United News of Bangladesh

The Election Commission has issued seven instructions to file an appeal, challenging the decision of the returning officer concerned over the acceptance or rejection of a nomination paper during the security. Besides, the Commission has decided to set up 10 booths at Nirbachan Bhaban to receive the appeals from 10 regions (eight divisions and Cumilla and Faridpur regions) from January 05 to 09. The EC has recently sent a letter to returning officers, asking them to widely disseminate the instructions among aspirants and their representatives. According to the instructions, appeals must be submitted in the form of a memorandum addressed to the Election Commission using the prescribed format. Read more: 13 Nominations valid, 8 rejected, 4 suspended in Jhalokathi At the time of filing an appeal, candidates must mention the date of acceptance or rejection of the nomination, clearly state the grounds of appeal and submit an attested copy of the returning officer’s order. The appeal must be submitted in a total of seven copies, including one original. Candidates shall submit the appeals at the designated booths set up at the Election Commission Secretariat, based on their respective electoral regions. The appeals will be accepted from January 5 to January 9, 2026. To obtain a copy of the appellate authority’s verdict, candidates must submit an application using a prescribed form, which will be available at the central appeal booths of the Election Commission. The appellant or a duly authorised representative will be allowed to collect the verdict copy. The Commission will settle the appeals by January 18 next. The scrutiny of nomination papers started on December 30 and is set to be concluded on Sunday (January 04). Read more:Jamaat candidate’s nomination cancelled in Cumilla-3 The Election Commission on December 12 last declared the schedule to arrange the 13th national election and the referendum on July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order simultaneously on February 12, 2026. 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).

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.

A total of 166 nomination papers have been submitted as of 5:00pm on Sunday, while 3,144 nomination papers were collected nationwide, according to the Election Commission’s (EC) Central Coordination Committee, formed ahead of the upcoming national election. The EC has set the deadline for submission of nomination papers at 5:00pm on Monday (December 29, 2025). Ahead of the polls, the commission has divided the country into ten electoral regions: Rangpur, Rajshahi, Khulna, Barishal, Faridpur, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Sylhet, Cumilla, and Chattogram. According to EC statistics, Dhaka recorded the highest number of collected nomination papers at 596, but only 22 were submitted by Sunday. No approval needed for repair, renovation of polling stations: EC Rangpur saw the lowest submission rate, with only six papers filed out of 258 collected. Cumilla came second in terms of collection, with 462 nomination papers, while 28 were submitted by Sunday evening. Other regions reported the following figures for collected nominations: Rajshahi 305, Khulna 347, Barishal 182, Faridpur 155, Mymensingh 383, Sylhet 169, and Chattogram 287. The EC on December 11 last announced the schedule to arrange the 13th parliamentary 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 papers is December 29, while 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). Strengthen cyber security ahead of election: Prof Yunus Regarding the submission of dependents’ tax information, the EC clarified that providing the income tax information of an aspirant's spouse, children and dependents in the nomination form would be considered as optional. The EC issued the clarification in a letter sent to 69 returning officers, including two divisional commissioners, three regional election officers, and 64 district deputy commissioners, hours after a demand for clarification from BNP.

