United News of Bangladesh

The Election Commission (EC) has revised its earlier decision on deploying Bangladesh National Cadet Corps (BNCC) cadets during the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election and referendum, limiting their role only to maintaining discipline at postal ballot vote-counting centres following objections raised by BNP. Although the EC had earlier decided to deploy BNCC cadets to assist in election-related duties, a revised directive now restricts their deployment exclusively to the IT-supported postal ballot vote-counting centres for Out-of-County Voting (OCV) and In-Country Postal Voting (ICPV), according to amended instructions signed by EC Deputy Secretary Mohammad Monir Hossain on Tuesday (February 3). Read More: EC to issue press cards manually alongside online for election The 13th national parliamentary election and referendum will be held on February 12. In this connection, the EC has decided to deploy BNCC cadets at postal ballot vote-counting centres set up at Returning Officers’ offices to assist in maintaining discipline, under the instructions of the Returning Officer or Presiding Officer. Earlier, on February 1, BNP Electoral Steering Committee Chairman Nazrul Islam Khan told reporters after a meeting with the Chief Election Commissioner that the party had raised concerns over the engagement of BNCC cadets in election activities “We’ve heard that BNCC cadets, who are students, may be involved in election work for the first time. We told the Commission that involving young students in a complex process like a parliamentary election is not appropriate,” he said. The BNP leader warned that such involvement could make both the cadets and the institution controversial, adding that it could eventually lead to demands to involve Scouts or Girl Guides. The Election Commission on December 11 announced the polls schedule to arrange the 13th parliamentary election and the referendum on the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order simultaneously on February 12, 2026. Read More: Bangladesh prepares for Feb election with 42,779 polling stations

Police in Lakshmipur have arrested a businessman, Sohel Rana, with six illegally made election seals. A mobile phone and a computer were also seized during the operation. Sohel was detained Tuesday afternoon from Mariam Press on Puraton Adalat Road in the town. He is a resident of Tumchar Union in Sadar Upazila and the owner of Mariam Press. According to police, based on a tip-off, Sadar police raided the press and recovered six seals allegedly intended for use in elections. Executive Magistrate Hasan Mahmud Nahid visited the spot after being informed and later confiscated the seals, mobile phone, and computer, taking Sohel to the police station. Read More: Locked in and burned; 7-year-old dies in Lakshmipur arson attack Sohel told police that he had made the seals on order but did not disclose who had placed the request. Executive Magistrate Hasan Mahmud Nahid said producing election seals at the press is illegal and that a case will be filed against the accused. Additional District Police Superintendent (Administration and Finance) Hosain Mohammad Raihan Kazemi confirmed the raid, saying Sohel was arrested with six election seals and that police are continuing the operation to apprehend others involved while preparing a case. 

Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman has emphasised fulfilling responsibilities through professionalism, impartiality, discipline, patience, and citizen-friendly behavior during the election. The Army chief came up with the remarks while speaking after laying the foundation stone of the Olympic Village in Trishal upazila of Mymensingh district on Sunday, said an ISPR release. He also took part in a board meeting of the Olympic Association. During his visit, he inspected the activities of army personnel deployed ‘in aid to the civil power’ and provided necessary directives. Read More: Army Chief visits Patuakhali, Khulna The Army chief also attended a view exchange meeting at the Mymensingh City Corporation conference hall with senior military officials, members of various law enforcement agencies and civil administration officials. The meeting focused on inter-agency coordination and overall security management to ensure that the upcoming parliamentary election is held in a peaceful, neutral and fair manner.

