Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain has said that the upcoming national election will serve as a major test for the country’s law enforcement agencies. Speaking at a meeting with government officials in Rangpur on December 6, he emphasized that law and order form the foundation of national stability. He noted that while there were initial challenges, the police have now become more organized and cohesive.

Referring to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, Hossain said the forthcoming election is expected to be an exemplary one, urging security forces to remain vigilant against potential unrest from losing parties. He also highlighted the government’s recent focus on education and health, citing the recruitment of 3,500 doctors and 3,500 nurses and increased budget allocations. Additionally, he discussed prospects for potato exports, skilled labor migration, and livestock development, stressing the need for skill-based manpower exports to secure better wages abroad.

Officials from the police, health, and livestock departments attended the meeting, underscoring inter-agency coordination ahead of the election period.

The Bangladesh Election Commission (EC) has announced that government officials assigned to election duties and those stationed outside their home constituencies can register for postal voting through the 'Postal Vote BD' mobile app until December 25. The registration window applies to the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election and any concurrent referendums, starting from the date of the election schedule announcement.

According to an EC press release issued on December 6, eligible voters include election officials, government employees away from their registered voting areas, and individuals under lawful custody. The EC advised all eligible participants to visit its official website for detailed instructions. Data from the commission show that 198,840 expatriate Bangladeshis have already registered through the app, with the highest number coming from Saudi Arabia.

The initiative marks a significant step toward expanding digital electoral services and ensuring broader participation. Officials expect the system to reduce logistical challenges and enhance transparency in absentee voting ahead of the national polls.

Bangladesh’s interim government adviser for Road Transport and Bridges, Muhammad Faozul Kabir Khan, emphasized the importance of protecting dissent and pluralism during a ceremony honoring Bir Pratik Siraj Uddin Ahmed, known as Naval Siraj. Speaking at the inauguration of the newly named Naval Siraj Road in Madhabdi, Narsingdi, he said Siraj was killed for his differing views but remains a symbol of courage and freedom. Kabir stressed that Bangladesh must remain a country of diverse opinions and faiths, where no one faces insecurity or violence for their beliefs.

The event, organized by the district administration and Roads and Highways Department, was attended by senior officials and freedom fighters. Kabir urged citizens to ensure a fair, participatory election, saying that honoring Naval Siraj’s memory means upholding democracy and rejecting electoral manipulation. Other speakers, including advisers and local leaders, praised Siraj’s role in the 1971 Liberation War and called for unity in preserving his ideals.

The ceremony reflected the interim administration’s message of inclusivity and its call for peaceful democratic participation ahead of national elections.

The Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs has approved a special air ambulance flight, designating it as a ‘VVIP movement,’ to transport BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia from Dhaka to London for advanced medical treatment. The Evercare Hospital patient is scheduled to depart on December 10, with the air ambulance arriving in Dhaka a day earlier. Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport authorities have already granted landing clearance for the flight.

Airport Executive Director Captain S M Ragib Samad confirmed that all security and operational arrangements are being made under VVIP protocols. The airport’s relevant units will activate upon final confirmation of the route and landing schedule. Khaleda Zia, a central figure in Bangladesh’s opposition politics, has been receiving treatment in Dhaka for several months amid repeated calls from her party for permission to seek care abroad.

The government’s approval marks a significant development in the long-running political and humanitarian debate surrounding her medical treatment. Observers expect heightened security and political attention during the transfer process.

Interim government adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan has described former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia as an uncompromising and widely respected leader in Bangladesh’s democratic struggle. In a Facebook post on December 5, Mahmud highlighted her courage from the anti-Ershad movement to her opposition to Sheikh Hasina’s rule, calling her wisdom and leadership a national asset. He also requested prayers for her recovery, referring to her as a guardian of the country’s democratic tradition.

Khaleda Zia, 80, has been receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka for nearly two weeks due to multiple chronic illnesses, including heart disease, diabetes, and liver complications. BNP sources said an air ambulance scheduled to bring her abroad for treatment was delayed due to technical issues, though another aircraft may arrive from Qatar. Her daughter-in-law, Dr. Zubaida Rahman, has arrived in Dhaka to be by her side. A 12-member medical board, with experts from China and the UK, continues to oversee her care.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s planned transfer abroad for advanced medical treatment has been delayed due to her current health condition, according to her personal physician and party standing committee member Dr. A.Z.M. Zahid Hossain. He stated that while an air ambulance remains on standby, the medical board has advised against immediate travel, emphasizing that her physical stability will determine the timing of her transfer.

