Vote counting for the West Bengal Legislative Assembly election began under tight security on Monday morning, May 4, 2026, at 8 a.m. local time. The election was held in two phases on April 23 and 29 across 294 constituencies, though one seat’s polling was canceled by the Election Commission due to irregularities. Counting is taking place for 293 seats at 77 centers across 23 districts, including Kolkata.

Postal ballots are being counted first, followed by votes cast through electronic voting machines (EVMs). According to early counting trends, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is leading. The process is being conducted simultaneously across all designated centers under strict security arrangements.

Preliminary results indicate that BJP is ahead in 193 constituencies, while the Trinamool Congress is leading in 96. The final outcome will depend on the completion of the full counting process.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has reported a surge in applications to correct errors in national identity cards. These include mistakes in names, changes due to religious conversion, profession updates, divorce-related amendments, and other factual inaccuracies. The EC has decided to expedite the resolution of approximately 68,000 such applications currently pending.

According to official data, field officers of the EC are authorized to handle three categories of correction requests, while the Director General of the NID handles birth date corrections. Previously, NID directors could approve changes within a ten-year range. Saiful Islam, Director (Operations) of the National Identity Registration Wing, confirmed that field officers have been instructed to process the pending applications quickly.

The EC’s records show 67,864 pending applications, distributed across multiple categories, with the largest number in category ‘খ’. The commission aims to complete the corrections promptly under existing policy guidelines.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman called on district commissioners to help fulfill the government’s pledges and establish a corruption-free, people-friendly administration. Speaking at the opening of the four-day Deputy Commissioners’ Conference 2026 at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka, he emphasized that building a strong, accountable, and lawful state system is the government’s main goal. Senior officials, cabinet members, and advisers attended the event, which showcased a video on development activities.

Rahman outlined several directives, including ensuring transparency in project spending, timely implementation, and maintaining quality. He instructed DCs to curb market syndicates, prevent artificial crises, and involve citizens in a 20,000-kilometer canal excavation program to boost agriculture and rural employment. He also stressed the use of artificial intelligence and fourth industrial revolution technologies to make public services faster and more transparent.

The Prime Minister reaffirmed that honesty, merit, and efficiency will guide recruitment and promotion in the civil service. He praised officials for their professionalism during the February 12 election and reiterated the government’s commitment to implementing every pledge in the “July Charter.”

Detectives of Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) arrested 14 members of the banned Chhatra League from a secret meeting at a restaurant in the Noyabazar World Road area of Halishahar on Sunday night. The operation took place around 8 p.m. at Taif Restaurant, where the group was allegedly holding a planned meeting to coordinate anti-state activities with leaders based abroad. Among those detained was the chief organizer of the Sheikh Hasina Oikya Parishad.

According to police intelligence, despite the organization’s ban, Chhatra League members have continued their activities under the direction of fugitive leaders. They were reportedly attempting to reorganize the group at the local level. CMP Deputy Police Commissioner (North) Md. Habibur Rahman confirmed the arrests and said legal action is being taken against the detainees.

The Chhatra League was declared a banned organization in 2024 following the flight of the Sheikh Hasina government. Since then, law enforcement agencies have conducted multiple operations across the country targeting its members.

In Jamalpur, continuous heavy rainfall has caused severe waterlogging, paralyzing daily life across the city. Amid this crisis, at least 15 municipal officials, including Administrator Mousumi Khanam and Chief Executive Officer Hafizur Rahman, are alleged to be on a government-funded trip to Cox’s Bazar. The situation has sparked widespread public anger, with residents staging protests and blocking roads and railways to demand immediate drainage action. Train and road traffic were disrupted for about an hour before authorities assured intervention.

Residents from several flooded neighborhoods accused the municipality of long-term negligence, saying waterlogging worsens every monsoon due to lack of effective measures. Environmental activists reported that around 10,000 people in ten municipal villages are trapped by stagnant water, facing health risks and severe hardship. Protesters condemned the officials’ absence during the emergency.

Municipal tax officer Shafiqul Islam said officials were still providing guidance remotely, while Administrator Khanam stated she took leave for one day and was monitoring operations from Cox’s Bazar. Observers warned that such actions during a disaster could erode public trust in local governance.

At a national convention held Sunday at the Diploma Engineers Institute in Dhaka, speakers warned that citizens who voted for constitutional reforms in a recent referendum would take to the streets if the government fails to implement those changes. The event, organized by the National Citizen Party’s Reform Implementation Committee, focused on issues of energy, economy, human rights, and governance reforms.

