Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman has accused the Awami League of engaging in murderous politics even before coming to power, beginning with the October 28, 2023, sit-in. Speaking at a Rukon (member) conference organized by Jamaat-e-Islami's Moulvibazar district unit on Saturday, he said, "AL started the killings before coming to power. On December 29, 2008, they came to power through backdoor negotiations. As soon as they came to power, they started the politics of murder." BNP begins talks with allies over national election He claimed the first act of violence occurred at Pilkhana, where he said the Awami League carried out the massacre. He also accused AL of targeting various political and social groups, stating, "First, they attacked Jamaat, then they arrested BNP leaders, humiliated Hefazat, and even disrespected the country's scholars and ulama. They killed and disappeared journalists and imprisoned them." The conference, which began at around 12:30 pm, was presided over by Jamaat's Moulvibazar District Ameer Engineer Md. Shahed Ali, with District Secretary Md. Yamir Ali as moderator. Regarding relations with India, he said "The country where she (Sheikh Hasina) has taken refuge is our neighbor. With respect to our neighbor, I want you to live in peace, and let us live in peace.” Formation of King's Party would cost interim government its credibility: Rizvi “You (India) talk about communal harmony to us, but take a good look at your own face in the mirror. How do you treat those you call minorities there?" The Jamaat leader also raised concerns about the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR), now renamed the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), alleging that the force was destroyed through a conspiracy. Among the leaders who spoke at the conference were Jamaat's central assistant secretary Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, Dhaka Metropolitan South Ameer Md. Selim Uddin, Dhaka Paltan Police Station President Shahin Ahmed Khan, Sylhet District Ameer Md. Habibur Rahman, Sylhet Metropolitan Ameer Md. Fakhrul Islam, Sylhet Metropolitan Jamaat’s Assistant Secretary Advocate Abdur Rob, and others.

BNP on Saturday began talks with political parties that waged a simultaneous movement with it against the Awami League regime to consolidate unity and seek their opinions on the next general election. The fresh round of talks with all its allied political parties started with the first meeting of the 12-party alliance leaders. CA’s election statement disappointing, says Fakhrul BNP liaison committee members, headed by party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, participated in the meeting, which began around 4 pm. BNP Standing Committee members Nazrul Islam Khan, Selima Rahman and BNP Vice-Chairman Abdul Awal Mintoo also attended the meeting. Later, the party is also scheduled to hold meetings with the leaders of Jatiyatabadi Samamona Jote, LDP and the Labour Party today. Fakhrul visits Labaid to pay homage to Adviser Hassan Ariff The party will also hold meetings with other like-mined parties and alliances in the days to come.  A party Standing Committee member said they would discuss the country’s latest political situation and seek the opinions of the alliance partners regarding the upcoming election, the government’s reform initiatives and the Chief Adviser’s probable election roadmap. He said they would work out their next course of action based on the suggestions of their like-minded political parties. The BNP leader said they also planned to focus on further strengthening their unity and convey a message to the alliance partners to speak in unison to mount pressure on the government to hold the national election as soon as possible, without unnecessary delays. He said they would also discuss the ongoing efforts by those involved in the anti-discrimination movement to form a political party, the "Jatiya Nagorik Committee." The BNP leader expressed concerns that the government might try to schedule the election for 2026, giving the "Jatiya Nagorik Committee" enough time to organise itself. "We have no objection if anyone launches a political party. But we do object if any party is formed under the patronage of the interim government and the state. We also oppose any delay in the election solely to provide a party with space to organise under the pretext of reforms." BNP welcomes HC verdict scrapping part of 15th Amendment Earlier on December 16, Chief Adviser Prof Dr Muhammad Yunus indicated that the 13th National Parliamentary Election might be scheduled for the end of 2025 or the first half of 2026. A day later, his Press Secretary, Shafiqul Alam, clarified that the next general election could be expected to take place by June 30, 2026. "He (CA) has provided a timeline. What could be a clearer roadmap than this? You can expect the election to be held by June 30, 2026. This is a clear roadmap," he said while briefing reporters at the Foreign Service Academy.

