United News of Bangladesh

The health condition of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, who is being treated in the Critical Care Unit (CCU) of Evercare Hospital, has worsened and become extremely critical, members of her medical board said on Monday night (December 29, 2025). “Khaleda Zia’s condition is extremely critical. She is being kept on life support and is now receiving regular dialysis,” said her medical board member Dr Ziaul Haque. He said whenever the dialysis is stopped, her physical condition worsens significantly. “Due to her advanced age and multiple health complications, it is not possible to provide all treatments at the same time.” Another board member Dr Zafar Iqbal said Khaleda Zia’s condition could be described as “critically ill”. Read more: Nomination papers submitted on behalf of Khaleda in Feni-1 “We seek prayers from everyone. Some further tests have been advised, and decisions will be taken after the results are available. She remains under treatment in the CCU,” he said. Another physician of the medical board, wishing anonymity, said the doctors are making their best efforts, adding that the rest now depends on the will of Allah. “She is elderly, and many long-standing illnesses have resurfaced at this age. Some of these conditions could not be treated properly at the right time earlier. Recovery from multiple complications has become very difficult due to her age,” he said. The physician said the BNP chief’s condition fluctuates between slight improvement and deterioration. “She is under constant observation, and new tests are being conducted every day.” After his return from London last Thursday, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman visited Evercare Hospital to see his mother. Read more: Khaleda Zia integral to an important chapter in Bangladesh history: Prof Yunus He regularly visits her after completing his daily programmes and stayed beside her hospital bed for several hours before leaving late at night. Tarique went straight to Evercare Hospital after spending more than three hours at the BNP central office in Nayapaltan. In a brief address to party leaders and workers gathered outside the party office, he urged everyone to pray for his mother’s recovery. Khaleda Zia has been receiving treatment in the CCU of Evercare Hospital for more than a month. Her treatment is being conducted under the supervision of cardiologist Professor Shahabuddin Talukder. Following a medical board meeting on Saturday night, Khaleda Zia’s personal physician Professor AZM Zahid Hossain said her condition remains complex and critical. “Her condition is extremely complex, and she is now going through a critical moment. If, by the grace of Almighty Allah and the tireless efforts of doctors, she can overcome this crisis, then we may see some positive outcome,” he said. The 80-year-old former prime minister has long been suffering from multiple health complications, including arthritis, diabetes, kidney, liver, lung, heart and eye problems. She had been receiving treatment for these conditions for years. While staying at her residence, she recently developed breathing difficulties, cough, fever and phy sical weakness. As her condition gradually worsened, she was admitted to Evercare Hospital on November 23.Following medical examinations, rapid deterioration of her lungs, heart and kidneys was detected, prompting doctors to move her to the CCU on November 27. Read more: Khaleda in critical condition, undergoing challenging treatment phase: Dr Zahid A medical board comprising 30 local and foreign specialist doctors has been formed to oversee her treatment. The board holds daily meetings and makes adjustments to her treatment plan as needed.

