United News of Bangladesh

BNP on Thursday (December 04) placed three new election-related proposals before the Election Commission (EC) and said it has no objection to the EC announcing the election schedule in time. A three-member BNP delegation led by Standing Committee Member Nazrul Islam Khan met Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin at the EC headquarters in Agargaon. Talking to reporters after the nearly 90-minute meeting, Nazrul said BNP is not in favour the deferment of the national election unless there are unavoidable circumstances. “Therefore, BNP has no objection if the EC declares the poll schedule within its stipulated timeline.” BNP announces 36 more possible candidates for national election  Asked whether Khaleda Zia’s illness might affect the election, Nazrul said, “We expect she will recover and return to us soon, and be able to participate in election-related activities.” Regarding Tarique Rahman’s voter status, he said, “He is a Bangladeshi citizen. There is no barrier to him becoming a voter. The Commission can enrol him anytime it wishes.” Nazrul said the BNP proposed increasing the number of polling booths, marking places, and ballot seals for the upcoming 13th national election. “We want every voter in the country to have the opportunity to cast their vote. The number of voters has increased significantly compared to the previous election, so we made this proposal. This time, a national referendum will be held alongside the parliamentary election, which will add additional pressure. The Commission will give its decision on Sunday,” he said. BNP also urged the EC to allow expatriate Bangladeshis without National ID cards to register as voters using their passports. “If needed, the Commission can verify passports. Many expatriates do not have NIDs. They should be given the opportunity to register with their passports,” Nazrul noted. Khaleda led from the streets, not from palaces: Moyeen Khan To ensure transparency in the election, BNP reiterated its objection to printing ballot papers at any non-government institution. “At present, ballot papers are printed at three government facilities. BNP insists that no private institution be given this responsibility,” he said. The other members of the BNP delegation were Ismail Jabiuallah, member of the party’s EC-related committee and former secretary, and Md Zakaria, former election commissioner and BNP EC-related committee member. BNP to shift investment focus from megaprojects to grassroots: Amir Khosru

Election Commissioner Brig Gen (retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah on Wednesday (December 03) said each voter would take an average of three minutes and 52 seconds to cast their vote but rejected increasing polling centres for the next election. Sanaullah made the remarks while addressing the inaugural session of a daylong journalist training programme at Agargaon, Dhaka ahead of the national election. Highlighting the importance of the election, he said, “The upcoming election is going to set the tone for what kind of country and democratic journey we want in the future.”   Read more: EU preparing large observer mission for Bangladesh election: Miller Seeking cooperation from all in holding an acceptable election, Sanaullah said the election system has been heavily damaged and they are trying to repair it. For the nation’s sake, he said, all must ensure a good election and everyone must responsibly play their part. To prevent fake journalists from entering polling areas with bogus cards, the election commission is going to initiate a QR‑code system, Sanaullah added.   Read more: Over 156,000 Bangladeshi expats registered so far to vote

More than 156,000 expatriate Bangladeshi voters from different countries across the world have so far registered through a mobile app, ‘Postal Vote Bd’, since November 19 last to vote in the upcoming national election and the referendum to be held in a single day in early February 2026. The Election Commission (EC) launched the ‘Postal Vote Bd’ app on November 18 last to bring expatriate voters living in 143 countries under the postal balloting system. As of 12:00 pm on Wednesday, a total of 156,712 expatriates—139,107 males and 17,605 females—had registered through the app. Among the registrants, the highest number came from Saudi Arabia (22,176), followed by the USA (18,713), Singapore (9,878), South Korea (9,421), the UK (8,973), Canada (8,915), Malaysia (8,013), Australia (7,646), Japan (6,855), the UAE (6,599), Italy (5,952), Qatar (5,478), Oman (4,838), South Africa (4,744) and Maldives (3,478). Read more: Expat registration for 7 countries likely to reopen on Friday: EC Among the registered expats, the highest 23,848 will vote in Dhaka district from abroad, while 14,820 in Cumilla, 11,701 in Chattogram, 9,929 in Sylhet, 9,718 in Noakhali,, 5,520 in Feni, 5,186 in Chandpur, 4,499 in Brahmanbaria, 4,030 in Moulvibazar and 3,966 in Lakshmipur district. In terms of constituencies, the highest 3,200 registered expats will vote in Sylhet-1, while 2,817 in Noakhali-1 constituency, 2,486 in Sylhet-6 constituency, 2,303 in Dhaka-18 constituency, 2,277 in Feni-3 constituency, 2,247 in Noakhali-3 constituency, 