Bangladesh’s law enforcement agencies are heightening security measures ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election as 1,340 looted firearms remain untraced from the July 2024 unrest. Out of 5,763 weapons stolen during that period, police have yet to recover a significant portion, raising concerns about potential election violence and criminal misuse. The Inspector General of Police (IGP) has ordered intensified recovery operations, including cash rewards of up to BDT 500,000 for information leading to retrieval.

Police officials fear that the missing weapons could fuel black money influence and underworld activity, destabilizing both the election and national security. Intelligence briefings have identified high-risk districts such as Chattogram, Dhaka, and Khulna, where additional forces will be deployed. The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and cyber units are also monitoring social media for misinformation and foreign propaganda.

Authorities plan a nationwide crackdown in late December to recover lost arms and prevent pre-poll violence. Candidates requesting extra protection will receive special security to ensure voter confidence and election integrity.

A high school headteacher in Ishwardi, Pabna, has drawn criticism after a video surfaced showing him chanting 'Joy Bangla'—a slogan historically linked to the ruling Awami League—while urging votes for the opposition BNP’s electoral symbol, the paddy sheaf. The incident occurred during a prayer gathering on Friday night for BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s recovery, where the teacher, Sirajul Islam, spoke as a guest.

Local residents and social media users reacted sharply after the video went viral, questioning the teacher’s political neutrality and professional ethics. Sirajul Islam, head of Laxmikunda Girls’ High School, later apologized, saying he mistakenly uttered the slogan and denied any political affiliation. The event’s organizers also claimed it was not an official BNP program. However, the Ishwardi Upazila Executive Officer stated that government employees are prohibited from participating in political activities.

The controversy highlights ongoing tensions between Bangladesh’s major political parties and raises concerns about political involvement by public servants ahead of the next election cycle.

Gana Odhikar Parishad President and former DUCSU VP Nurul Haque Nur announced that his party will contest all 300 parliamentary constituencies independently in Bangladesh’s upcoming 13th national election. Speaking at a public rally in Brahmanbaria’s Nabinagar on December 6, Nur said the party aims to build a corruption-free and just Bangladesh. He also introduced local leader Nazrul Islam (Nazu) as the official candidate for Brahmanbaria-5 under the party’s ‘Truck’ symbol.

Nur emphasized that the party is nominating candidates with strong public images across the country. Addressing the election timeline, he said that if former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia’s health affects the schedule, the Election Commission will decide accordingly. However, he expressed confidence that the polls would be held in February, adding that the party is prepared to field candidates even if the election is delayed until April.

Party General Secretary Rashed Khan also spoke at the event, reaffirming the party’s readiness for a nationwide contest and its commitment to political reform.

Former State Minister for Home Affairs and BNP candidate for Netrakona-4, Lutfozzaman Babar, called on citizens to take action against drug users and gamblers, saying they should be caught and punished before being handed over to authorities. Speaking at campaign rallies in Madan upazila on December 6, Babar emphasized that no one, including party members, would be exempt from this directive.

During his speech, Babar also highlighted the need to expand income sources, especially for women, and to promote self-reliance through skill-based work. He described development as a continuous process and pledged to address unemployment and improve living standards. Babar further praised BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, portraying her as a symbol of integrity and national interest.

Local BNP leaders and activists attended the events, which marked part of Babar’s campaign for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. His remarks have drawn attention for their tough stance on social issues and emphasis on grassroots empowerment.

India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Pranay Kumar Verma, reiterated that India considers Bangladesh as a close and integral friend during the Maitri Diwas 2025 celebration held at the Old India House in Gulshan on Saturday evening. The event, organized by the Indian High Commission, marked the enduring partnership between the two neighboring nations.

Verma emphasized that the India-Bangladesh relationship is one of the most unique in the world, rooted in shared history, culture, and sacrifices. He recalled India’s support during Bangladesh’s Liberation War and affirmed that India will continue to stand by Bangladesh in its journey toward prosperity. The envoy highlighted that friendship with Bangladesh remains a top priority for India’s foreign policy.

The event was attended by freedom fighters, diplomats, politicians, military officials, journalists, and cultural figures from both countries. It concluded with cultural performances by Indian and Bangladeshi groups, including patriotic songs and a stage play titled “Nishshobdo 71.”

