More than 30,000 Bangladeshi expatriates have registered to vote through the 'Postal Vote BD' app for the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election. According to the Election Commission (EC), registration began on November 19 for expatriates in East Asia, South America, and Africa, and on November 24 for those in North America, Australia, and New Zealand. The process will continue until November 28. Registered voters will receive postal ballots at their addresses, which they must return by mail after voting. The EC aims to engage around five million expatriate voters in total. Registration for expatriates in Saudi Arabia will run from December 4–8, for those in South and Southeast Asia from December 9–13, and for expatriates in other Middle Eastern countries from December 14–18. Domestic postal voters, including officials on election duty, government employees, and prisoners, can register from December 19–23. The national election is expected to be held in the first half of February 2025.

Government primary school assistant teachers across Bangladesh have launched a three-day full-day work stoppage starting Tuesday, November 25, to press for three key demands: upgrading their entry-level pay to the 11th grade, ensuring 100% departmental promotion, and resolving complexities in obtaining higher grades after 10 and 16 years of service. The strike, organized by the Primary Assistant Teachers’ Unity Council, has halted classes nationwide. Despite prolonged discussions with the government, teachers claim no visible progress has been made beyond verbal assurances. The organization warned that if their demands remain unmet, they will boycott annual examinations and begin an indefinite hunger strike from December 11. According to the Directorate of Primary Education, Bangladesh has 65,567 government primary schools employing about 384,000 teachers. The teachers expressed dissatisfaction after the government upgraded head teachers’ pay scales earlier this year but left assistant teachers’ grades unchanged, despite their higher qualifications compared to other public sector employees.

BNP Assistant International Affairs Secretary Rumin Farhana has alleged that the Bangladeshi government is providing tacit support to groups identified as 'Tawhidi Janata', who have been involved in recent mob violence across the country. Speaking on a private television talk show, she claimed that these groups operate in different regions under various identities but share a common link through government tolerance. Farhana criticized the authorities for failing to take decisive action beyond issuing condemnations, despite repeated attacks on minority communities, cultural events, and women. She cited incidents involving assaults on Baul and Ahmadiyya communities, disruptions of theatrical performances, and harassment of female athletes and artists. According to her, over 380 shrines were attacked in the past year without any legal consequences. Farhana argued that the ruling Awami League benefits politically from these mobs, using them as a pressure group to advance agendas indirectly while ensuring they face no legal obstacles from law enforcement.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has announced a 101-member central convening committee for the Nationalist Generation of the Liberation War. Engineer Ishraq Hossain has been appointed as the convener, while Advocate K.M. Kamruzzaman Nannu will serve as the member secretary. The announcement was made through a press release signed by Ishtiaq Aziz Ulfat, president of the Nationalist Freedom Fighters’ Party, on Monday. According to the statement, the committee was formed with the approval of BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman. Dr. K.M.A.I. Monti has been named senior joint convener. The formation of this committee is seen as part of BNP’s broader effort to engage younger generations with the party’s liberation war-oriented nationalist ideology and strengthen its organizational structure ahead of future political activities.

A rally and human chain organized by the Cumilla Journalists Forum, Dhaka (CJFD), was held in front of the National Press Club demanding the establishment of a separate Cumilla Division. BNP Chairperson’s adviser Monirul Haque Chowdhury expressed solidarity with the movement, saying Cumilla has long been deprived of fair development and infrastructure. He highlighted delays in major projects such as the Dhaka–Cumilla highway, Cumilla University, and the unlaunched Cumilla airport, blaming decades of neglect since the British and Pakistani eras. Chowdhury urged unity among residents and leaders, suggesting dialogue with Noakhali representatives but also hinted at pursuing an independent path if consensus fails. He pledged to join the movement directly, vowing to fight until Cumilla’s rightful administrative recognition is achieved. The event was attended by political figures, journalists, professionals, and a large number of citizens supporting the demand for a new division.

Dr. Badiul Alam Majumdar, head of the Election Reform Commission, has expressed concern that politics in Bangladesh has become a business, with political parties operating like business syndicates. Speaking at a roundtable organized by Dhaka Institute of Research and Analytics (DAIRA) on 'Political Financing Culture and Business Protection in Bangladesh,' he questioned whether any truly democratic and transparent political party exists in the country. Participants highlighted the lack of transparency in party financing, weak regulatory oversight, and dependence on informal transactions that distort democratic competition and policymaking. Transparency International Bangladesh’s Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman proposed mandatory public disclosure of income and expenditure by elected representatives. Other speakers, including academics and party representatives, discussed the deep-rooted link between business and politics and the need for legal clarity and political goodwill to ensure accountability. The discussion underscored doubts about the Election Commission’s capacity to reform the current opaque system.

US President Donald Trump has reportedly told his advisers that he wishes to hold direct talks with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, signaling a potential shift in Washington’s approach toward Caracas. According to Axios, senior US officials confirmed Trump’s intention, describing it as a key step in his administration’s so-called 'gunboat diplomacy' regarding Venezuela. The move suggests that immediate US military actions, such as missile strikes or ground operations, are not currently planned. A senior official involved in the discussions stated that there are no present plans to capture or target Maduro, though future actions cannot be ruled out. Meanwhile, under 'Operation Southern Spear,' the US has conducted 21 separate attacks on suspected drug-carrying vessels in the Caribbean region, resulting in at least 83 deaths. The development indicates a possible diplomatic opening amid ongoing tensions between the two nations.

