United News of Bangladesh

The Election Commission has decided to withhold the results of three constituencies as court cases are pending against the declared winning candidates. The constituencies are Sherpur-2, Chattogram-2 and Chattogram-4. The EC issued three separate letters in this regard on Thursday. The EC said the results are being withheld as cases are pending before the court against the winning candidates in these constituencies. The election results will remain suspended until the disposal of the cases, it said. The winning candidates are Aslam Chowdhury (Chattogram-4), Sarwar Alamgir(Chattogram -2) and Mohammad Fahim Chowdhury(Sherpur-2).

Four BNP candidates including its standing committee member Salahuddin Ahmed and one Jamaat contestant were unofficially elected, according to the announcement the Election Commission made after Thursday midnight. In Cox’s Bazar-1: BNP standing committee member Salahuddin Ahmed obtained 222,019 votes, while his nearest Jamaat contestant Abdullah Al Faruk bagged 129,728 votes and Islami Andolan contender Sarwar Alam Kutubi gained 4,528 votes. In Chattogram-16: Jamaat candidate Jahirul Islam obtained 93,167 votes, while his nearest rival BNP’s Mishkatul Islam Chowdhury gained 83,105 votes, independent candidate Leyakat Ali pocketed 55,492 votes, Islami Andolan got 4,054 votes. In Bandarban: BNP candidate Saching Pru obtained 141,455 votes, while his nearest rival NCP contender Abu Sayed Md Sujauddin got 26,162 votes. EC's official announcements see BNP take lead in 15 seats, Jamaat in 4 In Sherpur-2:  BNP candidate Fahim Chowdhury obtained 118,472 votes, while his nearest rival Jamaat contender Golam Kibria got 108,335 votes. In Tangail-7: BNP candidate Abul Kalam Azad Siddiqui obtained 141,253 votes, while his nearest rival Jamaat contender Abdullah Ebne Abul Hossain got 71,040 votes.

Bangladesh Election Commission (EC) on Wednesday said law enforcement personnel deployed at polling centres are equipped with hidden cameras attached to their uniforms to ensure transparency and security. In addition, round-the-clock monitoring is being conducted through closed-circuit cameras at polling centres and drones in surrounding areas, the EC said. “All activities of those attempting to create chaos will be recorded, and strict action will be taken against those responsible. Everyone is being warned against engaging in such illegal activities,” the Commission said.

Election Commission (EC) on Wednesday said it will take strict action if evidence of vote buying is found anywhere in the country. A political party has alleged that vote buying is taking place in different parts of the country. In a press release issued on the day, the EC said vote buying is a punishable offence under the law and warned that those found involved in such activities will face strict action. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin called upon the nation to extend full cooperation and maintain a spirit of harmony to ensure a free, fair and peaceful 13th national election. In a brief televised address to the nation aired on Bangladesh Television (BTV) on Wednesday evening, the CEC described the upcoming polls as a ‘significant election in the history of Bangladesh’.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin on Sunday assured foreign diplomats that the upcoming national election will be held in transparent and credible manners amid foolproof security arrangement, leaving no scope for ‘hide-and-seek’. “We want a very transparent and credible election so that there will be no matter of hide-and-seek,” he said while talking to reporters after a meeting with foreign diplomats at a city hotel in Gulshan. The CEC said the Election Commission briefed the diplomats in detail about the preparations and activities undertaken so far for the 13th parliamentary election and the referendum, scheduled for February 12 next. “They appreciated us. They are very happy with what we have worked so far. They are confident that we’ll be able to hold a credible election in a safe environment,” he said. Responding to a question, Nasir Uddin said the diplomats wanted to know about the postal ballots and who will be the authority for the deployment of law enforcement agencies during the polls. “We’ve apprised them that we’ll take arrangements for foolproof security so that all can come to polling stations peacefully and go back home safely casting their votes,” he said. Noting that all law enforcement agencies including Army, Navy Air force, BGB and Rab will be deployed in the elections, the CEC said, “A huge deployment will be there. You can rest assured Inshallah that we’ll do our best to ensure a safe environment for the voters. Inshallah we’ll be able to do it.” Election commissioners Abdur Rahmanel Masud, Tahmida Ahmed, Anwarul Islam Sarker and Brig Gen (Retd) Abu Fazal Md Sanaullah and EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed were present at the meeting. Ambassadors, high commissioners or representatives of various countries, the European Union and the United Nations attended the meeting.

