Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin has said that time will determine whether the Awami League retains its registration and participates in the upcoming national election. “Whether the Awami League maintains its registration and takes part in the election depends on time. The Election Commission is actively addressing this issue,” the CEC said during a press briefing at the Sylhet Circuit House on Saturday. The remarks were made during a views-exchange meeting focused on voter list updates and preparations for the forthcoming national election. When asked about the prospects of holding all local government elections simultaneously, the CEC refrained from making a specific comment. “It is not feasible to organise all elections on the same day,” he noted. EC will ensure everyone's voting rights: CEC Highlighting the election process, the CEC ruled out the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs) in the upcoming polls. “No EVMs will be used in the national election. We are committed to conducting the polls as per the timeline set by the Chief Adviser, adhering strictly to prescribed guidelines,” he said. The CEC also announced that expatriates will, for the first time, be able to cast their votes in the national election. “We aim to deliver a truly credible election”: CEC The meeting in Sylhet was attended by election officials and stakeholders, who discussed strategies to ensure a transparent and timely electoral process.

Khulna Awami League leader and former councillor of Khulna City Corporation Ward-4 Golam Rabbani Tipu was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Cox’s Bazar on Thursday. The incident happened around 8:30 pm in front of the Seagull hotel. Cox’s Bazar Model Police Station’s officer-in-charge, Md. Ilyas Khan, said, “We have launched an investigation and are working to identify the culprits.” A second Bangladeshi youth shot dead by 'Indian Khasias' along Sylhet border Witnesses said, hearing a gunshot, followed by the sight of Tipu collapsing to the ground, locals rushed him to the Cox’s Bazar District Hospital, where doctors confirmed his death upon arrival. Tipu sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the head, said Dr. SM Shoaib of the hospital. Chhatra Dal activist shot dead in Narsingdi No additional individuals were with Tipu at the time of the attack, and police are continuing their search for the murderers.

Forty-two luxurious vehicles, imported under duty-free privileges by former Awami League MPs, have been lying at Chattogram Port for the past five months, creating complications for the National Board of Revenue (NBR). The NBR has decided to auction the vehicles as per regulations, following the failure of the ex-MPs to clear the vehicles after the fall of the Awami League government. This move is expected to generate at least Tk 400 crore in additional revenue for the government. According to sources, these high-end vehicles have been parked in the port’s car shed since September 14 last year. Importers were supposed to clear them by October 14 but failed to do so, prompting the port authority to transfer the paperwork for 24 vehicles to the Chattogram Custom House for auction. The Chattogram Custom House has already requested the importers to pay customs duties totalling Tk 8.5 crore for 24 vehicles. But traders are concerned that the high duties might deter buyers. Budget 2024-25: Parliamentarians to lose provision for duty-free car import Chittagong Port Authority officials said the vehicles, imported by former MPs using duty-free privileges, remain unclaimed due to the MPs fleeing after the student-led movement that toppled the government. Deputy Commissioner of Chattogram Customs House Mohammad Saidul Islam said, “If the importers pay the required customs duties, the vehicles will be cleared. Otherwise, they will be auctioned.”

