The Bangladesh Election Commission (EC) has decided to increase the number of closed-circuit cameras (CCTV) at polling centers ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election scheduled for February 12, 2026. The initiative aims to strengthen election security and transparency amid growing public and political concerns. The EC will not use its own funds for installation; instead, financing will come from city corporations, district and upazila councils, and administrative funds managed by divisional commissioners, deputy commissioners, and UNOs.

Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed confirmed that around 4,449 educational institutions already have CCTV systems, which will be utilized for polling. The EC has requested the education ministries to ensure these cameras are functional and to arrange temporary installations where needed. The move follows earlier dialogues where political parties and civil society urged for CCTV surveillance to prevent irregularities. Each installation is estimated to cost about BDT 4,000–4,500 per center.

Observers view the measure as a step to restore voter confidence and reduce fears of violence or fraud. The EC has also instructed local administrators to ensure accessibility and safety for all voters, including the elderly and persons with disabilities.

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has confirmed that pacer Mustafizur Rahman will not be allowed to play the entire Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season despite being signed by Kolkata Knight Riders for INR 9.2 crore. Cricket Operations Chairman Nazmul Abedin Fahim announced that Mustafizur will have to return home to participate in Bangladesh’s three-match ODI series against New Zealand during the IPL schedule.

Fahim explained that the decision was made to ensure Bangladesh fields its strongest squad in the crucial series, which could influence World Cup qualification. He stated that while Mustafizur has been granted a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the IPL, it excludes the period overlapping with the New Zealand matches. Fahim emphasized that the board cannot risk losing points in the qualification race.

The BCB’s stance highlights the ongoing tension between national duties and lucrative franchise leagues. Mustafizur has yet to formally apply for his NOC, and his availability for the rest of the IPL will depend on scheduling and team requirements.

The Indian Visa Application Center at Jamuna Future Park in Dhaka has resumed regular operations after a temporary suspension due to security concerns. The Indian High Commission confirmed that services restarted on Thursday morning following a one-day closure prompted by planned demonstrations near the mission premises.

The closure was initiated on Wednesday afternoon after several groups under the banner of ‘July Unity’ announced a ‘March to Indian High Commission’ protest linked to the July uprising movement. In response to the deteriorating security environment, India’s Ministry of External Affairs summoned Bangladesh’s High Commissioner in New Delhi to express concern over the situation.

The reopening signals a return to normal consular activity but highlights ongoing sensitivities in India–Bangladesh diplomatic relations. Both governments are expected to maintain heightened security coordination around foreign missions in Dhaka as political tensions continue to evolve.

Hafez Tarek Reza, Joint Member Secretary of the National Citizen Party (NCP), announced on Thursday that Jannat Akter Rumi, the party’s Dhanmondi Thana Joint Coordinator, has died by suicide. In a Facebook post, Reza claimed that Rumi had been subjected to persistent cyberbullying, threats, and intimidation from individuals linked to the ruling Awami League over the past month.

Reza alleged that despite repeated appeals from Rumi’s family and friends, law enforcement authorities failed to provide adequate protection or intervention. He further stated that the incident should not be treated as a suicide but as a politically motivated killing, vowing to seek justice for his colleague. His post has sparked renewed debate about political harassment, online abuse, and the lack of institutional response in Bangladesh.

The case underscores growing concerns about cyber harassment targeting political activists and the perceived impunity surrounding such incidents. Authorities have yet to issue an official statement or confirm whether an investigation has been launched.

Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal-2 has issued arrest warrants against seven senior political figures, including Obaidul Quader, the suspended general secretary of the banned Awami League and former minister. The warrants relate to alleged crimes against humanity committed during the so-called July Revolution, a period marked by violent political unrest.

The other accused include Awami League joint general secretary A F M Bahauddin Nasim, former state minister for information Mohammad Ali Arafat, Jubo League president Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash, general secretary Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil, and two leaders of the proscribed Chhatra League, Saddam Hossain and Wali Asif Inan. The tribunal’s decision follows formal charges submitted by the prosecution earlier this month.

Legal analysts say the move signals an intensified effort to address alleged atrocities tied to the July uprising. Party sources have not yet commented publicly, while human rights groups have urged transparency in the proceedings. The tribunal is expected to set hearing dates once the accused are taken into custody.

Bangladesh’s prosecution has formally filed charges against two senior leaders of the banned student organization Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) for alleged crimes against humanity committed during the July Revolution. The accused are BCL president Saddam Hossain and general secretary Sheikh Wali Asif Enan. Prosecutor Gazi M.H. Tamim confirmed the submission of the charges to the tribunal on Thursday.

