United News of Bangladesh

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Saturday called on all political forces to stay united and work together to build ‘humane Bangladesh’. He described his party’s landslide victory in the national election as not just a triumph for the BNP, but also a victory for Bangladesh and for pro-democracy forces across the country. At a press conference held at a city hotel, Tarique Rahman also congratulated all 51 political parties that participated in the election. Emphasising the importance of unity, he said, “National unity is strength, division is weakness.” We recognise overall election outcome: Jamaat Ameer   He urged all parties to rise above differences and collaborate for the overall development of Bangladesh. “Time has come for collective efforts to strengthen democracy and ensure a stable, inclusive future for the nation.” According to unofficial results, the BNP secured 209 seats in the parliamentary polls.  Tarique Rahman was elected from both Dhaka-17 and Bogura-6 constituencies. Members of the BNP Standing Committee were also present at the press conference.

Faridpur, Feb 14 (UNB) – Twenty people were injured in a clash between two groups of villagers over establishing supremacy at Mayendia Bazar in Faridpur district on Saturday. Mahmudul Hasan, assistant superintendent of (Saltha-Nagarkanda) circle, said Mannan Matubbar, chairman of Poromeshwari union in Boalmari upazila and Tulu Mia-Zihad Mia of Saltha upazila had been at loggerheads over establishing supremacy in the area. As a sequel to the enmity, an altercation ensued between the supporters of both groups at Mayendia Bazar in the middle of Saltha and Boalmari upazilas around 10 am. Bus-truck collision leaves 2 dead in Faridpur At one stage, both groups equipped with lethal weapons attacked each other, leaving 20 people injured. A number of houses were vandalised and set on fire during the clash. On information, police and army personnel rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control. Police also arrested some people along with locally made weapons, said police. ​​​​​​​Two brothers among 3 killed as train hits pickup in Faridpur

President Mohammad Sahabuddin will administer the oath to new cabinet members in accordance with the Constitution, Cabinet Secretary Sheikh Abdur Rashid said on Saturday. Preparations are underway at the Cabinet Division for the swearing-in ceremony, the Cabinet Secretary told reporters at the Bangladesh Secretariat. Abdur Rashid also said around 1,000 guests are expected to be invited to the ceremony. Gazettes of newly elected MPs, referendum results published Asked about the number of cabinet members, he said, “That depends on the person who will be the Leader of the House, the Prime Minister. It’s up to them how many ministers they want now or later.” Responding to a question about the possible date of the swearing-in ceremony he said, “We cannot confirm the date yet. Once we receive instructions or indications about the date and time, we will proceed accordingly. If it’s tomorrow, we will prepare for tomorrow (Sunday). If it’s two days later, we will prepare for that day. Only then can we provide the exact date.”

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday extended her congratulations to BNP Chairman  Tarique Rahman for guiding his party to victory in Bangladesh’s national election. Taking to X, the West Bengal Chief Minister wrote, “My hearty congratulations, shubhonandan, to all my brothers and sisters, all the people, in Bangladesh. My advance Ramazan mubarak to all of them. For this great victory, my congratulations to my Tarique-Bhai, his party, and all the parties. Pray, you all be well and happy.” Mamata Banerjee mourns death of Khaleda Zia She also voiced optimism about bilateral relations, expressing the hope that ties between India and Bangladesh would continue on a friendly footing. “Wish that our relations with Bangladesh be always cordial,” she said on the social media platform.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday conveyed his warm congratulations to Tarique Rahman on leading BNP to a decisive victory in the Parliamentary elections in Bangladesh. “This victory shows the trust of the people of Bangladesh in your leadership,” Modi said in a message. India will continue to stand in support of a democratic, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh, he said. "I look forward to working with you to strengthen our multifaceted relations and advance our common development goals," he added.  Voting in Bangladesh’s national election concluded on Thursday in a largely peaceful atmosphere, with high hopes of restoring genuine democracy and securing a strong mandate for national reforms. The polling in Bangladesh began at 7:30am and continued until 4:30pm without interruption at 42,659 polling stations in 299 out of 300 constituencies, amid the deployment of nearly one million security personnel and another one million polling staff.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami on Friday warned of launching a tough movement if people’s opinions and voting rights are manipulated through any conspiracy. Jamaat’s Assistant Secretary General Ehsanul Mahbub Jubayer came up with the warning while talking to reporters on The Election  Commission premises early in the morning. Jubayer said if there is any attempt to ‘manipulate’ the people’s mandate and voting rights through conspiracies, Jamaat will announce programmes and if necessary, go for a hard movement. Referring to past elections, the Jamaat leader said the nation still carries the trauma of the 2014, 2018 and 2024 elections. “We have seen what happened in the elections of 2014, 2018 and 2024. Those who conducted those elections—where are they now?” he asked.  He said Jamaat would not expect the current Election Commission to face a similar fate. Responding to a question, Jubayer said Jamaat respects any opinion expressed by people in a dignified manner. “But if anyone conspires or plots using the people’s opinions, we will not accept it,” he said.  Various conspiracies surrounding elections had taken place in the past as well which the people of the country did not accept, he said. He stressed that Jamaat would continue to remain vigilant to ensure that the people’s mandate is respected and protected.