The National Citizen Party (NCP) officially kicked off its election campaign on Thursday afternoon by paying respect at the graves of the Three National Leaders, Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy, Khawaja Nazimuddin, and Sher-e-Bangla A.K. Fazlul Huq, located near Doel Chattar of Dhaka University. Following this, party leaders visited the graves of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam and Osman Hadi, situated adjacent to the Dhaka University Central Mosque. The event was attended by the NCP Convener Nahid Islam, as well as Nasir Uddin Patwari, a candidate for the Dhaka-8 constituency. Speaking at the venue, Nahid Islam noted that Dhaka University was the starting point for the Language Movement, the Liberation War, and the mass uprising of 2024. Consequently, the NCP chose this historic site to begin its electoral journey. Ameer-e-Jamaat launches campaign for Dhaka-15 in Mirpur "We want the election to be held on February 12 at any cost," Nahid Islam stated. "Our sole agenda now is to win that election and represent the people in Parliament." He further alleged that the Election Commission (EC) is failing to maintain neutrality under the current government’s influence. "We have repeatedly pointed out that the Commission is not acting impartially. They are granting special privileges to a particular party. While that party has been campaigning for several days despite it being against the rules, the EC served us a show-cause notice for campaigning in favor of a referendum. We demand true neutrality, yet we are determined to move forward regardless of these obstacles." Nahid Islam emphasized that the NCP remains as steadfast regarding elections and referendums as it has been regarding reforms and justice. "We will do whatever is necessary to ensure a fair election on February 12. We expect the 10-party electoral alliance to win by a landslide and form the government," he added. He asserted that the general public is with them and that there is no alternative to a victory for the 10-party alliance to carry forward the spirit of the July uprising and the momentum of national reform. Urging the nation to support the alliance, he said, "We have 30 candidates across the country. I call upon the people to elect them under the 'Shaplakoli' symbol. In Parliament, the NCP and the 10-party alliance will be the voice of the common people, the mass uprising, national reform, and our country's sovereignty."

The Election Commission (EC) on Thursday warned that collecting voters’ personal information and national identity card (NID) details in the name of electioneering is a punishable offence. “It has come to the Bangladesh Election Commission’s notice that some people are collecting voters’ personal data and National Identity (NID) under the guise of election campaigning. According to the National Identity Card Registration Act 2010, one cannot carry or transfer another's National Identity Card (NID)," said EC in a press release. The electioneering officially began on Thursday (January 22) ahead of the 13th parliamentary election and the referendum scheduled to be held simultaneously on February 12. Referring to provisions of the Parliamentary Election Code of Conduct for Political Parties and Candidates Rules, 2025, the Commission said no political party, candidate or anyone on their behalf is allowed to offer or promise any donation, contribution or gift to any person, groups or institutions residing in the electoral area. “These activities are punishable offences under these rules. The Election Commission urges all citizens and organisations to refrain from such practices,” the EC said. Earlier, on January 13, a BNP delegation lodged a complaint with the Election Commission, alleging that a particular political party has been collecting voters’ NID details and mobile phone numbers across the country. Calling the move ‘suspicious and unprecedented’, BNP Central Election Steering Committee Chairman Nazrul Islam Khan said such activities could be aimed at creating fake voters or influencing voting behavior. Nazrul Islam said the collection of mobile financial service numbers could indicate the possibility of monetary transactions. The election campaign began officially on Thursday after the Commission allocated electoral symbols on Wednesday to as many as 1,972 candidates contesting the upcoming election from 298 constituencies, excluding Pabna-1 and Pabna-2. The number of contesting candidates would rise further once contestants from Pabna-1 and Pabna-2 are added. Currently, there are nine valid candidates in the two constituencies. Altogether, the total number of candidates across the 300 constituencies stands at 1,981—comprising 1,732 candidates from 51 registered political parties and 249 independent candidates. The Election Commission on December 11 announced the schedule to hold the 13th parliament election and the referendum on the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order simultaneously on February 12 next.  

