Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Water Resources Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan has emphasized that a meaningful national election in February is essential for Bangladesh’s democratic and institutional progress. Speaking at the Friends of the Earth International biennial general meeting in Savar, she highlighted the need for justice for victims of political violence and urged participation from all sections of society.

Hasan noted that Bangladesh’s administrative and legal frameworks are undergoing reform, but real transformation will require time, consistency, and political stability. She acknowledged that the country, currently ranked near the bottom of global environmental indices, cannot achieve rapid improvement overnight. However, she expressed optimism that sustained efforts over five to seven years could yield significant progress.

The adviser also cited recent legislative advances, including two landmark forest protection laws and an upcoming wetland conservation act. She added that polluting industries are being relocated and that workers will be re-employed in agriculture-related sectors. Hasan concluded that improved urban governance and transparency have already lifted Bangladesh from the lowest ranks of environmental performance.

Two student representatives serving as advisers in Bangladesh’s interim government, Mahfuz Alam and Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, have resigned from their posts. Mahfuz Alam was responsible for the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, while Asif Mahmud oversaw the Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, and Youth and Sports ministries. Their resignations were submitted to Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus during a meeting on December 10, according to government sources.

Officials confirmed that a press briefing has been scheduled for the evening to address the resignations. The move follows weeks of internal discussions within the advisory council, where senior members reportedly urged both advisers to step down as early as mid-September. Despite earlier resistance, both eventually agreed to resign. The interim government, formed under Yunus’s leadership after the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s administration in August 2023, had included three student leaders from the July uprising.

The dual resignations may signal internal realignments within the transitional administration as it prepares for the next phase of political stabilization and possible elections.

Bangladesh and the United States have launched their 12th Defense Dialogue in Dhaka, aiming to deepen bilateral military cooperation. The two-day meeting, which began on Wednesday at the Armed Forces Division headquarters, brings together senior military and government officials from both nations. The dialogue, first initiated in 2012, serves as a key platform for strategic discussions on defense and security collaboration.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the dialogue will cover a wide range of topics including regional and global security, defense technology, disaster response, peacekeeping operations, training, joint exercises, and workshops. The Bangladeshi delegation is led by Brigadier General Muhammad Ali Haider Siddiqui, while the U.S. side is headed by Brigadier General Sarah Russ. Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Border Guard Bangladesh, and the Coast Guard are also participating.

Observers note that the dialogue could further enhance mutual trust and operational coordination between the two countries, reinforcing Bangladesh’s role in regional stability and peacekeeping initiatives.

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul emphasized the need to preserve the reforms introduced by the interim government, stating that Bangladesh’s future progress must be built upon these achievements. Speaking at an event marking International Human Rights Day in Dhaka, he highlighted that the caretaker government system and the establishment of the Supreme Court Secretariat are two reforms that will remain protected.

Nazrul explained that the caretaker system has been secured through a Supreme Court ruling, making its reversal highly unlikely. He added that the Supreme Court itself will act as the guardian of its secretariat, ensuring judicial independence. He expressed confidence that no future government would attempt to roll back these reforms, calling them fundamental to human rights advancement.

He further noted that several less controversial laws enacted by the interim government are already benefiting citizens. Nazrul urged the public to recognize the progress achieved so far and to understand the limitations behind unfinished reforms, stressing that continued oversight and accountability will strengthen institutional transparency.

Bangladesh’s Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M M Nasir Uddin will address the nation on Thursday, December 11, to announce the schedule for the 13th National Parliamentary Election and a national referendum. The announcement, set for 6 p.m., was confirmed by Election Commission Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed. The CEC pre-recorded his speech at the Election Commission headquarters in Agargaon on Wednesday afternoon, followed by a meeting with other commissioners to finalize details.

According to officials, both the parliamentary election and the referendum will be held on the same day, with voters receiving two differently colored ballots. The simultaneous arrangement has prompted the Election Commission to undertake additional logistical and administrative preparations. Following the schedule announcement, the interim government has urged all political groups and citizens to refrain from unauthorized gatherings or movements that could disrupt the electoral process.

Observers note that this election marks a significant test for the Election Commission’s capacity to manage dual national votes under tight timelines and heightened political sensitivity.

