United News of Bangladesh

BNP on Thursday (December 04) placed three new election-related proposals before the Election Commission (EC) and said it has no objection to the EC announcing the election schedule in time. A three-member BNP delegation led by Standing Committee Member Nazrul Islam Khan met Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin at the EC headquarters in Agargaon. Talking to reporters after the nearly 90-minute meeting, Nazrul said BNP is not in favour the deferment of the national election unless there are unavoidable circumstances. “Therefore, BNP has no objection if the EC declares the poll schedule within its stipulated timeline.” BNP announces 36 more possible candidates for national election  Asked whether Khaleda Zia’s illness might affect the election, Nazrul said, “We expect she will recover and return to us soon, and be able to participate in election-related activities.” Regarding Tarique Rahman’s voter status, he said, “He is a Bangladeshi citizen. There is no barrier to him becoming a voter. The Commission can enrol him anytime it wishes.” Nazrul said the BNP proposed increasing the number of polling booths, marking places, and ballot seals for the upcoming 13th national election. “We want every voter in the country to have the opportunity to cast their vote. The number of voters has increased significantly compared to the previous election, so we made this proposal. This time, a national referendum will be held alongside the parliamentary election, which will add additional pressure. The Commission will give its decision on Sunday,” he said. BNP also urged the EC to allow expatriate Bangladeshis without National ID cards to register as voters using their passports. “If needed, the Commission can verify passports. Many expatriates do not have NIDs. They should be given the opportunity to register with their passports,” Nazrul noted. Khaleda led from the streets, not from palaces: Moyeen Khan To ensure transparency in the election, BNP reiterated its objection to printing ballot papers at any non-government institution. “At present, ballot papers are printed at three government facilities. BNP insists that no private institution be given this responsibility,” he said. The other members of the BNP delegation were Ismail Jabiuallah, member of the party’s EC-related committee and former secretary, and Md Zakaria, former election commissioner and BNP EC-related committee member. BNP to shift investment focus from megaprojects to grassroots: Amir Khosru

Dhaka may witness a shift in its crime patterns in the coming weeks ahead of the national election as the intelligence agencies are apprehending a rise in acts of sabotage, arson attacks and politically-driven violence. In recent weeks, parts of the capital have experienced scattered incidents of crude bomb explosions, arson on vehicles and attempts to spread fear which the law enforcers see as early indicators of pre-election unrest. Additional Commissioner of DMP’s Detective Branch (DB) Shafiqul Islam said political groups which have been facing restrictions on activities may try to carry out bomb and arson attacks in Dhaka ahead of the polls to create an environment of fear. Read more: Awami League using looted money for acts of sabotage: Rizvi He said the government’s main mandate is to hold a free, fair and acceptable election and attempts may be made to derail or discredit that process. Intelligence Monitoring Strengthened The DB chief said several people linked to the recent arson and crude bomb blast incidents have been arrested who have given important clues about ongoing sabotage plans. “Interrogations have revealed the names of several instigators. They are being brought under the ambit of law,” he added. To prevent similar attacks, DB has strengthened surveillance through CCTV networks, human intelligence, electronic intelligence and coordinated field operations across the capital. Social Media Under Watch With the election approaching fast, law enforcers expect a spike in disinformation, manipulated videos and fabricated content on social media. Police submits chargesheets in 106 cases linked to July 2024 uprising Shafiqul Islam said a 24/7 monitoring committee made up of representatives from Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), National Security Intelligence (NSI) and other agencies is working to detect and address harmful content in real time. Any adverse material is being handled immediately, he said. Petty Crimes Stable According to DB, petty crimes such as theft and mugging remain generally under control in Dhaka. Shafiqul Islam said a few recent killings were linked to internal disputes among underworld groups. He stressed that these incidents do not reflect the city’s wider homicide trend and intelligence assessments show no major rise in petty crimes. Another senior official at DMP headquarters preferring not to be named said communal incitement and rumor campaigns may increase before the polls. He said political rallies may also carry a higher risk of clashes, prompting agencies to increase intelligence deployment before each event. Why Acts of Sabotage Rise Intelligence officials say targeted violence often rises before elections