United News of Bangladesh

The Election Commission (EC) on Thursday announced the schedule for the presidential election, with voting set to take place on August 20. EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed announced the schedule at a press conference at Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital in the afternoon. According to the schedule, nomination papers will be submitted from 10:00am to 4:00pm on August 13. Scrutiny of nomination papers will be held on August 16, while the last date for withdrawal of candidature is August 18. Voting will take place from 2:00pm to 5:00pm on August 20 in the session chamber of the Jatiya Sangsad. Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin is the returning officer of the presidential election. Earlier, the EC received the voter list for the presidential election from the Parliament Secretariat following its request. The voting will not be held in case of a single candidate. On July 24 last, Mohammed Shahabuddin resigned as President and Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad took charge as the acting president . The EC, led by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, held a meeting with acting Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal on July 28 in line with the Presidential Election Act, 1991, which obliges the Commission to consult with the Speaker before the announcement of the schedule for the presidential election. According to Article 123(2) of the Constitution, an election to fill the vacant office of the President must be held within 90 days of the post becoming vacant due to resignation.

Election Commission (EC) Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed on Monday said they have not yet received any clear instructions from the government regarding the local government elections. He also said the schedule for the presidential election has not been finalised as the EC is still waiting for the voter list from the Parliament Secretariat. "The date or schedule for the presidential election has not been fixed yet. We have requested the Parliament Secretariat to send the voter list. After receiving the voter list, we will discuss the election date and schedule," the EC secretary said, while talking to reporters at the Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital. On July 24 last, Mohammed Shahabuddin resigned as President and Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad took charge as the acting head of state. The EC, led by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, held a meeting with acting Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal on July 28 in line with the Presidential Election Act, 1991, which obliges the Commission to consult with the Speaker before the announcement of the schedule for the presidential election. According to Article 123(2) of the Constitution, an election to fill the vacant office of the President must be held within 90 days of the post becoming vacant due to resignation. Talking about the local government elections, Akhtar said the EC has not yet received any clear instructions from the government in this regard. He said the Commission had earlier kept July 31 last as the deadline for new voter registration ahead of the local government elections. "As we have yet to get any clear instruction regarding the local government elections, the July 31 deadline for voter registration may be changed, or it may remain unchanged," the EC secretary said. He said the Commission has prepared a set of proposals for amending the local government election laws and the proposals will be sent to the Local Government Division for consideration. Asked whether local government elections could be held from October, Akhtar said the Commission normally requires around 45 days between the announcement of the election schedule and polling day. Besides, it takes another one and a half months to finalise and print the voter list, meaning that the EC generally needs around three months of preparations before holding an election, he explained. "Different timelines have been discussed, including September, October and even December (for starting to hold the local government elections). As there is no clear information yet, it will not be appropriate for me to comment," the EC secretary said. Responding to another question, he said, to his knowledge, there has been no formal communication with the government regarding the local government elections so far. "However, our preparations are continuing without any slowdown," he added. 38 political parties submit audit reports Akhtar said 38 registered political parties, including the BNP and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, have submitted their audited financial statements for the 2025 calendar year to the EC. He said 13 parties have sought an extension of the submission deadline, while eight parties have not responded. According to the Representation of the People Order, political parties must submit their audit reports by July 31 for the previous year. As the deadline fell on a Friday, the EC extended it until August 2, said Akhtar Ahmed. There are now 59 registered political parties, while the registration of one party – Awami League – remains suspended.

