United News of Bangladesh

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 Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-Party Electoral Alliance has reached a seat-sharing agreement for 253 constituencies, keeping the rest 'reserved' for disgruntled ally Islami Andolan Bangladesh, which didn't join alliance leaders for a press conference announcing their progress on the distribution of the seats on Thursday night. The press conference was held at the Diploma Engineers Institute auditorium around 8pm, having been postponed earlier from a 4.30pm slot. According to the announcement, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami will contest 179 seats, the National Citizen Party (NCP) 30 seats, Bangladesh Khilafat Majlis 20 seats, Khilafat Majlis 10 seats, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) 7 seats, Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party) 3 seats, Bangladesh Development Party (BDP) 2 seats, and Nezam-e-Islam 2 seats. Alliance leaders said that from the time of the announcement, only one candidate will contest in each seat under the alliance banner, and no other alliance member will field a candidate in that constituency. All parties will work together to ensure victory for the alliance candidate. The alliance has kept 47 seats free, indicating they will be filled after talks are completed with the Islami Andolan Bangladesh, previously the second-largest party in the alliance after Jamaat. IAB, led by the Charmonai Pir, has been acting indifferent within the alliance ever since NCP were brought on. Notably, no representative of Islami Andolan Bangladesh was present at the press conference. The party has called a press conference at 3pm on Friday to clarify its position on the seat-sharing arrangement. The press conference will be held at the party’s central office in Old Paltan, Dhaka. Jamaat Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman said the alliance was formed to meet the nation’s aspiration for liberation from what he described as “a decayed political system” shaped by 54 years of misrule. “We no longer want the old politics that turned into fascism and oppressed the nation. We reject the politics that prioritises killing people instead of protecting innocent lives,” he said. He added that the alliance would not tolerate any form of electoral engineering, vote rigging, or manipulation, and vowed to resist all attempts at vote fraud. Jamaat Ameer, responding to a question from journalists at the press conference, said the alliance has not broken and remains intact. He said that if a party fails to reach consensus for any reason, it does not mean the alliance has collapsed, adding that it is not a formal coalition but an electoral unity. Without naming Islami Andolon Bangladesh, he said, “One party was with us at the beginning but is not present here now. This does not indicate a split. They are having further internal discussions. We are in regular contact with them. They will announce their final decision, and we hope they will remain with us.” Jamaat’s Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher said this election is unlike previous ones.“Earlier elections were only about changing power. This election is about our very existence,” he said, adding that minor unresolved issues in seat allocation would be settled before the withdrawal deadline. NCP Convener Nahid Islam described the alliance as a historic political journey, saying it carries immense significance beyond electoral adjustment. “After the mass uprising, the aspirations we want to move forward with must pass this test in the upcoming election. We will work together to build the Bangladesh envisioned through the Liberation War—based on equality, human dignity, and social justice—while also carrying the spirit of all historic struggles, including the 1947 movement for freedom,” he said. The press conference was attended by LDP President Col (retd) Oli Ahmed, NCP’s Naseruddin Patwari, Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, Bangladesh Khilafat Majlis Ameer Maulana Mamunul Haque, Secretary General Jalaluddin Ahmed, Khilafat Majlis Secretary General Dr Ahmed Abdul Qader, AB Party President Mujibur Rahman Manju, BDP President Anwarul Islam Chan, Nezame Islam Party Senior Nayeb-e-Ameer Maulana Abdul Majed Athari, Jagpa Vice-President and Spokesperson Rashed Pradhan, Bangladesh Khilafat Andolon Secretary General Yusuf Sadiq Haqqani, among others.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami on Thursday lodged a complaint with the Election Commission, alleging that its candidates are being harassed in some areas by magistrates and election officials. The party claimed that such actions are being taken on the officials’ own initiative, even where no formal complaints have been lodged, raising concerns about the neutrality of the administration ahead of the upcoming national election scheduled for February 12. “In several areas, candidates of certain parties are continuing their campaign freely. Again, (false) complaints are being filed against us. Even though complaints are not filed in some places, magistrates and election officials are harassing us on their own initiative,” said Jamaat Assistant Secretary General AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad after a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin. A Jamaat delegation, led by Hamidur Rahman Azad, met the CEC at Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital in the afternoon. Azad said the election campaign is supposed to start from January 22 as the election schedule. “So, that campaign should not be carried out now. If the impartiality of the administration cannot be ensured, there will be no level playing field (in the election,” he said. The Jamaat leader claimed that the candidates of certain parties are not facing any action for violating the electoral code of conduct, but Jamaat candidates are being subjected to complaints, fines and notices in many places. There are piles of complaints (lodged by us), but no action has been taken, and this indicates that electoral equality is not being maintained, he alleged. “On the one hand, they are violating the code of conduct. But there is no action against them. And those who are not violating the code of conduct, they are being served with fines and notices to harass them on the other hand. We have told the commission - this must be stopped,” said Azad, also a Jamaat candidate for Cox’s Bazar-2. He said they all want the election and referendum to be held on February 12, 2026 in line with the announced schedule. He said Jamaat wants the election and referendum to be held on February 12, 2026, in line with the announced schedule, adding that the party expects a fair election free from past irregularities. Noting that two major political parties or alliances are contesting in the election, he said chiefs of the parties should get equal treatment in case of getting state protocol and security. “The State protocol and security arrangements must be ensured on an equitable basis. “If security or state protocol is provided, it must be ensured equally for all party chiefs and those who have sought protection. Selective arrangements will not ensure a level playing field,” he said. The Jamaat leader asked all stakeholders, including the government and the Election Commission to take steps for ensuring a congenial atmosphere to hold a fair election. “If you take initiative, take effective steps, as a political party and as a supporting force. We are by your side.” He said if the government and the EC go all out unilaterally due to the failure of the law, Jamaat will be forced to carry out its responsibility. “The question may arise about how much we can support you in this election.” The Jamaat leader also demanded that every polling station be brought under CCTV surveillance to ensure security and a fair voting environment. He said the government should allocate funds to ensure that all polling centres are covered by CCTV cameras at state expense. Responding to allegations that a Jamaat leader was involved in postal ballot irregularities in Bahrain, Azad said the claim is completely false, noting that Jamaat has no overseas organisational activities in that country where political activities are not permitted. He also alleged that candidates of a particular party are violating the electoral code of conduct by distributing family cards. Regarding BNP’s demand for constituency-based postal ballots with candidates’ names and symbols for in-country postal voting, Azad said there is no problem with using such ballots. About BNP’s allegation that its party symbol was intentionally made less visible on postal ballots sent to expatriates, he said the symbols might have been arranged according to alphabetical order. “If the Election Commission has followed a specific method to determine the serial, there is no reason to raise objections,” he added.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami nominated Md Abdul Haque has returned to the electoral race in Dhaka-2 constituency as the Election Commission on Tuesday granted his appeal against the decision of the returning officer who turned down his nomination paper during the scrutiny. The Commission, chaired by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, heard the petition filed by Abdul Haque and announced its decision that reinstated his candidacy in Dhaka-2. With the EC’s decision, Abdul Haque, also the Chairman of the Retired Armed Forces Officers Welfare Association (RAOWA), will contest with BNP candidate Amanullah Aman and Islami Andolan Bangladesh contestant Jahirul Islam from the constituency in the 13th parliamentary election scheduled for February 12 next. 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. Later, the returning officers declared 1,842 nomination papers valid, while 723 others invalid during the scrutiny. Challenging the decisions of the returning officers over acceptance and cancellation of the nomination papers, aggrieved persons submitted a total of 645 appeals with the Election Commission that acts as the Electoral Appeal Tribunal. The Commission started hearing and disposal of the petitions on Saturday last and will continue till January 18. AB Party’s Monju apologises for joining Jamaat-led alliance 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.