2,043 in Noakhali-5 constituency, 1,953 in Feni-2 constituency, 1,894 in Dhaka-10 constituency and 1,832 in Cumilla-6. The registration process for expatriates will continue till December 25 next. Besides, the app will remain open for the government officials, polling personnel, and prisoners under lawful custody for a 15-day period after the election schedule is announced. Though the postal balloting system has been in the laws for a long time, it was never practiced in the previous elections. This is the first time theElection Commission is introducing a hybrid postal balloting system, enabling expatriates, government staff, polling personnel and inmates to exercise their franchise through a combination of digital registration and manual voting. The Election Commission will announce the schedule for the next general election and referendum in the second week of December. Read more: Bangladesh election: Voter registration in KSA, 6 other countries resumes

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman is not a voter, but he could still become one if the Election Commission (EC) makes a decision in this regard, said Election Commission Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed on Monday (December 01). “As far as I know, he is not a voter,” he said, replying to a question from reporters at a press briefing in the city's Nirbachan Bhaban. No legal barrier to Tarique Rahman’s return, says Law Adviser Responding to another question whether Tarique Rahman can contest elections without being a voter, he replied, “He can, if the Commission decides so.” When journalists asked under which legal provision such a decision could be made, Akhtar Ahmed said, “Please check the Electoral Rolls Voter Registration Act.” Then he was asked whether the possibility of being allowed to be a voter applies only to Tarique Rahman. In response, the EC Secretary said it can be applicable for anyone. “Why are you identifying one person individually? It could apply to you as well,” he said. Speaking about the voter list, Akhtar Ahmed said the persons who turned 18 by October 31, 2025, have been included in the voter rolls. Read more: Only Dr Zahid to brief media on Khaleda’s health: BNP “We’ve finalised the voter lists. At this stage, seven fields—name, father’s name, mother’s name, occupation, date of birth, voter address and photograph—cannot be changed,” he said. After the finalisation of the voter list, he said, the Commission may consider reopening these seven fields for corrections if a decision is taken to do so. The EC Secretary said after the finalisation of the voter lists, the NID correction option may be considered if the Commission takes a decision to do so. However, several things can still be corrected now, he said. Read more: No objection to Tarique’s return, says govt

Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin on Saturday (November 29) said the Election Commission will announce the schedule for the next general election in the second week of December. “Hopefully, what we expect is that it will be declared in the second week of December. When the schedule is announced, then you will know the dates (voting date, nomination deadline and the last date for withdrawal of candidacy),” he said, replying to a question from reporters. The CEC was talking to reporters after inspecting a mock voting exercise demonstrated at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Government Girls High School in the capital. The Election Commission conducted the mock voting exercise from 8am to 12pm for both the upcoming national election and referendum, which are likely to be held simultaneously on a single day in early February 2026. Read more: Everything will be fine before the voting day: CEC over law and order The CEC said the mock voting exercise was arranged to identify what is required to create an ideal environment for a fair, credible and participatory election as promised by the Commission. “The purpose of arranging it (the mock voting exercise) is to understand, through a practical demonstration, what kind of environment is needed inside a polling station to deliver a fair, acceptable and participatory election we have promised the nation. We wanted to observe everything—what the atmosphere should be like, how the queues of voters should form, how polling officers and presiding officers should sit and operate, how the overall management should function, and even what role you, the journalists, might play,” he said. Nasir Uddin said many people do not know about this type of exercise, especially new voters who will be voting for the first time. “Those who became voters in the last 15 years never saw a real voting process and have no practical experience. Through this exercise, new voters are gaining experience, while the Commission is getting a real-time assessment of the situation,” he said. About referendum on the July National Charter 2025, the CEC said an additional responsibility has now come as they would have to arrange the referendum together with the parliamentary elections. “If both are to be held simultaneously, time management becomes a major issue. Based on Saturday’s assessment (through mock voting