Dhaka University students held a unique "Throw your Hate" programme on campus Saturday, on occasion of the 77th founding anniversary of the Awami League's banned student front Chhatra League. As part of the programme, students threw shoes at pictures of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Sheikh Hasina, and other leaders of Awami League-Chhatra League, and burned effigies The event took place on Saturday afternoon, near the Raju Sculpture, where students under the banner of 'Dhaka University Students' Rights Watch,' condemned Chhatra League as "fascist and the perpetrators of injustice." During the programme, the students chanted slogans such as "Chhatra League is a terrorist, ally of criminals," "Throw shoes on Kader's cheeks, hit in rhythm," "Throw shoes on Saddam's cheeks, hit in rhythm," "Where is Chhatra League now?" and "Inquilab Zindabad, Mujibabad Murdabad." The "Hate Throw" event featured photos of Sheikh Mujib, Sheikh Hasina, Obaidul Kader, Chhatra League Central President Saddam Hossain, General Secretary Sheikh Wali Asif Inan, DU Rokeya Hall President Atika Binte Hossain, DU President Mazharul Kabir Shoyon, and General Secretary Tanveer Hasan Shoikot. A Chhatra League logo was also displayed. Read: Leader of banned BCL arrested in Dhaka city The organisers gave a bottle of Mojo to those who managed to throw shoes three times in the pictures. They also burned effigies of the leaders along with placards that read "Fascism," "Guestroom," "Ghonoroom," "New Slave System," and "Vital Program." One of the key organisers of the event, AB Zubair, a student of the Islamic Studies department, said, "This campaign has been organized on the founding anniversary of the banned Chhatra League to symbolically express the frustration of the students. Chhatra League used all forms of torture on students." He called for the immediate trial of Chhatra League members involved in student attacks. Mossaddiq Ali, a student of the Bengali department, said, "The fire from burning Chhatra League's effigy burns even more intensely in our hearts. On Chhatra League's founding anniversary, there was fear among the general students in the halls.” Read more: BCL leader arrested in connection with 2015 attack on Khaleda Zia's motorcade “They had pushed us towards modern slavery. By throwing shoes and setting their pictures on fire, we have buried oppression and dominance," he added.

“Awami League will return again, in a dangerous form,” suddenly appeared on the digital screen at the main gate of Andulbaria Girls' Government Primary School in Jibannagar upazila of Chuadanga district on Wednesday. Locals noticed the message on Wednesday evening and urged the authorities concerned to take prompt action. Upon receiving information, senior district officials, including representatives from the Jibannagar Police Station, visited the site. Jibannagar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Al Amin said that a three-member investigation committee has been formed, with Jibannagar Upazila Agriculture Officer Alamgir Hossain serving as its head. The committee also includes Assistant Upazila Education Officer Md. Firozul Islam and Mahmudur Rahman, assistant programme officer of the ICT Department in Jibannagar upazila. The committee has been asked to submit a report within two working days, he added. Shafiqul Islam, acting headmaster of the school, said that the digital screen had been installed in 2016 by a private company. Previously, it displayed educational messages in green, and there had never been any issues. He said the provocative message appeared unexpectedly and was immediately reported to the administration and the upazila education officer. He added that the electrical connection to the screen had been disconnected and experts would examine the equipment. Upazila Education Officer Ismail Hossain said that the board operated through an app, and the message may have been posted by someone who hacked the app. He assured that an investigation was underway to determine the source of the incident. Mamun Hossain, officer-in-charge (OC) of Jibannagar Police Station, said that a police team conducted an inspection at the scene. He said that the authorities are actively investigating the matter.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin has said that the Awami League may participate in elections unless the government or the judiciary issues a ban against the party. The CEC said this during a meeting with election officials at the Chattogram Circuit House on Monday morning. “The Election Commission runs with complete independence and faces no external pressure. We are committed to taking all necessary steps to ensure a fair and transparent election,” the CEC assured. Govt issues directives for Tabligh Jamaat activities to maintain peace Highlighting past challenges, the CEC acknowledged the issue of fake voters in previous elections and attributed a decline in voter registration to mistrust in the voting process, and announced plans to initiate a voter list update soon to address these concerns. “The voter list will be updated within the next six months. This time, elections will not follow previous patterns. Since 5 August, there has been significant progress in fostering national consensus on electoral matters,” he added. During the meeting, the CEC provided detailed guidelines on voter list updates and preparations for the upcoming national election. Govt committed to ensuring security on waterways: Adviser Sakhawat He said that the commission is ready to hold a credible election and restore people’s trust in the process. Regional election officials from various levels attended the meeting, contributing to discussions on election management and strategies for improving voter engagement.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Friday said the Awami League plunged the country into corruption and misrule during its prolonged tenure. He said that the party exploited the nation for over 15 years under the guise of governance while engaging in unparalleled oppression and injustice. “Our offices were sealed, party registration was canceled and top leaders were executed through judicial killings. They turned people of the country into slaves,” he said at Jamaat’s district activists' conference as the chief guest at the Eidgah Maidan in Jashore. He highlighted the downfall of the Awami League on August 5 as a remarkable achievement led by the nation's brave sons and he paid tribute to those who lost their lives in the struggle and prayed for their departed souls. ‘Those who ruled for 15 years focused on enriching themselves rather than developing country’: Jamaat Ameer He also condemned the AL government’s crackdown on students during the quota reform movement, accusing them of using tools like hammers, helmet-wearing groups and bullets to suppress the protesters. “Despite their attempts, they failed to quell the movement,” he said. On rising commodity prices, he remarked, “People are burning with hunger as prices of essentials have skyrocketed. This must be controlled. After the fall of the autocratic Awami government, people found their bank accounts empty because the regime looted public wealth and laundered it abroad.” Highlighting the destruction of the education system, he said that the education sector has suffered irreparable damage under the AL regime. “We must overcome this situation.” He lamented the lack of development in Jashore, blaming previous governments for neglecting their promises. “Before coming to power, they pledge development and bow in respect, but once in office, they forget these promises,” he said.

