United News of Bangladesh

The Election Commission on Friday restored the candidacies of 18 more previously rejected aspirants, while upholding the candidacies of four others, including Sabira Sultana, the BNP-nominated candidate for Jashore-2 in the upcoming national election scheduled for February 12 next. The EC that acts as the electoral appeal tribunal made the decisions hearing a total of 43 appeal petitions filed against the decisions of the returning officers over the acceptance or cancellation of the nomination papers. Besides, 17 other previously rejected candidates couldn’t return to the race as the EC turned down the petitions to regain their candidacy.  The petitions filed by four invalid candidates, including two BNP aspirants for Sherpur-2 and Sirajganj-6 and Jamaat aspirant for Jashore-2 were kept pending to be settled later. The Commission, chaired by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, on Friday settled 39 petitions and kept four petitions pending. With the 18 aspirants who regained candidacy, a total of 353 candidates returned to the electoral race in the last seven days since Saturday last (January 10) the day the hearing started. The Commission that acts as the electoral appeal tribunal so far heard some 500 petitions out of 645 appeals filed by aggrieved persons, challenging the decisions of the returning officers over acceptance and cancellation of nomination papers. Among the four candidates who remain valid, the Election Commission upheld the candidacy of BNP nominated Sabira Sultana for Jashore-2, rejecting the appeal petition filed by independent candidate Jahurul Islam. The EC , also upheld the candidacy of independent Arif Ul Islam Mridha in Narsingdi-3, rejecting the petition filed by BNP nominated Monjur Elahi. The four pending petitions were filed by two BNP invalid aspirants Mohammad Fahim Chowdhury (Sherpur-2) and Shafiqul Islam (Sirajganj-6), Jamaat invalid aspirant Mohammad Mosleh Uddin Farid (Jashore-2) and invalid independent aspirant Azad Chowdhury (Chattogram-8). Of the appeals, the petitions filed by Fahim Chowdhury and Mosleh Uddin are scheduled to be settled on Saturday, while the petitions filed by Shafiqul Islam and Azad Chowdhury on Sunday, the last day of hearing. EC bars polls to all bodies, associations before Feb. 12 elections done 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. 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.

BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury on Friday said that the power of the state should be reduced while empowering the people. He warned that excessive state power creates difficulties for citizens and can lead to fascism, stressing that every citizen must be strong. “We want to bring this change in the coming days. In the past, excessive state power had left the people captive, pushing the country into a deep crisis. Today is the time to reduce state power and strengthen the people,” he said. He made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a ceremonial event organized by the Chattogram Dhormo Ujjwal Parishad at the Siemens Hostel premises of the National Maritime Academy in Chattogram on Friday on the occasion of the organization’s anniversary. Amir Khasru also emphasized the importance of religious harmony and social unity. “Everyone has the right to act freely. We want you to participate in every sector of society and take on leadership roles. I urge women to participate more, take leadership positions, and become stronger. Sustainable development and real change require equal participation of women in all areas,” he said. He added, “We are all one. You should have no doubts or conflicts about this.” Special guests at the event included Captain Ataur Rahman and BNP International Affairs Sub-Committee member Israfil Khasru.

