United News of Bangladesh

The Election Commission, led by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, will meet on Sunday (Dec 7) to review overall preparations and finalise the date for announcing the schedule for the upcoming national election and referendum, both slated for February 2026. The Commission has finished all necessary preparations to announce the election schedule and the date for the election schedule is most likely to be finalised in Sunday’s meeting, said EC officials. “We’ve completed 100 percent preparations and the date for the election schedule has not finalised yet,” EC’s senior secretary Akhtar Ahmed told a training workshop at the Electoral Training Institute (ETI) in the city’s Agargaon area. He, however, trashed news published by several media outlets that disclosed the specific dates for schedule and election saying that the dates have not been fixed yet. Read more: BNP places 3 fresh proposals before EC, raises no objection to election schedule Quoting the CEC, he said the election schedule will be declared in the second week of December. The Secretary said the white ballot paper would be used for the general election, while the pink ballot papers would be for the referendum.    Later talking to UNB, the Secretary said they reviewed pre-schedule preparation in a meeting on Saturday as well.  Replying to a question if the polls schedule date to be decided on Sunday’s meeting, he said, “It’s up to the commission and it may finalise the date tomorrow (Subnday).”   About the preparation regarding amendment to electoral laws, he said the amendment to Representation of the People Order has already been approved by the government (the Council of Advisers), while the revised election code of conduct and election conducting rules are in the Law Ministry for vetting. The gazettes of these laws will be published within a couple of days, he added. According to the EC officials, there will be nine agenda for Sunday's meeting. The agenda includes the overall preparation for arrangement of the 13th parliamentary election and referendum, pre- and post-schedule activities, coordination with field-level administration, registration of political parties and reviewing National Identity Card (NID) correction application system and finalisation of SOP in this regard. Read more: BD Polls: EC rejects proposal to increase polling centres, cites voting time Since this time the national election and referendum on July National Charter (reform charter) will be held simultaneously in a single day, the EC considers setting up two marking (secret stamping corners) places in each booth of the polling stations if there is enough space, while increasing the number of booths in other polling stations. But the Commission has yet to assess how many additional polling booths will be installed and how many polling booths will have two marking places. In this regard, the EC Secretary said the decision over installation of additional booths and two marking places in a booth could be taken later even after the announcement of the election schedule. Besides, the Commission considers extending the eight-hour balloting period by one hour (from 7:30am to 4:30pm) as every voter will need to cast two votes –one for an MP candidate and another for the referendum. Read more: Bangladesh Polls: EC considers picking a symbolic number of returning officers from its own staff The Election Commission on October 27 released the list of 42,761 polling stations throughout the country for the 13th parliamentary election, raising the number by around 611 from what was in the 2024 national election.

The Election Commission (EC) is considering appointing a symbolic number of returning officers (ROs) from its own officials—alongside Deputy Commissioners—for the first time in a parliamentary election in Bangladesh. The Commission has begun preparing a list of qualified senior officials, primarily regional election officers and senior district election officers, with the intention of appointing a small number of ROs from within the EC during the upcoming national election and referendum, likely to be held in a single day in February, 2026, officials said. Election experts have welcomed the move, describing it as a positive step towards strengthening the Commission’s control over the electoral process. Election Commissioner Md Anwarul Islam Sarker hinted that the Commission may appoint some ROs from its own staff in the 13th parliamentary election if suitable officers are found. Read more: EC urges caution against creating confusion over election schedule, voting date “If we find fitted persons among them, they might be made returning officers,” he told UNB on Thursday. The Election Commissioner, however, said no decision has been taken yet in this regard. Although EC officials have previously served as ROs in various local government elections—city corporations, upazilas, municipalities and union parishads—they have never been appointed to the role in a national election or by-election. Former commissions argued that EC officials lack full control over the entire local administration including magistrates, different service officers and law enforcement agency members, which is a barrier for them to conduct a peaceful and fair parliamentary election. BNP has recently demanded the appointment of ROs and assistant returning offices (AROs) from