United News of Bangladesh

National Citizen Party (NCP) reconsiders whether it should participate in the upcoming national election, citing what it described as one-sided decisions by the Election Commission (EC), party spokesperson Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan said on Sunday (January 18, 2026). Speaking at an emergency press conference at the party’s makeshift office at Banglamotor on the final day of appeal hearings, Asif said the prevailing situation has prompted the party to reassess its electoral stance. “Given the current circumstances, we believe the time has come to reconsider whether we should take part in this national election. We will review the matter of participating or not participating in the election," he said.  Asif, who is also the chairman of NCP’s central election management committee, said no final decision has been taken yet. NCP accuses EC officials of bias ahead of election The issue will be discussed at the party’s political council and also within its 10-party alliance, after which the party will announce its position, Asif said.  He alleged that the Election Commission has lost public confidence, saying it failed to gain the trust of political parties and voters required to conduct a credible election. “If the electoral process continues in this manner, we fear the EC will not be able to deliver a free and fair election in Bangladesh.” Asif criticised the EC for what he termed unilateral decisions allowing candidates with dual citizenship and loan defaulters to contest the polls, claiming such moves undermine electoral integrity. He also alleged that incidents outside the EC on the final day of appeal hearings were orchestrated, accusing the student wing of a major political party of creating a 'mob' situation. “On the last day of appeals, there is a mob outside, while their secretary general is meeting the commission inside. These are all staged dramas.” Asif said NCP will continue its legal battle and consult its alliance partners before announcing further programmes. Meanwhile, despite expressing uncertainty over participation in the election, NCP on the same day announced the formation of a political liaison sub-committee to accelerate the work of its central election management committee ahead of the national election. Read more: EC revokes candidacy of BNP’s Munshi, upholds NCP’s Hasnat in Cumilla-4 The ten-member committee has been formed with Akram Hossain as its head and Faisal Mahmud as secretary, tasked with strengthening coordination and boosting the party’s election-related activities.

A firearm's magazine containing a single bullet was recovered Saturday morning from the travel bag of Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan, adviser to multiple ministries including LGRD and Youth and Sports, at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. Executive Director of the Airport, Ragib Samad, confirmed the matter to UNB. "It has gone viral and everyone has seen the videos on YouTube, and it is indeed true that a magazine of bullets was found in Asif’s bag," Ragib Samad said. "However, Asif was very sober and immediately admitted it to the authorities". The incident went viral on social media after the UK-based Bangladeshi journalist Zulkarnain Saer posted a video shot on the airport's security cameras, sparking uproar. Several media outlets initially reported on the issue, but the reports were later mysteriously removed, leading to further speculation and debate. Ali Riaz seeks consensus on appointments to constitutional bodies The video posted by Saer showed Asif going through routine scans at the airport. When the magazine showed up in the baggage scanner, he had to return and explain its presence to the authorities to get his bag cleared. On Sunday night around 9pm, Asif posted his version of the events from his verified Facebook account. “For security reasons, I possess a licensed, legal firearm. Considering the repeated assassination attempts on leaders of mass uprisings, it is only natural to carry one. When there is no official protocol or security detail, I keep my licensed firearm to ensure the safety of myself and my family," Asif wrote.  Although some people questioned how he can own a licensed gun when the law states that the minimum age for applying for a firearm license is 30, UNB understands ministers of the government are exempted from this rule. As adviser to the interim government, Asif's position is equivalent to that of a minister. NBR unity council calls off shutdown protest In his Facebook post, which was seemingly made from Marrakech, he went on to elaborate on how the magazine happened to be in the bag: "I had a flight at 6:50 am today to participate in the ‘OIC Youth Capital International Program’ in Marrakech, Morocco. While packing early in the morning, I mistakenly left one magazine in the bag despite leaving the firearm and another magazine at home. Once it appeared in the scanner, I handed it over to my protocol officer. This was completely unintentional. What would I even do with just a magazine? If there was an intention, I certainly would not have left the firearm behind. Though nothing illegal was found, it has nevertheless fueled discussions among many." He also addressed the issue of news outlets taking down the report: "Moreover, the allegation that news reports were removed under pressure is completely false. Following this incident, I was on a 10-hour flight with my team. Even after landing during the transit, I only saw later that so much had unfolded online. As a citizen, if you also face security threats, you too can legally obtain a firearm license by following proper procedures.” Will be compelled to be tough if agitation continues: Govt to NBR protesters Repeated attempts were made to contact his PRO, Md. Salauddin, for further comments, but he did not respond to the calls as Asif is currently abroad.   

Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud on Thursday warned that no one will be spared if found involved in conspiracy to undermine the government’s  efforts. “Those conspirators are not sitting idle. Those who will be found involved in conspiracy to prove us failed will not be spared ,” Asif said while visiting the site of a fire incident at Building No. 7 at the Secretariat. Cause of secretariat fire still unknown: Fire Service DG He returned to Dhaka early Thursday cutting short his scheduled visit to northern districts following the fire incident. Speaking about the fire, Asif, also LGRD and Cooveraties adviser,  said the ministry has been actively working on allegations corruption and misappropriation of funds uncovered at the Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Ministry in recent times. Fire ravages secretariat building, spreads across 3 floors: Home Adviser “Evidence of embezzlement involving several thousand crores of taka was found,” he said. The extent of the damages caused by the fire is yet to be determined, he added.