180 from 169. Burglary incidents remained high at 301, compared with 295 in September and 311 in August. Kidnappings jumped to 110 in October, up from 96 in September and 90 in August. Theft incidents also increased, standing at 931 compared with 888 in September and 956 in August. These figures indicate that criminal activity continues to affect both urban and rural areas. Amir Khosru alleges plot to delay 13th parliamentary polls Particularly concerning is the persistently high number of crimes against women and children, with 1,985 incidents recorded in October, virtually unchanged from 1,904 in September and 1,904 in August. Police sources noted that violent and organised crimes are not only frequent but also increasingly sophisticated, with criminal syndicates reportedly impersonating law-enforcement officers to commit robberies and abductions. Election Preparedness Police officials stressed extensive preparations for the upcoming polls. “A total of 150,000 police personnel are being trained in phases. Training for around 50,000 members has already been completed. The rest will finish on schedule,” a Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) official said. The procurement of body-worn cameras is underway, expected to be purchased through the Direct Procurement Method (DPM) due to time constraints. “We expect to be fully ready to carry out our responsibilities during the polls,” the official added. Home Adviser Lieutenant General (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury described the law-and-order situation as “satisfactory,” noting that while it is “not excellent, it’s not bad either.” Speaking after a meeting with field-level law enforcement officials at Barishal Police Lines, he emphasised that a fair election relies not only on law enforcement but also on the Election Commission and political parties. Ahead of the elections, Police Headquarters has instructed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Special Branch (SB), and DMP to submit lists of honest, neutral, and administratively efficient police inspectors for appointment as officers-in-charge (OCs) at police stations across the country. The directive, issued on 16 November by the Personnel Management–2 wing of PHQ, states that deploying “competent, impartial and professionally credible” police station chiefs is crucial to ensuring a peaceful and fair parliamentary election. Officials said the neutrality of OCs will play a vital role in maintaining law and order during the election period. Govt reviewing body camera purchase plan: Finance Adviser

As winter settles over Narail, open fields in Shalua of Maijpara Union and Sholpur of Singasholpur Union transform into makeshift drying yards where the district’s famed dry fish season begins in earnest. For the communities here, the annual cycle is more than a tradition — it is a vital source of income that supports hundreds of families. Dry fish has long been considered a staple across the region, but in Narail it is an economic backbone. Fishermen, labourers, small traders, and transporters all rely on the trade, which has earned the district recognition as a notable hub for producing chemical-free dry fish. On raised bamboo macha, fish sourced daily from canals, beels, and rivers are cleaned, salted and arranged under the open sky to dry. The process is entirely natural, a fact that locals say has boosted demand in recent years. Read more: Fish export to India halted thru Akhaura land port Since this dry fish is prepared without any chemicals and in a safe environment, demand is increasing day by day, villagers said. Among those who travel to Narail for seasonal work are Md Kabir Sheikh and Kamrul Sheikh from Muksudpur in Gopalganj. They spend the winter months drying varieties such as climbing perch (koi) and glassy perchlet (chanda), along with the widely popular chapa shutki. No chemicals are used — only salt, they said, as rows of fish dried slowly under the sun. While the work continues smoothly, selling remains a challenge. Fisherman Md Mosa Mia said lower water levels during winter make it easier to catch different local species, allowing producers to buy raw fish at relatively low prices. The difficulty lies in accessing the market. “We buy the fish and make dry fish. But without a broker, it has become difficult to sell,” he said, adding, “If we could sell directly to buyers, we would earn better profits.” Another fisherman, Alok Biswas, described the realities of production: two to three maunds of raw fish reduce to one maund after drying. Read more: PKSF holds policy dialogue on fisheries market “Depending on the type, one maund of dry fish is sold for Tk 7,000 to Tk 8,000,” he said. Official target and growing reputation Narail District Fisheries Officer Mahbubur Rahman said a target of 80 metric tonnes of dry fish production has been set for the district this year. “Since the dry fish here is chemical-free, it is in demand not only within the district but across the country,” he said. The Fisheries Office has been providing training and technical support to help producers maintain quality and strengthen their position in the market. For now, as winter sunlight glints across the bamboo platforms, families continue the work that has sustained them for generations. The methods remain simple, the challenges persistent, but for Narail, dry fish remains a lifeline — one that keeps the district’s economy moving long after the drying season ends. Read more: Hilsa prices soar further putting this beloved fish beyond reach