The Election Commission (EC) would seek appointment of the Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad to discuss the Presidential election schedule, said EC senior secretary Akhtar Ahmed on Sunday. “As per tradition, the Chief Election Commissioner meets the Speaker before the announcement of the Presidential election,” he said. The EC Secretary disclosed the development to reporters after a meeting at the Nirbachan Bhaban in the city’s Agargaon area. Now Barrister Kayser Kamal is serving as the acting Speaker as the Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad took the charge as the acting President following the resignation of President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Friday last. Article 54 of the Constitution provides that the Speaker shall discharge the functions of the President until a new President is elected. While the Speaker is acting as President, Article 74(3) provides that the Speaker's functions shall be performed by the Deputy Speaker. The Election Commission held the meeting on Sunday to review the legal provisions relating to the presidential election and decided that the CEC would meet the Acting Speaker to discuss the next steps before the election schedule is announced. According to the Presidential Election Act, 1991, the Election Commission must consult the Speaker before issuing the election schedule.  If Parliament is in session, the Commission is required to issue the election notification at least seven days before the polling date. If Parliament is not in session, the Commission, in consultation with the Speaker, must convene a meeting of Members of Parliament at least seven days before the election. As part of the process, the Jatiya Sangsad Secretariat will send the list of MPs to the EC, which will prepare and publish the electoral roll for the presidential election before announcing the schedule. The Article 123(2) of Constitution stipulates that an election to fill a vacancy caused by the death, resignation or removal of the President must be completed within 90 days of the vacancy. Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin will act as the Returning Officer for the presidential election which will be held with direct votes of Members of Parliament. Under the Presidential Election Act, a candidate's nomination paper must be proposed by one MP and seconded by another. The candidate securing the highest number of votes will be declared elected by the CEC. In the event of a tie, the result will be determined by a lottery, and the CEC's declaration of the result will be final.

The Election Commission (EC) has drafted a new code of conduct for Union Parishad elections, proposing a raft of changes, including restrictions on the use of microphones, a ban on collecting voters' NID cards and mobile phone numbers aiming to influence votes, tighter rules on AI-generated campaign content and higher penalties for electoral misconduct. The proposed code prohibits the use of microphones and other sound-amplifying devices before 12:00pm and after sunset in any election area, replacing the existing campaign hours of 2:00pm to 8:00pm. The EC has updated the code following amendments to the Local Government (Union Parishad) Act, 2009, under which Union Parishad elections will be held on a non-partisan basis after the abolition of political party symbols. Among the major changes are a ban on making transactions through mobile financial service (MFS) and traditional campaign posters, formal recognition of digital and social media campaigning under strict regulations, restrictions on the malicious use of artificial intelligence (AI), permission for campaign caravans and a proposal to raise the maximum fine for violating the code from Tk 10,000 to Tk 50,000. Under the draft, loudspeaker volume during campaigns must not exceed 60 decibels, while only one microphone will be permitted at a time for campaign activities or street meetings within a ward. The proposed code also prohibits candidates or their supporters from collecting voters' or their family members' NID numbers to influence voting or gathering mobile phone numbers for conducting transactions through MFS, such as bKash, Nagad, Rocket or Upay. In a significant change, the EC has formally allowed election campaigns through digital and social media, subject to a series of restrictions. Candidates, election agents and campaigners will have to submit the names of their social media platforms, account IDs, email addresses and other identifying information to the returning officer before launching online campaigns. The draft bars the malicious use of AI in election campaigns and prohibits the creation or dissemination of harmful content, including hate speech, misinformation, manipulated images, and fabricated election-related information. It also bans the use of religion, ethnicity, caste, gender or community-based hate speech, provocative language or the misuse of religious or ethnic sentiments for electoral gains. The proposed code prohibits the creation, publication, dissemination or sharing of AI-generated or AI-edited false, misleading, biased, hate, obscene, vulgar or defamatory content on social media or any other media with a view to misleading voters or tarnishing the reputation of any candidate or person. The draft code also slaps a ban on traditional campaign posters while permitting the use of billboards under strict conditions. Each candidate will be allowed to display only one billboard per ward, with a maximum size of 16 feet by 9 feet, provided it does not obstruct traffic, endanger public safety or harm the environment. Campaign materials such as banners, leaflets and festoons must be biodegradable and cannot be made of rexine, polythene, plastic or other environmentally harmful materials. PVC banners and plastic coverings will also be prohibited. To make electioneering more festive, the draft code allows caravan or mobile campaign processions using digital technology or biodegradable materials on vehicles from 12:00pm until sunset, provided they do not disrupt traffic or cause public inconvenience. Election campaigning inside educational institutions will remain prohibited, although playgrounds may be used with permission from the authorities as long as academic activities are not disrupted. The draft also bars city corporation administrators from participating in election campaigns. The EC has also proposed increasing the penalty for violating the election code. Anyone found guilty of breaching the code may face up to six months' imprisonment, a fine of up to Tk 50,000, or both. The existing maximum fine is Tk 10,000. A new provision has been incorporated in the draft code empowering the EC to cancel candidature following an investigation for the violation of the electoral code.