Welcoming the interim government's announcement regarding the next national election, the United States has said they would advocate for "free and fair" elections conducted in a "peaceful" manner. "So we welcome steps that have been taken by this interim government of Bangladesh to prepare for elections that ultimately will allow the Bangladeshi people to choose their own government representatives," said Principal Deputy Spokesperson of the US State Department, Vedant Patel. He made the remarks while responding to a question during a regular briefing at the State Department on December 18. Bangladesh invites UN Secretary General Guterres for 2025 visit Patel said that the US is going to continue to monitor regarding the timing. "And of course we’re going to encourage the respect of the rule of law over the course of this whole process, as well as the respect for democratic principles should a transition come to fruition," he said. "And as we would throughout the world, our – we would advocate for free and fair elections conducted in a peaceful manner," Patel added. US reaffirms support for Rohingya amid concern over Myanmar Responding to a separate question, he said they have been deeply troubled by reports that hundreds of Bangladeshis were forcibly disappeared over the past two decades. "Enforced disappearance is an egregious human rights violation that inflicts the trauma of indeterminate detention or disappearance on its victims," he said. It also inflicts the trauma of uncertainty on the families, Patel said. "We welcome efforts by the interim government to investigate these crimes and encourage fair and transparent processes to provide justice for the victims and their family members," he said. On December 17, during a briefing, a journalist mentioned that there are over 30 journalists who are jailed for over 60 days without hearing, any bail, and Committee to Protect Journalists, Reporters Without Borders, and several human rights organizations have signed a petition. UN reappoints Dr Debapriya to Committee for Development Policy The journalist wanted to know whether the US will provide any statement to get them at least bail. In reply, US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said they have been consistent in dealing with this matter with the government of Bangladesh. "We believe media freedoms ought to be upheld, the freedom of the press ought to be respected, and that such cases ought to be dealt with consistent with the rule of law and respect for the press," Miller said.

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam has said that it can be expected that the next general election will be held in the country by June 30, 2026. “He (CA) has mentioned a time. What could be a clearer roadmap than this? You can expect the election to be held by June 30, 2026. This is a clear roadmap,” he said while briefing reporters over the current issues at the Foreign Service Academy on Tuesday. The press secretary made the remarks about the possible election schedule a day after Chief Adviser Dr Yunus’ announcement that the next national election can be arranged during a time between the end of 2025 and first half of 2026. "Broadly speaking, the election can be scheduled between the end of 2025 and the first half of 2026," he said in a televised speech to the nation on Monday. Shafiqul Alam said he thinks the chief adviser has given a clear roadmap. “If there are fewer reforms, the election could be held by December 2025. He (CA) has shed a light. And the exact date will depend on the reforms,” he said. UGC to be ‘university commission: CA’s Press Secretary Replying to a question about the election time, CA's Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder said it is the Election Commission that will announce the exact election date and election schedule. He said the Chief Adviser announced a broader time frame for the next election.  No pardon for killers Regarding the trial of killers, Shafiqul Alam said that justice will be served against those involved in killings, July-August massacres and enforced disappearance regardless of their affiliations. “Those who involved in any killing and those whose hands were stained with blood will face justice—there will be no pardon for them,” he said. He said those whoever involved in the July-August massacres … and those who involved in the enforced disappearance will be brought to justice, no matter they are political party leaders or members of the security force. “You can rest assure of it,” said the press secretary. Senior Assistant Press Secretary Foyez Ahammad was present at the briefing.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin on Tuesday said the Election Commission will be fully ready to conduct the next national election within the timeframe announced by the Chief Adviser. “We will be fully prepared to hold the election as per the timeframe hinted by the Honorable Chief Adviser for the national election,” he said while talking to reporters at his office here in the capital. The CEC said his commission started working for the national election from day one. “We are taking all the necessary preparations for the national election,” he said. Earlier on Monday, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus said the next national election can be arranged at a time between the end of 2025 and first half of 2026. “The election can be scheduled between the end of 2025 and the first half of 2026," he said in a televised speech to the nation. About the time, the CEC said the Chief Adviser announced a time limit and they will move forward accordingly. “We are not thinking of announcing any roadmap publicly. However, we will have our own action plan to work on,” he said replying to a question. As part of the preparations, the Election Commission will first prepare an authentic voter list, he said. Nasir Uddin said the commission is not thinking about holding local government elections before the parliamentary elections. Reforms need to be done in Parliament: Amir Khosru About the voter list, he said the commission will have a new final voter list in two months. Then it will go for a door-to-door data collection to revise the list again by excluding the dead persons and duplicated voters through verification, added the CEC. “The vote (national election) will be held in the light of that revised list.” In reply to another question about the delimitation of parliamentary constituencies, the CEC said the delimitation will be done on the basis of fairness.  “If any delimitation was done on purpose to help a candidate win or someone lose, we will surely address it,” he said. The CEC said the delimitation of the constituencies will be done on the basis of neither the 2001one nor the current one. “We will do it on the basis of fairness,” he added.