United News of Bangladesh

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman arrived in Sylhet on Wednesday night to formally kick off his party’s election campaign for the 13th national parliamentary election, with plans to address seven rallies on Thursday. “BNP Chairman, along with his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman, left Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport for Sylhet by a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight around 7:20pm and reached Osmani International Airport, Sylhet at around 8:04pm,” said BNP Media Cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan. Sayrul said Tarique will begin his election campaign from Sylhet, widely known as the land of saints, and address seven public rallies across six districts. During the rallies, he said the BNP chairman is expected to outline his party’s election pledges, political priorities and plans to restore democracy, ensure good governance and address people’s day-to-day problems. Party leaders and activists have completed all preparations to ensure the smooth holding of the rallies and electioneering programmes. According to party sources, Tarique is likely to visit his father-in-law’s residence, popularly known as ‘Minister Bari’, at Biraimpur village under Silam Union of South Surma upazila in Sylhet on Wednesday night. They said the BNP chief is also expected to offer fateha at the shrines of Hazrat Shahjalal (RA) and Hazrat Shah Paran (RA) after reaching Sylhet. Following the shrine visits, Tarique will go to the ancestral home of his wife Zubaida Rahman and offer fateha at the graves of her deceased family members. A milad mahfil will also be held there in memory of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and the departed members of Zubaida Rahman’s family. After the milad, special food ‘shirni’ will be served among Tarique, his entourage, party leaders and activists, and local residents. Earlier in the day, BNP Election Steering Committee spokesperson Dr Mahdi Amin said the election campaign will formally begin on Thursday as per the announced schedule, with Tarique launching it through his Sylhet visit. After reaching Sylhet, he said, the BNP Chairman will visit the shrine of Hazrat Shahjalal (RA) at night and offer fateha, marking the start of the election campaign in line with the party’s long-standing tradition. Mahdi, also an adviser to the BNP Chairman, shared the detailed tour programmes at a press briefing at the party’s election office in the Gulshan area. On Thursday morning, he said, Tarique will address his first election rally at the Sylhet Alia Madrasa ground. Later in the day, he will attend a rally at Ainpur playground in Sherpur area of Moulvibazar Sadar upazila at noon. On the way, Mahdi said, Tarique will also join a rally at the proposed new Upazila Parishad ground in Shayestaganj upazila of Habiganj district. The BNP Chairman will then proceed to Brahmanbaria, where he is scheduled to address a rally at Kuttapara Football Ground in Sarail upazila. In the afternoon, he will attend another election rally at Bhairab Stadium in Kishoreganj. On his way back to Dhaka, Mahdi said, Tarique Rahman will join a roadside election rally in the Narsingdi municipal area before attending a similar gathering at the Araihazar–Rupganj Gausia area in Narayanganj district. He is expected to return to his Gulshan residence at late at night Thursday. Mahdi said the party has already informed the concerned district administrations and returning officers of Sylhet, Sunamganj, Moulvibazar, Habiganj, Brahmanbaria, Narsingdi, Narayanganj and Dhaka through official letters. The respective police departments and other authorities have also been notified. Since the formation of BNP, party founder Ziaur Rahman began his presidential election campaign from Sylhet, while Begum Khaleda Zia also launched all her election campaigns from the city starting in 1991. Following that tradition, Tarique Rahman will begin his campaign with shrine visits, party leaders said. Sylhet BNP leaders said Tarique Rahman last visited the city in 2005, when he attended a BNP union representatives’ conference as the party’s senior joint secretary general. After spending 17 years in exile in the United Kingdom, Tarique Rahman returned home with his family on December 25. A few days later, on December 30, his mother and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia passed away while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital.

