United News of Bangladesh

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has reaffirmed his government’s commitment to ensuring that the upcoming general election will be free, fair and inclusive.   “The election will be participatory. There will be a big turnout,” he said, adding that tens of millions of young people are expected to cast their first ballots, as they had no opportunity to vote during three rigged general elections during the 16-year long autocracy.   Prof Yunus made the remarks on Thursday evening during a meeting with visiting British Minister for International Development Baroness Jenny Chapman at the State Guest House Jamuna.   During their discussions, the two leaders covered a wide range of issues, including the February general election, tackling illegal migration, boosting trade, the Rohingya crisis,and enhancing cooperation in aviation and maritime sectors.   Prof Yunus reiterated that the election would be held on schedule in the first half of February, emphasizing that it would be "inclusive and participatory", with a large voter turnout expected, said the Chief Adviser’s press wing on Friday.   EU supports Bangladesh’s transition under interim govt The Chief Adviser said the Awami League would not be able to take part in the polls as its activities have been suspended under the country’s anti-terrorism laws, and the Election Commission has subsequently removed the party from the official list of registered political parties.   He said the July Charter would mark “a new beginning” for Bangladesh, reflecting the aspirations of millions who took part in the historic July–August uprising last year.   Minister Chapman thanked Professor Yunus’s leadership since assuming charge of the Interim Government, and commended the ongoing dialogue between the National Consensus Commission and political parties over the July Charter.  

Awami League is trying to disrupt the upcoming national election and is carrying out arson attacks across the country, alleged Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam on Tuesday (11th November 2025). “The fascist AL is indulged in arson attacks across the country, aiming to thwart the election but the national parliamentary election will be held in the first half of February and no domestic or foreign force will be able to foil it,” he said. Shafiqul Alam came up with the remarks while talking to reporters after laying the foundation stone of a newly-constructed building of Kuliara High School in Chouddagram upazila in Cumilla district. Good governance, reforms take time: Shafiqul Alam Mentioning that there might be differences over the opinions of political parties, the press secretary said everyone is preparing for the election. “Despite differences, all parties want a festive and participatory election,” he said. So far, he said, BNP has announced candidates for 237 constituencies while Jamaat-e-Islami is also picking its candidates. Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder was also present. Read more: Govt laid foundation for promising new chapter in Bangladesh-US relations: Shafiqul Alam

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday said the attack on National Citizen Party (NCP) member secretary Akhter Hossain at a New York airport has once again manifested that the Awami League has no remorse for its past wrongdoings. In a post on his verified Facebook account, he wrote, “What happened at the New York airport once again proves that the Awami League does not feel the slightest remorse for its wrongdoings.” Fakhrul also said the Awami League will face trial for all the misdeeds it has done so far through the legal process. 'Not afraid of this', NCP leader Akhter says after harassment by AL in NY He urged all to remain patient for the sake of the party and the country. Akhter Hossain came under attack by Awami League supporters upon his arrival at John F Kennedy International Airport on Monday as he was also pelted with eggs.

The Election Commission has removed Bangladesh Awami League's electoral symbol ‘Boat,’ from its website, but incorporated Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami's electoral symbol ‘Scales.’ “The ‘Boat’ symbol was withdrawn from the website to avoid confusion among people whether it is still effective or not. But the symbol is still in the EC's schedule of the list of electoral symbols,” said EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed on Wednesday. He made the remark while talking to reporters in the afternoon after an unscheduled meeting of Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin and four election commissioners and the EC Secretary. The EC said the ‘Boat’ symbol cannot be used by any other one (political party). He said the Commission withdrew the AL's symbol just from its supplementary platform (website) in the continuation of the ban slapped by the government on the AL's activities on May 12 last. Akhtar Ahmed, however, said the ‘Boat’ symbol was not revoked rather it will remain in the schedule. In reply to a question, he said the Commission did not remove the AL's electoral symbol due to pressure from any quarter. About Jamaat's electoral symbol ‘Scales,’ the EC Secretary said the symbol was incorporated on the website in line with a court verdict. Responding to another question if the EC includes ‘Water Lily’ as an electoral symbol as per the demand of the National Citizen Party-NCP, Akhtar Ahmed said the ‘Water Lily’ is not in the schedule now as per the EC’s decision. “But if the Commission wants, it can do it,” he said.

Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has arrested three leaders of Awami League and its affiliated organizations in separate drives in the capital. The arrestees are Abdul Matin Master, 52, member secretary of Dhaka South unit of Krishak League, Mostak Fakir alias Bagha, 38, vice-president of Ward No. 71 Jubo League and Haji Alauddin, vice-president of Keraniganj Model Thana unit of Awami League. Sources at DB headquarters said Abdul Matin Master was arrested from Matuail around 11:30pm on Tuesday night, while Alauddin from Chawkbazar around 11:45pm the same night. Mostak Fakir was arrested around 2:40am on Wednesday. DMP's Deputy Commissioner (Media and Public Relations) Mohammad Talebur Rahman said the arrestees attempted to create unrest in different areas of the capital through sudden street demonstrations. Legal proceedings against them are underway, he said.  

Khelafat Majlish Ameer Maulana Mamunur Haque said the people of Bangladesh won't pardon BNP and Jamaat if the fallen Awami League makes a comeback due to disagreements between the parties. He said this while addressing a mass rally organised by the party at Central Shaheed Minar in Patuakhali on Thursday. Jamaat activist killed in Jamaat-BNP clash in Kushtia Mamunur urged all parties to remain united like the time of the anti-fascist movement that ousted the Awami League on August 5 last. Addressing the importance of Islamic principles to govern the country, he urged the Chief Adviser to hold a fair and neutral election excluding fascist Awami League. Is rift between BNP and Jamaat deepening amid looming election? Chaired by district unit president of the party Maulna Abbas Ali, central and local leaders spoke on the occasion.