The Alubdi Jhilpar slum in Mirpur's Pallabi has reportedly become a thriving hub for illegal drug and arms trade, with authorities seemingly turning a blind eye to the escalating crisis. Local residents allege that these illicit activities are orchestrated by Ilias Mollah, a former Awami League MP from Dhaka-16. Mollah is accused of occupying land allocated by the National Housing Authority (NHA) for journalist housing and using it to construct an illegal slum, where the trade thrives unchecked. Despite repeated complaints about the absence of surveillance and enforcement, the authorities’ inaction has left the community vulnerable. "We live in constant fear. These trades have made life unbearable, yet no one steps in to help," a local resident lamented. Community leaders have urged law enforcement agencies to act swiftly to address the issue and restore security in the area. In 2006, following a directive from then-Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, the National Housing Authority (NHA) allocated seven acres of land adjacent to the Jhilpar Mosque in Pallabi for the Dhaka Sangbadik Samabay Samity Limited to provide housing for 300 journalist families. 4 police officers, including former Mirpur Deputy Commissioner, temporarily suspended After the Awami League government assumed power in 2009, MP Ilias Mollah seized the land illegally. Mollah built a slum in one section, which he rented out, and established a cattle farm in another. Illegal electricity, gas, and water connections were arranged for the slum, with Mollah’s forces collecting monthly rent. Though he went into hiding following the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government on August 5, his influence over the slum persists. Organised Syndicate The slum’s illegal operations are allegedly run by Mollah's relatives and party affiliates. His nephew, Salman Mollah, oversees much of the trade, including managing slums and shops in the area. Salman reportedly collects Tk 4 lakh monthly for electricity bills and another Tk 3 lakh from illegal establishments. On the western side of the slum, figures like Chikon Haris—bodyguard of Mollah's younger brother Ali Mollah—allegedly collect an additional Tk 4 lakh monthly in rent. Drugs, including yaba and ganja, are sold openly through tong shops operated by associates of local criminal Shamsu, such as Sohel and Faruk Anwar. Other syndicate members include Fazlu, Salman’s driver, who controls a new road along the lake, and Belal and Masud, staffers of Ali Mollah, who manage areas from the temple to the intersection. Links to Arms and Terrorism Residents fear that the slum houses weapons looted from police stations during the August 5 uprising. These weapons may be used in criminal activities across Mirpur. 5 of a family among 7 burnt in fire at Dhaka’s Mirpur "The situation is dire," said Sadrul Hasan, president of Dhaka Sangbadik Samabay Samity Ltd. "Despite multiple appeals to the housing authority, little has been done. When the land was temporarily vacated, Mollah sent his people to demolish structures, and law enforcement failed to intervene." Impunity and Political Influence Over the past 16 years, Ilias Mollah has allegedly ruled the constituency with impunity. His influence extends beyond the slum to shops, markets, bus stands, and sidewalks across the area. Locals claim that complaints against him were often resolved through "arbitration" at his residence, where dissenters faced threats or violence. He is also accused of using his cadres to suppress student movements and other protests in Mirpur. The residents and community leaders continue to appeal for urgent government intervention to reclaim the land and dismantle the criminal syndicate.