The Bangladesh Election Commission (EC) has instructed district officials to finalize the panel of polling officers for the 13th National Parliamentary Election by December 15. In a recent directive signed by Deputy Secretary Mohammad Monir Hossain, the EC said that if sufficient government officials are unavailable, qualified personnel from private banks may be recruited after proper verification.

The decision follows political debate over the neutrality of polling staff. The opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) recently urged the EC not to appoint employees from institutions perceived as partisan, such as Islami Bank and Al-Arafah Bank, citing concerns about election fairness. The EC’s conditional inclusion of private bank officers appears to balance logistical needs with political sensitivities.

Observers note that the move underscores the administrative challenges of organizing the February 12 election amid calls for transparency. The EC is expected to monitor recruitment closely to prevent bias allegations and ensure confidence in the electoral process.

Bangladesh’s Election Commission (EC) has deployed executive magistrates across the country starting Friday, December 12, to ensure strict enforcement of the electoral code of conduct for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. The magistrates will remain on duty until two days after the voting concludes, operating mobile courts to monitor and address any violations.

The EC announced the election schedule on Thursday evening, setting February 12 as the polling date. Following the announcement, the EC’s Deputy Secretary Mohammad Monir Hossain formally notified the Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration to arrange the deployment. Each upazila and police station area will have at least two magistrates assigned to oversee compliance and maintain order during the campaign period.

The move underscores the commission’s effort to maintain transparency and discipline during the election process. Officials expect the deployment to deter irregularities and strengthen public confidence in the fairness of the upcoming vote.

Bulgaria’s government has announced its resignation following days of mass anti-corruption protests that spread across the country. Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov confirmed on Thursday that his conservative administration would step down, less than a year after taking office. The decision came after mounting public anger over alleged government failures to curb corruption and controversial fiscal measures.

The protests, initially focused on corruption, escalated into a broader anti-government movement, with thousands rallying in Sofia and coastal cities along the Black Sea. Demonstrators opposed a recently unveiled 2026 budget plan denominated in euros, which proposed higher taxes on dividends and social contributions. Although the government withdrew the plan, protests continued, reflecting deep frustration with Bulgaria’s political volatility.

Bulgaria, the poorest member of the European Union, has held seven national elections in the past four years. Analysts warn that the government’s collapse could prolong instability and delay key reforms, while opposition groups call for a technocratic interim administration to restore public trust.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has issued new directives to party leaders and activists following the announcement of the 13th National Parliament election schedule. In a Facebook post on Friday morning, he welcomed the Election Commission’s declaration and pledged the party’s readiness to cooperate in ensuring a fair and successful election process.

Dr. Rahman specifically called on all party members to remove campaign materials within 48 hours, as required by the updated Representation of the People Order (RPO). His message comes amid preparations for the first parliamentary election under the interim government led by Professor Muhammad Yunus, which also coincides with a national referendum.

The upcoming election marks a significant test for the interim administration and the Election Commission, both relatively inexperienced in conducting national polls. Political observers note that Jamaat’s cooperative tone may signal an attempt to re-engage in mainstream politics after years of restrictions and political upheaval.

The Bangladesh government has announced a series of directives surrounding the Savar National Memorial ahead of the country’s Victory Day celebrations on December 16, 2025. According to an official statement from the Department of Information on December 11, public entry to the memorial complex will remain closed from December 13 to 15 to ensure cleanliness and preparation for the national observance.

On Victory Day morning, entry will remain restricted until 8:30 a.m. while VVIPs, VIPs, and invited guests lay floral tributes at the memorial. Authorities have also prohibited the display of posters, banners, and festoons along the Gabtoli–Savar route during the celebration period.

The government urged citizens to respect the sanctity of the site by refraining from damaging the memorial’s flower gardens during tribute offerings. These measures aim to maintain order, security, and the solemn atmosphere of the nation’s most significant commemorative event.

Abdul Kader Siddiqui, president of the Krishak Sramik Janata League, has stated that his party will join Bangladesh’s upcoming national election only if all political parties are allowed to participate. Speaking at the Tangail District Freedom Day event on December 11, Siddiqui warned that if the election becomes a limited contest involving only the BNP and NCP, voter turnout could collapse as citizens would lose interest in a one-sided race.