Dr. Zahid added that Khaleda Zia’s family, including her son Tarique Rahman and daughter-in-law Zubaida Rahman, are closely coordinating with the medical team. He urged the public not to spread misinformation on social media, assuring that both the interim government and the Qatari authorities are providing full cooperation for her potential overseas treatment.

Khaleda Zia has been under treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka for 13 days due to stomach complications. A recent endoscopy revealed minor bleeding, which was later controlled. The medical board, comprising local and foreign specialists, continues to monitor her condition and will decide on her travel when deemed safe.

Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) President ASM Abdur Rob has called for the immediate withdrawal of the recently issued 'Police Commission Ordinance 2025' by Bangladesh’s interim government. In a statement released on December 6, Rob argued that the ordinance undermines the long-standing public demand for an independent and accountable police force grounded in democracy, human dignity, and the rule of law.

He criticized the ordinance as a politically motivated move that contradicts the reform pledges made after the July uprising, claiming it renews a system of repression that uses the police to protect power rather than citizens’ rights. Rob outlined five key demands: replacing the colonial-era Police Act of 1861, redefining police as guardians of constitutional rights, prioritizing human dignity in training, shifting from command-control to service-accountability, and ensuring a fully independent, politically neutral police commission with authority over recruitment, discipline, and citizen complaints.

Rob urged the government to repeal the ordinance and implement a humane, democratic, and constitutionally guided police reform framework.

The Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) has announced a major reshuffle involving officers-in-charge (OCs) across all 16 police stations in the city ahead of the upcoming national parliamentary elections. According to an official order signed by CMP Commissioner Hasib Aziz on December 6, the transfers were conducted internally among existing OCs through a lottery-based process.

Under the new arrangement, several key postings have been exchanged, including Abdul Karim from Kotwali to Panchlaish, Aftab Uddin from Bakalia to Kotwali, and Abdur Rahim from Sadarghat to Bandar. Other notable changes include Shahinur Alam moving from Khulshi to Karnaphuli and Babul Azad from Double Mooring to Chawkbazar. The reshuffle also affects stations such as Bayezid, Chandgaon, Halishahar, and Patenga.

Police officials said the move aims to ensure neutrality, operational readiness, and effective law enforcement during the election period. One OC, Shafiqul Islam of Chawkbazar, has been reassigned to the Counter Terrorism and Intelligence Unit (CTSB). The EPZ police station is expected to receive a new OC soon, pending appointment.

Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stated that former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s continued stay in India is entirely her personal decision. Speaking at the HT Leadership Summit in New Delhi on December 6, Jaishankar emphasized that the circumstances under which Hasina arrived in India have influenced her current situation and will likely shape her future choices.

Responding to a question on whether Hasina could remain in India as long as she wished, Jaishankar noted that such matters depend on the evolving realities surrounding her presence. He reiterated that the ultimate decision rests with Hasina herself, underscoring India’s position of non-interference in her personal choices.

The remarks come amid ongoing speculation about Hasina’s political future and her possible next steps following her departure from Bangladesh. Observers view Jaishankar’s comments as a signal of India’s cautious diplomatic stance, balancing humanitarian considerations with regional political sensitivities.

Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) Vice President Sadiq Kayem declared that politics in Bangladesh should no longer be directed from abroad, specifically citing London, Delhi, and Rawalpindi. Speaking at a youth festival and election rally organized by the local Jamaat-e-Islami chapter in Pirganj, Thakurgaon, he emphasized that young people must take a leading role in ensuring safe and fair elections, referencing the July Movement as an example of youth activism.

Kayem criticized what he described as 16 years of authoritarian rule that, in his view, destroyed Bangladesh’s education, economic, and cultural systems. He urged voters to choose representatives of “Insaaf,” a platform he said stands for justice and integrity. He also accused India of long-term oppression in the region and called for local development, including reopening the Thakurgaon airport and improving education and healthcare services.

Other speakers, including Jamaat leaders, echoed anti-corruption sentiments and pledged to select candidates free from extortion and terrorism, signaling a broader push for reform-minded local leadership.

