The National Citizen Party (NCP) has called on the Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh to promptly release the framework for the proposed referendum before the upcoming national elections. NCP’s chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari emphasized that the party is ready to fully cooperate with the EC but stressed the need for transparency regarding how the referendum will be conducted, its timeline, and measures to prevent fraud. Speaking at an EC dialogue on November 19, Patwari also urged the commission to maintain its independence from all political parties. He proposed forming a monitoring cell to ensure women’s safety and prevent cyber harassment during elections, and recommended activating law enforcement to encourage youth participation. Patwari further highlighted the importance of facilitating expatriate voters, ensuring distinct electoral symbols for candidates, and assigning liaison officers to each political party to streamline communication with the EC.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has alleged that some groups are preparing to manipulate the upcoming national elections in Bangladesh through money and influence, warning that the youth will resist any attempt to hijack their votes. Speaking at a gathering in Dhaka’s Kafrul area, he urged young voters to freely choose their candidates and pledged his party’s support in ensuring fair participation. Rahman emphasized Jamaat’s commitment to justice, anti-corruption, and ending extortion, claiming that eliminating extortion would significantly reduce commodity prices and boost economic growth. He also promised to protect businesspeople from extortionists and ensure women’s safety and respect in workplaces, suggesting reduced working hours for women to balance family responsibilities. On foreign policy, he said Jamaat would maintain friendly relations with all nations while rejecting any form of dominance. Rahman further called for restoring the dignity of the judiciary and ensuring that justice is applied equally to all citizens.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar has alleged that recent administrative reshuffles, particularly the transfers of deputy commissioners (DCs) and police officials, are being carried out with a specific political motive ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election. Speaking during a dialogue with the Election Commission in Dhaka, Parwar claimed that the frequency and timing of the transfers suggest a deliberate design. He reiterated Jamaat’s proposal for a lottery-based transfer system to ensure neutrality and public trust once the election schedule is announced. Parwar also raised concerns about holding the national election and a constitutional referendum on the same day, arguing that it could confuse voters. Additionally, he questioned the lack of clear guidelines for expatriate voting in the referendum and suggested allowing voter registration using passports. He further sought clarification on where political parties should submit their pledges as part of the election process.

Sharmin S Morshed, adviser to the Ministry of Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs, called on young people to take a stand against violence towards women and children and to lead the rebuilding of a democratic Bangladesh. Speaking as the chief guest at the 'Bangladesh Through the Eyes of Youth' inter-college debate festival organized by Youth Forum of Bangladesh at the Bangladesh Shishu Academy auditorium on November 18, she reflected on the spirit of the 1971 Liberation War and compared it to the youth activism seen during the 'July 2024 war'. Morshed emphasized that the courage and energy of the new generation must be harnessed to create a just, safe, and inclusive nation. She lamented the country’s lost democratic roots and the rise of authoritarianism but expressed hope that the unity shown by the youth in 2024 would not be broken. The event concluded with a collective pledge to rebuild Bangladesh with equality, justice, and good governance.

Former opposition chief whip Zainul Abedin Faruq has called on all political and social groups to set aside divisions and work together for the welfare of the people of Bangladesh. Speaking as the chief guest at an event marking Senbagh Liberation Day, organized by the Senbagh Upazila Muktijoddha Sangsad Command Council, Faruq emphasized that despite differing opinions on various issues, unity is essential for national progress. He suggested that implementing Tarique Rahman’s 31-point plan could help resolve long-standing administrative problems and ensure a fair and beautiful election in the future. The event, chaired by Abdul Azim Chowdhury, was attended by several freedom fighters and local BNP leaders, including Abul Kalam Azad, Golam Mostafa Bhuiyan, and Abu Taher. Faruq’s remarks reflected a call for reconciliation and collective effort in addressing the country’s ongoing challenges.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has emphasized that establishing democracy in Bangladesh requires moving away from mob violence and fostering unity among democratic forces. Speaking at a book launch and documentary screening titled 'BNP in the Uprising of 2024' in Dhaka’s Gulshan, Fakhrul criticized what he described as attempts to divert attention from the International Crimes Tribunal’s verdict against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina by inciting mob unrest. He urged political parties to investigate such developments and called for collective efforts to rebuild democratic institutions. Fakhrul said Bangladesh must return to the path of democracy to avoid becoming a failed state, stressing the need for an independent judiciary, parliament, media, and administration. He also noted that the country is in a transitional period ahead of elections and that true democracy requires building a democratic culture beyond the polls. Several senior BNP leaders and allied political figures attended the event.

Police in Narayanganj’s Bandar area arrested two local Awami League leaders during a special operation on Tuesday night, November 18. The detainees were identified as Moshior Rahman Suju, 48, general secretary of the ruling party’s 23rd Ward unit under Narayanganj City Corporation, and Abdullah Babu, 65, vice president of the Bandar Upazila Awami League. Suju is a resident of Kadamrasul area, while Babu hails from Kalyandi. According to Bandar Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Liaquat Ali, both men were apprehended from their respective neighborhoods and were sent to court on Wednesday. The reasons behind their arrests were not immediately disclosed by the authorities. The incident has drawn attention locally, as both individuals hold significant positions within the party’s grassroots leadership in the industrial district of Narayanganj.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has requested the Election Commission (EC) to deploy at least five army personnel at every polling center, arguing that a single soldier per center would not ensure adequate security or influence. The party’s Secretary General, Mia Golam Porwar, made the appeal during a dialogue with the EC in Agargaon, Dhaka. Jamaat also proposed that administrative reshuffles be conducted through a lottery system to ensure neutrality. Assistant Secretary General Hamidur Rahman Azad urged the EC to act courageously, recommending the use of CCTV cameras and the recovery of illegal weapons. Barrister Shishir Monir raised concerns about ambiguities in the electoral code of conduct, including unclear punishment procedures for violations and the lack of specified timelines for resolving complaints. The party emphasized the need for transparency in voter lists and clarity on where political commitment documents should be submitted.

