United News of Bangladesh

The Election Commission (EC) has directed its field-level officials to expedite the disposal of pending voter registration applications submitted by Bangladeshi expatriates. The EC issued the directive to upazila and thana election offices, asking them to complete the local verification process of expatriate applicants without further delay. The applications remained pending mainly due to their engagement in the recent 13th parliamentary election. The directive was signed by Khan Abi Shahanur Khan, Director (Registration and Expatriates) of the EC’s NID Wing, on Tuesday (March 3),. The EC in an official letter already sent to all thana and upazila election officers said the 13th parliamentary election was held on February 12, and officials at all levels worked tirelessly to ensure a free, fair and credible election, which was widely accepted both locally and internationally. The EC expressed gratitude to field-level officers and staff for their tireless hard work to make the election fair and credible. However, it said that due to their involvement in election duties, the local verification activities of a significant number of expatriate voter applications remain pending. As biometric data are collected at Bangladesh High Commissions, embassies, consulates and mission offices abroad, the local investigation is carried out by the respective upazila and thana election offices in Bangladesh. The EC has now instructed the officials to treat the matter as “highly urgent” and complete the pending verifications promptly. According to EC officials, the commission has planned to expand the expatriate voter registration and National Identity (NID) services to 40 countries. The services now continue in 11 countries — the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Italy, the United Kingdom, Kuwait, Qatar, Malaysia, Australia, Canada, Japan and the United States. So, the Commission has planned to expand the services in more 29 countries including Oman, Bahrain, Lebanon, Jordan, Libya, Sudan, Singapore, South Korea, Hong Kong, Egypt, Brunei, Mauritius, Iraq, Greece, Spain, Germany, South Africa, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Brazil, China, Indonesia, the Maldives, New Zealand, Russia, Türkiye and Cyprus.  

The candidates who contested the 13th parliamentary election are legally obliged to submit the return of election expenses by mid-March before the Election Commission (EC). “There is an obligation to submit the return of candidates’ poll expenses before the returning officer concerned within 30 days after the announcement of election result (in gazette),” said a letter the EC sent to returning officers on Wednesday. The EC also asked the returning officers to send the submitted return of election expenses to the Commission by March 25 next. According to the Article 44C (1) of the Representation of the People Order, 1972, every election agent of a contesting candidate shall, within thirty days after the publication of the name of the returned candidate, submit to the Returning Officer a return of election expenses in the prescribed form. Since the official election result was published on February 13, the return of a candidate’s election expenses must be submitted by March 15 next. A total of 2,028 candidates ran in the February-12 parliamentary election held in 299 constituencies (except Sherpur-3) across the country. The contestants include 1,755 nominated by 50 political parties and 273 independent candidates. The EC published the names and address of 297 elected MP candidates in a gazette on February 13, keeping the election result of Chattogram-2 and 4 constituencies withheld in line with the court’s decisions. The newly elected MPs include 209 BNP ones, 68 Jamaat MPs, seven independent MPs and six NCP MPs, two Bangladesh Khilafat Majlis MPs, one MP each of Bangladesh Jatiya Party-BJP, Ganaodhikar Parishad, Ganasamhati Andolan, Khelafat Majlish and Islami Andolan Bangladesh. The political parties that participated in the recent general election will have to submit an expenditure statement to the Election Commission within 90 days after the completion of election. “Every political party nominating any candidate for election shall submit to the [Commission, for its scrutiny, within ninety days] of the completion of election in all constituencies, an expenditure statement giving details of the expenses incurred or authorised by it in connection with the election of its candidates for the period from the date of publication of the notification under clause of Article 11 till the completion of elections in all the constituencies in which it has set up candidates,” states the article 44CCC (1) of the RPO, 1972.  

