United News of Bangladesh

As Bangladesh approaches its national elections scheduled for February 2025, crime statistics indicate a rise in criminal incidents across the country, but police insist that the apparent deterioration in law and order does not reflect the real situation. A senior official at the Police Headquarters, preferring not to be named, said the force is “fully prepared” to ensure nationwide security during the polls. He cautioned that comparisons between past and present crime figures could be misleading. “Earlier, many crime incidents were not recorded at local police stations. Now, almost every incident is being documented. So when you compare the two periods, it may seem like crime has increased. But in reality, law and order is better in many areas than before,” he said. The official also highlighted the role of social media in timely case registration. “In the past, cases were often not recorded properly and on time. Now, when an incident occurs, social media becomes active instantly, compelling the police to register cases promptly and accurately,” he added. Crime Trends According to police headquarters statistics, October saw 319 murders nationwide, slightly up from 297 in September but just below 321 cases in August. Dacoity cases rose to 56 from 50 the previous month, while robbery increased to 180 from 169. Burglary incidents remained high at 301, compared with 295 in September and 311 in August. Kidnappings jumped to 110 in October, up from 96 in September and 90 in August. Theft incidents also increased, standing at 931 compared with 888 in September and 956 in August. These figures indicate that criminal activity continues to affect both urban and rural areas. Amir Khosru alleges plot to delay 13th parliamentary polls Particularly concerning is the persistently high number of crimes against women and children, with 1,985 incidents recorded in October, virtually unchanged from 1,904 in September and 1,904 in August. Police sources noted that violent and organised crimes are not only frequent but also increasingly sophisticated, with criminal syndicates reportedly impersonating law-enforcement officers to commit robberies and abductions. Election Preparedness Police officials stressed extensive preparations for the upcoming polls. “A total of 150,000 police personnel are being trained in phases. Training for around 50,000 members has already been completed. The rest will finish on schedule,” a Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) official said. The procurement of body-worn cameras is underway, expected to be purchased through the Direct Procurement Method (DPM) due to time constraints. “We expect to be fully ready to carry out our responsibilities during the polls,” the official added. Home Adviser Lieutenant General (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury described the law-and-order situation as “satisfactory,” noting that while it is “not excellent, it’s not bad either.” Speaking after a meeting with field-level law enforcement officials at Barishal Police Lines, he emphasised that a fair election relies not only on law enforcement but also on the Election Commission and political parties. Ahead of the elections, Police Headquarters has instructed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Special Branch (SB), and DMP to submit lists of honest, neutral, and administratively efficient police inspectors for appointment as officers-in-charge (OCs) at police stations across the country. The directive, issued on 16 November by the Personnel Management–2 wing of PHQ, states that deploying “competent, impartial and professionally credible” police station chiefs is crucial to ensuring a peaceful and fair parliamentary election. Officials said the neutrality of OCs will play a vital role in maintaining law and order during the election period. Govt reviewing body camera purchase plan: Finance Adviser

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has reaffirmed his government’s commitment to ensuring that the upcoming general election will be free, fair and inclusive.   “The election will be participatory. There will be a big turnout,” he said, adding that tens of millions of young people are expected to cast their first ballots, as they had no opportunity to vote during three rigged general elections during the 16-year long autocracy.   Prof Yunus made the remarks on Thursday evening during a meeting with visiting British Minister for International Development Baroness Jenny Chapman at the State Guest House Jamuna.   During their discussions, the two leaders covered a wide range of issues, including the February general election, tackling illegal migration, boosting trade, the Rohingya crisis,and enhancing cooperation in aviation and maritime sectors.   Prof Yunus reiterated that the election would be held on schedule in the first half of February, emphasizing that it would be "inclusive and participatory", with a large voter turnout expected, said the Chief Adviser’s press wing on Friday.   EU supports Bangladesh’s transition under interim govt The Chief Adviser said the Awami League would not be able to take part in the polls as its activities have been suspended under the country’s anti-terrorism laws, and the Election Commission has subsequently removed the party from the official list of registered political parties.   He said the July Charter would mark “a new beginning” for Bangladesh, reflecting the aspirations of millions who took part in the historic July–August uprising last year.   Minister Chapman thanked Professor Yunus’s leadership since assuming charge of the Interim Government, and commended the ongoing dialogue between the National Consensus Commission and political parties over the July Charter.  

