Election Commissioner Md. Anwarul Islam has confirmed that members of the interim government’s advisory council will not be allowed to contest in the upcoming national elections or participate in any campaign activities. Speaking to reporters on December 9, he said the Election Commission (EC) has taken this position in line with the electoral code of conduct, which prohibits anyone holding a government position from engaging in electioneering.

Islam noted that recent discussions had suggested some advisers might resign before the election schedule is announced to become candidates. However, he emphasized that as long as they hold government posts, they are ineligible to run. The commissioner also stated that all preparations for the election are nearly complete, including constituency delineation, appointment of returning officers, and formation of monitoring and law enforcement cells.

Another commissioner, Abdur Rahmanel Masud, added that maintaining law and order before the schedule announcement is not the EC’s responsibility, but ensuring equal opportunity for all candidates will be once the schedule is declared.

Bangladesh’s interim government has released the complete eight-volume report of the National Consensus Commission, detailing its recommendations, the July National Charter 2025, and summaries of consultations with political parties and alliances. The report also includes public opinion survey results and related documentation. According to the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing, all volumes are now accessible online at https://reform.gov.bd, alongside reports from ten other reform commissions.

Formed under the leadership of Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus, the National Consensus Commission was established after the completion of six initial reform commissions. Professor Ali Riaz, head of the Constitutional Reform Commission, served as vice-chair. The commission incorporated heads of other reform bodies, later adjusted due to unavailability of some members. Following extensive dialogue with political parties and civil society, the July National Charter 2025 was finalized on July 31 and formally signed on October 17.

The government has already issued the ‘July National Charter Implementation (Constitution) Order,’ signaling the start of institutional reforms aligned with the commission’s recommendations.

Bangladesh’s interim government has urged all political and civic groups to refrain from organizing unauthorized rallies or demonstrations following the imminent announcement of the national election schedule. The decision was made at a Home Ministry meeting on December 9, under the directive of the Chief Adviser, as the country prepares for the 13th parliamentary election expected in early February.

Officials said the government’s primary goal is to ensure a free, fair, and peaceful election. Nearly 900,000 members of the armed forces and law enforcement agencies will be deployed nationwide, marking the largest security operation in the country’s electoral history. About 150,000 police officers have already received election-specific training. Authorities warned that any illegal gatherings or disruptive movements will be strictly controlled, and violators will face legal action.

Home Affairs Adviser Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury acknowledged citizens’ rights to protest but urged them to present their demands to the next elected government. He emphasized maintaining calm and avoiding activities that could disturb the electoral environment.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has officially designated the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the Muslim Brotherhood as foreign terrorist organizations, according to an executive order announced on December 8. The order directs all state agencies to avoid contracts, funding, or employment ties with either group or their affiliates. The move mirrors a similar declaration made by Texas last month.

CAIR, a prominent U.S. Muslim civil rights organization founded in 1994 with 25 chapters nationwide, denounced the decision as unconstitutional and defamatory, vowing to challenge it in court. The federal government has not listed either CAIR or the Muslim Brotherhood as terrorist entities. The Muslim Brotherhood, founded nearly a century ago in Egypt, claims to have renounced violence and supports democratic participation.

The designation underscores growing tensions between state-level policies and federal standards on terrorism classifications. Legal experts expect the issue to test the boundaries of state authority in defining foreign threats, with potential implications for interfaith relations and civil rights advocacy in the United States.

Bangladesh’s Planning Secretary S. M. Shakil Akhter has sharply criticized the lack of proper implementation of government-approved projects, saying that while proposals are well-written on paper, they often fail to materialize effectively. Speaking at a seminar titled “National Energy Resilience Through Renewable Integration: The Bangladesh Perspective” held at the NEC conference room in Agargaon on Tuesday, he emphasized that project execution frequently deviates from the approved plans.

Akhter noted that once budget allocations are approved, responsible officials often neglect the actual implementation process. He argued that without identifying and penalizing specific individuals responsible for failures, no reform initiative will succeed. The secretary also objected to the practice of blaming entire teams of 20 to 30 people for implementation failures, insisting that accountability should be focused on those directly involved.

