Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has reached an electoral understanding with Bangladesh Jamiat-e-Ulama-e-Islam ahead of the 13th national election. Under the agreement, BNP will not field candidates in four constituencies where Jamiat will contest, while Jamiat will refrain from competing in BNP-allocated seats. The announcement was made at a joint press conference held at the BNP Chairperson’s office in Gulshan, Dhaka.

Despite BNP’s endorsement, Jamiat candidates will not be allowed to use the BNP’s ‘sheaf of paddy’ symbol. Instead, they must contest under their own ‘date tree’ emblem, in line with recent amendments to the Representation of the People Order (RPO) approved by the interim government’s advisory council. The four constituencies allocated to Jamiat are Nilphamari-1, Narayanganj-4, Sylhet-5, and Brahmanbaria-2.

Political analysts view this alliance as a strategic move to consolidate opposition votes against the ruling party. However, the restriction on shared symbols may limit the coalition’s visibility among voters. The coming weeks will test how effectively the alliance can coordinate its campaign under separate banners.

Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal-1 has ordered the commencement of trial proceedings against 17 individuals, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and former Inspector General of Police Benazir Ahmed. The charges relate to alleged enforced disappearances and torture at the Rapid Action Battalion’s (RAB) Task Force for Interrogation (TFI) cell. The order was issued on Tuesday by a three-member judicial panel headed by Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Mojumdar.

The tribunal’s decision marks a significant legal development involving some of the country’s most senior political and security figures. The accused also include former and current military officers. While detailed charges and trial dates are yet to be disclosed, the case has drawn widespread attention due to the high-profile nature of the defendants. Human rights groups have long raised concerns about alleged abuses by security agencies, and this move may signal a shift toward judicial accountability.

Observers say the proceedings could have far-reaching political and institutional implications, testing the independence of Bangladesh’s judiciary and the state’s stance on human rights violations.

A Feni court has issued arrest warrants against Nizam Uddin Hazari, general secretary of the Feni district Awami League, and 71 other fugitives in connection with the killing of autorickshaw driver Md. Sabuj during a protest in August 2024. The order was given by Senior Judicial Magistrate Mohammad Hasan of the Feni Sadar court after accepting the charge sheet filed by police.

According to case records, Sabuj was shot dead when armed activists of the Awami League and its now-banned affiliates opened fire on demonstrators demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The case, filed by Sabuj’s brother, named 65 individuals and implicated up to 400 others. Police later charged 124 people, of whom 54 have been arrested so far, while 71 remain at large.

Authorities stated that copies of the arrest warrants will soon be sent to local police stations. The case is one of 24 filed over the violent crackdown, including seven murder and 17 attempted murder cases, highlighting ongoing political tensions in Feni.

Dr. Tasnim Jara, senior joint member secretary of the National Citizen Party (NCP) and a candidate for Dhaka-9 constituency, announced that her campaign fund received over Tk 1.2 million in just seven hours. The announcement came early Tuesday through her verified Facebook page, where she expressed gratitude for the overwhelming public support. The fundraising drive began Monday night as part of her effort to finance her election campaign.

According to Jara, the campaign’s total target is Tk 4.69 million, with fundraising to stop once Tk 3.4 million more is collected. She noted that donations through the mobile payment platform bKash were temporarily halted after reaching transaction limits, but contributions could still be made via bank accounts. Jara also shared screenshots of the donation accounts, emphasizing transparency and accountability in fund management.

The rapid response highlights growing citizen engagement in digital political fundraising in Bangladesh. Observers say such initiatives may reshape campaign financing norms, especially among younger and tech-savvy voters ahead of the upcoming national elections.

Police in Khulna have detained a young woman named Tonima Tonbi in connection with the shooting of Md. Motaleb Shikdar, the divisional convener of the National Workers’ Power (NCP). Authorities confirmed that the shooting occurred at Tonbi’s rented residence on Monday afternoon. Detective Branch Officer-in-Charge Taimur Islam verified the arrest late Monday night but said more details would be shared after further investigation.

Earlier, the victim’s wife, Fahima Taslim Jhumur, held a press conference at Khulna Press Club, urging police to arrest Tonbi and her husband Miraj for questioning. She stated that her husband had gone to Khulna Medical College Hospital on Sunday night to visit a patient and did not return home. The next morning, she was informed that he had been shot.