With the deadline for submitting nomination papers for the upcoming national election falling on Monday, nearly 99 percent of aspirants who collected the forms have yet to file them as they are waiting for the last day. “A total of 2,780 nomination papers were collected to contest the election from the country’s 300 constituencies and only 31 papers were submitted till 2:30pm on Sunday,” said Election Commission Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed on Sunday evening. The deadline for the submission of nomination papers will expire at 5:00pm on Monday (December 29, 2025), said EC officials. Read more: National Election: Only 166 nominations filed out of 3,144 till Sunday; deadline Monday Md Yunus Ali, the returning officer for Dhaka-13 and Dhaka-15 constituencies, said a total of 29 nomination papers were collected in the two constituencies, but only three papers were submitted till Sunday. “Most of the nomination papers will be submitted tomorrow (the last day),” he said. The EC on December 11 last announced the schedule to arrange the 13th parliamentary 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 papers is December 29, while 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). Submission of Dependents’ Tax Information Optional The Election Commission on Sunday clarified that providing the income tax information of an aspirant's spouse, children and dependents in the nomination form would be considered as optional. The EC issued the clarification in a letter sent to 69 returning officers, including two divisional commissioners, three regional election officers, and 64 district deputy commissioners, hours after a demand for clarification from BNP. “Regarding income tax information in serial 10 of the affidavit: providing the income tax related information of the spouse, children, and dependents mentioned in columns 2, 3, and 4 of the income tax return section shall be considered optional,” the commission said in the letter. Read more: No approval needed for repair, renovation of polling stations: EC The Commission, however, said the statement of the sources of income, assets, and liabilities of fully dependent family members, which are mentioned in the serials 6 and 7 of the affidavit, must be submitted as this requirement is in accordance with the Clause 12(3)(ka)(c) of the Representation of the People Order (RPO), 1972. The clarification came after a three-member delegation of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan, met Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin on Sunday to raise concerns about the provision. Talking to reporters after the meeting, Nazrul Islam Khan said although the Representation of the People Order (RPO) does not mention children, the nomination form requires aspirants to submit income tax details of their children, which has created widespread confusion. “There is a question everywhere because many candidates’ children are not dependent on them. Many are self-earning, some live abroad, and many pay taxes independently. This has created complexity, which is why we wrote to the Election Commission and also discussed the matter today,” he said. Tarique, Ziama in Voter List Meanwhile, the Election Commission on Sunday incorporated BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman and his daughter Zaima Rahman in the country’s voter list to be used in the February-12 election. “They (Tarique Rahman and Zaima Rahman) have been included in the voter list that will be used in the February-12 elections,” EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed told UNB on Sunday evening. Earlier in the day, the Commission approved the inclusion of their names in the electoral rolls, a day after Tarique Rahman and his daughter Zaima Rahman completed the necessary process for National Identity Card (NID) registration and voter enlistment. Read more: Providing dependents’ income tax info in nomination form optional: EC They went to the Election Commission’s National Identity office in the city to complete their NID registration and enlist them as a voter. Their biometric data and photographs were taken in the NID office. Besides, the Election Commission asked the Home Ministry to recover illegal arms, prepare level-playing field, provide security to election offices and materials, containing misinformation and disinformation. “In order to conduct the elections in a fair and peaceful manner, it is necessary to recover illegal arms from the electoral area; maintain communal harmony and provide security to minorities; plan for the deployment of law and order forces; formulate an advance budget for the deployment of law and order forces; control illegal infiltrators and prepare a level playing field for the elections; provide security for postal ballot transportation and storage sites; prevent the spread of misinformation and disinformation; and provide clearance and security for foreign observers and journalists on the occasion of their arrival in Bangladesh,” says the letter sent on Saturday. the letter, the EC also drew attention to take necessary measures to ensure security in the transportation, storage and distribution of election materials, take effective measures to ensure the security of the office of the Returning Officer and all field-level election-related departments, and plan to deploy law enforcement forces at polling stations on election day and in the election area a few days before the election to maintain overall peace and order. Besides, the EC also sent letters to the Cabinet Division, the Foreign Ministry, the Local Government Division, the Information and Broadcasting, the Posts and Telecommunications Division and the Cultural Affairs Ministry asking them to take necessary measures on different election activities. Read more: Asif Mahmud picks up nomination paper for Cumilla-3

The DUCSU election cannot be directly compared with the national elections, but it can serve as a model for future elections, said Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Tuesday. Jahangir Alam made the remarks while talking to reporters after a meeting of the Advisory Council Committee on law and order. “We haven’t received any reports of counter-allegations. We discussed this yesterday as well. From what we learned from the Vice Chancellor, they have made very good preparations. We also hope this will be a very good election. From what I’ve seen in the media this morning, the voting was going smoothly,” the adviser said responding to questions about allegations over the polls. Voting in DUCSU election ends with largely peaceful atmosphere On whether the DUCSU and JUCSU elections could be considered models for the upcoming national elections, he said, “Those who are casting their votes here belong to an educated society. The national election cannot be directly compared with this. But it will serve as a model. Presiding and polling officers here are highly educated, which will not be the case nationwide. Still, this is definitely a model.” After a long gap, the DUCSU election is being held again, he added, noting that voter turnout appeared enthusiastic. JCD-backed VP candidate Abidul accused of breaching electoral code “People are participating spontaneously and casting their votes. From what I saw in media reports this morning, it looked quite positive,” the adviser said.  

