Hasnat Abdullah, chief organizer of the National Citizens Party’s southern region, disclosed new information about a secret safe house while testifying before the International Crimes Tribunal-2 on Tuesday. His testimony is part of a case concerning the killing of Abu Sayeed, a student of Begum Rokeya University, during the July 2024 mass uprising. The tribunal, chaired by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, is hearing charges against 30 accused, including former university vice-chancellor Hasibur Rashid.

Abdullah recounted that on July 16, 2024, nationwide protests saw several student deaths, including Sayeed’s in Rangpur. He alleged that after the protests, intelligence agencies detained him and others, pressuring them to withdraw their movement. He described being taken overnight to a “safe house” near the Department of Fisheries and the International Mother Language Institute in Dhaka, where they were interrogated and threatened.

The testimony has drawn attention to alleged state-level coercion during the July uprising. The tribunal will resume hearing Abdullah’s remaining statement later in the day, with prosecutors Gazi M.H. Tamim and Moinul Karim representing the state.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A.M.M. Nasir Uddin met privately with Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refaat Ahmed on Tuesday, December 9, at the Chief Justice’s chamber in Dhaka. The meeting took place shortly before the expected announcement of the national election schedule, following a long-standing practice of consultations between the Election Commission and the judiciary.

According to officials, discussions covered boundary-related legal cases and measures to prevent election-related writ petitions from disrupting the electoral process after the schedule is announced. The two also reportedly discussed the role of judges in carrying out magistracy duties during the election period. The CEC attended the meeting accompanied only by his secretary, underscoring the confidential nature of the discussion.

The meeting signals coordination between the judiciary and the Election Commission to ensure a smooth and legally sound election process. Further announcements from the Election Commission regarding the election timetable are expected soon.

BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan declared that the people of Bangladesh will not allow any conspiracy surrounding the upcoming national election. Speaking at a BNP-organized discussion titled “Plan to Build the Nation” in Dhaka’s Krishibid Institution, Khan cited a recent survey suggesting that 66% of respondents expect BNP to win the most seats, while 26% favored Jamaat-e-Islami. He warned that such figures might prompt attempts at manipulation but insisted that citizens are determined to prevent it.

Khan emphasized that the fall of what he called a “fascist regime” has already occurred and that an interim government is necessary to complete the transition toward a neutral election. He criticized the country’s development model, arguing that while infrastructure has expanded, inequality and poverty have worsened. He noted that Bangladesh reportedly produces the highest number of new millionaires per capita, even as millions fall below the poverty line.

The event, chaired by BNP leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, also featured student leaders and is part of the party’s broader effort to outline its post-election governance and economic reform agenda.

The Bangladesh government has issued a gazette amending several sections of the Representation of the People Order (RPO) ahead of the 13th parliamentary election and national referendum. The revisions clarify the conditions under which postal ballots will be counted or invalidated, expanding the authority of returning officers and defining new judicial powers related to election management.

Under the updated Article 27(10) and newly added Article 37A, postal ballots lacking a voter’s signature, containing no mark, or showing marks for multiple candidates will not be counted. Ballots will also be excluded if a court alters the candidate list for a constituency or if the returning officer does not formally accept the ballot before counting. These changes aim to ensure procedural transparency and reduce disputes over postal votes.

Election observers note that the amendments could tighten oversight but may also increase ballot rejection rates. The Election Commission is expected to issue detailed guidelines soon to help returning officers apply the new provisions consistently.

The Bangladesh Election Commission (EC) has finalized preparations to announce the schedule for the 13th National Parliamentary Election, expected either on Wednesday evening or by December 11. Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud confirmed that the announcement will follow a meeting with the President, after which Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A.M.M. Nasir Uddin will deliver a televised address to the nation. The EC has already instructed Bangladesh Television (BTV) and Bangladesh Betar to record the CEC’s speech.

According to EC officials, the election is likely to be held in the first half of February next year. The commission emphasized the importance of cooperation from all political parties and stakeholders to ensure a fair and peaceful election process. This will be the first national election under the current commission led by Nasir Uddin, marking a major test of its administrative and organizational capacity.

If the schedule is not announced on Wednesday, it will be declared the following day, officials added, signaling the final phase of election preparations.