In a welcome occurrence, not a single person was killed in election-related violence on polling day of the 13th Jatiya Sangshad election, that fell on Thursday. This is the first time since 1991 that polling day of a parliamentary or general election has passed without fatalities due to electoral violence. However at least seven people died in and around polling centres across the country during the election and referendum on Thursday - mostly of natural causes. One of them was polling officer Md Mujahidul Islam, 50, who died while performing his duties in Brahmanbaria. In Khulna, Mahibuzzaman Kochi, a former BNP leader, died following a scuffle at a polling centre. BNP leaders alleged he was pushed during an altercation, while Jamaat representatives denied the claim. Officials said the incident was not linked to electoral violence. The rest were all voters. Five of the victims reportedly fell ill while at or near polling centres in Dhaka, Chattogram, Gaibandha, Kishoreganj and Manikganj. In Dhaka, Ali Abu Sayeed Sarker, 53, collapsed at a polling centre in Jatrabari and was later declared dead at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. In Chattogram, 62-year-old Md Monu Mia fell sick at a centre in Kazir Dewri before breathing his last. Bangladesh Polls: Vote counting underway; early results show who’re leading In Gaibandha and Manikganj, two elderly voters—Bashed Ali and Babu Mia—collapsed after casting or attempting to cast their ballots, and were declared dead upon reaching hospital. In Bhairab of Kishoreganj, Razzak Mia, 67, fell sick and died after arriving at his designated polling centre to cast his vote.    

Dhaka, Feb 12 (UNB) - Senior Secretary of the Election Commission Akhtar Ahmed on Thursday said that 47.91 percent of registered voters had cast their ballots by 2pm at 36,031 out of 42,651 polling centres across the country. He said the commission has yet to receive turnout data from 6,620 centres, he told reporters at the EC secretariat in the afternoon. Bangladesh Polls: EC reports about 33% turnout by noon Responding to a claim by Jamaat regarding suspension of voting in nearly a hundred centres in three constituencies, the EC Secretary said there was a scope to halt the voting if the allegations had been proven. Akhtar Ahmed said there has so far been no major problem in the overall election situation. About his visits to two polling centres earlier in the day, he said officials there informed him that the flow of voters was slow until noon. “When we were returning, we noticed that the flow was increasing,” he said.

The number of women voters rose remarkably at polling centres across the capital as voting for Thursday’s national election progressed. Although turnout of female voters was relatively low in the morning, visits to polling centres in Dhaka-5, Dhaka-6, Dhaka-8, Dhaka-9 and Dhaka-11 constituencies showed a steady rise in their participation from noon onwards. On the ground, elderly male voters were seen dominating the early hours, with fewer women and young voters at the centres. At Arambagh High School and College polling centre, Presiding Officer Tuhin Ahmed said around 250 votes were cast in the first three hours out of nearly 2,000 registered female voters. “However, as the day advances, the number of women voters is gradually increasing,” he said. At Mirza Abbas Mohila College, long queues of women were seen waiting patiently to cast their ballots. Nilufa Akter Mili, a voter at the centre, said she came to vote after finishing her morning household chores. “I completed breakfast and cooking before coming here. Now I see a long line of women waiting to vote.” Another voter, Afsana, who was casting her vote for the first time, said she felt excited despite having to wait in a long queue. Festive mood marks peaceful start to national election across Bangladesh With the growing crowd, some voters, however, complained that the voting process had slowed down after 11am, forcing them to stand in line for extended periods. Samia, a voter at the T&T School and College centre, said there was little crowd in the morning but the situation changed later, leading to slower voting proceedings. In Dhaka-6 constituency, Presiding Officer Shafiqul Islam of Kabi Nazrul Government College said female voters expressed satisfaction over security arrangements and were turning up without hesitation. “There are over 4,000 voters at this centre. Around 1,000 votes were cast until 11am. As the day progresses, more voters are gathering to cast their ballots,” he added. Khasru Mia, Presiding Officer at BTCL Ideal School polling centre, said they had no security concerns and were hopeful that the number of women voters would further increase in the afternoon. Women account for nearly half of the country’s total electorate. Of the 12.77 crore registered voters, 6.28 crore are women. Election officials at different centres said the spontaneous participation of women voters has made the election more inclusive and vibrant.

Voting in the national election and the referendum is underway largely in a peaceful manner across Bangladesh, with the first two hours passing without reports of any major untoward incidents. The voting that began at 7:30am will continue until 4:30pm without any break at 42,659 polling stations in 299 out of 300 constituencies across the country amid the presence of nearly one million security personnel and another one million polling staff. The election is being held around one and a half years after the fall of the Awami League government during the July-August mass uprising in 2024 as voters are seeking to establish an elected government. Alongside the parliamentary polls, voters are also casting their ballots for a referendum to express their views, through ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ votes, on proposals for several amendments to the Constitution. In the capital, voters started arriving at polling centres from early morning. As the day progressed, the presence of voters steadily increased outside the centres. An atmosphere of festivity was observed among voters who turned out to cast their ballots. Voting in underway in the first couple of hours amid festive mood but some reported slow voting process in some centers.