United News of Bangladesh

Candidates will not be allowed to enter any polling center other than their own. Even after casting their vote, a candidate will not be permitted to re-enter their designated center, said the Election Commission of the Jagannath University Central Students’ Union (JnUCSU) and Hall Students’ Union Election 2025. The information was disclosed on Monday night at a press conference organized by the Election Commission at Jagannath University, where Chief Election Commissioner Professor Dr. Mostafa Hasan briefed the media. He further said that all preparations for conducting the election have been completed. With the cooperation of all concerned, he expressed optimism that a transparent, orderly, acceptable, and historic election would be held. According to him, voting will take place uninterrupted from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday. However, voters who enter the polling center and its perimeter before 3:00 p.m. will be allowed to cast their votes. Read more: Long-cherished JnUCSU Election on Tuesday As per Election Commission data, a total of 16,645 voters will exercise their franchise at 38 polling centers in the JnUCSU election. In addition, 1,242 voters will vote at a single polling center for the hall students’ union election. The Chief Election Commissioner said that votes will be counted separately at each center after polling ends. The respective returning officer will announce the results immediately at the center. Later, after consolidating results from all centers, the Election Commission will announce the final results. A total of six machines will be used for vote counting. To ensure transparency and security, a three-tier security system will be enforced across the campus, he said. The entire university campus and all polling centers have been brought under CCTV surveillance. Moreover, live broadcasting of vote counting will be arranged through three digital boards across the campus and surrounding areas, as well as on the social media platform Facebook. He also stated that voters whose ID cards have expired will be able to vote by accessing the voter list and collecting their voter ID via QR code scan on mobile phones or as a printed copy. The voter list will be photo-based. The Election Commission further informed that indelible ink will be used at polling centers. Ballot papers will be supplied department-wise in the morning. Students will vote only in the department where they are registered as voters. The ballot papers will contain special security codes. Read more: Election season kicks off in Bangladesh; 2,582 candidates submitted nomination papers It was also announced at the press conference that a ‘mock test’ was completed on Monday ahead of the election, in which around 30 candidates participated. No extra ballots have been printed. After casting their votes, voters must leave the campus. Only candidates and valid cardholders will be allowed to remain on campus. Those present at the press conference included Election Commissioners Professor Dr. Md. Shahidul Islam, Professor Dr. Kaniz Fatema Kakoli, Professor Dr. Zulfikar Mahmud, and Dr. Md. Anisur Rahman. Also present were Director of the ICT Cell Professor Dr. Mohammad Nasir Uddin and PRIP Director Dr. Muhammad Anwarus Salam.

The upward trend in remittances sent by expatriate Bangladeshis has continued in December, with receiving over US $ 2.93 billion in 28 days of the month. Bangladesh received $15.97 billion inward remittance so far in the current fiscal year FY 2025-26. According to the latest update from Bangladesh Bank, the $ 2.93 billion remittance in 28 days of December, is an increase by 21.3 percent compared to the same period last year. In December of the previous year (2024), the country received around $ 2.42 billion in 28 days of December. The growth is attributed to several factors, including incentives offered for sending money through legal banking channels, increased encouragement for using the formal system, and the active role of exchange houses. Remittance inflow has shown robust growth throughout the current fiscal year (FY 2025-26). From July 1 to December 28, 2025, the total remittance inflow reached $15.97 billion. This represents an increase of $2.42 billion compared to the same period in the previous fiscal year (FY 2024-25), when the total stood at $ 13.55 billion. The year-on-year growth rate for the fiscal year to date is 17.8 percent. Bangladesh received $2.46 billion remittance in 22 days of December Following a significant jump in inward remittances this year, Bangladesh Bank has been actively purchasing dollars from commercial banks to maintain market stability and balance the supply-demand of foreign exchange. Bangladesh Bank Executive Director and Spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan said that the central bank purchased $ 3.05 billion in the current fiscal year. As a result, the gross forex reserves crossed $32 billion so far. As commercial banks face a surplus of dollars due to the remittance boom, the central bank has stepped in to prevent drastic fluctuations in the exchange rate.  