He concluded that Bangladesh will only see real progress when a system of individual accountability and punishment for negligence is enforced, signaling a call for structural reform in project management and oversight.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has warned Mexico of a potential 5% tariff, accusing the country of breaching a long-standing water-sharing agreement. In a statement posted Monday on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump claimed Mexico has failed to deliver the agreed water volumes to the United States, causing severe agricultural damage in Texas.

Trump alleged that Mexico owes more than 800,000 acre-feet of water accumulated over the past five years, despite repeated U.S. requests for compliance. He demanded that Mexico release at least 700,000 acre-feet by December 31 and settle the remainder soon after. According to Trump, the lack of action constitutes a serious injustice to American farmers.

He added that he has already approved the necessary documentation to impose the 5% tariff if Mexico does not act immediately. The warning revives trade tensions between the two neighbors and could complicate cross-border relations ahead of the upcoming U.S. election season.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M Nasir Uddin has formally requested Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refaat Ahmed to assign 300 judges to serve as executive magistrates during Bangladesh’s upcoming 13th parliamentary election. The meeting took place at the Supreme Court on December 9, where the CEC sought the judiciary’s cooperation to ensure a fair and orderly electoral process. The Chief Justice assured full institutional support for the Election Commission’s efforts.

According to Election Commission officials, the schedule for the 13th national election and a related referendum is expected to be announced after the CEC’s meeting with the President on Wednesday or Thursday. Preparations are already underway, including arrangements for the CEC’s national address to be recorded by Bangladesh Television and Radio. Sources indicate that voting may be held in the first half of February next year.

This will be the first major electoral test for the Nasir Uddin-led Commission since assuming office, with political observers emphasizing the importance of judicial involvement to maintain transparency and public confidence in the electoral process.

Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces and Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, has issued a stern message to Afghanistan’s Taliban government amid escalating border tensions. Speaking at a Guard of Honour ceremony in Rawalpindi’s General Headquarters, Munir said Pakistan remains a peace-loving nation but will not compromise on its sovereignty or territorial integrity. He urged the Taliban to make a decisive choice between supporting the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) or maintaining stable relations with Islamabad.

The remarks come as cross-border violence and militant activity continue to strain Pakistan-Afghanistan relations despite multiple rounds of peace talks. Munir’s statement underscores Pakistan’s growing frustration over the Taliban’s perceived inaction against TTP fighters operating from Afghan soil. During the same event, he also warned India that any future aggression would be met with a swift and forceful response.

Analysts view Munir’s comments as part of Pakistan’s broader effort to pressure Kabul into curbing militant sanctuaries. The warning signals a potential shift toward a harder security stance if diplomatic efforts fail to yield results.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M M Nasir Uddin has indicated that the schedule for Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliament election could be announced within the current week. He made the remark on Tuesday, December 9, after a one-hour closed-door meeting with Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed at the Supreme Court. The meeting, held in the Chief Justice’s chamber, followed a long-standing tradition where the CEC meets the Chief Justice before announcing the national election schedule.

Earlier, Election Commissioner Abul Fazl Md. Sanaullah stated that the schedule for both the parliamentary election and a national referendum would be declared by December 15. The Election Commission is reportedly finalizing preparations for the announcement, including constituency logistics and polling arrangements. Political observers note that the meeting signals the final phase of pre-election formalities.

The upcoming announcement is expected to set the timeline for candidate nominations, campaign periods, and polling dates, marking the formal start of the election process. Stakeholders are closely watching for signs of consensus and transparency as Bangladesh heads into another national vote.

Hasnat Abdullah, chief organizer of the National Citizens Party’s southern region, disclosed new information about a secret safe house while testifying before the International Crimes Tribunal-2 on Tuesday. His testimony is part of a case concerning the killing of Abu Sayeed, a student of Begum Rokeya University, during the July 2024 mass uprising. The tribunal, chaired by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, is hearing charges against 30 accused, including former university vice-chancellor Hasibur Rashid.

Abdullah recounted that on July 16, 2024, nationwide protests saw several student deaths, including Sayeed’s in Rangpur. He alleged that after the protests, intelligence agencies detained him and others, pressuring them to withdraw their movement. He described being taken overnight to a “safe house” near the Department of Fisheries and the International Mother Language Institute in Dhaka, where they were interrogated and threatened.

