United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami spent over Tk 4.49 crore in the 13th parliamentary election, while Jatiya Party reported spending only Tk 5 lakh, according to official election expenditure statements submitted to the Election Commission (EC). A total of 50 political parties participated in the February 12 election, but some 25 parties have submitted their election statements to the EC as of Wednesday. The remaining parties, including ruling BNP, have to submit the expense statements to the EC. Election Commission imposes vehicle restrictions ahead of polls Jamaat submitted its election expenditure statement signed by Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar on Tuesday, showing a total expenditure of Tk 4,49,47,972 in the election. Of the total amount, Tk 4 crore was distributed as donations to 225 candidates, averaging around Tk 1.78 lakh per candidate. Jamaat reported expenses for designing and printing election manifestos, organising press conferences, hospitality, transportation of election materials, tours by central leaders and advertising. It spent Tk 20,90,827 on election campaigning, Tk 8,700 on transport, Tk 14,17,599 on public rallies and tours, Tk 2,85,902 on staff expenses and Tk 9,44,944 on accommodation and administrative costs. An additional Tk 2 lakh was listed under miscellaneous expenses. Jatiya Party submitted its election expenditure report signed by its chairman GM Qauder to the EC on Wednesday. According to the statement, submitted by Jatiya Party Additional Secretary General Rezaul Islam Bhuiyan, the party spent only Tk 5 lakh in the election though 196 Jatiya Party candidates took part in the polls. But the party did not allocate any funds directly to candidates for campaign activities. Its polls campaign expenses stood at Tk 3.25 lakh, while Tk 1.15 lakh was spent on public rallies and Tk 65,000 on staff expenses. The party also informed the EC that all election-related expenditures were made through an account at Prime Bank PLC’s Banani branch, which currently holds a balance of Tk 38,500. A political party shall not spend an amount that exceeding Tk 4.5 crore as election expenses in case of fielding more than 200 candidates, while Tk 3 crore incase of 101-200 candidates, Tk 1.5 crore in case of 51-100 candidates, and Tk 75 lakh in case of 1-50 candidates, according to the Article 44CC of the Representation of the People Order, 1972. Every political party nominating any candidate for election shall submit an election expenditure statement within 90 days after the election to the Election Commission for its scrutiny, as per the Article 44CCC of the same law.

The Election Commission has declared the nomination papers of 12 candidates from the Jamaat-e-Islami-led alliance valid for the reserved women’s seat election, while keeping the nomination of one candidate pending. The pending candidate is Monira Sharmin, joint convener of the NCP, whose nomination will be decided after she submits required documents. The scrutiny of nomination papers was conducted on Wednesday at the Election Building in Agargaon by Returning Officer Md Moin Uddin Khan, also a joint secretary of the Election Commission. Ameer-e-Jamaat prays for SSC, Dakhil examinees The scrutiny of nomination papers was conducted on Wednesday at the Election Building in Agargaon by Returning Officer Md Moin Uddin Khan, also a joint secretary of the Election Commission. A total of 36 nominations were submitted by the BNP-led alliance, 13 by the Jamaat-led alliance and one by an independent alliance for the reserved seats. Additionally, three individuals submitted nominations separately beyond any alliance and political party. Of the 13 seats allocated to Jamaat-e-Islami and its allies, nine candidates are from Jamaat, two from NCP, and one each from Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish and JAGPA. “We reviewed 13 nomination papers, of which 12 have been declared valid. One nomination is pending, and the candidate has been given time until 12:00 pm tomorrow (Thursday) to submit necessary documents,” said the returning officer after the scrutiny, The valid candidates from the Jamaat alliance include Nurunnisa Siddika, Marzia Begum, Sabikun Nahar Munni, Nazmun Nahar Nilu, Mahfuza Hannan, Sajeda Samad, Shamsunnahar Begum, Mardia Momtaz, Rokeya Begum, Mahamuda Alam Mitu, Tasmia Pradhan and Mahbuba Hakim. Reason behind keeping Monira Sharmin’s nomination pending: According to the Representation of the People Order (RPO), a person is not eligible to contest parliamentary elections within three years of resigning or retiring from a government job. Monira Sharmin joined Bangladesh Krishi Bank as an officer on November 11, 2023, and resigned in December last year. Only four months have elapsed since her resignation. Meanwhile, a nomination submitted late by NCP candidate Nusrat Tabassum was not accepted by the returning officer. The returning officer is scheduled to scrutinise the nominations of the BNP alliance, independent alliance and other candidates on Thursday. According to the EC schedule, appeals against scrutiny decisions can be filed on April 26, with hearings set for April 27 and 28. The deadline for withdrawal of candidature is April 29, symbols will be allocated on April 30, and voting is scheduled to be held on May 12.