Jamaat-e-Islami’s student wing Chhatra Shibir-backed panel ‘Combined Students’ Alliance,’ has swept the Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (RUCSU) election, winning 20 out of 23 posts, including the posts of Vice President (VP) and Assistant General Secretary (AGS). This marks the first landslide victory for the Shibir since the RUCSU election was last held 35 years ago. The only exception came in the General Secretary (GS) race, where Salahuddin Ammar, a former coordinator of the anti-discrimination student movement and candidate from the Anti-Dominance Unity panel, won by a big margin. According to results announced on Friday morning, Shibir’s Mostakur Rahman Jahid secured the VP post by bagging 12,745 votes while his nearest candidate Sheikh Nur Uddin Abir, backed by BNP’s student body Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, received 3,332 votes. Mostakur defeated Abir by a margin of 9, 413 votes. Ammar won the GS post with 11,558 votes defeating Shibir’s Fazle Rabbi Md Fahim Reza, who bagged 5,706 votes. Reza suffered a defeat of 5, 852 votes to Ammar.   For the AGS post, Shibir-backed SM Salman Sabbir secured 6,979 votes, narrowly defeating Jahin Biswas Esha of JCD, who got 5,879 votes, showing the tightest contest in The RUCSU polls.   The Shibir-supported panel also dominated in most other posts, including cultural, sports, women’s affairs, environment, media, and executive positions. Winners include Zahid Hasan Zoha (Cultural Secretary), Rakibul Islam (Assistant Cultural Secretary), Abu Sayeed Nayeem (Assistant Sports Secretary), Saeeda Hafsa (Women’s Affairs Secretary), and Samia Jannat (Assistant Women’s Affairs Secretary). In research and publication, Nazmus Saki and Sifat Abu Saleh were elected, while Mujahidul Islam and Asadullah Hil Galib won in media and publication roles.  RUCSU elections held fairly and peacefully, says Observation Team Imran Laskar and Nayan Mursalin were elected in debate and literature, and Abdullah Al Masud along with Masuma Islam Momo won in environment and social service. Executive members elected include Deep, Sujon Chandra, ImjiauI Ali and Khalid Hasan. Vote counting began Thursday evening and concluded Friday morning at the Kazi Nazrul Islam Auditorium, following results from all 17 halls, including six for female students. This year’s RUCSU, hall, and student senate elections saw 247 candidates contesting for 23 central posts, 597 candidates for 15 hall union posts across 17 residential halls, and 58 candidates for five student senate seats. Out of 28,901 registered voters—including 11,305 female and 17,596 male students—69.83 percent cast their votes, with a 63.24 percent turnout in the women’s halls. Chief Election Commissioner Prof Dr F Nazrul Islam said the long-awaited election was held in a festive and peaceful atmosphere, crediting students for their cooperation and responsible participation after decades of anticipation. Meanwhile, the Shibir-backed panel swept landslide victories in the DUCSU, JUCSU and CUCSU elections.  

The long-awaited elections  to the Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (RUCSU), hall unions and student representatives in the university senate are underway today (Thursday) after a 35-year hiatus. This marks the 17th RUCSU election in the 72-year history of Rajshahi University (RU).  Like other public universities in the country, no student union polls have been held at RU since 1990. After several delays and rescheduled dates, students are finally exercising their voting rights to elect their representatives.  The balloting began at 9 am and will continue until 4 pm. No extra ballots printed for RUCSU election: EC Election Commissioner Professor Dr Mustafa Kamal Akand on Wednesday said that no extra ballot papers have been printed for the election. Speaking at a press conference at the university’s Senate Building, he said the RUCSU ballot papers were not printed from any random or nameless press.  “We assigned experienced printers who usually handle university exams or question papers,” he said. “There are 28,901 voters, and we have printed exactly 28,901 ballots,” Dr Kamal added, claiming that there is no scope for any discrepancy. Voting is taking place in 17 centres across nine academic buildings, with a total of 990 booths. Prof Akand said, “We have already procured a sufficient number of watermark reader machines for vote counting. These machines will allow us to publish results within 15 to 17 hours.” He said all election activities are being monitored through CCTV cameras, and transparent ballot boxes are being used. A total of 212 teachers are overseeing the election, including 17 presiding officers and the rest serving as assistant presiding officers.  CUCSU voting underway peacefully amid allegations of irregularities Besides, 91 university officials are performing duties as polling officers. Chief Election Commissioner Prof Dr F Nazrul Islam, Chief Returning Officer Prof Dr Setaur Rahman, and other election commissioners were also present at the briefing. According to the commission, the total number of voters stands at 28,901, including 11,305 female students and 17,595 male students. This time, 247 candidates are contesting 23 posts in the central RUCSU election, while 58 candidates are vying for 5 seats in the university senate. For the hall union polls, 597 candidates are contesting 252 posts across 17 residential halls, with 42 candidates elected unopposed. In the central RUCSU race, 18 candidates are running for vice president (VP), 13 for general secretary (GS), and 16 for assistant general secretary (AGS). To ensure transparency, the university authorities have formed a 10-member committee to monitor the overall conduct of the election, headed by retired economics professor M Rafiqul Islam. For security, around 2,000 police personnel, along with six platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and 12 teams of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), have been deployed, said Rajshahi Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mohammad Abu Sufian.

