Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has called the upcoming national election and referendum a defining moment for Bangladesh’s future, urging administrative officials to ensure a fair, peaceful, and festive process. Speaking via video conference from the state guesthouse Jamuna with Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNOs) and senior civil servants, Yunus described the election as a chance to build a 'new Bangladesh' following the recent mass uprising.

He reminded officials that the election is not merely an administrative duty but a historic responsibility. Yunus contrasted the forthcoming polls with past elections, which he said lacked integrity, and emphasized the need for transparency and voter awareness. He noted that while the election will determine leadership for five years, the referendum will shape the nation’s governance for a century.

Yunus instructed UNOs to visit polling stations, engage stakeholders, and counter misinformation. He also highlighted women’s participation and creative problem-solving as vital to success. The election schedule is expected to be announced soon.

Bangladesh’s interim government foreign affairs adviser Md. Touhid Hossain stated that if India declines to return ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Dhaka has limited options. Speaking to reporters on December 10, Hossain said efforts may still be made to persuade New Delhi through diplomatic channels. He confirmed that there is no official information suggesting Hasina plans to leave India for another country.

Hossain also addressed questions about the possible closure of the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), noting that such institutions exist in all nations and cannot be easily disbanded. On visa-related complications, he emphasized that fraudulent documentation must stop for Bangladesh’s visa issues to be resolved, adding that student visa decisions rest solely with host countries.

Regarding new diplomatic missions, Hossain said financial constraints are delaying their launch despite prior approvals. He declined to comment on speculation about a potential South Asian alliance excluding India but involving Pakistan and China.

Bangladesh’s President Mohammed Shahabuddin expressed satisfaction with the Election Commission’s (EC) preparations for the upcoming 13th national parliamentary elections. The assurance came after a meeting at Bangabhaban between the President and Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A.M.M. Nasir Uddin, accompanied by four election commissioners and senior EC secretary Akhtar Ahmed. The CEC briefed the President on overall election readiness, including voter list updates, political party registration, and plans for a possible referendum on election day.

According to the EC secretary, the President pledged full cooperation to ensure a fair and transparent election process. Discussions also covered extending polling hours by one hour and other logistical matters. Following the meeting, the EC delegation returned to the Election Commission headquarters for further deliberations under the CEC’s leadership.

Bangladesh Television and Radio have been called to record the CEC’s address later in the day, a traditional precursor to the official announcement of the election schedule, which is expected imminently.

BNP Joint Secretary General and Lakshmipur-3 candidate Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie has suggested that party leader Tarique Rahman could return to Bangladesh within a few days if former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia is not taken abroad for medical treatment. Speaking at a courtyard meeting in Lakshmipur on Wednesday, Annie said the party is awaiting Tarique’s leadership and that his return depends on Khaleda Zia’s health condition.

Annie emphasized that the upcoming election will be challenging, describing it as a contest against an 'invisible force.' He accused the ruling Awami League of undermining fair electoral conditions through repression and avoidance. Annie also pledged that the BNP, under Tarique Rahman’s future leadership, would continue to stand beside the people, drawing parallels with the legacies of Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia.

Local BNP leaders, including district and municipal representatives, attended the event, signaling intensified grassroots mobilization ahead of the national polls.

The National Citizen Party (NCP) has announced its first list of 125 candidates for the upcoming national elections, leaving several constituencies open for potential alliances and rebel candidates from the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami. At a press conference in Dhaka’s Banglamotor, NCP chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patowary said the party is ready to nominate reform-minded rebels who maintain strong grassroots connections.

Patowary emphasized that the NCP seeks candidates who support political reform and have credibility among local voters. He noted that many rebel politicians from major opposition parties have already approached the NCP, though he declined to specify numbers. The party’s member secretary, Akhtar Hossain, formally announced the initial list of nominees.

The move signals NCP’s strategic attempt to attract disaffected opposition figures and expand its electoral footprint. Analysts suggest this approach could reshape alliances in several constituencies, particularly if BNP and Jamaat rebels fail to reconcile with their parent parties before the polls.

Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary, Shafiqul Alam, has publicly questioned the legitimacy and ethics of conducting a popularity survey on the banned Awami League and its affiliated organizations. In a verified Facebook post on Wednesday, December 10, he criticized the survey’s intent, suggesting it could serve to obscure the party’s alleged record of repression and violence during its long tenure in power.

Alam argued that such surveys risk normalizing or rehabilitating a political force accused of severe human rights abuses, including suppression of opposition rallies and widespread fear-based governance. He recalled that during the Awami League’s 16-year rule, political violence and intimidation were pervasive, leaving ordinary citizens in fear. He also cited analysts who claimed the Hasina government used fear as a political tool to maintain control.

The press secretary emphasized that accountability must precede any political normalization, asserting that the Awami League should face legal scrutiny and acknowledge its past actions before being included in future surveys or political processes.

Local Government Adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, who joined the interim government as a student representative, is expected to announce his resignation just before the declaration of the national election schedule. He has called an emergency press conference at the Secretariat on Wednesday afternoon, where the announcement is likely to be made. His resignation would mark a significant shift as he is widely expected to contest from Dhaka-10 constituency.

It remains unclear whether another student representative and Information Adviser, Mahfuz Alam, will also resign. Sources suggest he may contest from Lakshmipur-1, his home constituency, where the National Citizen Party (NCP) has not yet nominated anyone. Asif Mahmud, meanwhile, has hinted on social media about running from Dhaka-10, where BNP’s Sheikh Robiul Alam and Jamaat’s Advocate Jasim Uddin are already confirmed candidates.

If both advisers step down, it could signal growing political ambitions among younger members of the interim administration, potentially reshaping the electoral dynamics in key constituencies ahead of the polls.

On International Human Rights Day, BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman declared that his party rejects the politics of revenge and is committed to a path of reconciliation and justice. In a Facebook post, he criticized the ruling Awami League for alleged enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and suppression of dissent during its tenure. Rahman pledged that no Bangladeshi should live in fear of the state, regardless of political affiliation.

He reflected on what he described as 16 years of political darkness, marked by fear, false cases, and repression, particularly against BNP members. Rahman also recounted his own experience of being silenced since 2015 and praised Khaleda Zia as a symbol of patience and democratic resistance. He emphasized that the BNP’s suffering should inspire forgiveness and moral strength rather than vengeance.

Rahman concluded by calling for a united Bangladesh that guarantees freedom of speech and human rights for all citizens, asserting that justice, accountability, and compassion must guide the nation’s political renewal.

The National Citizen Party (NCP) has announced that any candidate found involved in corruption, terrorism, or fascist activities will have their nomination cancelled. The warning came from NCP convener Nahid Islam during a briefing at the party’s temporary office on Wednesday, following the release of a list of 125 preliminary candidates by the party’s member secretary Akhtar Hossain.

Nahid Islam emphasized that the nomination process remains open and subject to public verification. He said the party has not reserved any seats for specific individuals and that the selection was based on reports from the nomination board. The NCP aims to maintain inclusivity in its candidate list, ensuring representation from women, minorities, and professionals such as teachers, doctors, engineers, and expatriates.

He added that the party will continue to review nominations until all 300 constituencies are finalized. If credible allegations arise against any candidate, their nomination will be revoked, and new candidates may be considered to ensure transparency and accountability in the selection process.

The National Citizens Party (NCP) has released its preliminary list of 125 candidates for the first phase of Bangladesh’s upcoming national parliamentary elections. The announcement was made by party member secretary Akhtar Hossain on Wednesday, December 10, outlining the constituencies and nominees selected to contest under the party’s banner.

Among the 125 nominees, 14 are women, including several well-known figures such as Dr. Tasnim Jara, Dr. Mahmuda Alam Mitu, and Dilshana Parul. The list also features new entrants like Advocate Humayra Noor and Engineer Nabila Tasnid, representing constituencies across Dhaka, Chattogram, Khagrachhari, and other districts. Some previously speculated names, including Samanta Sharmin and Nusrat Tabassum, were not included in this phase.