Interim government adviser on local government Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan has confirmed his intention to contest in Bangladesh’s upcoming 13th national parliamentary election but said he will disclose later from which constituency or political party he will run. He made the remarks on Wednesday, December 10, during a press briefing at the Local Government Ministry in Dhaka.

According to government sources, Asif Mahmud met with Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus and other senior advisers on Tuesday at a regular luncheon meeting, where the issue of two advisers’ possible resignations was discussed. Officials later indicated that Mahmud’s resignation might be announced soon, though he said the Chief Adviser’s Office would formally communicate any decision.

Reports suggest that both Asif Mahmud and fellow adviser Mahfuz Alam had earlier been advised to step down by mid-September. While Alam expressed willingness to remain until the end of the interim government’s tenure without contesting the polls, Mahmud appears set to enter electoral politics, signaling a potential shift in the interim cabinet’s political neutrality.

Former Bangladeshi ministers Salman F Rahman and Anisul Huq have requested permission to appoint foreign lawyers in their ongoing war crimes case linked to the July–August 2024 mass uprising. The plea was submitted to the International Crimes Tribunal-1 on December 10 by senior Supreme Court lawyer Mansurul Haque Chowdhury, who represented both defendants. The tribunal, led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder, said it would issue an order later on the matter.

Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam sought additional time for the hearing on charge framing, which the tribunal scheduled for December 17. Prosecutors allege that a recorded phone conversation between Rahman and Huq during the curfew period contained remarks urging the suppression of protesters, which allegedly incited subsequent violence. Both men were arrested in August 2024 and remain in custody.

Legal experts note that appointing foreign counsel requires tribunal approval and subsequent clearance from the Bar Council. The tribunal’s upcoming decision could influence defense strategies and international attention to the high-profile case.

Interim government adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan stated on Wednesday that any announcement regarding his resignation will come from the Chief Adviser’s Office. He made the remark during a press briefing at the Secretariat, amid growing speculation about the departure of two advisers from the interim administration led by Professor Muhammad Yunus.

According to government sources, senior advisers met Yunus on Tuesday at Jamuna, where the issue of resignations was discussed. Officials later confirmed that Mahmud was expected to step down on Wednesday. Both Mahmud and fellow adviser Mahfuz Alam had earlier been advised to resign by mid-September but sought additional time. Mahfuz Alam reportedly expressed willingness to remain until the end of the government’s tenure without contesting elections.

Sources within the interim government suggest a consensus that student representatives in advisory roles should resign after the election schedule is announced. The Yunus-led interim government was formed on August 8, following the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s administration on August 5, with three student leaders joining as advisers.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A.M.M. Nasir Uddin will record his national address at 4 PM today ahead of Bangladesh’s upcoming 13th parliamentary election and referendum. Election Commission (EC) Secretary Akhtar Hossain confirmed the schedule, noting that the recording will take place at the EC headquarters in Agargaon, Dhaka.

Earlier in the day, the CEC, four commissioners, and the EC secretary met President Mohammed Shahabuddin to discuss election preparations and overall progress. The CEC briefed the president on voter list updates, political party registration, and logistical readiness. The president expressed satisfaction with the EC’s work and assured full cooperation for a fair and meaningful election.

According to the EC secretary, the president also reviewed technical aspects such as ballot paper design, mock voting duration, and counting methods. He endorsed the proposed polling hours from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM and showed keen interest in the ‘out-of-country’ and ‘in-country postal’ voting systems being developed by local experts.

Hundreds of non-cadre officials and employees from various ministries staged a protest at Bangladesh’s Secretariat on Wednesday, demanding a 20% Secretariat allowance for all staff. Around 2:30 p.m., 300–400 employees gathered and marched to the third floor of the Finance Ministry, where they surrounded the office of the Finance Adviser. As of 4 p.m., demonstrators continued chanting slogans, calling for immediate approval of the allowance.

Protesters said the movement stemmed from long-standing frustration over unfulfilled promises, including ration benefits and a previously announced dearness allowance that was never implemented. They also criticized the government’s stance on not enforcing the new pay commission during its current term. A personal officer to a secretary explained that Secretariat employees often work extended hours alongside top officials but remain excluded from additional benefits available to other departments.

