United News of Bangladesh

The Election Commission on Sunday held an extensive meeting with senior representatives from more than 30 relevant ministries, divisions and authorities to discuss 22 key issues relating to the upcoming general election and referendum, both to be held on a single day in February 2026. The two-hour meeting, chaired by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin, took place from 3:00pm-5:00pm at the conference room of Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital. Top officials, including secretaries, directors general and chairmen—from major government bodies attended the meeting. Election schedule to be declared in second week of Dec: CEC Nasir These included the Cabinet Division, Bangladesh Bank, the Home Affairs Ministry, the Public Administration Ministry, the Foreign Affairs Ministry, the Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Ministry, the Finance Division, the Law Ministry, the Information Ministry, the Secondary and Higher Education Division, the Power Division and the Armed Forces Division. Among the 22 issues discussed were the repair and renovation of access roads and physical structures of polling stations and booths; preparation of panels of polling officers; uninterrupted electricity supply for polling activities; removal of existing campaign materials from electoral areas; preparation of action plans for collection and compilation of loan-default information; manpower, transport and logistical support; steps by local administration and local government bodies to ensure law and order; review of academic and public examination schedules; strategies to prevent the spread of misinformation and disinformation on social media using AI tools; and ensuring communal harmony and the security of minority communities. Other issues included assistance in appointing election observers; arrangements for transporting electoral materials and polling officials in remote and hilly regions, including providing helicopters for the Commission; measures to carry out election-related publicity, awareness and motivation through media; budget allocation and related financial activities; appointment of executive magistrates to enforce the electoral code of conduct; daily weather updates; formation of medical teams and health service arrangements; immediate fire and disaster management measures; restrictions on vehicular and water transport during the election period; support for postal voting and management of postal ballots; and balloting arrangements for people behind legal bars, including prisoners and detainees. Bangladesh election: Voter registration in KSA, 6 other countries resumes Earlier, on October 30, the Commission held a similar meeting with senior officials from 31 ministries, divisions and agencies. On November 27, the EC held a second-phase meeting with law enforcement agencies, including the armed forces, as part of its efforts to finalise the deployment strategy for security personnel during the upcoming national election and referendum. The first such security meeting took place on October 20 to ensure a free, fair and participatory 13th parliamentary 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 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 will announce the schedule in the second week of December for holding the next general election and referendum on the July National Charter in a single day in early February 2026.  

The country’s two stock exchanges closed in the red on Sunday, with key indices on both the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) and Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) ending lower amid broad-based price declines. After gaining past the 5,000-point mark last Thursday, DSEX fell by 49 points to settle at 4,978 at the end of the day’s trading. The two other indices also declined, with the Shariah index (DSES) down 11 points and the blue-chip DS30 shedding 17 points. Most issues lost value on the DSE, where prices fell for 306 companies, rose for 57 and remained unchanged for 28. Block market transactions totaled Tk 10 crore across 26 companies, led by Fine Foods, which posted the highest block trade of Tk 1.69 crore. The turnover at the main bourse, however, improved to Tk 492 crore, up from Tk 439 crore in the previous session. BD Thai Food & Beverage Limited topped the DSE gainers’ list with its share price rising over 9 percent, while Lub-rref (Bangladesh) Limited slid nearly 19 percent to become the worst performer. The downturn extended to the CSE, where the all-share CASPI index dropped by 60 points. A total of 119 issues declined on the port-city bourse against 49 gainers, while 14 remained unchanged. The turnover stood at Tk 15 crore, down from Tk 25 crore recorded in the previous session. Apex Spinning and Knitting Mills Ltd led the CSE gainers with a 9.87 percent rise, whereas Lub-rref (Bangladesh) Limited also ended as the steepest loser, falling almost 16 percent.  