A total of 3,694 members of the Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party (VDP) will remain deployed from Wednesday to ensure security at 278 polling stations during the Bogura-6 (Sadar) by-election and Sherpur-3 (Sreebardi-Jhenaigati) election billed for Thursday. Each polling station will have 13 members on duty, including an armed Ansar member assigned to protect the presiding officer. A preparatory meeting was held at Jhenaigati Upazila Stadium in Sherpur on Tuesday, where Ansar and VDP Director General Major General Abdul Motaleb Sazzad Mahmud joined as the chief guest. 16 BGB platoons deployed for Sherpur-3 election Members assigned to 128 polling stations of Sherpur-3 took part in the meeting. At the same time, a giant screen connected Sherpur directly with Bogura, enhancing coordination, monitoring, and technological oversight. For the election, 1,704 members will be deployed across 128 polling stations in Sherpur-3, while 1,990 members will serve at 150 polling stations in Bogura Sadar. To strengthen election security, two members at each polling station will act as end users of the “Election Protection” app. Additionally, eight striking teams – four per constituency – comprising 10 Ansar battalion members each, will provide mobile patrolling and immediate response through the app. The Director General urged the members to carry out their duties with honesty, professionalism, and impartiality, stressing that a free and fair election is a vital trust from the people.

The Election Commission has asked its field-level officers to send updated information over all the local bodies as part of preparations for holding local government elections across the country. The EC on Tuesday sent a letter to its regional election officers and district election officers to send back the updated information regarding city corporations, municipalities, Zila Parishads, Upazila Parishads and Union Parishads. City corporation elections after Ramadan: EC Masud The Commission asked the field-level officials to send the date of last election, the date of the first meeting of the elected bodies and the expiry date of an elected representatives in every local government bodies to the EC Secretariat by March 15 next. Besides, the EC sought if there is any complication related to boundary demarcation, ward distribution and voter list or legal issues as well as the court’s stay order concerning any local government body. The officials were directed to send the information in the specific formats on an urgent basis by March 15. According to the local government laws, the five-year tenure of a local government body begins with the first meeting of the elected representatives, and elections must be held within 180 days before the expiry of the tenure. Following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led government on August 5, 2024, many elected representatives of city corporations, municipalities, upazila parishads and union parishads either went into hiding or were arrested. So, citing disruption in civic services due to the absence of elected representatives, the then interim government later removed the representatives of 12 city corporations, 330 municipalities, 497 upazila parishads and 61 Zila parishads (excluding three CHT districts). Administrators were subsequently appointed in many local bodies, including the 12 city corporations. However, BNP leader Shahadat Hossain, who had been second in the mayoral election, later became the mayor of Chattogram City Corporation following a court order. Following the 13th national election, the newly formed BNP government on February 23 last appointed administrators to six city corporations – including Dhaka South City Corporation, Dhaka North City Corporation, Khulna City Corporation, Gazipur City Corporation, Narayanganj City Corporation and Sylhet City Corporation.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on Thursday handed over 30 desktop computers to the Electoral Training Institute (ETI), reinforcing institutional capacity for electoral training and knowledge management in Bangladesh. It said as Bangladesh enters the post-election phase, the focus shifts to consolidating gains, capturing lessons learned, and preparing for upcoming local elections. In this effort, the Electoral Training Institute (ETI) ETI serves as the central hub for building the capacity of the Bangladesh Election Commission. Candidates must submit election expense returns by mid-March: EC Resident Representative, UNDP Bangladesh Stefan Liller said UNDP stands ready to continue supporting the Bangladesh Election Commission, building on recent achievements to strengthen the institution and preparing for what comes next, including the upcoming local elections. The ceremony took place at BEC’s office marks a strategic shift in UNDP’s engagement from supporting electoral delivery to strengthening post-election institutional resilience, said UNDP. It follows the successful conduct of Bangladesh’s 13th Parliamentary Elections on 12 February 2026, which underscored the operational leadership and professionalism of the BEC, said the UN agency. The elections were held peacefully, reflecting enhanced institutional capacities developed through sustained technical assistance under the Democratic Reforms through Inclusive Participation (DRIP) and BALLOT projects. Bogura-6, Sherpur-3 by-election to by April 14: EC Masud The new IT equipment will help modernize ETI’s training systems enabling digital learning, simulation-based training, and stronger data management to support continuous, institutionalized learning across the electoral cycle. Attending as the chief guest, Md Anwarul Islam Sarker, Election Commissioner of Bangladesh said, “Today’s handover marks an important milestone in strengthening our post-election capacity. It shows that when national institutions and international partners work together with mutual respect and shared goals, meaningful progress is not only possible, but also sustainable.” Chaired by Mohammad Hasanuzzaman, Director General, Electoral Training Institute, the handover ceremony was also attended by K M Ali Newaz, Additional Secretary, Election Commission Secretariat, Sonali Dayaratne, Deputy Resident Representative, UNDP and Andres Castillo, Chief Technical Adviser, UN Electoral Assistance, DRIP and BALLOT along with many others. UNDP’s electoral assistance in Bangladesh is supported by key development partners, including the Governments of Australia, Canada, Japan, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.