The Election Commission (EC) has finalised a set of recommendations proposing amendments to local government laws for disqualifying MPO-listed teachers, dual citizens and holders of offices of profit from contesting local body elections. The recommendations also include disqualifying loan defaulters and guarantors, and utility bill defaulters from contesting the local government elections as well as incorporation of the Armed Forces in the definition of “law enforcement agencies” in the laws to pave the way for deploying Army, Navy and Air Force personnel in the local body elections. The recommendations were finalised at the 12th commission meeting held at the Nirbachan Bhaban in the city’s Agargaon area on Tuesday with Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin in the chair. Briefing reporters after the meeting, EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said the EC finalised the recommendations to streamline the laws related to the local government bodies – Union Parishad, municipalities, Upazila Parishad, city corporation and Zila Parishad. “We will soon send our recommendations to the Local Government Division,” he said.

The Election Commission (EC) is planning to introduce a uniform code of conduct for elections to all five types of local government bodies to make the rules easier for people to understand and ensure effective enforcement ahead of a massive electoral cycle likely to begin later this year. As part of preparation to conduct elections to local government bodies throughout the country, the commission has already taken initiative to revise separate election codes for city corporations, municipalities, zila parishads, upazila parishads and union parishads. The EC has, in principle, taken a decision to make the election codes for the local bodies largely similar to the code of conduct applied in the recent 13th parliamentary election. Following the successful implementation of the latest code for parliamentary polls during the February-12 general election, the Commission now plans to incorporate several provisions, including restriction on using posters as well, in the polls codes for the local body elections. Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud said a proposal for a single code of conduct for all local government bodies would be placed before the Commission. “I think a single code of conduct rule should be there for all local government bodies. I will place a proposal for it,” he told UNB. Asked about possible changes to the codes, Masud said the local election code would be almost similar to the one used in the 13th parliamentary election. “There will be a ban on the use of posters and restrictions related to misuse of AI and social media,” he said. Senior officials of the EC Secretariat have already been instructed to prepare draft amendments to the polls codes and election conduct rules for city corporations, municipalities, district, upazila and union parishads. EC officials said the ban on posters in parliamentary elections gained positive results and the same approach would now be applied to local government polls to reduce environmental pollution and bring changes to traditional campaigning methods. Ahead of the last general election, the EC issued the Code of Conduct for Political Parties and Candidates in Parliamentary Elections Rules, 2025, prohibiting the use of posters,helicopters and drones, along with prohibition on misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) and social media in election campaigns. Under the 2025 code, posters are completely banned, while pamphlets, leaflets, handbills, festoons or banners made from non-biodegradable materials such as rexine, polythene or plastic are also prohibited. However, candidates are allowed to install a maximum of 20 billboards in a constituency, each measuring no more than 16 feet by 9 feet. The parliamentary election code also prohibits malicious use of AI in campaign activities. Harmful content, including hate speech, misinformation, manipulated images, fabricated election-related information and inflammatory language targeting opponents, women, minorities or any other groups, is barred on social media platforms. Punishment for violating the parliamentary election code was also strengthened, with the maximum penalty increased to six months’ imprisonment and a fine of Tk 150,000, up from six month jail and Tk 50,000 fine previously. EC officials said the Commission is also considering measures to prevent undue influence by members of parliament in local government elections as the upcoming elections to the local bodies without the use of political party symbols.  Abdur Rahmanel Masud said laws have already been passed in parliament to conduct the elections to local government bodies using non-party electoral symbols.  “We have received copies of the laws… But the commission has not yet decided when the elections will begin. For now, we are keeping preparations in place,” he said. With the government establishing a designated room named ‘visiting room’ for MPs at the upazila Parishad complex, the EC is thinking of introducing new provisions to prevent lawmakers from influencing in local polls from those offices. The commission is also planning changes to nomination forms, including mandatory disclosure of overseas assets in affidavits. Officials said the commission is taking preparations assuming that local government elections may start at the end of this year.  