A total of 4,05,164 Bangladeshi expatriates cast their votes through postal ballot as of 1:30 pm on Monday, according to the Election Commission. Among them, 3,44,993 voters submitted their ballots at post offices or ballot boxes in their respective countries. Meanwhile, 19,388 ballots were cast within Bangladesh. EC to unveil electoral work plan by July: Election Commissioner The Election Commission had sent ballots to 6,83,122 registered expatriate voters. As of 1:30 pm on Monday, a total of 4,78,326 postal ballots had been received from abroad.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin on Tuesday said the Election Commission has courageously taken the risk of introducing an IT-supported hybrid postal balloting system despite being fully aware that many problems and challenges may arise with the process. “When our Chief Adviser made the announcement (to ensure arrangement so that expatriates can vote in this next general election), we took this risk with courage (by initiating the IT-supported postal ballot system), knowing fully well that many problems and challenges would emerge,” he said, while briefing representatives of political parties on the postal voting system. The briefing about the technicalities of the hybrid postal balloting system – combined with the digital registration and manual ballot papers-- was held at the auditorium of the Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital’s Agargaon area. Read More: Army, navy, air force chiefs to meet CEC Nasir Sunday The CEC said his Commission has undertaken an initiative that had never been tried in Bangladesh before. “We have entered an unknown area. But we took an oath and made a commitment that we must implement it,” he said. Pointing to journalists present at the programme, Nasir Uddin said they have got cooperation from the media in the process. “From the beginning of the implementation to this stage, we have received your cooperation. Without your support, we could not have come this far. Otherwise, negative writings on social media could have seriously harmed the initiative,” he said. He said in any new initiative, some mistakes, errors or misunderstandings are natural. “Once the misunderstandings are cleared and confusion is removed, it will be evident that there was no other motive behind this initiative,” he added. Noting that expatriate voters from 122 countries have enrolled in the system (to vote in the next general election and referendum to be held simultaneously on February 12, the CEC expressed hope that the initiative would brighten the image of Bangladesh in the world.  “I believe that one day Bangladesh’s name will shine across the world for successfully implementing this postal ballot system,” he said, adding that many countries, including those in the region, have gained so much success in introducing such a system. The CEC said when foreigners come to meet him, they said if Bangladesh succeeds in implementing the system, the country’s name would be recorded in world history, as many other nations have not been able to do so. Election Commissioners Abdur Rahmanel Masud, Tahmida Ahmed, Anwarul Islam Sarkar and Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah as well EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed were present at the briefing. CEC Nasir, Election Commissioners in Jamuna for meeting with CA

Voting is underway today in 87 upazilas for the third phase of the sixth Upazila Parishad Election. Voting began at 8 am and will continue till 4 pm without any break. UNB’s Cumilla correspondent reported that voting was underway in a peaceful environment in Muradnagar, Debidwar, Burichang and Brahmanpara upazilas of the district since this morning. 300 BGB platoons deployed ahead of Upazila polls 3rd phase Though the turnout of voters was thin in the morning, their presence will increase with time, expected candidates and others.  No untoward incidents centring the election were reported till filing this report around 11 am.   A total of 1,196 candidates are in the electoral race for 261 posts of 87 Upazila Parishad. They include 397 chairman contenders, 456 vice chairman and 299 women (reserved) vice chairman contestants. Electronic voting machines are being used at 16 upazilas under seven districts, while traditional ballot papers are being used in the rest. A security team of 17-19 members would guard each polling station in the plain districts, while a security team of 19-21 members would protect a polling station in the Chittagong hill tracts and very remote areas. EC orders withdrawal of 4 OCs under Ctg div to ensure fair UZ polls The first phase of the polls was held in 139 upazila parishads under 59 districts on May 8, while the second phase was held in 156 upazilas under May 21.  The 4th phase of the election in over 50 upazilas will be held on June 5.

Election Commissioner Rashida Sultana on Thursday said electoral system is the key to democracy and if it is destroyed, then there will be no democracy in the country. “The EC has made concerted efforts to ensure that all elections are conducted in a manner that is free, fair, participatory, and acceptable to all parties involved,” she said. She assured that the Commission is committed to creating an environment where voters can cast their ballots without fear or violence. She made the remarks in a view exchange programme with returning, assistant returning officers, officials of law enforcement agencies, election related officials and chairman candidates ahead of third and fourth phase upazila parishad elections at Naogaon DC office auditorium. Rashida said EC has been trying to make a conducive environment for voters as they can cast their vote without any fear and in an environment free from violence. She said first and second phase of the sixth upazila parishad elections ended peacefully. “We are trying to organise forthcoming third and fourth phase polls in a more peaceful and violence-free environment.  So that general people can say that this EC  can conduct good elections.” “The EC does not work with the objective of making anyone a winner which is being reflected in the EC’s order issued for administration and law enforcement  agencies”.  EC Rashida asked the candidates to continue their campaign following the electoral code of conduct. She asked them to be careful about their speeches as hate speech is prohibited in electoral campaign. The election commissioner urged the candidates to create a voter-friendly environment where voters will feel enthusiastic  to come to the voting centres. EC Rashida assured that if any candidate submits any complaint to the commission, immediate action will be taken through investigation. She asked the election related officials to discharge their duties impartially so  that no one can make any allegation. The view exchange programme was chaired by Naongaon Deputy Commissioner Md Golam Maola where Rajshahi Divisional Additional Commissioner Imtiaz Hossain, Rajshahi Range Additional DIG Bijoy Basak, Naogaon Superintendent of police (SP) Md Rashidul Haque and Rajshahi Regional election officer Delwar Hossain and others were present.

