The Advisory Council has approved a draft ordinance amending the Election Officer (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, introducing tougher penalties for negligence and misconduct during election duties. Key changes include: Failure to perform election duty without valid reason: fine increased from Tk 5,000 to Tk 100,000. Misconduct during duty: punishment raised from 6 months imprisonment or Tk 2,000 fine to 1–5 years imprisonment or Tk 20,000 fine (or both). The amendment broadens “misconduct” to include defying Commission or Returning Officer orders, deliberate law violations, and negligence in duties.

A major renewable energy project is set to transform the Padma Bridge service areas (1, 2, and 3) into solar-powered hubs. Bangladesh Bridge Authority has signed an agreement with Omera Renewable Energy Ltd. to implement a 6.03 MWp rooftop solar project. The system will generate 9,000 MWh of clean power annually, cutting carbon emissions by 6,000 tons per year—the environmental equivalent of planting 250,000 trees or removing 1,200 fuel-driven cars from the roads. Chief Engineer Ferdous Alam said, “This initiative reflects our commitment to sustainability and sets a benchmark for green energy integration in national infrastructure.”

In a significant policy update, the Cabinet Division has ruled that if a retired government official remarries while receiving a pension, the second spouse will also be eligible for pension benefits after the official’s death. Additionally, the mandatory wait period for restoring pensions of those who surrendered 100% of their benefits has been reduced from 15 years to 10 years. The decision also allows pensioners with critical illnesses to seek medical assistance from the Government Employees Welfare Board. Officials are also addressing anomalies in festival bonuses and increments for those whose pensions were later restored.

In Bauphal, Patuakhali, police arrested former Chhatra League leader Mainul Islam, sparking controversy after local Jamaat leader Gholam Abu Sayeed was accused of lobbying for his release. Mainul, once vice president of Keshabpur Union Chhatra League, had actively campaigned in the 2024 Union Parishad elections for an Awami League candidate and was accused of leading violent clashes. Abu Sayeed, however, claimed Mainul is no longer with Chhatra League and now serves as finance secretary of his union’s Jamaat youth wing, justifying his intervention. Bauphal Police OC confirmed, “There is no question of releasing him. He is involved with banned politics and was plotting unrest.”

Rashed Khan, General Secretary of Gono Adhikar Parishad, has dismissed speculation about a possible merger with the Nationalist Citizen Party (NCP). He clarified, “From the quota reform movement in 2018 to 2023, many NCP leaders have worked alongside us. Informal discussions happen on national issues like reforms, justice, and elections, but there has been no formal dialogue on unification.” Rashed added that while both groups maintain a working understanding, it is “not the right time to comment on deeper political alignments.”

Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have signed a landmark defense agreement under which an attack on either nation will be considered an attack on both, prompting joint retaliation. Political analyst Asif Nazrul welcomed the move, writing, “In reality, Muslim countries have no choice but to forge such alliances.” Experts note that Gulf states have long relied on U.S. security guarantees, but waning trust has prompted them to diversify defense ties. A senior Saudi official said the pact, the result of years of negotiations, institutionalizes cooperation rather than responding to any specific crisis. However, Riyadh also stressed the importance of maintaining balanced relations with India, with whom it currently enjoys its “strongest-ever ties.” Notably, Saudi officials hinted that Pakistan’s nuclear capability is also a factor in the agreement.

For the first time in Bangladesh’s history, civil and criminal courts have been fully separated in a major judicial reform. The government expects this move will accelerate case disposal and ease the decades-long backlog. Previously, joint district judges, additional district judges, and district judges handled both civil and criminal cases, contributing to judicial delays. At present, around 1.6 million civil cases and 2.3 million criminal cases remain pending in lower courts across the country. Despite the higher number of criminal cases, judges were tasked with managing both types. To address this, the government has established 203 new additional sessions courts and 367 joint sessions courts, where judges will now exclusively preside over criminal matters.

BNP Standing Committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy has dismissed claims that political chaos would erupt if the Awami League lost power, pointing to past remarks made by ruling party leaders. “Obaidul Quader said in parliament that one lakh people would die if the Awami League stepped down. Tofail Ahmed even claimed that two lakh people would die if the party was no longer in power. But nothing of that sort happened after they lost power,” Roy said. “The BNP does not practice the politics of killing.” He made the remarks while distributing relief and gifts among members of the Hindu community. Roy also alleged widespread corruption in state institutions, particularly in Keraniganj. “In the last 16 years, whenever one crore taka came as aid through the UNO office, half of it would simply disappear. When government relief materials arrived, half was sold off and the rest was divided among themselves,” he said. Contrasting this with BNP’s actions, Roy added: “During every Ramadan, we have distributed iftar items. During Eid, we have provided semai, milk, sugar, and other essentials to the best of our ability. We have never snatched food from people’s mouths or stolen their money.”