as political tension increases. Arson attacks on busy routes are often planned to cause maximum public fear. Suspect in Pallabi Jubo Dal leader murder dies after arrest Crude bombs are also used to create pressure and send political signals without large-scale damage, the DMP official said. He said sudden confrontations may escalate tensions and disrupt the electoral environment while propaganda campaigns on social media may attempt to mislead voters. On preparedness, he said law enforcement agencies have already intensified preventive steps. These include increased patrols on major transport routes, deployment of more plainclothes intelligence officers in politically sensitive zones, active automated systems for cyber monitoring and focused surveillance in trouble-prone areas. DB officials said enhanced surveillance, quick arrests and coordinated intelligence actions are expected to keep the overall situation under control. Read more: Saboteurs to be declared ‘Unwanted’ in Dhaka: DMP Commissioner 

Election Commissioner Brig Gen (retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah on Wednesday (December 03) said each voter would take an average of three minutes and 52 seconds to cast their vote but rejected increasing polling centres for the next election. Sanaullah made the remarks while addressing the inaugural session of a daylong journalist training programme at Agargaon, Dhaka ahead of the national election. Highlighting the importance of the election, he said, “The upcoming election is going to set the tone for what kind of country and democratic journey we want in the future.”   Read more: EU preparing large observer mission for Bangladesh election: Miller Seeking cooperation from all in holding an acceptable election, Sanaullah said the election system has been heavily damaged and they are trying to repair it. For the nation’s sake, he said, all must ensure a good election and everyone must responsibly play their part. To prevent fake journalists from entering polling areas with bogus cards, the election commission is going to initiate a QR‑code system, Sanaullah added.   Read more: Over 156,000 Bangladeshi expats registered so far to vote

More than 156,000 expatriate Bangladeshi voters from different countries across the world have so far registered through a mobile app, ‘Postal Vote Bd’, since November 19 last to vote in the upcoming national election and the referendum to be held in a single day in early February 2026. The Election Commission (EC) launched the ‘Postal Vote Bd’ app on November 18 last to bring expatriate voters living in 143 countries under the postal balloting system. As of 12:00 pm on Wednesday, a total of 156,712 expatriates—139,107 males and 17,605 females—had registered through the app. Among the registrants, the highest number came from Saudi Arabia (22,176), followed by the USA (18,713), Singapore (9,878), South Korea (9,421), the UK (8,973), Canada (8,915), Malaysia (8,013), Australia (7,646), Japan (6,855), the UAE (6,599), Italy (5,952), Qatar (5,478), Oman (4,838), South Africa (4,744) and Maldives (3,478). Read more: Expat registration for 7 countries likely to reopen on Friday: EC Among the registered expats, the highest 23,848 will vote in Dhaka district from abroad, while 14,820 in Cumilla, 11,701 in Chattogram, 9,929 in Sylhet, 9,718 in Noakhali,, 5,520 in Feni, 5,186 in Chandpur, 4,499 in Brahmanbaria, 4,030 in Moulvibazar and 3,966 in Lakshmipur district. In terms of constituencies, the highest 3,200 registered expats will vote in Sylhet-1, while 2,817 in Noakhali-1 constituency, 2,486 in Sylhet-6 constituency, 2,303 in Dhaka-18 constituency, 2,277 in Feni-3 constituency, 2,247 in Noakhali-3 constituency, 2,043 in Noakhali-5 constituency, 1,953 in Feni-2 constituency, 1,894 in Dhaka-10 constituency and 1,832 in Cumilla-6. The registration process for expatriates will continue till December 25 next. Besides, the app will remain open for the government officials, polling personnel, and prisoners under lawful custody for a 15-day period after the election schedule is announced. Though the postal balloting system has been in the laws for a long time, it was never practiced in the previous elections. This is the first time theElection Commission is introducing a hybrid postal balloting system, enabling expatriates, government staff, polling personnel and inmates to exercise their franchise through a combination of digital registration and manual voting. The Election Commission will announce the schedule for the next general election and referendum in the second week of December. Read more: Bangladesh election: Voter registration in KSA, 6 other countries resumes