Bangladesh’s Election Commission has released the final voter list for the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election, confirming a total of 127,695,183 eligible voters. The announcement was made by Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed at the Election Commission office in Agargaon on Tuesday, November 18. According to the data, there are 64,814,907 male voters, 62,879,042 female voters, and 1,234 third-gender voters. The male voter growth rate stands at 2.29 percent, while female voter growth is higher at 4.16 percent. The finalized list includes citizens who turned 18 by October 31, 2025, making many first-time voters eligible to participate in the upcoming election. The earlier draft list, published on November 3, recorded slightly fewer voters. The finalization marks a key step in the country’s preparations for the next general election.

Bangladesh’s Home Affairs Adviser Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury stated that there is no unrest in the country following the death sentence verdict against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India after being ousted in the July uprising. Speaking to reporters after an inter-ministerial meeting at the Secretariat on preparations for Victory Day 2025, he said there is no security concern or instability surrounding the verdict. He confirmed that all Victory Day events will proceed as planned, with no major changes except the continuation of the decision not to hold a parade. Responding to a question about a journalist allegedly detained by plainclothes officers without a warrant, the adviser said he had just learned of the incident and would investigate it seriously. Senior officials from the Home Ministry, including Senior Secretary Nasimul Gani, attended the briefing.

Russia has enacted a series of sweeping new laws aimed at strengthening domestic defences against Ukrainian drone attacks and sabotage operations, signalling the Kremlin’s preparation for a prolonged conflict. President Vladimir Putin authorised the deployment of reservists to guard critical energy infrastructure, including refineries repeatedly hit by Ukrainian drones, without declaring a new mobilisation. The measures also include tighter penalties for sabotage, with life sentences for those involving minors and the lowering of the criminal responsibility age to 14. Additionally, new electronic restrictions such as a 24-hour mobile network blackout for returning travellers have been introduced to prevent drones from exploiting civilian networks. Analysts say these steps reflect Moscow’s growing anxiety over Ukraine’s ability to strike deep inside Russian territory and its effort to condition the public for a semi-militarised existence. Despite official claims of openness to peace talks, Russia shows no sign of de-escalation, while domestic propaganda urges citizens to accept greater sacrifices amid economic stagnation and Western sanctions.

Bangladesh’s Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology has denied any involvement of its special assistant to the chief adviser, Foyez Ahmad Taiyeb, in the late-night questioning of journalist Mizanur Rahman Sohel by the Detective Branch (DB). In an official statement issued on Wednesday, the ministry described allegations linking Taiyeb to Sohel’s detention as baseless and politically motivated. The statement clarified that Sohel, an online editor of the newspaper Vorer Kagoj, was taken to the DB office for questioning and later released. Taiyeb said his work on implementing the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) was being misrepresented by certain media outlets and that he had no personal or professional connection with Sohel. He emphasized that law enforcement acted independently and that spreading misinformation undermines freedom of expression. Meanwhile, Sohel claimed on social media that he was detained under the direction of a government adviser to favor certain mobile phone traders, though authorities have not confirmed this allegation.

Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar reaffirmed India’s firm stance against terrorism during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Heads of Government meeting held in Astana, Kazakhstan, on November 18. He emphasized that India will exercise its sovereign right to protect its citizens and urged the global community to demonstrate zero tolerance toward all forms of terrorism. Highlighting the SCO’s founding purpose of combating terrorism, separatism, and extremism, Jaishankar called for strengthening the organization’s structure and actions to meet contemporary challenges. He also advocated for modernization and reforms within the SCO, including implementing India’s longstanding proposal to make English an official language alongside Russian and Chinese. Additionally, he outlined India’s initiatives to promote innovation and entrepreneurship among youth through the SCO Startup and Innovation Working Group and the SCO Startup Forum. Jaishankar assured that India would continue to extend full cooperation to achieve these shared goals.

Supreme Court lawyer and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami representative Shishir Monir has raised several concerns over the Election Commission’s (EC) proposed code of conduct ahead of the upcoming national elections. During a dialogue with the EC on November 19, he pointed out inconsistencies regarding the use of posters, the authority to impose penalties for code violations, and the absence of a defined timeframe for resolving election-related complaints. Monir criticized what he termed the EC’s ‘dual policy’ on posters, noting contradictions between clauses banning and regulating their use. He also demanded that the reading of election manifestos by all candidates on a common platform be made mandatory rather than optional. Furthermore, he expressed dissatisfaction over the lack of clarity on who has the jurisdiction to impose punishments for violations and urged the EC to set a specific time limit for resolving complaints to ensure transparency and accountability in the electoral process.

A major controversy has emerged in Bangladesh’s academic community after a statement circulated online claiming that 1,001 public university teachers rejected the International Crimes Tribunal’s death sentence against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Investigations revealed that only 630 names were listed, with many teachers alleging their names were used without consent. The statement was reportedly issued by Dr. Mahbub Alam Pradip of Rajshahi University, who is currently on leave in Australia, raising questions about its authenticity. Several teachers, including from Dhaka and Chittagong universities, publicly denied involvement. Following the statement, students protested at Dhaka University demanding punishment for those responsible, while the university vice-chancellor confirmed that legal reviews were underway. Meanwhile, police arrested DU Deputy Registrar Muhammad Lavlu Molla Shishir under the Anti-Terrorism Act for allegedly posting contemptuous remarks on Facebook after the verdict. Student unions have given a 10-day ultimatum to dismiss the teachers named in the disputed statement.