Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M M Nasir Uddin highlighted a concerning issue in Bangladesh’s voter list, revealing that nearly 1.7 million deceased voters are still listed, casting ballots from the grave. He emphasized the need for a transparent voter list to ensure fair elections. The CEC also discussed preparations for the upcoming election, stressing that minimum reforms must be made by October for a December election. Additionally, concerns over the inclusion of Rohingyas in voter lists were raised.

Preliminary election results on Sunday evening indicate that Germany’s center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) is on track for victory, with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) emerging as the second-largest party.

Celebrations erupted at CDU’s headquarters, though a small protest was staged outside against party leader Friedrich Merz’s immigration policies.

CDU secured 28.8% of the votes, paving the way for Merz to form a government for the first time. AfD made significant gains, securing 20.2% of the vote, while Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) dropped to third place with 16.2%.

In a Facebook post, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir criticized the Local Government Reform Commission’s recommendations, stating that they go against the fundamental concept of public representation. He expressed concerns over deteriorating law and order and acknowledged the ongoing transitional phase.

“Let’s not prolong this change. Instead, let’s unite and ensure the national elections are not delayed for the sake of the country,” he urged.

Mirza Fakhrul also noted that it has been less than a year since the mass uprising forced the most oppressive dictator, Hasina, to flee the country. “Many lives were lost, and the price we paid was too high,” he stated. Supporting an interim government, he emphasized, “Yes, we seek reforms in damaged institutions, but these reforms must be implemented by representatives who understand the people’s pulse.”

BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman has stated that his party accepted the rigged 2008 election in the interest of democracy, emphasizing that historical evidence and election analysis confirm the irregularities.

Rahman stressed that restoring stability as soon as possible is crucial to saving the country from collapse. He argued that holding elections will establish a stable environment, gradually enabling necessary reforms and reducing the severity of current crises.

He further warned that delaying the activation of Parliament would only deepen the political crisis. Reaffirming BNP’s commitment to the people, he promised to implement the party’s 31-point reform agenda, originally proposed during past autocratic rule. However, he noted that the interim government has strayed from its initial responsibilities.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar has strongly condemned India’s Border Security Force (BSF) for obstructing embankment construction on the Surma and Kushiyara rivers in Sylhet, aimed at controlling floods.

In a statement, Parwar revealed that BSF has not only disrupted the construction but also threatened to open fire if work continues. This obstruction increases the risk of severe flooding in 14 to 15 upazilas of Sylhet and Sunamganj.

Parwar described BSF’s actions as a violation of international law and urged the government to take diplomatic measures to ensure the completion of the 80-kilometer-long embankment.

A large number of students and citizens at Dhaka University have signed a petition demanding the ban of the Awami League and its allied political parties, labeling them as fascist organizations.

The petition drive began at 3 PM on Sunday at the Raju Memorial Sculpture during the ongoing mass sit-in protest against fascist politics, which has entered its 11th day. By 7 PM, over 3,000 students and citizens had signed the petition.

Protesters also announced plans to file a mass complaint starting Tuesday against the government for enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings in July. They clarified that the complaint is intended to assist the judiciary and government in addressing these human rights violations.

A violent clash over a land dispute in Durgapur, Rajshahi, led to the death of Ferdousi Begum (55), prompting police to arrest 13 people from the BNP side and two from the opposing faction. The incident left the area deserted as many fled in fear. According to police sources, Ferdousi’s brother filed a murder case against 29 people, including BNP leader Mamunur Rashid Mamun and his followers. Reports suggest the conflict erupted as Awami League leader and former UP chairman attempted to reclaim disputed land.

BNP leader Nazrul Islam Khan stated that the party aims to reform the country through elections, following in the footsteps of Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia. Criticizing the concept of reform, he questioned, “What do you mean by reform? Ziaur Rahman personally reached out to people, Khaleda Zia walked miles for the people. BNP has led the most significant reforms in the country.” He also highlighted that BNP had established the Youth, Expatriate, and Women’s Ministries. Reminiscing about past struggles, he claimed that 400 BNP activists were martyred during the July uprising and recalled 17 years of persecution.

