Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia is set to contest the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election from the Feni-1 constituency, covering Fulgazi, Parshuram, and Chhagalnaiya. On Monday afternoon, BNP National Executive Committee member Abu Taleb collected the nomination papers on her behalf from the district returning officer’s office in Feni.

Local BNP leaders, including members of the Nationalist Lawyers’ Forum, were present during the submission. Abu Taleb stated that Feni-1 is Khaleda Zia’s home constituency, where she has been elected five times consecutively. He added that residents are eager to see her return to Parliament, expressing optimism about a strong voter turnout in her favor.

The announcement has energized BNP supporters in the area, with local leaders expressing confidence that Khaleda Zia could secure a sweeping victory if the election environment remains fair. Another nomination paper was also collected for Dhaka BNP convener Rafiqul Alam Majnu, signaling potential intra-party competition within the constituency.

Bangladesh Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Md. Sanaullah announced that joint forces will continue regular operations to maintain law and order ahead of the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election and referendum. Speaking at a law enforcement briefing in Agargaon, Dhaka, he stated that the operations are ongoing and will be reported through regular press briefings. According to him, around 2,000 individuals are being arrested daily as part of the security drive.

Earlier, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A.M.M. Nasir Uddin chaired a high-level meeting with senior officials from the armed forces, police, and intelligence agencies to review the overall security situation. The meeting included the chiefs of the army, navy, and air force, as well as top representatives from the Ministry of Home Affairs and other security agencies.

The Election Commission’s decision signals an intensified security approach as Bangladesh prepares for a politically sensitive election period. Observers note that the coordination between civil and military authorities aims to prevent unrest and ensure a peaceful voting environment.

Speakers at a discussion organized by the Civil Coalition in Dhaka on December 21 stressed that the interim government must guarantee security to hold what it calls the 'best election in history.' Participants from various political and civic groups warned that without robust law enforcement and accountability, public trust in the electoral process cannot be restored. They emphasized that both the Election Commission and the government share responsibility for ensuring voter confidence and safety.

Leaders from Jamaat-e-Islami, BNP, Ganosamhati Andolon, Ganaodhikar Parishad, and the AB Party voiced concerns about political violence, unlicensed weapons, and the failure to arrest perpetrators of recent killings. Rights activists, including Shahidul Alam and Irene Khan, also called for stronger institutional reforms. Several speakers criticized the government’s claim of lacking funds for CCTV installations, calling it an excuse for inaction.

Analysts warn that continued insecurity could undermine the legitimacy of the upcoming election. They urged political unity and police accountability to prevent further destabilization and ensure a transparent, participatory vote.

Police in Jhalakathi have arrested Afzal Hossain Rana, former mayor of Jhalakathi Municipality and ex-joint general secretary of the district Awami League, in connection with a case filed under the Explosives Act. He was detained on Sunday morning by the district Detective Branch (DB) officers as he exited the Deputy Commissioner’s office, where he had gone to renew his firearm license. After initial questioning at the DB office, he was handed over to Sadar Police Station.

Authorities later produced Rana before a court, which ordered his imprisonment pending further investigation. DB Inspector Md Touhiduzzaman confirmed the arrest, stating that it was made under an existing explosives case. Rana previously served two terms as the district Awami League’s organizational and joint general secretary.

The arrest has drawn local attention given Rana’s political background. Officials have not disclosed details of the explosives case, and no comment has yet been issued by the Awami League’s district leadership. Further legal proceedings are expected in the coming days.

Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar has urged the Bangladeshi government to issue a clear statement on the arrest and trial of those responsible for the killing of Inqilab Moncho spokesperson and July revolutionary fighter Sharif Osman Bin Hadi. Speaking at a prayer gathering in Dhaka’s Moghbazar, Porwar also called on Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus to fulfill the promises he made during Hadi’s funeral.

Porwar expressed solidarity with Inqilab Moncho’s 24-hour ultimatum to the government to apprehend the perpetrators. He questioned how the attackers managed to flee the country within hours of the incident and demanded an investigation into possible complicity within intelligence agencies. Other party leaders and Hadi’s brother, Omar Bin Hadi, echoed the call for justice and urged unity in realizing Hadi’s vision for a just and sovereign Bangladesh.

The event, attended by senior Jamaat leaders and supporters, concluded with prayers for Hadi’s soul and appeals for swift government action to ensure accountability and transparency in the murder investigation.