The standoff highlights growing discontent among mid- and lower-level government staff. Officials fear the unrest could spread if the Finance Ministry fails to address the demands promptly.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has called the upcoming national election and referendum a defining moment for Bangladesh’s future, urging administrative officials to ensure a fair, peaceful, and festive process. Speaking via video conference from the state guesthouse Jamuna with Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNOs) and senior civil servants, Yunus described the election as a chance to build a 'new Bangladesh' following the recent mass uprising.

He reminded officials that the election is not merely an administrative duty but a historic responsibility. Yunus contrasted the forthcoming polls with past elections, which he said lacked integrity, and emphasized the need for transparency and voter awareness. He noted that while the election will determine leadership for five years, the referendum will shape the nation’s governance for a century.

Yunus instructed UNOs to visit polling stations, engage stakeholders, and counter misinformation. He also highlighted women’s participation and creative problem-solving as vital to success. The election schedule is expected to be announced soon.

Bangladesh’s interim government foreign affairs adviser Md. Touhid Hossain stated that if India declines to return ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Dhaka has limited options. Speaking to reporters on December 10, Hossain said efforts may still be made to persuade New Delhi through diplomatic channels. He confirmed that there is no official information suggesting Hasina plans to leave India for another country.

Hossain also addressed questions about the possible closure of the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), noting that such institutions exist in all nations and cannot be easily disbanded. On visa-related complications, he emphasized that fraudulent documentation must stop for Bangladesh’s visa issues to be resolved, adding that student visa decisions rest solely with host countries.

Regarding new diplomatic missions, Hossain said financial constraints are delaying their launch despite prior approvals. He declined to comment on speculation about a potential South Asian alliance excluding India but involving Pakistan and China.

Bangladesh’s President Mohammed Shahabuddin expressed satisfaction with the Election Commission’s (EC) preparations for the upcoming 13th national parliamentary elections. The assurance came after a meeting at Bangabhaban between the President and Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A.M.M. Nasir Uddin, accompanied by four election commissioners and senior EC secretary Akhtar Ahmed. The CEC briefed the President on overall election readiness, including voter list updates, political party registration, and plans for a possible referendum on election day.

According to the EC secretary, the President pledged full cooperation to ensure a fair and transparent election process. Discussions also covered extending polling hours by one hour and other logistical matters. Following the meeting, the EC delegation returned to the Election Commission headquarters for further deliberations under the CEC’s leadership.

Bangladesh Television and Radio have been called to record the CEC’s address later in the day, a traditional precursor to the official announcement of the election schedule, which is expected imminently.

BNP Joint Secretary General and Lakshmipur-3 candidate Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie has suggested that party leader Tarique Rahman could return to Bangladesh within a few days if former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia is not taken abroad for medical treatment. Speaking at a courtyard meeting in Lakshmipur on Wednesday, Annie said the party is awaiting Tarique’s leadership and that his return depends on Khaleda Zia’s health condition.

Annie emphasized that the upcoming election will be challenging, describing it as a contest against an 'invisible force.' He accused the ruling Awami League of undermining fair electoral conditions through repression and avoidance. Annie also pledged that the BNP, under Tarique Rahman’s future leadership, would continue to stand beside the people, drawing parallels with the legacies of Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia.

Local BNP leaders, including district and municipal representatives, attended the event, signaling intensified grassroots mobilization ahead of the national polls.

The National Citizen Party (NCP) has announced its first list of 125 candidates for the upcoming national elections, leaving several constituencies open for potential alliances and rebel candidates from the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami. At a press conference in Dhaka’s Banglamotor, NCP chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patowary said the party is ready to nominate reform-minded rebels who maintain strong grassroots connections.

Patowary emphasized that the NCP seeks candidates who support political reform and have credibility among local voters. He noted that many rebel politicians from major opposition parties have already approached the NCP, though he declined to specify numbers. The party’s member secretary, Akhtar Hossain, formally announced the initial list of nominees.

The move signals NCP’s strategic attempt to attract disaffected opposition figures and expand its electoral footprint. Analysts suggest this approach could reshape alliances in several constituencies, particularly if BNP and Jamaat rebels fail to reconcile with their parent parties before the polls.