United News of Bangladesh

The Election Commission began its much-talked-about pre-election dialogue with political parties on Thursday morning (13th November 2025) with six registered parties in the first batch, as announced earlier. Leaders of the six registered political parties attended the talks at Nirbachan Bhaban in the city to discuss an 11-point agenda. The discussion started with Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin in the chair. Election commissioners and EC Secretary were present. The Commission invited 12 registered political parties to attend Thursday’s opening sessions — six parties in the morning session and six others in the afternoon session. The six parties invited for the morning session are Liberal Democratic Party-LDP, Bangladesh Congress, Bangladesh Muslim League, National People's Party, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan and Jamiyate Ulamaye Islam Bangladesh. Bangladesh Election: Electoral dialogue with political parties to begin Thursday The six parties invited for the afternoon session are Communist Party of Bangladesh-CPB, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal-JSD, Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal-Basod, Revolutionary Workers Party of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Nationalist Front-BNF and Bangladesh Nationalist Movement-BNM. This time the political parties are being invited in groups due to time constraints before the announcement of the election schedule. The Election Commission traditionally holds talks with registered political parties before each national election. Each party was usually invited to join the dialogue separately. The dialogue with political parties is considered the Commission’s last major task before the election schedule to be announced in early December. Currently, there are 53 registered political parties, excluding the Awami League, whose registration remains suspended. Besides, the EC recognised three new parties, including NCP, as registered parties. In late September 2025, the Commission opened a series of electoral dialogues with different stakeholders amid talks with civil society representatives on September 28. Election campaign: Code of conduct published in gazette, banning posters-drones, AI-social media misuse Later, the EC held separate dialogues with the representatives of teachers, senior journalists from different media outlets, election experts and election observers. In a bid to conduct the next election in a free, participatory and fair manner, the EC sat in a views-exchange with different law enforcement agencies and intelligences on October 20 and with top government officials, including secretaries of key ministries, directors general of important agencies on October 30 last.

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 (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin has highlighted the importance of building institutional readiness, stressing that effective election management is the foundation of a credible democracy. The EC, with support from the United Nations, has launched a nationwide series of regional trainings aimed at strengthening the capacity of election officials in preparation for the upcoming national elections. “Through these training programmes, we are building not only skills but also the confidence and commitment needed to ensure free, fair and transparent elections,” said the CEC. He said this training marks a milestone in our preparation for the upcoming elections. “The practical modules will enable our officials to replicate lessons across the country, enhancing capacity and confidence at every level.” Next election to determine Bangladesh’s future direction: CEC The first of 10 three-day regional trainings concluded on November 7 in Dhaka, bringing together election officials from the region for hands-on sessions focused on crisis management, cybersecurity, gender equality, human rights and media and elections, said UNDP on Sunday. Senior Secretary of the Election Commission Akhtar Ahmed and Head of Office and Representative of UNESCO Dr Susan Vize, UN Women Representative Gitanjali Singh, UNDP Resident Representative, Sonali Dayaratne, were present. The training is part of the UN Electoral Assistance BALLOT and DRIP projects, implemented jointly with UNDP, UN Women and UNESCO. The nationwide training series will continue in nine other regions over the next several weeks, reaching hundreds of EC officials. The initiative, UNDP said, reflects the Election Commission’s strong commitment to professionalism, inclusion, and transparency in the electoral process, ensuring that every vote counts and every voice matters. BNP to meet CEC Thursday to raise concerns over EC’s neutrality

