United News of Bangladesh

The Election Inquiry and Judicial Committee has served a show-cause notice on Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Dr Faizul Haque for the Jhalakathi-1 (Rajapur–Kathalia) constituency over allegations of violating the electoral code of conduct. The notice was issued on Friday (Jan 9) evening by Rezwana Afrin, joint district and sessions judge (Second Court) and head of the committee. According to the notice, Dr Faizul made remarks during election campaigning that hurt religious sentiments and sought votes by using religion, which is a violation of electoral rules. He is also accused of campaigning before the officially permitted time, another breach of the code of conduct. After reviewing reliable information, news reports, and video footage circulated on social media, the committee found that on January 7, during a courtyard meeting in Rajapur upazila, Dr Faizul Haque made a public statement that was considered an abuse of religious sentiment. The notice further stated that the actions constitute clear violations of Rules 15(a), 16(ng), and 18 of the Code of Conduct for Political Parties and Candidates in Parliamentary Elections 2025. He has been asked to appear in person on January 12 and submit a written explanation as to why a recommendation for action against him should not be sent to the Election Commission. Responding to the notice, Dr Faizul Haque said, “I respect the law and will respond to the notice within the stipulated time.”

The Election Commission on Saturday (January 10, 2026) declared the candidature of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islam’s aspirant for Cox’s Bazar-2 AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad valid after hearing his appeal petition. Earlier, the returning officer concerned declared his nomination paper invalid during the scrutiny. The Election Commission, chaired by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, on Saturday started the hearing and disposal of the appeal petitions filed by the aggrieved aspirants, challenging the decisions of the returning officers over the cancellation and acceptance of nomination papers. During the first day of the nine-day hearing, the Commission heard the petition filed by Hamidur Rahman Azad and declared him as a valid candidate in the upcoming national election scheduled to be held on February 12 next. Read More: ATM Masum appointed convener, Abdul Halim as secretary of Jamaat election committee The hearing began at 10:00am at the Nirbachan Bhaban in the city’s Agargaon area. Some 70 petitions filed by aggrieved aspirants would be heard on Saturday. A total of 645 aspirants filed appeal petitions with the Election Commission before the deadline expired on Friday, challenging returning officers’ decisions on the rejection and acceptance of nomination papers. Most of the petitions were submitted from January 5 to 9 against the cancellation of nomination papers during the scrutiny. The Election Commission will hear and dispose of the petitions by January 18. Earlier during the five-day nomination paper scrutiny from December 30 to January 04, the 69 returning officers – two divisional commissioners (Dhaka and Chattogram), 64 district deputy commissioners and three regional election commissioners (Dhaka, Chattogram and Khulna) – declared that the nomination papers of a total of 1,842 candidates valid and that of 723 others invalid. A total of 2,568 aspirants submitted nomination papers for the country’s 300 constituencies by the December-29 deadline to contest the 13th parliamentary election. The Election Commission on December 11 announced the election schedule to arrange the national election and the referendum on the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order simultaneously on February 12, 2026. Read More: EC thrashes reports of election postponement in Pabna-1, Pabna-2 According to the schedule, 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).

Jamaat-e-Islami on Thursday formed its election management committee for the 13th national election, appointing party’s assistant secretary general Maulana ATM Masum as convener and Maulana Abdul Halim as member-secretary. The party announced the committee in a press release in the evening. The committee includes Advocate Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair, Advocate Moyazzem Hossain Helal, Maulana Muhammad Shahjahan, Mobarak Hossain, Md. Abdur Rob, A.F.M. Abdus Sattar, Advocate Dr. Helal Uddin, Prof. Dr. Nazrul Islam, Prof. Dr. AKM Waliullah, former Additional Secretary Khandakar Rashedul Haque, former Senior Secretary Md. Safiullah, former Secretary Abdul Kaiyum, former Secretary Abdullah Al Mamun, Brigadier General (Retd.) Golam Mostofa, Brigadier General (Retd.) Shafiqul Islam, Major (Retd.) Muhammad Yunus Ali, Zahidur Rahman, Advocate Atikur Rahman, Engineer Sirajul Islam, Rajibur Rahman Palash, Engineer Dr. Zubayer Ahmad, Dr. Hafizur Rahman, Prof. Saifullah Mansur, Dr. Mostofa Monwar, Manjurul Islam, Zahidul Islam and others.

Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher on Wednesday alleged that his party faced serious discrimination during the scrutiny of nomination papers and demanded the removal of partisan Deputy Commissioners (DCs) and Superintendents of Police (SPs) from their posts. “There are two kinds of decisions in one country and two different applications of the same law. We have informed the Election Commission about this and protested,” Dr Taher said while talking to reporters after leading his party delegation in a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin at Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital. He said two kinds of decisions were seen on the similar issues as some partisan DCs were appointed in different places who took decisions based on their partisan attitude not laws during the scrutiny of nomination papers. “We have demanded that such partisan DCs and SPs be withdrawn and neutral officials be appointed in their place.” Dr Taher said Jamaat candidates faced serious discrimination in the decisions of the returning officers during the scrutiny citing inconsistencies in handling cases related to dual citizenship. “In similar cases of dual citizenship, nomination papers were accepted in some constituencies, while in others they were rejected,” he said, adding that the nomination paper of Jamaat aspirant Mahbub Salehin in Kurigram was rejected on similar grounds. “However, in the same situation, our candidate Barrister Mahbub Salehi from Kurigram was not accepted. We have drawn the Election Commission’s attention to this issue,” he added. Dr Taher also alleged discriminatory treatment in cases related to past convictions during the Awami League regime. “In one such case, three of our leaders were punished unlawfully. Among them, nomination papers of two candidates were accepted, but in the same circumstances, the nomination of our candidate Hamidur Rahman Azad was rejected,” he said. No Level-playing Field Yet Raising concerns over the level-playing field, Dr Taher said Jamaat informed the EC that the level-playing field is not still there. “We told the Election Commission that there is no level-playing field now. One particular party is being given extensive promotion,” he said. “For example, today I called the information adviser and said that your television has not yet become Muslim as it is not neutral,” he said, adding that they asked him to take initiatives to ensure that the election campaign is equal in the television. The Jamaat leader claimed unequal security and protocol arrangements for a particular party and leaders are also distorting the electoral environment. “When someone is given excessive protocol, it creates a public impression that they may become something important in the future…. This damages the level-playing field and sends a wrong message to the people,” he said, adding that they drew the attention of the Election Commission to this matter. Dr Taher said treatment of major political parties must be equal in terms of government protection, protocol and even family-related facilities. He also accused one political party of violating the election code of conduct by distributing VGF cards, agriculture cards and family cards. “This is a clear and blatant violation of the code of conduct. We raised the issue and the Election Commission assured us that action would be taken if such incidents occur,” he said. The Jamaat leader also demanded the installation of CCTV cameras in polling stations, adding that the EC informed them that at least 90 percent of stations would be brought under CCTV coverage. Calling for a credible election based on an equal level-playing field, Dr Taher warned that failure to ensure fairness could put the country at serious risk. “If the upcoming election turns out to be another arranged election, Bangladesh will face an existential crisis and move towards a more dangerous situation,” he said. Asked whether Jamaat still had confidence in the Election Commission, Dr Taher said, “We still want to keep our trust, as we are in the election process.” Responding to questions about fears of a one-sided election and the law and order situation, he said Jamaat had conveyed its concerns to the EC over the law and order situation. “In recent days, the government’s conduct and excessive actions in the name of protection have raised serious concerns—not just in our minds, but naturally in yours as well,” he said. The five-member Jamaat delegation also included its Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar and Assistant Secretary General Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair and Jamaat MP candidate Shishir Monir.

The nominations of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman and five others for Dhaka-15 seat were declared valid during the scrutiny of nomination papers for the national election. “The nomination papers of six aspirants for Dhaka-15, including Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman and BNP’s Shafiqul Islam Khan were declared valid, while that of three others were rejected,” said Md Yunus Ali, the returning officer for Dhaka-13 and 15 constituencies on Saturday. Four other valid contestants for Dhaka-15 are Shamsul Haque (nominated by Jatiya Party), AKM Shafiqul Islam (Gonoforum), Ashfakur Rahman (Bangladesh Jasod) and Khan Shoeb Aman Ullah (Janatar Dal). The three aspirants whose nomination papers were declared invalid are Ahammad Sajedul Haque (CPB), Mobarak Hossain (Bangladesh Supreme Party) and Tanzil Islam (independent), said Md Yunus Ali, also the Dhaka Regional Election Officer. He said the nomination papers of six candidates for Dhaka-13 constituency, including BNP’s Bobby Hajjaj and Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish’s Mamunul Haque declared valid, while that of five others declared invalid. Four other valid candidates for Dhaka-13 are Murad Hossain (nominated by Islami Andolan Bangladesh), Fatema Aktar Munia (Insaniat Biplab Bangladesh), Shahbuddin (Bangladesh Minority Janata Party) and Sohel Rana. The five aspirants whose nomination papers were turned down are Mijanur Rahman (Gono Odhikar Parishad), Shahriar Iftekhar (Bangladesh Muslim League), Shekh Md Rabiul Islam (independent), Khalequzzaman (Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal) and Raju Ahmed (Amjanatar Dal).   Besides, a total of 119 nomination papers were declared valid in the 13 constituencies – Dhaka-4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 16, 17 and 18—in the capital, while 54 others were cancelled and the decision for one nomination paper remained pending. The Dhaka Divisional Commissioner is the returning officer of the 13 constituencies. A total of 2,569 aspirants submitted nomination papers in the country’s 300 constituencies by the December 29 deadline to contest the 13th parliamentary election scheduled to be held on February 12, 2026. Among them, 478 independent aspirants and 2,091 are from 51 registered political parties. The scrutiny of nomination papers started on December 30 and is set to be concluded on Sunday (January 04). The appeals can be filed with the Election Commission from January 5 to 9, challenging the decisions of the returning officers made during the scrutiny of the nomination papers. The Commission will settle the appeals by January 18 next. Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) fielded the highest number of aspirants, submitting 331 nomination papers, including multiple candidates in several constituencies. Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami followed closely with 276 candidates, while Jatiya Party (JP) submitted 224 nominations. Leading Islamic scholars say Jamaat-led alliance not an Islamic bloc The Election Commission on December 12 last declared the schedule to arrange the national election and the referendum on July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order simultaneously on February 12, 2026. 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).