A formal petition has been submitted to Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser seeking the dismissal of Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md. Baharul Alam after his name appeared in the National Independent Investigation Commission’s report on the 2009 Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) massacre. The petition, sent by Supreme Court lawyer and National Lawyers Council chairman S.M. Zulfiqar Ali Junu, argues that the IGP’s continued service undermines public confidence and judicial transparency.

The 2009 BDR mutiny, one of the deadliest episodes in Bangladesh’s history, claimed the lives of 57 army officers and many others. The commission’s recent report has reignited debate over accountability and justice. The petition emphasizes that a top law enforcement official’s alleged involvement or negligence in such a national tragedy could obstruct impartial investigation and erode trust in state institutions.

Legal experts and civil society observers are urging the interim government to act on the commission’s recommendations to uphold rule of law and restore public confidence in the justice system.

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar announced a proposal to form a trilateral alliance with Bangladesh and China, signaling Islamabad’s intent to create a new framework for regional cooperation outside the long-paralyzed South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). Speaking at the Islamabad Conclave Forum, Dar said the initiative could expand beyond the region and emphasized collaboration over conflict.

The proposal comes as South Asia faces heightened political and diplomatic strains. India–Pakistan relations remain frozen after years of hostility, while Bangladesh–India ties have deteriorated following political upheaval in Dhaka. Analysts suggest Pakistan’s move reflects frustration with SAARC’s ineffectiveness and a desire to diversify regional partnerships. Academic Rabeya Akhtar called the plan ambitious, while others see it as a pragmatic response to shifting alliances.

Experts warn that if realized, the alliance could deepen India’s isolation and intensify regional rivalries, particularly between New Delhi and Beijing. Observers will watch whether Dhaka formally engages with Islamabad’s initiative or maintains a cautious stance amid competing strategic pressures.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury announced that Tarique Rahman will soon return to Bangladesh and lead the party in the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election. Speaking to journalists in Dhaka on Saturday, he said preparations are underway for Rahman’s return and for the party’s participation under his leadership.

Chowdhury also clarified that Dr. Zubaida Rahman’s political involvement remains her personal decision. Regarding BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s possible travel abroad for medical treatment, he said the final decision depends on her medical board. Adviser Enamul Haque Chowdhury added that a royal air ambulance from Qatar is ready to transport her to London once doctors approve.

Khaleda Zia has been receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka since November 23 under a medical board led by Professor Shahabuddin Talukder. The board includes Dr. Zubaida Rahman, who recently arrived in Dhaka to assist in her mother-in-law’s care and possible transfer abroad.

A massive crowd gathered in Rejinagar, Murshidabad, on December 6 to mark the foundation-laying ceremony for the reconstruction of the Babri Mosque, 33 years after its demolition in Ayodhya. The event, organized by suspended Trinamool Congress legislator Humayun Kabir, drew thousands of participants and religious leaders from across India and abroad, including Saudi Arabia. Kabir claimed that nearly 300,000 people would attend, with arrangements made for food and accommodation for tens of thousands.

The initiative has triggered significant political controversy in West Bengal. The Trinamool Congress suspended Kabir a day before the event, citing disciplinary reasons, while police questioned him regarding the gathering’s security implications. Kabir emphasized that the mosque and associated facilities—including a hospital and university—would be built without government funding to preserve religious sanctity.

Authorities have heightened security in the area amid concerns over communal sensitivity. Observers note that the ceremony’s timing, coinciding with the demolition anniversary, could influence regional political dynamics and interfaith relations in the state.

More than 193,000 expatriate Bangladeshis have registered to vote in the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election and referendum through the ‘Postal Vote BD’ mobile application, according to the Election Commission (EC). As of Saturday morning, the EC’s website reported 193,874 registered expatriate voters, including 174,909 men and 18,965 women. Saudi Arabia and the United States lead in registrations, with 38,269 and 19,271 voters respectively.

The EC urged expatriates to provide accurate and complete addresses during registration to ensure delivery of postal ballots. Registrants can correct address errors through the app’s edit menu until December 6. The registration deadline has been extended to December 25, allowing global participation from any location. EC officials also announced that an in-country postal voting system will be introduced for government employees, detainees, and voters stationed outside their constituencies.

The ‘Postal Vote BD’ app, launched on November 18, marks Bangladesh’s first large-scale digital initiative to include overseas citizens in national voting, signaling a significant step toward inclusive electoral participation.