he European Union (EU) has decided to send election observers to Bangladesh for the upcoming national election, BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said on Sunday. “The EU has decided to send observers following requests from the government and the Election Commission. They are eagerly waiting to see a fair, transparent and acceptable election in Bangladesh,” he said. The BNP leader made the remarks while talking to reporters after a meeting between BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and EU Ambassador to Bangladesh Michael Miller at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office. Khosru said the discussion mainly focused on the upcoming national election, expected to be held in the first half of February, and the overall electoral process. He said the EU has always played an important role in Bangladesh’s electoral process and will continue to do so this time as well. Fakhrul issues fresh warning of election conspiracy The BNP leader said the talks also covered several issues, including the economy, trade relations, institutional reforms, and the importance of strengthening democracy in Bangladesh. Highlighting Bangladesh’s strong economic ties with the EU, Khosru said the country’s ready-made garments sector has grown significantly thanks to the EU’s duty-free market access. “They want to continue this support, and in the coming days, they want Bangladesh–EU trade relations to remain strong and uninterrupted.” He said the EU also expressed its willingness to continue supporting efforts to make democracy in Bangladesh more institutional and sustainable. The BNP leader said the EU wants to see democratic institutions — Parliament, government, judiciary, and the media — functioning independently. Khosru said the EU is also keen to help create an environment where people can enjoy freedom of expression and democratic rights. “We welcome this initiative. If we want democracy in Bangladesh to continue, we must make it institutional. The elements that make democracy work also need to be institutionalised, and the institutions themselves must function independently. We need to restore our democratic culture and revive the values that have been lost,” he said. Sheltering an ‘autocrat’ is India’s choice: Tarique Rahman The BNP leader said their discussion also touched on the need to make Parliament stronger and more effective. “A strong democracy cannot exist without a strong Parliament, and the EU wants to support efforts to strengthen parliamentary activities." The EU ambassador arrived at the BNP Chairperson’s office around 11am and held the meeting with Fakhrul for one hour and ten minutes. Apart from Khosru, BNP Standing Committee member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan and Organising Secretary Shama Obaed were also present at the meeting.

Voting at Hall No 15 (previously known as  Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall) polling centre resumed around 1:30 pm on Thursday after a two-hour suspension following allegations of vote rigging during Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (JUCSU) elections. Students said polling at the hall was suspended around 12 pm after Sheikh Sadi Hasan, vice-president (VP) candidate backed by Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), along with 7–8 activists, allegedly stormed the centre and forced female candidates out. JUCSU: Voting suspended at Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall Chief Election Commissioner Prof Maniruzzaman said voting was stopped in response to demands from other candidates after they protested against the incident. Balloting for the long-awaited JUCSU elections began at 9 am and is scheduled to continue until 5 pm.

Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin on Tuesday emphasized the government’s commitment to and national aspiration for "credible and inclusive" elections. He also highlighted that a significant number of first time voters are expected to exercise their franchise in the next election. The issues werw discussed when a three-member United Nations Electoral Needs Assessment team led by UN Resident Coordinator (UNRC) Gwyn Lewis called on the Foreign Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During the meeting, they also discussed about the ways to ensure the voting rights of the Bangladeshi expatriates. The team is visiting Bangladesh at the request of the Bangladesh Election Commission to support their efforts to hold credible and inclusive elections in the country. Read: Time to make system transparent, accountable for Bangladesh: Danish Ambassador The team comprised of Sara Pietropaoli, and Aditya Adhikari, Political Affairs Officers of UN Division of the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (UN DPPA) and Najia Hashemee, Advisor of UNDP. During the meeting, the Mission informed the Foreign Secretary about their plan to engage with the electoral stakeholders of the country to assess the needs, based on which technical assistance can be provided for the next parliamentary election, according to the MoFA. Read more: UN team to meet every party it can think of in Bangladesh: Gwyn Lewis Upon consultation with different stakeholders, they are expected to provide recommendations to the Election Commission.