The Election Commission on Thursday announced a fresh election schedule for Pabna-1 and Pabna-2 constituencies to hold polls on February 12 next in line with the order of the Appellate Division. The election schedule was declared cancelling the previous schedule announced on December 11 last as per the court order passed on Thursday, said a notification issued by the EC. According to the new schedule, the deadline for the submission of nomination papers is January 18, while the scrutiny of the nomination papers is on January 19 and the last date for the withdrawal of candidature is January 26. The appeals can be submitted with the Election Commission from January 20 to 24, challenging the decisions of the returning officer over acceptance or cancellation of nomination papers. The EC will hear and dispose of the appeal petitions, if any, on January 25. The symbols will be allocated on January 27. Jamaat alleges deliberate harassment of its candidates by election officials Voting will be held together with the elections to the country’s other 298 constituencies, and the referendum. The Election Commission had earlier suspended the election in Pabna-1 and Pabna-2 constituencies until further directives from the court. An EC circular was issued on January 6 but made public on January 10, suspending the election to the two constituencies in line with an order issued by the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on January 5 over a dispute regarding the demarcation of the two constituencies, the national parliamentary constituencies No 68 (Pabna-1) and No 69 (Pabna-2). On January 15, the Appellate Division on Thursday cleared the way for holding the elections in Pabna-1 and Pabna-2 constituencies on February 12 in accordance with the boundaries specified in the Election Commission’s September 4 gazette. EC so far clears path for 275 to contest Feb-12 election An Appellate Division bench led by Chief Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury passed the order. As per the order, Sathia upazila will constitute Pabna-1 constituency while Sujanagar and Bera upazilas will form Pabna-2.

Dhaka, Jan 16 (UNB)— Law Adviser Asif Nazrul on Friday said former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia was unjustly convicted in what he described as the most disgraceful and farcical trial in Bangladesh’s history, referring to the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case. Addressing a condolence meeting held at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, Asif Nazrul termed the Zia Orphanage Trust case against Khaleda Zia a “sham and disgraceful judgment” in the country’s judicial history. He recalled an incident from the trial, saying a defence lawyer had asked Khaleda Zia whether she had misappropriated orphan funds.  “Hurt and astonished, Khaleda Zia repeated the question—‘Did I embezzle orphan money?’ The court treated this as her statement and convicted her on that basis. As a student of law, I can say with certainty that there cannot be a more disgraceful trial than this,” the law adviser said. Khaleda Zia’s grace, sense of dignity were truly admirable: Nurul Kabir Asif Nazrul noted that there was a time when hardly anyone dared to speak out in support of the BNP or against the injustice done to Khaleda Zia. While searching for statements protesting the unfair trial, he said, only four people at home and abroad could be persuaded to issue statements. “I am talking about a time when it was almost impossible to find people willing to stand by Khaleda Zia,” he added, noting that the situation has since changed. Asif Nazrul further said Khaleda Zia has found a permanent place in the hearts of the people, while ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been relegated to a place of rejection. Asif Nazrul remarked that Bangladesh would prosper only if the country is envisioned in the way Khaleda Zia had envisioned it. “Khaleda Zia is no more. Now the biggest concern is what Bangladesh will look like in the days ahead. If we want a better Bangladesh, we must uphold Khaleda Zia, follow her ideals and run the country in that spirit.” Thanking the fighters of the July uprising, the adviser said people in the country are now able to express their opinions freely, without obstruction in expressing either love or dissent. Khaleda Zia’s legacy honoured in Washington National Press Club BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman and his family members were present at the programme. Senior leaders, including members of the BNP Standing Committee, also attended the condolence meeting. Eminent citizens from the media, business community and various professional groups spoke at the event, recalling Khaleda Zia’s memories and paying tribute to her.

President of the Editors’ Council Nurul Kabir on Friday said former Prime Minister and ex-BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia consistently stood out in Bangladesh’s political landscape for her grace, decency, restraint and strong sense of self-respect. “Khaleda Zia created a unique example in Bangladeshi politics through her refined conduct, decency, moderation, dignity and restraint, which always impressed me,” he said while addressing a citizens’ condolence meeting organised in memory of Khaleda Zia at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban. Reflecting on her centrist and democratic political approach, Nurul Kabir said that although he was never directly involved with BNP’s political strategies, he had always supported the party’s democratic ideals. Highlighting her restraint amid personal suffering, the veteran journalist said, “Despite the oppression, persecution and hardships she and her family endured, no one has ever heard her utter words of condemnation. Such restraint is undoubtedly rare.” Civic condolence over Khaleda’s passing on Friday Recalling an incident from the night of March 25, 1971, Nurul Kabir said that when Bengali officers were preparing to take up arms against Pakistani commanders, a Pakistani Subedar Major under then Major Ziaur Rahman attempted to break open an arms cache and open fire on Bengali officers. “It was Khaleda Zia who stopped him. She was an ordinary housewife at the time, yet her courage saved the lives of many Bengali officers that night.” He stressed that her bravery should not be underestimated, noting that without her courageous intervention in the early hours of the war, many Bengali officers might have lost their lives. “It could even have affected Ziaur Rahman’s historic declaration of independence on March 26.” Addressing BNP leaders and activists, Nurul Kabir urged them not to take any action that would dishonour Khaleda Zia’s ideals. “Do nothing that would make people say Khaleda Zia was fortunate to have passed away and not lived to witness such days.” He called upon BNP to continue its democratic journey and actively participate in building a beautiful and democratic Bangladesh.