An emergency press briefing called by Bangladesh’s Ministry of Home Affairs to update the public on national law and order developments took place Sunday evening without the attendance of the Home Affairs Adviser, Lieutenant General (Retd.) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury. The briefing was instead conducted by senior officials from the Dhaka Metropolitan Police and Border Guard Bangladesh, who discussed the ongoing ‘Devil Hunt Phase-2’ operation and recent security improvements.

Earlier in the day, ministry spokesperson Faisal Hasan had confirmed that the adviser would address journalists directly. His absence, however, drew attention from reporters and observers, as the session had been announced as a high-level update on internal security. Officials did not provide a reason for his nonappearance.

The briefing highlighted continued coordination among law enforcement agencies to maintain stability ahead of upcoming national events. Analysts suggest the adviser’s absence may raise questions about communication within the ministry, though operational updates indicate that security initiatives remain active and coordinated.

Bangladeshi civic group Inkilab Moncho has warned that the Home Adviser and his assistant, Khoda Box, must resign if they fail to provide a satisfactory explanation regarding government actions following the shooting of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi. The warning came ahead of the Home Adviser’s scheduled press conference on Saturday.

In a statement, the group outlined two key demands: swift prosecution of all individuals involved in the killing—including planners, accomplices, and protectors—and a public account of the steps taken since December 12 to ensure justice. Inkilab Moncho also urged authorities to identify and arrest alleged fascist collaborators embedded within civil and military intelligence networks.

The group’s statement reflects growing frustration over perceived government inaction and lack of transparency in the investigation. The Home Adviser’s upcoming briefing is expected to address these concerns, and failure to do so could heighten political pressure on the interim administration.

Bangladesh has formally rejected India's press note regarding an attempted protest near its High Commission in New Delhi. Foreign Affairs Adviser Mohammad Touhid Hossain said on Sunday that the family of the Bangladeshi High Commissioner in Delhi felt threatened and unsafe following the incident. He noted that although there was no concrete evidence of direct threats, reports of verbal intimidation had reached Dhaka. Hossain also questioned how demonstrators managed to enter the heavily secured diplomatic enclave and hinted that Bangladesh might consider scaling down its mission in India if necessary.

The incident occurred on Saturday night when several individuals arrived in three vehicles and shouted slogans outside the Bangladesh High Commission gate, demanding protection for Hindus and calling for the High Commissioner to be confronted. India’s Ministry of External Affairs later dismissed the reports as misleading propaganda. Dhaka’s rejection of that statement underscores growing diplomatic unease between the two neighbors.

Observers suggest that both sides will likely engage in quiet diplomatic consultations to prevent further escalation and ensure the safety of diplomatic personnel in Delhi.

Bangladesh has formally rejected India’s press note regarding an attempted attack on the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi. Foreign Affairs Adviser Mohammad Touhid Hossain said on Sunday that Dhaka dismissed the Indian statement entirely, questioning how protesters managed to reach deep inside the diplomatic zone. He also mentioned that Bangladesh might consider downsizing its mission in India if necessary.

According to earlier reports quoting the High Commission’s press minister, several individuals arrived in three vehicles on Saturday night, shouted slogans demanding protection for Hindus, and called for the High Commissioner. They left after a brief demonstration. In response, Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal accused the media of spreading misleading propaganda about the incident.

The exchange underscores rising diplomatic tension between the two neighbors over security issues surrounding the Bangladeshi mission. Analysts suggest both governments may seek to de-escalate through diplomatic channels, though Dhaka’s remarks indicate growing concern about the safety of its diplomats in India.

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) has completed the removal of all election campaign materials from its jurisdiction ahead of Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliamentary Election and the upcoming national referendum. Following a public notice issued on December 2, 2025, DSCC urged all organizations and individuals to voluntarily remove unauthorized banners, posters, festoons, and advertisements. The city authority began the cleanup operation on December 8, in compliance with the Election Commission’s directive to clear all campaign materials within 48 hours of the official election schedule announcement.

The Election Commission announced the schedule on December 11, 2025, prompting DSCC to act swiftly across all wards. Officials confirmed that nearly all unauthorized campaign materials were removed within the stipulated time. DSCC also appealed to political parties and candidates to adhere to the 2025 electoral code of conduct and maintain the city’s cleanliness and aesthetics.

