United News of Bangladesh

A local leader of the Bangladesh Awami League died at Rangpur Medical College and Hospital on Sunday while in jail custody. The deceased, Shamikul Islam Lipon, was president of the Gaibandha district unit of the Awami League. Lipon, who had been in custody for an extended period in connection with a case filed with Sadar Police Station, fell ill early Sunday, according to prison officials. He was first taken to Gaibandha Sadar Hospital. As his condition deteriorated, he was transferred to Rangpur Medical College and Hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Anwar Hossain, Jail Super of Gaibandha District Jail, said Lipon had previously received medical treatment while in custody. Police arrested him from the Moghbazar area of Dhaka on December 8, 2024. He had remained in jail since then. Lipon began his political career in 1996 as president of Palashbari Upazila Jubo League. He later served as organising secretary of Palashbari Upazila Awami League, became its general secretary in 2016, and had been serving as president since 2018.  

Leaders of a platform representing hotel and restaurant workers have called for nationwide protest rallies on February 15 to press for implementation of the government-declared minimum wage and enforcement of labour laws in the sector. The demonstrations will be held across the country on Sunday, with the central programme scheduled for 4:30pm in front of the National Press Club. The protests have been announced to demand enforcement of the gazetted minimum wage for hotel and restaurant workers, issuance of appointment letters and identity cards, implementation of an eight-hour workday, execution of all signed agreements and effective application of labour laws. In a press statement, organisers said workers in the sector have long been compelled to work without appointment letters or identity cards. Although the law stipulates an eight-hour workday, employees are often made to work 12 to 14 hours in practice. They also alleged that many employers are openly violating the law by failing to implement the government-declared minimum wage. The statement further claimed that workers are being deprived of due wages, leave and overtime payments. It also expressed concern over alleged irregularities ahead of Ramadan, including layoffs, delayed payments and failure to provide festival bonuses equivalent to one month’s wage. Leaders of the platform, including convener Akteruzzaman Khan and joint conveners Anwar Hossain and Tofazzal Hossain, urged hotel and restaurant workers across the country to join the rallies in large numbers in their respective areas to make the programme a success.  

The government on Saturday assigned Chief Adviser’s Principal Secretary M Siraz Uddin Miah the additional responsibility of Cabinet Secretary. The Public Administration Ministry issued a notification in this regard on Saturday night. The order will come into effect immediately, the notification said. In another notification, the government cancelled the remaining tenure of the contract of Dr Sheikh Abdur Rashid, who was previously in charge of the post.

A supporter of an independent candidate died on Saturday after being injured in a post-election clash with BNP supporters in Kachua upazila of Bagerhat. The victim was identified as Osman Sardar, 29, son of Shahjahan Sardar of Par Nawapara village in Bagerhat Sadar upazila. He died around 11:30 am while undergoing treatment at Khulna Medical College Hospital. Earlier on Friday evening, supporters of BNP and an independent rebel candidate locked into a violent clash in Chitabari village under Dhopakhali Union following the election result, leaving Osman Sardar and nine others from both sides injured. The victim’s elder brother, Enamul Kabir Sardar, alleged that BNP supporters hit Osman on the head with a sharp weapon. He was first taken to Bagerhat Sadar Hospital and later shifted to Khulna as his condition worsened. Masum Khan, Officer-in-Charge of Bagerhat Model Police Station, said police have been sent to the area. He added that an investigation is underway to identify those involved and find the cause of the clash. In the parliamentary election for the Bagerhat-2 seat, the BNP candidate was Sheikh Mohammad Zakir Hossain. The BNP rebel candidate was former MP and ex-district BNP president MAH Selim. Both were defeated by Jamaat-backed candidate Sheikh Manjurul Haque Rahad, who won the seat by a large margin.

