The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has withdrawn the expulsion order against Siddhirganj Thana BNP General Secretary Md. Iqbal Hossain, nearly 11 months after he was removed from the party for alleged misconduct. A notice signed by BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi announced that Iqbal has been reinstated as a primary member under the party’s constitution. Iqbal was expelled in December last year following an incident involving journalist Minhaj Aman, which was deemed a violation of party discipline. He later appealed for reconsideration, and the BNP leadership decided to restore his membership. Iqbal expressed gratitude for the decision, saying he accepted the earlier punishment and is now committed to working for the party’s success in upcoming elections.

The Bangladesh government has announced new appointments for divisional commissioners in four administrative divisions — Khulna, Rajshahi, Barishal, and Mymensingh. According to a notification issued by the Ministry of Public Administration on Thursday night, Md. Moktar Hossain, previously the Mymensingh Divisional Commissioner, has been transferred to Khulna. Dr. A.N.M. Bazlur Rashid, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Water Resources, has been appointed as Rajshahi Divisional Commissioner. Md. Mahfuzur Rahman, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, will serve as Barishal Divisional Commissioner, while Farah Shammi, Chairman of the Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation, has been assigned as Mymensingh Divisional Commissioner. The order was signed by Deputy Secretary Aminul Islam.

Bangladesh’s Election Commission (EC) has not yet received any official communication regarding interim government chief adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus’s announcement to hold the next national parliamentary election and a referendum on the July Charter on the same day. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A.M.M. Nasir Uddin told reporters that he had not heard Yunus’s speech and therefore could not comment without reviewing the details. He added that the EC would discuss the matter formally once it receives an official proposal and then provide its opinion. When asked whether organizing both events simultaneously would pose logistical challenges, the CEC declined to comment, emphasizing that any assessment should follow a formal review of the proposal. Yunus earlier declared in a televised address that both the election and referendum would take place concurrently.

Turkish Ambassador to Bangladesh Ramis Sen and Security Consular Colonel Borat Tasdelen paid a courtesy call on Major General Abdul Motaleb Sajjad Mahmud, Director General of Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party (VDP), at the Ansar headquarters. During the meeting, both sides discussed ways to enhance bilateral cooperation between Bangladesh Ansar and Turkey’s Gendarmerie Force. The discussions focused on strengthening technical capabilities, expanding training programs, and exploring new areas of collaboration under TIKA initiatives. Ambassador Sen expressed particular interest in Ansar-VDP’s skill development and entrepreneurship programs aimed at improving members’ livelihoods. The meeting was seen as a step toward deepening Bangladesh-Turkey relations in security, training, and development sectors. Additional Director General Brigadier General Fida Mahmud was also present at the meeting.

The Bangladesh government has approved two new ordinances to combat fraud, manipulation, and malpractice in air ticket sales. Under the Civil Aviation (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 and the Bangladesh Travel Agency (Registration and Control) (Amendment) Ordinance 2025, offenders may face up to one year in jail or a fine of up to 1 million taka. The laws introduce 11 new grounds for suspending or canceling travel agency licenses, including overpricing, unauthorized transactions, and altering passenger data after booking. Agencies must now display ticket prices clearly, and digital distribution systems must be registered. The ordinances also empower authorities to impose temporary travel bans on offenders and promote transparency through AI and blockchain use. Officials say the reforms aim to protect migrant workers, ensure fair pricing, and modernize Bangladesh’s aviation sector.

The Islami Andolan Bangladesh, led by the Pir of Charmonai, is emerging as a formidable contender in three key constituencies of the Barishal region—Barishal-5 (Sadar), Pirojpur-3 (Mathbaria), and Patuakhali-4 (Kalapara-Rangabali). The party’s deputy chief, Mufti Syed Muhammad Faizul Karim, is contesting against veteran BNP leader and five-time MP Mojibur Rahman Sarwar in Barishal-5, a traditional BNP stronghold. Analysts suggest that if Jamaat-e-Islami and other Islamist groups unite with Islami Andolan, it could significantly challenge BNP’s dominance. The Islami Andolan has shown growing voter support, securing around 30,000–33,000 votes in recent local elections. Party leaders claim voters will prioritize clean candidates over party loyalty, while BNP leaders remain confident of retaining the seat. Observers see this as one of Sarwar’s toughest political tests.

Leaders from eight Islamic political parties in Bangladesh accused the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus of failing to confront what they termed 'fascist forces' and their allies. Speaking at a rally in Comilla’s Town Hall, they declared that their parties would not participate in any election without the implementation of the July Charter and a national referendum. The speakers, including senior figures from Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolon Bangladesh, and Khelafat Majlis, said the people of Bangladesh would not accept elections that disregard these demands. The gathering was organized to protest against alleged acts of sabotage and subversive activities by fascist elements, and to call for stronger resistance against them. The event was chaired by Kazi Din Mohammad, the city chief of Jamaat-e-Islami Comilla.