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir visited ailing Jatiya Party (Kazi Zafar) Chairman and head of the 12-party alliance Mostafa Jamal Haider at LabAid Hospital in the capital on Saturday. During the visit in the afternoon, Fakhrul enquired about Haider’s health condition and wished him a speedy recovery, said BNP Media Cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan. Fakhrul also spoke to the doctors and family members of the veteran Jatiya Party leader. BNP to win next election with Khaleda Zia’s legacy: Fakhrul Mostafa Jamal Haider has been undergoing treatment at LabAid Hospital for various old-age complications. Jatiya Party leaders, including Presidium Member Kazi Nahid, Barrister Mustafa Zobayer Haider, Joint Secretary General ASM Shamim, Organising Secretary Mamun, Gazi Omar Faruk, Office Secretary Golam Mostafa, Jatiya Chhatra Samaj Convener Kazi Fayez and Member Secretary Mehedi Hasan were present.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami on Thursday said that remarks made by Professor Latifur Rahman regarding the Awami League at a courtyard meeting in Chapainawabganj were entirely his personal views and do not reflect the party’s position. The clarification came in a statement issued by Jamaat’s Assistant Secretary General and Head of its Central Publicity and Media Department, Advocate Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair. In the statement, Jamaat said it has taken note of comments made by former lawmaker of Chapainawabganj-3 Professor Latifur Rahman at a courtyard meeting held on December 30 in Charbagdanga Union of Chapainawabganj Sadar upazila. “Remarks attributed to the Awami League made by Professor Latifur Rahman at the meeting represent his personal opinion. Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami does not agree with those remarks, nor do they reflect the party’s viewpoint,” the statement said. It added that Latifur Rahman has been cautioned by the party regarding the matter. Notably, during the meeting, Professor Latifur Rahman, also a central committee member of Jamaat, was heard saying, “Those who join Jamaat from the Awami League, we will take responsibility for your legal matters, courts and police stations.” Videos of the remarks have since gone viral on social media. In one video, Latifur Rahman is heard saying that a change is coming in Bangladesh and encouraging Awami League supporters to join Jamaat, assuring them of protection regarding legal and administrative matters.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Thursday said Jamaat and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) should work together for the next five years to restore a congenial environment in the interest of national stability. “We have said that for the sake of our much-loved country, we worked together in the past and, InshaAllah, we will work together in the future as well. Mr Tarique Rahman and the BNP leadership have expressed the same aspiration, and we have also shared that aspiration,” he said. The Jamaat Ameer made this remark while talking to reporters after a meeting with BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office on Thursday evening. Dr Shafiqur Rahman said the two parties also discussed whether they could collectively think about restoring a stable and favourable environment for the nation over the next five years. "We have also said that we need to think about whether we can all come together to bring back a good environment for the sake of the stability of the nation for five years," he said. Jamaat Ameer meets Tarique Rahman Dr Shafiqur said Jamaat and BNP will sit together after the upcoming national election and the referendum to be held on February 12, 2026. “Immediately after the election and before the formation of the government, we will sit together with an open mind to discuss national interests, think for the nation and take decisions accordingly,” the Jamaat chief added.

Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher on Tuesday said former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia was the most popular leader Bangladesh has ever seen. “If we make an assessment up to this moment, Begum Khaleda Zia was the most popular leader in Bangladesh. Today, the entire nation is united, without any question, in mourning her and paying respect,” he told reporters. Taher made the remarks around 7:45pm in front of the BNP Chairperson’s political office in Gulshan, after signing the condolence book opened there in memory of Khaleda Zia. He said Khaleda Zia was an uncompromising leader in the struggle to establish people’s rights. “She proved this through every step of her political life. She was very patriotic and never compromised on national interests, even under pressure from powerful neighbours. Because of this, she often became a victim of political persecution,” he said. The Jamaat leader also said during her illness, people from all political backgrounds prayed anxiously for her recovery and stood united. “That itself shows how widely she was loved and respected,” he said. “Khaleda Zia died with the highest honour and love from the people. She was successful in her political life. The nation should now fulfil its responsibilities by following her patriotism and dedication to the country,” Taher said. Khaleda Zia passed away around 6:00 am on Tuesday at Evercare Hospital after receiving treatment for more than a month.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has expelled Professor Md Jasim Uddin, former Ameer of the party’s Mymensingh District unit, for violating party discipline. In a statement issued on Monday, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar said that Ameer-e-Jamaat Dr Shafiqur Rahman cancelled Prof Md Jasim Uddin’s membership and expelled him from the organization due to breach of party discipline.