A total of 2,582 candidates have submitted nomination papers to contest from the country’s 300 constituencies in the 13th general election slated for February 12, 2026. As many as 3,407 aspirants collected nomination papers, but 2,582 ones filed nomination papers, according to the statistics of the EC’s central coordination committee. Among them, 278 nomination papers were submitted in 33 constituencies of Rangpur region, while 260  in 39 constituencies of Rajshahi region, 276  in 36 constituencies of Khulna region, 166  in 21 constituencies of Barishal region, 142 in 15 constituencies of Faridpur region, 444  in 41 constituencies of Dhaka region, 311 in 38 constituencies of Mymensingh region, 146 in 19 constituencies of Sylhet region, 365  in 35 constituencies of Cumilla region, and 194  in 23 constituencies of Chattogram region. BNP enters election race with anti-fascist movement allies The candidates across the country submitted their nomination papers on Monday before the 5:00 pm deadline in a calm and orderly atmosphere for the upcoming national election. Most aspirants submitted their nomination papers on the final day as only 166 were submitted until Sunday. No incident of violence was reported anywhere in the country in connection with the submission of nomination papers on the final day. BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia’s nomination paper was submitted to contest the election from Feni-1, while BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman’s nomination papers were submitted to contest from Dhaka-17 and Bogura-6 constituencies. Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman’s nomination papers were filed to the returning officer concerned to contest from Dhaka-15 constituency. Maintain law and order at any cost: Bangladesh’s police chief BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir submitted the nomination paper to contest from Thakurgaon-1 constituency, while Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar submitted his nomination paper to run from Khulna-5 constituency. The number of aspirants, who submitted nomination papers, was 2,711 in the 12th general election held on January 07, 2024, what that was 3,065 in the 11th general election held on December 30, 2018.    The Election Commission on December 11 announced the schedule to hold the 13th parliament election and the referendum on the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order simultaneously on February 12 next. According to the election schedule, the deadline for the submission of nomination paper is December 29, while the scrutiny of nomination paper is on December 30-January 4 and the last date for the withdrawal of candidature is January 20. EC Secretary rules out further extension for nomination submission The election campaign will start on January 22 and continue till 48 hours before the balloting period (7:30am on February 10). This time the Commission appointed 69 returning officers –two divisional commissioners (Dhaka and Chattogram), three regional election officers (Dhaka, Chattogram and Khulna) and 64 district deputy commissioners. The collection and submission of nomination papers started on December 12, a day after the announcement of the election schedule.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has expelled Professor Md Jasim Uddin, former Ameer of the party’s Mymensingh District unit, for violating party discipline. In a statement issued on Monday, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar said that Ameer-e-Jamaat Dr Shafiqur Rahman cancelled Prof Md Jasim Uddin’s membership and expelled him from the organization due to breach of party discipline.

BNP has formed its electoral alliance largely with parties that stood by it during the anti-fascist movement, bringing together moderate democratic, left-leaning and right-leaning groups, even though seat-sharing talks failed with several others.  As part of its electoral strategy, the BNP has formally brought some alliance leaders into the party and given them its election symbol: ‘Sheaf of Paddy’. BNP sources said the party has shared 17 seats with its alliance partners, including those who joined the party to contest with the Sheaf of Paddy symbol, while 283 BNP candidates are contesting the polls. The party is expected to publish a detailed list of both its own candidates and alliance nominees very soon, as the deadline for submitting nomination papers ends today (Monday).  The biggest surprise in the alliance is BNP’s consensus with the registered Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Bangladesh, which has been allotted four seats — the highest number given to any single alliance partner. With the Awami League barred from political activities under the changed political situation, the next parliamentary election is expected to see a direct contest mainly between the BNP-led alliance and the Jamaat-e-Islami-led coalition.  