United News of Bangladesh

No political party or candidate will be allowed to carry out electioneering in educational institutions, government offices or foreign lands, in addition to religious places of worship, according to the recently published electoral code of conduct. The Election Commission has imposed the ban on campaign in educational institutions, government offices and foreign territories for the first time in the Code of Conduct for Political Parties and Candidates in Parliamentary Election Rule 2025, which was published in official gazette on November 10 last ahead of the national election to be held in February 2026. A candidate must resign from the president or member post of the management committee of an educational institution before the start of election campaign. No candidate is allowed to receive any type of reception from an institution, association or organisation and no one involved in election campaign can stay in government Dak-Bungalow, rest-house, circuit-house or any government office. According to the section 15 of the code of conduct, any registered political party or its nominated candidates or independent candidates or anyone acting on their behalf can’t carry out any form of election campaign in mosques, temples, pagodas, churches or any other religious place of worship and any government office or educational institution. The EC is introducing a hybrid postal balloting system for expatriate Bangladeshis to vote in the upcoming national election, but it barred campaign abroad. Police HQ seeks ‘honest, neutral’ inspectors for OC posts ahead of election “No political party or candidate can’t hold any type of public rally, street rally and meeting or carry out campaign in foreign land centering the election,” states section 06 of the code of conduct. No Posters; Maximum 20 Billboards The use of posters has completely been banned, but billboards, banners and festoons alongside leaflets and handbills can be used in the electioneering. Besides, campaigning through electronic and digital media is allowed this time. As per the section 7 of the code of conduct, posters cannot be used under any circumstances, and pamphlets, leaflets, handbills, festoons or banners made from non-biodegradable materials such as rexine, polythene, plastic or other environmentally harmful substances are prohibited. Banners, leaflets, handbills and festoons must be in black and white. The maximum allowable size is 10 feet by 4 feet for banners, 8.27 inches by 11.69 inches for leaflets, and 18 inches by 24 inches for festoons. These restrictions do not apply to electronic or digital media campaigns. A candidate cannot install more than 20 billboards in an election area (constituency), each with a maximum size of 16 feet by 9 feet. Poly-coated banners, leaflets or festoons, as well as PVC banners, are prohibited. No More  Than  3 Loud Speakers Under Section 17 of the new code, a candidate, or anyone acting on his or her behalf, can’t use more than three microphones or loudspeakers simultaneously in a constituency. This is aligned with Article 44B(3A) of the Representation of the People Order 1972, which prohibits candidates from incurring expenses on more than three microphones or loudspeakers at a time. However, EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed on November 11 explained the provision saying that not more than three amplifiers can be used in a meeting or rally. “If a candidate holds three rallies, they can use a total of nine amplifiers — three for each,” he said. To curb sound pollution, the new code states that sound from microphones used in campaigns must not exceed 60 decibels, and loudspeakers may only be used from 2pm to 8pm daily. The violation of the code of conduct could lead to cancellation of the candidature as a provision incorporated in the code alongside the RPO. Read more: Jamaat, NCP, other parties join EC’s dialogue Campaign Plan Political parties or candidates must submit their campaign plans to the authorities before the campaign begins. To foster mutual harmony and maintain a friendly environment, the returning officer or assistant returning officer will bring all candidates together after symbol allocation to present their electoral manifestos and pledge to follow the code of conduct. Candidates or party representatives can take part in electoral dialogues hosted by television channels but must avoid personal attacks. No Drone, Quadcopter The new code of conduct banned the use of any type of drone, quadcopter or such type of machine in the election campaign and the balloting hours. Only the president and general secretary of a political party — or their equivalents — may use helicopters for campaign travel. However, no campaign material may be displayed, distributed or dropped using the helicopter. Previously, only the party chief or equivalent could use a helicopter. Some 4,000 expats register on first day to vote in next election AI-Social Media Misuse According to the code of conduct, Artificial Intelligence (AI) cannot be used for malicious purposes in any election-related matter, including campaigning. Candidates, their election agents or political parties must submit the name, account ID, email ID and other relevant social media information to the returning officer before the campaign begins. The code prohibits all harmful content — including hate speech, misinformation, facial distortion, fabricated materials or inflammatory language targeting opponents, women, minorities or any other group of people. No political party, candidate or affiliated person can create, publish or share false, misleading, hateful, obscene or defamatory content on social media or any other platform through editing or AI manipulation, with the intention of misleading voters or tarnishing any person’s image. Punishment Punishment for violating the code has been made stricter, with the maximum penalty raised to six months’ imprisonment and a fine of Tk 150,000 (previously Tk 50,000). A new provision requires candidates to submit a written commitment to abide by the code and accept punishment in case of violation. Read more: Motivate voters to go to polling stations: CEC to political leaders