Moving into the election mode, the Election Commission will start a series of dialogues with registered political parties this week to lay the groundwork for the upcoming national election scheduled for February. But the political parties would be invited in groups to join the discussions due to time constraints before the election schedule to be announced in early December, according to EC officials They said the dialogues, considered the Commission’s last major task before the election schedule, will take around two weeks to complete ahead of the 13th parliamentary election. “The dialogues with political parties will begin next week. It will have to invite them in groups due to time constraints (before the announcement of election schedule),” said EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed on Thursday (6th November 2025). Replying to a question, he told UNB that it will not be possible to complete the dialogues within a week rather it would take two weeks. EC registers 66 local election observer organisations, identifies 16 more eligible As part of preparations for the dialogues with political parties, the Commission has already made changes to the electoral code of conduct in line with an ordinance promulgated on November 3, bringing further amendment to the Representation of the People Order, 1972. The Code of Conduct for Political Parties and Candidates in Parliamentary Elections Rules 2025 will soon be published in the official gazette, with the code expected to be one of the key discussion issues during the dialogues. “We have sent the code of conduct (to publish it in the official gazette). So, the dialogue will be opened next week,” said the EC Secretary. The Election Commission traditionally holds talks with registered political parties before each national election. Each party was usually invited to join the dialogue separately. However, this time it is still uncertain whether the Jatiya Party and some other registered parties, known as the allies of Sheikh Hasina's regime toppled through the 2014 mass uprising, will be invited to the talks. Currently, there are 53 registered political parties, excluding the Awami League, whose registration remains suspended. Besides, the EC on Tuesday last published notifications seeking objections, if any, against the registration to three new political parties –National Citizen Party (NCP), Bangladesh Aam Janagan Party and Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (Marxist). The Commission will finally recognise them as the registered parties after November 12. Jamaat now wants referendum any day before election: Azad In late September 2025, the Commission opened a series of electoral dialogues with different stakeholders amid talks with civil society representatives on September 28. Then the EC sat in another discussion with the representatives of teachers on the same day. On October 06, the Commission held two separate dialogues with senior journalists from different media outlets. Besides, the EC held dialogues with election experts and election observers in October last. In a bid to conduct the next election in free, participatory and fair manners, the EC sat in a views-exchange with different law enforcement agencies and intelligences on October 20 and with top government officials, including secretaries of key ministries, directors general of important agencies on October 30 last. According to the electoral roadmap unveiled in August 2025, dialogues with stakeholders, including political parties, civil society members, journalists, observers, and election experts, were scheduled to begin in late September and conclude within about one and a half months. The Commission either completed or almost finished all important tasks, including amendment to the electoral laws,delimitation of constituencies, updating the voter lists, finalisation of polling stations, registration of new political parties and registration of election observers. The EC has already amended different electoral laws including RPO; as well as revised the three separate guidelines for journalists, observers and installation of polling stations:  The Commission on September 04 last finalised the delimitation of 300 constituencies, redrawing the boundaries of 46 parliamentary seats in 16 different districts across the country ahead of the 2026 February election. Over 48,000 police officers complete election training: Police HQ The EC on October 27 released the final list of 42,761 polling stations throughout the country for the upcoming national election, raising the number by around 611 from what was in the 2024 national election. The Commission on November 02 released the draft updated electoral rolls with more than 12.76 core voters in the country, which would be the final voter lists for the 2026 February election. The electoral rolls would be finalised on November 18. The Commission on Thursday last registered 66 organisations as local election observers as well as identified 16 more firms as eligible for registration as local election observers. The final decision over the 16 organisations will be taken following settlement of objections if any to be received by November 27 next. The EC will launch a mobile app for the expatriates and others to register first to vote through the postal ballot during the 2026 election. So, the upcoming dialogues with political parties will mark the Commission’s final major engagement before announcing the election schedule next month. Read more: No application for voter relocation to be accepted after Nov 10

The Election Commission (EC) will not accept any application for the relocation of voting addresses after November 10, ahead of the 13th parliamentary election slated for early February 2026. The EC announced the deadline for voter transfer applications based on changes in residence in a circular issued on Tuesday (4th November 2025). Over 48,000 police officers complete election training: Police HQ According to the circular, November 10 is the last date for submitting applications, while registration officers must approve or reject them by November 17. The Election Commission is planning to announce the schedule for the upcoming general election in early December 2025.