Voting in the second phase of Upazila Parishad election began today at 8 am and it will continue until 4 pm. In Khulna district, among 138 polling centres in Terokhada, Dighalia and Fultala upazilas, police have identified 95 as important and 43 as general.  Of the total polling stations, 69 percent are considered important. Security has been beefed up at important centers.  According to the Returning Officer's office, there are 43 polling centers in Terokhada upazila, 52 in Dighalia and 43 in Fultala.  Khulna Superintendent of Police Mohammad Saidur Rahman said that there will be enhanced security and surveillance at important centres, but there will be no shortage of security at the general centres either.  Businesspeople dominate 2nd phase Upazila Parishad Elections too: TIB In Barishal, voting began at 121 centres in 13 unions of Hijla and Muladi upazilas.   However, voter turnout is seemingly low. Agents at these centres say that although the voter turnout is low in the morning, it will change as the day progresses.  Barishal district Superintendent of Police Wahidul Islam said security has been ensured for the upazila election. Out of 121 centres, 73 have been identified as important.   Also, 4 platoons of BGB have been deployed, he added.  Gangni Upazila Parishad election in Meherpur is being held smoothly.  According to the Assistant Returning Officer, voting is being held in 107 polling centres. Of the polling stations, 30 have been identified as very important.  The district administration, police and the Election Commission have completed all preparations to make the election festive, neutral and free. Voting is also being held in Katiadi, Nikli and Austagram upazilas of Kishoreganj and Biral, Bochaganj, Birganj and Kaharole upazilas of Dinajpur district.  UZ elections: 1 dead as law enforcers open fire over alleged rigging in Dinajpur Ansar and police have been deployed at Kishoreganj polling centres to ensure a free and fair election.  In Dinajpur, police, Ansar, RAB, BGB and executive magistrates have been deployed to the polling centers for the security of voters. 

Election Commissioner Md Alamgir on Thursday said that in the first phase of the Upazila Parishad election the voter turnout was 36.1 per cent. He said this while talking to the reporters at Nirbhachan Bhaban in capital’s Agargaon area. Commissioner Alamgir said 36.1 per cent vote were cast yesterday in the first phase of Upazila Parishad polls. Upazila election with or without party symbol doesn’t conflict with law: LGRD Minister Sonatala, Mirsrai and Kushtia Sadar upazilas witnessed the lowest voter turnout at 17 per cent while Joypurhat’s Khetlal upazila recorded highest voter turnout at 73.1 percent, he said. The first phase of the sixth Upazila Parishad Election was held in 139 upazilas of 59 districts in the country on Wednesday amid allegations of  irregularities and poor voter turnout. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal on the day blamed rain and harvesting for low voter presence. UZ elections: Predominance of businessmen points to era of politics for profit, says TIB While talking to reporters at Nirbachan Bhaban in the  capital’s Agargaon area he said the voter turnout may be between 30 to 40 per cent.  

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal said the voter turnout in the first phase of 6th Upazila Parishad polls was between 30 to 40 per cent. “However, the real number will be known later. Due to rain and crops harvesting voters were reluctant to go to the polling centres, he  said  while talking the reporters at Nirbachan Bhaban in the  capital’s Agargaon area on Wednesday afternoon. The CEC said upazila parishad elections was held in a  peaceful and neutral manner except few untoward incidents. “Being informed about the incidents, the EC took immediate measures and balloting at two centres were postponed. Law enforcement agencies and administration were very cautious about their respective  duties,” EC’s work is to see whether the voters were able to come or not, whether they were able to vote or not, whether there was any irregularity anywhere. “We have succeeded in discharging our duty”, he added. The first phase of the country’s sixth Upazila Parishad Election was  held in 139 upazilas of 59 districts in the country on Wednesday. The voting ended at 4:00pm without any recess. Some 1630 candidates, including nearly 570 chairman contenders are in the electoral race in the 139 upazila parishads against a total of 417 posts –-chairman post, vice chairman and women vice chairman posts in each upazila. There are more than 2.80 crore voters in the upazilas, according to the data of the Election Commission.