The newly elected Members of Parliament (MPs) will take oath on Tuesday morning, while the new cabinet members will be sworn in later in the afternoon. Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin will administer the oath to the newly elected MPs at 10am at Parliament, BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman’s Press Secretary Saleh Shibly told UNB on Saturday night. He said President Mohammed Shahabuddin will administer the oath to the cabinet members at 4pm at the South Plaza of Parliament. Tarique pledges justice, seeks unity to build ‘safe, humane Bangladesh’ As per the rules, following the swearing-in of the MPs, a meeting of the Parliamentary Board of the party that secured the majority will be held to elect its parliamentary leader. The party leader will then meet the President and inform him that the party commands an absolute majority in Parliament, formally seeking appointment as the head of government. The President will appoint the party leader as Prime Minister, who will subsequently select members of the cabinet.  The President will administer the oath first to the Prime Minister, followed by the ministers, state ministers and deputy ministers. After the oath-taking ceremony, the Cabinet Division will issue a notification allocating the portfolios. Convincing people was BNP’s ‘engineering’, says Tarique Rahman Preparations for the swearing-in ceremony are underway, Cabinet Secretary Sheikh Abdur Rashid told reporters at the Secretariat on Saturday.  “Around 1,000 guests are expected to be invited to the ceremony,” he added. The 13th national election was held on Thursday, alongside a referendum. Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) secured 209 parliamentary seats in the election.  

The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Oikkya Parishad on Saturday congratulated the BNP-led alliance on its landslide victory in the 13th national elections. In a statement, the organisation said the polls were held in a largely peaceful manner, with only a few isolated incidents reported. It expressed sincere thanks to the interim government, the Election Commission, the Army, law enforcement agencies and all political parties concerned for ensuring a peaceful electoral process. The organisation also expressed hope that the same spirit would continue in the future to help build a democratic Bangladesh and resist all forms of unrest and disorder.

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman is scheduled to visit the residences of Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman and National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam on Sunday evening, signalling a gesture of political goodwill. A BNP leader close to Tarique Rahman, who requested anonymity, told UNB that the BNP chief will first visit the Jamaat Ameer’s residence around 7:00 pm, followed by a visit to Nahid’s house at approximately 8:00 pm. The visits come in the wake of BNP’s decisive victory in Thursday’s national election, where the party secured 209 seats, paving the way for the formation of the next government. In the election, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami won 68 seats, while the NCP secured six seats. Speaking at a post-election press conference on Saturday at a city hotel, Tarique Rahman emphasised the importance of unity and cooperation. “On the journey towards building a safe, humane and democratic Bangladesh, I seek the cooperation of all, regardless of party or opinion,” he said. Tarique pledges justice, seeks unity to build ‘safe, humane Bangladesh’ He also acknowledged that electoral competition may have caused misunderstandings or disagreements in certain areas. “I urge everyone to ensure that such disputes do not escalate into revenge or retaliation,” he added. Tarique Rahman stressed that justice will be the cornerstone of his government in upholding the rule of law.

