United News of Bangladesh

BNP senior leader Nazrul Islam Khan on Sunday criticised a Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami candidate for claiming that the BNP would not be allowed to win any seat in Dhaka, urging Jamaat leaders to refrain from making arrogant statements that, he said, put their faith to the test. “Jamaat leaders are saying they will not give us a single seat in Dhaka… I think they are saying such things to encourage their workers. But they should not say anything that even puts their faith (in Allah) to the test,” he said. Speaking at a discussion organised by Jatiyatabadi Muktijoddha Dal at the Jatiya Press Club, Nazrul, a BNP Standing Committee member, also warned Jamaat leaders that Allah does not like pride or arrogance. According to media reports, Jamaat-e-Islami candidate SM Khaliduzzaman, contesting from the Dhaka-17 constituency against Tarique Rahman, claimed they would not give BNP any seats in Dhaka. Abbas vows to rid Dhaka-8 of drugs, extortion, crimes Reacting to the remarks, Nazrul said, “Tell me, who are the owner of the seats? Of course, it is Allah. On whose authority are they saying no one else will get any seat in Dhaka?” He also reminded Jamaat that it was BNP that won all seats in Dhaka in 1991. “Yet, we never said no one else would get seats. Anyone can win. Elections are uncertain matters. Whoever Allah helps, the people will support, and that person will be elected.” The BNP leader also said Jamaat has never won a seat in Dhaka city or in any adjoining districts. “So, is making such claims not arrogance? Is it not pride?” BNP’s only aim to restore democracy in Bangladesh: Fakhrul On the issue of dual citizenship, Nazrul said the Election Commission has shown weakness. He explained that Article 66 of the Constitution states that a Bangladeshi citizen by birth who holds foreign citizenship can contest elections after giving up that citizenship. “There is no condition saying whether the foreign country has formally accepted the renunciation. No such requirement exists,” the BNP leader said. He also said under the Representation of the People Order (RPO), candidates are only asked in their affidavits whether they have accepted dual citizenship. “It does not ask whether the application to give it up has been accepted or not.” Speaking about the placement of the BNP’s sheaf of paddy symbol on postal ballots, Nazrul said the symbol was placed in a way that could be hidden when the ballot paper was folded. “Initially, symbols like the scales, water lily and hand fan were placed clearly. The sheaf of paddy was placed in the middle, where it gets covered by the fold,” he said. Tarique pledges strict law enforcement, anti-corruption measures Nazrul said BNP raised the issue with the Election Commission, which claimed it was done unintentionally by office staff. “They said they were not aware of it and did not realise it would happen this way.” The BNP leader said the country must move forward on the path of development under the leadership of Zia family. “We have seen the Zia family during every national crisis. We saw Ziaur Rahman, we saw Begum Khaleda Zia, and now we see Tarique Rahman at this critical juncture,” he said. He said the people of the country trusted the Zia family, relied on them and they worked to fulfill the people’s hopes and succeeded.

BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan on Wednesday (January 14, 2026) expressed concerns that the Election Commission’s indifference and the silence of election officials are hindering the creation of a fair electoral environment. “Even the heads of major political parties are making remarks and displaying banners that are clearly a violation of the electoral code of conduct. We hope the Election Commission and election officials will apply the law equally, just as they are strict with ordinary candidates,” he said. Speaking at a press conference at the party’s election office in Gulshan in the evening, the BNP leader said their party has already informed the Election Commission about violations of the election code of conduct and the election atmosphere. “The Commission’s indifference and the silence of election officials are creating obstacles to a fair electoral environment. We think this is inappropriate and we hope they will change this behaviour,” he said. Read more: Prof Yunus orders strict measures to prevent possible election fraud Nazrul, who heads BNP’s election steering committee, said they want the election to be held on 12 February as scheduled and with the participation of all political parties.  “Unfortunately, that is not happening.” He said BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman postponed his planned tour of northern districts to avoid any misunderstanding and to help maintain an electoral environment. “When we are taking such steps to help maintain a peaceful environment, we expect others to follow the electoral code of conduct as well.” The BNP leader urged all political parties to refrain from activities that could undermine the electoral atmosphere, saying BNP wants a peaceful and acceptable election for all. He said BNP played the main role in restoring multi-party democracy in the past, ending military rule, establishing the parliamentary system, and forcing the withdrawal of the state of emergency during the 1/11 period. “This time too, we want to work with everyone to ensure a peaceful and inclusive election.” Nazrul said BNP wants to reassure the people that those who could not vote for many years will be able to cast their ballots peacefully and without fear. “We want them to exercise their fundamental right with confidence. For this, we are doing our party.” He reiterated BNP’s demand for a level playing field to ensure proper election atmospher.  The BNP leader said the Election Commission issued show-cause notices against several BNP candidates for minor violations, including a candidate’s daughter who posted a social media message saying “vote for the sheaf of paddy”. “We accept these actions if the same rules apply to everyone.” He alleged that influential leaders of other parties were openly campaigning in front of election officials without facing any action. Nazrul also noted that Tarique  postponed a private visit to northern districts after the Election Commission raised concerns, despite the visit not being political in nature and involving no speeches or rallies. He raised concerns about postal ballots, saying the ballot paper design placed three party symbols at the top and BNP’s symbol on a folded section at the bottom, which he termed “intentional, unfair and unethical.” Nazrul demanded immediate correction and said the ballots could be reprinted if necessary as there was still enough time. He also referred to viral videos showing postal ballot papers being handled in private residences abroad, including in Bahrain and Oman. The BNP leader said such activities violated electoral norms and secrecy. “Ballot papers are confidential. No one except the voter should see them. But we saw piles of ballots being handled on a table. This is illegal and deeply worrying.” Nazrul said they asked the Election Commission to take action, and the Commission informed them that the Bangladesh embassy confirmed at least one such incident. “If two incidents surfaced, there could be more in other countries.” Next govt should implement Labour Manifesto: Nazrul Islam He warned that the credibility of postal voting would be questioned if such activities continued. “We want a fair election and we want people to trust it. The next government must not face allegations of manipulating the vote.” Nazrul demanded punishment for those involved in such irregularities, saying this would deter others. “If this is not addressed and similar reports come from elsewhere, the use of postal ballots itself will come under question.”

BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan on Tuesday (December 09, 2025) rejected allegations that the party created fake voters and made Bangladesh the ‘champion of corruption’ during its tenure, calling the claims politically motivated and factually incorrect. Speaking at the inaugural session of BNP’s ‘Plan to Build the Country,’ discussion at Khamarbari Krishibid Institute, Nazrul said the party worked sincerely to curb corruption after coming to power, particularly in its final two years in office. “But eliminating corruption built up over many years is not something that can be done overnight,” he added. Nazrul Islam said corruption perception reports were not published before 2001. BNP assumed office in October that year, and Bangladesh’s position in the index reflected corruption under preceding caretaker and Awami League governments, he claimed. Read more: ‘Religion card’ no longer fooling citizens, says Salahuddin He also dismissed claims that BNP created 1.5 million fake voters, saying those making such allegations “are not aware of the facts.” Nazrul Islam said BNP had sought to update the voter list, but the Awami League moved to court to block the process. “While people are eager to register as voters, there is little incentive for relatives to remove names after someone dies. Many of those labelled as fake voters had already passed away. Their names simply weren’t removed. BNP tried to renew the list but was prevented,” he explained. Nazrul Islam also spoke against using religion for electioneering, noting that Bangladesh’s Muslims are among the most devout in the world. “People here don’t need to vote to secure a place in heaven. They will achieve that through their own deeds,” he said. Read more: Tarique warns BNP of ‘something terrible’ if unity falters He assured that BNP has clear plans for the country, promising greater income equality and overall development if the party is voted into power. Urging party activists to avoid internal divisions, Nazrul said, “You may not get nomination, may not become an MP or minister, or even a district secretary. But if BNP forms the government, your dignity and importance will increase. Keep working for the party with that in mind.” Nazrul Islam described BNP as most organised under the leadership of acting chairman Tarique Rahman. “Ziaur Rahman founded BNP, Khaleda Zia established it as a political force, and Tarique Rahman strengthened the organization further,” he said. BNP is currently more organised than ever, with significantly lower levels of defection compared to previous years, and that the party’s main priority is improving people’s quality of life, he added. Read more: BNP ready to lead fresh drive against corruption: Tarique