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday said that the upcoming national elections will be held as scheduled, despite growing uncertainty and frustration among citizens. Speaking at the unveiling ceremony of a book titled ‘Roktoakto July’ at Jatiya Press Club, he reassured the public that elections cannot be halted or delayed. “People are increasingly confused, asking whether elections will take place at all,” he said. “A sense of doubt and frustration has spread. But I have always said — elections will be held.” He warned that if polls were postponed or cancelled, the nation would suffer immensely and the risk of fascism returning would only increase. He urged that only a free, fair and impartial election could pave the way for restoring democratic governance. Stressing the importance of restoring democracy in the country, Fakhrul said BNP has historically been at the forefront of political reform in Bangladesh and party’s founder Ziaur Rahman ended one-party rule and introduced multi-party democracy. BNP happy with EC’s election roadmap, says Fakhrul He guaranteed press freedom, judicial independence and opened the door to a free-market economy. It was under BNP’s initiatives that reforms were achieved. Rejecting accusations against his party, Fakhrul urged party activists to maintain discipline and unity. “Do not give anyone the opportunity to say that BNP is doing something wrong. Many of you act as though we are already in power — but we are not. There are conspiracies and obstacles that must be overcome through honesty, unity and by working for the people.” He recalled the mass movement of July-August, noting that it was not only students who protested but also workers, farmers, professionals and women who joined in. “That is why it became possible to uproot fascism during that period,” he said. Fakhrul called on party members to reflect deeply on their responsibilities, saying that, “Think about how to take the country forward, how to purify our intentions, and how to serve the people. People are yearning for change — and they expect that change from the BNP. If we are to deliver it, we must stand before them with honesty and dedication.” Rizvi warns of ‘dangerous conspiracy’, hopes for free polls before Ramadan BNP leaders Mahdi Amin, adviser to acting chairman Tarique Rahman, and poet Abdul Hai Shikder were also present at the event. On the book, Fakhrul said few works have documented the bloody events of July-August, compared to the extensive literature on the 1952 Language Movement. He praised author Syeda Fatema Salam for attempting to fill this gap, lamenting that government institutions, particularly the Ministry of Culture, had failed to highlight the period adequately.

Over 80,000 members of the Bangladesh Army will be deployed during the upcoming national election, said Home Affairs Adviser Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury. Besides, members of police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and other forces will also be deployed to ensure security, he said at a press briefing after inspecting the polling center at Teghoria High School in Keraniganj (Dhaka-3 parliamentary constituency).  The Home Affairs Adviser said that whereas previously two Ansar members were assigned to each polling station an additional armed Ansar member will remain deployed to enhance the security of the presiding officers. National election in first half of February: CEC To ensure peaceful elections we are taking all necessary preparations, he said. The adviser said holding a peaceful election depends on various factors including the participation and cooperation of political parties, the Election Commission, the administration, law enforcement agencies, and above all the people. Without their support, it will be difficult to hold the election in a peaceful and fair manner, he said. The adviser also said the visit of the poling centre is aimed to explore the possibility of setting up separate booths in the next election for young voters who could not vote in the last three elections as well as separate booths for male and female voters. Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus recently announced that the 13th national parliamentary election will be held in February before Ramadan.

Small investors in the stock market are frustrated as their wait for a good time gets delayed by the Bangladesh’s ongoing political unrest. The political impasse over who should oversee the upcoming national polls is thwarting the stock market’s recovery from Covid-19 pandemic and the Ukraine-Russia war. The small investors’ shares are stuck on the floor price (minimum sale rate) and overall economic downfall. This has been painful for many unfortunate small investors of the capital markets, according to market analysts. Policymakers and the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) paint a rosy picture for small investors saying that stock markets will rebound with enlistment of new companies and injection of big investments. But the situation for the small investors seems to be hopeless. Read: Economy buffeted by political unrest amid declining forex reserves: Analysts A large number of shareholders have remained stuck with their investment in the capital market for over a decade amid fading hopes. “No one, not even the regulator or stock market authorities pay heed to their screams,” Abdul Latif, a grocery owner and one of the affected investors, told UNB in a broken voice. He said he invested Tk13 lakh in 2011 to buy shares of different companies listed in Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE). After graduation in 1998 Latif found no suitable job and then started a small business in the Motjheel area in 2002 with support from his father-in-law. He made a good profit in the business and invested money in the share market. In 2010 Latif invested around Tk13 lakh of which 5 lakh was his own and 8 lakh borrowed from relatives. All of his investment was stuck in shares of different companies due to a big scam in the capital market in 2011. Read: Govt aims to collect 11.2% of GDP in taxes by FY 2025-26 Like Latif, thousands of investors lost their hard-earned capital in 2011, and after that, some were able to gain part of the capita. But most of them left the capital market losing nearly all investment. Many of such investors are still in the market hoping for a rebound in the DSE, but without any good news. There is no sign of lifting the floor price before the next election. However, economists say that people do not have confidence in the market. BSEC advises investors to be patient until the general election is held by January next. Dr ABM Mirza Azizul Islam, an economist and a former adviser of a caretaker government, told UNB that there has been a crisis in investors' confidence in the stock market for a long time. “To this are added various economic crises, the international situation, and everything including elections and national politics,” he said. Read: Despite challenges, govt hoping to restore economy’s pre-Covid momentum in current fiscal As a result, first of all, steps should be taken to eliminate the trust crisis. In this case, trust should be ensured by establishing good governance, he said. That is, the investors have to be given the assurance that if someone steals their money through manipulation, they will be prosecuted. Besides, the supply of good shares should be increased. Through these two steps, it is possible to eliminate the market problem. But it is not easy at all, said Dr Azizul Islam. Dr Abu Ahmed, former professor of Dhaka University’s Economics Department, said there are two crises in the market: one on the demand side and the other in investor confidence. On the supply side, the problem is that there are fewer good companies. As a result, it is a win-win situation for manipulation and syndicates, he said. Read: Country’s first electrical testing laboratory on the cards All in all, the stock market is currently in an unstable condition and gradually the situation is getting worse. The passage from here is very difficult, he said. According to market insiders, the stock market situation is in a dire. The situation is not improving due to political uncertainty ahead of national elections, increases in commodity prices, and various international issues. The market has lost its importance to the government as well. For those who are not directly involved with government policymakers, the stock market is a source of irritation. Their thinking is like this - if there is no stock market, there will be no problem in the country. For these reasons, the government wants to hold the market with floor prices until the next national election. This brings an opportunity for syndicates blessed by the regulatory body to be controlling the market, the market insiders said. They spoke on condition of anonymity. BSEC Chairman Professor Shibli Rubayat Ul Islam told UNB in this regard that the global situation is not in the hands of the regulator or the government. Investors should beware of investing with any company depending on rumours. He also said due to a lack of financial literacy, people are sometimes investing in weak shares with an expectation of big profit which is not the right way of investment. Read: BSEC sits with stock market stakeholders Thursday after drastic fall of share prices