the EC officers. Several political parties, civil society members and EC officers themselves have also long been urging the Commission to appoint ROs from among EC officials. Besides, the Electoral System Reform Commission formed by the current interim government recommended the EC’s own staff shall be prioratised in appointment of ROs and AROs in the election. If there is no adequate number of EC’s staff to perform such duty, then appointment shall be made from the administration and other cadre services, the Reform Commission’s report recommended. BNP places 3 fresh proposals before EC, raises no objection to election schedule Chief of Electoral System Reform Commission Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar told UNB that the move to appoint some ROs from their own staff would be a positive initiative, noting that the Commission often distances itself from responsibility for flawed elections. “The Commission usually says returning officers—not they—are liable for a bad election. If the returning officers are chosen from their own staff, the Commission will no longer be able to shift the blame,” he said. According to the Article 7 of the Representation of the People Order 1972, the Commission shall appoint a Returning Officer for each constituency for the purpose of election of a member for that constituency; and a person may be appointed as Returning Officer for two or more constituencies. The RPO Article also states that the Commission may appoint as many Assistant Returning Officers as may be necessary but provided that no Assistant Returning Officer shall be appointed for more than one constituency. On November 19 last, a BNP delegation headed by its Standing Committee member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan at the EC’s pre-election dialogue demanded the Election Commission to appoint returning officers (ROs) and assistant returning officers (AROs) from the EC’s own staff in the elections to bring a positive change in the country’s politics. “If you show courage once to take a decision that the returning officers and assistant returning officers would be appointed from the dedicated persons of your election commission, Bangladesh would witness a qualitative change in its politics,” said Dr Moyeen Khan in the dialogue. Read more: Over 156,000 Bangladeshi expats registered so far to vote The EC usually appoints a returning officer for all the constituencies in a district with some exceptions.  In the last 12th parliamentary election held on January 7, 2024, a total of 66 returning officers were appointed for the country’s 300 constituencies – one RO for each 62 district and two ROs each for Dhaka and Chattogram districts. Deputy Commissioners were made ROs for 62 districts, while respective Divisional Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner for the constituencies in Dhaka and Chattogram districts at that time.  The RPO article also defined the duty of ROs stating that it shall be the duty of a Returning Officer to do all such acts and things as may be necessary for effectively conducting an election in accordance with the provisions of this RPO and the electoral rules. The RPO article 7(4) also states “Subject to the superintendance, direction, and control of the Commission, the Returning Officer shall supervise all works in the district [or constituency] in connection with the conduct of elections and shall also perform such other duties and functions as may be entrusted to him by the Commission. Read more: BNP places 3 fresh proposals before EC, raises no objection to election schedule

BNP on Thursday (December 04) placed three new election-related proposals before the Election Commission (EC) and said it has no objection to the EC announcing the election schedule in time. A three-member BNP delegation led by Standing Committee Member Nazrul Islam Khan met Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin at the EC headquarters in Agargaon. Talking to reporters after the nearly 90-minute meeting, Nazrul said BNP is not in favour the deferment of the national election unless there are unavoidable circumstances. “Therefore, BNP has no objection if the EC declares the poll schedule within its stipulated timeline.” BNP announces 36 more possible candidates for national election  Asked whether Khaleda Zia’s illness might affect the election, Nazrul said, “We expect she will recover and return to us soon, and be able to participate in election-related activities.” Regarding Tarique Rahman’s voter status, he said, “He is a Bangladeshi citizen. There is no barrier to him becoming a voter. The Commission can enrol him anytime it wishes.” Nazrul said the BNP proposed increasing the number of polling booths, marking places, and ballot seals for the upcoming 13th national election. “We want every voter in the country to have the opportunity to cast their vote. The number of voters has increased significantly compared to the previous election, so we made this proposal. This time, a national referendum will be held alongside the parliamentary election, which will add additional pressure. The Commission will give its decision on Sunday,” he said. BNP also urged the EC to allow expatriate Bangladeshis without National ID cards to register as voters using their passports. “If needed, the Commission can verify passports. Many expatriates do not have NIDs. They should be given the opportunity to register with their passports,” Nazrul noted. Khaleda led from the streets, not from palaces: Moyeen Khan To ensure transparency in the election, BNP reiterated its objection to printing ballot papers at any non-government institution. “At present, ballot papers are printed at three government facilities. BNP insists that no private institution be given this responsibility,” he said. The other members of the BNP delegation were Ismail Jabiuallah, member of the party’s EC-related committee and former secretary, and Md Zakaria, former election commissioner and BNP EC-related committee member. BNP to shift investment focus from megaprojects to grassroots: Amir Khosru

