Bangladesh’s High Court has ruled that political parties forming alliances for the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election must contest under their respective party symbols. The verdict, delivered on Thursday by a bench comprising Justice Fatema Najib and Justice Fatema Anwar, dismissed a petition challenging the legality of this electoral provision.

The ruling clarifies that even within an electoral alliance, each constituent party must retain its own identity on the ballot. Historically, smaller parties in alliances often contested under the symbol of the leading party, a practice now deemed inconsistent with electoral law. Legal experts suggest the decision reinforces transparency and voter clarity, while some smaller parties express concern over potential disadvantages in campaign recognition.

The Election Commission is expected to issue updated guidelines reflecting the court’s decision ahead of the 13th parliamentary polls. Political analysts note that the ruling could reshape alliance strategies and negotiations in the coming months.

Police detained at least four non-cadre officials from Bangladesh’s Secretariat on Thursday afternoon as protests escalated over a demand for a 20% ‘Secretariat allowance’. The detainees include Badiul Kabir, president of one faction of the Secretariat Officers’ Association, and Shahin Golam Rabbani, vice president of the same group, along with two others from the Health Ministry. They were taken into custody around 4 p.m. and transported in a prison van.

The detentions followed a tense standoff the previous day, when protesters held the finance adviser confined for nearly six hours, pressing for a government order to implement the allowance. Although officials had promised to issue the order by Monday, demonstrators continued their sit-in after the commitment was not fulfilled. Police have since reinforced security across the Secretariat compound.

The incident underscores growing frustration among non-cadre government employees over pay disparities and delayed administrative reforms. Authorities have yet to confirm whether disciplinary or legal actions will follow, while unions warn that further detentions could intensify the standoff.

Non-cadre officers and employees working at Bangladesh’s Secretariat have intensified their protest demanding a 20 percent 'Secretariat Allowance'. Despite assurances, the government has yet to issue an official order, prompting renewed demonstrations on Thursday. Protesters gathered outside the Secretariat, chanting slogans and warning that they would begin a complete work stoppage next week if the order is not released by the end of the day.

The movement escalated after protesters confined the Finance Adviser for nearly six hours on Wednesday, demanding immediate action. Police later intervened to free him amid tense confrontations. Officials had earlier indicated that a formal notification might be issued by Monday, but demonstrators rejected the delay, insisting on immediate implementation.

The standoff underscores growing frustration among government staff over pay disparities and delayed administrative decisions. If the strike proceeds, it could disrupt key bureaucratic functions, putting pressure on the Finance Ministry to resolve the issue swiftly.

The Ministry of Public Administration has issued a notification withdrawing Dr. Mohammad Mohibul Hasan from his position as Director at the Chief Adviser’s Office. According to the circular released on Wednesday, December 10, the order was signed by Joint Secretary Abul Hayat Md. Rafiq under the authority of the President. Dr. Hasan has been instructed to return to his original cadre organization under the Health Education and Family Welfare Division.

The notification stated that the decision was made in the public interest and will take immediate effect. No specific reason for the reassignment was disclosed. Such administrative reshuffles are common in Bangladesh’s civil service, often reflecting internal restructuring or policy adjustments within the government.

Observers note that the move may be part of broader efforts to streamline administrative functions under the caretaker government framework. Further appointments or transfers in related departments may follow in the coming weeks.

The High Court of Bangladesh has ruled that all marriages and divorces must be registered through a mandatory digital system. The verdict, delivered on December 11 by a bench comprising Justice Fahmida Kader and Justice Md Asif Hasan, directs authorities to establish a secure, centralized government database for recording marital information. The decision follows a 2021 writ petition seeking digitalization of marriage and divorce records.

According to petitioner’s counsel Ishrat Hasan, the initiative aims to prevent data concealment, secret marriages, and disputes over divorce authenticity. She emphasized that digital registration will enhance citizens’ social protection, ensure justice, and rebuild trust within society. The court’s directive is expected to significantly reduce administrative complications and fraudulent practices.

Authorities are now required to implement the digital system nationwide, marking a major step toward modernizing Bangladesh’s civil registration framework. Implementation details and timelines are yet to be announced, but the ruling signals a shift toward greater transparency and accountability in personal status documentation.