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is set to face a confidence vote in parliament on Monday, which he is anticipated to lose. This outcome is expected to trigger early elections in February, significantly ahead of the originally scheduled date. Scholz's three-party coalition government disintegrated on Nov. 6 after he dismissed the finance minister, following a protracted disagreement over economic reforms. In response, the finance minister's pro-business party exited the coalition, leaving the remaining two center-left partners without a parliamentary majority. Following discussions among party leaders, it was decided that elections will take place on Feb. 23. Germany’s constitution prevents its parliament, the Bundestag, from dissolving itself, requiring a confidence vote to initiate the election process. Gunmen clash in a Libyan city and fires erupt at a nearby oil refinery, officials say The Confidence Vote and Next Steps The Social Democrats, Scholz’s party, hold 207 seats in the Bundestag and are expected to support him, while the Greens, with 117 seats, plan to abstain. Without a majority of 367 votes in the 733-seat chamber, Scholz is likely to lose. If the vote fails, President Frank-Walter Steinmeier will decide whether to dissolve the Bundestag, with a 21-day timeframe to make his decision. Once dissolved, elections must be held within 60 days. Campaigning for the election has already begun. Key Candidates and Issues Scholz has framed the election as a chance for voters to decide on critical national priorities, such as economic investment, job security, pension stability, and Germany's approach to the Ukraine conflict. While Germany has been a major supplier of military aid to Ukraine, Scholz has resisted calls to send long-range cruise missiles. Friedrich Merz, leader of the center-right Union bloc and Scholz's main challenger, anticipates a tough campaign. Merz emphasizes the need to enhance Germany’s economic competitiveness as a foundation for broader national progress. Germany warns Assad supporters in Syria against trying to flee there Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck of the Greens has also entered the race, though his party trails behind in polls. Meanwhile, the far-right Alternative for Germany, polling strongly, has nominated Alice Weidel, though no other parties are willing to form a coalition with them. A Rare Political Event Confidence votes are an uncommon occurrence in Germany, which values political stability. This will mark only the sixth such vote in post-World War II history. The last was in 2005 when then-Chancellor Gerhard Schröder called an early election, which narrowly led to Angela Merkel's rise to power.

Amid the growing expectation for an election roadmap, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Monday said the next national election can be arranged at a time between the end of 2025 and first half of 2026. "Broadly speaking, the election can be scheduled between the end of 2025 and the first half of 2026," he said in a televised speech to the nation in the morning. Dr Yunus said he has repeatedly appealed to all to hold the polls after completing all the major reforms. Chief Adviser and Timor-Leste President pay tribute to Freedom Fighters on Victory Day "However, if, and I repeat, “if”, due to political consensus, we have to hold the election on the basis of a flawless preparation of the voter list with minor reforms, then it may be possible to hold the elections by the end of 2025," he said. "And if we add to this the expected level of reforms in the electoral process and in light of the recommendations of the Election Reforms Commission and based on the national consensus, then it may take at least another six months," said the Chief Adviser. Dr Yunus said the Election Commission has been formed with the Chief Election Commissioner and the EC has taken charge. "From now on, the responsibility has been entrusted to them to start the process of forming the future government. They have started their preparations. They have a lot of work to do," he said, highlighting the works before holding the polls. Dr Yunus said the biggest task is to update the voters' list. "This is already a difficult task in nature. Now the task has become even more difficult because the voters did not have the opportunity to participate in the last three elections." Prof Yunus said no one has had the opportunity to verify the voters' list. "We have to make sure that the names of all those who have become eligible to vote in the last 15 years are included in the voters' list. This is a big task," he said. After the student uprising, there is no room for making any mistake as after a long time, many young people will vote for the first time, he said, adding that in the past, they were deprived of that right and joy. "Therefore, their voting in this election will be a memorable event. All arrangements must be made to make this experience smooth," Dr Yunus said.   He said his sincere wish is that the young people who are first-time voters create a tradition by voting in close to 100 percent in this election. He said they must ensure that those whose names were supposed to be on the voters list are duly enlisted. Chief Adviser renews oath of independence on Victory Day "Special attention must be paid to removing fake voters from the list," he added. This time, Dr Yunus said, they want to ensure that expatriate Bangladeshis can vote. "We have heard assurances about this many times in the past. We want to ensure that this is implemented for the first time during the tenure of this government," the CA said. "A reliable system must be made for this. Everything is a time consuming matter," Dr Yunus said. "If we want to further improve the election process and implement the recommendations of the Election Reform Commission, then the Election Commission must be given time according to the breadth and depth of the necessary reforms," he said.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday hoped that the interim government will arrange the national election soon in line with people's desire.  "We’re always optimistic. We’re cooperating with the interim government. Hopefully, an election will be arranged soon as per the will of the people," he said while speaking to reporters after paying homage to the martyred intellectuals. The BNP leader said people will get the opportunity to elect their representatives through a free, fair, and impartial election. BNP pays homage to martyred intellectuals Fakhrul said a new opportunity to build the country has been created by defeating the fascist forces through the student-led July-August mass uprising. “By taking advantage of this opportunity, we want to establish Bangladesh as a truly democratic and modern state without discrimination,” he said. Fakhrul recalled the self-sacrifices of the intellectuals in the country’s Liberation War. “Today is Martyred Intellectuals Day. On this day in 1971, we lost the best sons of the nation as the Pakistani occupying forces abducted and killed Bangladesh's prominent journalists, intellectuals, professors, scientists, and prominent figures of civil society just moments before the victory,” he said. The BNP leader said the people of Bangladesh fought in 1971 to build an independent, democratic and prosperous Bangladesh. He urged all to take a vow to build a self-reliant, new democratic Bangladesh to materialise the dream of the martyred intellectuals and those who sacrificed their lives for liberating the country. Fakhrul said they paid homage to the martyred intellectuals on behalf of their party, its chairperson Khaleda Zia, and acting chairman Tarique Rahman. Chief Adviser pays tribute to martyred intellectuals “We pray for the salvation and eternal peace of the departed souls of the martyred intellectuals,” he said. Earlier, Fakhrul along with some party senior leaders, paid tributes to martyred intellectuals by placing a wreath at the Martyred Intellectuals Memorial at Mirpur in the city, marking the Martyred Intellectuals’ Day. BNP kept the national flag at half-mast and hoisted black flags atop all its, including the Nayapaltan central one, to mark the day.