Siddiqui reaffirmed his lifelong allegiance to the ideals of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, emphasizing unity and democratic inclusivity. He criticized past political decisions that empowered extremist groups and urged current leaders to restore an environment where citizens can freely choose their representatives. Former minister Abdul Latif Siddiqui echoed similar concerns, saying that without a fair electoral atmosphere, public enthusiasm for voting will decline.

Observers note that these remarks highlight growing skepticism about the credibility of Bangladesh’s electoral process. Calls for inclusive participation and political tolerance are likely to intensify ahead of the next general election.

Bangladesh’s Chief Election Commissioner A.M.M. Nasir Uddin on Thursday announced that the country’s 13th national parliamentary election will be held on February 12, alongside a national referendum. The announcement, made in a televised address, marks the formal start of the election process for all 300 constituencies.

Shortly after the schedule was declared, Reuters published an interview with President Mohammed Shahabuddin, in which he expressed his intention to step down following the February election. Shahabuddin, who became Bangladesh’s 22nd president in April 2023 during the Awami League government, said he wishes to leave office but will continue to serve until a new government is formed, as required by the constitution.

Shahabuddin’s statement comes amid a transitional political period following the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024. His potential resignation could open the way for a new political alignment once the election concludes, signaling a possible shift in Bangladesh’s post-crisis governance landscape.

Two advisers to Bangladesh’s interim government, Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan and Mahfuz Alam, have submitted their resignations to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus. However, the resignations will not take immediate effect, as the official election and referendum schedules for the 13th National Parliament have yet to be announced.

Environment and Water Resources Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan explained that one of the resigning advisers intends to contest in the upcoming election and therefore cannot remain in a non-political government. He will complete pending official duties before the schedule is declared. The other adviser’s future political plans remain unclear. Hasan added that the interim government has introduced several legal and democratic reforms during its tenure, and their success will depend on future political practice and the results of the upcoming referendum.

The Chief Adviser will decide who will take over the vacated ministerial responsibilities once the resignations become effective after the election schedule is announced.

The Bangladesh interim government has reassigned responsibilities across three ministries following the resignation of two student advisers. A Cabinet Division notification issued on Thursday evening confirmed the reshuffle. Adilur Rahman Khan, previously overseeing the Industries and Housing ministries, will now also manage the Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Ministry. Syeda Rizwana Hasan has been appointed adviser to the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, while Asif Nazrul will take charge of the Youth and Sports Ministry in addition to his existing portfolios.

The resignations of student representatives Mahfuz Alam and Asif Mahmud Sajib, accepted by the President on Wednesday, prompted the changes. Both had been appointed as part of the interim administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, formed in August last year after the July mass uprising. The council currently includes 20 advisers, most handling multiple ministries.

Political observers note that the reshuffle aims to maintain administrative stability ahead of the expected election schedule announcement, as the interim government continues to balance technocratic and activist representation.

A Pakistani military court has sentenced former Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Director General Faiz Hameed to 14 years in prison after finding him guilty on four charges, including political interference and misuse of authority. The army confirmed that Hameed, detained since August 2023, was convicted following a full legal process under the Field General Court Martial. This marks the first time in Pakistan’s history that a former ISI chief has been tried and sentenced by a military court.

According to the army’s statement, Hameed was charged with violating the Official Secrets Act, harming state interests, and abusing official resources. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar alleged that Hameed overstepped his authority and acted as an adviser to Imran Khan’s party, contributing to political unrest. The verdict comes amid ongoing investigations into his alleged role in the May 2023 attacks on military installations by Khan’s supporters.

Neither Hameed’s family nor his lawyers have commented, and Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party has yet to respond. Analysts say the ruling underscores the military’s enduring dominance in Pakistan’s political landscape.

Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) Vice President Abu Sadiq Kayem has called for the trial of former Vice-Chancellor ASM Maksud Kamal and other university officials who were in charge during the July uprising. Speaking to reporters on Thursday, December 11, at the premises of the International Crimes Tribunal, Kayem alleged that those responsible for the violence against students would face justice in an independent Bangladesh.

