United News of Bangladesh

National Citizen Party (NCP) reconsiders whether it should participate in the upcoming national election, citing what it described as one-sided decisions by the Election Commission (EC), party spokesperson Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan said on Sunday (January 18, 2026). Speaking at an emergency press conference at the party’s makeshift office at Banglamotor on the final day of appeal hearings, Asif said the prevailing situation has prompted the party to reassess its electoral stance. “Given the current circumstances, we believe the time has come to reconsider whether we should take part in this national election. We will review the matter of participating or not participating in the election," he said.  Asif, who is also the chairman of NCP’s central election management committee, said no final decision has been taken yet. NCP accuses EC officials of bias ahead of election The issue will be discussed at the party’s political council and also within its 10-party alliance, after which the party will announce its position, Asif said.  He alleged that the Election Commission has lost public confidence, saying it failed to gain the trust of political parties and voters required to conduct a credible election. “If the electoral process continues in this manner, we fear the EC will not be able to deliver a free and fair election in Bangladesh.” Asif criticised the EC for what he termed unilateral decisions allowing candidates with dual citizenship and loan defaulters to contest the polls, claiming such moves undermine electoral integrity. He also alleged that incidents outside the EC on the final day of appeal hearings were orchestrated, accusing the student wing of a major political party of creating a 'mob' situation. “On the last day of appeals, there is a mob outside, while their secretary general is meeting the commission inside. These are all staged dramas.” Asif said NCP will continue its legal battle and consult its alliance partners before announcing further programmes. Meanwhile, despite expressing uncertainty over participation in the election, NCP on the same day announced the formation of a political liaison sub-committee to accelerate the work of its central election management committee ahead of the national election. Read more: EC revokes candidacy of BNP’s Munshi, upholds NCP’s Hasnat in Cumilla-4 The ten-member committee has been formed with Akram Hossain as its head and Faisal Mahmud as secretary, tasked with strengthening coordination and boosting the party’s election-related activities.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Sunday urged all concerned to unite and work for the success of the upcoming election and the country, irrespective of victory or defeat in the election, scheduled for February 12. “We must hold a fair election under any circumstances. Please inform us of any urgent information, complaint or opinion related to the election. We will immediately bring it to the attention of the Election Commission. If the government needs to take any action, we will do so,” he said. Prof Yunus made the remarks when a four-member delegation of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami met him in the evening. Jamaat Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman led the delegation at the meeting held at the State Guest House Jamuna. Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher, Mia Golam Parwar and Rafiqul Islam Khan were present. Advisers Dr Wahid Uddin Mahmud, Adilur Rahman Khan and Muhammad Fauzul Kabir Khan attended the meeting. Chinese envoy meets Jamaat Ameer “This election and the referendum must be held successfully. No matter what anyone says, the election will be held on February 12. This will not be a random election. It is the collective responsibility of the government, the Election Commission and political parties to ensure a fair and festive electoral atmosphere. We seek the cooperation of all political parties in this regard,” the Chief Adviser said. Various election-related issues were discussed during the meeting. The Jamaat leaders said their election campaign would begin in full swing from January 22 and that the party had already started campaigning for a 'Yes' vote in the referendum. They said two campaigns would run simultaneously from that date. The Jamaat leaders also drew the Chief Adviser’s attention to several election-related concerns, said the Chief Adviser’s press wing. Regarding election security, Prof Yunus said polling centres would soon be brought under CCTV surveillance, with most centres to be covered. The installations are expected to be completed by late January. He said officials at sensitive centres would be equipped with body cameras, and all activities would be monitored from a central control room. The footage would be recorded to allow immediate action in case of any untoward incident.  

