Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has signed nomination papers to contest the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election from Dhaka-17 and Bogura-6 constituencies under the party’s ‘Sheaf of Paddy’ symbol. The signing took place on Sunday evening at the BNP Chairperson’s office in Gulshan, accompanied by coordinators from both constituencies. Earlier in the day, the BNP Chairperson’s private secretary ABM Abdus Sattar collected the nomination papers from the office of the Dhaka Divisional Commissioner, Sharaf Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury, in Segunbagicha.

According to BNP sources, Tarique Rahman applied on Saturday to become a voter in Dhaka-17. Senior BNP leaders had requested him to contest from that constituency. Following this development, Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP) Chairman Andalib Rahman Partha decided to withdraw from Dhaka-17 and instead contest from Bhola-1 to honor Tarique Rahman’s candidacy. BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed confirmed that Tarique Rahman would contest from Dhaka-17, while Partha would run from Bhola-1 as part of the alliance.

The developments mark a key step in BNP’s candidate finalization process ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election.

Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh’s Joint Secretary General Maulana Azizul Haque Islamabadi has alleged that extremist Hindutva groups in India have launched a religious war against minorities. In a statement issued on Sunday, he condemned what he described as the suppression of security and religious freedom of Muslim and Christian minorities in India. He cited incidents of Muslims being beaten to death on suspicion of being ‘Bangladeshi’ and attacks on Christmas celebrations in several Indian states.

Islamabadi further claimed that India’s ruling Hindutva forces are inciting nationalist hatred and anti-Muslim sentiment against Bangladesh. He referred to a BJP leader’s reported threat to treat Bangladesh as Israel did Gaza and accused Indian mainstream media of spreading anti-Bangladesh propaganda. He warned that India’s alleged hegemonic behavior could hinder good relations with neighboring countries.

He also mentioned recent incidents in Bangladesh, including arson attacks on Hindu homes in Chattogram and explosions near Christian institutions in Dhaka, which he attributed to political manipulation by fascist and hegemonic forces. He called for unity to resist such conspiracies and urged the Bangladeshi government to take a stronger stance against minority persecution in India.

Myanmar concluded the first phase of its general election on Sunday, marking the country’s first nationwide vote since the 2021 military coup. According to Eleven Myanmar, polling took place across 102 cities, with voting beginning at 6 a.m. and closing at 4 p.m. local time. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that 139 representatives from diplomatic missions and international election observers monitored the process. The second and third phases are scheduled for January 11 and January 25, respectively, with a total of 21,517 polling stations established nationwide.

The election comes under the shadow of prolonged military rule following the ouster of Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) government in 2021. Although the NLD and 40 other parties were dissolved in 2023, at least six parties with 4,963 candidates are participating, alongside 57 regional parties. The military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party has fielded about 1,018 candidates. Junta leader and acting president Min Aung Hlaing claimed the election was free and fair after casting his vote in Naypyidaw.

UN Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews urged the international community via social media to reject the legitimacy of the election.

Bangladesh Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus has welcomed the growing engagement between Bangladesh and Pakistan, emphasizing the importance of expanding travel, cultural and educational cooperation, and people-to-people contact among SAARC member states. He made the remarks on Sunday during a courtesy call by Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Imran Haider, at the state guesthouse Jamuna in Dhaka.

According to the Chief Adviser’s press wing, both sides discussed strengthening cooperation in trade, investment, and aviation, as well as expanding exchanges in culture, education, and healthcare to deepen bilateral relations. Yunus expressed hope that during Haider’s tenure, both countries would explore new investment and joint venture opportunities.

High Commissioner Haider noted a 20 percent increase in bilateral trade compared to the previous year and said business communities were seeking new investment avenues. He added that Bangladeshi students were increasingly interested in higher studies in Pakistan, particularly in medical science, nanotechnology, and artificial intelligence. Haider also mentioned the possible launch of a direct Dhaka-Karachi flight in January.

Former interim government adviser Mahfuz Alam announced on Sunday that he will not contest the 13th National Parliamentary Election under the Jamaat-e-Islami alliance or the National Citizens Party (NCP). In a verified Facebook post, he clarified his political stance, stating that although he had advised and supported the NCP and Citizens Committee over the past year and a half, he would not be part of the alliance.