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman is not a voter, but he could still become one if the Election Commission (EC) makes a decision in this regard, said Election Commission Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed on Monday (December 01). “As far as I know, he is not a voter,” he said, replying to a question from reporters at a press briefing in the city's Nirbachan Bhaban. No legal barrier to Tarique Rahman’s return, says Law Adviser Responding to another question whether Tarique Rahman can contest elections without being a voter, he replied, “He can, if the Commission decides so.” When journalists asked under which legal provision such a decision could be made, Akhtar Ahmed said, “Please check the Electoral Rolls Voter Registration Act.” Then he was asked whether the possibility of being allowed to be a voter applies only to Tarique Rahman. In response, the EC Secretary said it can be applicable for anyone. “Why are you identifying one person individually? It could apply to you as well,” he said. Speaking about the voter list, Akhtar Ahmed said the persons who turned 18 by October 31, 2025, have been included in the voter rolls. Read more: Only Dr Zahid to brief media on Khaleda’s health: BNP “We’ve finalised the voter lists. At this stage, seven fields—name, father’s name, mother’s name, occupation, date of birth, voter address and photograph—cannot be changed,” he said. After the finalisation of the voter list, he said, the Commission may consider reopening these seven fields for corrections if a decision is taken to do so. The EC Secretary said after the finalisation of the voter lists, the NID correction option may be considered if the Commission takes a decision to do so. However, several things can still be corrected now, he said. Read more: No objection to Tarique’s return, says govt

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Sunday (November 30) said the next national election will be held excluding Bangladesh Awami League which is now "a kind of socially acceptable fact." "It's kind of a socially acceptable fact that Awami League will not be part of the next national election," he said, while responding to a question at "DCAB Talk". Adviser Hossain said he does not think that Bangladesh society has taken this (election without AL) very negatively. He mentioned that the activities of the AL have already been suspended but the party is not banned. Read more: Awami League using looted money for acts of sabotage: Rizvi The next national election is scheduled to be held in the first half of February and the government thinks it will be held in a festive and peaceful manner. Responding to a question, Adviser Hossain said he does not think the election will be questionable if BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman does not return to Bangladesh. He said the party's leadership was in fact in his hands though he is not at home. It depends on many factors, including the law and order situation whether the election will be held in a fair manner. Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) hosted the ‘DCAB Talk’ titled ‘Bangladesh’s Foreign Policy: Charting a Relevant Role in a Changing World’. DCAB President AKM Moinuddin and General Md Arifuzzaman Manun also spoke at the event. Read more: Record number of first-time voters to vote, AL can’t participate: Prof Yunus

Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin on Saturday (November 29) said the Election Commission will announce the schedule for the next general election in the second week of December. “Hopefully, what we expect is that it will be declared in the second week of December. When the schedule is announced, then you will know the dates (voting date, nomination deadline and the last date for withdrawal of candidacy),” he said, replying to a question from reporters. The CEC was talking to reporters after inspecting a mock voting exercise demonstrated at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Government Girls High School in the capital. The Election Commission conducted the mock voting exercise from 8am to 12pm for both the upcoming national election and referendum, which are likely to be held simultaneously on a single day in early February 2026. Read more: Everything will be fine before the voting day: CEC over law and order The CEC said the mock voting exercise was arranged to identify what is required to create an ideal environment for a fair, credible and participatory election as promised by the Commission. “The purpose of arranging it (the mock voting exercise) is to understand, through a practical demonstration, what kind of environment is needed inside a polling station to deliver a fair, acceptable and participatory election we have promised the nation. We wanted to observe everything—what the atmosphere should be like, how the queues of voters should form, how polling officers and presiding officers should sit and operate, how the overall management should function, and even what role you, the journalists, might play,” he said. Nasir Uddin said many people do not know about this type of exercise, especially new voters who will be voting for the first time. “Those who became voters in the last 15 years never saw a real voting process and have no practical experience. Through this exercise, new voters are gaining experience, while the Commission is getting a real-time assessment of the situation,” he said. About referendum on the July National Charter 2025, the CEC said an additional responsibility has now come as they would have to arrange the referendum together with the parliamentary elections. “If both are to be held simultaneously, time management becomes a major issue. Based on Saturday’s assessment (through mock voting