Participants included leaders from several political and civic groups, such as Jamaat-e-Islami, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, Nagarik Oikya, and AB Party. They criticized the government for what they described as deception and failure to honor the July Charter and the referendum results. Jamaat’s Secretary General Golam Porwar accused the ruling party of misleading the public, while Khelafat Majlis chief Mamunul Haque demanded full constitutional reform, decentralization of power, and a non-partisan administration. AB Party chairman Mojibur Rahman Manju warned of growing authoritarian tendencies and economic risks.

Presiding over the session, opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam said the government’s disregard for reform discussions in parliament leaves mass movement as the only option to ensure democratic accountability.

The first meeting of the special committee of the 13th National Parliament was held on Sunday at the National Parliament Building to determine necessary actions and formulate recommendations for addressing Bangladesh’s current energy situation. The meeting was chaired by Iqbal Hasan Mahmud, Minister of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources and the committee’s president.

Committee members including the State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Anindya Islam Amit, Whip A. B. M. Ashraf Uddin (Nizan), Whip Mia Nuruddin Ahmed Apu, Moinul Islam Khan, Md. Nurul Islam, Md. Abdul Baten, Md. Abul Hasnat, and Mohammad Abul Hasan attended the session. The ministry presented an overview of the national energy situation, outlining existing conditions and related issues. The special committee expressed satisfaction with the ministry’s ongoing measures to manage the situation.

The meeting reviewed various aspects of the energy situation and decided to conduct further sessions for detailed evaluation. A comprehensive report with recommendations will later be submitted to Parliament. Senior officials from the Energy and Mineral Resources Division and the Parliament Secretariat were also present.

The newly elected members of parliament for the reserved women’s seats in Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliament took their oath on Sunday night at the oath room on Level-1 of the East Block of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban. Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed Bir Bikrom administered the oath to the MPs. The Election Commission had earlier published a gazette on April 30 declaring 49 of the 50 reserved women’s seats uncontested.

According to the proportional representation system, the BNP alliance nominated 36 candidates, the Jamaat alliance 13, and one candidate came from an independent alliance. After scrutiny, 36 from BNP, 12 from Jamaat, and one independent were declared elected unopposed. The list of those sworn in includes senior BNP leaders such as Selima Rahman, Shirin Sultana, and Nipun Roy Chowdhury, among others. From Jamaat-e-Islami, Nurunnisa Siddika, Marzia Begum, and others took oath, along with three allied nominees from NCP, JAGPA, and Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis.

Although the nomination of Nusrat Tabassum of the National Citizen Party (NCP) was declared valid, she did not take the oath on Sunday.

National Citizen Party (NCP) leader and Member of Parliament for Cumilla-4, Hasnat Abdullah, has said that it is now unclear who makes decisions within the government. Speaking on Sunday at the NCP’s national convention on energy, economy, human rights, reform, and referendum at the Diploma Engineers Institute in Dhaka, he remarked that during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure, decision-making authority was clear, but now multiple power centers appear to exist within the government.

Abdullah criticized the government for moving away from public expectations and accused it of hypocrisy in handling reforms and elections. He said that necessary structural reforms in the judiciary, bureaucracy, and law enforcement have not been implemented, and that the long-term use of police as a political tool has undermined institutional trust. He warned that excessive control by the government could lead to alienation and frustration among citizens.

On energy policy, Abdullah emphasized the need to expand renewable energy to ensure national energy security. He concluded that transparency, accountability, and strong, independent institutions are essential for genuine reform and fulfilling citizens’ aspirations for change.

National Citizens Party convener and Member of Parliament Nahid Islam has termed the first session of the current parliament a failure. Speaking on Sunday, May 3, at the Freedom Fighters Hall of the Diploma Engineers Institute in Dhaka, he said the session was supposed to discuss how various reform proposals would be implemented, but the government instead ran the parliament on its own terms. He warned that if this continues, taking to the streets with public support would become their only option.

The remarks came during the final session of the National Convention on Energy, Economy, Human Rights, Reform, and Referendum, organized by the party’s Reform Implementation Committee. Other panelists included leaders from Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, and AB Party. Nahid Islam emphasized the need for constitutional reforms, including establishing an upper house, ensuring referendums on constitutional changes, depoliticizing institutions, and forming a caretaker government through consensus.