The Election Commission on Sunday upheld the nomination of BNP leader Kazi Shah Mofazzel Hossain, popularly known as Kaikobad, allowing him to contest the upcoming parliamentary election from Cumilla-3 constituency. The Commission that acts as the electoral appeal tribunal passed the order on Monday, rejecting an appeal filed against his candidacy by Jamaat candidate Yusuf Sohel on grounds of dual citizenship. The EC, chaired by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, heard the appeal on Sunday and kept its order pending for the verification of a document related to denouncement of his Turkish citizenship. Prof Yunus calls for unity for successful election, country’s future The Commission settled all 645 appeals except one against Kaikobad on Sunday, the last day of disposal of the petitions. During the hearing of appeal petitions, three BNP candidates lost their candidacies – Monzurul Ahsan Munshi for Cumilla-4, Abdul Gafur Bhuiyan for Cumilla-10 and Sarowar Alamgir for Chittagong-2. Besides, three other valid candidates including independent aspirant SAK Ekramuzzaman for Brahmanbaria-1 lost their candidacies during the hearing. According to the EC, a total of 2,568 aspirants submitted nomination papers to contest the upcoming national election from the country’s 300 constituencies by the December 29 deadline.  After scrutiny, returning officers declared 1,842 nomination papers valid and rejected 723 others. Then a total of 645 appeals were filed challenging the decision of the returning officers over the acceptance and cancellation of nomination papers during the scrutiny. The Election Commission on December 11 announced the polls schedule to arrange the 13th parliamentary election and the referendum on the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order simultaneously on February 12, 2026. According to the schedule, the late date for withdrawal of candidature is January 20. The election campaign will start on January 22 and continue till (7:30am on February 10) 48 hours before the balloting period.  

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday said his party is confident that the Election Commission (EC) will be able to conduct the upcoming national parliamentary election in a competent and credible manner. “The scrutiny of nomination papers always brings some issues — this is nothing new. So far, we have seen that the Election Commission is working more or less with competence,” he said while talking to reporters after placing a wreath at the grave of former President and BNP founder Ziaur Rahman at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar. Fakhrul said their party placed a few of its concerns before the Chief Election Commissioner on Sunday. “We believe this Election Commission will be able to conduct the election with competence.” Asked whether all candidates are getting equal opportunities in the polls, the BNP Secretary General replied, “We have no such complaint.” Fakhrul along with BNP Standing Committee members Mirza Abbas, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan and Salahuddin Ahmed placed the wreath at Zia’s grave, marking his 90th Birth Anniversary. They later offered a munajat seeking eternal peace for the departed souls of Zia and Begum Khaleda Zia who were buried there on December 31 last year. BNP Chairperson’s Advisory Council member Nazim Uddin Alam, Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Joint Secretaries General Khairul Kabir Khokon and Habib-un-Nabi Khan Sohel, and central leaders Mir Sarafat Ali Sapu, Rafiqul Islam, Mir Newaz Ali, Helen Zerin Khan, Shah Nesarul Haque and SM Jahangir were also present, along with leaders of different front organisations. Later, leaders of the BNP’s different associate bodies, including Metropolitan units, Jubo Dal, Swechchasebak Dal, Mohila Dal, Muktijoddha Dal, Chhatra Dal, Tanti Dal, Matsyajibi Dal also placed wreaths at the grave. Fakhrul said they came to the grave of Zia, the proclaimer of Bangladesh’s independence, the architect of modern Bangladesh and promoter of multi-party democracy, to pay tribute to him, marking his 90th birth anniversary. “Beside him rests another extraordinary and indomitable leader, Begum Khaleda Zia, who dedicated her life to democracy, freedom and sovereignty of Bangladesh,” he said. Calling Zia “an immortal name in the politics of Bangladesh,” Fakhrul said the late president introduced multi-party democracy, ensured freedom of press and judiciary and transformed the country’s economy from a ‘bottomless basket’ to a growing economy. “We remember him every year, and we pledge to move forward on the path he showed for establishing a liberal democratic Bangladesh,” he said. Fakhrul accuses EC of ‘questionable acts’ in many cases Referring to the upcoming national election, the BNP leader said the election has been scheduled for 12 February. “After a student-public uprising forced fascist Hasina to flee, we are now taking a fresh oath to rebuild an economy devastated by misrule and to institutionalise democracy.” Through this oath, he said, the BNP and its all front and affiliated organisations are renewing their commitment to carrying forward and implementing the ideals of Ziaur Raham in 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.