Analysts note that the inclusion of women candidates in multiple competitive seats signals the NCP’s effort to project a more inclusive image ahead of the polls. The party is expected to announce additional candidates in subsequent phases as the election schedule progresses.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police have arrested a domestic worker named Ayesha from Jhalkathi in connection with the brutal murder of a mother and daughter in the Mohammadpur area of Dhaka. The victims, Laila Afroz (48) and her daughter Nafisa Lawal Binte Aziz (15), were found dead in their apartment on Shahjahan Road on Monday morning, both bearing multiple stab wounds. Police confirmed that Ayesha, who had been employed only four days earlier, is the prime suspect.

CCTV footage from the building showed a woman wearing a school uniform and carrying a bag leaving the apartment shortly after the incident. Investigators later identified her as the domestic worker, who had entered the building wearing a burqa. According to police, she allegedly attacked the victims with a sharp weapon while wearing gloves. Family members said the worker had provided false personal information when hired.

Authorities are now processing legal actions against Ayesha, while forensic analysis and interrogation continue to uncover the motive behind the killings.

The Election Commission of Bangladesh, led by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A.M.M. Nasir Uddin, met President Mohammed Shahabuddin at Bangabhaban on Wednesday to brief him on preparations for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election and a planned referendum. The commission’s motorcade left the Election Commission headquarters around 11:40 a.m. for the presidential palace.

Following the meeting, the CEC is scheduled to record a televised address to the nation through Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar, during which the official election schedule will be announced. Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud indicated that the announcement could come Wednesday evening or Thursday, December 11. Reliable sources, however, suggested the schedule is more likely to be revealed on Thursday.

Preliminary discussions indicate that voting may take place on either February 11 or 12, though the commission has not confirmed the exact date. The meeting marks a key procedural step before the formal declaration of the election timetable, signaling that the electoral process is entering its final preparatory phase.

The National Citizens Party (NCP) has announced preliminary candidates for 125 constituencies ahead of Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliamentary Election. Among them, A H M Shamsul Muqtadir, the party’s Dinajpur district convener, has been nominated to contest from Dinajpur-3 — the seat traditionally associated with BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia. The announcement was made by NCP Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain during a press conference in Dhaka’s Banglamotor on Wednesday, December 10.

The Dinajpur-3 constituency is shaping up to be a competitive race, with the BNP nominating Khaleda Zia and Jamaat-e-Islami fielding Advocate Moinul Alam. The NCP’s decision marks a shift from its earlier stance, as the party’s chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari had previously stated that NCP would not contest in Khaleda Zia’s seat. The reversal suggests a strategic recalibration within the party as it seeks broader visibility in the upcoming polls.

Political analysts note that the NCP’s move could fragment opposition votes in the constituency, potentially influencing the balance of power in northern Bangladesh.

A 28-year-old man named Imran from Cox’s Bazar reportedly took his own life after falling into severe debt caused by online gambling. Police recovered his body from his home in the SM Para area of the municipality’s Ward 5 on Tuesday night. According to local residents, Imran had been addicted to online gambling for a long time and had borrowed money from several people in the community.

Relatives said Imran locked himself in his room before the incident, and when he did not respond to repeated calls, family members broke down the door and found him hanging from a ceiling fan. Police confirmed the death and sent the body to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital morgue for autopsy. Officer-in-Charge Shomiyuddin of Cox’s Bazar Sadar Model Police Station stated that initial evidence suggests suicide linked to gambling-related debt.

Authorities have begun legal procedures, while the incident highlights growing concerns over the rise of online gambling addiction and its social consequences in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) Grounds Committee Chairman Khaled Masud has announced the formation of an investigation committee to probe alleged soil theft at the under-construction Purbachal Cricket Stadium. During a site visit on Tuesday, Masud revealed that around 12,500 cubic feet of soil was missing from the project, prompting concerns over irregularities in construction work.

Masud, who recently replaced Aminul Islam as committee head, emphasized transparency and accountability in stadium development. He stated that if work quality does not improve within the next few months, he would voluntarily step down. “I didn’t come for the chair; I came to contribute to cricket’s development,” he said, stressing that misuse of authority had long plagued the board.

The BCB is expected to form a neutral inquiry team to identify those responsible for the missing soil. The incident has raised questions about oversight in major infrastructure projects and could influence future management reforms within the cricket board.