United News of Bangladesh

European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) Deputy Chief Observer Inta Lase on Saturday (January 17, 2026) said it is very important to see the whole picture of electoral process holistically to present their report impartially, stressing that this is a historic moment for Bangladesh. "Let us observe and let us wait until a holistic assessment is done," she told reporters at a city hotel, noting that they all know there is no perfect election anywhere in the world. Lase said their assessment and report with recommendations in the spirit of friendship and cooperation will help improve the future electoral process in the country. She said their observers are very experienced though many of them are coming to Bangladesh for the first time. EU to allocate €60B military, €30B economic aid to Ukraine Addressing the observers, Lase said, "You are the ones who are in the field, seeing the realities, telling us here in Dhaka how the situation is unfolding in each and every district. We are really looking forward to your report and assessment from the field." She said she knows observers' hours on the ground will be longer but it will be rewarding. "Trust me, we are all very privileged to hear from you and see this historical election," Lase said. 200 Observers Altogether At full strength the EU EOM will comprise 200 observers drawn from all 27 EU member states, Canada, Norway and Switzerland. The EU EOM will present its preliminary findings in a statement at a press conference on 14 February in Dhaka.

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.”

No political party or candidate will be allowed to carry out electioneering in educational institutions, government offices or foreign lands, in addition to religious places of worship, according to the recently published electoral code of conduct. The Election Commission has imposed the ban on campaign in educational institutions, government offices and foreign territories for the first time in the Code of Conduct for Political Parties and Candidates in Parliamentary Election Rule 2025, which was published in official gazette on November 10 last ahead of the national election to be held in February 2026. A candidate must resign from the president or member post of the management committee of an educational institution before the start of election campaign. No candidate is allowed to receive any type of reception from an institution, association or organisation and no one involved in election campaign can stay in government Dak-Bungalow, rest-house, circuit-house or any government office. According to the section 15 of the code of conduct, any registered political party or its nominated candidates or independent candidates or anyone acting on their behalf can’t carry out any form of election campaign in mosques, temples, pagodas, churches or any other religious place of worship and any government office or educational institution. The EC is introducing a hybrid postal balloting system for expatriate Bangladeshis to vote in the upcoming national election, but it barred campaign abroad. Police HQ seeks ‘honest, neutral’ inspectors for OC posts ahead of election “No political party or candidate can’t hold any type of public rally, street rally and meeting or carry out campaign in foreign land centering the election,” states section 06 of the code of conduct. No Posters; Maximum 20 Billboards The use of posters has completely been banned, but billboards, banners and festoons alongside leaflets and handbills can be used in the electioneering. Besides, campaigning through electronic and digital media is allowed this time. As per the section 7 of the code of conduct, posters cannot be used under any circumstances, and pamphlets, leaflets, handbills, festoons or banners made from non-biodegradable materials such as rexine, polythene, plastic or other environmentally harmful substances are prohibited. Banners, leaflets, handbills and festoons must be in black and white. The maximum allowable size is 10 feet by 4 feet for banners, 8.27 inches by 11.69 inches for leaflets, and 18 inches by 24 inches for festoons. These restrictions do not apply to electronic or digital media campaigns. A candidate cannot install more than 20 billboards in an election area (constituency), each with a maximum size of 16 feet by 9 feet. Poly-coated banners, leaflets or festoons, as well as PVC banners, are prohibited. No More  Than  3 Loud Speakers Under Section 17 of the new code, a candidate, or anyone acting on his or her behalf, can’t use more than three microphones or loudspeakers simultaneously in a constituency. This is aligned with Article 44B(3A) of the Representation of the People Order 1972, which prohibits candidates from incurring expenses on more than three microphones or loudspeakers at a time. However, EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed on November 11 explained the provision saying that not more than three amplifiers can be used in a meeting or rally. “If a candidate holds three rallies, they can use a total of nine amplifiers — three for each,” he said. To curb sound pollution, the new code states that sound from microphones used in campaigns must not exceed 60 decibels, and loudspeakers may only be used from 2pm to 8pm daily. The violation of the code of conduct could lead to cancellation of the candidature as a provision incorporated in the code alongside the RPO. Read more: Jamaat, NCP, other parties join EC’s dialogue Campaign Plan Political parties or candidates must submit their campaign plans to the authorities before the campaign begins. To foster mutual harmony and maintain a friendly environment, the returning officer or assistant returning officer will bring all candidates together after symbol allocation to present their electoral manifestos and pledge to follow the code of conduct. Candidates or party representatives can take part in electoral dialogues hosted by television channels but must avoid personal attacks. No Drone, Quadcopter The new code of conduct banned the use of any type of drone, quadcopter or such type of machine in the election campaign and the balloting hours. Only the president and general secretary of a political party — or their equivalents — may use helicopters for campaign travel. However, no campaign material may be displayed, distributed or dropped using the helicopter. Previously, only the party chief or equivalent could use a helicopter. Some 4,000 expats register on first day to vote in next election AI-Social Media Misuse According to the code of conduct, Artificial Intelligence (AI) cannot be used for malicious purposes in any election-related matter, including campaigning. Candidates, their election agents or political parties must submit the name, account ID, email ID and other relevant social media information to the returning officer before the campaign begins. The code prohibits all harmful content — including hate speech, misinformation, facial distortion, fabricated materials or inflammatory language targeting opponents, women, minorities or any other group of people. No political party, candidate or affiliated person can create, publish or share false, misleading, hateful, obscene or defamatory content on social media or any other platform through editing or AI manipulation, with the intention of misleading voters or tarnishing any person’s image. Punishment Punishment for violating the code has been made stricter, with the maximum penalty raised to six months’ imprisonment and a fine of Tk 150,000 (previously Tk 50,000). A new provision requires candidates to submit a written commitment to abide by the code and accept punishment in case of violation. Read more: Motivate voters to go to polling stations: CEC to political leaders

Election officials in key battleground states pushed back on claims by the Trump campaign that Republican poll watchers were being improperly denied access to observe the counting of ballots, saying Thursday that rules were being followed and they were committed to transparency.

The local administration has imposed section 144 in Bhanga upazila headquarters on Sunday after two groups arranged programmes at the same venue and time.