exercise), the Commission would decide over the rise of (now 42,500 polling stations) polling centres of polling booths, manpower and other required arrangements. If required, he said, the number of polling stations or booths will be increased. “We will expand if needed. Our purpose is not to cause hardship to people,” he said. He said all preparations for the election are largely ready. “We want to inform everyone — we have the preparations. There will be no problem, Inshallah. Together, we will deliver what we promised the nation.” Read more: EC shares force deployment plan with law enforcers ahead of Bangladesh polls Noting the mock voting exercise is an experience, he said, adding, “Whatever gaps or shortcomings exist in our plan, we will meet up those based on today’s practical experience.” When asked about elderly voters who are unaware of the referendum, the CEC said it is natural that they do not know yet, as the campaign has not fully started. The government and the Election Commission will jointly carry out extensive awareness campaigns about the referendum. About the security, the CEC said the law and order situation in Bangladesh has never been perfect. Theft, mugging and violence always occur. So, these things are isolated incidents. “But the overall environment for polling must be ensured. Election Commissioners, the EC Secretary, EU Ambassador to Bangladesh Michael Miller, among others, were present. The turnout of the voters was 70.40 percent as 352 out of 500 voters cast their votes in the mock voting exercise, said Presiding Officer (EC official) Jahangir Alam.   The current Election Commission, headed by AMM Nasir Uddin, was constituted just one year ago and had no experience of holding a single local body or parliamentary election. Besides, this commission will have to hold a referendum simultaneously with the national election, which came as an additional responsibility to the current commission amid the changed situation after the 2024 student-led mass uprising that toppled Sheikh Hasina’s regime. The current Election Commission, headed by AMM Nasir Uddin, was constituted just one year ago and had no experience of holding a single local body or parliamentary election. Besides, this commission will have to hold a referendum simultaneously with the national election, which came as an additional responsibility to the current commission amid the changed situation after the 2024 student-led mass uprising that toppled Sheikh Hasina’s regime. Read more: Don’t hire politically linked election observers: CEC Nasir

The Election Commission plans to resume Out-of-Country voter registration on Friday (November 28) for Bangladeshi expatriates in seven countries after suspending it due to incorrect or incomplete mailing addresses provided by many applicants. The seven countries are Bahrain, Kuwait, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). "We are working to reopen it by tomorrow (Friday) morning. So that expatriate voters can take advantage of Friday, which is a holiday, InshaAllah. We are trying to re-launch the app for these seven countries as soon as possible," said Team leader of EC's Out of Country Voting (OCV) development and implementation (SDI) project Brig Gen (retd) Saleem Ahmad Khan at a press briefing in the city’s Nirbachan Bhaban on Thursday (November 27). Read more: Over 23,000 Bangladeshi expats registered to vote in 2026 election He said the EC opened its mobile app, 'Postal Vote Bd' for the expatriates living in all the countries including these seven countries on Wednesday (12:00am after Sunday midnight) to register to vote in the upcoming national election. Since the expatriate voters were inputting incorrect (mailing) addresses (to receive the postal ballots) in these countries, the commission decided to halt the process for these countries, he said. “If there are incorrect addresses, the ballots can’t be sent to the proper destinations. So, when we notice the issue, we’ve taken the decision to suspend the process temporarily for the seven countries,” said Saleem Ahmad. He said the commission talked to the Bangladeshi missions stationed in these countries to address the problem by carrying out campaigns to input the proper mailing addresses during the registration. He said once addresses are confirmed, they will start sending the postal ballot packages to different destinations through the Bangladesh Post Office at the end of next week. Speaking at the briefing, EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said they still are optimistic over the registration of a good number of expatriate voters during the 13th parliamentary election and referendum on the July National Charter, which are expected to be held simultaneously in a single day in early February 2026. Read more: 'Postal Vote BD’ App launched to include expats in 2026 election "The expectations for the inclusion of expatriate Bangladeshi voters for OCV, which were high, are still high. One thing is that when the new system is rolled out, there will be minor problems. Campaigning is also going on regarding this," he said. As of 8:00 pm on Thursday, a total of 58,563 expatriates-49,777 males and 8,786 females-had registered through the app.