Dr. Moin Uddin Ahmad, father of missing Sylhet Chhatra Dal leader Ifthekhar Ahmad Dinar, passed away on Saturday morning at a private hospital in Sylhet. Dinar, a former joint general secretary of the Sylhet district Chhatra Dal, disappeared along with fellow leader Juned Ahmad on April 3, 2012, during the tenure of the Awami League government, and has not been seen since.

Throughout his life, Dr. Ahmad held on to the hope of seeing his son again, but that reunion never came. He was also the father of Tahsin Sharmin Tamanna, acting president of the Sylhet district Mohila Dal, and a former director of the Directorate General of Health Services. Local BNP leaders, including former Sylhet mayor Ariful Haque Chowdhury and advocate Emran Ahmad Chowdhury, expressed deep sorrow and condolences over his death.

The case of Dinar’s disappearance remains unresolved, symbolizing the lingering pain of enforced disappearances in Bangladesh and the enduring grief of affected families.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Workers’ Party, an affiliate of the BNP, has approved a 43-member convening committee for its Dhaka North metropolitan unit. Md. Nizam Uddin has been appointed as convener, while Syed Ziaul Haque will serve as member secretary. The announcement was made on Friday by the party’s central president, Md. Salahuddin Khan, and general secretary, Md. Altaf Hossain Sardar.

According to the central leadership, the new committee has been tasked with forming unit-level committees across all police stations in Dhaka North within the next three months. Afterward, a full-fledged metropolitan committee will be established. The committee includes Zahidul Islam as senior joint convener, with A.R. Ashiq Chowdhury, Md. Monzil Hossain, Syed Ekram Uddin Monju, and others serving as joint conveners.

Party insiders view this restructuring as part of a broader organizational effort to strengthen BNP-aligned professional groups in the capital ahead of potential political mobilizations. The move is expected to enhance coordination and grassroots engagement within the party’s worker wing.

Bangladesh’s Islamist political party Jamaat-e-Islami has nominated Krishna Nandi, president of the Dumuria Hindu Committee, as its candidate for the Khulna-1 constituency (Dacope-Batiaghata) — the first time a Hindu has represented the party in this seat. The announcement, made by Jamaat chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman at an eight-party rally in Khulna, has triggered widespread discussion and criticism on social media.

Controversy deepened after photos surfaced allegedly showing Nandi with an Indian Hindu nationalist leader, prompting speculation about his political and cross-border links. Investigative journalist Julkar Nain Sayer confirmed the photos’ authenticity but found no evidence of AI manipulation. Nandi denied knowing the person in the images, claiming they were AI-generated and part of a smear campaign. Local Awami League supporters accused him of opportunism, citing his past ties with former minister Narayan Chandra Chanda.

Khulna-1, a Hindu-majority constituency long dominated by the Awami League, now faces an unusual electoral dynamic. Jamaat’s decision to replace its veteran candidate Maulana Abu Yusuf with Nandi has unsettled party loyalists and raised questions about strategy, minority outreach, and voter response ahead of the next national election.

The Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) has re-elected Md. Shahidul Islam as president and Khurshid Alam as general secretary for the next full term. The decision was unanimously approved by members during the union’s biennial general meeting held on Saturday, December 6, at the National Press Club in Dhaka. The newly endorsed leadership will continue to guide the organization through its upcoming term with a full executive committee.

The meeting also confirmed other key office bearers, including Rafique Muhammad, Khandaker Hasnat Karim, and Rashedul Haque as vice presidents, Didarul Alam Didar as joint secretary, and Khandaker Alamgir Hossain as treasurer. Senior journalists and leaders from the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) and National Press Club attended the event, offering congratulations and emphasizing the importance of strong, ethical journalism.

Observers noted that the DUJ’s renewed leadership aims to strengthen professional unity and advocate for press freedom amid evolving challenges facing Bangladesh’s media sector.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman declared that the era of seizing power through administrative coups is over, calling instead for political unity among Islamist groups. Speaking at a divisional rally of an eight-party Islamist alliance in Sylhet on Saturday, he criticized those who had previously destabilized the country in the name of elections, saying the public had grown weary of their actions and would reject them.

Rahman urged other Islamic parties to return to their ideological roots, warning against involvement in extortion and disorder. He described the current political environment as one where ‘fascist shadows’ still linger despite the departure of previous autocrats. Other speakers, including leaders from Islami Andolon Bangladesh and Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, emphasized the upcoming national election as a referendum on implementing the July Charter and ensuring a level playing field.