Police have yet to determine the motive or identify the shooter. The victim’s family has demanded a thorough investigation to uncover the truth and bring the perpetrators to justice.

Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal-1 is set to deliver its order today, December 23, on whether to formally frame charges against former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and 12 army officers in a case involving alleged abductions and torture at the Taskforce for Interrogation (TFI) cell. The three-member judicial panel, led by Chairman Golam Mortuza Majumdar, scheduled the ruling after concluding hearings earlier this month.

The case names 17 accused in total, including 10 currently in custody and seven absconding, among them former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and ex-RAB chief Benazir Ahmed. Defense lawyers have sought dismissal of the charges, while prosecutor Gazi M.H. Tamim urged the tribunal to proceed with trial. Hearings were previously postponed on December 21 following defense requests for special arguments.

The tribunal’s decision will determine whether a full trial begins against the former leader and senior military officials. The proceedings are being closely watched both domestically and internationally for their potential political and legal implications in post-Hasina Bangladesh.

Authorities in Comilla have reported growing concerns over illegal arms entering Bangladesh through the Tripura border as the 13th national election approaches. The issue follows the unsolved case of 17 police firearms looted during last year’s student protests, which remain unrecovered. Recent Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) operations have seized both narcotics and foreign pistols, intensifying public anxiety about potential election-related violence.

Local political leaders and residents have expressed frustration at the administration’s failure to recover the missing weapons. Opposition figures allege that fugitive members of the former ruling party are orchestrating arms inflows from India to disrupt the polls. BGB officials confirmed that firearms were found alongside drugs in recent raids, marking the first such discovery in the district. Police say joint efforts with the army and Rapid Action Battalion are ongoing to locate the missing weapons.

Security analysts warn that the combination of unrecovered police arms and new smuggling routes could destabilize the region if not swiftly contained before election day.

A fire broke out early Tuesday morning at the 14-storey Haji Tower in Babubazar, Armanitola, Old Dhaka. The blaze started on the sixth floor around 6:40 a.m., prompting an immediate response from the Fire Service and Civil Defence. Within five minutes of receiving the alert, firefighters reached the scene and engaged nine units from Sadarghat, Sutrapur, and Siddikbazar stations. The fire was brought under control by 7:20 a.m.

Officials from the Fire Service’s media wing confirmed that no casualties or injuries had been reported as of press time. The cause of the fire and the extent of property damage remain under investigation. Authorities stated that a detailed assessment will follow once the site is fully secured.

This incident highlights ongoing fire safety challenges in densely populated areas of Old Dhaka, where narrow roads and aging infrastructure often complicate emergency responses. Investigators are expected to review building safety compliance and electrical systems in the coming days.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of Bangladesh has begun transferring all seized assets belonging to former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed to the Chief Adviser’s Relief Fund. The announcement came during a press briefing at ACC headquarters in Dhaka, where Director General (Prevention) Md. Akhter Hossain confirmed that the process of handing over confiscated items from Ahmed’s Gulshan apartments is ongoing.

According to the ACC, the court authorized the transfer after considering security and logistical challenges associated with holding a public auction in a residential complex. The seized goods include perishable items, clothing, utensils, and household materials. A three-member committee is overseeing the transfer, while necessary samples are being preserved for legal documentation.

The decision follows earlier plans for a public auction, later revised due to safety concerns and potential spoilage of goods. The court has instructed the appointed receiver and ACC’s asset management unit to complete the handover and submit a report. Benazir Ahmed reportedly fled Bangladesh before the July uprising and is currently residing in Spain with his family.

A Dhaka court has imposed a travel ban on Asaduzzaman, the alleged foster son of Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, along with his wife Israt Jahan and associate Akhtaruzzaman. The order was issued on December 22 by Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun during a vacation session, following a petition from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

According to ACC spokesperson Tanzir Ahmed, the agency sought the restriction to prevent the accused from leaving the country while an investigation is underway. The ACC alleges that Asaduzzaman and his associates used political influence to engage in smuggling, illegal money transfers, customs evasion, and other corrupt practices, accumulating illicit wealth and laundering funds abroad. Reliable sources reportedly indicated that the trio might attempt to flee Bangladesh.

The court’s decision underscores growing scrutiny of politically connected individuals amid intensified anti-corruption drives. The ACC’s investigation is ongoing, and further legal actions may follow depending on the findings of the inquiry.