The Bangladesh Police Service Association has strongly protested remarks made by Jamaat-e-Islami leader Shahjahan Chowdhury, who urged party members to bring local administrations under their influence ahead of the next national election. In a statement issued Monday night, the association said such comments undermine the professionalism and neutrality of a key democratic institution and incite political misuse of law enforcement. The association described the remarks as 'ambitious and derogatory' toward the police. Shahjahan Chowdhury, a central executive member of Jamaat and former MP, made the comments at a rally in Chattogram on Saturday, sparking widespread criticism on social media. The association emphasized that the Bangladesh Police operates under the constitution and law, and that attempts in the past to politicize the force have damaged public trust. It reaffirmed that ahead of the February 2026 parliamentary election, the police remain neutral, professional, and accountable to the people.

National Citizen Party (NCP) chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari has called for the trial of those involved in the 1971 genocide, similar to the accountability sought for the 2024 massacre perpetrators. Speaking at a press conference in Dhaka’s Shahbagh, he announced that a new alliance will soon be formed to represent women, religious scholars, and the interests of Bangladesh. Without naming Jamaat-e-Islami, he accused a political group of trying to control the administration through intimidation. Patwari also criticized the Election Commission, alleging bias and lack of a level playing field ahead of the upcoming elections. NCP’s southern region organizer Hasnat Abdullah claimed that the Awami League and Jatiya Party are obstructing democratic progress. Meanwhile, senior joint secretary Dr. Tasnim Jara said the party has completed most of its candidate interviews, including those of expatriate aspirants, and will finalize the remaining ones soon.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has reinstated 65 of its leaders and activists by withdrawing previous expulsion and suspension orders, just three months before the upcoming national election. In a press release issued late Friday, the party announced that the disciplinary actions had been lifted following individual appeals and a central committee decision. The reinstated members include leaders from various districts such as Kushtia, Narsingdi, Sunamganj, Rajshahi, Khulna, and Cumilla, among others. The BNP stated that the decision was made to strengthen internal unity and organizational readiness ahead of the polls. Additionally, the suspension of Mojammel Hossain Mridha, the former general secretary of Majidbari Union BNP in Patuakhali, was also revoked. The move is seen as part of the party’s broader effort to consolidate its grassroots network and reconcile with previously penalized members before the national election.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) acting chairman Tarique Rahman has stated that only an elected government has the legitimate authority to make long-term national decisions such as the country’s graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status and strategic decisions regarding Chittagong Port. In a detailed Facebook post, he argued that the current interim government lacks electoral mandate and therefore should not take decisions that could shape Bangladesh’s economic future for decades. Rahman emphasized that while Bangladesh has earned the qualification to graduate from LDC status, it may not yet be fully prepared for the transition, citing economic pressures on businesses, foreign exchange shortages, and export challenges. He also criticized the government for closing off public debate and weakening the country’s negotiating position internationally. Referring to past examples of countries that delayed their LDC graduation, he urged for strategic patience and democratic legitimacy in policymaking, asserting that only a government elected by the people should decide the nation’s future.

The Bangladesh Police Service Association has strongly condemned recent comments made by a former Member of Parliament who suggested that police officers should act under the direction of political leaders. The controversial remarks, delivered during a political rally and later circulated widely on social media, called for police to follow politicians’ orders in filing cases and making arrests. In a statement signed by the association’s General Secretary and Dhaka District Superintendent of Police Md. Anisuzzaman, the association described the comments as highly inappropriate and contrary to democratic principles. The statement emphasized that the police operate under the constitution and statutory law, maintaining neutrality since the August 5 student uprising. It reaffirmed the force’s commitment to impartiality ahead of the February 2026 national elections, rejecting any attempt to politicize law enforcement. The association urged political figures to refrain from making statements that undermine the integrity and independence of the police.

At a discussion titled 'Education Reform Ideas for Building a Democratic State' held at the National Press Club in Dhaka, Ganosamhati Andolon proposed that the government should take full responsibility for education up to the 12th grade. Party chief coordinator Zonayed Saki emphasized that education reform must align with a productive economic plan ensuring equality and fair resource distribution. He argued for a distinct salary scale and improved status for teachers across all levels, from primary to university. The event, part of the party’s manifesto preparation initiative, also featured education experts and activists who highlighted the need to depoliticize education and ensure universal access to quality learning. Professor Mahbub Ullah stressed that national development depends on mass education, while other speakers criticized the commercialization of education. The discussion aimed to gather expert and public input for Ganosamhati Andolon’s upcoming election manifesto.

Two members of the UK House of Lords, former Army Chief Lord Richard Dannatt and businessman Lord David Evans, have been suspended for breaching parliamentary conduct rules. The Lords Standards Commissioner found that both peers offered to use parliamentary access and contacts for personal or business benefit. Lord Dannatt was recommended for a four-month suspension after being found to have approached ministers regarding companies in which he held financial interests. Lord Evans faces a five-month suspension for sponsoring events linked to his son’s company and offering introductions to MPs, with tickets sold above cost. The investigation followed undercover reporting by The Guardian, which prompted separate inquiries. Both peers accepted the findings and did not appeal. The suspensions will take effect once approved by the House of Lords. The case highlights ongoing scrutiny over lobbying and ethical standards in the UK’s upper chamber.

Engineer Ishraq Hossain, a prominent leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has been appointed as the convener of the newly formed central convening committee of the Bangladesh Nationalist Liberation War Generation. Advocate K. M. Kamruzzaman Nannu has been named member secretary, and Dr. K. M. I. Monti will serve as senior joint convener. The committee comprises a total of 101 members. The announcement was made through an official statement signed by Bir Muktijoddha Ishtiaq Aziz Ulfat, president of the BNP-affiliated Nationalist Freedom Fighters’ Council. According to the statement, the formation of the committee was approved by BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman. The new committee aims to strengthen the organization’s activities among the younger generation inspired by the spirit of the Liberation War.