The Bangladesh government has formally sent a letter to the Election Commission (EC) requesting that the upcoming 13th parliamentary election and a national referendum be held on the same day. EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed confirmed the development on Saturday. The move follows Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus’s November 13 address to the nation, where he announced plans to organize both events simultaneously amid political disagreements over the legal basis of the July Charter and the referendum itself. The Cabinet Division sent the official letter a week after Yunus’s announcement, instructing the EC to prepare accordingly. Chief Election Commissioner A.M.M. Nasir Uddin earlier stated that the EC would take further decisions once it received formal government directives. The EC is expected to announce the election schedule in early December, with voting likely in the first half of February.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir indirectly criticized Jamaat-e-Islami, saying the group failed to play a visible role in opposing Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government over the past decade. Speaking at an event organized by the Islamic Foundation at the Institution of Diploma Engineers in Dhaka, Fakhrul recalled that late President Ziaur Rahman had given Jamaat the opportunity to re-enter politics under the name Islamic Democratic League (IDL) before collaborating with BNP. He alleged that Jamaat members had infiltrated the Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) elections disguised as members of the ruling Awami League’s student wing, the Chhatra League. Fakhrul contrasted this with BNP’s direct political struggle, emphasizing the party’s sacrifices, including false cases against 6 million supporters, the killing of 20,000 activists, and the disappearance of 1,700 leaders and MPs. He reaffirmed BNP’s commitment to establishing a democratic state.

A local BNP youth leader in Anwara, Chattogram, has filed a general diary with police after alleged defamatory posts appeared on Facebook against senior BNP figures. Mohammad Faruk, the Upazila Jubo Dal member secretary, lodged the complaint on November 20, citing misleading and offensive content shared from a fake page named 'BNP Media Cell' and personal accounts. The posts reportedly targeted BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and Chattogram-13 candidate Sarwar Jamal Nizam. Party insiders claim the online attacks stem from frustration among supporters of Lion Helal Uddin, who was denied nomination for the same constituency. Helal’s followers have been accused of spreading misinformation and violating party discipline. Despite attempts to contact him, Helal did not respond. He and two others have also written to acting chairman Tarique Rahman demanding cancellation of Nizam’s nomination. Helal, previously expelled from a local BNP post in 2022, has a controversial past involving criminal allegations.

Bangladesh and Bhutan signed two memorandums of understanding (MoUs) following a bilateral meeting between Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus and Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay in Dhaka. The first MoU focuses on the recruitment of health professionals, signed between Bangladesh’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Bhutan’s Ministry of Health. The second MoU covers trade in international internet bandwidth and other telecommunication services, signed between Bangladesh’s Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology and Bhutan’s Royal Government. The signing ceremony was witnessed by both leaders after formal bilateral discussions at the Chief Adviser’s Office in Tejgaon. Prime Minister Tobgay arrived in Dhaka earlier in the day for a two-day official visit, during which he paid tribute at the National Martyrs’ Memorial in Savar and met with senior Bangladeshi officials. The visit aims to strengthen bilateral ties and expand cooperation in health, digital connectivity, and trade.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has accused the government of showing negligence and weakness in addressing crime and terrorism across Bangladesh. Speaking after paying respects at the tomb of party founder Ziaur Rahman with the newly formed Rajshahi city BNP committee, Rizvi claimed that while there are no state-sponsored abductions or killings, terrorist activities continue unchecked. He linked the recent killing of Jubo Dal leader Kibria to the government’s failure to act decisively. Rizvi also expressed concern over the recent earthquake that killed ten people, blaming unregulated high-rise construction for increasing risks in Dhaka. Earlier, he visited BNP candidate Ershad Ullah in hospital after the latter was shot during campaign activities in Chattogram-8 constituency. Rizvi condemned the attack as an attempt on Ershad Ullah’s life and demanded immediate arrest and legal action against those responsible.

BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury has stated that Bangladesh’s struggle to restore democracy is not yet over and called for unity among all political forces to ensure a free and fair election. Speaking at a discussion organized by Zia Parishad at the National Press Club, he emphasized that BNP and democracy are interdependent and one cannot sustain without the other. Khosru highlighted the historical role of Ziaur Rahman in the country’s independence, governance, and democratic reforms. He accused anti-democratic groups of conspiring to obstruct or delay elections to serve their own interests. According to him, the people of Bangladesh are waiting for a fair election expected in early February. He also criticized attempts to impose demands through coercion, urging all parties to present their agendas to the public through election manifestos rather than forceful means.

Bangladesh Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Md. Sanaullah has expressed optimism that a record number of international observers will attend the country’s upcoming 13th parliamentary election. Speaking at a workshop organized by the Asian Network for Free Elections in Dhaka’s Gulshan area, he described the election as a new chapter in Bangladesh’s democratic journey. Sanaullah said that foreign observers typically attend participatory elections and that applications will be processed through embassies and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He also mentioned that over 300 applications have been received from local organizations, with around 80 approved to act as observers—significantly more than in previous elections. The minimum age for observers has been lowered from 24 to 21 to encourage youth participation, accompanied by training programs. Sanaullah further noted that the misuse of AI and the spread of misinformation on social media pose major challenges to ensuring a free and fair election, but expressed confidence that cooperation among all stakeholders can overcome these issues.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain stated that Bangladesh will pursue an independent and responsible course amid global geopolitical restructuring, prioritizing national interests and regional stability over alignment with any power bloc. Speaking at the opening of the 'Bay of Bengal Conversation 2025' organized by the Center for Governance Studies in Dhaka, he emphasized that Bangladesh aims to play an active and sovereign role in the evolving international order. Hossain highlighted the Bay of Bengal’s growing strategic importance and called for stronger multilateral and regional institutions to address global crises. He also warned about the misuse of information, deepfakes, and AI-driven influence in diplomacy and governance, stressing the need for regulatory frameworks that balance security and rights. Addressing economic and climate challenges, he urged regional cooperation, diversification, and resilience-building among coastal nations. The conference’s theme, 'Rivalry, Rupture, Restructuring,' reflects discussions on global competition, alliances, information warfare, artificial intelligence, and climate change.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman stated that the upcoming national election will mark a new chapter in the country's political history. Speaking at the National Representative Conference of Mushlihin in Neserabad, Jhalakathi, he warned against any attempts at vote manipulation or polling center occupation, saying such actions would face strong resistance. Rahman emphasized continued struggle against oppression, fascism, and efforts to divide the nation, urging all Islamic forces to remain united for the cause of Islam. The event was attended by several Islamic and political leaders, including Charmonai Pir Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim, who echoed the call for unity among Islamic parties to ensure electoral success. Thousands of devout Muslims participated in the gathering, which was presided over by Maulana Khalilur Rahman, Amir of Mushlihin.

BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed has warned that those attempting to claim ownership of the spirit of the July 2024 student-led mass uprising for political purposes will face negative consequences. Speaking at a rally organized by the Bangladesh Nationalist Freedom Fighters’ Council at the Central Shaheed Minar, he emphasized that the uprising was the culmination of years of struggle, not merely a short-term movement. The 2024 uprising, which began with student protests demanding quota reform, led to the fall of the Awami League government and the exile of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Salahuddin accused the Awami League of monopolizing national ideals and warned that similar attempts to control the uprising’s legacy would fail. He reiterated that the movement’s spirit belongs to all pro-democracy citizens. Other BNP leaders, including Ishteak Aziz Ulfat, Abdus Salam, Zainul Abedin Faruk, and Ishraq Hossain, also attended the event.

BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed declared that the death sentence of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina would be implemented, emphasizing that there is no place for dictatorship or fascism in Bangladesh. Speaking at a rally titled ‘Freedom Fighters and Generations Vigilant for Independence, Sovereignty and Democracy’ at the Central Shaheed Minar on Saturday, he accused the Awami League of being a mafia-fascist force operating under the guise of democracy. Salahuddin warned that failure to meet public aspirations could lead to the resurgence of fascist politics, urging all to uphold democratic practices. At the same event, BNP leader Ishraque Hossain alleged that Sheikh Hasina was using secret terrorists to obstruct elections and vowed that the Awami League would no longer be allowed to conduct politics in Bangladesh. The rally was presided over by Nationalist Freedom Fighters’ president Ishtiaq Aziz Ulfat and attended by several senior BNP leaders.

ATM Azharul Islam, Jamaat-e-Islami’s candidate for Rangpur-2 and a central executive member, declared that a national referendum is essential for protecting the country. Speaking during an election campaign rally in Rangpur on Saturday, he emphasized that all political parties had agreed to the idea of a referendum and questioned why it could not be held before the national election. Azharul Islam also highlighted his past work in local development, including road construction and education initiatives, and pledged to reopen a closed sugar mill and modernize hospitals if elected. He alleged that some local officials were biased toward a particular party but expressed confidence in achieving a level playing field. Claiming strong support from youth, women, and minority communities, he said he was confident of a decisive victory. The campaign event featured a large motorcycle procession with around 2,000 participants across several local areas.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir sharply criticized Jamaat-e-Islami for using religion to gain political advantage, questioning the notion that supporting Jamaat guarantees spiritual reward. Speaking at a discussion organized by the Islamic Foundation Caretaker Welfare Council in Dhaka, Fakhrul said religion should not be misused for political benefit. He recalled that former President Ziaur Rahman had given Jamaat the opportunity to re-enter politics, but lamented that the party has been inactive in anti-government movements over the past decade. Fakhrul also accused Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of undermining citizens’ rights, including voting and religious freedom, while falsely claiming to defend Islam. Citing Indonesia’s model of religious institutional consultation, he noted Bangladesh lacks such structures. He called for national unity to ensure a fair and credible election that would restore democracy and empower parliament to address national issues.

Salauddin Jamil Saurav, a central member of the National Citizen Party (NCP), has collected and submitted his nomination form to contest from the Dhaka-5 constituency. The constituency, officially numbered 171, covers densely populated areas such as Jatrabari, Donia, and Kajla under the Dhaka South City Corporation. Saurav collected the nomination form from the party’s temporary central office in Banglamotor on Tuesday and submitted it the same day. Speaking to reporters, he said he grew up witnessing the struggles and neglect faced by local residents and aims to ensure basic civic services through sincere effort, visionary planning, and transparent leadership. He emphasized that Bangladesh’s politics is at a turning point, and people now seek leaders who remain connected to citizens beyond power politics. The NCP, he added, is working to build such new leadership for the future.

Advocate Fazlur Rahman, the BNP-nominated candidate for Kishoreganj-4 constituency (Itna-Mithamain-Austagram), declared that he would take poison if Jamaat-e-Islami wins the election and forms a government. Speaking at a BNP workers’ rally in Itna on Friday night, Rahman criticized Jamaat members, calling them ungrateful and accusing them of betraying those who once saved them. He emphasized his ideological stance, stating he seeks votes only from supporters of the Liberation War, BNP, and its leaders, regardless of religion. Rahman also reiterated that Bangladesh’s independence was aimed at establishing a secular state. His remarks come amid heightened political tensions and renewed debates over the role of Jamaat in national politics. Local BNP leaders, including his wife Umme Kulsum Rekha and other party officials, were present at the event.