During the Deputy Commissioners’ Conference on May 5, Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin and the four election commissioners instructed field administrators to prepare for local polls and maintain standards similar to parliamentary elections. According to EC estimates, elections to 12 city corporations, over 450 upazila parishads, more than 300 municipalities and 61 zila parishads are already overdue and can be held immediately without legal complications.  Besides, the legal timeframe for holding elections to around 600 union parishads began in April, making polls mandatory by October next. The 180-day countdown for elections in more than 2,800 additional union parishads will begin by July. In this situation, the EC would be able to announce election schedules once it receives a green signal from the local government division, although the government has indicated that local government elections may begin at the end of the current year.

Around 150,000 Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), procured at a cost of Tk 3,825.34 crore to modernise Bangladesh’s election system during the Awami League regime, have now become a burden for the Election Commission, with experts calling for their disposal after most of the devices fell into disrepair. Officials say the majority of these machines are no longer usable – with only a few thousand currently functional, raising serious concerns over the effectiveness of the project and the use of public funds. The EVM project has also been hit by allegations of massive corruption and irregularities. Experts have questioned the quality of the machines, excessive expenditure and their overall usability, with some claiming that the devices were procured in a way that could allow manipulation in elections. According to findings, audit objections have been raised over the procurement of the machines and related equipment. Investigators believe that irregularities in the purchase process contributed to significant financial losses. Bangladesh first introduced EVMs on a trial basis in 2010 under the leadership of then Chief Election Commissioner ATM Shamsul Huda. The machines were used for the first time in a ward during the Chattogram City Corporation election in 2011, using devices developed by the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology. However, technical problems soon became evident. In the 2013 Rajshahi City Corporation election, a malfunction in one centre prevented the announcement of results, prompting the then commission to step back from using EVMs. The initiative was revived after a new Election Commission took charge under KM Nurul Huda, with plans to expand the use of EVMs in elections. In 2017, the machines were again used on a trial basis in several polling rooms in a ward during the Rangpur City Corporation election. From the beginning, the introduction of EVMs remained politically controversial. While the then ruling Awami League promoted the system as a modern and transparent method of voting, opposition parties, including the BNP, raised doubts about its neutrality. Election experts, observers and civil society members also expressed concerns, but critics say these views were largely ignored. From digital dream to dumping dilemma: EVM project falters Ahead of the 2018 national election, the government approved a project worth Tk 3,825 crore to procure 150,000 EVMs. However, the project reportedly did not clearly mention where the machines would be stored or how they would be maintained. Now, the Election Commission is facing a dilemma over what to do with the machines, many of which have already exceeded their usable life. Officials are considering disposal, but the process has been stalled due to ongoing investigations into alleged corruption in procurement. The Anti-Corruption Commission is currently probing the allegations, while audit objections from the Comptroller and Auditor General’s office remain unresolved. Officials said the machines cannot be disposed of at this stage, as doing so could create further complications during the investigation. In addition, any disposal process would require clearance from the Department of Environment, adding another layer of complexity to the situation. As a result, the costly EVM project now stands as a major challenge for the Election Commission, with unresolved questions over accountability, financial loss and the future of electronic voting in Bangladesh. One of the key issues highlighted by auditors relates to the pricing of the machines. ACC finds defects in EVMs, questions experts' endorsement According to the Comptroller and Auditor General’s office, each EVM was purchased at around Tk 2.34 lakh, significantly higher than the estimated market price. The audit suggests that the total cost could have been limited to about Tk 343 crore, indicating excess expenditure of more than Tk 3,000 crore. Experts have also questioned the procurement method, noting that the machines were acquired without an open tender process. Instead, a direct procurement approach was followed, limiting competition and raising concerns about transparency and accountability. Besides, the machines were supplied with only a one-year warranty. After the warranty period expired, further public funds were required to maintain and repair the equipment. Despite an expected lifespan