After boycotting the  national election, BNP has now decided not to join the upcoming upazila parishad polls under the current government. BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi came up with the announcement at a press briefing at the party’s Nayapaltan central office. "We have always said that any election under Sheikh Hasina will never be peaceful, credible and fair. So, BNP had taken a decision not to go to any election under her. BNP still stands by that decision,” he said. Earlier on Monday, Awami League Central Working Committee at an emergency meeting decided not to field party candidates and allocate party’s election symbol “boat” in any local government polls, including the upcoming elections to city corporations, municipalities and upazila parishads. Read more: 'India deepened ties with AL, not people of Bangladesh': Rizvi Asked what BNP will do if the elections are held without party symbols, Rizvi said, “We’re saying that the elections will not be fair under this government…we’re still stick to our decision of not going to any polls under Sheikh Hasina since no free and fair election can ever be held under her.” Election Commissioner Anisur Rahman on Monday said the first phase of upazila polls can be held by April 30 considering the beginning of the SSC examinations in February and the fasting month in March. Justifying their decision to boycott the upcoming upazila polls, Rizvi said the country’s people know how the 12th parliamentary election was held under Sheikh Hasina and what were the results and nature of that polls. He said it was also proved through the national elections in 2014 and 2018 that credible polls are not possible under the Awami League government. “Sheikh Hasina in no way believes in democracy, no matter what statements she makes. She doesn’t believe in the power of the people, the will of the people,” the BNP leader said. He said the government conducted a strange and farcical election as per its master plan with the support of its masters as it is least bothered about democracy and public opinions. Read more: Moyeen Khan expects AL govt to fall apart 'like a house of cards'

Awami League nominated candidate Mohammad Ali Arafat today (July 17, 2023) cast his vote at the Gulshan Model School and College centre during the parliamentary by-polls to Dhaka-17 constituency this morning.  He exercised his voting rights around at 10 am, said chief co-ordinator at the office cell of Dhaka -17 by-election, William Proloy Samadder Bappy. Read: Dhaka-17 by-polls: Hero Alam says his agents 'assaulted' by AL activists, determined to remain in the race Arafat told media that there is “no alternative to Awami League.” People will gather at polling centres to cast their votes for boat, he hoped. He was also optimistic that he will win the race. Read: Independent candidate Tariqul Islam Bhuiyan boycotts Dhaka-17 by-polls The voting started at 8 am and will continue till 4 pm without any recess. In the Dhaka-17 constituency, eight candidates are running in the race to be elected a member of the parliament. The seat comprising Gulshan, Banani, Baridhara and part of Dhaka Cantonment fell vacant after the death of renowned actor and freedom fighter Akbar Hossain Pathan Farooque on May 14 this year. Read: EC monitoring Dhaka-17 by-polls, elections of 2 municipalities through CCTV cameras The number of voters is 325,205 under 125 polling stations in Dhaka-17 constituency which comprises wards 15, 18, 19 and 20 of Dhaka North City Corporation as well as Dhaka cantonment area.

Dhaka-17 constituency MP candidate, Ashraful Hossain Alam -- better known as "Hero Alam" -- has alleged that his agents are being barred from entering the polling stations and that several of them were harassed by the AL activists and leaders. “The ruling party’s activists have resorted to intimidating tactics to oust my agents. They physically assaulted some of our agents, including women, and barred them from entering the polling centres,” said the independent candidate at Banani Model School centre this morning (July 17, 2023). Independent candidate Tariqul Islam Bhuiyan boycotts Dhaka-17 by-polls Asked in which polling centres his agents faced trouble entering, he mentioned Bhashantek Govt Primary School, Adamji Cantonment College, Matikata High School, and Jamia Madrasa centres. He expressed concern about the fairness of the election. EC monitoring Dhaka-17 by-polls, elections of 2 municipalities through CCTV cameras “However, I’m determined to remain in the electoral race until the end,” he said. Voting for Dhaka-17 by-polls, election in 7 municipalities underway