United News of Bangladesh

The Election Commission on Thursday asked the Home Ministry to deploy necessary number of police personnel to ensure the security of the offices of Returning Officers (ROs) and Assistant Returning Officers (AROs) ahead of the upcoming national election and the referendum, scheduled for February 12, 2026. “Necessary directives should be given to deploy the required number of police forces to ensure the security of the offices of Returning Officers and Assistant Returning Officers,” said a letter sent to the ministry. It said that these offices store important election-related documents, electoral materials and equipment. |Considering the law and order situation during the election period, the EC has given its decision that it is essential to ensure the security of the preserved documents and materials, as well as the safety of the officials and employees working in those offices,” said the letter. The Election Commission appointed two divisional commissioners and 64 district deputy commissioners (DCs) and three of its own officials as returning officers for the February 12 election and referendum. The divisional commissioners for Dhaka and Chattogram and the Regional Election Officers of Dhaka, Chattogram and Khulna were made returning officers alongside the 64 DCs in the election. Besides, more than 600 government and EC officials, mostly Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNO) were made assistant returning officers in the election. Bangladesh’s EC invites applications from international election observers Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin on December 11 last announced the schedule to arrange the 13th parliamentary election and the referendum on the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order simultaneously on February 12 next. According to the election schedule, the deadline for the submission of nomination paper is December 29, while the scrutiny of nomination paper is on December 30-January 4 and the last date for the withdrawal of candidature is January 20. The election campaign will start on January 22 and continue till 48 hours before the balloting period (7:30am on February 10).  

The government has appointed 673 candidates who were ‘deprived’ in the 27th Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) examination to various cadres of the Bangladesh Civil Service  as per a court verdict. The Public Administration Ministry issued a gazette notificationon Thursday following recommendations from the Bangladesh Public Service Commission (PSC). The newly appointed officers have been asked to join their respective offices designated by the cadre-controlling ministries or divisions by January 1, said the notification. 50th BCS circular published If no further instructions are received from the cadre-controlling ministry or division, the appointees are required to join on that date. The gazette also said that failure to join on the stipulated date will be considered as unwillingness to accept the appointment and the appointment letter will be deemed cancelled.  

The Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) has highlighted the deepening humanitarian crisis facing Rohingya refugees and host communities at the Global Refugee Forum (GRF) Progress Review held in Geneva. At a time of declining global funding and rising humanitarian needs, BDRCS emphasized the urgent need for renewed international commitment, sustained and predictable financing, and a stronger shift toward locally led humanitarian action. Representing Bangladesh as part of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) delegation, Areefa Mehera Sinha, Director of International Relations and Communication of BDRCS, drew attention to the growing operational strain on the ground. At several sideline events held between 16-17 December, 2025, Sinha stated that the impact of funding shortfalls is already evident through interrupted health services, reduced WASH coverage, rising malnutrition, weakened disaster preparedness, and increased protection risks, particularly for women, children, elderly people, and persons with disabilities. She also noted that the arrival of approximately 150,000 newly displaced Rohingya since 2024 has further stretched already fragile systems. During the GRF Progress Review and its associated side events, BDRCS raised serious concerns over deep and sudden funding cuts affecting the Rohingya response. With less than half of the required resources currently available, many humanitarian actors have been forced to scale down or withdraw essential services, creating critical gaps in protection and assistance and placing immense pressure on the remaining responders. Speaking from the perspective of a national society deeply embedded in the response, Sinha called for a strategic humanitarian reset that prioritizes essential services while empowering local and national actors. She emphasized the importance of direct, predictable, and flexible funding for Bangladeshi NGOs, stronger coordination across sectors, increased investment in local capacity strengthening with simplified donor compliance, environmental rehabilitation to reduce disaster risks in the camps, and meaningful participation of Rohingya refugees in planning, coordination, and feedback mechanisms. She stressed that locally led action is not only more cost-effective but also essential to sustaining humanitarian assistance in a protracted crisis of this scale. In her intervention, Sinha urged global actors to reflect on the human cost behind policy and funding decisions, stating that when decision-makers return home and sit before a warm meal, they should remember the daily realities faced by Rohingya refugees and host communities and allow that reflection to guide their actions and choices. The High-Level Strategic Dialogue at the GRF Progress Review also featured keynote remarks by Ambassador Asad Alam Siam, Foreign Secretary of the Government of Bangladesh. He reiterated Bangladesh’s sustained humanitarian commitment despite immense socio-economic and environmental pressures and called on the international community to uphold its pledges, share responsibility more equitably, and accelerate efforts toward durable solutions, including the safe, voluntary, and dignified return of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar. The Global Refugee Forum Progress Review marks a critical midpoint toward the next Global Refugee Forum in 2027. Dr Halida to lead newly formed BDRCS Ad Hoc Board Through its active participation, the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society reaffirmed its commitment to humanitarian principles and called on global partners to translate pledges into concrete action to ensure protection, dignity, and hope for the Rohingya people and the communities that continue to host them. BDRCS underscored its long-standing and comprehensive humanitarian response in Cox’s Bazar in support of Rohingya refugees and affected host communities. Over the years, the organization has delivered life-saving assistance across shelter, disaster risk reduction, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), health, protection, livelihoods, and community engagement, with implementation largely carried out through local volunteers and community-based mechanisms.  