Jamaat-e-Islami leader Mia Golam Parwar has warned that Bangladesh risks sliding into another authoritarian regime if the upcoming parliamentary elections are not held under a Proportional Representation (PR) system. Speaking at a protest in front of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, Parwar demanded a referendum on PR-based elections. He accused the government of attempting to bypass the July Declaration without proper implementation and alleged that the ruling party was using political maneuvering to maintain control. “The July Declaration mentioned the narrow ambitions of a few parties, which did not align with the aspirations of the people,” Parwar said. “Before the elections, the July Declaration must be given a constitutional basis. I call upon the head of government to conduct the election on the basis of that declaration. The people of Bangladesh will not allow another Hasina to emerge.” Citing survey data, he added: “Seventy percent of the people support PR. Out of 31 political parties that engaged with the Election Commission, 25 are in favor of it. If the people accept PR, then the government must also accept it. If the people reject it, Jamaat-e-Islami will respect that verdict. But why is the government afraid of a referendum?” Parwar argued that a PR-based system would ensure inclusive representation, eliminate the influence of muscle power and black money, and pave the way for a “quality parliament” and a government that truly reflects the will of the people—preventing any single-party majority from devolving into fascism.

In an unusual gesture ahead of Durga Puja, Jamaat-e-Islami distributed saris to more than 300 Hindu women in Chowgacha upazila of Jessore. At a gathering, local Jamaat chief Maulana Golam Morshed said: “We are not giving you these saris as charity, but as gifts from brothers to sisters. If Jamaat comes to power in the future, we will stand by you at the state level as well, InshaAllah.”

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has instructed ministries to inform the public about reforms they have implemented independently, beyond the recommendations of reform commissions. Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said the directive came after a Council of Advisers meeting. Out of 121 initial reform proposals, 77 have been marked “high priority,” with 24 already implemented and the rest in progress. The meeting also approved the draft of the Financial Laws (Second Amendment) Ordinance 2025.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur has emphasized the urgent need to strengthen the agriculture sector for a prosperous future. Speaking at a daylong training workshop in Cox’s Bazar with over 300 agricultural entrepreneurs, he stressed: “We must enhance entrepreneurial skills, adopt modern technology, and expand financial support to ensure sustainable farming.” He noted that agriculture not only boosts economic resilience but also secures food security for the nation.

The Bangladesh Secretariat Officers and Employees Coordinated Council has placed a seven-point demand that includes rejuvenation training, overseas opportunities, and enhanced medical allowances for retirees. Key demands include: Extending rejuvenation training for employees in grades 10–20 to a minimum of 10 days. Providing at least Tk 20,000 in pocket allowances to trainees. Organizing training programs in SAARC member countries. Completing and implementing the recommendations of the 9th National Pay Commission by November 2025. Replacing the existing 20-grade pay structure with a 12-grade structure. The council warned that failure to do so could trigger a nationwide movement by employee unions under a single demand platform. Allocating Tk 15,000 as a monthly medical allowance for retirees, along with special budgetary provisions for their welfare. Eliminating unnecessary delays and alleged harassment in financial decision-making within the Ministry of Finance. The Coordinated Council urged the government to act swiftly, warning of united action if their demands are ignored.

The government has initiated a plan to enhance housing, medical, and festival allowances for teachers and employees working in MPO-enlisted private educational institutions. To facilitate this, the Ministry of Education has sent a formal request to the Ministry of Finance, seeking an additional allocation of Tk 769.34 crore in the 2025–26 fiscal budget. The letter, signed by the Education Adviser, emphasized that ensuring the welfare of teachers is a fundamental responsibility of the government. The adviser pointed out that in the past, reductions in the education budget and a greater focus on infrastructure development created disparities in teachers’ living standards. Addressing these inequalities and strengthening the social status of teachers and staff, the letter stated, requires higher investment in the education sector. The proposal also highlighted that while teachers’ festival allowances were previously raised from 25% to 50%, staff allowances did not exceed 50%, leaving many frustrated. To resolve this, a demand has been placed to raise staff festival allowances to 75%.

BNP leader Sultan Salahuddin Tuku has denounced the proportional representation (PR) electoral system, calling it a conspiracy to undermine Bangladesh’s democratic process. “The people of Bangladesh have already rejected PR. They trust the traditional system where their votes directly decide the winners,” Tuku said. He accused ruling elites of pushing PR because “they are disconnected from the people and know their ideology will never be accepted.” Tuku expressed confidence that under Tarique Rahman’s leadership, the BNP will secure victory in the upcoming national election, which the government has announced will take place in February before Ramadan.