The Election Commission on Sunday cleared the way for most candidates facing dual citizenship complications to contest the February 12 national election, but rejected appeals from two BNP aspirants from Cumilla-3 and Cumilla-10. BNP candidate Abdul Gafur Bhuiyan (Cumilla-10) lost his candidature on ground of dual citizenship issue during the hearing in his absentia, while another BNP contestant Sarowar Alamgir (Chattogram-2) lost his candidacy on ground of loan default on Sunday. EC clears Aslam Chy, blocks BNP bids in Ctg-2, Cumilla-10 However, the EC, chaired by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, kept the fate of BNP candidate Kazi Shah Mofazzel Hossain Kaikobad (Cumilla-3) pending for the verification of denouncement of his Turkish citizenship. But the Commission is most likely to uphold his candidacy to run the election from Cumilla-3. Earlier, on Saturday, the Commission cancelled the candidacy of BNP’s Monzurul Ahsan Munshi and upheld that of National Citizen Party (NCP) candidate Abul Hasnat, popularly known as Hasnat Abdullah, in Cumilla-4. Munshi's candidacy was revoked on the grounds of loan default. Read more: Swiss, Brazilian envoys meet Tarique  The EC heard more than 20 petitions related to dual citizenship issues, including several taken up suo motu, and delivered verdicts on all such appeals on Sunday, the final day of the nine-day hearing, aiming to ensure consistency in decisions on similar cases. The candidates, who faced dual citizenship barriers but their nominations were finally upheld or restored, include BNP candidates Abdul Awal Mintoo (Feni-3), Afroza Khanam (Manikganj-3), AKM Kamruzzaman (Dinajpur-5), Shama Obaid (Faridpur-2), Shawkatul Islam (Maulvibazar-2), Kabir Ahmed Bhuiyan (Brahmanbaria-4), Moniruzzaman (Satkhira-4), Tahir Raihan (Sunamganj-2) and Fahim Chowdhury (Sherpur-2), Jamaat-e-Islami candidates Nazrul Islam (Dhaka-1), Zunaid Hasan (Brahmanbaria-3), AKM Fazlul Haqaue (Chattogram-9) and Mahbubul Alam (Kurigram-3), NCP candidate Ehteshamul Haque (Sylhet-1) independent candidates Anwar Hossain (Sunamganj-3) and Sujat Miah (Habiganj-1) and Islami Andolan Bangladesh candidate Zahirul Islam (Noakhali-1). Besides, the Commission upheld the candidacy of BNP’s Mohammad Aslam Chowdhury (Chattogram-4) and restored the candidacy of Jamaat’s Mohammad Mosleh Uddin Farid (Jashore-2), settling the appeal petitions on ground of loan default. The EC on Saturday last (January 10) started hearing of the appeal petitions filed by aggrieved persons and organisations against the decisions of the returning officers over the acceptance and cancellations of nomination papers during the scrutiny. The Commission ended the hearing settling  all the 645 appeals on Sunday (January 18). Following the nine-day hearing, more than 400 previously invalid candidates returned to the February-12 electoral race. Speaking at the conclusion of the hearings, Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin said the Commission did not show any bias while disposing of appeals filed against decisions of returning officers. He said the EC even relaxed the requirement of one-percent voter endorsement for independent candidates to encourage broader participation, adding that the Commission wants a participatory election to be held. 60 more candidates reinstated on day 6 of appeals process “We assure that neither I nor my team delivered any judgment with bias,” the CEC said, adding that uniformity was maintained in decisions related to dual citizenship issues. According to the EC, a total of 2,568 aspirants submitted nomination papers to contest the upcoming national election from the country’s 300 constituencies by the December-29 deadline. After scrutiny, returning officers declared 1,842 nomination papers valid and rejected 723 others. 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.

Swiss Ambassador Reto Renggli and Brazilian Ambassador Paulo Fernando Dias Feres separately paid courtesy calls on BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Monday. The Brazilian Ambassador to Bangladesh first met Tarique Rahman at the party chairman’s Gulshan political office around 5pm, said BNP Media Cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan. Later in the evening, the Swiss Ambassador to Bangladesh met the BNP chairman at the same office around 6:15 pm. Zia’s 90th birth anniversary Monday During the meetings, Tarique exchanged greetings with the two envoys and discussed issues of mutual interest, including ways to further strengthen bilateral relations with Bangladesh, Sayrul said. BNP Joint Secretary General Humayun Kabir was also present at the meetings.