BNP-nominated candidate for Munshiganj-1 constituency, Sheikh Md. Abdullah, reaffirmed his commitment to remain close to the people as the national election approaches. Speaking on Thursday morning in Patharghata, Sirajdikhan upazila, while assisting farmers in harvesting paddy, he said that true representatives are those who stand by the people. Abdullah pledged that if elected, his party would work to ensure farmers’ rights and overall prosperity. Local BNP and Krishak Dal leaders, including Sirajdikhan BNP General Secretary M. Haidar Ali and Krishak Dal central committee member Advocate Omar Faruk Russell, were present at the event, showing grassroots-level engagement in the election campaign.

Bangladesh police have arrested 42 Awami League leaders and activists in Savar, Ashulia, and Dhamrai within 24 hours as part of a special operation to maintain security and prevent sabotage surrounding the party’s banned 'Dhaka Lockdown' program. According to police, 28 were detained in Savar, 11 in Ashulia, and 3 in Dhamrai. Authorities have intensified patrols, set up checkpoints, and deployed additional police, RAB, and intelligence personnel across key points of the Dhaka district. The army and RAB also maintained joint patrols. Despite the heightened security, no untoward incidents were reported in the affected areas. Dhaka District Police stated that the enhanced deployment and surveillance aim to ensure public safety and prevent any potential violence or subversive activities related to the political program.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s central executive council has declared that the government’s decision to hold the national election and referendum on the same day is not acceptable to the nation. The statement came after a meeting chaired by Naib-e-Ameer and former MP Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher. The council reviewed the chief adviser’s recent speech and expressed disappointment that public demands were ignored. Members discussed the overall political situation, public expectations, and the evolving context ahead of the upcoming parliamentary election. The meeting concluded with a call for unity, public cooperation, and prayers for a peaceful, just, and prosperous Bangladesh.

In Shariatpur’s Gosairhat upazila, the Awami League’s announced lockdown saw little to no participation from party leaders or activists, who reportedly remained in hiding. Despite the call for a shutdown, daily life continued normally with shops, markets, and schools open, and local transport operating as usual. Residents said they noticed no signs of a lockdown, while police maintained heightened vigilance to prevent any untoward incidents. In contrast, BNP activists were seen holding a motorcycle rally in protest against the lockdown, claiming that people had rejected the Awami League’s program. Police officials confirmed that additional forces were deployed across key areas to ensure law and order and to prevent any potential acts of sabotage or unrest.

The Editors’ Council of Bangladesh has elected a new executive committee during its annual general meeting held on Thursday, November 13, at The Daily Star Centre in Dhaka. Nurul Kabir, editor of New Age, was elected as the new president, while Dewan Hanif Mahmud, editor of Bonik Barta, was re-elected as general secretary. The outgoing president, Mahfuz Anam of The Daily Star, presided over the meeting, which was attended by leading editors from major national newspapers. According to the council’s constitution, the newly elected committee will serve for the next two years. Members expressed optimism about strengthening the council’s activities through mutual cooperation. Nurul Kabir pledged to promote free, safe, and independent journalism, while Mahfuz Anam emphasized the council’s continued commitment to responsible and independent media practices.

Nasiruddin Patwari, chief coordinator of the National Citizens Party (NCP), stated that the July Charter order should be issued by the chief adviser rather than the president to ensure moral legitimacy. Speaking at a discussion organized by the National Farmers’ Force in Dhaka, he argued that although a presidential order would be legally valid, it would lack ethical justification. Patwari also claimed that a disconnect has grown between the government and the people over the past year due to constitutional decisions under Article 106. He further noted that while the public supported the president’s resignation, political parties failed to unite on the issue, allowing the ruling Awami League to take advantage of divisions within the BNP-Jamaat alliance.

In Dinajpur’s Nawabganj upazila, local leaders and activists of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami held a night-long street demonstration opposing an Awami League-declared lockdown. The protest took place around 8 p.m. on Thursday, November 13, in the upazila town center. Participants included the upazila Jamaat Amir, Secretary Rezaul Islam, council member Selim Reza, and Binodnagar Union Amir Azizul Islam, among other local leaders. The demonstrators reportedly organized a procession and sit-in program to express their opposition to the lockdown initiative. No incidents of violence or arrests were reported during the event, but the situation drew attention from local residents and authorities monitoring the area.

Md. Abdus Salam Bepari has been appointed as the new Managing Director (MD) of Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (WASA). The appointment was confirmed through a notification issued by the Local Government Division under the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives on November 11. Bepari, who previously served as Additional Chief Engineer at Dhaka WASA, will hold the position for a three-year term starting from his joining date. The appointment follows the removal of former MD Md. Shahjahan Mia on October 30, who was reassigned as Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief. Shahjahan Mia had been serving as both the Administrator of Dhaka South City Corporation and MD of Dhaka WASA since earlier this year.