Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has expressed optimism following the announcement of the 13th National Parliamentary Election schedule by the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC). Speaking shortly after the televised declaration on Thursday, December 11, Fakhrul said the announcement reassured citizens and marked a significant moment in the country’s political history. He voiced hope that the Election Commission would conduct the polls in a free, fair, and credible manner, opening a new chapter for democracy in Bangladesh. According to the CEC, the general election for 300 parliamentary seats will be held on February 12, 2026, alongside a national referendum on the 2025 Constitutional Reform Implementation Order. Nomination submissions will close on December 29, with scrutiny scheduled between December 30 and January 4. The final candidate list and symbol allocation will be completed by January 21, and campaigning will continue until February 10. Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus congratulated the Commission, calling the schedule a milestone in Bangladesh’s democratic journey.

Bangladesh’s interim government has redistributed ministerial responsibilities among its advisers following the resignation of two key members, Mahfuz Alam and Asif Mahmud. A government gazette confirmed that Syeda Rizwana Hasan will now oversee the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, previously held by Mahfuz Alam. Professor Asif Nazrul has been assigned the Ministry of Youth and Sports, while Adilur Rahman will take charge of the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development, and Cooperatives. The resignations came after a meeting between Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus and the two outgoing advisers, Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan and Mahfuz Alam. The interim administration, formed in August last year under Yunus’s leadership, included representatives from the student movement that led the July uprising. The reshuffle follows earlier adjustments in which Asif Mahmud had been given additional responsibilities for the labor and local government ministries. Political analysts view the latest reshuffle as an effort to maintain administrative stability ahead of the anticipated election schedule announcement. The reallocation aims to ensure continuity in governance as the interim government navigates growing political uncertainty.

Bangladeshi joint forces detained three Indian citizens in Khagrachhari’s Panchhari area on Wednesday evening for allegedly entering the country illegally. The men were identified as residents of Tripura’s Gomati district and were apprehended while attempting to return to India through the border. They were later sent to jail custody by a local court on Thursday. According to police, the detainees—James Kumar Riang (33), Tarsen Riang (30), and Lal Thakma Riang (32)—had entered Bangladesh through a remote route in Dighinala’s Rupsenpara area without valid travel documents. During interrogation, they admitted to crossing the border without passports. Law enforcement recovered their Aadhaar cards, mobile phones, and cash. A case has been filed under the Foreigners Act for illegal entry. Officials said the incident underscores ongoing challenges in monitoring the porous Bangladesh–India border in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. Security agencies have increased patrols to prevent further unauthorized crossings amid heightened regional vigilance.

Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary, Shafiqul Alam, has warned that any street demonstrations or unjustified demands following the announcement of the 13th National Parliamentary Election schedule will face strict action. Speaking at a briefing at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka, he urged political groups to avoid disruptive programs after the schedule is declared. Alam noted that since the interim government assumed office, around two thousand protests have occurred, but law enforcement has refrained from using rubber bullets, relying instead on tear gas and hot water dispersal. He emphasized that any post-schedule protests would be suppressed firmly and participants would face legal consequences. The advisory council also approved several key administrative and economic measures during its latest meeting. Addressing another issue, Alam said the misuse of artificial intelligence technologies has led to a rise in fraud cases, damaging Bangladesh’s reputation abroad. The Chief Adviser has instructed authorities to take decisive action against those involved in AI-related fraud schemes.

Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) has released a detailed list of items passengers can and cannot carry on the city’s metro rail, aiming to ensure safety, cleanliness, and comfort. Bags must not exceed 22 inches in length, 14 inches in width, and 9 inches in height, with a maximum weight of 15 kilograms. Backpacks must be carried by hand, not on the back, and sacks made of plastic, jute, or fabric are banned. The prohibited list includes live animals, raw fish or meat, juicy fruits, open food, sharp tools, large machines, flammable substances, explosives, and certain electronics or musical instruments. Sealed water bottles, laptops, packaged snacks, and small shopping bags are allowed if they meet size limits. Officials said the rules are designed to prevent odors, spills, and accidents inside trains. DMTCL may revise the list as needed to maintain passenger safety and system integrity. Passengers are urged to check their bags before entering stations to avoid delays or penalties.