National Citizen Party (NCP) has issued a show-cause notice and temporarily relieved its South Region organiser Ariful Islam Talukder from all responsibilities over alleged breach of party discipline, though Ariful had already resigned before the notice was served. According to the notice sent to the media on Sunday, a letter signed by Sadia Farzana Dina of the party’s office cell on Saturday stated that Ariful was removed from all organisational duties for violating party discipline. The decision came under directives from NCP convener Nahid Islam and member secretary Akhter Hossen. The party also asked Ariful to explain within two days why he should not be permanently expelled, instructing him to submit his reply to the head of the disciplinary committee. Ariful, however, posted a photo of his resignation letter on Facebook, saying he had submitted it to the convener and member secretary on Friday. Party sources said the move followed allegations that Ariful had obstructed Friday’s ‘Ganer Artonad’ programme at Shahbagh, which demanded unconditional release of Baul singer Abul Sarkar and justice for an attack on Baul artists in Manikganj. The programme, called ‘Sampriti Jatra’—a platform of left-leaning writers, artists, activists and politicians—faced opposition when members of another group, ‘July Manch’, marched to the venue and protested the event. A brief scuffle broke out between the two sides. Investigations found Ariful to be directly linked with July Manch and leading its activities as convener. In a Facebook post explaining his resignation, Ariful made several allegations against the NCP, claiming he was indirectly asked to choose between politics and his religious beliefs, prompting him to choose his faith. He also accused the party of selling nomination forms to 1,500 aspirants at Tk 10,000 each while simultaneously negotiating a seat-sharing deal for around 20 constituencies with BNP. Ariful further alleged that several NCP leaders became millionaires within a year since August 5 last year, and questioned why advisers Asif Mahmud and Mahfuj Alam were being kept away from the party. He also said he would disclose details on NCP’s failed alliance talks, the real mastermind behind the July movement, and who is being portrayed as the “so-called mastermind” at a press conference on Monday.  

Five more deaths were reported from dengue in 24 hours till Sunday morning, raising the number of fatalities from the mosquito-borne disease in Bangladesh to 382 this year. During the same period, 636 new patients were admitted to hospitals, raising the total number of dengue cases this year to 94,402, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). The new fatalities were reported in Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), Chattogram and Khulna Division. Currently, 1,995 patients are receiving treatment at various hospitals across the country. Last year, dengue claimed 575 lives, with 101,214 cases and 100,040 recoveries recorded during the same period.    

Bhutan’s first trial transshipment consignment from Thailand has remained stuck at Burimari land port after Indian authorities refused permission for road transit, officials said on Sunday. India has not allowed the consignment to move through its Changrabandha land port. Officials said a container carrying six types of goods — fruits, juice, jelly, dry fruits, lychee-flavoured candy and shampoo — left Thailand’s Laem Chabang port on September 8 for Bhutan’s importer Abith Trading. The shipment reached Chattogram Port on September 22 and was brought to Burimari land port at 4pm on November 28 by C&F agent NM Trading Corporation. Burimari land port officials said India’s approval is essential for the consignment to move from Bangladesh to Bhutan via Indian territories. The Changrabandha land port authorities did not issue that permission, leaving the container parked at the Burimari yard. Faruk Hossain, a member of the Burimari C&F Agents Association and proprietor of Benco Limited, said the trial consignment is still at Burimari. “India has not given approval. So it could not be sent. Once we get permission, the consignment will be forwarded to Bhutan,” he said. Delwar Hossain, assistant commissioner of Burimari Customs Station, said customs procedures for Bhutan’s consignment have been completed.  “Once Indian Customs gives clearance, the goods can be sent onward to Bhutan,” he said. Bangladesh and Bhutan signed a protocol agreement on March 22, 2023. Later, at a secretary-level meeting held in Bhutan in April last year, both sides decided to send two trial transshipment consignments to Bhutan using Bangladesh’s seaport and road network along with India’s road corridor. To implement that decision, NM Trading Corporation brought the first container to Burimari on November 28. However, on November 28 and 29, Benco Limited, the assigned C&F agent, tried several times to secure entry permission through Changrabandha but India did not approve the request.  

The fire that broke out on the 9th floor of the Secretariat has been doused, said firefighters.Shahjahan Sikder, duty assistant director (media cell) at Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD) headquarters, said an exhaust fan on the 9th floor of the 20-storey building caught fire due to electric short circuit around 2 pm.On information, three firefighting units rushed to the spot but the fire was extinguished with a fire extinguisher before they arrived around 2:15 pm.