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen met Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Monday and discussed ways to strengthen party-to-party exchanges. The two sides had in-depth discussions on China-Bangladesh relations, party-to-party exchanges and other issues of common interest in a cordial and constructive atmosphere, said the Chinese Embassy in Dhaka. Both sides agreed to further strengthen party-to-party exchanges, deepen friendly cooperation in various fields, promote the development of the Bangladesh-China Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership, so as to bring more benefit to the people of both countries.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Monday said the alliance is expected to make a final announcement on seat-sharing either on Tuesday or Wednesday. He made the remarks while speaking to reporters after meeting a three-member delegation led by Ivars Ijabs, chief observer of the European Union (EU) Election Observation Mission and a Member of the European Parliament, at the Jamaat Ameer’s office in Bashundhara in the afternoon. Asked about the formation of an 11-party alliance, including Jamaat and the National Citizen Party (NCP), Dr Shafiqur said, “You will receive an invitation tomorrow; if not, then the day after. We will come together publicly.” During the meeting, the EU delegation said a 200-member observation team would monitor the upcoming national parliamentary elections across districts and city corporation areas.

The Election Inquiry and Judicial Committee has served a show-cause notice on Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Dr Faizul Haque for the Jhalakathi-1 (Rajapur–Kathalia) constituency over allegations of violating the electoral code of conduct. The notice was issued on Friday (Jan 9) evening by Rezwana Afrin, joint district and sessions judge (Second Court) and head of the committee. According to the notice, Dr Faizul made remarks during election campaigning that hurt religious sentiments and sought votes by using religion, which is a violation of electoral rules. He is also accused of campaigning before the officially permitted time, another breach of the code of conduct. After reviewing reliable information, news reports, and video footage circulated on social media, the committee found that on January 7, during a courtyard meeting in Rajapur upazila, Dr Faizul Haque made a public statement that was considered an abuse of religious sentiment. The notice further stated that the actions constitute clear violations of Rules 15(a), 16(ng), and 18 of the Code of Conduct for Political Parties and Candidates in Parliamentary Elections 2025. He has been asked to appear in person on January 12 and submit a written explanation as to why a recommendation for action against him should not be sent to the Election Commission. Responding to the notice, Dr Faizul Haque said, “I respect the law and will respond to the notice within the stipulated time.”