Barishal district returning officer on Wednesday allocated electoral symbols among 36 candidates of six parliamentary constituencies. The symbols were distributed among them at around 11:30am at the conference room of the Barishal Deputy Commissioner’s office. Returning Officer Khairul Alam Sumon said the candidates have already received their symbols and can now formally start their election campaigns. In Barishal-1 (Gournadi-Agailjhara), Zahir Uddin Swapan was allotted the Sheaf of Paddy symbol (BNP), Kamrul Islam Khan the Scales(Jamaat), Russell Sardar Mehdi Hand Fan (Islami Andolon ) and BNP rebel Engineer Sobhan (Football). In Barishal-2 (Banaripara-Uzirpur), S Sarfuddin Ahmed Santu received  Sheaf of Paddy (BNP), Master Abdul Mannan  Scales (Jamaat) and Mohammad Nesar Uddin  Hand Fan  (Islami Andolon). In Barishal-3 (Babuganj-Muladi), Zainul Abedin was allotted Sheaf of Paddy (BNP), Golam Kibria Tipu  Plough (Jatiya Party), Muhammad Sirajul Islam the Hand Fan for Islami Andolon and Asaduzzaman Fuad the Eagle (AB Party). In Barishal-4 (Hizla-Mehendiganj), Rajib Ahsan received the Sheaf of Paddy (BNP), Abdul Jabbar the Scales (Jamaat) and Syed Eshak Muhammad Abul Khair Hand Fan (Islami Andolon). In Barishal-5 (Sadar), Mojibur Rahman Sarwar was allotted Sheaf of Paddy (BNP), Mufti Syed Md Faizul Karim  Hand Fan (Islami Andolon) and Dr Manisha Chakraborty Ladder ( Basad). In Barishal-6 (Bakerganj), Abul Hossain Khan received  Sheaf of Paddy (BNP), Mufti Syed Md Faizul Karim Hand Fan ( Islami Andolon) and Mahamudunnabi Talukdar Scales ( Jamaat). Khairul Alam Sumon said the election atmosphere in all Barishal constituencies remains favourable and candidates maintain cordial relations with one another. He said they are expected to contest the polls maintaining mutual respect and following the code of conduct. He warned that action will be taken against anyone found violating the rules. Read More: Election 2026: 1967 candidates left standing after withdrawals, highest since 2008 After scrutiny and withdrawal, a total of 36 candidates will contest the national election from six constituencies in Barishal.  

Election Commission (EC) Senior Secretary Akhtar Hossain on Tuesday indicated that candidates would be able to launch their election campaigns immediately after the allocation of electoral symbols on Wednesday. “You said to yourself that it can be done, and then asked me when it can be done. You have given both the question and the answer… What else can I answer? You have given the answer. Campaigning can begin after the allocation of symbols,” he said, replying to a question from reporters if the campaign can be conducted right after the symbol allocation on Wednesday. The EC Secretary was talking to journalists after Swedish Ambassador to Bangladesh Nicolas Weeks met Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin at the Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital’s Agargaon area. Regarding the meeting with the Swedish Ambassador, the EC Secretary said Ambassador Nicolas Weeks and First Secretary for Human Rights, Democracy and Gender Equality came here to get an overall update on the electoral situation.“They wanted to know about the overall situation,” he said. Akhtar Ahmed the Swedish envoy assured that if EC needs any assistance, EC can inform them and they will try their best to provide support. There was no discussion on any specific issue, he added. He said the Swedish diplomats also inquired about the law and order situation ahead of the election. “They asked whether we have any concerns regarding law and order. We told them that so far we do not have any major concerns,” he said, adding that they were briefed about the deployment plan for maintaining security during the election. During the meeting, they also sought information about the Election Commission’s measures to combat misinformation and disinformation during the election period, he said. Besides, they were briefed on the technical aspects of the postal ballot system, said the EC Secretary. The national election is scheduled for February 12 next.