In addition to the two student leaders, five other prominent political figures have also been charged, including former Awami League general secretary and ex-minister Obaidul Quader, joint general secretary A.F.M. Bahauddin Nasim, former state minister for information Mohammad Ali Arafat, Jubo League president Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash, and general secretary Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil. Arrest warrants have reportedly been issued against all seven accused.

The tribunal’s move marks a significant escalation in post-revolution accountability efforts. Legal analysts suggest the proceedings could reshape Bangladesh’s political landscape, as several of the accused held top positions in now-banned organizations. The trial schedule is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

Advocate Shaheenur Pasha, a long-time Islamist politician and current central Naib-e-Ameer of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, has re-emerged as a key contender in Sunamganj-3 constituency ahead of the 13th national election. Once part of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, he later joined Trinamool BNP before contesting the controversial 2024 “dummy” election, losing his deposit. Now running under the rickshaw symbol, Pasha seeks nomination from the new eight-party Islamist alliance.

His repeated party switches and participation in the disputed election have drawn criticism within the alliance, which includes Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolon Bangladesh, and others. Rival candidates Advocate Yasin Khan of Jamaat and Sheikh Mushtaq Ahmed of Khelafat Majlis UK chapter argue that only a “clean image” candidate can ensure victory in the religiously influential constituency. Local leaders warn that nominating a controversial figure could fracture grassroots unity.

The alliance leadership faces mounting pressure to balance internal lobbying with public sentiment. Observers say the final choice in Sunamganj-3 will signal whether the coalition prioritizes strategic unity or electoral credibility.

Bangladesh’s banking sector is facing renewed pressure as government borrowing from banks has sharply increased midway through the 2025–26 fiscal year. According to the latest Bangladesh Bank data, the government borrowed a net Tk 45,239 crore between July and December 8, marking a 58.46% rise from the same period last year. Earlier in the fiscal year, the government had been repaying loans, but rising development spending, election-related costs, and higher subsidy and interest obligations have reversed that trend.

Sector analysts note that the initial months saw reduced borrowing due to strong revenue growth and foreign loan inflows. However, the recent acceleration in government borrowing has raised concerns about liquidity pressures in the banking system and potential crowding out of private credit. Commercial banks’ total government loan holdings rose to Tk 475,709 crore by December 8, while borrowing from the central bank reached Tk 120,435 crore.

Economists warn that continued reliance on domestic banks to finance budget deficits could limit credit availability to businesses and complicate inflation management. The government’s current borrowing pace, though below the annual target, may strain monetary stability if sustained.

A mild cold wave has persisted for more than a week in Tetulia, Panchagarh, marking the lowest temperatures in Bangladesh this winter. On Thursday, December 18, the Tetulia Weather Observatory recorded a minimum temperature of 9.5°C, with humidity at 72% and wind speeds between 8 and 10 km/h. Similar readings were observed in previous days, with temperatures hovering around 9°C each morning despite sunny conditions.

According to Jitendranath Roy, acting officer at the Tetulia Weather Observatory, the cold wave began on December 11 when the temperature dropped to 8.9°C, the season’s lowest so far. He noted that the mild cold spell is expected to continue for several more days. Local residents have reported increased morning chill and fog, while daytime temperatures have remained near 27°C.

Meteorologists suggest that such prolonged mild cold waves are typical for northern Bangladesh during December, though they can affect agriculture and daily life. Authorities have advised residents to take precautions against cold-related illnesses, especially among children and the elderly.

The Bangladesh Coast Guard has detained 53 fishermen and seized around 5,500 kilograms of marine fish in two separate operations off the Cox’s Bazar coast. Officials also confiscated three artisanal trawling boats and 30 fishing nets, with the total value of the seized items estimated at over BDT 6.5 crore. The operations were conducted in the Khathkhali River estuary of Banshkhali and near Saint Martin’s Island.

According to Coast Guard media officer Lieutenant Commander Siam-ul-Haq, the first raid took place late Tuesday night based on intelligence reports, leading to the arrest of 16 fishermen and seizure of one illegal trawler. The second operation, conducted early Wednesday, resulted in the detention of 37 more fishermen and two additional trawlers. Authorities said legal proceedings against the detainees are underway.