US Trump administration officials on Friday held a virtual meeting with Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairman Tarique Rahman to discuss the interim government’s negotiated tariff agreement and explore ways to strengthen bilateral trade ties. The meeting was held from 9:00am to 9:30am (BST), with Tarique Rahman and a BNP representative joining it from his residence, while the US delegation participated from Washington, DC.  From the BNP side, Humaiun Kabir, Joint Secretary General and Foreign Affairs Adviser to the BNP Chairman, joined the discussion alongside Tarique Rahman, said Saleh Shibly, Press Secretary of the BNP Chairman.  Tarique Rahman holds first meeting with Prof Yunus in Bangladesh The US delegation was led by US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. Other participants included Assistant US Trade Representative for South and Central Asia Emily Ashby, Deputy Assistant US Trade Representative Rick Switzer, USTR Chief of Staff Sam Mulopolous, and Senior Policy Adviser to the Deputy USTR D.R Seckinger. During the meeting, Tarique Rahman emphasised the importance of deepening trade engagement and developing broader cooperation in areas of mutual interest to further enhance Bangladesh-US economic ties, sources said.

The Election Commission on Thursday (January 15, 2026) announced a fresh election schedule for Pabna-1 and Pabna-2 constituencies to hold polls on February 12 next in line with the order of the Appellate Division. The election schedule was declared cancelling the previous schedule announced on December 11 last as per the court order passed on Thursday, said a notification issued by the EC. According to the new schedule, the deadline for the submission of nomination papers is January 18, while the scrutiny of the nomination papers is on January 19 and the last date for the withdrawal of candidature is January 26. 60 more candidates reinstated on day 6 of appeals process The appeals can be submitted with the Election Commission from January 20 to 24, challenging the decisions of the returning officers over acceptance or cancellation of nomination papers. The EC will hear and dispose of the appeal petitions, if any, on January 25. The symbols will be allocated on January 27. The voting will be held from 7:30am to 4:30pm on February 12, simultaneously with the election to the country’s rest 298 constituencies and referendum. The Election Commission recently suspended the election in Pabna-1 and Pabna-2 constituencies until further directives from the court. Jamaat-led Alliance: NCP holds on to 30 seats, but IAB absent from press conference An EC circular was issued on January 6 but made public on January 10, suspending the election to the two constituencies in line with an order issued by the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on January 5 over a dispute regarding the demarcation of the two constituencies, the national parliamentary constituencies No 68 (Pabna-1) and No 69 (Pabna-2). On January 15, the Appellate Division cleared the way for holding the elections in Pabna-1 and Pabna-2 constituencies on February 12 in accordance with the boundaries specified in the Election Commission’s September 4 gazette. An Appellate Division bench led by Chief Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury passed the order. As per the order, Sathia upazila will constitute Pabna-1 constituency while Sujanagar and Bera upazilas will form Pabna-2. Read more: No evidence of postal ballot irregularities found: EC Sanaullah