of at least 10 years, many machines reportedly developed faults within a short period. The ACC has launched an investigation into the project, focusing on procurement procedures, cost irregularities and the quality of the machines. Officials said the probe would also examine possible irregularities in training and operational expenses. Contacted, election expert Dr Abdul Alim said the EVMs used in Bangladesh were fundamentally flawed as they lacked an internationally recognised verification system. In many countries, he noted, EVMs are equipped with a Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT), which produces a paper slip after a vote is cast showing the chosen symbol. Riding the rough ride: ADB projects modest growth for Bangladesh The slip is then deposited in a sealed box and can be counted alongside the machine results in case of any dispute or audit. “This dual system ensures transparency and allows verification if confusion arises,” Alim said. He said Bangladesh’s EVMs did not have such a provision, making the results difficult to independently verify. The election expert also alleged that the machines were unusually expensive despite being locally produced with technology developed by BUET and manufactured at the Bangladesh Machine Tools Factory. “Our EVMs are among the costliest in the world, which raises questions about possible corruption in the project,” he said. Referring to the procurement, Alim claimed the initiative was associated with Tarique Ahmed Siddique, former military adviser to ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, alleging that the project was mainly designed to misappropriate public money. He said the machines are currently unused but the government is still spending public funds to store them. The expert suggested that after completing investigations and preserving a small number of machines as samples for legal or court purposes, the rest should be destroyed to avoid further wastage of taxpayers’ money. Election Reform Commission Chairman and noted election expert Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar also criticised the EVM project, saying there are allegations that the machines were procured at several times the price of similar machines used in India. Cleared today, occupied tomorrow! Why can’t Dhaka keep its footpaths free? He described the machines as low-quality and unsuitable for ensuring credible elections, noting that many of them have already become damaged and unusable. Badiul Alam said there are allegations that the procurement was carried out with the intention of facilitating the misappropriation of public funds. He emphasised that a neutral and independent investigation should be conducted into the purchase of the EVMs and that anyone found responsible should face exemplary punishment. The election expert said the machines are unlikely to be used again in Bangladesh’s elections and have effectively become a financial burden, making it necessary for the authorities to take a clear and lawful decision regarding their future.

The Election Commission has asked its field-level officers to send updated information over all the local bodies as part of preparations for holding local government elections across the country. The EC on Tuesday sent a letter to its regional election officers and district election officers to send back the updated information regarding city corporations, municipalities, Zila Parishads, Upazila Parishads and Union Parishads. City corporation elections after Ramadan: EC Masud The Commission asked the field-level officials to send the date of last election, the date of the first meeting of the elected bodies and the expiry date of an elected representatives in every local government bodies to the EC Secretariat by March 15 next. Besides, the EC sought if there is any complication related to boundary demarcation, ward distribution and voter list or legal issues as well as the court’s stay order concerning any local government body. The officials were directed to send the information in the specific formats on an urgent basis by March 15. According to the local government laws, the five-year tenure of a local government body begins with the first meeting of the elected representatives, and elections must be held within 180 days before the expiry of the tenure. Following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led government on August 5, 2024, many elected representatives of city corporations, municipalities, upazila parishads and union parishads either went into hiding or were arrested. So, citing disruption in civic services due to the absence of elected representatives, the then interim government later removed the representatives of 12 city corporations, 330 municipalities, 497 upazila parishads and 61 Zila parishads (excluding three CHT districts). Administrators were subsequently appointed in many local bodies, including the 12 city corporations. However, BNP leader Shahadat Hossain, who had been second in the mayoral election, later became the mayor of Chattogram City Corporation following a court order. Following the 13th national election, the newly formed BNP government on February 23 last appointed administrators to six city corporations – including Dhaka South City Corporation, Dhaka North City Corporation, Khulna City Corporation, Gazipur City Corporation, Narayanganj City Corporation and Sylhet City Corporation.