Residents have been requested to report any reinstallation of unauthorized materials to the central control room via hotline 02223386014, as the monitoring and enforcement drive continues.

Omar Hadi, brother of slain activist Sharif Osman Hadi and convener of the Inquilab Moncho, has called on supporters to complete the revolutionary movement his brother began. Speaking at a prayer gathering organized by Jamaat-e-Islami at Al-Falah Auditorium in Dhaka’s Moghbazar, he emphasized that the family does not seek donations or financial assistance, but rather justice and fulfillment of Osman Hadi’s political vision.

During the event, Omar Hadi expressed doubts about receiving justice for his brother’s killing, which he linked to the July Revolution movement. He urged attendees to pledge that they would not rest until a just Bangladesh is established, echoing the ideals for which Osman Hadi was martyred. He also noted that the family and members of Inquilab Moncho have struggled to return to normal life since the death.

The call underscores ongoing frustration among supporters over the unresolved investigation into Hadi’s death and reflects broader dissatisfaction with the pace of political justice in Bangladesh.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has initiated an investigation into former Sirajganj-5 MP Abdul Momin Mondal and former Chowhali Upazila Chairman Taj Uddin over allegations of corruption, embezzlement, and illegal wealth accumulation. ACC’s Pabna district office confirmed the operation on December 20, citing suspicions of misappropriating government project funds and laundering money abroad.

According to ACC sources, both Mondal and Uddin, who were affiliated with the Awami League, are accused of acquiring assets beyond known income sources, including properties under their family members’ names. Mondal, first elected in 2018 and re-elected in 2024, lost his parliamentary seat following the fall of the Awami League government after a student-led uprising.

The investigation marks a continuation of the ACC’s intensified scrutiny of former political figures after the recent political transition. Officials indicated that further legal steps may follow depending on the outcome of the inquiry, which could set a precedent for future anti-graft actions in post-transition Bangladesh.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has dismissed reports in some Bangladeshi media describing a protest outside the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi as a security concern. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on Sunday that the demonstration, held on December 20 by around 20–25 youths, was peaceful, brief, and posed no threat to the mission’s security.

Jaiswal clarified that the protesters gathered to condemn the killing of Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh and to call for the protection of minorities in Bangladesh. He emphasized that there was no attempt to breach the security perimeter, and police dispersed the group within minutes. India, he added, remains committed under the Vienna Convention to ensuring the safety of all foreign missions on its soil.

The spokesperson further noted that India is closely monitoring developments in Bangladesh and remains in contact with Dhaka. New Delhi has expressed concern over attacks on minorities and urged accountability for those responsible for the recent killing.

Bangladesh is undergoing a period of significant transformation marked by rising civic awareness and a renewed emphasis on national identity. The concept of “Bangladesh First” has gained prominence, reflecting aspirations that extend beyond economic growth to include justice, good governance, and human dignity. Citizens are increasingly vocal about transparency, equality, and state accountability, signaling a shift in public expectations from mere development to participatory governance.

Observers note that fear among the public has diminished, and people—especially the youth—are more willing to question authority and engage in civic discourse. Infrastructure improvements in roads, bridges, electricity, and communications are driving economic dynamism, while social change is evident in growing female participation and entrepreneurship. However, challenges remain in ensuring equitable growth and sustaining democratic engagement.

Analysts suggest that this evolving political consciousness could shape the country’s future direction, demanding realistic evaluation of progress and collective commitment to inclusive nation-building.

Police in Mirzaganj, Patuakhali, arrested Awami League leader and Union Parishad member Molla Maruf Hossain on Sunday morning. The arrest took place at a shop in New Market Bazar under Madhabkhali Union as part of the ongoing 'Operation Devil Hunt Phase-2'. Hossain, aged 42, serves as the publicity secretary of the Madhabkhali Union Awami League and represents Ward No. 7 in the local council.

According to Mirzaganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md. Abdus Salam, the arrest was made under regular legal procedures, and a case is being processed against Hossain. The police official added that the operation will continue as part of broader law enforcement efforts in the area. Local authorities have not disclosed further details about the charges or the nature of the investigation.

The arrest has drawn attention within the local political community, highlighting ongoing police actions targeting alleged irregularities and criminal activities in the region. Authorities have stated that similar operations will persist to ensure law and order.