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday claimed that his party is set for a landslide victory in the national election and alleged this is why some parties are trying to block it. “Only 23 days are left before the election. In these few days, many parties are saying they are not sure whether the election will even be held. Some keep saying, again and again, that the election will not be allowed. If voting takes place, it is doubtful whether they would even get three votes,” Fakhrul said while addressing a programme at Diploma Engineers Institution in Dhaka, marking the 90th birth anniversary of former President Ziaur Rahman. Expressing optimism, Fakhrul said BNP would win the upcoming election by a landslide as people are eager to see the party back in power. “People want to see a modern state under the leadership of Tarique Rahman. They want Tarique Rahman to implement his vision and future plans for Bangladesh.” Criticising a party for seeking votes in the name of religion, Fakhrul termed such practices as 'hypocrisy'. “They say that voting for the ‘daripalla’ symbol will ensure heaven without iman or amol. What could be a bigger act of hypocrisy than this? BNP is working on a plan to rebuild the country, while another party is driven by vengeance and violence.” Stating that Jamaat had never stood for the aspirations of the people, Fakhrul said, “Their leader Maulana Maududi opposed Pakistan and ignored Muslim aspirations. The same party opposed the Liberation War in 1971 and disregarded the aspirations of the Bengali people. Now they are spreading various kinds of misleading propaganda.” Fakhrul also accused the interim government of deception and bad faith over the reform process through a referendum. “It was agreed that issues on which there was consensus would go to a referendum. But matters BNP did not agree with were included without informing us. Still, in the interest of the country, we accepted it. Yet we are questioned on whether we want reforms. The reforms the government is now talking about are what we have been advocating since 2022. We are even ready to sacrifice our lives for those reforms," he said. Highlighting Ziaur Rahman’s legacy, Fakhrul said the former president gave the people of Bangladesh a distinct identity. “There are many Bengalis, but Ziaur Rahman gave the Bengalis of this country a separate identity — ‘Bangladeshi’.” Coordinated bid underway to manipulate election results: Abbas He said the banner of democracy carried by Ziaur Rahman passed through Khaleda Zia and is now in the hands of Tarique Rahman. “As soon as Tarique Rahman sets foot on the soil of Bangladesh, he has said to the people, ‘I have a plan’. His goal is to build a new, democratic Bangladesh based on the ideals of Ziaur Rahman.” At the programme, BNP standing committee members paid tribute to Ziaur Rahman and called for building a new Bangladesh under Tarique Rahman’s leadership by upholding his ideals.

BNP Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas on Tuesday alleged that a major party and a small one are making coordinated attempts to influence the outcome of the national election in several constituencies. Speaking at a discussion meeting at Diploma Engineers’ Institute in the capital organised marking the 90th birth anniversary of former President Ziaur Rahman, Abbas made the allegations. “A ‘big party’ and another of its ‘offspring’ are engaged in the plot. I will not name them, but arrangements have already been made to carry out election engineering in several seats. This issue cannot be taken lightly,” he warned. Abbas alleged that in the constituencies where the small party plans to contest, measures are underway to ensure its victory in all those seats. “They have held discussions with the government at the highest level. Plans are being made on how to ensure their win in every seat. Their main objective is to make sure that BNP does not come to power.” Referring to participants of the July Mass Uprising, Abbas said some are now identifying themselves as ‘July fighters’ and aspiring to become ministers and enjoy power. “We fought in the Liberation War and played a role in the fall of Ershad, but we never coveted ministerial positions. These people lack political knowledge, yet they are impatient to grab power and ministerial posts.” Abbas further alleged that BNP is being subjected to rampant propaganda, with extortion being carried out in the party’s name. “Those involved in extortion have already been expelled from BNP. We know who the real extortionists are—I can name them one by one. They are in power and are the ones engaged in extortion, yet the blame is being shifted onto BNP.” Outlining BNP’s electoral approach, Abbas said the party would go door to door to seek votes from the people. “With whatever manpower we have, we will reach voters at their doorsteps and ask for votes for BNP. Holding rallies and chanting slogans is the easiest part; winning an election is the hardest. That is the challenge we must take on.” Mirza Abbas alleges code of conduct violations in campaign He also urged BNP leaders and activists to remain vigilant against all forms of conspiracy, warning that forces opposed to Bangladesh in 1971 are once again re-emerging. Other BNP Standing Committee members present at the programme called on party leaders and activists to uphold the ideals of Ziaur Rahman and work towards building a future Bangladesh under the leadership of Tarique Rahman.