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen today (December 21, 2023) said Bangladesh wants peace and stability instead of conflict to keep the wheel of development going. “We don’t want any conflict. We want peace and stability, and continuation of democratic trend,” he said while talking to journalists as he began his election campaign. Momen, who is contesting from Sylhet-1 constituency, said the country has witnessed an unprecedented development over the last 15 years and that development needs to remain undisturbed. He said people of this country sacrificed their lives for establishing democracy, justice and human rights. Read more: Want to uphold Sylhet's political legacy: Momen Responding to a question, Momen said BNP made a mistake and they should have joined the election to boost their credibility as a political party. “They have lost a chance and their acceptability is also lost,” he said, referring to killing policemen and arson attacks on both private and public properties since October 28. Saying that BNP lacks leadership and maturity, Momen said politics is for the welfare of people and the country, not for their destruction. The foreign minister said the people with much enthusiasm will come to the polling centers to cast their votes freely. Read more: US proposal for Boeing purchase under discussion for a while, not tied to election: Momen “To increase voters’ presence, we will go everywhere,” he said, noting that many educated people refrain from casting their votes. “I will request them to come to vote. I won’t ask them to vote for me… They can vote for their preferred candidates. We want a fair election, free of violence. We want to show the world a model election,” Momen said. Eight US Congress members recently sent a letter to Stephen Lamar, president and CEO of American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA), saying that they think the minimum wage set for Bangladesh’s garment workers is not enough. When Momen’s attention was drawn in this regard, he said, “I thank them. They can do one thing. In New York, the hourly wage is 15 dollars. If they can make it 45 dollars and create a model, we can follow them. People in America are suffering due to high inflation.” Read more: No external pressure; we’re under our own pressure: Momen

A man has been arrested over attempted rape of a 10-year-old in Patuakhali. The accused, Md. Delowar Talukdar, 55, is the ward member and organizing secretary of Awami League’s local unit of Ward 8 under Dabluganj union in Kalapara upazila. The mother of the child filed a case against the accused at Mohipur police station. According to police and the child’s family, Delowar, along with 10-15 people, went to Barkutia village on Saturday for Union Parishad election campaign. The child’s mother was working in a nearby field when the incident occurred. Also Read: Wife slaughtered by husband in Joypurhat “He came to our home and, upon realizing my child was alone, molested her,” said the mother. Abul Khair, officer-in-charge of Mohipur police station, said police arrested the accused and sent him to Kolagara court.  