Central Bangladesh, including capital Dhaka, the most densely populated megacity (population above 10 million) in the world has been shaken by a series of earthquakes over just two days, raising serious concerns about the city’s preparedness for a major tremor. Experts have warned that the overpopulated capital of Bangladesh could become a hotspot for earthquake vulnerability, as nearly 90% of its older buildings were constructed without adhering to proper building codes. Concerns intensified following the powerful, 5.7-magnitude earthquake that struck at 10:38am on Friday, shattering the usual weekend calm and turning the holiday into a frightening experience for residents of the capital. According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), the epicenter of the 26-second quake was in Madhabdi, Narsingdi, and its depth was recorded at just 10 kilometres below the surface. The tremor, felt across several parts of Bangladesh, left at least 10 people dead - four in Dhaka, five in Narsingdi and one in Narayanganj. Over 600 people were also injured. It is rare for earthquakes in Bangladesh to result in multiple fatalities. The last time it happened was in 1999, when an intense earthquake shook the island of Moheskhali, killing 6 people. Hundreds were also injured on the island off the coast of Chattogram in the country’s south-east. But Friday’s quake was instantly recognisable as something different, with deeper repercussions. Besides the casualties being spread across three districts, the epicentre being so close to Dhaka caused a projected 10 million people in Dhaka to feel ‘strong shaking’, according to the United States Geological Survey, which is the leading authority on earthquake data worldwide. Dhaka can’t withstand major quake; 95% of its buildings unplanned: Experts   Closer to the epicentre in Narsingdi, about 300,000 people were projected to have felt ‘high-intensity’ shaking. Literally everyone we spoke to in the capital confirmed they had never felt the ground shaking like it did during Friday’s quake. It was followed almost exactly 24 hours later by a much smaller aftershock, again with its epicentre in Narsingdi’s Palash upazila. The BMD reported that this quake, measuring 3.3 on the Richter scale, occurred at 10:36am on Saturday, about 29 km west of the BMD Seismic Centre in Agargaon. And then on Saturday evening, a third tremor in the space of 32 hours, considered a second aftershock of Friday’s quake, was felt in parts of Narsingdi and nearby districts including Dhaka. According to USGS, this latest quake measured 4.3 on the Richter scale and struck at 6:06pm local time, with its epicentre located 11 kilometres west of Narsingdi at a depth of 10 kilometres. Even though no casualties were reported from either of the two aftershocks, they served to heighten anxiety, confirming that the fault lines lying deep beneath them in the earth’s crust had become seismologically active. Several buildings across various areas of Dhaka were damaged after Friday’s earthquake. According to the Dhaka district administration, at least 14 buildings in the capital sustained damage from the quake, while the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) put the number at over 50, including many that had tilted. For survivors, the psychological impact lingers. For many, the ground no longer feels stable, and the fear of a stronger quake currently haunts millions across Dhaka. “I am a student of Mujib Hall (2024–2025 session). I became traumatized because of the earthquake. I live in the July Smriti Bhaban of Mujib Hall. Now, whenever a vehicle passes by my building or I hear even the slightest sound, I panic,” a Dhaka University student shared. “It feels as if another earthquake is happening. I repeatedly check my room and surroundings to see if there is a tremor,” he added. At least four students were seriously injured after jumping from the residential hall buildings of Dhaka University in panic during Friday’s quake. The university ended up first cancelling all classes scheduled for Sunday, before a syndicate meeting on Saturday suspended all academic activities till December 6, citing the physical and mental stress caused by the earthquake and its aftershocks, as well as the need