At a discussion marking International Anti-Corruption Day in Dhaka, Economic Adviser Salahuddin Ahmed emphasized that corruption in Bangladesh can only be reduced if politicians uphold integrity and society collectively resists unethical behavior. He argued that punishment alone is insufficient, calling for a revival of social norms that once ostracized corrupt individuals.

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Chairman Dr. Mohammad Abdul Momen noted that despite widespread public opposition to corruption, eliminating it remains difficult when governance includes extortionists and criminals. He urged the government to assign senior officials to negotiate with foreign states to recover laundered funds. Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies Director Dr. A.K. Enamul Haque added that corruption cannot be eradicated by punishment alone, stressing the need for awareness and transparency.

ACC Commissioner Brig. Gen. (Retd.) Hafiz Ahsan Farid proposed publishing all government project details online to enhance accountability. Speakers agreed that Bangladesh must develop its own anti-corruption model rather than relying on foreign frameworks.

The Bangladesh Election Commission (EC) has reinstated the registration of the Jatiya Ganatantrik Party–JAGPA and approved a new electoral symbol, the ‘glasses’. The party, originally registered in 2008, lost its registration in January 2021 for failing to meet EC requirements. Following a legal challenge by party president Tasmia Pradhan, the High Court ordered the restoration of the registration in March this year.

According to the gazette published on December 9, the EC confirmed that the party had now fulfilled the necessary conditions for registration. The commission also approved the party’s request to modify its name to ‘Jatiya Ganatantrik Party–JAGPA’ and replace its previous symbol, the ‘hookah’, with the ‘glasses’. Party officials welcomed the decision as a recognition of their compliance and political legitimacy.

The reinstatement allows JAGPA to contest future national and local elections under its new symbol. Political analysts note that the decision reflects the EC’s ongoing efforts to regularize party registrations ahead of the next general election cycle.

Hasnat Abdullah, the chief organizer of the National Citizen Party’s (NCP) southern region, alleged that the former Awami League government coerced the judiciary into validating unlawful decisions. He made the remarks while testifying before the International Crimes Tribunal-2 in the case concerning the killing of Abu Sayeed, a Begum Rokeya University student and the first martyr of the July Movement.

Abdullah claimed that during the Awami League’s tenure, intelligence officials dictated media narratives, and their statements were directly reflected in television news scrolls. His testimony was recorded before a three-member judicial panel led by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury. The tribunal proceedings are part of ongoing investigations into political violence and alleged abuses of power.

The allegations add to a series of testimonies criticizing the previous administration’s handling of judicial independence. Legal analysts suggest the tribunal’s findings could influence future accountability measures and shape public discourse on the separation of powers in Bangladesh.

In northern Bangladesh’s Kurigram district, political tensions are rising ahead of the 13th National Election as the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) struggles with internal divisions across three of its four constituencies. Despite officially announcing its candidates, local factions within BNP remain at odds over nominations, particularly in Kurigram-1, -3, and -4, where rival groups have openly clashed. Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami has launched a coordinated and disciplined campaign, positioning itself as a strong contender in several constituencies.

The fall of the Awami League-led government following the July uprising has reshaped the political landscape, leaving the once-dominant Jatiya Party weakened and unpopular. BNP’s internal disputes threaten to undermine its voter base, while Jamaat’s early organization and grassroots outreach have strengthened its prospects. Other smaller parties, including Islami Andolon, the National Citizen Party (NCP), and Gano Adhikar Parishad, are also active in the field.

Analysts suggest that Kurigram’s voters—long affected by river erosion, unemployment, and poor infrastructure—are seeking credible leadership capable of addressing local hardships. The outcome may hinge on which party can unite its ranks and present a coherent development vision.

On International Anti-Corruption Day, BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman highlighted Bangladesh’s ongoing struggle with corruption and the party’s historical efforts to curb it. In a Facebook post, he described how corruption affects citizens—from job seekers and farmers to patients and entrepreneurs—and linked rising food prices, poor education quality, and road insecurity to systemic corruption.

Rahman recalled that under President Ziaur Rahman and Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, the BNP government introduced administrative reforms, strict financial laws, and transparent procurement systems. He cited the 2004 establishment of the Anti-Corruption Commission as a milestone recognized by the World Bank and ADB, noting that surveys then showed declining public perception of corruption.