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman has accused the Awami League of engaging in murderous politics even before coming to power, beginning with the October 28, 2023, sit-in. Speaking at a Rukon (member) conference organized by Jamaat-e-Islami's Moulvibazar district unit on Saturday, he said, "AL started the killings before coming to power. On December 29, 2008, they came to power through backdoor negotiations. As soon as they came to power, they started the politics of murder." BNP begins talks with allies over national election He claimed the first act of violence occurred at Pilkhana, where he said the Awami League carried out the massacre. He also accused AL of targeting various political and social groups, stating, "First, they attacked Jamaat, then they arrested BNP leaders, humiliated Hefazat, and even disrespected the country's scholars and ulama. They killed and disappeared journalists and imprisoned them." The conference, which began at around 12:30 pm, was presided over by Jamaat's Moulvibazar District Ameer Engineer Md. Shahed Ali, with District Secretary Md. Yamir Ali as moderator. Regarding relations with India, he said "The country where she (Sheikh Hasina) has taken refuge is our neighbor. With respect to our neighbor, I want you to live in peace, and let us live in peace.” Formation of King's Party would cost interim government its credibility: Rizvi “You (India) talk about communal harmony to us, but take a good look at your own face in the mirror. How do you treat those you call minorities there?" The Jamaat leader also raised concerns about the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR), now renamed the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), alleging that the force was destroyed through a conspiracy. Among the leaders who spoke at the conference were Jamaat's central assistant secretary Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, Dhaka Metropolitan South Ameer Md. Selim Uddin, Dhaka Paltan Police Station President Shahin Ahmed Khan, Sylhet District Ameer Md. Habibur Rahman, Sylhet Metropolitan Ameer Md. Fakhrul Islam, Sylhet Metropolitan Jamaat’s Assistant Secretary Advocate Abdur Rob, and others.

BNP on Saturday began talks with political parties that waged a simultaneous movement with it against the Awami League regime to consolidate unity and seek their opinions on the next general election. The fresh round of talks with all its allied political parties started with the first meeting of the 12-party alliance leaders. CA’s election statement disappointing, says Fakhrul BNP liaison committee members, headed by party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, participated in the meeting, which began around 4 pm. BNP Standing Committee members Nazrul Islam Khan, Selima Rahman and BNP Vice-Chairman Abdul Awal Mintoo also attended the meeting. Later, the party is also scheduled to hold meetings with the leaders of Jatiyatabadi Samamona Jote, LDP and the Labour Party today. Fakhrul visits Labaid to pay homage to Adviser Hassan Ariff The party will also hold meetings with other like-mined parties and alliances in the days to come.  A party Standing Committee member said they would discuss the country’s latest political situation and seek the opinions of the alliance partners regarding the upcoming election, the government’s reform initiatives and the Chief Adviser’s probable election roadmap. He said they would work out their next course of action based on the suggestions of their like-minded political parties. The BNP leader said they also planned to focus on further strengthening their unity and convey a message to the alliance partners to speak in unison to mount pressure on the government to hold the national election as soon as possible, without unnecessary delays. He said they would also discuss the ongoing efforts by those involved in the anti-discrimination movement to form a political party, the "Jatiya Nagorik Committee." The BNP leader expressed concerns that the government might try to schedule the election for 2026, giving the "Jatiya Nagorik Committee" enough time to organise itself. "We have no objection if anyone launches a political party. But we do object if any party is formed under the patronage of the interim government and the state. We also oppose any delay in the election solely to provide a party with space to organise under the pretext of reforms." BNP welcomes HC verdict scrapping part of 15th Amendment Earlier on December 16, Chief Adviser Prof Dr Muhammad Yunus indicated that the 13th National Parliamentary Election might be scheduled for the end of 2025 or the first half of 2026. A day later, his Press Secretary, Shafiqul Alam, clarified that the next general election could be expected to take place by June 30, 2026. "He (CA) has provided a timeline. What could be a clearer roadmap than this? You can expect the election to be held by June 30, 2026. This is a clear roadmap," he said while briefing reporters at the Foreign Service Academy.