The Election Commission (EC) has brought a major revision to the results of the referendum held to implement the July National Charter (constitutional reform), reducing both ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ votes compared to the previously announced figures. The revised information was published through an additional gazette signed by Senior Secretary of the Election Commission Secretariat Akhtar Ahmad on Wednesday. The latest gazette on revised referendum result shows that ‘Yes’ votes have been reduced to 47,225,980 and ‘No’ votes to 21,960,231. The total number of votes cast now stands at 76,621,407. Among them, 7,435,196 votes were declared invalid, resulting in 69,186,211 valid votes. As per the earlier gazette, the number of ‘Yes’ votes stood at 48,200,660, while ‘No’ votes were recorded at 22,071,726. The total votes cast were 77,695,023, of which 7,422,637 were declared invalid, leaving 70,272,386 valid votes. UNDP strengthens Bangladesh EC with IT support for post-election capacity building So, ‘Yes’ votes decreased by 974,680, while ‘No’ votes dropped by 111,495 compared to the earlier announcement. Interestingly, despite the decline in valid votes, the number of invalid ballots increased by 12,559. Overall, the total votes cast declined by 1,073,616 following the revision.

The Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party electoral alliance on Sunday demanded that the Election Commission (EC) recount votes in 32 constituencies, alleging manipulation during the counting and result publication of the national election. "Particularly 32 constituencies have been identified. We have been defeated here by a small margin of votes. This is the statement of our candidates....we have submitted the list of such constituencies to the commission and asked them to recount the votes there," said Jamaat Assistant Secretary General AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad. He said this while briefing reporters after a meeting between the delegation and the EC in the city’s Nirbachan Bhaban. Four election commissioners Abdur Rahmanel Masud, Tahmida Ahmad, Anwarul Islam Sarker and Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah were present in the meeting. Manikganj Election: 13 candidates lose deposits as BNP sweeps 3 seats Azad said there are allegations that the agents of their candidates were forcibly removed from many polling stations during the counting of votes and even those who were present in the counting room faced threats and intimidation when they tried to complain about any irregularities. “The congenial environment required for a fair vote counting has been severely disrupted. So, if there is an error in the vote counting process, it will directly affect the election results—this is natural. At the same time, various types of irregularities -- rubbing, cutting, overwriting and no signatures of our candidate’s original agent in the result sheets in many places,” he said. Responding to a question, the Jamaat leader said despite the gazette publication of newly elected MPs, legal avenues remain open for them. “There are three legal stages—Election Commission, election tribunal and the High Court. We will follow the legal process,” he said. Azad also questioned the timing of gazette publication, saying it was issued at 11:00 pm on February 13, just a day after the election. “Candidates from remote areas had no opportunity to submit complaints. We urged the Commission to investigate the allegations. Though legal doors are open, our rights have been undermined,” he said. Threatening to wage tougher programmes, he said if violence does not stop, the alliance would arrange a protest rally from the north gate of Baitul Mukarram at 3:30 pm on February 16. The Jamaat leader expressed concern over post-election violence, citing incidents similar to the Hatiya (Noakhali) violence. “There are questions whether incidents like those in 2018 are recurring. In my own constituency, three women were injured. We have submitted reports from 54 districts,” he said. He said the alliance decided to take to the streets if violence does not stop, while playing a constructive opposition role in parliament. Noting that their alliance MPs would take oath, Azad said the alliance has taken a positive decision regarding oath-taking. “We will take the oath, go to parliament and play a constructive role. At the same time, the streets will remain open for us,” he said.