The Election Commission will observe the National Voter Day 2026 on March 2 (Monday) with the theme of ‘Empowered Voters, Liberated Democracy’ in Bangladesh. The 8th national voter day will be observed in the capital, divisional cities, district towns and Upazila headquarters across the country. The EC is preparing to mark the day amid festivity like previous years. Bogura-6, Sherpur-3 by-election to by April 14: EC Masud Some 570 committees, including eight divisional, two regional (Faridpur and Cumilla), 64 district and 495 upazila-level ones, have been formed to celebrate the day, said the EC officials. The 8th national voter day will be observed on March 2, 2026. This time the theme of the voter day is --Power of voters, restoration of democracy,” said EC Director (Public Relations) Ruhul Amin Mollik on Wednesday. To mark the day, the EC Secretariat will arrange a discussion at its auditorium in the city’s Agargaon area alongside other programmes on Monday next. Manikganj Election: 13 candidates lose deposits as BNP sweeps 3 seats Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin will be present as the chief guest in the event. Four election commissioners Abdur Rahmanel Masud, Tahmida Ahmad, Anwarul Islam Sarker and Brig Gen (retd) Abul Fazal Sanaullah will be present in the discussion to be presided over by EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed. National Voter Day was introduced in 2019 following a notification issued by the Cabinet Division on April 8 April, 2018. But the cabinet on January 15, 2020 issued another notification to observe the day on March 2 every year instead of March 01, cancelling the previous notification.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday said the decision on whether local government elections will be held under party symbols will be taken in Parliament. “It will be decided in the Parliament,” he said when asked whether local government polls would be held with party symbols. Fakhrul came up with the remarks while talking to reporters at the Secretariat after newly appointed administrators of six city corporations joined their offices. Local government elections to be held ‘in due time’: Fakhrul Since government officials had previously been assigned to oversee city corporations, the government believes political appointees would be able to deliver better services to the people. “If political persons are in charge, people will receive services more effectively. That is our belief. That is why we have appointed political individuals as administrators. This will increase engagement with citizens,” he added. When asked for his personal opinion as an experienced politician and minister on holding local polls with party symbols, he said there was no scope for personal views. “We have a party decision and we will act accordingly,” the BNP leader said. BNP’s Nayapaltan office springs back to life with Fakhrul’s visit Responding to a question about whether the issue would be decided in the first session of Parliament scheduled to begin on March 12, he replied, “Of course.” The minister said elections will begin in local government bodies whose terms have already expired. “There is a possibility that two elections may be held before those in Dhaka. Others whose tenure has ended will also go to polls first,” he added. Regarding the timeframe for completing the local government elections, he said it is a continuous process. “It cannot be said right now. Elections will be held in phases. Local government elections are a continuous process—when one body’s tenure ends, elections are held, whether it is a union parishad or an upazila,” he said. State Minister for Local Government Mir Shahe Alam said political administrators would be able to perform better than bureaucrats due to their closer engagement with the public. He said political administrators have been appointed to make inactive local government bodies functional. After joining office, the six newly appointed administrators pledged to work on mosquito control, traffic congestion, road repairs and other civic issues to reduce public suffering. They said they would undertake a 60-day action plan to ensure improved service delivery.