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman has left Bogura-6 seat for by-election as he is set to take oath as a member of parliament from Dhaka-17 constituency on Tuesday. “We’ve received a letter that BNP chairman Tarique Rahman quits Bogura-6 constituency,” Election Commission Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed told UNB on Monday. He said now the process continues to publish a gazette declaring the parliamentary constituency vacant. Tarique Rahman was elected from two parliamentary seats – Bogura-6 and Dhaka-17— in the parliamentary elections held on Thursday last. On Friday last, the EC published a gazette of 297 elected MP candidates. The election results of two other constituencies – Chattogram-2 and 4-- were withheld as per the court orders. Besides, the election to Sherpur-3 was earlier cancelled following the death of a contesting candidate. The newly elected MPs are set to take oath as members of the 13th parliament and also members of the Constitution Reform Council on Tuesday morning. In the election, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) secured 209 parliamentary seats, while Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami won 68. Besides, National Citizen Party-NCP settled victory in six constituencies, independent candidates in seven constituencies, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish in two, Islami Andolan Bangladesh in one, Bangladesh Jatiya Party-BJP (led by Andaleeve Rahman Partho) in one, Ganaodhikar Parishad in one, Ganasamhati Andolan in one and Khelafat Majlish in one parliamentary seat.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) secured 49.97 percent, while Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami gained 31.76 percent of total votes cast in the 13th parliamentary election held on February 12 last. Besides, National Citizen Party-NCP obtained 3.05percent votes, Islami Andolan Bangladesh pocketed 2.70 percent votes, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish gained 2.09 percent and Jatiya Party got only 0.89percent, according to the statistics of the Election Commission. In the election, 274 independent contestants bagged 5.79 percent votes. A total of 77,695,023 votes (out of 127 million voters) were cast in the 299 constituencies (except Sherpur-3) in the referendum and the national election held on Thursday last. But the EC released unofficial election results of 297 constituencies on Friday last and kept the result of Chattogram-2 and 4 withheld in line with the court orders. In the election, BNP secured 209 parliamentary seats, while Jamaat won in 68 seats, NCP in six constituencies, independent candidates in seven constituencies, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish in two, Islami Andolan Bangladesh (IAB) in one, Bangladesh Jatiya Party-BJP (led by Andaleeve Rahman Partho) in one, Ganaodhikar Parishad in one, Ganasamhati Andolan in one and Khelafat Majlish in one parliamentary seat. BNP candidates contested the polls from 290 seats, while Jamaat in 227 seats, IAB in 257 seats, Jatiya Party in 199 seats, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish in 34 seats and NCP in 32 seats in the February-12 elections held in 299 out of 300 constituencies as the election in Sherpur-3 was earlier cancelled following the death of a contesting candidate. A total of 50 political parties out of 59 registered ones participated in the election, but only five parties – BNP, Jamaat, NCP, IAB and Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish-- secured at least one percent votes. We recognise overall election outcome: Jamaat Ameer   The other participant parties include Amar Bangladesh (AB) Party (gained 0.28pc of total votes, it had 30 candidates), Aamjanatar Dal (0.01pc votes, 15 candidates), Insaniat Biplab Bangladesh (0.03pc votes, 42 candidates), Islami Front Bangladesh (0.08pc votes, 20 candidates), Islami Oikyajote (0.00pc votes, two candidates), Khelafat Majlish (0.76pc votes, 20 candidates), Ganaodhikar Parishad (0.33pc votes, 94 candidates), Ganatantri Party (0.00pc, 1 candidate), Ganafront (0.00pc, 5 candidates), Gonoforum (0.01pc, 20 candidates), Ganasamhati Andolan (0.14pc, 17 candidates), Zaker Party (0.02pc, five candidates), Jagpa (0.00pc, one candidate ), Jatiya Party-JP (0.04pc, 10 candidates), JSD (0.04pc, 28 candidates), NDM (0.00pc, eight candidates),  Janatar Dal (0.05pc, 20 candidates), Jamiyate Ulamaye Islam Bangladesh (0.47pc, four candidates), NPP (0.01pc, 22 candidates), Nagorik Oikya (0.01pc, 11 candidates),  Bangladesh Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal-Jasod (0.02pc, 15 candidates), Bangladesh Islami Front (0.45pc, 25 candidates), Bangladesh Congress (0.01pc, 19 candidates), Bangladesh Kalyan Party (0.0pc, two candidates), Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan (0.01pc, seven candidates), Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish (2.09pc, 34 candidates), Bangladesh Jatiya Party (0.00pc, six candidates), Bangladesh Jatiya Party-BJP (0.14pc, two candidates), Bangladesh Development Party (0.17pc votes, two candidates) and Bangladesh NAP (0.01pc, one candidate). The remaining participant parties are BNF (0.00pc, eight candidates), Bangladesh Nezame Islam Party (0.04pc, three candidates), Bangladesh Minority Janata Party-BMJP (0.01pc, eight candidates), Bangladesh Muslim League (0.01pc, 17 candidates), Bangladesh Muslim League-BML (0.00pc, three candidates), Bangladesh Republican Party-BRP (0.02pc, 14 candidates), Bangladesh Labour Party (0.01pc votes, 17 candidates), Bangladesh Supreme Party (0.04pc, 18 candidates), Bangladesh Samaodhikar Party-BEP (0.00pc, one candidate), Muktijot (0.01pc, 20 candidates), Communist Party of Bangladesh-CPB (0.08pc, 63 candidates), Bangladesher Biplabi Workers Party (0.04pc, seven candidates), Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (Marxist) (0.02pc, 33 candidates), Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal- Basod (0.05pc, 36 candidates) and LDP (0.35pc votes and 13 candidates). The parliamentary election was held alongside a referendum on the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order 2025. In the referendum, there was a separate question among three questions to seek public mandate for the formation of a 100-member Upper House based on Proportional Representation (PR). President Sahabuddin to administer oath to new cabinet members: Cabinet Secretary Among the parties, Jamiyate Ulamaye Islam (with 0.47pc votes), Ganaodhikar Parishad (0.33pc), Ganasamhati Andolan (014pc), BJP (0.14pc), Biplabi Workers Party (0.04pc) and NDM (0.00pc) are components of the BNP-led electoral alliance. On the other hand, AB Party (with 0.28 pc votes), Khelafat Majlish (0.76 pc votes), NCP (3.05 pc votes), Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish (2.09pc votes), Bangladesh Development Party (0.17pc votes), Labour Party (0.01pc votes) and LDP (0.35 pc votes) are the components of the Jamaat-led electoral coalition. Overall, the BNP-led alliance obtained 51.09pc of the votes, the Jamaat-led electoral coalition gained 38.52 percent in the election. If the proposed 100-member Upper House is ultimately formed on a PR basis, the BNP-led alliance would be entitled to 51 seats, while the Jamaat-led alliance would receive 39 seats, the EC data indicated.

The Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party electoral alliance on Sunday demanded that the Election Commission (EC) recount votes in 32 constituencies, alleging manipulation during the counting and result publication of the national election. "Particularly 32 constituencies have been identified. We have been defeated here by a small margin of votes. This is the statement of our candidates....we have submitted the list of such constituencies to the commission and asked them to recount the votes there," said Jamaat Assistant Secretary General AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad. He said this while briefing reporters after a meeting between the delegation and the EC in the city’s Nirbachan Bhaban. Four election commissioners Abdur Rahmanel Masud, Tahmida Ahmad, Anwarul Islam Sarker and Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah were present in the meeting. Manikganj Election: 13 candidates lose deposits as BNP sweeps 3 seats Azad said there are allegations that the agents of their candidates were forcibly removed from many polling stations during the counting of votes and even those who were present in the counting room faced threats and intimidation when they tried to complain about any irregularities. “The congenial environment required for a fair vote counting has been severely disrupted. So, if there is an error in the vote counting process, it will directly affect the election results—this is natural. At the same time, various types of irregularities -- rubbing, cutting, overwriting and no signatures of our candidate’s original agent in the result sheets in many places,” he said. Responding to a question, the Jamaat leader said despite the gazette publication of newly elected MPs, legal avenues remain open for them. “There are three legal stages—Election Commission, election tribunal and the High Court. We will follow the legal process,” he said. Azad also questioned the timing of gazette publication, saying it was issued at 11:00 pm on February 13, just a day after the election. “Candidates from remote areas had no opportunity to submit complaints. We urged the Commission to investigate the allegations. Though legal doors are open, our rights have been undermined,” he said. Threatening to wage tougher programmes, he said if violence does not stop, the alliance would arrange a protest rally from the north gate of Baitul Mukarram at 3:30 pm on February 16. The Jamaat leader expressed concern over post-election violence, citing incidents similar to the Hatiya (Noakhali) violence. “There are questions whether incidents like those in 2018 are recurring. In my own constituency, three women were injured. We have submitted reports from 54 districts,” he said. He said the alliance decided to take to the streets if violence does not stop, while playing a constructive opposition role in parliament. Noting that their alliance MPs would take oath, Azad said the alliance has taken a positive decision regarding oath-taking. “We will take the oath, go to parliament and play a constructive role. At the same time, the streets will remain open for us,” he said.    

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.