The testimony has drawn attention to alleged state-level coercion during the July uprising. The tribunal will resume hearing Abdullah’s remaining statement later in the day, with prosecutors Gazi M.H. Tamim and Moinul Karim representing the state.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A.M.M. Nasir Uddin met privately with Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refaat Ahmed on Tuesday, December 9, at the Chief Justice’s chamber in Dhaka. The meeting took place shortly before the expected announcement of the national election schedule, following a long-standing practice of consultations between the Election Commission and the judiciary.

According to officials, discussions covered boundary-related legal cases and measures to prevent election-related writ petitions from disrupting the electoral process after the schedule is announced. The two also reportedly discussed the role of judges in carrying out magistracy duties during the election period. The CEC attended the meeting accompanied only by his secretary, underscoring the confidential nature of the discussion.

The meeting signals coordination between the judiciary and the Election Commission to ensure a smooth and legally sound election process. Further announcements from the Election Commission regarding the election timetable are expected soon.

BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan declared that the people of Bangladesh will not allow any conspiracy surrounding the upcoming national election. Speaking at a BNP-organized discussion titled “Plan to Build the Nation” in Dhaka’s Krishibid Institution, Khan cited a recent survey suggesting that 66% of respondents expect BNP to win the most seats, while 26% favored Jamaat-e-Islami. He warned that such figures might prompt attempts at manipulation but insisted that citizens are determined to prevent it.

Khan emphasized that the fall of what he called a “fascist regime” has already occurred and that an interim government is necessary to complete the transition toward a neutral election. He criticized the country’s development model, arguing that while infrastructure has expanded, inequality and poverty have worsened. He noted that Bangladesh reportedly produces the highest number of new millionaires per capita, even as millions fall below the poverty line.

The event, chaired by BNP leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, also featured student leaders and is part of the party’s broader effort to outline its post-election governance and economic reform agenda.

The Bangladesh government has issued a gazette amending several sections of the Representation of the People Order (RPO) ahead of the 13th parliamentary election and national referendum. The revisions clarify the conditions under which postal ballots will be counted or invalidated, expanding the authority of returning officers and defining new judicial powers related to election management.

Under the updated Article 27(10) and newly added Article 37A, postal ballots lacking a voter’s signature, containing no mark, or showing marks for multiple candidates will not be counted. Ballots will also be excluded if a court alters the candidate list for a constituency or if the returning officer does not formally accept the ballot before counting. These changes aim to ensure procedural transparency and reduce disputes over postal votes.

Election observers note that the amendments could tighten oversight but may also increase ballot rejection rates. The Election Commission is expected to issue detailed guidelines soon to help returning officers apply the new provisions consistently.

The Bangladesh Election Commission (EC) has finalized preparations to announce the schedule for the 13th National Parliamentary Election, expected either on Wednesday evening or by December 11. Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud confirmed that the announcement will follow a meeting with the President, after which Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A.M.M. Nasir Uddin will deliver a televised address to the nation. The EC has already instructed Bangladesh Television (BTV) and Bangladesh Betar to record the CEC’s speech.

According to EC officials, the election is likely to be held in the first half of February next year. The commission emphasized the importance of cooperation from all political parties and stakeholders to ensure a fair and peaceful election process. This will be the first national election under the current commission led by Nasir Uddin, marking a major test of its administrative and organizational capacity.

If the schedule is not announced on Wednesday, it will be declared the following day, officials added, signaling the final phase of election preparations.

At a discussion marking International Anti-Corruption Day in Dhaka, Economic Adviser Salahuddin Ahmed emphasized that corruption in Bangladesh can only be reduced if politicians uphold integrity and society collectively resists unethical behavior. He argued that punishment alone is insufficient, calling for a revival of social norms that once ostracized corrupt individuals.

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Chairman Dr. Mohammad Abdul Momen noted that despite widespread public opposition to corruption, eliminating it remains difficult when governance includes extortionists and criminals. He urged the government to assign senior officials to negotiate with foreign states to recover laundered funds. Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies Director Dr. A.K. Enamul Haque added that corruption cannot be eradicated by punishment alone, stressing the need for awareness and transparency.

ACC Commissioner Brig. Gen. (Retd.) Hafiz Ahsan Farid proposed publishing all government project details online to enhance accountability. Speakers agreed that Bangladesh must develop its own anti-corruption model rather than relying on foreign frameworks.