A case has been filed against 93 people including former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy in connection with attempt to kill a lawyer during mass uprising on August 4. Nupur Akhter, a member of Dhaka Lawyers Association filed the case with Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Court on Sunday. Judge Saifur Rahman of the Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Court recorded the deposition of the victim. Right on cue, Hasina greets Trump on his ‘resounding victory’ The other accused in the case are— Obaidul Quader, Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, Hasanul Haque Inu, Anisul Haq, Mohammad A Arafat, Fazle Noor Taposh, Shaikh Fazlul Karim Selim, Sheikh Helal Uddin, Nasrul Hamid Bipu, Zunaid Ahmed Palak, Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil, Harun-or-Rashid and Biplab Kumar Sarkar. According to the case statement, Nupur Akhtar suffered bullet injuries during the student-led movement in Dhaka’s Mohammadpur on August 4. AL accuses interim govt of pursuing vendetta against the party When she went to receive treatment at a hospital, she received threats from some Awami League criminals, forcing her to be sent back home without receiving any treatment. Later, she underwent a surgery at the Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College and Hospital on December 17.

Police have arrested former Dhaka-10 Awami League MP Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin from his residence in Dhaka’s Uttara on Wednesday evening. A team of Uttara West Police Station raided his house in Sector-4 around 6:00 pm and arrested him, said Officer-in-charge (OC) of Uttara Police Station Hafizur Rahman. Shamsul Haque Tuku sent to jail in extortion case Mohiuddin was wanted in a case filed at the police station in connection with Anti-discrimination Student Movement. Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin was elected from Dhaka-10 constituency by-election in 2020. He was the former president of FBCCI and BGMEA.

Bangladesh’s public administration witnessed major turmoil and disruptions in its operations after the fall of the Awami League government in August and the chaos is not over yet as inter-cadre conflict intensified at the end of the year. Issues surrounding promotions, postings, and the appointment of deputy commissioners (DCs) and others who were reportedly deprived under the previous regime remained in discussion in the last four months and many decisions sparked controversy. The latest controversy arose following the recommendations of the Public Administration Reform Commission which has fueled significant discontent among various cadres of the civil service. Although the commission was initially formed to simplify public services it has now become entangled in disputes among officials’ own interest. On Sunday, administrative cadre officers expressed anger over the reform commission’s proposals and several hundred officers staged rare demonstrations outside the Ministry of Public Administration in protest. Education sector may get increased allocation in FY 25-26 The Inter-Cadre Disparity Resolution Council, representing 25 other cadres, has announced plans for demonstrations, including pen-down strikes, human chains, and rallies. The draft proposal recommends allocating 50% of deputy secretary positions to officials from the administration cadre and the remaining 50% to other cadres. Currently, 75% of these positions are reserved for the administration cadre and 25% for others. Chaos under the interim government The interim government, which took office on August 8 following the ouster of the Awami League government through an uprising, has yet to restore administrative discipline. Instances of disorder, such as frequent cancellation of transfer orders and inconsistencies in postings  reflect the lack of coordination. Bangladesh must boost investment to avoid economic crisis: Analysts The interim government canceled the contractual appointments made during the tenure of the previous government. Later this government appointed secretaries on a contractual basis in 14 ministries. Over the past four and a half months, the Ministry of Public Administration had to withdraw several significant transfer orders. They appointed secretaries on a contractual basis only to later cancel those appointments. Similarly, deputy commissioner (DC) appointments were made but had to be withdrawn following criticism. Slackened administrative activities Administrative activities have slowed significantly due to ongoing disruptions. Talking to UNB, officials from various ministries said normalcy may take longer to achieve under the current circumstances. BNP conveys a strong message against any ‘puppet party’ Mass promotions raise questions According to the Ministry of Public Administration, 537 officers got promoted in the past four months including 23 secretaries, 17 to grade-1, 135 made additional secretaries, 228 joint secretaries, and 134 deputy secretaries. Now questions have arisen regarding these promotion criteria, with allegations of favoritism and inclusion of officials facing graft allegations. Fear of arrest and uncertainty Fear of arrests gripped many as 12 high-ranking officials including former secretaries were arrested in the past four months. Cases have been filed against several others, further deepening tension among civil servants. Vacant secretary posts hamper activities Four critical ministries and divisions remain without secretaries -the Local Government Division, Rural Development and Cooperatives Division, Cultural Affairs Ministry, and Bridge Division which is hampering operations and their activities. The reform committee has also recommended promoting 764 previously ‘deprived’ officials to various ranks including 119 to secretary positions.

Police have arrested former lawmaker Barrister Sayedul Haque Suman from Mirpur. Officials said Sumon was arrested late Monday night by members from Mirpur Model Police Station. He has been taken to Pallabi Police Station as there was no proper facility to keep an accused in Mirpur Police Station which was damaged in an arson attack during the recent mass upsurge. Nazrul Islam, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Pallabi Police Station confirmed the matter. According to the OC, Suman was arrested for his alleged involvement in the killing of a student during the July-August anti-discrimination student movement. Man arrested for offensive post about Quran on Facebook  Before the arrest Barrister Suman said on his verified Facebook account, "I am going with the police. See you in court. Pray for me, everyone." Suman was elected as an independent candidate in controversial January 7 polls from Habiganj-4 constituency.