Most of BNP’s electoral partners are parties that remained active on the streets alongside the BNP during the long movement against the Awami League regime. Seat-sharing agreements with these parties have already been finalised. The BNP has left seats to registered alliance partners that enjoy national recognition and have a realistic chance of winning. As per the arrangement, the BNP will not field any candidates in these constituencies. According to the seat-sharing agreement, Nagarik Oikya President Mahmudur Rahman Manna will contest from Bogura-2, Bangladesh Jatiya Party Chairman Andaleeve Rahman Partho from Bhola-1, Revolutionary Workers Party General Secretary Saiful Haque from Dhaka-12, Ganosamhati Andolon Chief Coordinator Zonayed Saki from Brahmanbaria-6, and Gono Odhikar Parishad President Nurul Haq Nur from Patuakhali-3, all using their respective party symbols. In Dhaka-12, although the BNP initially nominated former Dhaka North unit convener Saiful Alam Nirab, his nomination was later withdrawn in favour of alliance partner Saiful Haque. Besides, unregistered party NPP Chairman Dr Fariduzzaman Farhad will contest from Narail-2, while unregistered Jamiat Senior Joint Secretary General Mufti Rashid Bin Wakkas will contest from Jashore-5 using the Sheaf of Paddy. Jatiya Party (Kazi Zafar) Chairman Mostafa Jamal Haider will contest from Pirojpur-1. The BNP has withdrawn its own candidates from these seats to maintain alliance unity. As part of its electoral strategy and to strengthen unity, the BNP has also absorbed several top leaders of smaller, unregistered parties and given them the party symbol, despite their limited organisational strength. Among them, Bangladesh LDP Chairman Shahadat Hossain Selim is contesting from Lakshmipur-1, while Bangladesh National Party Chairman Syed Ehsanul Huda will contest from Kishoreganj-5. Both leaders joined the BNP after dissolving their parties. The BNP earlier nominated its own candidate for Kishoreganj-5 but later changed its decision to reinforce the alliance. LDP Secretary General Redowan Ahmed will contest from Cumilla-7, Gono Odhikar Parishad General Secretary Rashed Khan from Jhenaidah-4, and National Democratic Movement (NDM) Chairman Bobby Hajjaj from Dhaka-13, all using the BNP symbol after joining the party. The BNP has also reached a seat-sharing agreement with the registered Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Bangladesh in four constituencies. The BNP will not nominate candidates in these seats. Jamiat candidates are Maulana Md Manjurul Islam Afendi in Nilphamari-1, Mufti Monir Hossain Kasemi in Narayanganj-4, Maulana Md Ubaidullah Faruq in Sylhet-5 and Maulana Junayed Al Habib in Brahmanbaria-2. They will contest using their party symbol, the Date Palm Tree. Sources said the BNP earlier reached a preliminary understanding with Oli Ahmed-led LDP over two seats — Chattogram-14 and Cumilla-7. However, Oli Ahmed later withdrew from the seat-sharing process after demanding around eight seats. Following this, LDP Secretary General Redowan Ahmed joined the BNP and secured nomination with the party symbol, while Oli Ahmed joined the Jamaat-led alliance. Tarique Rahman visits BNP headquarters after 19 years The Labour Party also stayed out of the BNP alliance after failing to secure any seats. Political analysts say that with the Awami League absent from the electoral race, it is natural for parties that supported the events of August 5 to compete with each other for power. This competition has resulted in clear political polarisation. Two main blocs have now emerged —one led by the BNP and the other led by Jamaat-e-Islami, along with the NCP and other Islamic parties. The upcoming election is expected to be contested mainly between these two alliances.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman has disclosed assets worth nearly Tk 15 million and an annual income of Tk 360,000 in his affidavit submitted to the Election Commission, as he filed his nomination papers for the upcoming national election. According to the affidavit, Shafiqur Rahman has Tk 6,076,497 in cash and owns 10 bhori of gold. He also owns a duplex house built on 11.77 decimals of land in his own name, valued at Tk 2.7 million. The Jamaat chief owns 2.17 acres of agricultural land, valued at Tk 1.771 million, and earns Tk 300,000 annually from the agricultural sector. The estimated value of his total assets (movable and immovable) stands at Tk 14,999,474 as shown as the income tax return for the fiscal year of 2025-26. He owns a vehicle valued at Tk 450,000, electric goods valued at Tk 200,000 and furniture worth Tk 240,000. Shafiqur Rahman described himself as a medical professional and stated his academic qualification is MBBS. He is accused in two criminal cases which are now postponed by the High Court.  He was accused in 32 other criminal cases in the past, but he was acquitted or relieved from many cases, while some cases were withdrawn.    The Jamaat Ameer submitted his nomination paper from the Dhaka-15 constituency to contest the 13th parliamentary election scheduled to be held on February 12, 2026. On his behalf, a three-member team handed over the nomination paper to Md Yunus Ali, the returning officer for Dhaka-13 and 15 constituency and also Dhaka Regional Election Officer,  at the latter’s office in the Electoral Training Institute in the capital’s Agargaon area. Jamaat assistant secretaries general Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair and Abdul Halim and central executive committee member Mobarak Hossain were the delegation members. The Election Commission on December 11 announced the schedule to arrange the 13th parliament election and the referendum on the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order simultaneously on February 12 next. According to the election schedule, the deadline for the submission of nomination paper is December 29, while the scrutiny of nomination paper is on December 30-January 4 and the last date for the withdrawal of candidature is January 20. The election campaign will start on January 22 and continue till 48 hours before the balloting period (7:30am on February 10).    