to renovate the residential halls. Risky Buildings in Dhaka According to RAJUK, the first list of risky buildings was prepared in 2010 and updated in 2016. Currently, Dhaka has 321 extremely risky buildings, mostly in Old Dhaka. In 2024, RAJUK also identified 30 risky buildings across 21 educational institutions. A RAJUK survey conducted under the Urban Resilience Project between 2018 and 2022 found that approximately 865,000 buildings in Dhaka could collapse if a 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck the Madhupur Fault near Tangail. Such a scenario could result in 210,000 deaths and 229,000 injuries if it occurred during daytime hours. Bangladesh’s cities, including Dhaka and Chattogram, remain highly vulnerable to earthquakes due to widespread disregard for building codes, master plans, and land-use zoning, according to the Institute for Planning and Development (IPD). Bangladesh Earthquake: Fire Service issues 8 safety guidelines Adil Muhammad Khan, Professor at the Department of Urban and Regional Planning at Jahangirnagar University, emphasized the urgent need for preparedness, citing the recent 7.7-magnitude earthquake in Myanmar as a stark reminder of the risks. Experts have also expressed concern that, despite the formation of multiple reform commissions, the interim government has yet to establish a dedicated authority for planned urbanization, sustainable housing, and building safety. The Bangladesh Institute of Planners criticised the formation of an advisory council allegedly influenced by real estate developers to amend Dhaka’s Detailed Area Plan (DAP), favouring unrestricted high-rise construction. A new paradigm in construction When a 9.1-magnitude earthquake struck Japan in 2011, in buildings equipped with an innovation known as ‘base isolation’, not even a glass fell from the shelves. It is a construction technique in which the building (or other such establishment)is not rigidly attached to the ground. Instead, hundreds of special rubber–lead bearings are installed beneath it. When an earthquake hits, the ground may shake violently, but the building above moves gently — swaying slowly rather than shaking hard. As a result, people, furniture, equipment, and interior structures remain almost completely unaffected. Today in Japan, nearly all new towers, buildings, hospitals, schools, and data centres are required to have this system. Even 40–50-year-old buildings are being retrofitted by cutting the foundation and installing base isolation to give them a new, safer life. Some engineers recommend that Bangladesh should move in this direction to save itself from a catastrophic situation in the future. Under the Bangladesh National Building Code-2020 (BNBC-2020), important structures in Dhaka and Chattogram have already started using base-isolation systems. The Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, several metro rail stations, and a few new towers are already implementing this technology. A paper titled “Status of Base Isolation Applications in Bangladesh” was presented at the 19th World Conference on Seismic Isolation, Energy Dissipation and Active Vibration Control of Structure at Berkeley, USA in September this year. Home Adviser urges people to follow earthquake safety measures Tahmeed Al-Hussaini from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology and Khondaker Sakil Ahmed from the Military Institute of Science and Technology described the significance of the use of this technology. They mentioned that Bangladesh, located near the plate boundaries of Indian and Eurasian plates to its north and east, possesses significant seismic risk. Seismic Zone V of India, assigned with the highest seismic risk in that country, encircles Bangladesh on its northern and eastern sides. Their paper also referred to the fact that base-isolation has been adopted in two major bridges of Bangladesh. The 4.8-km Jamuna Bridge contains seismic steel pintles for earthquake protection, while the 6.1-km Padma Bridge contains double concave friction pendulum bearings. Analysis shows satisfactory performance of both base isolation systems. Particularly for Padma Bridge, the seismic demand on the bridge was large due to very deep pile foundations, double deck heavy superstructure and deep scour in the Padma River. Research results show that base isolation may be satisfactorily applied for mid-rise to high-rise buildings in Bangladesh. And the first application of base isolation to a building in Bangladesh is planned for a new headquarters of the Fire Service and Civil Defense in Dhaka. Considering earthquake risk, Bangladesh is divided into three seismic zones. Among them, the high-risk areas fall under Zone-1, medium-risk areas under Zone-2, and the least-risk areas under Zone-3. A map published by the Meteorological Department identifies the earthquake-prone regions of the country. In particular, nine