United News of Bangladesh

Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin on Wednesday (November 19) urged leaders of political parties to motivate the country’s voters to go to the polling stations during national election. “Over the last 10 to 15 years, our country’s voters have gradually become reluctant to go to the polling centres. You are the national leaders and political leaders. The people at the grassroots are directly influenced by you. I request you to motivate the voters to go to the centres,” he said while addressing a pre-election dialogue at Nirbachan Bhaban in the city. Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, National Citizen Party (NCP) and several other political parties joined the discussion which began at 10:30am with the CEC in the chair. Pointing to the political parties, the Chief Election Commissioner said he expects them to play their due role in ensuring that their candidates fully comply with the electoral code of conduct in the upcoming national election. “You have a role to ensure that your candidates follow the code of conduct. We hope you to play this expected role,” he added. Read more: Bangladesh Election: CEC urges stakeholders to help ensure voter safety Nasir Uddin said the Election Commission with the help of the political parties and other stakeholders would deliver a good election for the nation. The Jamaat delegation led by its Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar participated in the talks while the NCP team led by its Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary attended it. The other invited political parties for the morning session are Ganosamhati Andolan, Nationalist Democratic Movement-NDM, Bangladesh Labour Party, Bangladesh Minority Janata Party-BMJP and Insaniat Biplab Bangladesh. The Commission is holding another discussion on Wednesday afternoon with BNP and five other parties. Read more: Home Adviser signals zero tolerance on unrest as election in February The five other invitees are Bangladesh Jatiya Party-BJP (Andaleev), Gonaodhikar Parishad, Nagorik Oikya, Bangladesh Republican Party-BRP and Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal-Basad Marxist. The Election Commission opened its pre-election dialogue with registered political parties on November 13 last and has already held talks with 34 parties. Currently, there are 55 registered political parties, excluding the Awami League whose registration remains suspended.  The ongoing dialogue is considered as the last major task before the announcement of the national election schedule in early December. 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 the representatives of teachers, senior journalists from different media outlets, election experts and election observers. Read more: Working with a clear commitment to create fair election atmosphere: CEC

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islam, National Citizen Party (NCP) and other political parties joined the Election Commission’s dialogue on Wednesday morning (November 19) as part of its ongoing dialogue ahead of the next general election to be held in February 2026. The discussion began at 10:40am in the city's Nirbachan Bhaban with Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin in the chair. The Jamaat delegation led by its Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar participated in the talks while the NCP team led by its Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary attended it. The other invited political parties for the morning session are Ganosamhati Andolan, Nationalist Democratic Movement-NDM, Bangladesh Labour Party, Bangladesh Minority Janata Party-BMJP and Insaniat Biplab Bangladesh. The Commission is holding two discussions on Wednesday – the morning session with seven parties and the afternoon session with six other political parties including BNP. Read more: Pre-election Dialogue: EC set to welcome Big Three parties on Wednesday The other invitees for the afternoon session include Bangladesh Jatiya Party-BJP (Andaleev), Gonaodhikar Parishad, Nagorik Oikya, Bangladesh Republican Party-BRP and Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal-Basad Marxist.

National Citizens Party (NCP) wants to form an alliance with those who independently support reforms and oppose Indian hegemony, said party’s chief coordinator for the southern region Hasnat Abdullah on Tuesday (11th November 2025). Speaking at the inauguration of the Narayanganj district office of the NCP at the Somobay Building in the city, Hasnat said, “We are ready to join hands with those who independently stand for reforms.” “We can form alliances with those who support reforms, stand for Bangladesh, oppose Indian dominance, and uphold communal harmony,” he added. Hasnat, however, made it clear that the NCP would not align with any group or party that has opposed reforms or obstructed the country’s reform process. “The NCP has always made sacrifices in the greater interest of the nation,” he said. Cocktail explosion near NCP office in Banglamotor, 5 detained Calling the Awami League “irrelevant” in today’s Bangladesh, Hasnat remarked, “The Awami League has become irrelevant now. We need to look ahead. But we’ve seen that some paid intellectuals and beneficiaries of the Awami League have tried to generate legitimacy for the party through talk shows.” He said recent events have made it clear who were behind the acts of arson both in the past and the present. “The fall of the Awami League did not come through ballots; it came through a mass uprising. When a party falls through a popular uprising, it loses its political relevance. Those who are now trying to restore the Awami League’s legitimacy through ballots are, in fact, legitimising arson terrorism. That’s why unity among all anti-fascist political forces is the only way forward,” the NCP leader added. Read more: NCP’s candidate list on Nov 15; likely to skip Khaleda’s constituencies