In protest against alleged instigation of killings during the mass uprising, BNP’s student wing, Chhatra Dal, locked the office of pro-Awami League lawyer Jafar Altaf at the Pabna District Bar Association on Sunday. Witnesses reported that Chhatra Dal activists marched from the Central Shaheed Minar to the bar association, locking Altaf’s office and staging a demonstration. Sultan Mahmud Ehiya, the association’s secretary, expressed regret over the incident, stating they were discussing necessary actions. Chhatra Dal district secretary Kamruzzaman Prince claimed he had heard about the incident but had no further details.

At a press conference held at Dhaka University’s Modhur Canteen on Sunday, Central President of Islami Chhatra Shibir, Zahidul Islam, stated that Chhatra Dal appears to be following the path of the banned organization Chhatra League. He further expressed concerns that the public’s aspirations for student politics are being undermined by certain student organizations’ dominance, violence, extortion, occupation, forced tagging, and blame-shifting culture. As a result, students are becoming disinterested in politics, and the educational environment is deteriorating. He also protested against blaming Shibir for incidents at KUET and MC College, asserting their innocence. Additionally, he demanded justice for the attack on a Tamirul Millat student by Chhatra Dal members.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Students’ Party (Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal) has strongly condemned the presence of Islami Chhatra Shibir at Madhur Canteen, a historic student hub at Dhaka University. In a statement, they recalled that on March 25, the founder of Madhur Canteen, Madhusudan Dey (Madhuda), was martyred by Pakistani forces. During the Liberation War, Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing, Islami Chhatra Sangha, collaborated with the Pakistani military. As Shibir is a rebranded version of Chhatra Sangha, the student party holds them morally responsible for Madhuda’s killing. The statement declared that Shibir’s press conference at Madhur Canteen was an insult to his memory.

As part of the special operation Devil Hunt, RAB-1 seized 1,751 bottles of Phensedyl in Tongi and arrested six individuals, including a leader of the ruling Awami League’s women’s wing. All detainees are involved in drug trafficking.

The arrested individuals are:
• Moyna Begum (58), Joint Convener of Ward 56 Awami Mohila League
• Md. Sabuj (37)
• Md. Sujon (26)
• Md. Shahin (30)
• Md. Delwar (43)
• Md. Russell (40)

According to an official statement, RAB conducted a raid on Saturday night at multiple secret drug hideouts in Tongi’s Bank Field area. During the operation, Awami League leader Moyna Begum and the other five suspects were apprehended. Based on information provided by the detainees, further searches were conducted, leading to the seizure of 1,751 bottles of Phensedyl.

In a Facebook post on Sunday afternoon, Engineer Ishraq Hossain declared that no local government elections would take place as long as he is alive. He wrote, “First, fight me in the heart of Dhaka—South Dhaka. Send me to my grave, and only then can you try.” He further warned, “Think a hundred times before allowing fascism to take root in the area. Before anything else, the dismissed commission members and Hasina’s killer gangs must face justice, be punished, and be eradicated.”
Ishraq also cautioned that an election without party symbols would lead to the rise of Sheikh Hasina’s ruthless and inhumane forces. He reaffirmed his support for his party’s stance during this critical time.

On Sunday evening, Nahid Islam met with the Chief Adviser at his residence in Jamuna, sparking speculation about his resignation. However, sources from the Chief Adviser’s office confirmed that he has not stepped down. Nahid was not the only one in the meeting; several other advisers were present as well. Previously, Nahid had announced his plans to join a new student political group, stating that he would resign before doing so, likely by the end of February. Government insiders suggest that Nahid may formally submit his resignation during the upcoming weekly advisers’ meeting.

Former State Minister for Home Affairs, Lutfozzaman Babar, is finally returning to his home in Madan, Netrokona, after 17 years. His long-awaited return has sparked major preparations by the district BNP, with celebrations resembling a festive occasion. Supporters and party members are filled with joy. Babar, who served three terms as an MP from Netrokona-4, was also the State Minister for Home Affairs under the Khaleda Zia-led government. He was released from prison on January 16 after serving 17 years and later fell ill in Dubai while performing Umrah. Following his treatment and the completion of his pilgrimage, Babar is finally returning home.