United News of Bangladesh

The Election Commission on Monday (January 12, 2026) allowed 41 previously rejected aspirants to contest the February-12 national election after hearings, while a Jamaat candidate for Chattogram-9 was declared invalid and a BNP aspirant for Sherpur-2 was kept pending. But the EC as the Electoral Appeal Tribunal turned down the appeal petitions of 24 other aspirants, including Jamaat-e-Islami aspirant Dr AKM Fazlul Haque (Chattogram-9), while the petition of BNP aspirant Mohammad Fahim Chowdhury (Sherpur-2) was kept pending to be settled later. The Election Commission, chaired by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, heard the appeal petitions at Nirbachan Bhaban in the city on Monday. “The Commission granted 41 petitions, rejected 24 others, kept four petitions pending to be settled later, " said EC Director (PR) Ruhul Amin Mollik. Bangladesh Election: EU Chief Observer clarifies ‘inclusive, participatory’ meaning Besides, one petition filed by aspirant of Pabna-2 was postponed as the election to the constituency remains suspended and another petition filed by independent aspirant Shakila Farzana (Chattogram-5) was not pressed for hearing, while the petition of independent aspirant Shakila Farzana (Chattogram-5) was not pressed for hearing. With the 41 aspirants who got green lights on Monday, a total of 150 aspirants returned to the electoral race since the EC on Saturday started hearing the appeal petitions filed by aggrieved aspirants against the decisions of the returning officers over the acceptance and cancellation of nomination papers during the scrutiny. During the appeal hearing, one independent candidate SAK Ekramuzzaman lost his candidacy following an appeal filed by his rival in Brahmanbaria-1 constituency. Besides, 46 other invalid aspirants failed to return to the race as the EC rejected their appeal petitions in the three days. On Monday, the EC rejected the petition of Jamaat’s aspirant Dr AKM Fazlul Haque (Chattogram-9) on dual citizenship. With the decision, there is no Jamaat nominated candidate to run in the election from Chattogram-9 constituency. The Commission kept the petition of BNP aspirant Mohammad Fahim Chowdhury (Sherpur-2) pending to be settled on January 16. Saturday’s EC hearing brings 51 candidates back into election race In the constituency, two BNP aspirants – Mohammad Fahim Chowdhury and Md Elius Khan—submitted nomination papers, but both nomination papers were declared invalid by the returning officer during the scrutiny. In Sherpur-2, there are now two valid candidates – Jamaat’s Golam Kibria and Islami Andolan Bangladesh’s Abdullah Al Kayes. The 41 aspirants who returned to the race on Monday include three Jatiya Party aspirants Mohammad Mamunur Rashid (Tangail-6), AKM Fazlul Haque (Jamalpur-1) and Abdur Rashid (Satkhira-4), four AB Party aspirants Abdul Baset (Rangpur-5), Kefayet Hossain (Lakshmipur-2), Abdur Rahman (Chattogram-7) and Muhammad Rafiqul Islam (Manikganj-3), NCP aspirant Sohel Rana (Meherpur-1). The rejected 24 aspirants include Jatiya Party nominated Mohammad Jahangir Alam (Sunamganj-5) and SM Abdul Mannan (Manikganj-2). The EC will hear and dispose of a total of 645 petitions by January 18, which were filed by aggrieved aspirants, challenging the decisions of the returning officers over the acceptance or cancellation of nomination papers. This time a majority of aspirants who challenged the rejection of their nomination papers have regained eligibility to contest the 13th parliamentary election, as the EC adopted a lenient approach towards minor errors and unintentional mistakes found in nomination documents and affidavits. A total of 2,568 aspirants submitted nomination papers to run the upcoming national election from the country’s 300 constituencies within the December-29 deadline. EC suspends Pabna-1, Pabna-2 elections until further court order The 69 returning officers- – two divisional commissioners (Dhaka and Chattogram), 64 district deputy commissioners and three regional election officers (Dhaka, Chattogram and Khulna)— declared 1,842 nomination papers valid, while 723 others invalid during the scrutiny from December 30 to January 04. Since BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia passed away, her three nomination papers submitted for three constituencies were not scrutinized. 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. According to the schedule, the late date for withdrawal of candidature is January 20. The election campaign will start on January 22 and continue till (7:30am on February 10) 48 hours before the balloting period.  