The Election Commission on Thursday (November 27) provided law enforcement agencies with detailed deployment plans for engaging their personnel during the upcoming national election, expected to be held in early February 2026. “We’ve provided the outline of the deployment plan—now the respective forces will prepare the detailed version. Whether they will deploy their teams as static, reserve, or striking forces at the polling stations is entirely up to them. How many personnel will be deployed and for how many days—that will be determined by the Home Ministry,” EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said on Thursday. He said this while briefing reporters after the commission’s meeting with law enforcement agencies, including the armed forces, held at Nirbachan Bhaban in the city. BD Election Security Plan: EC begins 2-phase talks with law enforcers Top representatives from three armed forces – Army, Navy and Air Force– as well as the Home Affairs Ministry, Police, RAB, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Coast Guard, Ansar and VDP, the Armed Forces Division, DGFI, NSI, NTMC, SB and CID attended the meeting. The meeting was held with Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin in the chair, focusing on the deployment of security personnel, maintaining the law and order during the election, providing the security to election officials, election materials and polling stations, recovery of illegal arms and removal of illegal campaign materials like posters. The EC Senior Secretary said the Commission does not have its own security force, rather it relies on the coordinated efforts of law enforcement agencies during the elections. “They (law enforcement agencies) have assured us that they will start working in the field from day one and will play an effective role,” he said. Responding to a question about the armed forces’ magistracy power, currently in effect, Akhtar Ahmed said the armed forces are now under the definition of law enforcement agencies. “Their (armed forces’s magistracy power will remain valid until February 2026,” he said. Bangladesh election: Voter registration in KSA, 6 other countries suspended When asked whether this magistracy power (with magistrates and the armed forces) might conflict with the legal framework after the announcement of the election schedule, he replied, “I don’t see anything contradictory here.” Raising the details of the deployment outline, he said the plan is divided into three major components - static deployment for security personnel to be stationed at polling stations; installation of both static and mobile checkposts at various points and deployment of patrolling teams depending on geographical locations and access roads; and forming a central reserve force “There will also be a central reserve force. So essentially, three components—static, mobile and central reserve. These will be prepared in advance based on the guidelines we’ve provided,” he said adding now the respective forces will design their arrangements. He said that what is conventionally referred to as the striking force will also fall under these three components, aimed at ensuring mobility, deterrence and effective response according to the situation. Bangladesh Election: Expat voters can register anytime from any region to vote “We will also utilise NTMC’s capabilities. Cybersecurity issues will be closely monitored,” said the EC Secretary. Talking further on the security plan, he said “Actually it is our strategic plan.”