Bangladesh’s Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A.M.M. Nasir Uddin announced that the country’s 13th parliamentary election and a national referendum on the July Charter will be held on February 12, 2025. In a televised address to the nation on December 11, he said the election will be a crucial test of institutional capability and credibility, marking the first time expatriate Bangladeshis and incarcerated individuals will be included in the voter list. The CEC also warned against the spread of misinformation on social media, particularly the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to demean women, stating that legal action will be taken against such acts. Candidate nominations will be accepted from December 12 to 29, with verification and appeals scheduled through mid-January. Election symbols will be allocated on January 21, followed by campaigning until February 10. This will be the first national election under the interim government led by Professor Muhammad Yunus, formed after the 2024 July uprising that ended the Awami League’s rule. Observers view the simultaneous election and referendum as a major test for the new administration’s electoral management capacity.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has extended warm congratulations to the Election Commission of Bangladesh for announcing the schedule of the 13th National Parliamentary Election and the referendum on the July National Charter 2025. In his message, Yunus described the announcement as a significant milestone in the country’s democratic journey following the historic mass uprising. He expressed confidence that the Election Commission would fulfill its constitutional duties independently, impartially, and with professionalism. The interim government, he said, would provide all necessary support to ensure a festive, participatory, and fair electoral process. Yunus called on political parties, candidates, the media, civil society, and citizens to treat the election and referendum as a national unity initiative. The Chief Adviser emphasized that Bangladesh stands at the threshold of a new future, urging active and responsible participation from all stakeholders to build a modern, just, and prosperous state. The Election Commission has set February 12, 2026, as the date for both the parliamentary election and the referendum.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to Colombian President Gustavo Petro, saying that failure to take stronger action against the cocaine trade could lead to serious consequences. Speaking at a White House meeting with business leaders, Trump accused Colombia of producing large quantities of cocaine that end up in the United States, urging Petro to act decisively. The warning comes amid ongoing tensions between the two leaders, who have clashed over drug policy, migration, and trade. Petro, Colombia’s first leftist president, responded by asserting that his government has already destroyed around 18,400 drug laboratories and cautioned that any interference with Colombia’s sovereignty would amount to a declaration of war. He also invited Trump to visit Colombia and witness anti-narcotics operations firsthand. The dispute adds to broader regional friction, as Petro has criticized U.S. naval actions in the Caribbean and Trump’s sanctions on Venezuela and Iran. UN human rights experts have condemned those operations as extrajudicial, intensifying diplomatic strains between Bogotá and Washington.

Bangladesh’s Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A.M.M. Nasir Uddin has announced that the 13th National Parliamentary Election will be held on February 12 next year, alongside a national referendum on the July Charter. In a televised address on December 11, the CEC confirmed that nomination papers for parliamentary candidates can be submitted from December 12 to December 29. According to the schedule, scrutiny of nomination papers will take place from December 30 to January 4, while candidates will have until January 20 to withdraw their nominations. Election symbols will be allocated on January 21, giving candidates roughly 20 days for campaigning before the February 12 vote. The CEC described the upcoming election as a nationwide “festival of democracy.” The announcement sets in motion Bangladesh’s formal electoral timeline, with political parties now preparing to finalize their candidate lists and campaign strategies. Observers expect heightened political activity and negotiations in the coming weeks as the country moves toward its next parliamentary term.

Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inquilab Mancha, remains in critical condition after sustaining a severe gunshot wound to the head. Doctors at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) reported that the bullet entered through his left ear and exited from the right side, causing massive brain injury and damage to the brain stem. Hadi is currently on artificial ventilation with his skull partially opened to relieve intracranial pressure. Professor Zahid Rahan, head of DMCH’s neurosurgery department, stated that Hadi’s condition is extremely unstable, with fluctuating brain pressure and internal bleeding. Medical teams have performed decompression and craniotomy procedures to manage swelling and bleeding. Health Ministry officials confirmed that Hadi briefly suffered cardiac arrest and that his Glasgow Coma Scale score was only 3 upon arrival. Doctors emphasized that the next 72 hours are highly critical for his survival. Hadi has been transferred to Evercare Hospital for continued intensive care, while medical staff continue to monitor his condition closely.

The Election Commission of Bangladesh has decided to assign at least two executive magistrates to every upazila or police station area during the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. According to an official letter signed by Deputy Secretary Mohammad Monir Hossain, the deployment will begin the day after the election schedule is announced and continue until two days after voting concludes. The decision, taken under the Mobile Court Act 2009, aims to strictly enforce the electoral code of conduct and ensure discipline throughout the election period. Copies of the directive have been sent to the Cabinet Division, the Chief Adviser’s Office, the Police Headquarters, divisional commissioners, and deputy commissioners for necessary coordination. Officials expect the magistrates’ presence to strengthen monitoring of campaign activities, prevent violations, and support law enforcement agencies in maintaining order. The move reflects the Election Commission’s effort to enhance transparency and fairness in the upcoming national polls.

Bangladesh’s Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A.M.M. Nasir Uddin has announced that the 13th National Parliamentary Election and a national referendum will be held simultaneously on February 12. The announcement, made in a televised address on December 11, ends months of speculation about the electoral timeline. Voting will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with white-and-black ballots for the parliamentary race and pink ballots for the referendum. Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud stated that the Election Commission (EC) will begin enforcing electoral codes and related laws immediately after the schedule’s publication. Over 297,000 expatriates have registered online to vote via postal ballots. For the first time, some constituencies will have symbolic returning officers from within the EC, while district commissioners will serve in most others. This will be the first election under the interim government led by Professor Muhammad Yunus, formed after the August 2024 mass uprising that ended the Awami League’s rule. The EC plans to issue circulars on campaign conduct, law enforcement, and government coordination as the country enters full election mode.

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.