The National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) of Bangladesh has issued new guidelines regarding the syllabus for the 2026 Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations. According to the directive, irregular and improvement candidates will continue to follow the revised syllabus used for the 2025 exams. All education boards have been instructed to take necessary measures to implement this decision.

The Dhaka Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education circulated the instruction on December 11, confirming that the 2025 HSC and Alim exams were conducted under the NCTB’s revised curriculum. Following that pattern, the same syllabus will apply to irregular or improvement candidates in 2026. Education boards and related institutions have been asked to ensure compliance with the directive.

This move aims to maintain consistency in assessment standards and reduce confusion among students preparing under different syllabi. Further updates on the 2026 regular candidates’ syllabus are expected from NCTB in the coming months.

Bangladesh’s Ministry of Primary and Mass Education has announced that the written examination for the recruitment of assistant teachers in government primary schools will be held simultaneously across all eight divisions on January 2. The exam will begin at 10 a.m., according to Masud Akhtar Khan, Additional Secretary of the ministry’s school division and a member of the Primary School Teacher Recruitment Committee.

Earlier, the recruitment process was announced in two phases. The first phase, published on November 5, covered Rajshahi, Rangpur, Sylhet, Khulna, Barishal, and Mymensingh divisions, offering 10,219 assistant teacher positions. The second phase, announced on November 12, included Dhaka and Chattogram divisions with 4,166 vacancies. The unified examination aims to streamline the recruitment process and ensure uniform evaluation across the country.

Officials expect the synchronized exam to reduce administrative complexity and maintain transparency. Results and subsequent interview schedules are likely to follow in early 2025, depending on the exam’s completion and evaluation timeline.

A physician at Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, Dr. Dhanadeb Chandra Barman, has been reinstated to his previous post just four days after being relieved of duty following a verbal altercation with the Director General (DG) of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Md. Abu Jafar. The reinstatement order, signed by hospital director Brigadier General Golam Ferdous, was issued on December 10 and confirmed the next day by Assistant Director (Administration) Mainuddin Khan.

According to the order, Dr. Barman had been served a show-cause notice on December 6 for alleged misconduct during the DG’s visit. After submitting a written apology and assurance to avoid such behavior in the future, his response was deemed satisfactory by the DGHS. The DG, citing leniency, approved his reinstatement as Casualty OT In-Charge and Assistant Professor of Surgery.

The incident highlights the importance of professional conduct in public healthcare institutions and the DGHS’s willingness to resolve disciplinary matters through due process and reconciliation.

A Dhaka court has granted a five-day remand for Shawkat Mahmud, former president of the National Press Club and current secretary-general of Janata Party Bangladesh, in a case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act. The case accuses him of conspiring to overthrow the interim government and collaborating with foreign agents. Metropolitan Magistrate Fahmida Khandaker Anna approved the remand after a hearing on Thursday.

Mahmud was arrested last Sunday in Dhaka’s Malibagh area by the Detective Branch (DB) police, following the earlier arrest of US citizen of Bangladeshi origin, Enayet Karim Chowdhury, who is accused in the same case. Investigators claim Mahmud and others held secret meetings with political and business figures to destabilize Bangladesh’s political and economic environment. Authorities say interrogation is needed to uncover his alleged connections with foreign entities.

The case has drawn attention due to its political sensitivity and the involvement of several figures from different parties. Other accused individuals remain in custody as the investigation continues under the Anti-Terrorism Act.

The Appellate Division of Bangladesh’s Supreme Court has announced that the final hearing on the appeal against the High Court verdict regarding the 15th Amendment to the Constitution will take place after the upcoming 13th parliamentary election. Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed’s bench scheduled March 5 as the date for the hearing, effectively placing the matter beyond the election period.

Attorney General Mohammad Asaduzzaman told the court that certain aspects of the 15th Amendment should be left for the next parliament to decide, emphasizing the need to avoid any ruling that could invite controversy. Lawyers representing the BNP argued that with national elections only two months away, repealing the amendment now could complicate future constitutional reforms.

Barrister Sara Hossain stressed that any future constitutional amendment must preserve the core principles of the Liberation War. The decision to delay the hearing underscores the judiciary’s cautious approach amid heightened political sensitivity ahead of the polls.