Three people were killed on Sunday in a clash between two groups over a land dispute at Hailatari village in Nageshwari upazila of Kurigram. Two victims were identified as Altaf and Manik while the identities of the deceased woman could not be confirmed immediately. Nageshwari Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Rezaul Karim Reza said police rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control. Efforts are underway to arrest those involved in the incident.  

A special prayer session will be held on Sunday afternoon on the premises of the Dhakeshwari National Temple seeking early recovery of ailing BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. Bangladesh Puja Udjapon Parishad and the Mahanagar Sarbojonin Puja Committee arranged the special prayers. A statement signed by Sachindranath Baroi, office secretary of the Puja Udjapon Parishad, was issued on Saturday expressing concern over the deteriorating health condition of Khaleda Zia. Parishad President Basudev Dhar and General Secretary Santosh Sharma, along with Mahanagar Sarbojonin Puja Committee President Jayanta Kumar Dev and General Secretary Dr Tapas Chandra Pal urged the authorities to ensure the highest level of medical care for Khaleda Zia. They also wished her a quick recovery.

Officers ‘deprived of promotion’ at state-owned Sonali, Agrani, Janata and Rupali banks formed a human chain in front of the Bangladesh Bank on Sunday (November 30), demanding an end to what they described as longstanding discrimination in career advancement. The aggrieved officials alleged that widespread supernumerary promotions were granted after the recent political changeover without adherence to rules, leaving many qualified officers sidelined. Speakers at the demonstration accused the Financial Institutions Division (FID) of unwarranted interference in the promotion process. They called for merit-based promotions under regular vacancies and updated organograms, alongside proper evaluation of those who were denied advancement during the previous Awami League government for political reasons. Read more: Ex-Padma Bank chairman Nafis Sarafat, 3 others sued for embezzling over Tk 1600cr   According to the protesters, the current interim government has already addressed discrimination in the civil service by granting officials — both active and retired — promotions of one to three steps since 2024. The officials alleged that despite thousands of supernumerary promotions in state-owned banks last year, the long-standing grievances of genuinely deprived staff have yet to be addressed. They further claimed that instead of addressing the issue in 2025, the FID introduced a new ‘post assimilation’ directive that has deprived many officers once again, resulting in no progress in the promotion process this year. The officials claimed a vested group within the ministry was pushing discriminatory policies to create instability in the banking sector and portray the previous government as the better alternative. Read more: Bangladesh Bank orders pay cuts for Sammilito Islami Bank’s employees To restore discipline in the sector, the protesters placed a three-point demand, including an end to what they termed illegal interference by the FID in areas such as promotions, incentives, loan approval, organogram updates and post assimilation—matters they said legally fall under the authority of bank boards as per the Vendor’s Agreement and relevant Articles of Association. They also sought cancellation of all related directives issued by the ministry. They urged the authorities to issue circulars inviting applications from officers who faced discrimination between 2009 and 4 August 2024, and to ensure at least one promotion for them by December this year. The protesters also called for a transparent and modern promotion policy modelled on the Bangladesh Bank system. Read more: Merged bank to be launched this week: BB Governor Mansur

Two people were shot dead when unidentified gunmen opened fire outside the Khulna District and Sessions Judge Court on Sunday (November 30).  The deceased were identified as Rajon and Hasib of Bagmara in Rupsha upazila of the district.  Shafiqul Islam, officer-in-charge of Sadar Police Station, said the attackers intercepted a motorbike carrying the duo when they were leaving the court premises after attending a hearing around 12:30 pm. Ex-JCD leader killing in B’baria; family files complaint against Swechchhasebak Dal leader At one stage, the attackers opened fire on them and stabbed them indiscriminately, leaving them injured. The gunmen fled the scene immediately after the gun attack, he said.  Later, they were taken to Khulna Medical College and Hospital where the doctors declared them dead. Police have cordoned off the area and launched an investigation.  A tense situation has been prevailing in and around the court premises over the incident. Read more: Dhaka, Khulna among 15 districts that get new DCs