He argued that sustainable democracy requires gradual reform and warned that constitutional amendments driven by partisan interests could undermine stability. He reiterated that democratic aspirations have been pursued for 54 years and must now be realized through inclusive governance.

Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh has strongly condemned and protested remarks made by BNP leader and reserved seat MP Nilofar Chowdhury Moni regarding zakat, describing them as disrespectful. In a statement released to the media on Sunday, Hefazat’s Secretary General Allama Sajedur Rahman said zakat is a fundamental act of worship in Islam that promotes equality, compassion, and poverty alleviation. He stated that mocking or ridiculing such a sacred command is unacceptable and has hurt the religious sentiments of Muslims.

The Hefazat leader emphasized that freedom of expression does not grant anyone the right to insult religious beliefs or practices. He warned that such comments could create confusion, hostility, and unrest in society. Rahman urged the BNP leader to act responsibly by retracting her statement and publicly apologizing to Muslims.

He further called on all individuals to maintain restraint, respect, and responsibility when discussing religious matters to preserve social harmony and peace. Earlier, Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir and Khatme Nabuwat had also issued condemnations.

The Bangladesh government has ordered the compulsory retirement of 17 senior police officials, including 16 Deputy Inspectors General (DIGs) and one Additional DIG. The decision was announced on Sunday, May 3, 2026, through a circular issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs. The circular was signed by Senior Secretary Manjur Morshed Chowdhury and stated that the officers would receive retirement benefits as per existing regulations. The order takes immediate effect in the public interest.

According to the ministry’s announcement, the retirement decision applies to officers at the DIG level, a senior rank within the Bangladesh Police. The circular did not specify the reasons behind the move beyond citing public interest. The decision marks a significant administrative action within the country’s law enforcement structure.

The order’s immediate enforcement indicates the government’s intent to implement the change without delay, though no further details were provided regarding replacements or future postings.

BNP National Executive Committee member Dr. Abdul Moin Khan has said that the opposition must be allowed freedom of expression in parliament. He emphasized that members of parliament should be able to speak freely and engage in debates, noting that not everyone in the world will speak the same language or share the same opinions. He contrasted democratic practices with one-party systems, saying emotional speech may not always be properly reflected in parliamentary language.

He made these remarks on Sunday afternoon while addressing the 27th batch orientation ceremony at Gushulia International Medical College in Tongi, Gazipur, where he was the chief guest. The event was inaugurated by M A Mubin Khan, managing director of International Medicare Limited and chairman of the college’s governing body. The college principal, Professor A. M. Iqbal Hossain Chowdhury, presided over the ceremony, which was also attended by BNP central executive member Shamim Ahmed and others.

During the event, 130 new students were welcomed with flowers and aprons, and Dr. Abdul Moin Khan planted a neem sapling on the campus.

The Supreme Court of Bangladesh has suspended its virtual court proceedings that were being held on Wednesdays and Thursdays each week. The administrative announcement was issued on Sunday, May 3, 2026, halting the system that had been in place for two weeks. The virtual sessions had been introduced on April 20, 2026, in response to the global energy situation, allowing both divisions of the Supreme Court to conduct hearings online.

According to earlier notices, the initiative was implemented under the Information Technology Use Act 2020 and the Supreme Court’s practice directives. The arrangement allowed virtual hearings twice a week while maintaining in-person sessions on other working days. Daily cause lists and virtual meeting IDs were published on the Supreme Court’s website for relevant cases.

The suspension marks a pause in the court’s recent experiment with remote judicial operations, which had been intended to balance energy considerations with judicial efficiency. No further details were provided on when or whether the virtual sessions might resume.

Kazi Imdadul Haque, a recently retired tax commissioner from the National Board of Revenue (NBR), has been appointed as the new Director General of the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) on a contractual basis with the rank of secretary. He officially joined the position on Sunday, according to the announcement.

Haque is widely recognized in Bangladesh’s revenue administration and literary circles for his contributions over a career spanning more than three decades. A member of the 7th batch of the BCS (Tax) cadre, he previously served as President of the Taxes Appellate Tribunal and as a tax commissioner at the NBR, where he played a key role in strengthening the country’s economic and administrative framework. He also represented Bangladesh internationally on tax policy and double taxation agreements and served as private secretary to the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications from 2001 to 2004.

An alumnus of the University of Dhaka, Haque earned first place in his MSc in Soil, Water and Environment. Alongside his administrative career, he is known for his literary work, including the research-based book “Kalo Taka,” and for promoting tax awareness through television programs.