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam on Saturday (January 10, 2026) said police personnel deployed at high-risk polling centres during the next national election will be equipped with body-worn cameras to help prevent violence and ensure transparency. “There are around 24,000 risky polling centers across the country. Police personnel assigned to these centers will be provided with body-worn cameras so that no violence or chaos can occur. Through these cameras, everything can be monitored,” he said. The IGP made the remarks after attending a special welfare meeting with police officers and members of various units of the Rangpur Metropolitan Police and district police in the afternoon. The IGP also sought cooperation from the public in carrying out police duties effectively. EC to start disposing appeals against decisions on nomination papers Referring to the flow of arms, he said illegal weapons are being seized gradually, although it is not possible to recover all of them at once. Baharul Alam said police personnel across the Rangpur division remain fully committed to ensuring a free, fair, and festive election, noting that the Election Commission has taken initiatives to conduct the polls peacefully. “It is our responsibility to maintain stability and create a suitable environment for the elections. All members of the Rangpur Range and Rangpur Metropolitan Police are determined to ensure full security,” he added. He further said the police will not be working alone during the election. On polling day, around six lakh Ansar members will be deployed alongside police forces. In the pre-election period, members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and other defense forces are also assisting law enforcement. 645 appeals filed with EC against decisions on nomination papers Besides, the Border Guard, Coast Guard, and Navy are working in coastal areas to control criminal activities. Rangpur Range Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Aminul Islam, Rangpur Metropolitan Police Commissioner Majid Ali, superintendents of police from eight districts of the division, and other senior police officials were present at the event.

In a boost for their hopes ahead of Bangladesh’s national election, 51 aspirants regained their candidacies on Saturday (January 10, 2026), including independent candidate Tasnim Jara from Dhaka-9 and Jamaat-e-Islami’s AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad from Cox’s Bazar-2. The Election Commission, led by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, declared them valid candidates, hearing the appeal petitions filed by them, at Nirbachan Bhaban in the city’s Agargaon area. “A total of 52 appeal petitions were accepted, while 15 other rejected and the rest three ones remain pending,” said EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed after the first-day hearing of the petitions filed by aggrieved aspirants against the decisions of the returning officers over the nomination papers. Among the 52 granted petitions, one appeal was submitted by a BNP candidate for Brahmanbaria-1 MA Hannan, challenging the acceptance of the nomination paper of an independent candidate in his constituency. Read more: Tasnim Jara regains candidacy in appeal for Dhaka-9 With the EC’s decision, independent candidate SAK Ekramuzzaman lost his candidature. 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 against the cancellation of nomination papers during the scrutiny. The Election Commission will hear and dispose of all the petitions by January 18. Tasnim Jara to seek ‘Football’ as electoral symbol: Regaining the candidature, Tasnim Jara in an instant reaction told reporters “The appeal I submitted to the Election Commission has been accepted. As an independent candidate for Dhaka-9, my nomination paper has been declared valid.” Describing the past week as a different experience, Tasnim Jara said she received overwhelming support and prayers from people both at home and abroad. “When I spoke to people on the streets, many expressed disappointment and pain, but also offered prayers (for me),” she said, thanking everyone involved in the struggle. The independent candidate said she would now apply for an election symbol. “As an independent candidate, we will apply for our preferred symbol — the football. The final decision will rest with the Election Commission,” she said, extending thanks to the EC for listening to their arguments. “Above all, we firmly believe that with public support we will be able to contest the upcoming election,” said Tasnim Jara. Earlier, 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 during the five-day nomination paper scrutiny from December 30 to January 04. During the scrutiny, the nomination paper of Tasnim Jara for Dhaka-9 was rejected on ground of inconsistency in the required 1% of voter signatures to qualify for nomination, while that of Hamidur Rahman candidate for Cox’s Bazar-2 (Maheshkhali-Kutubdia) was turned down due to case related issues. 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: Cox's Bazar-2: Jamaat’s Hamidur Rahman Azad gets candidacy back 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).

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).