The Election Commission (EC) on Thursday restored the candidacies of 60 more previously rejected aspirants after hearing their appeals, while rejecting the appeals filed by 29 others in the February-12 national election. The full Election Commission, chaired by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, also dismissed five appeals filed against five valid candidates, upholding the validity of their nominations for the 13th parliamentary election. Besides, the EC, functioning as the Electoral Appeal Tribunal, kept 10 appeal petitions pending for further hearing and disposal. The Commission began hearing and disposing of appeal petitions last Saturday, filed by aggrieved candidates and organisations challenging the acceptance and rejection of nomination papers by returning officers during scrutiny. The EC is scheduled to hear a total of 645 appeals by January 18. With the restoration of 60 candidates on Thursday, the total number of previously rejected aspirants who have regained their candidacy now stands at 335, while 107 invalid candidates have so far failed to return to the race. On Thursday, the EC kept pending the appeal filed by Jamaat-e-Islami aspirant Mahbubul Alam for Kurigram-3, which is set to be settled on January 17, while reinstating the candidacy of Jamaat aspirant Masum Mostafa for Netrakona-5. The Commission rejected the petition filed by Jamaat candidate Masud Sayedi of Pirojpur-1 against the validity of BNP candidate Alamgir Hossain. It also kept pending the petition filed by Trust Bank against the validity of BNP candidate Mohammad Aslam Chowdhury for Chattogram-4, which will be heard on January 17. The EC upheld the validity of BNP candidate Hummam Quader Chowdhury for Chattogram-7, rejecting an appeal filed by Peoples Leasing and Financial Services Ltd. Similarly, the Commission rejected an appeal filed by Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) candidate Omar Faruk, upholding the validity of BNP candidate Jashim Uddin Ahmed for Chattogram-14. Meanwhile, Jatiya Party (a faction) Chairman Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud failed to regain his candidacy on appeal for the Chattogram-5 (Hathazari Upazila) constituency. 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 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.

BNP on Thursday urged the Election Commission (EC) to activate a fact-checking cell immediately to curb disinformation, misinformation and smear campaigns on social media ahead of the national election. “There is widespread propaganda on social media centring on the election. Misinformation, disinformation and character assassination are being carried out,” said Mahdi Amin, spokesperson of the BNP’s election steering committee, at the party’s Gulshan election office. In this context, he said the BNP has demanded the formation of a fact-checking cell at the Election Commission. “We urge that such a fact-checking cell be made operational across the country without delay.” The BNP leader said intense propaganda and character assassination using the social media platforms may affect the election atmosphere if left unaddressed. He said Meta recently verified the official Facebook and Instagram accounts of Barrister Zaima Rahman, daughter of BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman. Mahdi said Zaima does not operate any other social media accounts. He claimed BNP’s ICT wing has taken down over 50 fake accounts and pages spreading deepfake and AI-generated content, and is in communication with Meta to remove more. The BNP leader also said numerous fake pages were opened using the name of Dr Zubaida Rahman, wife of Tarique Rahman, to spread fabricated videos. “We confirm Dr Zubaida Rahman has no social media account. We request everyone not to be misled.” The BNP spokesperson said the party has launched a call centre to enable people to seek information, lodge complaints or share feedback by dialling 16543. He also introduced the ‘Match My Policy’ platform, where people can give their opinions on the party’s policy proposals for its upcoming manifesto. On the question of the referendum scheduled for 12 February, Mahdi said BNP will take a ‘Yes’ position on reform issues based on its earlier proposals, including Vision 2030, the 27-point framework and the 31-point programme. “We call upon every democratic-minded citizen, institution and political party to contribute to a transparent and accountable state system,” he said. Mahdi also voiced concern over what he described as discriminatory placement of election symbols on postal ballots. “Unfortunately, we have noticed that the ‘paddy sheaf’ symbol has been placed at the bottom in a way that is not easily visible. It could be rearranged in columns or lines to remove this disparity.” He alleged that some BNP candidates living abroad during previous years renounced their foreign citizenship after securing nominations, but the EC is still creating complications over dual nationality. “Under Article 66 of the Constitution there is no scope for unnecessary debate.” Mahdi also said several political parties were openly seeking votes with party symbols both physically and online, while BNP expects the EC to ensure equal enforcement of election rules.