Australia has expressed interest in prioritizing Bangladesh as its second production destination for the cotton and wool industry. The announcement came during the sixth round of Senior Officials’ Talks (SOT) between Bangladesh and Australia, held in Dhaka. The meeting was co-chaired by Dr. Md. Nazrul Islam, Secretary (Bilateral–East and West) of Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Sarah Storey, First Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asia at Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

The dialogue covered a wide range of bilateral issues including trade, investment, renewable energy, maritime cooperation, and technology exchange. Australia reaffirmed its support for Bangladesh’s interim government and reform initiatives, emphasizing the importance of a free and fair upcoming national election. Both sides also discussed cooperation in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and anti–money laundering efforts.

The talks concluded with the signing of a memorandum of understanding on employment for dependents of diplomatic and consular staff. The next round of SOT is scheduled to take place in Canberra next year, signaling continued momentum in the growing partnership.

Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) employees have announced a strike starting December 12 at 7 a.m., suspending all metro rail passenger services in Dhaka. The workers say the decision follows the authorities’ failure to finalize and publish the company’s employment regulations, despite repeated assurances. The strike is expected to disrupt daily commuting for thousands of passengers in the capital.

Officials and employees stated that since DMTCL’s establishment in 2013, no formal employment policy has been approved for its more than 900 staff. Workers recruited after the metro’s commercial launch in December 2022 claim they have been denied essential benefits such as leave, provident fund, gratuity, shift allowance, overtime, and group insurance. They noted that an advisory committee had directed completion of the job rules within 60 working days from September 2024, but the deadline passed without progress.

The strike underscores growing frustration among employees after multiple unfulfilled promises by management. Unless resolved quickly, the standoff could affect Dhaka’s public transport reliability and erode confidence in the city’s flagship infrastructure project.

A tense rescue operation is underway in Tanore upazila of Rajshahi, Bangladesh, to save a two-year-old boy named Sajid who fell into a narrow 8-inch-wide borehole and became trapped about 35 feet underground. The incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon in Koelhat Purbo Para village, when Sajid accidentally slipped into the unused well while playing near a field.

Three units of the Fire Service and Civil Defence have been working continuously for over 21 hours to rescue the child. Officials said oxygen is being supplied through a pipe to help him survive, while excavators dig around the site. Assistant Director Didarul Islam of the Rajshahi Fire Service confirmed that local residents initially attempted a rescue but caused soil to collapse into the hole, complicating the operation.

Authorities estimate that it may take several more hours to reach Sajid. The borehole, originally drilled for irrigation a year ago but left uncovered, has raised concerns about rural safety and the need for stricter oversight of abandoned wells.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has issued a firm warning to Dhaka-based clubs considering boycotting the upcoming First Division Cricket League, urging them to participate to safeguard players’ livelihoods. At a press conference in Mirpur, BCB Vice-President Faruque Ahmed emphasized that any boycott would primarily harm cricketers, not administrators or officials. The league, scheduled to begin on December 14, has already included 20 teams in its fixture list, with none yet formally withdrawing.

Faruque praised national cricketer Tamim Iqbal and his club Old DOHS for reversing their earlier decision to skip the league, calling it a positive example. CCDM officials reiterated that bylaws and playing conditions have been shared with all clubs, and any team refusing to play will face disciplinary measures under existing regulations.

The BCB has also discussed the issue with senior national players and is exploring ways to ensure continuous match opportunities. If necessary, the board may organize alternative tournaments to keep players active while maintaining the integrity of domestic cricket.

More than 307,000 Bangladeshi expatriates have registered to vote in the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election through the ‘Postal Vote BD’ app, according to the Election Commission (EC). As of Thursday morning, 284,173 men and 23,219 women had completed registration. The EC began dispatching ballot papers to registered expatriates on Tuesday, marking the first time Bangladesh has introduced an IT-supported postal voting system.

The initiative allows expatriates, individuals in legal custody, and election officials on duty to cast their votes remotely. Registration, which opened on November 19, will continue until December 25. Eligible voters from countries including South Korea, Japan, the United States, Saudi Arabia, Australia, and several African nations are participating. The EC aims to engage up to five million expatriate voters through this system.

Officials say the postal ballots will be sent to voters’ registered addresses, and completed ballots must be mailed back to returning officers. The EC is preparing to hold the election in the first half of February, viewing this digital voting expansion as a milestone in inclusive electoral participation.