exercise), the Commission would decide over the rise of (now 42,500 polling stations) polling centres of polling booths, manpower and other required arrangements. If required, he said, the number of polling stations or booths will be increased. “We will expand if needed. Our purpose is not to cause hardship to people,” he said. He said all preparations for the election are largely ready. “We want to inform everyone — we have the preparations. There will be no problem, Inshallah. Together, we will deliver what we promised the nation.” Read more: EC shares force deployment plan with law enforcers ahead of Bangladesh polls Noting the mock voting exercise is an experience, he said, adding, “Whatever gaps or shortcomings exist in our plan, we will meet up those based on today’s practical experience.” When asked about elderly voters who are unaware of the referendum, the CEC said it is natural that they do not know yet, as the campaign has not fully started. The government and the Election Commission will jointly carry out extensive awareness campaigns about the referendum. About the security, the CEC said the law and order situation in Bangladesh has never been perfect. Theft, mugging and violence always occur. So, these things are isolated incidents. “But the overall environment for polling must be ensured. Election Commissioners, the EC Secretary, EU Ambassador to Bangladesh Michael Miller, among others, were present. The turnout of the voters was 70.40 percent as 352 out of 500 voters cast their votes in the mock voting exercise, said Presiding Officer (EC official) Jahangir Alam.   The current Election Commission, headed by AMM Nasir Uddin, was constituted just one year ago and had no experience of holding a single local body or parliamentary election. Besides, this commission will have to hold a referendum simultaneously with the national election, which came as an additional responsibility to the current commission amid the changed situation after the 2024 student-led mass uprising that toppled Sheikh Hasina’s regime. The current Election Commission, headed by AMM Nasir Uddin, was constituted just one year ago and had no experience of holding a single local body or parliamentary election. Besides, this commission will have to hold a referendum simultaneously with the national election, which came as an additional responsibility to the current commission amid the changed situation after the 2024 student-led mass uprising that toppled Sheikh Hasina’s regime. Read more: Don’t hire politically linked election observers: CEC Nasir

The Election Commission plans to resume Out-of-Country voter registration on Friday (November 28) for Bangladeshi expatriates in seven countries after suspending it due to incorrect or incomplete mailing addresses provided by many applicants. The seven countries are Bahrain, Kuwait, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). "We are working to reopen it by tomorrow (Friday) morning. So that expatriate voters can take advantage of Friday, which is a holiday, InshaAllah. We are trying to re-launch the app for these seven countries as soon as possible," said Team leader of EC's Out of Country Voting (OCV) development and implementation (SDI) project Brig Gen (retd) Saleem Ahmad Khan at a press briefing in the city’s Nirbachan Bhaban on Thursday (November 27). Read more: Over 23,000 Bangladeshi expats registered to vote in 2026 election He said the EC opened its mobile app, 'Postal Vote Bd' for the expatriates living in all the countries including these seven countries on Wednesday (12:00am after Sunday midnight) to register to vote in the upcoming national election. Since the expatriate voters were inputting incorrect (mailing) addresses (to receive the postal ballots) in these countries, the commission decided to halt the process for these countries, he said. “If there are incorrect addresses, the ballots can’t be sent to the proper destinations. So, when we notice the issue, we’ve taken the decision to suspend the process temporarily for the seven countries,” said Saleem Ahmad. He said the commission talked to the Bangladeshi missions stationed in these countries to address the problem by carrying out campaigns to input the proper mailing addresses during the registration. He said once addresses are confirmed, they will start sending the postal ballot packages to different destinations through the Bangladesh Post Office at the end of next week. Speaking at the briefing, EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said they still are optimistic over the registration of a good number of expatriate voters during the 13th parliamentary election and referendum on the July National Charter, which are expected to be held simultaneously in a single day in early February 2026. Read more: 'Postal Vote BD’ App launched to include expats in 2026 election "The expectations for the inclusion of expatriate Bangladeshi voters for OCV, which were high, are still high. One thing is that when the new system is rolled out, there will be minor problems. Campaigning is also going on regarding this," he said. As of 8:00 pm on Thursday, a total of 58,563 expatriates-49,777 males and 8,786 females-had registered through the app.