Tuesday (January 20) marks the final day for candidates to withdraw their nominations in the upcoming national election, which is scheduled to be held on February 12. Political parties that have fielded more than one candidate in any constituency must inform the respective returning officers of their final nominee by 5:00 pm on Tuesday. Independent candidates and other candidates nominated by registered political parties will also be able to withdraw their candidacies within the same deadline. The Article 16 (1) of the Representation of the People Order, 1972 states, “Any validly nominated candidate may, by notice in writing signed by him and delivered, on or before the withdrawal day, to the Returning Officer, either by such candidate in person or by an agent authorised in this behalf in writing by such candidate, withdraw his candidature.” EC unveils fresh roadmap for Feb-12 election The Article 16 (2) of the RPO states, “Where more than one candidate are nominated in the same constituency by a registered political party, the chairman or secretary or a person holding the same rank of the party shall inform, by notice in writing signed by him and delivered, either by himself or by any other person authorized by him in this behalf on or before the withdrawal day, to the Returning Officer, about the final nomination of a candidate and the other candidate of that party shall be ceased to be a candidate.” 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 election schedule, January 20 is the final date for withdrawal of candidatures. The returning officers will publish the final list of candidates and allocate electoral symbols on January 21.  The election campaign will begin on January 22 and will continue until 7:30 am on February 10. Voting will take place on Thursday, February 12, from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm. According to the EC, more than 2,560 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. Later, aggrieved aspirants and institutions including different banks filed a total of 645 appeals with the Election Commission, challenging the decisions of the returning officers over (acceptance or cancellation of) nomination papers filed by more than 600 aspirants. Prof Yunus calls for unity for successful election, country’s future During nine consecutive days of hearings from January 10 to 18 last, some 420 candidates regained their candidacies. Altogether, the number of valid candidates now stands at around 2,250.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Monday said it is the responsibility of all stakeholders - the government, the Election Commission, and political parties - to ensure that the election scheduled for February 12 is held in a ‘fair and festive’ atmosphere. “I seek the cooperation of all political parties in this regard,” he said when a delegation of National Citizen Party (NCP) met him at the state guesthouse Jamuna in the evening. NCP Convener Nahid Islam, Central Election Steering Committee Chairman Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan, Secretary Monira Sharmin, and Head of the Legal Assistance Subcommittee Zahirul Islam Musa. Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki and Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant for ICT Faiz Ahmed Taiyeb were present at the meeting. During the meeting, the NCP leaders shared their observations and raised various concerns regarding the election. NCP delegation to meet CA Prof Yunus this afternoon They said NCP leaders and activists from all walks of life are campaigning for a ‘Yes’ vote in the referendum, said the Chief Adviser’s press wing. They also drew the Chief Adviser’s attention to several election-related issues and urged the government to be vocal in ensuring a level playing field in the polls.

The Election Commission on Sunday cleared the way for most candidates facing dual citizenship complications to contest the February 12 national election, but rejected appeals from two BNP aspirants from Cumilla-3 and Cumilla-10. BNP candidate Abdul Gafur Bhuiyan (Cumilla-10) lost his candidature on ground of dual citizenship issue during the hearing in his absentia, while another BNP contestant Sarowar Alamgir (Chattogram-2) lost his candidacy on ground of loan default on Sunday. EC clears Aslam Chy, blocks BNP bids in Ctg-2, Cumilla-10 However, the EC, chaired by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, kept the fate of BNP candidate Kazi Shah Mofazzel Hossain Kaikobad (Cumilla-3) pending for the verification of denouncement of his Turkish citizenship. But the Commission is most likely to uphold his candidacy to run the election from Cumilla-3. Earlier, on Saturday, the Commission cancelled the candidacy of BNP’s Monzurul Ahsan Munshi and upheld that of National Citizen Party (NCP) candidate Abul Hasnat, popularly known as Hasnat Abdullah, in Cumilla-4. Munshi's candidacy was revoked on the grounds of loan default. Read more: Swiss, Brazilian envoys meet Tarique  The EC heard more than 20 petitions related to dual citizenship issues, including several taken up suo motu, and delivered verdicts on all such appeals on Sunday, the final day of the nine-day hearing, aiming to ensure consistency in decisions on similar cases. The candidates, who faced dual citizenship barriers but their nominations were finally upheld or restored, include BNP candidates Abdul Awal Mintoo (Feni-3), Afroza Khanam (Manikganj-3), AKM Kamruzzaman (Dinajpur-5), Shama Obaid (Faridpur-2), Shawkatul Islam (Maulvibazar-2), Kabir Ahmed Bhuiyan (Brahmanbaria-4), Moniruzzaman (Satkhira-4), Tahir Raihan (Sunamganj-2) and Fahim Chowdhury (Sherpur-2), Jamaat-e-Islami candidates Nazrul Islam (Dhaka-1), Zunaid Hasan (Brahmanbaria-3), AKM Fazlul Haqaue (Chattogram-9) and Mahbubul Alam (Kurigram-3), NCP candidate Ehteshamul Haque (Sylhet-1) independent candidates Anwar Hossain (Sunamganj-3) and Sujat Miah (Habiganj-1) and Islami Andolan Bangladesh candidate Zahirul Islam (Noakhali-1). Besides, the Commission upheld the candidacy of BNP’s Mohammad Aslam Chowdhury (Chattogram-4) and restored the candidacy of Jamaat’s Mohammad Mosleh Uddin Farid (Jashore-2), settling the appeal petitions on ground of loan default. The EC on Saturday last (January 10) started hearing of the appeal petitions filed by aggrieved persons and organisations against the decisions of the returning officers over the acceptance and cancellations of nomination papers during the scrutiny. The Commission ended the hearing settling  all the 645 appeals on Sunday (January 18). Following the nine-day hearing, more than 400 previously invalid candidates returned to the February-12 electoral race. Speaking at the conclusion of the hearings, Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin said the Commission did not show any bias while disposing of appeals filed against decisions of returning officers. He said the EC even relaxed the requirement of one-percent voter endorsement for independent candidates to encourage broader participation, adding that the Commission wants a participatory election to be held. 60 more candidates reinstated on day 6 of appeals process “We assure that neither I nor my team delivered any judgment with bias,” the CEC said, adding that uniformity was maintained in decisions related to dual citizenship issues. 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. 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.