The rally, attended by leaders from eight Islamist and nationalist parties, highlighted growing coordination among right-leaning religious groups seeking influence in the next general election.

Bangladesh’s Election Commission (EC) has not yet fixed the date for announcing the election schedule, despite being fully prepared for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed made the statement on Saturday, December 6, during a journalists’ workshop at the Election Training Institute in Agargaon, Dhaka. The interim government earlier indicated that the national election would be held in February, prompting the EC to initially plan for a schedule announcement in early December.

Chief Election Commissioner A.M.M. Nasir Uddin had previously mentioned the possibility of declaring the schedule in the second week of December. This year’s election will also coincide with a national referendum. Ahmed emphasized that all logistical and administrative preparations are in place and urged the media to avoid spreading misinformation. The workshop, organized by UNDP and the Reporters Forum for Election and Democracy (RFED), focused on election laws, candidate conduct rules, and special provisions for election officials.

Observers expect the EC to announce the schedule soon, as political parties and voters await clarity on the election timeline.

Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir’s central president, Md. Zahidul Islam, stated that the organization’s struggle is directed against injustice, corruption, and oppression, not against any specific person or political party. Speaking at a reunion of former activists in Debidwar, Cumilla, he emphasized that Shibir stands against fascism, terrorism, and extortion, and will oppose any group or individual engaged in such acts.

Zahidul Islam accused previous governments of widespread corruption, claiming that over 28 trillion taka had been illicitly transferred abroad in the past 15 years. He urged citizens to support honest and patriotic leadership in upcoming elections, asserting that the public now understands the difference between right and wrong. The event was attended by local Jamaat-e-Islami leaders and parliamentary candidates, who echoed calls for moral and ideological renewal.

Analysts view the remarks as part of a broader effort by Islamist student and political groups to reassert influence ahead of Bangladesh’s next national polls, amid ongoing debates over governance, accountability, and political freedoms.

More than 203,000 Bangladeshi expatriates have registered to vote through the ‘Postal Vote BD’ app ahead of the country’s 13th National Parliamentary Election and referendum, according to the Election Commission (EC). As of Saturday, December 6, a total of 203,110 overseas Bangladeshis had completed registration, including 181,108 men and 19,202 women.

Saudi Arabia topped the list with 40,766 registered voters, followed by the United States with 19,228, and a third country with 11,465 applicants. The EC has kept registration open until December 25, urging expatriates to provide accurate addresses during the process. The app-based registration system was launched to facilitate postal voting for citizens living abroad.

Additionally, government employees assigned to election duties or stationed outside their constituencies can also register through the app until December 25. The initiative marks a significant step toward expanding electoral participation among Bangladesh’s global diaspora, though logistical and verification challenges remain.

Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain has said that the upcoming national election will serve as a major test for the country’s law enforcement agencies. Speaking at a meeting with government officials in Rangpur on December 6, he emphasized that law and order form the foundation of national stability. He noted that while there were initial challenges, the police have now become more organized and cohesive.

Referring to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, Hossain said the forthcoming election is expected to be an exemplary one, urging security forces to remain vigilant against potential unrest from losing parties. He also highlighted the government’s recent focus on education and health, citing the recruitment of 3,500 doctors and 3,500 nurses and increased budget allocations. Additionally, he discussed prospects for potato exports, skilled labor migration, and livestock development, stressing the need for skill-based manpower exports to secure better wages abroad.

Officials from the police, health, and livestock departments attended the meeting, underscoring inter-agency coordination ahead of the election period.

The Bangladesh Election Commission (EC) has announced that government officials assigned to election duties and those stationed outside their home constituencies can register for postal voting through the 'Postal Vote BD' mobile app until December 25. The registration window applies to the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election and any concurrent referendums, starting from the date of the election schedule announcement.

According to an EC press release issued on December 6, eligible voters include election officials, government employees away from their registered voting areas, and individuals under lawful custody. The EC advised all eligible participants to visit its official website for detailed instructions. Data from the commission show that 198,840 expatriate Bangladeshis have already registered through the app, with the highest number coming from Saudi Arabia.

The initiative marks a significant step toward expanding digital electoral services and ensuring broader participation. Officials expect the system to reduce logistical challenges and enhance transparency in absentee voting ahead of the national polls.