Amid lingering public unease over the health of Bangladesh’s banking system, Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Ahsan H Mansur has acknowledged that confidence has yet to be fully restored, though efforts by the central bank have prevented a deeper erosion of trust. “But the government has been largely successful in bringing stability to the country’s overall economy,” he said while addressing a seminar titled ‘Banking Sector Reform: Challenges and Way Forward’, organised by the Economic Reporters' Forum (ERF) at its office in Purana Paltan, Dhaka. Governor Mansur highlighted a robust recovery in foreign exchange reserves, stressing that the country should build its reserves through its own economic strength rather than relying on external loans. Foreign exchange reserves increased by more than $8 billion last year and have already grown by a further $1.5 billion to $2 billion this year, he said. Regarding market intervention, the Governor said the central bank has purchased more than $2.5 billion from the open market and will continue to do so as needed. The target is to raise reserves to $34–$35 billion by the end of this year. “Our policy is that we must increase our reserves ourselves. It is neither possible nor appropriate to build reserves by borrowing from the IMF or the World Bank. We will take money from our own economy,” he said. Dr Mansur also spoke about transparency in reporting non-performing loans (NPLs), which have recently been reported at 36 percent. While some advised against publishing such a high figure, he said the central bank remains committed to presenting the true state of the economy. He expressed optimism that NPLs would decline slightly by the end of December, admitting that although governance in the banking sector has shown marginal improvement, it continues to pose a significant challenge. Providing updates on major banks, the Governor said Sommilito Islami Bank is now in a stable position, with final preparations nearly complete and signage expected to be changed within a day or two. He also said Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC has stabilised after receiving Tk10,000 crore in liquidity support from the central bank and is now successfully mobilising deposits without further assistance. Speaking at the event, Dr Fahmida Khatun, Executive Director of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), said visible reforms are currently concentrated in the financial and banking sectors. Bringing back laundered funds may take 4–5 years: BB governor “NPLs have jumped from 11–12 percent in mid-2024 to 36 percent now. This accounts for nearly 80 percent of the total budget,” she said, adding that political connections often outweighed professionalism in loan distribution. Syed Mahbubur Rahman, Managing Director and CEO of Mutual Trust Bank (MTB), also shared his views on the way forward for the sector. ERF President Doulot Akter Mala presided over the seminar, while General Secretary Abul Kashem moderated it.  

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has introduced a pilot  “Truck Movement” sub-module on its ASYCUDA World system to digitally record and monitor the entry of cargo-laden trucks from India and the exit of empty trucks, aiming to boost transparency, efficiency and revenue protection at land ports. The pilot of the sub-module began on December 15 at Customs House, Benapole, one of Bangladesh’s busiest land ports, replacing the previously manual tracking system. According to the NBR, the digital module will capture accurate data on the arrival and departure of each Indian truck, allowing authorities to track the duration of their stay in Bangladesh. The system is designed for end-to-end monitoring, enhancing data management and preventing revenue leakages. NBR freezes bank accounts of Hadi’s suspected attacker Masud and his firm Officials said the sub-module will also improve transparency and accountability in customs operations, support border security, and enable real-time reporting for better oversight and decision-making. Following the pilot, the NBR plans to implement the system at all land ports across the country as part of its broader efforts to modernise customs procedures, reduce manual intervention, and enhance cross-border trade management under the ASYCUDA World platform.    

Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Thursday urged people of the country to pray for the recovery of Inquilab Moncho spokesperson Osman Hadi who was shot in the head on December 10.  “You all please pray for our younger brother Osman Hadi so that he can recover and come back to us. Please also pray for him after Juma prayers tomorrow. Pray for him with sincerity,” he said while talking to reporters at the Secretariat . He also urged followers of other religions to pray for Hadi. Meanwhile, Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) Vice President Abu Shadik Kayem on Monday demanded the resignation of the home adviser if three demands, including the arrest of those involved in the attempt to kill Osman Hadi, are not met. When journalists drew his attention to the progress in arresting those involved in the attack and to the resignation demand, the Home Adviser declined to make any comment

Miscreants set fire to Grameen Bank office at Sharshadi Bazar in Feni Sadar upazila early Thursday. The fire damaged three motorbikes and furniture on the office premises. Police said the miscreants poured petrol from outside the main gate and ignited the fire around 3:30am. Seeing the fire at the stairway, the security guards started screaming seeking help. Hearing this, some officials who stay on the second floor of the same building informed fire service personnel who later brought the fire under control. Branch manager Ashok Kumar Debnath said the miscreants had jumped off the boundary wall to enter the premises before setting fire to the gate area. Grameen Bank office set on fire in Kushtia Locals initially helped control the fire before firefighters arrived, he said. Feni Model Police Station Inspector (investigation) Sajal Kanti Dash said police visited the spot after receiving information. The bank authorities lodged a complaint in this regard and action would be taken accordingly, he added.