Election Commissioner Brig Gen (retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah on Wednesday (December 03) said each voter would take an average of three minutes and 52 seconds to cast their vote but rejected increasing polling centres for the next election. Sanaullah made the remarks while addressing the inaugural session of a daylong journalist training programme at Agargaon, Dhaka ahead of the national election. Highlighting the importance of the election, he said, “The upcoming election is going to set the tone for what kind of country and democratic journey we want in the future.”   Read more: EU preparing large observer mission for Bangladesh election: Miller Seeking cooperation from all in holding an acceptable election, Sanaullah said the election system has been heavily damaged and they are trying to repair it. For the nation’s sake, he said, all must ensure a good election and everyone must responsibly play their part. To prevent fake journalists from entering polling areas with bogus cards, the election commission is going to initiate a QR‑code system, Sanaullah added.   Read more: Over 156,000 Bangladeshi expats registered so far to vote

The Election Commission on Thursday (November 27) provided law enforcement agencies with detailed deployment plans for engaging their personnel during the upcoming national election, expected to be held in early February 2026. “We’ve provided the outline of the deployment plan—now the respective forces will prepare the detailed version. Whether they will deploy their teams as static, reserve, or striking forces at the polling stations is entirely up to them. How many personnel will be deployed and for how many days—that will be determined by the Home Ministry,” EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said on Thursday. He said this while briefing reporters after the commission’s meeting with law enforcement agencies, including the armed forces, held at Nirbachan Bhaban in the city. BD Election Security Plan: EC begins 2-phase talks with law enforcers Top representatives from three armed forces – Army, Navy and Air Force– as well as the Home Affairs Ministry, Police, RAB, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Coast Guard, Ansar and VDP, the Armed Forces Division, DGFI, NSI, NTMC, SB and CID attended the meeting. The meeting was held with Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin in the chair, focusing on the deployment of security personnel, maintaining the law and order during the election, providing the security to election officials, election materials and polling stations, recovery of illegal arms and removal of illegal campaign materials like posters. The EC Senior Secretary said the Commission does not have its own security force, rather it relies on the coordinated efforts of law enforcement agencies during the elections. “They (law enforcement agencies) have assured us that they will start working in the field from day one and will play an effective role,” he said. Responding to a question about the armed forces’ magistracy power, currently in effect, Akhtar Ahmed said the armed forces are now under the definition of law enforcement agencies. “Their (armed forces’s magistracy power will remain valid until February 2026,” he said. Bangladesh election: Voter registration in KSA, 6 other countries suspended When asked whether this magistracy power (with magistrates and the armed forces) might conflict with the legal framework after the announcement of the election schedule, he replied, “I don’t see anything contradictory here.” Raising the details of the deployment outline, he said the plan is divided into three major components - static deployment for security personnel to be stationed at polling stations; installation of both static and mobile checkposts at various points and deployment of patrolling teams depending on geographical locations and access roads; and forming a central reserve force “There will also be a central reserve force. So essentially, three components—static, mobile and central reserve. These will be prepared in advance based on the guidelines we’ve provided,” he said adding now the respective forces will design their arrangements. He said that what is conventionally referred to as the striking force will also fall under these three components, aimed at ensuring mobility, deterrence and effective response according to the situation. Bangladesh Election: Expat voters can register anytime from any region to vote “We will also utilise NTMC’s capabilities. Cybersecurity issues will be closely monitored,” said the EC Secretary. Talking further on the security plan, he said “Actually it is our strategic plan.”