Officials emphasized that such drives are part of ongoing efforts to protect marine resources and curb illegal fishing in Bangladesh’s coastal waters, with further operations planned in the coming months.

An arson attack struck the Grameen Bank branch office in Shorshodi Bazar, Feni Sadar upazila, early Thursday morning. According to local sources, unidentified miscreants set fire to the building’s stairwell area around 3:40 a.m., damaging three motorcycles and two benches before the blaze was brought under control. Bank officials and employees, who were sleeping on the upper floor, managed to contain the fire with the help of local residents and firefighters.

Branch manager Ashok Kumar Debnath confirmed that the fire was limited to the stairwell and did not spread to the main office. He stated that the bank would take further steps as directed by higher authorities. Feni Model Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge Muhammad Fouzol Azim said a written complaint had been received and an investigation was underway to identify those responsible.

Authorities have yet to determine the motive behind the attack. The incident has raised security concerns for financial institutions operating in semi-urban areas of Bangladesh.

Bangladesh’s prosecution authority has formally submitted charges against Obaidul Quader, the banned Awami League’s general secretary and former bridges minister, along with six others, for alleged crimes against humanity committed during the July Revolution. Prosecutor Gazi M.H. Tamim confirmed the filing on Thursday, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing post-revolution accountability process.

The accused include senior political figures and leaders of affiliated organizations: Awami League joint general secretary A.F.M. Bahauddin Nasim, former state minister for information and broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat, Jubo League president Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash, general secretary Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil, and the banned Chhatra League’s president Saddam Hossain and general secretary Wali Asif Enan. The tribunal is expected to review the charges and decide on issuing arrest warrants soon.

Legal analysts say the case could reshape Bangladesh’s political landscape, testing the judiciary’s independence amid heightened tensions following the July Revolution. The proceedings may also influence future reconciliation efforts and the banned party’s potential rehabilitation.

A newly constructed bridge in Shahjadapur Union of Brahmanbaria’s Sarail upazila has developed major cracks before its official inauguration, alarming residents who fear a potential collapse. The bridge, built at a cost of about 32.3 million taka under the 2023–24 fiscal year, was expected to transform local connectivity for nearly 20,000 people across several villages.

Locals accuse the contractor and engineering department of using substandard materials and neglecting proper supervision. Witnesses claim that less cement was used and concrete curing was skipped, leading to structural weakness. Contractor Lokman Enterprise denies wrongdoing, citing a temporary halt in work due to soil shortage. The upazila engineer, however, said the cracks are being examined but are unlikely to cause major structural failure.

Residents are demanding an impartial investigation and legal action against those responsible, fearing that decades of anticipation for improved transport infrastructure could end in disappointment. Authorities have yet to announce any formal inquiry or remedial plan.

Police in Dhaka recovered the hanging body of Jannat Ara Rumi, a 30-year-old leader of the National Citizen Party (NCP), from the fifth floor of a women’s hostel on Jigatola Old Kitchen Market Road in Hazaribagh on Thursday morning. Rumi served as the joint coordinator of the Dhanmondi Thana coordination committee under NCP’s Dhaka South unit.

Authorities identified her as the daughter of Zakir Hossain and Nurjahan Begum from Nazipur in Patnitala, Naogaon district. Law enforcement officials have initiated an investigation to determine whether the death was a suicide or if foul play was involved. Hostel residents reportedly alerted police after discovering her body.

The incident has drawn attention within local political circles, as Rumi was an active organizer in Dhaka’s grassroots political network. Police stated that an autopsy will be conducted to confirm the cause of death, while NCP representatives expressed shock and called for a transparent inquiry.

The Shailkupa Mini Fish Hatchery in Jhenaidah, Bangladesh, has remained closed for ten years due to a persistent shortage of staff and malfunctioning equipment. Once a vital source of fish fry production since its establishment in 1982, the facility has fallen into disrepair, causing a significant shortage of fish fry in the region. Local fish farmers have urged the government to reopen the hatchery to restore supply and reduce costs.

According to the Upazila Fisheries Office, the hatchery could produce around 40 kilograms of fish spawn per season—enough for over four million fry—if operational. Farmers report that the closure has forced them to buy fry from distant districts, increasing expenses and reducing profitability. Shailkupa Fisheries Officer Imran Hossain confirmed that while the facility was renovated in 2024 through a government allocation, it remains inactive due to staffing and budget constraints.

Experts warn that without urgent action, the hatchery’s infrastructure may become permanently unusable, further undermining local aquaculture and rural livelihoods.