Dr. Tasnim Jara has completed the first stage of the election process by submitting her nomination to contest as an independent candidate for the Dhaka-9 constituency in the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. She collected the required voter signatures and submitted them to the Dhaka Divisional Commissioner and Returning Officer in Segunbagicha.

According to the Election Commission’s rules, an independent candidate must gather signatures from at least one percent of registered voters in their constituency. For Dhaka-9, this meant a minimum of 4,693 signatures. Jara began collecting signatures last Sunday, setting up booths in Khilgaon and Basabo areas. Her team reportedly exceeded the required number by Monday afternoon.

Jara decided to run independently after leaving her party following the formation of an alliance between Jamaat and the NCP. Her submission marks a key procedural milestone ahead of the national polls.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has submitted his nomination papers to contest the 13th National Parliamentary Election from Dhaka-15 constituency. According to his election affidavit, he holds Tk 6,076,497 in cash, 10 bhori of gold worth Tk 100,000, and a duplex house on 11.77 decimals of land valued at Tk 2.7 million. His total declared assets amount to approximately Tk 10,273,640.

The affidavit further states that Dr. Rahman, a physician by profession, has no loans from any bank or financial institution. He owns 2 acres and 17 decimals of agricultural land valued at Tk 1,771,000 and earns Tk 300,000 annually from agriculture. His other assets include shares worth Tk 2,716,880 in both listed and unlisted companies, electrical goods worth Tk 200,000, a vehicle valued at Tk 450,000, and furniture worth Tk 240,000.

The nomination papers were submitted on Monday, December 29, at the Election Training Institute in Agargaon by Jamaat’s Assistant Secretary General Abdul Halim on behalf of Dr. Rahman.

Mahfuz Alam, a former information adviser to the interim government and a leading figure in the July uprising, has announced plans to pursue a new political solution. He made the declaration on Monday, December 29, through a Facebook post, emphasizing a fresh start driven by vision, honesty, and commitment to Bangladesh and its youth. Alam reiterated that there would be no compromise in this new journey.

Earlier, he had confirmed through his verified Facebook page that he would not join the National Citizens Party (NCP). He had also previously stated that he would not participate in the upcoming national parliamentary election. His latest statement signals a shift toward forming or supporting a new political direction rather than aligning with existing parties.

The announcement highlights Alam’s intent to channel the spirit of the July movement into a renewed political effort, though details of the initiative or its structure have not yet been disclosed.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attended a ceremony in Hatay province on December 27 to hand over the 455,000th new home built for survivors of the 2023 earthquakes that devastated southern Turkey. The February 6 quakes, measuring 7.8 and 7.5 in magnitude, killed more than 53,000 people and displaced millions across southern Turkey and northern Syria. Erdogan said over 55,000 housing units were delivered in Hatay and about 22,000 in Kahramanmaraş, slightly exceeding his earlier pledge of 453,000 units.

During the event, Erdogan criticized opposition parties, calling them “earthquake tourists” who sought political advantage from the disaster. He emphasized that his administration had rebuilt infrastructure in affected provinces including Adıyaman and Gaziantep. The president also linked Turkey’s internal stability to the broader Middle Eastern situation, warning against “merchants of blood and chaos” seeking to destabilize the region.

Erdogan reiterated that Turkey’s progress depends on a strong ruling party and national unity, highlighting solidarity with neighboring peoples in Syria, Palestine, and Iraq. The 2023 earthquakes were the deadliest in two decades, destroying over 35,000 buildings and severely damaging 200,000 more.

Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh leaders Allama Muhibullah Babunagari and Allama Sajedur Rahman have alleged that an anti-national fascist group is again attempting to play the 'militant card' following several recent incidents, including an explosion at an unregistered madrasa in Keraniganj, a bomb attack targeting Mufti Jasimuddin Rahmani, mysterious arson at several Hindu homes, and the recovery of 24 electric detonators near the Sunamganj border. They made the remarks in a statement to the media on Monday, December 29, 2025.

The Hefazat leaders claimed that such acts are intended to create fear, disrupt the upcoming national election, and divert public attention from the demand for justice in the killing of Shaheed Osman Hadi. They accused domestic collaborators of using militancy narratives for political gain and called on the government led by Yunus to take stricter measures to maintain law and order.