districts of the Sylhet and Mymensingh divisions; parts of Tangail, Gazipur, and Narsingdi in the Dhaka division; the entire Kishoreganj district; Brahmanbaria in the Cumilla division; and large areas of the hill districts Khagrachhari and Rangamati are identified as high-risk zones. Ceiling And Wall Cracks After An Earthquake: When To Worry Statistics show that between 1976 and 2015, Bangladesh experienced at least five major earthquakes. Almost all of these originated in Sylhet, Moulvibazar, Rangamati, Bandarban, and Cox’s Bazar. Historically, it has been expected that these areas may also experience stronger quakes in the future. But the rapid and unplanned development of centrally located Dhaka city in the period since independence, and its proximity to the epicentre of the weekend’s tremors, are triggering renewed concerns over the fate that awaits the capital’s residents. During the inspection at three affected areas of Dhaka on Saturday, the RAJUK Chairman Engineer Md Riazul Islam said this earthquake was a warning for us. “If we do not take it seriously, a major disaster awaits,” he warned. He added that authorities are preparing a list of the buildings that were damaged in the quake. The risky structures are being inspected on-site, and those found highly unsafe are being sealed or closed. “In some cases, dangerous installations are being removed. Unless all of us become aware and act responsibly, we may face a severe catastrophe in the near future.” Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan has warned that nearly 90% of old buildings in Dhaka were constructed without following the building codes, leaving the capital extremely vulnerable; especially in light of the recent earthquakes. Speaking to journalists in Mirpur on Friday, she said the latest tremor should serve as a serious wake-up call for Bangladesh. “We have never experienced earthquakes this strong. Repeated warnings are being issued; this is the time to prepare,” she said. 10 Most Earthquake-prone Countries around the World

No political party or candidate will be allowed to carry out electioneering in educational institutions, government offices or foreign lands, in addition to religious places of worship, according to the recently published electoral code of conduct. The Election Commission has imposed the ban on campaign in educational institutions, government offices and foreign territories for the first time in the Code of Conduct for Political Parties and Candidates in Parliamentary Election Rule 2025, which was published in official gazette on November 10 last ahead of the national election to be held in February 2026. A candidate must resign from the president or member post of the management committee of an educational institution before the start of election campaign. No candidate is allowed to receive any type of reception from an institution, association or organisation and no one involved in election campaign can stay in government Dak-Bungalow, rest-house, circuit-house or any government office. According to the section 15 of the code of conduct, any registered political party or its nominated candidates or independent candidates or anyone acting on their behalf can’t carry out any form of election campaign in mosques, temples, pagodas, churches or any other religious place of worship and any government office or educational institution. The EC is introducing a hybrid postal balloting system for expatriate Bangladeshis to vote in the upcoming national election, but it barred campaign abroad. Police HQ seeks ‘honest, neutral’ inspectors for OC posts ahead of election “No political party or candidate can’t hold any type of public rally, street rally and meeting or carry out campaign in foreign land centering the election,” states section 06 of the code of conduct. No Posters; Maximum 20 Billboards The use of posters has completely been banned, but billboards, banners and festoons alongside leaflets and handbills can be used in the electioneering. Besides, campaigning through electronic and digital media is allowed this time. As per the section 7 of the code of conduct, posters cannot be used under any circumstances, and pamphlets, leaflets, handbills, festoons or banners made from non-biodegradable materials such as rexine, polythene, plastic or other environmentally harmful substances are prohibited. Banners, leaflets, handbills and festoons must be in black and white. The maximum allowable size is 10 feet by 4 feet for banners, 8.27 inches by 11.69 inches for leaflets, and 18 inches by 24 inches for festoons. These restrictions do not apply to electronic or digital media campaigns. A candidate cannot install more than 20 billboards in an election area (constituency), each with a maximum size of 16 feet by 9 feet. Poly-coated banners, leaflets or festoons, as well as PVC banners, are prohibited. No More  Than  3 Loud Speakers Under Section 17 