A total of 1,533,682 voters have registered to cast their votes through postal ballots, as registration for postal voting ended on Monday, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said on Tuesday (January 06, 2026). “A total of 1,533,682 voters have registered for postal voting. Of them, 761,140 are from within the country, while 772,542 are members of the Bangladeshi diaspora,” he told reporters at a media briefing held at the Foreign Service Academy. Voters inside the country registered for postal ballots as they will be engaged in election duties and therefore unable to vote at their designated polling stations, he said. Alam said members of the Bangladeshi diaspora are participating in the postal voting process for the first time. Read more: Bangladesh Polls: 164 file appeals over nomination decisions in 2 days The Press Secretary said the country has witnessed an unprecedented response to its first-ever online postal ballot registration, marking a significant step toward inclusive and participatory elections, particularly for expatriate voters. Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus described the response as a ‘historic event’, Alam said. Noting that the global average inclusion rate for diaspora voting in countries with long-standing systems is 2.7 percent, Alam said Bangladesh has surpassed 5 percent participation in its very first year. He said the Election Commission’s postal voting model is now being closely observed by international stakeholders, including the European Union, UNDP, and several European countries. The Election Commission has stated that postal ballots will be sent out and cast starting January 21, once the final list of candidates is confirmed. The Chief Adviser emphasised that this initial experience will be crucial for expanding diaspora participation in future elections, Alam said, adding that with an estimated 1.5 crore Bangladeshis living abroad, the long-term goal is to ensure voting access for all eligible expatriates. Regarding government initiatives to raise public awareness about the polls, particularly the referendum, Alam said the ‘Super Caravan’ campaign began on December 20 with a convoy of 10 vehicles under the title ‘Vote’r Gari’. Citing an overwhelming public response, he said the number of vehicles will be increased from 10 to 30, and coverage will expand from 300 to 495 upazilas, including hard-to-reach island districts such as Bhola and Hatiya, where feasible. The newly added vehicles in the ‘Super Caravan’ will operate from January 9 to January 31 and will screen 30 television commercials (TVCs) related to the elections and the referendum, he added. Noting that the Election Commission’s preparations are progressing in full swing, Alam said training for 75 percent of security personnel, including police, Ansar, Coast Guard, and Border Guard Bangladesh, has already been completed, with the remaining training to conclude soon. “We hope all concerned will remain fully prepared for voting,” he said, adding that training on CCTV monitoring and body-worn cameras is underway and expected to be completed by January 31. To ensure rapid responses to any election-related disruptions, the Ministry of Home Affairs is developing a dedicated mobile app that will allow incidents of violence or irregularities to be reported instantly from anywhere in the country. Monitoring control rooms will be established at the upazila, district, and divisional levels, along with a central control room in Dhaka, he added. Alam said that Religious Affairs Adviser Dr AFM Khalid Hossain informed the Chief Adviser that his ministry recently held a meeting with 500 eminent Islamic scholars to involve mosque imams in election-related awareness campaigns, particularly focusing on the referendum. At a meeting with the Chief Adviser at the State Guest House Jamuna, Dr Khalid said initiatives have been taken to encourage imams across the country to inspire people through their Friday sermons to cast a ‘Yes’ vote in the referendum. Over 15 lakh people register for postal voting: EC The initiative has received positive feedback, Alam said, noting that the meeting emphasized involving teachers from around 77,000 maktabs, imams from approximately 400,000 mosques nationwide, and priests from other places of worship, including temples and churches. In addition, the Ministry of Religious Affairs is printing thousands of informational leaflets for distribution across the country, he added.  

The Election Commission has issued seven instructions to file an appeal, challenging the decision of the returning officer concerned over the acceptance or rejection of a nomination paper during the security. Besides, the Commission has decided to set up 10 booths at Nirbachan Bhaban to receive the appeals from 10 regions (eight divisions and Cumilla and Faridpur regions) from January 05 to 09. The EC has recently sent a letter to returning officers, asking them to widely disseminate the instructions among aspirants and their representatives. According to the instructions, appeals must be submitted in the form of a memorandum addressed to the Election Commission using the prescribed format. Read more: 13 Nominations valid, 8 rejected, 4 suspended in Jhalokathi At the time of filing an appeal, candidates must mention the date of acceptance or rejection of the nomination, clearly state the grounds of appeal and submit an attested copy of the returning officer’s order. The appeal must be submitted in a total of seven copies, including one original. Candidates shall submit the appeals at the designated booths set up at the Election Commission Secretariat, based on their respective electoral regions. The appeals will be accepted from January 5 to January 9, 2026. To obtain a copy of the appellate authority’s verdict, candidates must submit an application using a prescribed form, which will be available at the central appeal booths of the Election Commission. The appellant or a duly authorised representative will be allowed to collect the verdict copy. The Commission will settle the appeals by January 18 next. The scrutiny of nomination papers started on December 30 and is set to be concluded on Sunday (January 04). Read more:Jamaat candidate’s nomination cancelled in Cumilla-3 The Election Commission on December 12 last declared the schedule to arrange the 13th 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).