Hefazat instructed its members nationwide to hand over anyone found involved in militant or sabotage activities to law enforcement while ensuring that no innocent person is falsely implicated. The organization reiterated that it does not want to see a repeat of what it called 'militant dramas' in the country.

The Bangladesh Railway authorities have called on citizens to refrain from damaging trains, engines, coaches, wagons, and other railway assets. The appeal was made on Monday through a press release issued by Rezaul Karim Siddiqui, Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Railways. The statement highlighted recent incidents of stone-throwing at trains, unjustified rail line blockades, and deliberate damage to railway tracks, which have caused financial losses and disrupted train operations.

According to the release, the railway is a state-owned national asset, and any harm to it represents a loss to the nation and its people. The ministry emphasized that preventing such damage is a moral duty of all citizens. It also reaffirmed Bangladesh Railway’s commitment to providing quality passenger services and called for public cooperation to ensure safe and efficient operations.

The statement further warned that any attempt to damage state property, including rail infrastructure, is a punishable offense. Those engaging in illegal acts under political, social, or other programs will face strict legal action under existing laws.

Former interim government adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan has formally joined the National Citizens Party (NCP). The announcement was made on Monday evening at a press conference held at the party’s temporary central office in Banglamotor, Dhaka, by NCP convener Nahid Islam. He stated that although the NCP has entered its electoral phase, Asif Mahmud will not contest in the upcoming election. Instead, he will work to ensure the success of NCP-nominated candidates and has been appointed as the head of the party’s election management committee.

Asif Mahmud previously served as one of the key coordinators of the anti-discrimination student movement that led the mass uprising of July–August 2024. Following the fall of the then Awami League government on August 5, 2024, he took oath as an adviser in the interim government. He resigned from that position on December 10, 2025, with the resignation becoming effective on December 11, coinciding with the announcement of the election schedule.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Monday that he has asked U.S. President Donald Trump to consider providing Ukraine with a 30 to 50-year security guarantee. Zelensky stated that Trump responded he would “think about” the proposal. He confirmed that under the current agreement, Ukraine is already assured of a 15-year security guarantee from the United States.

Zelensky added that the next round of discussions will take place in Kyiv in January. He said that the head of Ukraine’s National Defense and Security Council, Rustem Umerov, is coordinating the process with partners. Following that, Ukraine will hold talks with European leaders to align the main documents and prepare communications between Trump and European leaders.

Zelensky also mentioned that Trump has discussed his 20-point peace plan with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who he said is ready for peace. He noted that lifting martial law would only be possible once security guarantees are in place, including the deployment of foreign troops.

Nasiruddin Patwari, the chief coordinator of the National Citizen Party (NCP), has submitted his nomination papers to contest the Dhaka-8 parliamentary seat. The submission took place on Monday, December 29, 2025, before the returning officer. Patwari confirmed that he will run under the NCP’s symbol, the Shapla Koli, and described his candidacy as a continuation of the vision of Shaheed Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, the late spokesperson of Inquilab Monch, who previously represented the constituency.

Patwari stated that he is standing in the seat Hadi once aspired to represent, aiming to fulfill the dreams Hadi had for the area. He acknowledged that Dhaka-8 is a challenging constituency where few are willing to contest, referring to it as Hadi’s seat and expressing readiness to face any risk in pursuing national progress. The report did not mention other candidates or party reactions.

The nomination marks NCP’s attempt to strengthen its presence in Dhaka’s political landscape through symbolic continuity with Hadi’s legacy.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Professor Mia Golam Parwar said that the people will resist any attempt at vote rigging. He made the remarks on Monday at the Khulna Deputy Commissioner’s office while speaking to journalists on the final day for submitting nomination papers. Parwar stated that Jamaat-e-Islami is participating in the election based on an eight-party understanding, which has now expanded to ten parties after two more joined the alliance.