Kayem, along with DUCSU Literary and Cultural Affairs Secretary Mosaddeq Ali Ibn Mohammad and Transport Secretary Asif Abdullah, gave statements to the tribunal’s investigation agency earlier in the day. He claimed that evidence had been submitted showing that Maksud Kamal brought outsiders onto campus to attack students, and accused some interim government figures and teacher groups of trying to protect him.

The DUCSU VP further alleged that the attacks on students were brutal and comparable to wartime atrocities. He said the testimonies were part of efforts to hold accountable those involved in killings and repression during the July movement, including individuals linked to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s administration.

Islami Chhatra Shibir’s central president, Zahidul Islam, has alleged that some political parties in Bangladesh continue to practice what he described as a 'fascist culture,' despite expectations of reform after August 5, 2024. Speaking at a rally in Fatikchhari, Chattogram, in support of Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Nurul Amin, he said that corruption, terrorism, and internal violence persist within certain political circles.

Zahidul Islam emphasized that his organization is not against any individual or party but opposes those involved in extortion, tender manipulation, and political killings. He called for justice and equality in Bangladesh, arguing that the country’s large population could become a powerful workforce if properly guided. He also criticized past and current governments, accusing Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Sheikh Hasina of authoritarian practices and political repression.

The event, chaired by former secretary Golam Hossain, was attended by several Jamaat and Shibir leaders. The remarks reflect ongoing political polarization and the persistence of historical grievances within Bangladesh’s Islamist political movements.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced that the party’s acting chairman, Tarique Rahman, will return to Bangladesh soon. Speaking at the inauguration of a BNP workshop titled “Nation-Building Plan” in Dhaka, Fakhrul urged party members to ensure that the entire country ‘shakes’ with enthusiasm when Rahman sets foot in the country. The event, held at the Krishibid Institute, was attended by leaders from various BNP wings.

Fakhrul emphasized that the BNP must achieve a decisive victory in the upcoming national election to lead Bangladesh toward progress. He described the BNP as a party rooted in the nation’s liberation and democratic struggles, asserting that it represents the people’s aspirations. The workshop, chaired by senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, focused on strategic planning for national development under a potential BNP-led government.

Rahman, who has been living abroad for years, remains a central figure in BNP politics. His anticipated return is expected to energize the party base and reshape the opposition’s campaign strategy ahead of the next election.

Bangladesh’s interim government announced that the size of its advisory council will remain unchanged during the election period, according to Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam. Following a council meeting on Thursday, Alam stated that all preparations for the upcoming national election have been completed and that the interim administration aims to ensure a peaceful vote.

During the meeting, three laws were approved, the value-added tax on metro rail services was lifted, and import duties on dates were reduced. Bangladesh also formally recognized the island nation of Grenada. Alam noted that despite around 2,000 protests over the past 16 months, no live ammunition was used. However, he warned that future road blockades over political demands would face strict action. The resignations of two student advisers will take effect with the election schedule announcement.

Additionally, the government announced financial assistance of 2 million taka for each family of the 36 victims of the Milestone tragedy, and 500,000 taka plus free medical care for the injured.

BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman has called on party leaders and activists to mobilize nationwide ahead of the next general election, describing the contest as an 'electoral battle' crucial for Bangladesh’s sovereignty and democracy. Speaking virtually at a Dhaka event titled 'Plan to Build the Nation,' he urged grassroots leaders to engage directly with citizens, promote the party’s agenda, and counter misinformation spread by rivals.

Rahman emphasized that BNP’s campaign should focus on the party’s symbol, the paddy sheaf, and on uniting public opinion around it. He warned that the election would be far more challenging than many expect and stressed that only a strong democratic movement could safeguard the country’s future. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir added that Rahman would return to Bangladesh soon, calling for full-scale preparation to ensure electoral victory.

The event, attended by over a thousand divisional leaders, marked a renewed push by the opposition to energize its base amid growing political tension and uncertainty over the electoral process.