International Republican Institute (IRI), a Washington-based organisation dedicated to advancing democracy and freedom globally, on Saturday said the new government in Bangladesh, to be formed within days, should swiftly implement the July Charter reforms and ensure institutions deliver for all Bangladeshis. “Now that the election is over, the hard work of governing lies ahead and the enthusiasm of the Bangladeshi people needs to be translated into action,” said David Dreier, the IRI delegation leader and former United States Congressman (R-CA). Significant underrepresentation of women, along with ethnic and religious minorities, among candidates remains a serious concern, said the IRI. The IRI deployed a delegation of international election observers to Dhaka from February 9 to 13, 2026, to assess the conduct of the February 12 elections.  The election marks an inflection point for a country navigating a complex democratic transition following the July 2024 uprising that ended over 15 years of Awami League rule, IRI said. The delegation met a broad range of stakeholders, including the Bangladesh Election Commission, political parties, interim government officials, and civic organizations from across the Bangladeshi political spectrum, to assess the electoral environment and prospects for democratic renewal. “Security forces and the Election Commission performed admirably. After years of authoritarian rule, Election Day was mostly peaceful and incident-free. Given the historical context, that is a big step forward for Bangladesh,” said Dreier. While election administration was technically sound, the broader political environment remains fragile, IRI said. In the immediate post-election period, the delegation encourages political candidates to use legal channels to resolve disputes. The delegation will continue to monitor the post-election process and issue a final, comprehensive report that includes in-depth analysis and recommendations to improve future elections.  Preliminary Findings Pre-election Period: Compared to previous electoral cycles, the pre-election period was relatively peaceful, though clashes occurred during the campaign period across multiple districts, involving supporters of rival political parties. Hundreds of violent incidents were reported nationwide in the weeks leading up to voting; however, they appeared localised and not centrally coordinated.  The political environment remained polarized and politically delicate. Long-term analysts noted that some remarks concerning pluralism, equal representation, and the participation of women and ethnic and religious minority communities were made by political party supporters at the local level. However, it was not always clear whether these statements reflected official party positions or messaging. While such instances were limited, they created uncertainty among stakeholders about commitments to political pluralism.  Voter Participation Reforms allowing citizens turning 18 on or before Election Day to vote expanded participation. However, concerns remain about the historical undercounting of women on the voter roll. Positively, many first-time voters, many of whom are under the age of 35, voted on Election Day. Voter turnout stands at 59 percent, marking a significant increase from the previous parliamentary election. Election Commission Conduct The Election Commission demonstrated substantial logistical preparedness and executed a complex national operation professionally and effectively. The Commission’s operational transparency represented notable progress compared with prior election cycles. Reforms such as adopting postal voting for Bangladeshis living abroad, establishing criteria for accrediting citizen observers, and launching a nationwide voter education campaign enhanced transparency and credibility. Transparency and Oversight Strong participation from engaged political party polling agents, citizens, and international observers ensured a high level of transparency at many polling stations. However, the delegation noted that while the Commission established criteria to accredit citizen observers and lowered the minimum age to participate from 25 to 21, the allocated observation period of three days is insufficient to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the election. The Commission should extend the time available for observers to fully analyze the cycle before, during, and after elections, including through the adjudication of disputes and the gazetting of the new parliament.    Political Participation Significant underrepresentation of women, along with ethnic and religious minorities, among candidates remains a serious concern. However, no widespread or systematic targeting of minority communities was observed on Election Day, but localized tensions indicate potential vulnerability. Turnout patterns in minority communities should be reviewed against national averages to identify potential anomalies.  Importantly, historical precedent suggests minority communities may face heightened vulnerability during political transitions, underscoring the need for sustained vigilance. Besides, the suspension of one of the country’s largest political parties from contesting the election resulted in a political environment in which not all political preferences were represented on the ballot. While the electoral process proceeded as administered, the absence of a major political actor narrowed the scope of competition. Addressing questions related to participation and representation will require continued dialogue and engagement among stakeholders. Election Day Administration Voting commenced largely on time, essential materials were present, and presiding officers were professional and effective. Queues were orderly and calm, and no widespread or systematic interference with voting was observed. Polling stations generally closed on time, counting and tabulation were transparent, efficient, and conducted without significant disruption. Many voting rooms were located on upper floors and were not accessible to people with disabilities. The absence of ramps or other structural accommodations posed barriers for elderly and mobility-impaired voters.  Polling station layouts generally provided adequate privacy for voters; however, the delegation noted instances in which voters who were confused about the meaning and substance of the referendum ballot sought reasonable clarification from polling agents and officers, which may at times have compromised the secrecy of their ballots.  Instances of partisan political activity were observed near polling station entrances. Groups described as ‘volunteers’ were gathered outside certain polling stations and, in some cases, moved collectively toward polling station entrances. While these activities did not systematically disrupt voting, their proximity raises the risk of undue influence and perceptions of unequal campaign conditions. Security Environment The election was conducted under a high security alert, with extensive deployment of police, army units, Border Guard Bangladesh, Rapid Action Battalion, Ansar, and village defense forces nationwide. Authorities designated thousands of polling centers as “high risk” and implemented pre-emptive patrols, checkpoints, and layered security perimeters. These measures appear to have helped contain isolated incidents and prevented escalation. Violence was limited and primarily confined to isolated clashes and disruptions between rival supporters.  Major incidents included two crude bomb blasts at centers in Gopalganj and Munshiganj, which resulted in injuries and suspended polling at these locations. However, polling later resumed.  