of the new code, a candidate, or anyone acting on his or her behalf, can’t use more than three microphones or loudspeakers simultaneously in a constituency. This is aligned with Article 44B(3A) of the Representation of the People Order 1972, which prohibits candidates from incurring expenses on more than three microphones or loudspeakers at a time. However, EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed on November 11 explained the provision saying that not more than three amplifiers can be used in a meeting or rally. “If a candidate holds three rallies, they can use a total of nine amplifiers — three for each,” he said. To curb sound pollution, the new code states that sound from microphones used in campaigns must not exceed 60 decibels, and loudspeakers may only be used from 2pm to 8pm daily. The violation of the code of conduct could lead to cancellation of the candidature as a provision incorporated in the code alongside the RPO. Read more: Jamaat, NCP, other parties join EC’s dialogue Campaign Plan Political parties or candidates must submit their campaign plans to the authorities before the campaign begins. To foster mutual harmony and maintain a friendly environment, the returning officer or assistant returning officer will bring all candidates together after symbol allocation to present their electoral manifestos and pledge to follow the code of conduct. Candidates or party representatives can take part in electoral dialogues hosted by television channels but must avoid personal attacks. No Drone, Quadcopter The new code of conduct banned the use of any type of drone, quadcopter or such type of machine in the election campaign and the balloting hours. Only the president and general secretary of a political party — or their equivalents — may use helicopters for campaign travel. However, no campaign material may be displayed, distributed or dropped using the helicopter. Previously, only the party chief or equivalent could use a helicopter. Some 4,000 expats register on first day to vote in next election AI-Social Media Misuse According to the code of conduct, Artificial Intelligence (AI) cannot be used for malicious purposes in any election-related matter, including campaigning. Candidates, their election agents or political parties must submit the name, account ID, email ID and other relevant social media information to the returning officer before the campaign begins. The code prohibits all harmful content — including hate speech, misinformation, facial distortion, fabricated materials or inflammatory language targeting opponents, women, minorities or any other group of people. No political party, candidate or affiliated person can create, publish or share false, misleading, hateful, obscene or defamatory content on social media or any other platform through editing or AI manipulation, with the intention of misleading voters or tarnishing any person’s image. Punishment Punishment for violating the code has been made stricter, with the maximum penalty raised to six months’ imprisonment and a fine of Tk 150,000 (previously Tk 50,000). A new provision requires candidates to submit a written commitment to abide by the code and accept punishment in case of violation. Read more: Motivate voters to go to polling stations: CEC to political leaders

Once considered a crucial regional lifeline, the Chuadanga–Darshana road has now turned into a symbol of chronic neglect, corruption and repeated failure. Despite being repaired more than 10 times over the past two and a half years, spending Tk 8.62 crore, the road remains unfit for travel, leaving thousands of commuters at daily risk. The highway, one of Chuadanga’s five key regional routes, was resurfaced repeatedly by the Roads and Highways Department (RHD). Yet the 9.7-kilometre stretch from Chuadanga District Jail to Dugdugi Bazar in Damurhuda upazila is today riddled with deep potholes, sharp depressions, raised patches and crumbling sections. Locals say the so-called repairs have achieved nothing. Instead, the road’s condition has worsened so drastically that buses, trucks, microbuses and smaller vehicles struggle to pass through its hazardous segments — often at crawling speed and at constant risk of accidents. Many residents accuse contractors and officials of siphoning off government funds under the cover of local infrastructure development. “Massive plundering took place in the name of repairs,” a local man alleged, claiming that various groups embezzled significant sums allocated for the project. Costly Repair Delivered Little According to RHD sources, the repair initiative officially began on 17 February 2022 with the stated aim of improving transport and ensuring smooth traffic flow along this vital regional link. Contractor Zaherul Ltd was assigned the work, though locals allege that the project was effectively carried out by the former Chuadanga District Jubo League.