Police detained a youth with a toy pistol from behind the stage of Inqilab Mancha sit-in programme in the capital’s Shahbagh on Monday evening (December 29, 2025). Police said several people spotted the youth behaving suspiciously behind the stage of the rally and held him before handing him over to police. Read more: Inqilab Moncho's Shahbagh blockade continues demanding justice for Hadi A pistol-like object was recovered from his possession, and he was immediately taken to Shahbagh Police Station. According to the National ID card recovered from him, the detainee was identified as Md Arafat Zaman, a resident of Jigatola. Shahbagh Police Station Officer-in-Charge Moniruzzaman said the object recovered from Arafat was verified as a toy pistol. “He has been kept in police custody for questioning. During primary interrogation, he claimed he used the toy pistol for playing at home and brought it out today by mistake,” the OC said. Read more: Hadi murder case to be tried under current govt: Home Adviser

Two young children were rescued late at night after being found abandoned by the roadside in Anwara upazila of Chattogram. The children were spotted along the PAB road in the Sholokata area of Baroakhan union. Locals saw them sitting in the cold, with the elder sister holding her younger brother tightly. Witnesses said the incident took place on Sunday night during severe cold weather. The elder child, Ayesha, aged four, told locals that their home is in the Maulvir Dokan area of Satkania upazila. The children are now staying at the house of local CNG driver Mohim Uddin in the Hajigaon Jhiori Gucchagram. On Monday afternoon, Ayesha said her younger brother’s name is Morshed. Their father is Khorshed Alam and mother is Jhinuk. She claimed that their aunt brought them from their parents and left them beside the road. Mohim Uddin said people gathered after seeing the children shivering in the cold after Sunday evening. He later took them to his home and informed local representatives. Mohim’s wife, Sharmin Akter, said, “Both children are ill and the younger one is ‘disabled’. After giving them a warm bath with hot water and food at night, they were able to speak somewhat normally.” CU student found hanging in Chattogram She presumed the relatives committed such an inhumane act because of the children’s illness. Anwara Police Station Sub-Inspector Momen said that police rushed to the spot after receiving information and shared the children’s photos and details with other police stations. Upazila Nirbahi Officer Tahmina Akter said, “Steps are being taken to send the children to a Safe Home through the social services office. Police and social welfare officials have been given necessary instructions.”

Chief Adviser's Special Assistant for the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb on Monday urged the concerned authorities to work together to ensure uninterrupted and improved telecommunication services. He made the call while inspecting the Third Submarine Cable Laying (2nd revised) Project and the associated landing station of Bangladesh Submarine Cables PLC (BSCCL), aimed at expanding the country’s international telecommunications network. During the visit, he was briefed on the project’s progress, technical capabilities, operational management, and future plans. He also toured key facilities of the landing station and exchanged views with officials and employees, said a hand out. Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb said the submarine cable project plays a crucial role in strengthening the nation’s digital infrastructure. “Through the implementation of the SMW-6 project, the country’s internet bandwidth capacity will increase, along with enhanced international telecommunication facilities, which will indirectly contribute to socio-economic development and the creation of a prosperous Bangladesh,” he added. He urged the officers and employees of Bangladesh Submarine Cables PLC to work with professionalism, dedication, and sincerity to ensure uninterrupted and quality telecommunication services. The third submarine cable (SMW-6) will extend from Cox’s Bazar to Singapore on one side and France on the other, enabling connectivity to major data centers in Singapore, India, Djibouti, and France through the core cable. After the inspection, Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb planted Thai longan saplings on the premises of Bangladesh Submarine Cables PLC. Bangladesh Submarine Cables PLC Managing Director Md Aslam Hossain and other senior officials were present.