The Election Commission on Thursday (November 27) provided law enforcement agencies with detailed deployment plans for engaging their personnel during the upcoming national election, expected to be held in early February 2026. “We’ve provided the outline of the deployment plan—now the respective forces will prepare the detailed version. Whether they will deploy their teams as static, reserve, or striking forces at the polling stations is entirely up to them. How many personnel will be deployed and for how many days—that will be determined by the Home Ministry,” EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said on Thursday. He said this while briefing reporters after the commission’s meeting with law enforcement agencies, including the armed forces, held at Nirbachan Bhaban in the city. BD Election Security Plan: EC begins 2-phase talks with law enforcers Top representatives from three armed forces – Army, Navy and Air Force– as well as the Home Affairs Ministry, Police, RAB, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Coast Guard, Ansar and VDP, the Armed Forces Division, DGFI, NSI, NTMC, SB and CID attended the meeting. The meeting was held with Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin in the chair, focusing on the deployment of security personnel, maintaining the law and order during the election, providing the security to election officials, election materials and polling stations, recovery of illegal arms and removal of illegal campaign materials like posters. The EC Senior Secretary said the Commission does not have its own security force, rather it relies on the coordinated efforts of law enforcement agencies during the elections. “They (law enforcement agencies) have assured us that they will start working in the field from day one and will play an effective role,” he said. Responding to a question about the armed forces’ magistracy power, currently in effect, Akhtar Ahmed said the armed forces are now under the definition of law enforcement agencies. “Their (armed forces’s magistracy power will remain valid until February 2026,” he said. Bangladesh election: Voter registration in KSA, 6 other countries suspended When asked whether this magistracy power (with magistrates and the armed forces) might conflict with the legal framework after the announcement of the election schedule, he replied, “I don’t see anything contradictory here.” Raising the details of the deployment outline, he said the plan is divided into three major components - static deployment for security personnel to be stationed at polling stations; installation of both static and mobile checkposts at various points and deployment of patrolling teams depending on geographical locations and access roads; and forming a central reserve force “There will also be a central reserve force. So essentially, three components—static, mobile and central reserve. These will be prepared in advance based on the guidelines we’ve provided,” he said adding now the respective forces will design their arrangements. He said that what is conventionally referred to as the striking force will also fall under these three components, aimed at ensuring mobility, deterrence and effective response according to the situation. Bangladesh Election: Expat voters can register anytime from any region to vote “We will also utilise NTMC’s capabilities. Cybersecurity issues will be closely monitored,” said the EC Secretary. Talking further on the security plan, he said “Actually it is our strategic plan.”