All eyes from around the country are trained on Narayanganj now, with the city corporation polls just one day away. Narayanganj city will go to the polls to elect a mayor for the third time Sunday. The time for electioneering is now over, as of Friday midnight. Although seven candidates are running for the post of the Narayanganj City Corporation (NCC) mayor, ruling party nominee Ivy and her principal rival – Advocate Taimur Alam Khandaker, a veteran BNP leader who is fighting as an independent candidate – have stolen all the attention. People are expecting a tight contest between them. Supporters of both candidates have made electioneering neck and neck. Also, things have hotted up as the two mayor hopefuls are trying to get the last word in, making promises and trying to put the record straight. This time the NCC elections have 517,357 voters – including 257,519 females. As the candidates are trying to woo voters with promises, all the voters want is the development of their city. The candidates' qualifications, popularity, party symbol, gender, age, electronic voting machines (EVMs), and turnout could be the deciding factors this year. Women and youth are expected to play a pivotal role. All the heavyweight mayoral candidates are making last-minute efforts to win their votes. However, there are some 42,418 first-time voters. Whoever wants to win the election must bag a major chunk of the first-timers, according to popular perceptions. And Shamim Osman never seems to be out of the picture. Despite not being among the seven mayoral candidates, what Shamim does and which way he swings has been at the centre of discussions surrounding the election once again. Also, the use of EVMs can be another big issue as many will use them for the first time. The NCC polls this year will be held using EVMs instead of traditional ballot papers. Many of the voters have little idea about the machines. However, a trial using EVMs started at each polling centre in Narayanganj Friday, from morning till evening. Election officials organised the mock elections to explain the use of EVMs to voters. On the two previous occasions, it was held – since Narayanganj became a city for administrative purposes – the election captured the imagination of the entire country – particularly the first time in 2011. It was very much the arrival on the scene of Dr Selina Hayat Ivy. The original "rebel candidate," she took on and defeated the Awami League's heavyweight in the area, Shamim Osman, by over 1 lakh votes. That was the start of her enduring rivalry with Shamim – the two torchbearers of two very different strands of the Awami League in Narayanganj. In 2016, Ivy won again – this time as the Awami League candidate. Shamim by then had become a member of parliament in 2014. He did look to deprive Ivy of the Awami League nomination, but the party's central command defied the recommendation of its Narayanganj unit – with which Shamim held great influence – to back the popular incumbent. This time, in 2022, the NCC election has once again breathed some life into politics. The city is now awash with campaign posters and banners. Politicians and their supporters took to the field, carrying out activities in 27 wards of NCC. Candidates were seen campaigning hard to win the polls, going door to door and meeting voters face to face until late into the night. Although his equation with Ivy is possibly irredeemable – as anyone who has seen their open warfare on the set of a private television channel can understand – questions were being raised as to whether Shamim's drive to put one over Ivy was making him even neglect his duty towards his party by not campaigning for the candidate. This week Ivy threw a spanner in the works by alleging the man being viewed as Taimur is actually the candidate of the Osman brothers, Shamim and Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association President Selim Osman. However, Shamim said Monday: "The game will be on and we will win it on January 16." Following his announcement, most of the Awami League leaders, activists in Narayanganj were seen in full campaign mode for Ivy, who has served as mayor since 2011. But Ivy said on the same day that "it has become clear from Taimur's activities that he is the candidate nominated by Shamim Osman." This was the same claim she made earlier, that ruffled feathers in the Awami League high command and forced Shamim to come out and clarify his stance ahead of the election. Thursday, regarding Shamim Osman's support, Ivy said: "I did not say I will not need his support. The party has nominated me and the partisans, voters will cast votes for me. If one or two votes do not get cast it will not matter." Taimur said, "My opponent is assuming I got support from certain people and is trying to assassinate my character." "Also, my supporters, party activists, and leaders are being threatened through police visits to their homes." Taimur's coordinator and campaign in-charge, also the convener of district BNP Monirul Islam Robi, was arrested by police from his residence in Hirajhil.

President Donald Trump is mounting one final test of whether the massive crowds that often show up at his signature rallies will translate into votes as he finishes the final 48 hours of his reelection campaign with a dizzying onslaught of events in the battleground states that could decide the race.

BNP’s mayoral candidate of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) election Tabith Awal came under attack during electioneering in the city’s Gabtoli area on Tuesday.

With the allocation of election symbols, BNP’s both mayoral candidates in the polls to Dhaka south and north city corporations kicked off their election campaign on Friday to woo voters.

The campaign of the presidential election will officially start on Sunday in Algeria, the official APS news agency reported Thursday.