Alam explained that he had tried to establish the NCP as an independent platform under a broader 'Big July' umbrella but was unable to do so for various reasons. He emphasized that his respect and friendship with his July colleagues remain intact, but maintaining his long-standing political position is more important than contesting a seat in Dhaka under the Jamaat-NCP alliance.

He further wrote that Bangladesh is currently in a “cold war” phase and that it is better to remain steadfast in one’s principles without taking sides. Alam reaffirmed his commitment to pursuing political, cultural, and intellectual efforts toward a new political-economic framework and the rise of alternative youth forces.

Sylhet Divisional Commissioner Khan Md. Reza-un-Nabi has directed that the Haor protection embankment must be completed within the scheduled timeframe. He warned that any irregularities, negligence, or obstruction in the construction process would prompt immediate strict action by the upazila administration. He made these remarks on Sunday while visiting the Hali Haor embankment, Beheli Union Parishad, and attending a public awareness meeting on the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election and referendum in Jamalganj, Sunamganj.

During the visit, the commissioner also distributed winter clothes among the poor, inaugurated the renovated upazila public library and children’s park, and inspected the Bhimkhali Union Parishad village court records and the upazila land office. He emphasized that the construction and maintenance of the Haor embankment require collective efforts from local representatives, implementing agencies, and residents to ensure crop protection and sustainable development.

He further stated that the government and election administration are fully prepared to hold the upcoming election and referendum in a free, fair, and impartial manner, ensuring that voters can cast their ballots without fear or pressure.

The National Citizens Party (NCP) has decided to join an alliance with Jamaat-e-Islami and other like-minded parties to strengthen broader political unity. NCP Convener Nahid Islam announced the decision at an emergency press conference held on Sunday night, December 28, 2025, at the party’s temporary office in Banglamotor, Dhaka. He stated that the decision was made with the majority consent of party members.

Nahid Islam explained that the NCP had been preparing to contest all 300 constituencies in the upcoming national parliamentary election and referendum. However, the political context changed following the killing of Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, spokesperson of Inqilab Mancha. Earlier, the NCP had reached an understanding with two other parties to form a reform alliance, but the evolving situation prompted a new strategic decision.

He also alleged that defeated hegemonic forces in Bangladesh were conspiring to disrupt the election process and undermine the new generation. The NCP’s latest move reflects its effort to consolidate opposition unity ahead of the national polls.

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar announced that Islamabad intends to enhance engagement with Dhaka from February following Bangladesh’s 13th national election. Speaking at a year-end press conference in Islamabad on December 27, Dar referred to his August visit to Bangladesh, the first by a Pakistani foreign minister in 13 years, as a key step toward revitalizing bilateral relations.

Dar described his meetings with leaders of the National Citizen Party, BNP, and Jamaat-e-Islami as positive and productive. He noted that past governments, including those led by the Awami League, had not maintained strong bilateral ties, but expressed optimism about future cooperation. The visit focused on expanding trade, investment, cultural and educational collaboration, and regional cooperation under SAARC.

Dar emphasized that post-election political realities could open new opportunities for diplomatic and cooperative progress between the two South Asian nations.

The National Citizens Party (NCP) has announced its decision to join an eight-party alliance that includes Jamaat-e-Islami to participate in the upcoming national election. NCP Convener Nahid Islam made the announcement on Sunday night, December 28, 2025, during an emergency press conference at the party’s temporary office in Banglamotor, Dhaka. He said the alliance was formed to ensure a fair election and promote broader political unity. The final list of candidates is expected to be announced on Monday.

Nahid Islam explained that the NCP had initially planned to contest all 300 constituencies independently and had sought nominations nationwide. Later, the party reached an understanding with two other groups to form a reform-oriented coalition. However, the political situation changed following the killing of Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, spokesperson of Inqilab Mancha, prompting the NCP to expand its alliance to include more like-minded parties.

According to Nahid Islam, the decision to join the alliance with Jamaat was made based on majority consensus within the party.

The National Citizen Party (NCP) began an emergency press conference on Sunday night, December 28, at its temporary central office in Rupayan Tower, Banglamotor, Dhaka. The event focused on issues related to the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election.