A total of 39 candidates submitted nomination papers for three parliamentary seats in Gopalganj till Monday, the final day for filing nominations for the 13th national election. Despite a cold wave, the offices of the district commissioner and returning officer, as well as the election office, saw a crowd of candidates and party activists. According to sources at the office of the district returning officer and the deputy commissioner, 13 candidates filed nominations in Gopalganj-1, 14 in Gopalganj-2 and 12 in Gopalganj-3. In Gopalganj-1, covering Muksudpur and part of Kashiani, nominations were filed by Mizanur Rahman of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Md Zakir Hossain of Jantar Dal, Md Selimuzzaman of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Ashraful Alam Shimul as an independent candidate, MA Qaiyum Khan as an independent candidate, M Anisul Islam as an independent candidate, Sultan Zaman Khan as an independent candidate, Nazmul Alam as an independent candidate, Maulana Abdul Hamid of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Md Kabir Mia of Gono Odhikar Parishad (GOP), Nirod Baran Majumder of Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), Imran Hossain Afsari of Khelafat Majlis and Al Amin of AB Party. In Gopalganj-2, covering Gopalganj Sadar and part of Kashiani, nomination papers were submitted by Mahamud Hasan of Zaker Party, Azmal Hossain of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Shoaib Ibrahim of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, Dr KM Babar of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), MH Khan Manju as an independent candidate, Sirajul Islam as an independent candidate, Mashiur Rahman as an independent candidate, Utpal Biswas as an independent candidate, Kamruzzaman Bhuiyan as an independent candidate, Shipon Bhuiyan as an independent candidate, Roni Mollah as an independent candidate, Shah Mofiz of Gano Forum, Taslim Hossain Sikder of Islami Andolan Bangladesh and Din Mohammad of Gono Odhikar Parishad (GOP). Two senior BNP leaders, MH Khan Manju and Sirajul Islam, also filed as independent candidates outside the party nomination in Gopalganj-2. Deadline extended again for commission  investigating attack on NCP rally in Gopalganj In Gopalganj-3, covering Tungipara and Kotalipara, candidates included Abul Bashar Daria of Gono Odhikar Parishad (GOP), Maruf Sheikh of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, SM Zilani of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), MM Rezaul Karim of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Md Ariful Daria of National Citizen Party (NCP), Sheikh Salauddin of National People’s Party (NPP), A Aziz of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish, Habibur Rahman as an independent candidate, Gobinda Chandra Pramanik as an independent candidate, Rowshan Ara as an independent candidate, Dulal Chandra Biswas of Gano Forum and Ali Ahmed of Khelafat Majlis. According to the district election office, no obstacles, disorder or untoward incidents were reported during the submission of nomination papers in Gopalganj, and the entire process was completed peacefully.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Monday filed a case against five individuals on charges of embezzling Tk 2 crore 55 lakh from Standard Asiatic Oil Company Limited, a subsidiary of Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC). The case was filed at the ACC’s Chattogram Integrated District Office by Deputy Director (Money Laundering) Md Jahangir Alam. The accused are Abdullah Al Mamun, an HR officer of Standard Asiatic Oil Company Limited; Mohammad Mahmudul Haque, deputy manager (accounts) and depot in-charge of the company; businessman Mohammad Gias Uddin Gias; Md Sohel Rana, proprietor of Azhar Telecom; and Md Masud Mia, proprietor of Messrs Medina Quality. According to the case statement, the accused, with dishonest intent, abused their power and, in collusion with one another, siphoned off the money from the accounts of the state-owned company through various means. BPCS Consortium signs SLTE agreement with Nokia Analysis of the relevant documents and information revealed that, in addition to embezzling funds from the state-owned entity, the accused were also involved in money laundering by transferring and converting the misappropriated funds. The case has been filed under Section 409 of the Penal Code, 1860; Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947; and Sections 4(2) and 4(3) of the Money Laundering Prevention Act, 2012.  