BNP on Thursday said the recent statement of Japanese Ambassador Ito Naoki about “ballot box stuffing at night” during Bangladesh’s last general election was “absolutely true”. “What the Japanese ambassador said (about the election) was absolutely true,” said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. Speaking at a press conference at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office, he also said the government is now talking about the Vienna Convention that bars envoys from commenting on any country’s domestic affairs. Read more: Japanese ambassador’s remark on police’s role in national polls “uncalled for”: Cops’ associations “Where does it (Vienna Convention) stand when you (government) kill people, make them disappear, hold the day’s voting at night and declare yourself the government without voting?” — Fakhrul asked. Earlier on Monday, the Japanese Ambassador said he had heard about the example of “ballot box stuffing” and that “some policemen stuffed the ballot boxes the previous night” — something he did not hear of in any other country. Stating that “ballot box stuffing” should never be repeated, the envoy said Japan expects that the next national election in Bangladesh will be held in a “free and fair” manner with participation of all major political parties. Read more: Japan hopeful of better election in Bangladesh; sees positive step Replying to a question, Fakhrul said the international community has opened its eyes to see what is happening in Bangladesh. “Bangladesh is not an isolated island… In this day and age, no one can do anything whimsically without facing any question,” he said. The BNP leader also said Bangladesh is not a “closed” country like Myanmar or North Korea that no one can raise questions about the government’s actions. Read more: Find way for fair election, Fakhrul urges govt “It (Bangladesh) is pretty much an open country. Those who are our (development) partners and those who invest here and provide the country with financial assistance can speak about it (polls),” he said. About the government’s allegation that BNP is persuading the international community to raise various issues concerning Bangladesh, Fakhrul said it means “BNP has come a long way together with the country’s people that the international community is being forced to pay attention to it.”  

Bangladesh Police Service Association (BPSA) and Bangladesh Police Association (BPA) in separate statements on Thursday protested Japanese Ambassador Ito Naoki’s comment on police’s role in the national elections.  The two associations also demanded withdrawal of the ambassador’s comment, terming it “baseless and uncalled for”.  President of BPSA, Additional IGP and Chief of Special Branch Md Monirul Islam, and its general secretary Dhaka district SP Md Asaduzzaman; President of BPA, OC of Gulshan Police Station BM Farman Ali, and its general secretary, OC of Jatrabari Police Station, Mazharul Islam signed, their respective statemenrs.  Both the statements say that the attention of BPSA and BPA has been drawn to the “baseless and unwanted” accusations raised by Japanese Ambassador Ito Naoki against the police during a question and answer session regarding the 11th National Election during a "Meet the Ambassador" event in the capital on November 14.   Read more: Myanmar situation doesn't allow full-scale Rohingya repatriation now: Japan The statements say that every member of Bangladesh Police was deeply embarrassed and shocked by his comments. Both BPSA and BPA strongly protested his statement.  In response to a question, the Japanese Ambassador had said, “I heard that (in the last election), police officers filled the ballot boxes the night before… I have not heard of such instances in any other country.”  The statements say that Bangladesh Police maintains law and order during the elections and provides security to the polling stations as per the instructions of the Election Commission. The police have no role or activity in the candidate selection process of the voters or in the voting inside the polling stations, it adds.  Read more: Japan wants "strategic" partnership with Bangladesh through practical cooperation Both BPSA and BPA separately requested to withdraw the said part of his speech. Both associations also expected a more responsible role from the Japanese ambassador while commenting on national issues.