Earlier the same day, at 5 p.m., Jamaat-e-Islami announced at a press conference at the National Press Club that two new parties had joined its eight-party alliance. The newly joined parties are the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), led by Colonel (Retd.) Oli Ahmed, and the National Citizen Party (NCP). The announcement was made by Jamaat-e-Islami’s Amir, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, though no NCP leaders were present at that event.

The NCP’s emergency briefing later in the evening came amid its formal inclusion in the alliance, signaling its alignment with the coalition ahead of the 13th parliamentary election.

The National Citizen Party (NCP) has joined the Jamaat-e-Islami-led alliance ahead of Bangladesh’s upcoming 13th national parliamentary election. Jamaat Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman confirmed the development, prompting a Facebook reaction from Abdul Kader, former coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, on Sunday evening. In his post, Kader congratulated those who worked on the process but criticized Nahid Islam and others for allegedly deceiving people’s emotions.

The Jamaat-led coalition now includes eight parties, with the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) also joining alongside NCP. During a press conference, Dr. Rahman stated that while several other political parties had expressed interest in joining, it was not possible to include new members under the current circumstances. Senior leaders from the eight parties, including Colonel Oli Ahmed Bir Bikram, Ashraf Ali Akon, Ahmad Abdul Kader, and Rashed Pradhan, attended the event.

The announcement marks a significant expansion of the Jamaat-led alliance as political alignments intensify ahead of the national election.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has postponed its previously announced mass rally scheduled for January 3, 2025. The decision was announced through a statement by Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar on the party’s verified Facebook page at 7:28 p.m. Sunday. The statement said the rally was deferred considering the interests of students who will sit for undergraduate admission tests at nine agricultural and agriculture-focused universities on the same day.

Earlier, Jamaat-e-Islami had declared that the rally would be held in the capital to demand the arrest and trial of those responsible for the killing of Inqilab Moncho convener Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, as well as the recovery of illegal weapons and the arrest of terrorists.

The party has not yet announced a new date for the rally, and the statement did not specify when it might be rescheduled.

Monira Sharmin, joint convener of the National Citizens Party (NCP), announced her withdrawal from the upcoming national election despite not resigning from the party. In a verified Facebook post on Sunday evening, she stated that she had been nominated to contest from Naogaon-5 but was unaware that the party would later reach a 30-seat agreement with Jamaat. She said she had expected the NCP to contest independently in all 300 constituencies.

Sharmin explained that the party’s changed position prompted her to step back from the election, emphasizing her belief in the NCP’s independent political strength. She said her commitment to the people and the spirit of the mass uprising outweighed her commitment to the party at this moment. She also announced plans to return all donations collected through crowdfunding for her campaign, noting that supporters had contributed based on the NCP’s independent stance.

Sharmin clarified that she has not decided to resign from the NCP, asserting that the party does not belong to any single individual. She added that she would not compromise her ethics for political power and would continue to speak for the people and new politics.

National Citizen Party (NCP) senior joint convener Samanta Sharmin stated on Sunday that she sees no justification for resigning from the party. In a Facebook post, she said she learned from Jamaat-e-Islami’s press conference that NCP had formally allied with Jamaat, which contradicts earlier statements made during the launch of the Democratic Reform Alliance. She noted that one of the three member parties, Rashtra Sangskar Andolon, had already accused NCP of breaching agreements and moving toward seat-sharing without formal notice.

Sharmin argued that such actions undermine the initiative to build a third political force and harm NCP’s core principles. She reaffirmed her support for the party’s official positions and said that while some individuals had deviated from NCP’s founding ideals in exchange for parliamentary seats, the party as a whole remained on the right path.

She reiterated that she subscribes to all official NCP statements and therefore finds no logical reason to step down from her position.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has announced the postponement of its previously scheduled mass rally on January 3. The decision was confirmed through a statement by Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar, posted on the party’s verified Facebook page at 7:28 p.m. on Sunday. The statement cited the upcoming undergraduate admission tests for the 2025–26 academic year at nine agricultural and agriculture-focused universities across the country as the reason for the postponement.

Earlier, Jamaat-e-Islami had declared plans to hold the rally in the capital to demand the arrest and trial of those responsible for the killing of Inqilab Mancha convener Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, as well as the recovery of illegal weapons and the arrest of alleged terrorists.

The party has not yet announced a new date for the rally, and no further details were provided in the statement regarding future plans.