The Election Commission (EC) on Sunday upheld the candidacy of BNP candidate Mohammad Aslam Chowdhury (Chattogram-4) and rejected the nominations of BNP candidate for Chattogram-2 Sarwar Alamgir and its Cumilla-10 candidate  Abdul Gofur Bhuiyan . The Election Commission rejected appeals from several banks seeking to cancel Aslam Chowdhury’s candidacy over alleged loan defaults. The Commission, chaired by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, passed the order in the afternoon, hearing the petitions filed by Trust Bank, Bank Asia and Jamuna Bank. Aslam Chowdhury was a borrower from Trust Bank, while he was a guarantor over loans taken from two other banks. Cumilla-10 BNP candidate Gofur also loses candidacy Besides, BNP candidate for Chattogram-2 Sarwar Alamgir lost his candidacy following the hearing of an appeal petition by the Election Commission. The EC rejected the nomination of BNP candidate Sarwar Alamgir on the ground of loan default, accepting an appeal petition filed by his rival Jamaat candidate Nurul Amin in the same constituency. The Commission heard the petition and passed the order in the afternoon, declaring that Sarwar Alamgir’s nomination was cancelled. Earlier, the returning officer accepted his nomination declaring him as a valid candidate in the upcoming national election scheduled for February 12 next. BNP candidate for Cumilla-10 Abdul Gofur Bhuiyan  also lost his candidacy following the hearing of an appeal petition by the Election Commission. Chattogram-2 BNP candidate loses candidacy The EC rejected the nomination of the BNP candidate on grounds of dual citizenship, accepting an appeal petition filed by Sanskrit Muktijote candidate Kazi Nurse Alam Siddique in the same constituency. The Commission heard the petition and passed the order in the afternoon. The petitioner alleged that Gofur Bhuiyan is an US citizen and he holds an American passport. However, Gofur Bhuiyan or anyone on his behalf was not presented during the hearing Earlier, the returning officer accepted his nomination declaring him as a valid candidate in the upcoming national election scheduled for February 12 next. EC upholds BNP candidate Aslam Chy’s nomination in Ctg-4 The EC as the Electoral Appeal Tribunal on January 10 started hearing and disposal of the appeal petitions filed by aggrieved persons against the decisions of the returning officers over the acceptance and the cancellation of nomination papers. The Commission will settle all the 645 appeals by today (Sunday).

BNP candidate for Chattogram-2 Sarwar Alamgir on Sunday lost his candidacy following the hearing of an appeal petition by the Election Commission. The EC rejected the nomination of BNP candidate Sarwar Alamgir on the ground of loan default, accepting an appeal petition filed by his rival Jamaat candidate Nurul Amin in the same constituency. The Commission, chaired by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, heard the petition and passed the order in the afternoon, declaring that Sarwar Alamgir’s nomination was cancelled. Earlier, the returning officer accepted his nomination declaring him as a valid candidate in the upcoming national election scheduled for February 12 next. The EC as the Electoral Appeal Tribunal on January 10 started hearing and disposal of the appeal petitions filed by aggrieved persons against the decisions of the returning officers over the acceptance and the cancellation of nomination papers. The Commission will settle all the 645 appeals by today (Sunday).