National Citizen Party (NCP) is unlikely to field candidates in the three constituencies where BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia is expected to contest in the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election, said party Convener Nahid Islam. “We may not nominate any candidate out of respect for those, including Khaleda Zia, who played a role in the country’s July movements,” Nahid told reporters on Wednesday while visiting the family of late freedom fighter Gazi Salahuddin in Godnail, Narayanganj. Read more: NCP to field candidates in all 300 seats: Nahid Nahid said the NCP’s preliminary list of candidates will be announced by November 15, as the party is preparing to contest the election independently and has already completed groundwork to nominate candidates in all other constituencies. “In today’s politics, those with muscle power, black money, and local godfather influence dominate elections. But the NCP will challenge that toxic culture,” Nahid said, emphasising that his party wants honest, hardworking individuals to represent ordinary citizens in Parliament. Regarding possible alliances, Nahid said any coalition would have to be based on ideological alignment. “If any party supports our reform proposals under the July Charter, we may consider forming an alliance,” he added. Read more: Abbas fears interim govt may use illegal means to secure win for Jamaat, NCP

The National Citizen Party (NCP) will contest the upcoming national election with the 'Shapla Kali' symbol and plans to field candidates in all 300 constituencies, said its convener Nahid Islam. In a video message to the nation on Tuesday (4th November 2025) night, Nahid said the party expects to finalise its list of candidates within November. “We have submitted all necessary documents to the Election Commission in June for registration, but the commission delayed in approving our desired symbol ‘Shapla’,” he said. “After months of back-and-forth with the Election Commission, NCP finally obtained the ‘Shapla Kali’ symbol,” he added. Read more: NCP among three parties set to get EC’s registration Nahid said the party has continued working for the people throughout the period, reaching out to communities through its July campaign and gaining strong public response. “We’ve built public opinion across the country in favour of reform and continue to speak for justice,” he said. Confirming preparations for the parliamentary election expected in February, Nahid said, “We are ready for the election. Inshallah, we’ll field candidates in all 300 seats under the ‘Shapla Kali’ symbol.” Calling upon new faces to join the party, Nahid said NCP welcomes everyone who wishes to engage in honest politics and rebuild Bangladesh. Read more: Abbas fears interim govt may use illegal means to secure win for Jamaat, NCP “We will nominate competent, honest, and patriotic candidates in every constituency,” he said, expressing hope that the public support the party has earned will be reflected in the election results.