Sheikh Md Sazzat Ali, Commissioner of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), on Wednesday said the police have delivered a free, fair and widely acceptable election with the highest level of sincerity and dedication. He made the remarks while addressing DMP members as the chair at the monthly crime review meeting for January 2026, held at the Bangladesh Police Auditorium in Rajarbagh of the capital. Thanking all police members, the DMP Commissioner said they performed their duties with neutrality and professionalism during the election, enabling the police to restore its lost glory. DMP issues traffic guidelines for oath-taking ceremony He directed all concerned to continue working to uphold and maintain this image of the police in the coming days. Speaking at the meeting, Additional Police Commissioner (Admin) Md Sarwar said traffic congestion intensifies before iftar during the month of Ramadan. He instructed all concerned to perform their duties properly to ease traffic congestion so that people can return home in time for iftar, and urged everyone to comply with traffic laws. Additional Police Commissioner (Crime and Operations) SN Md Nazrul Islam said several major events are approaching, including February 21 and the Amar Ekushey Book Fair. He also directed all concerned to remain alert so that incidents of theft or snatching do not occur in any way, particularly during taravih prayers in the holy month of Ramadan. No fear as voting proceeds peacefully despite rumours: DMP Commissioner At the monthly crime meeting, the DMP Commissioner also awarded officers of different ranks from various units of the DMP in several categories in recognition of their outstanding work in maintaining law and order, controlling crime and ensuring public safety in Dhaka during January.

The Election Commission will hold by-elections to two parliamentary seats – Bogura-6 and Sherpur-3— soon after Ramadan. “We don’t want any election in (the month of) Ramandan. We’ll arrange by-elections to the vacant parliamentary seats soon after the Eid-ul Fitr,” Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud told UNB on Wednesday. BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman contested the February-12 general election from two parliamentary constituencies – Bogura-6 and Dhaka-17 and he was elected from the two seats. But Tarique Rahman has left Bogura-6 seat for by-election and took oath as a member of parliament from Dhaka-17 constituency.   EC bars no party from joining election: EC Masud Besides, the EC on February 04 last cancelled the election to Sherpur-3 constituency, following the death of Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Nuruzzaman Badal. The elections to 299 out of the country’s 300 constituencies (except Sherpur-3) were held on February 12. The EC published a gazette of 297 elected MP candidates on February 12, keeping the election result of Chattogram-2 and 4 constituencies withheld in line with the court’s decisions. On Tuesday, 296 newly elected MPs took oath as Tarique Rahman who was elected from two constituencies left Bogura-6 for by-election. National election likely by year end or early 2026: EC Masud The 296 newly MPs include 208 BNP ones, 68 Jamaat MPs, seven independent MPs and six NCP MPs, two Bangladesh Khilafat Majlis MPs, one MP each of Bangladesh Jatiya Party-BJP, Ganaodhikar Parishad, Ganasamhati Andolan, Khelafat Majlish and Islami Andolan Bangladesh.

Bangladesh’s 13th parliamentary election will be remembered as a ‘role model’ in the country’s electoral history, said Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Monday. Speaking at a farewell reception at the Police Headquarters, he praised the role of law enforcement agencies in ensuring what he described as a peaceful and credible vote. “The elections have been appreciated both at home and abroad for the neutral, responsible and unique role played by the Army, Police, RAB, Ansar, BGB and Coast Guard,” he said. President Sahabuddin to administer oath to new cabinet members: Cabinet Secretary The adviser expressed gratitude to members of the security forces for their contribution to the smooth conduct of the National Election and Referendum 2026, which he said had drawn international recognition. Chowdhury also said the status of the police force had been restored ‘to a respectable level’ through collective efforts, following the challenges it faced after August 5, 2024. He urged officers to continue strengthening the professional image of the force. Addressing recruitment practices under the interim government, he said there had been no corruption in appointments to various agencies under the Ministry of Home Affairs. He described the process as transparent and rare in the country’s history. “I can assure you that at least my office did not lobby for these appointments.” Inspector General of Police Baharul Alam delivered the welcome address at the event. Among those present were Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sheikh Md Sajjat Ali, RAB (SIF) Director General AKM Shahidur Rahman and other senior officials. Earlier, the Home Adviser attended similar farewell receptions organised by the Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard, Immigration and Passport Department, and Border Guard Bangladesh.