Looking ahead, Rahman proposed a seven-point plan emphasizing institutional independence, digital transparency, whistleblower protection, and ethics education. He acknowledged the challenges of reversing entrenched mismanagement but asserted that honest leadership and public support could restore accountability if BNP returns to power.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Khaleda Zia will remain in Dhaka for continued treatment after her medical board deemed her unfit for a long flight to London. Despite earlier plans to fly her abroad for advanced care, the air ambulance scheduled for Tuesday has been canceled for the second time. Doctors at Evercare Hospital are providing advanced treatment as her condition remains stable but fragile.

Medical sources report that while some of Zia’s health parameters have improved, new complications continue to arise. Her liver condition has stabilized, but kidney issues persist, with creatinine levels exceeding safe limits. She requires regular dialysis, and recovery is slow due to age-related factors. The medical board, including specialists from the UK, US, and China, meets daily to adjust her treatment.

BNP leaders say any decision on foreign treatment will depend on medical advice. Family members, including her daughter-in-law Dr. Zubaida Rahman, are closely coordinating her care. Supporters continue to hold prayers for her recovery across the country.

The National Citizen Party (NCP) has finalized its candidates for 100 constituencies ahead of Bangladesh’s upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. Joint Convener Sarowar Tushar confirmed that the initial list is ready and will be officially announced today, barring any last-minute changes. The remaining seats will be settled later this month through alliance-based negotiations.

Party insiders said the selection process prioritized professionals and young reform-minded individuals over family-based leadership. NCP sold 1,484 nomination forms between November 6 and 20. However, internal dissatisfaction has surfaced, with some leaders alleging interference by senior advisers and favoritism toward family members in seat allocation.

Key figures such as Convener Nahid Islam, Member Secretary Akhter Hossain, and several regional organizers are among the confirmed candidates. The party recently formed the ‘Democratic Reform Alliance’ with Nahid Islam as spokesperson, signaling its broader reformist agenda ahead of the election.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has firmly dismissed the idea of excluding party founder Imran Khan from Pakistan’s political landscape. In an interview with Geo News outside the Parliament in Islamabad, Gohar stated that Imran remains the leader of a major political force supported by the people and cannot be 'minus-ed' from the political equation. He urged political leaders to adopt democratic and constructive thinking.

Gohar also called on authorities to arrange a meeting between Imran Khan, his wife Bushra Bibi, and their family, suggesting that positive outcomes could emerge from dialogue rather than negative rhetoric. He criticized ongoing political commentary and press briefings, warning that such discussions only serve Pakistan’s adversaries. Gohar expressed concern that public confidence in leadership is fading amid confusion and division.

The statement comes as political tensions escalate following remarks by ISPR Director General Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, who labeled Imran Khan a national security threat. Government ministers have since ruled out talks with PTI unless Imran is excluded.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in Ramgati, Lakshmipur, has alleged that 22 of its activists were injured and three local offices vandalized in an attack reportedly carried out by supporters linked to Awami League leader Sharaf Uddin Azad Sohel. The incident occurred on Monday evening during a rally supporting Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) candidate Tania Rob. BNP leaders claimed that banners and posters featuring Khaleda Zia, Tarique Rahman, and former MP Ashraf Uddin Nizan were torn down.

At a press conference held later that night, local BNP leaders accused Sohel of orchestrating the assault using hired groups from nearby areas. They alleged that the attack followed their earlier objection to Sohel’s participation in the JSD rally. The BNP leadership demanded Sohel’s arrest within 24 hours, warning of tougher political action if authorities fail to respond.

The incident underscores rising political tensions in Lakshmipur ahead of national elections, with both major parties trading accusations of violence and intimidation.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister’s adviser on political and public affairs, Rana Sanaullah, has claimed that Imran Khan, founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), is on the verge of losing his political influence. Speaking at a rally in Gujranwala, Sanaullah sharply criticized Khan’s tenure, his strained relations with the military establishment, and the internal disarray within PTI.

Sanaullah alleged that Khan’s government brought destruction during its rule and partly blamed former army chief General Qamar Bajwa for key decisions of that period. He contrasted Khan’s confrontational approach with Nawaz Sharif’s restraint toward state institutions. According to Sanaullah, Khan’s conflict with the establishment began when he sought to use it against political rivals and later attempted to blackmail it for personal political gain.

The adviser further claimed that around 85% of PTI members no longer align with Khan’s political direction, warning that the party’s tactics resemble those of controversial past movements. Analysts view these remarks as part of the ruling coalition’s effort to weaken PTI ahead of Pakistan’s evolving political landscape.