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman visited the party’s central office at Nayapaltan on Monday afternoon (December 29, 2025) for the first time in 19 years since 2006, amid a warm welcome from thousands of party leaders and activists. He arrived at the office around 4:05pm and spent about three hours and 15 minutes there before leaving for Evercare Hospital to see his ailing mother. BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, along with other senior party leaders, received Tarique and escorted him into the office. After entering the building, Tarique Rahman came out onto the second-floor balcony, waved to the gathered supporters and delivered a brief speech. Read more: Khaleda Zia’s condition turns extremely critical, say physicians He later went to his designated chamber on the second floor of the building. The room has been newly set up. Rizvi, along with some other leaders, greeted him there with a bouquet. Talking to reporters after Tarique left the office, Rizvi said their Acting Chairman exchanged greetings and views with leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies, as well as the office staff. He said although the party did not ask people to gather at the office, thousands of BNP leaders and activists spontaneously thronged Nayapaltan after hearing news of his possible visit, creating an unprecedented scene and showing their love for their leader. Rizvi said the massive presence of leaders and activists sent a message that people continue to show strong affection for a leader who has not deviated from the people’s hopes and aspirations. The BNP Acting Chairman also offered Asr and Maghrib prayers at the office, said BNP Media Cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan. Earlier, as news spread that Tarique would visit the BNP central office, party leaders and activists began arriving at Nayapaltan from noon. By around 3:30pm, the entire road in front of the party office turned into a large gathering, with thousands of supporters filling the area. Security personnel faced serious difficulty in bringing his vehicle close to the office due to the huge crowd. When his motorcade reached the front of the central office, leaders and activists welcomed him with loud applause and slogans. Tarique waved back to acknowledge their greetings. Ahead of the visit, security was tightened in and around the Nayapaltan office. The main gate of the office was closed from 12:35pm on Monday, while only some senior BNP leaders were allowed to enter the premises. Read more: Tarique’s nomination papers submitted for Dhaka-17, Bogura-6 seats Earlier on Sunday, Tarique visited the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office around 1:40pm and stayed there for nearly nine hours. During the visit, he signed party nomination papers and held several meetings on organisational and political matters. Like the Gulshan office, a separate chamber has also been prepared for the Acting Chairman at the Nayapaltan central office.

There will be no compromise on the issue of justice (Insaaf), said Hasnat Abdullah, chief organiser of the southern region of the National Citizen Party (NCP), on Monday. “We will work to establish a just Bangladesh,” he said while talking to reporters after filing his nomination papers from the Jamaat-led alliance for the Cumilla-4 constituency. He submitted his nomination papers at around 3:30 pm on Monday. Jamaat leader Saiful Islam Shaheed, who withdrew from the election following the party’s decision, was present at the time. Shaheed’s family members, along with alliance leaders and party leaders and activists, were also present. Hasnat said fundamental human rights have been denied for 17 long years due to fascism, and democracy has been robbed. “From that position, we will work to achieve economic freedom while ensuring voting rights,” he added. He also mentioned that Sharif Osman Bin Hadi was martyred while establishing justice and said justice must be ensured from the local to the national level of the state. “We will uphold the newly formed alliance’s stance against corruption. At the same time, we will maintain an uncompromising position on the issue of justice,” Hasnat said.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman’s nomination papers for the Dhaka-17 and Bogura-6 constituencies were submitted on Monday to contest the upcoming national election from the two seats. For Dhaka-17, a BNP delegation, led by BNP Chairperson’s Advisory Council member Abdus Salam, on behalf of Tarique, submitted the nomination papers around 11:46am at the office of the Dhaka Divisional Commissioner and Returning Officer Sharf Uddin Ahmed Choudhury. Besides, his nomination papers for Bogura-6 were also submitted to the Bogura District Administration and Returning Officer by Bogura district BNP President Rezaul Karim Badsha on Monday afternoon. District BNP acting general secretary Mosharraf Hossain, former general secretary Ali Azgar Talukder, former president Saiful Islam were, among others, present during the submission. At the same time, nomination papers for Bogura-7 on behalf of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia were submitted. Helaluzzaman Talukder (Lalu), a member of the BNP Chairperson's Advisory Council, Shajahanpur Upazila BNP President Enamul Haque, Gabtoli Upazila BNP General Secretary Enamul Haque and Gabtoli Municipality BNP President Saiful Islam submitted the nomination papers of behalf of Begum Khaleda Zia to the Bogura Returning Officer at around 3 pm. Earlier, on Sunday, nomination papers for Dinajpur-3 on behalf of Begum Khaleda Zia were submitted by the district BNP president and general secretary. The election campaign will begin on January 22 and continue until 48 hours before polling starts at 7:30am on February 10.