Highlighting concerns about possible electoral manipulation and deprivation of voting rights, he urged citizens to remain united to ensure a free and fair election. He also called on voters to support the July Charter by voting “yes” in the referendum scheduled on the same day as the election. Quoting the party’s Amir, Parwar said their struggle has shifted from fighting fascism to combating corruption, aiming for a corruption-free economy and society.

He emphasized that the nation seeks change after 54 years of governance by those he described as tested and failed, expressing confidence that his party will bring that change.

Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, a recently resigned adviser and a leading figure in the July uprising, is reportedly set to join the National Citizen Party (NCP). Multiple sources on Monday, December 29, 2025, indicated that he may be appointed as the party’s spokesperson, although he has not yet publicly confirmed his position. Following his resignation, speculation has grown about his political direction, while he has also announced plans to contest independently from Dhaka-10 and nomination papers have been collected on his behalf for Cumilla-3 (Muradnagar).

In contrast, another former adviser and July uprising leader, Mahfuz Alam, has declared that he will not join the NCP. In a Facebook post titled “My Political Position,” he explained that although he had long collaborated with NCP and the Citizen Committee, he chose to maintain his independent stance. Mahfuz emphasized his commitment to cultural and political resistance against fascism and to fostering a new political-economic framework.

The developments highlight internal realignments among July uprising leaders and suggest possible shifts in Bangladesh’s emerging political landscape.

Election Commission (EC) Secretary Akhtar Ahmed announced that the deadline for submitting nomination papers for the 13th National Parliamentary Election will not be extended. He made the statement during a briefing held on Monday afternoon, confirming that the existing schedule for candidate submissions remains unchanged.

The announcement comes as part of the Election Commission’s ongoing preparations for the upcoming national polls. The EC has been conducting briefings and coordination activities to ensure the election process proceeds according to the established timeline. The secretary’s statement indicates that the commission intends to maintain procedural discipline and avoid any delays in the electoral schedule.

Further details about the nomination process and subsequent election stages are expected to be released later, as the commission continues its preparations for the national election.

Former state minister for home affairs Lutfozzaman Babar has submitted his nomination papers to contest the upcoming election from the Netrokona-4 constituency, which includes Madan, Mohanganj, and Khaliajuri. The submission took place on Monday afternoon at the office of the district returning officer and deputy commissioner Md. Saifur Rahman.

Babar, representing the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), stated that his candidacy is driven by a commitment to restoring democracy, ensuring people's rights, and advancing the overall development of the Netrokona-4 area. He expressed confidence that with the love and support of local residents, his campaign team will move forward unitedly toward victory.

The report highlights Babar’s emphasis on unity and local support as central to his electoral strategy in the constituency.

A platform named Manch-24 held a press conference at Dhaka University’s Madhur Canteen on Monday, demanding justice within 25 days for the killing of Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, spokesperson of Inquilab Manch. The group also announced four demands, including the immediate arrest of the main killer and accomplices, reform of intelligence agencies before the election, action against anti-national elements in the media, and review of work permits for Indian citizens in Bangladesh.

At the event, Manch-24 convener Fahim Faruqi criticized the interim government for what he described as lenient decisions regarding the murder case, accusing it of leaning toward dominance and aggression. He said Hadi had embodied the 2024 student-people revolution both culturally and politically through his Inquilab Cultural Center and anti-hegemony activities.

Faruqi warned that failure to arrest the alleged killer Faisal would embolden criminal groups and endanger other movement leaders. Inquilab Manch continues its protest at Shahbagh demanding justice for Hadi’s killing.

Khalistan supporters disrupted a protest organized by Hindutva activists outside the Bangladesh High Commission in London on Saturday. The protest had been arranged in response to reports of violence against Hindus in Bangladesh. During the demonstration, the Khalistani group chanted anti-India slogans and displayed their flags, effectively halting the event. A brief scuffle occurred between Paramjit Singh Pamma, coordinator of the Khalistan Referendum campaign, and an Indian Hindu protester.

Metropolitan Police officers quickly intervened, separating the individuals involved and dispersing both groups from the area surrounding the mission building. No injuries were reported in the incident.

Manu Khajuria of the UK Insight Group described the actions of the Khalistani extremists as surprising, saying they attempted to silence voices advocating for minority rights and harmony.