BNP is set to observe the 90th birth anniversary of its founder and former President Ziaur Rahman on Monday with due respect. Born on January 19, 1936 at Bagbari, Bogura, Ziaur Rahman was assassinated by a group of army officers at the Chattogram Circuit House on May 30, 1981. He founded the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in 1978 and later became the country’s seventh president. Meanwhile, BNP announced a two-day programme on Saturday to mark the birth anniversary of its founder. As part of the programmes, party flags will be hoisted at BNP offices across the country, including its Nayapaltan central office, on Monday morning. Party leaders and activists, led by members of the standing committee, will place wreaths at Zia’s grave at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar and offer fateha there at 11:00 am. Doctors’ Association of Bangladesh (DAB) will organise a free medical camp as part of the programmes. BNP will also hold a discussion meeting on Tuesday at the Institution of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh, in memory of Zia. BNP’s associate bodies will also mark the day with various programmes, including discussion meetings and the distribution of warm clothes. The party’s city, district and upazila units will observe the occasion with different activities. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir issued a message paying deep tribute to Ziaur Rahman. “Shaheed Zia was a visionary statesman. The proclaimer of Bangladesh’s independence, the pioneer of multi-party democracy, the commander of the Z Force during the Liberation War, and the proponent of Bangladesh nationalist ideology—I pay tribute to him on the occasion of his 90th birth anniversary,” he said. Fakhrul recalled Zia’s contributions to the Liberation War, national development and the restoration of multi-party democracy. The BNP leader also prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul of Zia.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday alleged that the Election Commission (EC) is showing questionable conduct in a number of areas through its actions. “The Election Commission, through its activities, is engaging in questionable conduct in many cases,” Fakhrul said while talking to reporters after a meeting with the Chief Election Commissioner. A BNP delegation, led by Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, met Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin at the city’s Nirbachan Bhaban.  Fakhrul said the BNP placed many election-related issues before the CEC during the one-hour meeting. Read More: Fakhrul expresses concern over law and order ahead of polls He alleged that in various election areas, the returning officers, assistant returning officers, superintendents of police, officers-in-charge of police stations and other officials are working in an ‘objectionable manner’ in favour of a particular political party.  The BNP leader said they have received complaints in this regard and brought these matters to the attention of the Election Commission. “In the interest of a free and fair election, we have requested that those involved be investigated and withdrawn.” The BNP secretary general also claimed that complaints have been received against several senior officials of the Election Commission, alleging that they are working in favour of a specific party. “We have urged the Commission to take appropriate action in this regard,” he added. Raising their party’s concerns over postal ballots, Fakhrul said the issue has not yet been fully resolved. “Especially in the case of registered expatriate voters, there are problems in delivering ballot papers and with the way the ballot papers have been printed. We have submitted our complaints to the Commission.” “We believe these ballot papers are not correct, there has been bias, and attempts have been made to give undue advantage to a particular party,” he said, asking the EC to change the ballots.  Read More: Khaleda an icon of Bangladesh’s democracy, people’s source of trust: Fakhrul He also urged that postal ballots be distributed only after the allocation of election symbols within the country. Raising allegations against Jamaat-e-Islami, Fakhrul said Jamaat’s election workers are going door to door collecting copies of National Identity Cards (NIDs), bKash numbers and mobile phone numbers. “This is a violation of personal privacy and amounts to a criminal offence. We had earlier raised objections over violations of the code of conduct, and we have now called for urgent action on this matter,” he said. Noting that the BNP believes in a level playing field for an election, Fakhrul said the party chairman even cancelled a personal tour in this regard. “Yet leaders and other important figures of various political parties are repeatedly violating the code of conduct by carrying out their campaigns. We have requested the Commission to take immediate action on these issues as well,” he added. Asked whether a level playing field exists for all contestants, the BNP secretary general said, “We believe the Election Commission is trying to ensure a level playing field. There are some minor shortcomings, which we believe they will be able to rectify.” Mirza Fakhrul also alleged that in several constituencies of the Dhaka city, a political party has adopted unethical tactics to ensure the victory of its nominated or supported candidates by transferring voters from different parts of the country and enrolling them as voters in Dhaka constituencies. “We have requested, on an urgent basis, detailed information on how many voters have been transferred, from which areas, to which constituencies in the Dhaka city area, under what reasons, along with the lists and detailed particulars of the transferred voters,” he said.

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman’s daughter Zaima Rahman on Sunday said Bangladesh cannot afford to sideline half its population through exhaustion and social expectation if the country wants real progress. “For a country facing climate change, economic and political transitions, and demographic pressure, Bangladesh cannot afford to sideline half its population through exhaustion and social expectation,” she said while speaking at a dialogue. Zaima said when women are included rather than sidelined, they transform not only their own lives but also the future of their families and the nation. She said real progress and sustainable national development require that women’s empowerment goes beyond classrooms, offices, or policies. “It must reach our homes, our institutions, and our mindsets, and it must be the responsibility of all of us.” The dialogue, titled ‘Women Shaping the Nation: Policy, Possibility, and Future of Bangladesh’, was organised by Dhaka Forum at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB) auditorium. Drawing on her personal experience, Zaima highlighted the role of her family in shaping her understanding of women’s potential, and stressed the crucial role of men, particularly fathers, in breaking the cycle of gender inequality. Zaima said she had never been made to feel that her parents wished for a son instead and recalled that her father had once scolded someone for even asking such a question. She noted that while she was treated with respect and care at home, her father understood that the world outside would not always be the same, and he ensured she could navigate it with confidence. She explained that his example was not in speeches but in consistent actions, which showed her what she should expect from the world. Zaima also said this is how real and lasting change can be achieved, and when men confront unconscious bias in their homes and lives and model respect and fairness, they create space for women not only to survive but to thrive. She also spoke about her mother, a cardiologist, who excelled professionally in often patriarchal environments while raising a family, supported by her household. Zaima highlighted her maternal grandmother Syeda Iqbal Mand Banu who in 1979 started a free elementary school for disadvantaged children in her home—a small act that grew into one of Bangladesh’s earliest NGOs, Surovi, transforming countless young lives. She said her grandparents instilled the belief that women’s dignity must be recognised both privately and publicly.