The National Institute of Kidney Diseases and Urology (NIKDU) in Dhaka hosted a ceremony unveiling its Teachers’ Association journal and constitution, alongside honoring newly promoted and recently graduated physicians. The event, held at the Sher-e-Bangla Nagar auditorium, featured speeches from senior faculty and administrators emphasizing dedication and teamwork to elevate NIKDU’s service quality.

Speakers highlighted the institute’s growing capacity, noting that six operating theaters are now active daily and 44 kidney transplants have been successfully completed, including five in the past month. Approximately 1,500 outpatients receive regular treatment each day. Director Prof. Dr. Syed Alfa Sani urged all staff to work with integrity, while Association President Dr. Moshior Arefin Rubel expressed hope that NIKDU will soon become a “center of excellence.”

The event also paid tribute to national heroes and deceased colleagues, reflecting the institution’s commitment to professional and ethical values. Participants stressed that sustained collaboration and leadership will be key to achieving international recognition.

Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) Vice President Sadiq Kayem has declined a government proposal to assign him an armed guard for personal protection. The offer was part of a broader initiative to provide security to student leaders, politicians, and journalists following recent political unrest. In a Facebook post on Monday, Kayem said he could not accept special protection when ordinary citizens remained unsafe.

Kayem argued that selective security measures contradict the principles of justice and equality. He criticized law enforcement for failing to ensure public safety and alleged that fascist influences within state institutions were undermining justice. His statement follows the government’s move to enhance security for prominent figures after the so-called July Revolution.

Observers note that Kayem’s refusal underscores growing public frustration over unequal security provisions and the perceived lack of institutional reform. The government has not yet responded to his remarks, but the debate highlights ongoing tensions between political leadership and youth movements over fairness and accountability in post-crisis Bangladesh.

Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has reiterated that the national election will be held on February 12 as scheduled. Speaking with US Special Envoy for South and Central Asia Sergio Gor, Yunus said citizens are eager to exercise their voting rights, which had been suppressed under previous authoritarian rule. The half-hour conversation covered bilateral trade, tariff issues, democratic transition, and the killing of young political activist Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi.

During the call, Envoy Gor, who also serves as the US Ambassador to India, congratulated Yunus for leading recent trade negotiations that reduced reciprocal tariffs on Bangladeshi goods to 20 percent. He also mentioned the large funeral gathering for Hadi. Yunus accused supporters of the ousted regime of spending heavily to disrupt the election and inciting violence from abroad, but assured that the interim government is fully prepared to maintain order.

Yunus emphasized that with only 50 days remaining, the administration is focused on ensuring a free, fair, and peaceful election that will mark a milestone in Bangladesh’s democratic journey.

BNP Standing Committee member Selima Rahman announced that a new political movement under Tarique Rahman’s leadership will begin on February 12, aimed at realizing the spirit of the 1971 Liberation War and the aspirations of past mass uprisings. Speaking at a Victory Day discussion in Haluaghat, Mymensingh, she said the initiative seeks to restore people’s voting rights and democracy, asserting that the nation belongs to its citizens, not any single group.

Rahman accused the current government of depriving citizens of electoral rights and undermining state institutions through authoritarian rule. She emphasized that free and fair elections are the only path to establishing a truly democratic government. BNP Joint Secretary General Syed Emran Saleh Prince echoed her remarks, calling for renewed commitment to sovereignty and democracy. The event also featured local BNP leaders and a pre-Christmas gathering with the Christian community.

The announcement signals BNP’s intent to intensify its political activities ahead of the coming months, positioning Tarique Rahman as the central figure in its campaign for democratic reform.

The Gono Odhikar Parishad, led by Nurul Haque Nur, has announced it will not enter into a seat-sharing agreement with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. Instead, the party will contest all 300 constituencies under its own symbol, signaling a fully independent electoral strategy. The decision was confirmed on December 22 by senior council member and media coordinator Abu Hanif following a meeting of the party’s executive committee and nomination aspirants.

Party leaders stated that Gono Odhikar Parishad aims to establish itself as an alternative political force in Bangladesh, emphasizing its refusal to compromise with what it termed “Awami fascism.” The party will distribute nomination forms until December 25, with candidates expected to submit their papers on December 28 and 29.

Political analysts view the move as a bold but risky step for a relatively new party seeking national recognition. The decision could reshape opposition dynamics in the upcoming election, especially amid ongoing debates over electoral alliances and legitimacy.