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Saturday had telephone conversations with BNP Chairman  Tarique Rahman, Jamaat Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman and National Citizen Party chief Nahid Islam, and called on everyone to work together to fulfill the expectations of the people of Bangladesh. He thanked them for playing a responsible role after the election and expressed optimism that the political parties would continue to play a similarly cooperative and positive role in the future to continue the democratic trend. President Sahabuddin to administer oath to new cabinet members: Cabinet Secretary He first spoke to Tarique Rahman and congratulated his party on its victory with a huge majority, said the Chief Adviser’s press wing. The Chief Adviser congratulated and expressed his gratitude to Tarique Rahman, Shafiqur Rahman and Nahid Islam for their important contributions towards making the elections festive and peaceful by playing a responsible role. During the conversation, Prof Yunus said due to restraint and responsible behaviour of the political parties, it has been possible to maintain a festive and peaceful atmosphere throughout the country surrounding the elections.

As the process of forming the 13th Jatiya Sangsad gets underway following the national election, public attention has once again turned to the state privileges enjoyed by members of parliament (MPs). The Election Commission (EC) has published the two gazette notifications of the 297 newly elected members of parliament elected to the 13th Parliament as well as the referendum results. The two gazettes were issued on Friday night by EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed. The process for administering the oath to the newly elected lawmakers will now be arranged. Amid this process, the focus has shifted to the wide range of financial benefits, facilities, and special entitlements provided to lawmakers under existing laws. According to official rules, an MP is entitled not only to a monthly salary but also to multiple state-funded allowances and privileges, as outlined in the Members of Parliament (Remuneration and Allowances) Order, 1973, and its subsequent amendments. These benefits cover allowances, transport, healthcare, travel, insurance, office expenses and telecommunications. MPs’ Benefits Monthly Salary and Allowances: Basic Salary-Tk 55,000, Constituency allowance-Tk12,500 entertainment allowance-Tk 5,000, transport allowance-Tk 70,000 (including fuel, vehicle maintenance, and driver’s salary), office expense allowance-Tk 15,000, laundry allowance-Tk 1,500, miscellaneous allowance-Tk 6,000. Vehicle Facilities Duty-free import of a car, jeep, or microbus, exempt from customs, VAT, and taxes, access to import a new vehicle under the same scheme after five years, travel Allowances Air, rail, or water travel: 1.5 times the highest class fare, road travel: per-kilometre allowance and domestic travel-Tk120,000 annual travel allowance or travel pass Daily Allowances While on duty daily allowance Tk 750, travel allowance Tk 75. Gazettes of newly elected MPs, referendum results published Attendance at parliamentary or committee sessions: daily allowance Tk 800, travel allowance Tk 200 Medical Facilities Government-level medical care for MPs and their families include monthly medical allowance Tk 700 Insurance Government insurance of Tk 10 lakh in case of death or permanent disability while on duty Optional Grant Fund Up to Tk 5 lakh per year for discretionary use Telecommunication Facilities Official telephone connection at MPs’ residences and monthly telephone and call expenses Tk 7,800 Tax Benefits All allowances and benefits received by MPs are exempt from income tax. These provisions are aimed at supporting MPs in performing their legislative and constituency responsibilities efficiently.