Police Headquarters has instructed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Special Branch (SB) and Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) to immediately submit lists of honest, neutral and administratively efficient police inspectors for appointment as officers-in-charge (OCs) at police stations across the country ahead of the national election. The directive, issued on November 16 by the Personnel Management–2 wing of PHQ, says that deploying “competent, impartial and professionally credible” police station chiefs is crucial to ensuring a peaceful and fair parliamentary election scheduled for February next year. According to the circular, the law-and-order situation at the field level, especially during the election period, depends significantly on the effectiveness and neutrality of the OC. The chiefs of police stations are identified as the primary point of command for enforcing Election Commission directives, preventing violence and responding to political tensions. Previous elections have shown that the performance and neutrality of OCs can directly influence the credibility of overall security management. With political activities intensifying nationwide, PHQ has prioritised the OC selection process. Unit heads of the DMP, CID and SB have been asked to prepare and submit names of eligible inspectors currently serving under their commands who have clean service records, proven administrative capability and reputations for integrity. A senior police officer, preferring not to be named, said the lists will be reviewed by a committee before final deployment orders for OC postings are issued. The letter was signed by Additional DIG Abdullah Al Zahir of the Personnel Management–2 wing, who underscored the urgency of completing preparations as part of a coordinated security strategy for the national polls. Another senior official at PHQ told UNB that the initiative is part of wider efforts to strengthen field-level policing, which include advance intelligence coordination, enhanced monitoring of vulnerable polling centres and special training modules for officers likely to be posted in high-risk constituencies.

A government-run health facility in Cumilla’s Chandina upazila has allegedly been rented out and used as a private hardware warehouse, sparking concerns over misuse of public property and negligence by health staff. Locals say the Mohichail Union Health and Family Welfare Centre has been partially occupied by a businessman with the consent of the health assistant in charge, who is accused of accepting money in exchange for permitting the illegal use of the premises. A visit to the site revealed that the union sub-health centre comprises three buildings — one used for daily operations, another designated as residential quarters, and the third for the Family Planning Inspector’s office.  The residential building was found locked, while the inspector’s office had been converted into a hardware storage facility. Initially, health assistant Saiful Islam insisted that the building had been declared abandoned and that relevant documents had been submitted.  When questioned further, he admitted that the space had been rented to a trader named Selim from Mahichail Bazar. Silent Walls, Absent Healers: 46 health centres deserted in Sunamganj The alleged misuse has gone largely unchallenged, partly because the newly established Mohichail 20-bed Government Hospital — located just 200 metres away — now serves most of the area’s patients, rendering the old sub-centre largely unused. A local businessman, requesting anonymity, expressed his anger, saying,“How can a government office be rented as a warehouse? Is no one monitoring these irregularities? We urge the administration to take strict action against such corruption.” Trader Selim acknowledged using the building as a warehouse, stating that he is a person with disabilities.  “After journalists came and took photos, I removed all my goods,” he said. Health assistant Saiful Islam attempted to justify his actions, claiming the unused building had turned into a gathering place for drug users at night.  “A disabled trader begged me to keep a few drums for a few days. He gave me Tk 6,000, which I used to build a gate to stop outsiders from entering after office hours. If this was wrong, the responsibility is mine,” he said. Daulatpur health centre beset with manifold problems Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr Arifur Rahman said he had been unaware of the situation.  “After learning about the matter from journalists, I immediately ordered the building to be vacated and recommended departmental action against the health assistant,” he said.