The Election Commission (EC) on Thursday morning (November 27) started its second phase meeting with law enforcement agencies including armed forces in a bid to finalise the security men deployment strategy during the upcoming national election and referendum to be held in February 2026. The meeting began with Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin in the chair at the Nirbachan Bhaban in the city. Top representatives from three armed forces – Army, Navy and Air Force– as well as the Home Affairs Ministry, Police, RAB, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Coast Guard, Ansar and VDP, the Armed Forces Division, DGFI, NSI, NTMC, SB and CID attended the meeting. Read more: Everything will be fine before the voting day: CEC over law and order The meeting is being held focusing on the deployment of security personnel, maintaining the law and order during the election, providing the security to election officials, election materials and polling stations, recovery of illegal arms and removal of illegal campaign materials like posters l. About the election-time security, CEC AMM Nasir Uddin at an event on Wednesday said the law and order situation will continue to improve and everything will be in order before the voting day. “It will improve gradually. As the polling day approaches, you will see everything will fall in line. Everything will be fine,” he told reporters, replying to a question after inspecting an election-related training and mock exercise organised by BGB at Pilkhana in the capital. The CEC said, “I won’t say the law and order situation has reached a perfect level. You saw what the situation was on August 5, 2024. Now compare it with the current situation….. So, it will improve further, gradually.” About the security meeting, he said the Election Commission will sit again with law enforcement agencies over specific proposals. “The development strategy will be finalised there,” he said. Nasir Uddin said law enforcement agencies are being deployed on the field with maximum preparedness to ensure a free, peaceful and neutral election. Read more: Motivate voters to go to polling stations: CEC to political leaders Earlier on October 20 last, the held its first security meeting with law enforcement agencies in a bid to conduct the 13th parliamentary election in free, participatory and fair manners. The Election Commission will also hold a coordination meeting with the heads of various ministries, departments and authorities on November 30 as part of the preparatory activities for the upcoming general election. The Cabinet Secretary, Bangladesh Bank Governor, Senior Secretaries of the Home Affairs Ministry, the Public Administration Ministry, the Shipping Ministry and the Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Ministry, Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division, Foreign Secretary are among the 34 invitees for the coordination meeting on November 30. 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 is likely to announce the schedule in early December for holding the next general election in early February 2026. Read more: Don’t hire politically linked election observers: CEC Nasir

Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey on Monday (November 24) reaffirmed support for the Bangladeshi people’s aspirations for an "inclusive, just and prosperous" future for all Botchwey met Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna and discussed the country’s national transition and the Commonwealth’s role in supporting the people’s democratic expectations. "During our meeting, we discussed Bangladesh’s national journey and our renewed partnership to support the Bangladeshi people’s aspirations for an inclusive, just and prosperous future for all," she said after the meeting. The Secretary-General said she is grateful to the Chief Adviser of the interim government and the people of Bangladesh for their generous hospitality. The Chief Adviser sought the Commonwealth’s full support for holding the upcoming general election, scheduled for the first half of February. “We need your support in our democratic transition as well as in the upcoming general election,” he said during the meeting. The Chief Adviser thanked the Secretary-General for her strong interest in Bangladesh’s forthcoming election process. He reaffirmed the Interim Government's commitment to holding a free, fair, credible, and festive election. In response, the Secretary-General assured the Chief Adviser of the Commonwealth’s full support for Bangladesh’s election and the post-election transition, said the Chief Adviser’s press wing. “There are vast resources within the Commonwealth—56 countries, including members of the G7 and G20"—that Bangladesh could draw on to strengthen one another, she said. The Secretary-General added that she had held meetings with a wide range of stakeholders, including the Chief Justice, the Law Adviser, Foreign Affairs Adviser and the Chief Election Commissioner, noting, “I’m very hopeful about the future of the country.” She also confirmed that the Commonwealth is preparing to deploy several observer teams ahead of the elections. The two leaders also discussed youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, creating more social businesses and advancing the three-zero vision aimed at reducing unemployment, carbon emissions, and inequality. She also met Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. "We discussed ways to deepen cooperation at the national and international levels in our shared efforts to improve the lives of all Bangladeshi people," said the Secretary-General after her meeting with Foreign Adviser Hossain. Read more: Jatiya Party meets Commonwealth delegation in Dhaka Her first official visit to Bangladesh came ahead of the general election in the country expected to be held in February 2026. On Sunday, Botchwey said their Commonwealth family remains firmly committed to the people of Bangladesh. “I had fruitful discussions with Dhaka-based High Commissioners on how the Commonwealth can continue supporting Bangladesh to advance the values of the Commonwealth Charter for the benefit of its people,” she said on Sunday commenting on the meeting. Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma, British High Commissioner Sarah Cooke, Canadian High Commissioner Ajit Singh, Malaysian High Commissioner Mohd Shuhada Othman, Pakistan High Commissioner Imran Haider, Sri Lankan High Commissioner Dharmapala Weerakkody, High Commissioner of Maldives Shiuneen Rasheed, among others, joined the meeting. The Commonwealth Secretary-General also met Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin and thanked him for updating me on preparations for the upcoming general election. “We discussed the importance of an inclusive and credible process, and how the Commonwealth can support in facilitating the full participation of all Bangladeshis,” she said. She met all major Bangladeshi political parties. "I valued hearing their views for a peaceful, credible and participatory election, as reflected in our Commonwealth Charter," Botchwey said. The Secretary-General said they will always stand with and support Bangladesh on its democratic journey. During her meeting with Chief Justice of Bangladesh Dr Syed Refaat Ahmed, the Commonwealth Secretary-General appreciated his reflections on the rule of law and judicial independence – values central to their Commonwealth Charter – and on the judiciary’s role in contributing to inclusive governance under a democratic dispensation. “The Commonwealth will support Bangladesh to build the capacity of its judiciary and benefit from best practices from our family of nations,” she said. Her first meeting in Bangladesh was with youth leaders. “I was moved by their passion as they spoke about this moment of transition and their expectations for a democracy that works for all, for a future they are working hard to shape.” Read more: Bhutanese PM leaves Dhaka after 2-day state visit Botchwey said the Commonwealth will always work alongside their young people to build a just and prosperous future for all. The Commonwealth Secretary-General is listening to a wide range of stakeholders and discussing how the Commonwealth can continue to support the people of Bangladesh at this important moment and beyond. During the engagements, the Secretary-General is briefing stakeholders on the Commonwealth’s new Strategic Plan – which places democracy among its three core pillars – and listens to how tailored support can best assist the people of Bangladesh. Speaking ahead of her visit, Shirley Botchwey described Bangladesh as a valued member of the Commonwealth, noting that it was the first intergovernmental organisation the country joined soon after independence. “The Commonwealth and Bangladesh have a strong partnership, one that matters even more now as the country heads towards the polls next year,” she said.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday (November 18) said a record number of young people would cast their first ballots in the upcoming national election, as they had been unable to vote in the three rigged general elections held under the previous autocratic regime. He said the Awami League would not be able to participate in the election because its activities have been banned and its registration has been suspended by the Election Commission. “It is a historic moment for all of us. The young people who filled the walls of Dhaka and other cities with graffiti and drawings during the uprising will now come to vote,” the Chief Adviser said when Dutch Vice-Minister for International Cooperation Pascalle Grotenhuis called on him at the State Guest House Jamuna. They discussed Bangladesh’s democratic transition. The Chief Adviser reaffirmed his government’s commitment to holding a ‘free, fair, credible and festive’ election in the first half of February. During the meeting, they discussed expanding cooperation in a range of areas, including agriculture, trade and investment, technology, youth development, and the potential of a social business fund for young and women entrepreneurs. Bangladesh Election: EC to launch mobile app for postal balloting Tuesday The visiting Dutch Vice Minister praised Bangladesh’s election preparations, noting that the interim government had only a few months to get ready for the vote. Pascalle Grotenhuis also commended Bangladesh’s newly enacted labour laws, saying they would help attract more Dutch and European investment. The sweeping reforms, approved by the cabinet earlier this month, were signed into law by the President on Monday. She said the Netherlands plans to sign a Memorandum of Understanding on Public-Private Partnership with Bangladesh’s investment authorities, said the Chief Adviser’s press wing. She expressed hope that the MoU would be signed soon, paving the way for increased Dutch investment in Bangladesh. It’s an election to save country, work with honesty, Prof Yunus asks DCs “For 50 years, Bangladesh and the Netherlands were development partners. Now we want to transform this into an equitable partnership in politics, trade, and investment,” she said. The minister added that Dutch companies that have long purchased goods from Dhaka are now looking to invest and become working partners in Bangladesh.