Former Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan on Monday joined the National Citizen Party (NCP), with the party announcing his appointment as its spokesperson and head of the election steering committee. NCP Convener Nahid Islam made the announcement at an emergency press briefing held at the party’s temporary office in the city's Banglamotor in the evening. “Asif is our long-time associate. Through discussions at the party forum, we have decided to appoint him as the party spokesperson. He will also serve as the chief of NCP’s election management committee,” Nahid said. He said although NCP Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary had been overseeing the election management committee so far, the responsibility has now been handed over to Asif as Patwary is contesting the upcoming election. “The committee will be reorganised under Asif’s leadership,” Nahid said. Reacting to his joining the party, Asif said he would not contest the election this time. “Rather than going to Parliament alone, I believe my journey will be meaningful if I can help send my comrades to Parliament to fulfil the aspirations of the July uprising. That is why I joined NCP,” he said. Mahfuj Alam rules out joining NCP over Jamaat alliance Asif also said he would work on the frontlines of NCP’s election campaign and urged voters to cast a ‘Yes’ vote in the referendum. “If you vote ‘Yes’, Bangladesh will move 100 years ahead and the aspirations of July will be fulfilled,” he said. Earlier, on December 10, Asif resigned from his post as adviser. He had previously announced plans to contest the election from the Dhaka-10 constituency. Although there had been speculation about his possible joining of Gono Adhikar Parishad, he ultimately chose to join NCP.  

The Election Commission (EC) will not grant any further extension for the submission of nomination papers for the upcoming national election, EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said on Monday. “The time for submission of nomination papers will not be extended anymore,” he told reporters at Nirbachan Bhaban in the afternoon. The deadline for the submission of nomination papers expired at 5pm on Monday. Replying to a question, the EC Secretary the number of aspirants who submitted nomination papers to contest from the country’s 300 constituencies will be informed later. Nomination submission deadline closes for Bangladesh elections Most of the aspirants submitted their nomination papers today as only 166 nomination papers were filed till Sunday to contest the 13th parliamentary election scheduled to be held on February 12, 2026. According to the EC’s Central Coordination Committee, a total of 3,144 nomination papers were collected to run the polls from the country’s 300 constituencies till Sunday after the election schedule announced on December 11 last. Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin on December 11 announced the schedule to arrange the 13th parliament election and the referendum on the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order simultaneously on February 12 next. According to the election schedule, the deadline for the submission of nomination paper is December 29, while the scrutiny of nomination paper is on December 30-January 4 and the last date for the withdrawal of candidature is January 20. The election campaign will start on January 22 and continue till 48 hours before the balloting period (7:30am on February 10). Tasnim Jara calls for easier election process for independent candidates This time the Commission appointed 69 returning officers –two divisional commissioners (Dhaka and Chattogram), three regional election officers (Dhaka, Chattogram and Khulna) and 64 district deputy commissioners. The collection and submission of nomination papers started on December 12, a day after the announcement of the election schedule.