BNP senior leader Mirza Abbas on Tuesday (4th November 2025) voiced deep concern that the interim government might resort to ‘unlawful means’ to secure victories for the two parties it now relies on — Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizen Party (NCP). “The way this government is acting, it’s clear they have no strength of their own. This government survives by leaning towards two parties — one is a party they themselves created and the other is an old one,” he said while addressing a discussion and doa and milad mahfil. Abbas, a member of the BNP Standing Committee, said the interim government does whatever these two parties tell it to do. “The latest proof is the (allocation of the NCP’s) election symbol. The government must do whatever they say. Who are these people? Where did they come from? What is their popular base? Do they have any support anywhere in Bangladesh?” he said. The BNP leader also said that if an election had been held, it would have become clear how many votes each side would receive. Fakhrul asks BNP leaders left out of candidate list to stay loyal “I am deeply worried that the government may resort to illegal means to ensure the victory of these parties. Just like the previous Awami League government that held midnight voting instead of daytime voting, this government may also indulge in any such acts,” he said. Dhaka South City unit BNP organised the programme at Nayapaltan Ananda Community Centre, marking the 6th death anniversary of former BNP Vice Chairman and the last mayor of undivided Dhaka city Sadeque Hossain Khoka. In an oblique reference to Jamaat, Abbas questioned whom the citizens of this country do not consider necessary, and are now making such long speeches. “Those who never wanted Bangladesh in the first place now want to rule it. I simply can’t understand that.” He said this party opposed the creation of Pakistan in 1947, opposed Bangladesh in 1971, and in 1996 and several other times spoke against the interests of the people. “Yet, they are now talking big. The BNP leader also accused Jamaat of trying to divide the nation by using religion in politics. “We will not let the nation be divided. But there is a section of people who want to split the nation for their own gain.” He said those who want to divide the nation also want to bring back the Awami fascist force that ruined the country. “The people of Bangladesh will never allow that to happen.” “Look closely, and you’ll see they are so excited because they assume they will get the Awami League’s votes. But that is not true. The people loyal to the Awami League will not vote for anyone else. They will vote for a patriotic party,” Abbas said. He lamented that the country is now in a terrible state for lack of good governance. "Who owns the country? Who runs it? It feels as if the country has no owner — no one is looking after it. Everyone is just busy talking about reform, reform, and reform! But what exactly are you reforming? I don’t understand that,” the BNP leader said. Election uncertainty may endanger democratic transition: Tarique He said many people are now coming to Dhaka in search of work due to rising unemployment across the country, making it difficult for pedestrians to even walk on the footpaths because of the huge crowds. The BNP leader said many people have set up shops on the pavements, causing problems for ordinary citizens. “If you pay attention — when you drive or take a bus — you’ll see there are now lots of battery-run rickshaws everywhere. These people are unemployed and looking for work, so they have turned to this.” Abbas said the interim government has no initiative to solve the problems of unemployed people in the country. “Instead, they have turned everything upside down, creating opportunities for a section of people to plunder the country. A new class is now thinking only of looting and destroying the nation.” He said those who never dared to raise their heads before are now speaking arrogantly. “Where did they get this boldness and power from?” About BNP’s announcement of 237 candidates for the upcoming national election, Abbas said many capable aspirants could not be nominated because of the presence of several similar candidates. He said those who did not get nomination are naturally disappointed, but urged everyone to work together to ensure the victory of the party’s candidates. Read more: NCP among three parties set to get EC’s registration

The Election Commission has decided to award registration to three political parties, including the National Citizen Party (NCP), said EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed on Tuesday (4th November 2025). The two other parties are Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (Marxist) and Bangladesh Aamjanagan Party. “We’ve verified the authenticity of their documents submitted with the registration applications. The Commission considered that these three parties are eligible for registration,” he told reporters at Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital. A public notification will be published in newspapers regarding the registration of these parties on Wednesday, the EC Secretary added. A public notification will be published in newspapers on Wednesday inviting objections, if any, against the registration of the parties, the EC Secretary added. Earlier on September 30 last, the EC Secretary said the two parties – National Citizen Party-NCP and Bangladesh Jatiya League – preliminarily met the registration conditions. The applications of 12 other parties are under further review. Read more: NCP forms 10-member Election Steering Committee led by Nasiruddin Patwary Meanwhile, Bangladesh Jatiya League was dropped from the list of eligible parties. On March 10, 2025 the Commission invited applications from the new political parties by April 20 next to get registered ahead of the 13th parliamentary election. The EC received applications from 143 parties seeking registration within the extended deadline of June 22 last. After scrutiny, 22 parties were shortlisted for field-level inquiries to verify the authenticity of their claims of fulfillment of registration conditions. A total of 57 parties have so far obtained registration, but five of them—Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Freedom Party, Oikyabodha Nagorik Andolan, PDP and Jatiya Ganatantrik Party (Jagpa)—later lost their status due to different grounds and court orders. But Jamaat and Jagpa got back their registration following the court orders. Besides, the registration of Awami League remains suspended. Read more: Abbas fears interim govt may use illegal means to secure win for Jamaat, NCP 