BNP senior leader Nazrul Islam Khan on Thursday said their party is going to participate in the upcoming national election as part of its movement to restore democracy in the country. “We must remember that there will be many attempts to divert our movement and the victory achieved through it in different directions. We have to face those evil attempts,” he said. Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader also said their party has to play the main role in upholding the victory of last year’s mass uprising, as more BNP leaders and activists were killed, jailed and oppressed than those of any other party. “So, keeping them in mind and honouring their memories, we have to deliver the results of this movement to the people. With that goal, we must continue our struggle. The upcoming election is also part of that movement. Democracy cannot be restored without elections,” he said. Nazrul, a BNP Standing Committee member, said a free and fair election must be held in February next year for the sake of democracy and to establish it properly. He said that if their party wins the election and gets the responsibility of running the country, they will take all necessary steps for public welfare by using their previous experience. “We all know every candidate claims to be the best. But think about it: if an AC or any device breaks, you don’t let just anyone fix it. You look for someone who understands the machine and has experience. A country’s state machinery is far more complex and valuable than any device. So the people who want to run the state must have the ability and experience to do so,” the BNP leader said. He said BNP is the only party with long and proven experience in running the country. Nazrul said they will present themselves to people with that capability and that if they are given responsibility again, they will use their experience, including lessons learned from past mistakes, to serve people better. He said these points are relevant to the discussion about Shaheed Milon because he also struggled and sacrificed his life for democracy. “Dr Milon’s struggle was for a new state system built through democracy--a system where people can live without discrimination, live safely, get justice easily, and enjoy a better life. I believe we must work in the coming days to achieve this long-desired goal,” he said. Former student leaders of Dhaka University Central Students Union (DUCSU) and All-Party Students Unity (APSU) of the 90s organised the programme at the Jatiya Press Club, marking Shaheed Dr Milon Day and the 35th martyrdom anniversary of Dr Shamsul Alam Khan Milon, who was killed during the 1990s’ anti-autocratic movement.  Earlier in the morning, the ex-student leaders of DUCSU and APSU laid a floral wreath at the Shaheed Milon Memorial at Dhaka Medical College. A munajat was offered at the programme seeking divine blessings for the speedy recovery of ailing BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, who has been receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital since Sunday for infections in her lungs and heart. Nazrul said, during the movement against autocratic ruler HM Ershad, two political parties--the Awami League and Jamaat-e-Islami--betrayed the nation by taking part in the 1986 election. In independent Bangladesh, he said, Jamaat first took part in an election under its own name in 1986 during Ershad’s rule, along with the Awami League. “In 1979, no party called Jamaat-e-Islami contested the election. The party that did participate was the Islamic Democratic League (IDL), which included some Jamaat members, but Jamaat-e-Islami itself did not go to the polls then under its own name,” the BNP leader said. He said the Awami League and Jamaat legitimised Ershad’s military rule by joining the 1986 parliamentary election. “Those who joined that election extended Ershad’s rule, which otherwise could have ended in 1986.” BNP plans Khaleda as President, Tarique PM: Bulu In return, Nazrul said, Ershad’s party remained an ally of the Awami League’s misrule until 2024, with both sides helping each other stay in power. “The Awami League received their support to stay in power in 1986, and in return they helped the Awami League to remain in power.” Speaking at the programme, BNP Chairperson’s Advisory Council member Amanullah Aman said there is no alternative to elections for restoring democracy in the country. He said many plots are hatched to create obstacles to the election, but no one will be able to stop it, and the election will be held in February next year. The BNP leader said that if voted to power, their party will form a national government with representatives from those who took part in the simultaneous movement against the fascist Sheikh Hasina regime. Aman urged all pro-democratic forces to stay united to prevent the return of fascist forces. BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said there is no difference between the characters of HM Ershad and former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. “Because their characters are the same, despite repeatedly speaking against each other, they have come together at crucial moments, shaken hands, and jointly delivered a sharp blow to democracy.” He criticised the economic policies under Hasina, calling them “Hasinomics” rather than proper economics. “Even though the word ‘economics’ exists, during Hasina’s 15-and-a-half-year rule, the policy allowed loans to be taken from banks without repayment. People could even take new loans without clearing the old ones.” As a result, the BNP leader said, the country is forced to carry a burden of Tk 6.5 lakh crore in bad loans.