The Election Commission (EC) on Thursday morning (November 27) started its second phase meeting with law enforcement agencies including armed forces in a bid to finalise the security men deployment strategy during the upcoming national election and referendum to be held in February 2026. The meeting began with Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin in the chair at the Nirbachan Bhaban in the city. Top representatives from three armed forces – Army, Navy and Air Force– as well as the Home Affairs Ministry, Police, RAB, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Coast Guard, Ansar and VDP, the Armed Forces Division, DGFI, NSI, NTMC, SB and CID attended the meeting. Read more: Everything will be fine before the voting day: CEC over law and order The meeting is being held focusing on the deployment of security personnel, maintaining the law and order during the election, providing the security to election officials, election materials and polling stations, recovery of illegal arms and removal of illegal campaign materials like posters l. About the election-time security, CEC AMM Nasir Uddin at an event on Wednesday said the law and order situation will continue to improve and everything will be in order before the voting day. “It will improve gradually. As the polling day approaches, you will see everything will fall in line. Everything will be fine,” he told reporters, replying to a question after inspecting an election-related training and mock exercise organised by BGB at Pilkhana in the capital. The CEC said, “I won’t say the law and order situation has reached a perfect level. You saw what the situation was on August 5, 2024. Now compare it with the current situation….. So, it will improve further, gradually.” About the security meeting, he said the Election Commission will sit again with law enforcement agencies over specific proposals. “The development strategy will be finalised there,” he said. Nasir Uddin said law enforcement agencies are being deployed on the field with maximum preparedness to ensure a free, peaceful and neutral election. Read more: Motivate voters to go to polling stations: CEC to political leaders Earlier on October 20 last, the held its first security meeting with law enforcement agencies in a bid to conduct the 13th parliamentary election in free, participatory and fair manners. The Election Commission will also hold a coordination meeting with the heads of various ministries, departments and authorities on November 30 as part of the preparatory activities for the upcoming general election. The Cabinet Secretary, Bangladesh Bank Governor, Senior Secretaries of the Home Affairs Ministry, the Public Administration Ministry, the Shipping Ministry and the Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Ministry, Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division, Foreign Secretary are among the 34 invitees for the coordination meeting on November 30. Earlier, the Election held dialogues with 47 registered political parties, including BNP, Jamaat and National Citizen Party-NCP on November 13, 16, 17 and 19 last. In late September 2025, the Commission opened a series of electoral dialogues with different stakeholders amid talks with civil society representatives on September 28. Later, the EC held separate dialogues with 47 registered political parties, including BNP, Jamaat and National Citizen Party-NCP, as well as the representatives of teachers, senior journalists from different media outlets, election experts and election observers. The Election Commission is likely to announce the schedule in early December for holding the next general election in early February 2026. Read more: Don’t hire politically linked election observers: CEC Nasir

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin on Tuesday called on local election observation organisations not to appoint any person involved in politics or any party as they are field-level observers to ensure their neutral role in the upcoming national election. “Please make sure that your people would be totally impartial,” he said while chairing a discussion with local election observer groups at Nirbachan Bhaban. The discussion began at 10:35am as part of the Commission’s ongoing dialogue with stakeholders ahead of the next national election, expected to be held in early February 2026. Election Commissioners Abdur Rahmanel Masud, Tahmida Ahmad, Anwarul Islam Sarker and Brig Gen (Retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah were present. Commonwealth Secretary-General meets CEC, discusses election preparations The CEC said Bangladeshis are highly politically conscious, and therefore any observer who becomes politically involved during the election would ‘damage everything’. “Please check whether those you appoint have any political involvement or have any link and connection with any party. If they have participated in political programmes, processions or meetings, please do not appoint them,” he said. He said the Election Commission wants the observers as partners to deliver a fair and credible election to the nation. “We have promised the nation that we would deliver a fair, beautiful and credible election to the nation. The Election Commission alone cannot ensure this. We all must work together for it, he added. Pointing at the old observer organisations, the CEC said he does not want to revisit past controversies. “I don’t want to dig into the past. I always want to look ahead. Mistakes may have happened for various reasons. Let’s forget about it. Rather, we should take lessons from the past and move forward.” EC committed to neutral role for credible polls: CEC Nasir But he warned that the reputation of observer organisations would be at stake if their field-level staff fail to perform responsibly.  “Reports submitted by observers must be based on reality,” Nasir Uddin said. He said the organisations must take responsibility to monitor whether their field-level observers are reporting properly. “If any report comes that your observer is working in favour of a political party or influencing the process, this will be a great damage done to your reputation. So, please ensure they remain totally impartial,” he said. The CEC said the Commission’s sole agenda is to deliver a “credible, transparent and fair election.” Describing the observers and journalists as the CCTV cameras for the EC, he said “If they keep watch, no one will dare to commit irregularities. Your role is very important. You have a very important role to play.” He reminded organisations that observers must not engage in any election campaigning or influence the vote in any way. “Their duty is just to observe, not to intervene. If they see an irregularity, it is their duty to report it, not to intervene or stop it.” On Tuesday, the EC is holding two separate discussions—one with 40 observer organisations in the morning, and another with 41 organisations from 2:00pm. The EC is holding two discussions on Tuesday --The first discussion with 40 observer organisations, while the second one with 41 other organisations from 2:00pm. Besides, the Commission is going to sit in its second discussion with top representatives of law enforcement agencies, including the armed forces on November 27 and with the top government officials concerned on November 30 next. The meeting with the law enforcement agencies is likely to focus on the deployment of security personnel in every constituency including polling stations, their coordination among the law enforcement members and EC’s instructions to ensure security during the upcoming election. Earlier, the Election held dialogues with 47 registered political parties, including BNP, Jamaat and National Citizen Party-NCP on November 13, 16, 17 and 19 last. In late September 2025, the Commission opened a series of electoral dialogues with different stakeholders amid talks with civil society representatives on September 28. Later, the EC held separate dialogues with the representatives of teachers, senior journalists from different media outlets, election experts and election observers. The Election Commission is likely to announce the schedule in early December for holding the next general election in the first half of February 2026.  

Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed on Monday (November 24) said the government may need to revise the election budget as holding the national election and the referendum on the same day will inevitably raise costs particularly for security and manpower. “When we first received their proposal, the referendum was not in the plan. Naturally, holding both on the same day will involve additional expenses. You will need more manpower, more security, more logistics,” he told reporters after a meeting of the Advisers Council Committee on Government Purchase at the Secretariat. Dr Salehuddin said that even after the announcement of the election schedule essential emergency spending can still be accommodated. “There is nothing for the Finance Ministry to worry about. If the Election Commission needs something urgently, that can be arranged,” he said. He also said expenses may rise due to the ongoing registration of Bangladeshi expatriate voters at embassies abroad. “Foreign missions are doing preparatory work. Officers are collecting information and overtime costs will be involved. The Foreign Ministry may request funds. We will provide support,” he said. Asked about the Chief Election Commissioner’s recent remark that holding a referendum alongside the national election would be a major challenge, Dr Salehuddin said the issue was outside his jurisdiction. He said both votes on the same day is more practical. “This is a government decision. Doing it on two separate days would require the entire mobilisation twice—returning officers, teachers, bank officials, everyone. It is not easy. Many countries hold referendums and national polls on the same day. Logistically, it is better,” he said. On the use of body cameras by law enforcement agencies during the polls, Dr Salehuddin said the government has already taken a policy decision and procurement will proceed through the respective security agencies. Read more: Bangladesh Election: Over 18,000 expatriates registered to vote               “The purchase committee has made a decision. We have instructed the relevant agencies to procure the equipment using their allocated budgets and in a transparent manner,” he said. He declined to reveal how many cameras might be bought. “It is not my responsibility to decide numbers. This falls under the Home Ministry and its agencies. The Election Commission will only identify sensitive locations. Police, BGB, RAB and other agencies will procure and use them. There is nothing to worry about,” he added. Dr Salehuddin also said the Finance Division recently scrapped a proposal to buy 100 replacement vehicles for the cabinet members of the next elected government.             “Sometimes wrong messages go out. The vehicles were replacement units, not extra ones. Still, we canceled the plan because it is not necessary now,” he said. He added that the Finance Division has already begun internal budget revisions. “We are reviewing the budget. All ministries have been given a deadline to submit their final estimates. In December we will revise the national budget, and by January we will keep the election budget ready for the next government. Everything remains open,” he said Election candidates must disclose domestic, foreign assets: ACC chairman