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).

Jamaat-e-Islami on Thursday formed its election management committee for the 13th national election, appointing party’s assistant secretary general Maulana ATM Masum as convener and Maulana Abdul Halim as member-secretary. The party announced the committee in a press release in the evening. The committee includes Advocate Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair, Advocate Moyazzem Hossain Helal, Maulana Muhammad Shahjahan, Mobarak Hossain, Md. Abdur Rob, A.F.M. Abdus Sattar, Advocate Dr. Helal Uddin, Prof. Dr. Nazrul Islam, Prof. Dr. AKM Waliullah, former Additional Secretary Khandakar Rashedul Haque, former Senior Secretary Md. Safiullah, former Secretary Abdul Kaiyum, former Secretary Abdullah Al Mamun, Brigadier General (Retd.) Golam Mostofa, Brigadier General (Retd.) Shafiqul Islam, Major (Retd.) Muhammad Yunus Ali, Zahidur Rahman, Advocate Atikur Rahman, Engineer Sirajul Islam, Rajibur Rahman Palash, Engineer Dr. Zubayer Ahmad, Dr. Hafizur Rahman, Prof. Saifullah Mansur, Dr. Mostofa Monwar, Manjurul Islam, Zahidul Islam and others.

Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher on Wednesday alleged that his party faced serious discrimination during the scrutiny of nomination papers and demanded the removal of partisan Deputy Commissioners (DCs) and Superintendents of Police (SPs) from their posts. “There are two kinds of decisions in one country and two different applications of the same law. We have informed the Election Commission about this and protested,” Dr Taher said while talking to reporters after leading his party delegation in a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin at Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital. He said two kinds of decisions were seen on the similar issues as some partisan DCs were appointed in different places who took decisions based on their partisan attitude not laws during the scrutiny of nomination papers. “We have demanded that such partisan DCs and SPs be withdrawn and neutral officials be appointed in their place.” Dr Taher said Jamaat candidates faced serious discrimination in the decisions of the returning officers during the scrutiny citing inconsistencies in handling cases related to dual citizenship. “In similar cases of dual citizenship, nomination papers were accepted in some constituencies, while in others they were rejected,” he said, adding that the nomination paper of Jamaat aspirant Mahbub Salehin in Kurigram was rejected on similar grounds. “However, in the same situation, our candidate Barrister Mahbub Salehi from Kurigram was not accepted. We have drawn the Election Commission’s attention to this issue,” he added. Dr Taher also alleged discriminatory treatment in cases related to past convictions during the Awami League regime. “In one such case, three of our leaders were punished unlawfully. Among them, nomination papers of two candidates were accepted, but in the same circumstances, the nomination of our candidate Hamidur Rahman Azad was rejected,” he said. No Level-playing Field Yet Raising concerns over the level-playing field, Dr Taher said Jamaat informed the EC that the level-playing field is not still there. “We told the Election Commission that there is no level-playing field now. One particular party is being given extensive promotion,” he said. “For example, today I called the information adviser and said that your television has not yet become Muslim as it is not neutral,” he said, adding that they asked him to take initiatives to ensure that the election campaign is equal in the television. The Jamaat leader claimed unequal security and protocol arrangements for a particular party and leaders are also distorting the electoral environment. “When someone is given excessive protocol, it creates a public impression that they may become something important in the future…. This damages the level-playing field and sends a wrong message to the people,” he said, adding that they drew the attention of the Election Commission to this matter. Dr Taher said treatment of major political parties must be equal in terms of government protection, protocol and even family-related facilities. He also accused one political party of violating the election code of conduct by distributing VGF cards, agriculture cards and family cards. “This is a clear and blatant violation of the code of conduct. We raised the issue and the Election Commission assured us that action would be taken if such incidents occur,” he said. The Jamaat leader also demanded the installation of CCTV cameras in polling stations, adding that the EC informed them that at least 90 percent of stations would be brought under CCTV coverage. Calling for a credible election based on an equal level-playing field, Dr Taher warned that failure to ensure fairness could put the country at serious risk. “If the upcoming election turns out to be another arranged election, Bangladesh will face an existential crisis and move towards a more dangerous situation,” he said. Asked whether Jamaat still had confidence in the Election Commission, Dr Taher said, “We still want to keep our trust, as we are in the election process.” Responding to questions about fears of a one-sided election and the law and order situation, he said Jamaat had conveyed its concerns to the EC over the law and order situation. “In recent days, the government’s conduct and excessive actions in the name of protection have raised serious concerns—not just in our minds, but naturally in yours as well,” he said. The five-member Jamaat delegation also included its Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar and Assistant Secretary General Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair and Jamaat MP candidate Shishir Monir.