The Election Commission (EC) on Sunday upheld the candidacy of BNP candidate Mohammad Aslam Chowdhury (Chattogram-4) and rejected the nominations of BNP candidate for Chattogram-2 Sarwar Alamgir and its Cumilla-10 candidate  Abdul Gofur Bhuiyan . The Election Commission rejected appeals from several banks seeking to cancel Aslam Chowdhury’s candidacy over alleged loan defaults. The Commission, chaired by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, passed the order in the afternoon, hearing the petitions filed by Trust Bank, Bank Asia and Jamuna Bank. Aslam Chowdhury was a borrower from Trust Bank, while he was a guarantor over loans taken from two other banks. Cumilla-10 BNP candidate Gofur also loses candidacy Besides, BNP candidate for Chattogram-2 Sarwar Alamgir lost his candidacy following the hearing of an appeal petition by the Election Commission. The EC rejected the nomination of BNP candidate Sarwar Alamgir on the ground of loan default, accepting an appeal petition filed by his rival Jamaat candidate Nurul Amin in the same constituency. The Commission heard the petition and passed the order in the afternoon, declaring that Sarwar Alamgir’s nomination was cancelled. Earlier, the returning officer accepted his nomination declaring him as a valid candidate in the upcoming national election scheduled for February 12 next. BNP candidate for Cumilla-10 Abdul Gofur Bhuiyan  also lost his candidacy following the hearing of an appeal petition by the Election Commission. Chattogram-2 BNP candidate loses candidacy The EC rejected the nomination of the BNP candidate on grounds of dual citizenship, accepting an appeal petition filed by Sanskrit Muktijote candidate Kazi Nurse Alam Siddique in the same constituency. The Commission heard the petition and passed the order in the afternoon. The petitioner alleged that Gofur Bhuiyan is an US citizen and he holds an American passport. However, Gofur Bhuiyan or anyone on his behalf was not presented during the hearing Earlier, the returning officer accepted his nomination declaring him as a valid candidate in the upcoming national election scheduled for February 12 next. EC upholds BNP candidate Aslam Chy’s nomination in Ctg-4 The EC as the Electoral Appeal Tribunal on January 10 started hearing and disposal of the appeal petitions filed by aggrieved persons against the decisions of the returning officers over the acceptance and the cancellation of nomination papers. The Commission will settle all the 645 appeals by today (Sunday).

BNP candidate for Cumilla-10 Abdul Gofur Bhuiyan on Sunday lost his candidacy following the hearing of an appeal petition by the Election Commission. The EC rejected the nomination of the BNP candidate for Cumilla-10 on grounds of dual citizenship, accepting an appeal petition filed by Sanskrit Muktijote candidate Kazi Nurse Alam Siddique in the same constituency. Chattogram-2 BNP candidate loses candidacy The Commission, chaired by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, heard the petition and passed the order in the afternoon, declaring that Gofur Bhuiyan’s nomination was cancelled. The petitioner alleged that Gofur Bhuiyan is an US citizen and he holds an American passport. However, Gofur Bhuiyan or anyone on his behalf was not presented during the hearing Earlier, the returning officer accepted his nomination declaring him as a valid candidate in the upcoming national election scheduled for February 12 next. EC upholds BNP candidate Aslam Chy’s nomination in Ctg-4 The EC as the Electoral Appeal Tribunal on January 10 started hearing and disposal of the appeal petitions filed by aggrieved persons against the decisions of the returning officers over the acceptance and the cancellation of nomination papers. The Commission will settle all the 645 appeals by today (Sunday).

BNP candidate for Chattogram-2 Sarwar Alamgir on Sunday lost his candidacy following the hearing of an appeal petition by the Election Commission. The EC rejected the nomination of BNP candidate Sarwar Alamgir on the ground of loan default, accepting an appeal petition filed by his rival Jamaat candidate Nurul Amin in the same constituency. The Commission, chaired by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, heard the petition and passed the order in the afternoon, declaring that Sarwar Alamgir’s nomination was cancelled. Earlier, the returning officer accepted his nomination declaring him as a valid candidate in the upcoming national election scheduled for February 12 next. The EC as the Electoral Appeal Tribunal on January 10 started hearing and disposal of the appeal petitions filed by aggrieved persons against the decisions of the returning officers over the acceptance and the cancellation of nomination papers. The Commission will settle all the 645 appeals by today (Sunday).