BNP Chairperson’s advisory council member Zainul Abedin Farroque on Sunday urged the interim government not to go for unnecessary reforms that could delay the national election. Speaking at a sit-in protest in front of the Jatiya Press Club, he also called on the public to remain vigilant, claiming that deposed autocratic leader Sheikh Hasina is conspiring from India to block the path of putting in place a democratic government in Bangladesh. “Carry out reforms; we have no objection to that. But do not undertake reforms that could delay the elections. There is no need for reforms by this government that elected representatives can do,” the BNP leader said. He urged the government not to unnecessarily delay the election, as various conspirators are actively working to create chaos in the country. “If you delay the polls, the conspiracy will intensify, and the conspirators will take to the streets. India is conspiring once again, having given shelter to Sheikh Hasina. From there, they are plotting to prevent a truly democratic government from coming to power in Bangladesh,” the BNP leader said. The programme was organised by the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Nobin Dal central committee, demanding the withdrawal of all cases against Tarique Rahman and leaders and activists of other democratic parties. Farroque, a former opposition chief whip in parliament, said their party has no complaints against Dr Muhammad Yunus, who assumed the role of head of the interim government to restore order in the country following the fall of the autocratic Awami League government through a student-led mass uprising. "However, the people of Bangladesh are increasingly saying that, after nearly four months, Tarique Rahman has still not been able to return home, and all the cases against him have not yet been withdrawn," he said. The BNP leader also said the ghosts of the Awami League still hold key positions in the administration, and they are conspiring against the government. “To put an end to this conspiracy, an election must be held promptly, allowing the people to elect their representatives,” he said. Act responsibly or risk losing public trust: Tarique to BNP followers  Farroque also called upon the government to withdraw all cases filed against BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, leaders and activists of BNP and other democratic parties. “We must all remain vigilant, keeping our eyes and ears open, as Sheikh Hasina’s conspiracy has already begun from India. She must be brought back and put on trial,” he said.  

BNP Standing Committee Member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy has called for the restoration of the people’s democratic right to vote in Bangladesh. Gayeshwar Chandra emphasized that while the country may have freed itself from "fascism," democracy remains out of reach for the people, as they are still waiting for the opportunity to vote. The BNP leader came up with the remarks while addressing a rally at the Barabari Shaheed Abul Kashem College ground in Lalmonirhat on Saturday afternoon. "People do not want to hear anything new; they are simply waiting to cast their votes. The people's right to vote must be restored through prompt elections," Roy stated, urging the interim government to take immediate steps to arrange for elections. Act responsibly or risk losing public trust: Tarique to BNP followers  He further urged political unity, calling for a collective effort to build a "new Bangladesh" in line with the ideals of Shaheed Ziaur Rahman, Khaleda Zia, and Tarique Rahman. He emphasized the importance of Bangladeshi nationalism in this pursuit, stressing that the country has been freed from fascism but not yet from democracy. Additionally, Roy reiterated BNP's stance on political reforms, pointing to their 31-point proposal which he suggested could be reviewed by the government for dialogue with political parties. He called for political solutions through consensus-based reforms, asserting that political problems should be resolved by politicians themselves. Among others, BNP Organizing Secretary Asadul Habib Dulu, Rural Development Affairs Secretary Farhad Hossain Azad, and former Dhaka South City Corporation mayoral candidate Engineer Ishraque Hossain, also attended the programme.