Bus services from three terminals in Cumilla city remained suspended on Thursday as the Cumilla Bus Owners Association enforced a strike to press home their demands, causing severe inconvenience to passengers. No buses left the Jangalia, Shasangacha and Chakbazar bus terminals since morning, halting bus movement on nearly 40 routes in the district. Both inter-district and long-distance services including those on Cumilla-Dhaka, Cumilla-Chattogram, Cumilla-Sylhet and Cumilla-Chandpur routes remained suspended. The strike was called demanding a halt to the operation of Aidi Paribahan on the Cumilla-Chandpur route from the Jangalia bus terminal. Transport leaders alleged that thousands of buses and minibuses use the city’s three terminals every day but Aidi Paribahan has been attempting to operate from the terminals without proper route permits. Aidi Paribahan Chairman Mir Parvez Alam alleged that the company began operating buses on the Cumilla-Chandpur route in 2023 after obtaining permission from the Chandpur Deputy Commissioner’s office. However, he claimed that a syndicate of the Cumilla bus owners’ group obstructed their operations from the outset, resulting in the Cumilla district administration not issuing a route permit. He said that since February this year, Aidi Paribahan has been forced to operate its services from Paduar Bazar Bishwaroad, about two kilometres away, instead of using the Jangalia terminal. Despite no legal barriers, the company has yet to receive a no-objection certificate from the Cumilla district administration, he alleged. Bus strike enters day 2 in Mymensingh division Executive Vice-President of the Cumilla Bus Owners Association Md Tajul Islam said that although Aidi Paribahan had obtained permission from Chandpur district administration it failed to secure a route permit from Cumilla and despite this, the company has been trying to use Cumilla’s bus terminals. When the attempt was made again on Thursday, all three terminals were kept closed from the morning, he said, adding that they would not resume services until the issue is settled. The suspension of bus services caused severe hardship for office-goers, students and long-distance travellers. Many passengers were seen heading to their destinations using alternative modes of transport at higher fares.

As many as 483 people, including 64 women and 71 children, were killed and 1,317 others injured in 534 road accidents across the country in November, according to a report of Road Safety Foundation (RSF). Like October, Dhaka division recorded the highest number of accidents at 141, resulting in 119 deaths, the RSF report released on Thursday said. The report noted that the number of fatalities and accidents rose compared to October, increasing by 42 deaths and 48 accidents respectively. The RSF prepared the report based on the reports of nine national dailies, seven online news portals and electronic media. Among the deceased, 194 people died in 227 motorbike accidents, accounting for 40.16% of total fatalities and it is 57 fewer than in the previous month. The deceased also included 106 pedestrians, 57 drivers and their assistants. Besides, six waterways accidents claimed at least seven lives with five missing. Besides, 38 people were killed and nine others injured in 47 accidents involving trains across Bangladesh last month. RSF identifies 314 accident-prone upazilas across Bangladesh, 139 as highly risky Of the total accidents, 131 accidents occurred on the national highways, 245 on regional roads, 82 on rural roads and 71 on city roads, said the report. According to the report, 26.40% accidents occurred in Dhaka division, 16.10% in Rajshahi, 20.97% in Chattogram, 12.17% in Khulna, 6.36% in Barishal, 5.61% in Sylhet, 7.11% in Rangpur and 5.24% in Mymensingh division. Sylhet division saw 30 accidents with lowest 24 deaths during the same period, said the report. The RSF identified several key factors behind the rise in road accidents including faulty vehicles, reckless driving, drivers’ incompetence or illness, unsettled wages and working hours, low-speed traffic on highways, risky motorcycling by youth, frequent violation of traffic rules, poor traffic management, inefficiency of the BRTA, and extortion in the transport sector. The RSF urged the concerned authorities to take necessary measures to improve road safety across the country.

Two people were killed and two others injured in a collision between two motorcycles in Golapganj upazila of Sylhet district on Wednesday night. The accident occurred around 11:30 pm at Termail on the Sylhet-Zakiganj road. The deceased were identified as Abdul Ahad, 42, and Sabbir Ahmad, 21, of Goashpur and Ranaping Chatrish villages respectively under the Golapganj upazila. The injured Ariful Haque Joy, 35, and Zakir Ahmad were undergoing treatment Sylhet Osmani Medical College Hospital. Officer-in-charge Md Ariful Islam of Golapganj Model Police Station said the speeding bikes collided in Termail area, leaving one dead on the spot and three others injured. The trio was rushed to Osmani Hospital where physicians declared another dead, he said, adding that the remaining duo was receiving treatment.