The Jagannath University Central Students’ Union (JnUCSU) and Hall Students’ Union elections will be held on Tuesday (December 30, 2025). Voting will start at 9:00 am and continue until 3:00 pm without any break. A total of 16,500 students are expected to exercise their voting rights at 178 booths across 39 polling centers. Ballot papers will be distributed to the polling centers in the morning before voting begins. Votes will be counted using digital OMR machines. To ensure security, CCTV cameras have been installed at every polling center. Read more: Candidates not allowed to enter any center other than their own: JnUCSU Election Commission Ahead of the election, the university administration has strengthened security in and around the Jagannath University campus. Alongside law enforcement personnel, intelligence officers have also been seen on duty. A police control room has been set up at Victoria Park in front of the university. Meanwhile, to ensure campus security, a separate notice issued by the Registrar’s Office instructed all students to vacate the campus by 3:30 pm on Monday. It was also announced that all buses operating under the university transport pool would depart 15 minutes earlier than scheduled. Officers and teachers assigned election duties have been directed to perform their responsibilities in accordance with the Election Commission’s guidelines. Faisal Ahmed, officer-in-charge (OC) of Kotwali Police Station, said there is no security concerns surrounding the elections. “We have taken all necessary preparations. Special forces are on standby around the campus, and CCTV cameras have been installed at various important points for round-the-clock surveillance,” he added. Election Commissioner Professor Dr. Zulfikar Mahmud said that all preparations related to the election have been completed. “Responsibilities have been assigned to teachers and officials for election duties. We hope the election will be held smoothly with everyone’s participation,” he added. Jagannath University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Rezaul Karim said, “The JnUCSU election will definitely be held. The ministry has sought some information from me regarding security matters. Overall, I am optimistic that the election will be conducted in a very fair and festive environment.” Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal-backed VP candidate AKM Rakib said, “Tomorrow (Tuesday) is our long-cherished election, for which we have been continuing movements and struggles for a long time. We have stood by the students in the past and will continue to do so in the future. We hope for a good election in a festive atmosphere.” Islami Chhatra Shibir-backed VP candidate Riazul Islam said, “Students are spontaneously participating in our campaign. Just as talented students in other campuses across Bangladesh have placed their trust in Shibir, we are hopeful that the same trust will be reflected in the JnUCSU election.” Chhatra Shakti-backed Oikjoboddho Jobiyan panel’s VP candidate Kishor Samya said, “The Election Commission is merely a nominal commission. This commission could not resolve even a single violation of the code of conduct. We call upon students to vote against oppression.” JnUCSU election: Students asked to vacate campus by 3:30pm According to the list published on the website, there are 4 candidates for the Liberation War and Democracy position, 9 for Education and Research, 5 for Science and Technology Editor, 5 for Health and Environment Editor, 4 for Law and Human Rights Editor, 8 for International Affairs Editor, 7 for Literature and Culture Editor, 7 for Sports Editor, 4 for Transport Editor, 10 for Social Service and Student Welfare Editor, 7 for Library and Seminar Editor, and 57 candidates contesting 7 general member positions. In the women’s hall, for 13 positions, the preliminary list includes 3 candidates for Vice-President (VP), 3 for General Secretary (GS), 2 for Assistant General Secretary (AGS), 2 for Literature and Publication Editor, 4 for Culture Editor, 2 for Library Editor, 2 for Sports Editor, 3 for Social Service and Student Welfare Editor, 4 for Health and Environment Editor, and 8 candidates contesting 4 general member positions in the hall parliament.

Jahangirnagar University (JU) authorities on Monday detained a candidate for using the artificial intelligence tool ChatGPT to cheat in the 2025–26 academic year undergraduate (honors) first-year admission test (55th batch). A mobile court, after establishing his guilt, sentenced the student to seven days of simple imprisonment. The incident occurred during the second shift of the ‘A’ unit admission test under the Faculty of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, in Room 102 of the Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) department. According to the source of university administration, the arrested student, Md. Mahmudullah Hasan, a resident of Akashkuri village in Dimla Upazila, Nilphamari, was found secretly using a mobile phone to collect answers via ChatGPT and fill out the OMR sheet. Suspicious of the student’s activity, the invigilator immediately informed the proctorial body, and Hasan was later taken to the proctor’s office. During questioning, Hasan admitted to previously using the same method in the ‘D’ unit admission test of the Faculty of Biological Sciences on Dec 23, taking photos of the question paper in Room 401 of the Chemistry department to collect answers via ChatGPT. He secured the 242nd position in the merit list of that unit in results published on Dec 25. Following the investigation, the university administration canceled Hasan’s admission tests for all units. Professor Mohammad Mafruhi Sattar, acting dean of the Faculty of Biological Sciences, said, “The student’s results will be annulled.” Proctor AKM Rashidul Alam added, “The student will not be allowed to participate in any future admission tests at Jahangirnagar University. The executive magistrate’s court sentenced him to seven days in jail, and he is currently serving the sentence.”

The Ministry of Railways on Monday warned of strict legal action against those involved in sabotage, vandalism or obstruction of railway operations, saying such acts endanger passenger safety and cause significant losses to national assets. In a notice, the ministry said recent incidents of deliberate damage to railway tracks, stone-throwing at trains and unjustified blockades have disrupted train services, caused public suffering and tarnished the image of Bangladesh Railway. Maintain law and order at any cost: Bangladesh’s police chief The ministry noted that railways are state-owned national property, and any damage to tracks, locomotives, coaches or other railway assets ultimately results in losses borne by the people of the country. Causing damage to state property or attempting to do so is a punishable offence under existing laws, the statement said, adding that those involved in illegal activities in the name of political, social or other programmes would be brought to justice. The Ministry of Railways and Bangladesh Railway also urged citizens to remain vigilant and cooperate in protecting railway property, stressing that public support is essential to ensure safe and uninterrupted train services. Arms smuggling attempts rise ahead of Bangladesh polls: Home Adviser Bangladesh Railway reaffirmed its commitment to providing quality passenger services and said it would continue working closely with law enforcement agencies to prevent sabotage and ensure the safety of railway operations across the country.