The Election Commission (EC) has announced a ‘Jihad’ (all-out war) to hold a free and fair election as the future of the country depends on the polls, said EC Commissioner Md. Anwarul Islam Sarker. Speaking at a daylong workshop titled ‘Identifying Challenges and Solutions for Polling Officials in the Election Process,” at BARD in Cumilla on Monday (10th November 2025), he assured all not to be afraid about the upcoming elections. “The 180 million people of our country expect a good election. We have faced many shameful moments in the past, but this time we must erase that stigma and deliver an acceptable and beautiful election,” the election commissioner asserted. Setting aside all speculations about the election schedule, he said only 80 to 90 days are left to go for the election, and if anyone now doubts whether the election will be held, that is a misconception. The election will be held in due time and it will be participatory and transparent, he asserted. Don’t test patience of July revolutionaries: Press Secretary to AL supporters Urging election officials to play a neutral role during the polls, he said, “Gaining the trust of the people is our greatest achievement. Perform your duties fearlessly and impartially—the nation stands with you.” EC Joint Secretary Md. Abdul Halim Khan, Cumilla Deputy Commissioner Md. Amirul Kaiser, Superintendent of Police Mohammad Nazir Ahmed Khan, and Project Director Muhammad Mostafa Hasan of the CBTEP project under the Election Commission Secretariat participated in the event. Speakers stressed the importance of every polling official performing their duties responsibly, as polling stations reflect the essence of democracy. District and Upazila-level election officials discussed potential challenges in the field and ways to overcome them. Read more: Effective election management foundation of credible democracy: CEC

Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin on Monday said the Election Commission is making full preparations to hold the national election whenever the government desires as the commission does not want to face any blame regarding its electoral readiness. “We will make preparations to deliver whenever the government wants. We are not willing to accept any kind of blame. I have told her (US Chargé d'Affaires),” he said after a meeting with Tracey Ann Jacobson , the Chargé d'Affaires at the US Embassy in Dhaka, at Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital. PR system possible if only law is amended: CEC Nasir The CEC said the EC will ensure it is fully prepared so that no one can blame that the commission is unprepared or that its preparations are insufficient. In a bid to avoid any blame on his commission, the CEC said the EC will be fully prepared so that no one can say that the EC is not prepared about the election, has lack in preparation or its preparation is not sufficient. Talking about the election-time law and order situation, he said the political parties will come to a position in this regard considering the interests of the country. “I believe that our political parties will put the interests of the country above all else and our political parties will work in the interests of the country, thinking about the country. At the end, you will see that they (political parties) will come to a position,” said Nasir Uddin. Addressing concerns about mob violence, the CEC said those seeking to incite unrest will find no opportunity, as Dhaka city is expected to be almost deserted during polling day, with voters traveling to the 300 constituencies across the country. “During elections, the city becomes largely empty as people go to their constituencies. Those who intend to create mob violence will not find the chance, based on our experience,” he added. About mob-violence, the CEC said the elections will be held in 300 constituencies in a single day. Those who want to incite mob violence would not get scope to create so (on the voting day) as Dhaka city will be largely empty (deserted) with the voters traveling to the 300 constituencies across the country.   During the meeting, Tracey Ann Jacobson was accompanied by David Moo (Political Chief at the embassy) and Firoze Ahmed (Political Specialist).