The National Citizen Party (NCP) has announced a 10-member Election Steering Committee, naming its Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary as the head. The announcement came through a press release signed by NCP Convener Nahid Islam and Member Secretary Akhter Hossen, issued on Monday (3rd November 2025) night. Dr Tasnim Jara, the party’s Senior Joint Member Secretary, has been appointed as the committee’s secretary. Read more: BNP announces possible candidates for 237 constituencies Other members of the committee include Senior Joint Convener Ariful Islam Adib; Joint Conveners Mahbub Alam Mahir, Khaled Saifullah, and Ehtesham Haque; Joint Member Secretaries Advocate Abdullah Al Amin, Alauddin Mohammad, Advocate Zahirul Islam Musa, and Advocate Humayra Noor; Joint Chief Organiser (Northern Region) Saifullah Haidar; and Joint Chief Coordinator and National Youth Force Convener Advocate Md Tarikul Islam. According to the media  release, the committee will oversee NCP’s overall preparation and planning for the 2026 national election, covering areas such as candidate selection, field coordination, legal and administrative affairs, media and publicity, and training and monitoring activities. Read more: JnUCSU Election: Student bodies move to form ‘inclusive panels’

Top leaders of the National Citizen Party (NCP) have said they will not compromise on their demand for the ‘Shapla’ (water lily) as their electoral symbol, rejecting the Election Commission’s newly offered ‘Shapla Kali’ (water lily bud). “The Election Commission has given us the ‘Shapla Kali’ symbol in the new gazette. We fail to understand the rationale behind this decision. However, when it comes to the matter of ‘Shapla’, we remain uncompromising,” NCP Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary said while addressing a seminar at the party’s temporary office in the capital’s Bangla Motor area on Thursday evening. Jatiya Juboshakti, the youth wing of the party, organised the seminar titled ‘Implementation of the July Charter and the Path to the National Election’. The party had long been pressing for the ‘Shapla’ symbol, but the Election Commission (EC) earlier said it could not allocate it since it was not listed among the approved symbols. However, in a new gazette published on Thursday, the EC included ‘Shapla Kali’ in its updated list of electoral symbols. The gazette, signed by EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed, announced the revised list of symbols for registered political parties and independent candidates, adding and removing several options including ‘Shapla Kali’. Reacting to the development, NCP Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary said the party would not accept the proposed ‘Shapla Kali’ symbol under any circumstances. Patwary said, “The Commission must issue a new gazette incorporating the ‘Shapla’ symbol. We want to participate in the election peacefully, but if needed, we will launch a democratic movement at the EC office to secure it.” NCP Senior Joint Convener Samantha Sharmin alleged that the EC’s decision was discriminatory. “Without any legal reason, the Commission gazetted ‘Shapla Kali’ for us, as if we were a party of children. This is the same way major parties tend to undermine smaller ones — it’s a form of discrimination,” she said. Jatiya Juboshakti Convener Tariqul Islam also criticized the EC, saying, “The Election Commission is behaving like a feudal authority. This attitude is unacceptable. Only ‘Shapla’ will be NCP’s symbol.” Formed last year by student and youth leaders who led movements against the previous Awami League government, the NCP was recently deemed eligible for registration following an EC review. Since then, the party has been demanding the ‘Shapla’ as its electoral symbol. Earlier, Chief Election Commissioner A M M Nasir Uddin and other officials had expressed their inability to allocate the symbol. On September 23, EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed told reporters that NCP would not receive the ‘Shapla’ symbol as it was not included in the EC’s list of 115 approved symbols.

The Election Commission (EC) on Thursday released a revised list of 119 electoral symbols, incorporating ‘Water Lily Bud’ (Shapla Koli), a symbol sought by the National Citizen Party (NCP). According to the revised schedule, 20 new symbols have been added to the list, while 16 old ones have been dropped. Other newly included symbols are: Camel, Comb, Torchlight, Table Lamp, Tractor, Dressing Table, Lock, Double-decker Bus, Turban, Water Tap, Palanquin, Fruit Basket, Baby Taxi, Electric Bulb, Motorcycle, Staircase, Sunflower, Railway Engine, and Handshake. The dropped symbols are: Banana, Cot, Ostrich, Charger Light, Tiffin Carrier, Drum, Watermelon, Refrigerator, Flute, Bench, Brinjal, Balloon, Bottle Gourd, Conch Shell, Suitcase, and Flower Pot. Earlier, the EC had published a list of 115 symbols that did not include ‘Water Lily Bud’, despite repeated demands from NCP to allocate the symbol since the new party applied for registration.