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 number of registered voters in Bangladesh has reached approximately 12.76 crore, according to the draft updated electoral rolls released by the Election Commission (EC) on Sunday. The total number of the country’s voters is 12,76,12,384. Of them, 6,47,60,382 are male, 6,28,50,772 are female, and 1,230 are from the third gender voters, said EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed told a press briefing at Nirbachan Bhaban in the city. Final voter lists to be published Nov 18 The draft electoral rolls will be finalised on November 18 ahead of the 13th parliamentary election by receiving and settling complaints, if any, over the draft list. The EC secretary said the number of voters increased by 13,04,880 between September 1, 2025 and October 31, 2025. The number of male voters is 19,09,610 higher than that of female voters in the country’s electoral rolls. “Those who turned 18 by October 31 last and completed their registration have been included in the voter lists,” he said. EC launches NID, voter registration services for Bangladeshis in Canada The EC will receive any objection and recommendation over the draft electoral rolls by November 17 and release the final lists ahead of the next general election to be held in early February 2026. Earlier, on August 31, the EC had released a supplementary voter list showing 12,63,07,504 total voters, including 6,41,00,455 males, 6,22,05,819 females, and 1,230 third-gender voters.

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.

The Election Commission on Thursday afternoon sat in a views-exchange with top government officials, including secretaries of key ministries, directors general of important agencies and Inspector General of Prisons (IG Prisons) on October 30 next, aiming to conduct the upcoming national election in a free, participatory and fair manner. The views-exchange and pre-preparatory meeting began at 3:00 pm in the Conference Room of the Election Commission Secretariat, with Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin presiding and the Election Commissioners in attendance. At least 31 senior officials, including the Cabinet Secretary, Senior Secretaries of the Ministries of Home, Public Administration, Shipping and Expatriates’ Welfare and the Foreign Secretary, were invited for the meeting by the Election Commission. Other invitees include the secretary (Coordination and Reforms) Cabinet Division, secretaries of Finance Division, Law and Justice Division, Health Education and Family Welfare Division, Information and Broadcasting Ministry, Local Government Division, Financial Institutions Division, Power Division, Agriculture Ministry, Secondary and Higher Education and Technical and Madrasa Education. No key officials from past three polls to join next election: Govt The Secretaries of the Primary and Mass Education Ministry, Posts and Telecommunications Division, ICT Division and Road Transport and Highways Division also invited along with the Secretary of the National Parliament Secretariat. Heads of several key departments and agencies, including the Director Generals of Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar, the Directorate of Posts and the Department of Film and Publication; the Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority; and the chief engineers of Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) and the Department of Educational Engineering; and the Inspector General of Prisons, are among the invitees. Besides, the Governor of Bangladesh Bank was asked to send the Executive Director of Credit Information Bureau or appropriate officer to attend the meeting. Earlier, on October 20 last, the EC sat in a views-exchange with different law enforcement agencies and intelligences in a bid to conduct the next election in free, participatory and fair manners. Concerns grow over ‘administrative preparations’ for Bangladesh election In late September 2025, the Commission opened a series of electoral dialogues with different stakeholders amid talks with civil society representatives on September 28 last ahead of the next general election to be held in early February 2026. Then the EC sat in another discussion with the representatives of teachers on the same day. On October 06, the Commission held two separate dialogues with senior journalists from different media outlets. The EC also has a plan to sit with other stakeholders, including political parties ahead of the national election.  

Election Commissioner Md Anwarul Islam Sarker on Sunday said that National Citizens Party (NCP) cannot be allotted ‘Shapla’ (water lily) as it is not included in the official list of symbols under the constitutional law and election rules. He made the remark while talking to reporters at Sylhet Police Lines after a training session aimed at enhancing police efficiency to ensure smooth election duties. Replying to a question over the election, the commissioner replied that there is no possibility of elections being delayed to February and it will be held before Ramadan. He expressed the confidence that with everyone’s cooperation the election will be conducted fairly, unlike in the past. ‘Water Lily’ symbol must be allocated: NCP Commissioner Anwarul emphasised that controversial individuals will not be allowed to hold any election-related responsibilities, warning that the EC will not tolerate any bias and its sole goal is to ensure a free and fair election. Addressing police officers, the commissioner said the current situation demands unity, trust and coordinated efforts to uphold law and constitutional duties.