Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A.M.M. Nasir Uddin briefed Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on the Election Commission’s preparations for the upcoming national election and referendum, expected in early February. The meeting took place Sunday evening at the state guesthouse Jamuna, where election commissioners and senior officials presented progress updates on logistical and administrative readiness. The CEC informed that preparations were proceeding smoothly, with the Commission fully ready to hold the national election and referendum on the same day. He thanked the Chief Adviser and law enforcement agencies for their cooperation. Chief Adviser Yunus expressed satisfaction with the Commission’s progress and reaffirmed the caretaker government’s commitment to ensuring a free, fair, and credible election. Yunus emphasized that the interim administration aims to deliver one of the most transparent elections in the nation’s history. The meeting underscored coordination between the Election Commission and the caretaker government as Bangladesh moves toward a crucial electoral milestone.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has officially exempted Bangladesh Railway from the requirement to submit proof of income tax return filings, known as PSR documents. The exemption was granted under Section 264(4) of the Income Tax Act 2023, recognizing the railway as a non-taxable government entity. The directive, issued on December 7 and signed by Nusrat Farzana, Second Secretary (Tax Law-1), clarifies that no tax return evidence will be sought from the state-run organization. Officials noted that government departments often face procedural complexities in managing tax-related documentation. The NBR’s decision aims to reduce bureaucratic delays and streamline administrative processes within Bangladesh Railway. The move is expected to ease compliance burdens and improve operational efficiency across the organization. Experts believe this exemption could serve as a model for simplifying tax compliance for other state-owned bodies that are not subject to income tax, potentially leading to broader administrative reforms in the public sector.

Authorities have announced a temporary closure of the National Martyrs’ Memorial in Savar from December 6 to 15 to facilitate preparations and development work for the upcoming Victory Day celebrations on December 16. A notice posted at the memorial gate on Saturday confirmed that visitors will not be allowed entry during this nine-day period. Officials stated that the closure is necessary to ensure smooth arrangements for the state ceremony marking Bangladesh’s Victory Day, one of the nation’s most significant commemorations. The memorial, which honors those who sacrificed their lives during the 1971 Liberation War, typically attracts large crowds in the days leading up to the event. Authorities have expressed regret for the temporary inconvenience and requested public cooperation. The site is expected to reopen to the public immediately after the official Victory Day observances conclude.

BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman asserted that his party is the only political force capable of effectively controlling corruption and improving law and order in Bangladesh. Speaking at the closing session of the ‘BNP’s Nation-Building Plan’ program in Dhaka, Rahman emphasized that without addressing corruption and security issues, development plans in sectors like women’s empowerment, agriculture, and health would fail. He argued that the BNP had previously established law enforcement agencies that improved national security, but those institutions were later misused for political purposes by authoritarian regimes. Rahman also defended the party’s record, claiming that no corruption allegations against BNP leaders had been proven in court. He criticized those who now attack the party despite having served in past BNP governments. Rahman reiterated BNP’s commitment to democratic principles and public accountability, stating that the party would seek power only through the people’s mandate. His remarks come amid ongoing political tensions and debates over governance and corruption in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury announced that the party would reassess the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) policy if it forms the next government. Speaking at a roundtable organized by the Center for Technology Journalism in Dhaka, he said the policy would be reviewed in consultation with all stakeholders to ensure it aligns with free-market principles and national interests. Participants at the discussion, including representatives from technology associations and civil society, criticized the current NEIR framework for allegedly favoring certain business groups and undermining local investors. They argued that the policy, introduced under the Awami League government, risks creating monopolies and discouraging fair competition. Several speakers also questioned the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission’s (BTRC) role in implementing NEIR and called for transparency and stakeholder engagement. Analysts suggest that the debate over NEIR reflects broader tensions between regulatory control and market liberalization in Bangladesh’s digital economy. The issue is expected to remain politically significant ahead of the upcoming national elections.

Bangladesh Under-19 women’s cricket team took a 2–1 lead in the five-match T20 series against Pakistan after securing a convincing seven-wicket win in the third match held in Cox’s Bazar. Batting first, Pakistan managed only 86 runs for eight wickets, a total Bangladesh comfortably chased down in 13.3 overs. Captain Sadia Islam led from the front with a quickfire 35 off 28 balls, including three sixes, forming a crucial 45-run partnership with Jannat after an early setback. Jannat remained unbeaten on 30 off 25 balls, guiding the team to victory alongside Maimuna Nahar. Earlier, Habiba Islam and Atasi Majumdar each took two wickets to restrict Pakistan’s scoring. The final two matches of the series will also be played in Cox’s Bazar on December 10 and 12. With momentum on their side, Bangladesh will look to seal the series, while Pakistan aim to bounce back and level the contest.

Iranian authorities have arrested two organizers of a marathon held on Kish Island after images surfaced showing several female participants running without hijabs. The event, which took place on December 5, featured around 2,000 women and 3,000 men competing in separate categories. Photos of women in red T-shirts without head coverings quickly spread on social media, prompting conservative backlash and official intervention. Prosecutors in Kish described the marathon as a violation of “public decency,” though they did not clarify what specific rules were broken. Government officials said the issue extended beyond hijab law violations, calling the event’s overall nature “unacceptable.” Progressive voices within Iranian society expressed support for the women, viewing their participation as a quiet act of defiance against restrictive gender policies. The arrests highlight the enduring tension between Iran’s conservative establishment and reform-minded citizens over women’s rights and personal freedoms. The hijab debate remains central to Iran’s political and social discourse, with authorities oscillating between limited tolerance and harsh enforcement.

A foundation-laying ceremony for the reconstruction of the demolished Babri Mosque in Ayodhya has ignited political and communal tensions in West Bengal. The event, held in Rejinagar, Murshidabad, was organized by suspended Trinamool Congress (TMC) legislator Humayun Kabir, who described the project as a constitutional right and a step toward healing the wounds of the 1992 demolition. Around 400 people attended the ceremony, which proceeded without reported violence. The TMC leadership distanced itself from the event, emphasizing that while individuals may build religious structures on private land, exploiting such acts for political gain is unacceptable. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) sharply criticized the initiative, calling it a politically motivated attempt to consolidate Muslim votes. BJP leaders Amit Malviya and Dilip Ghosh accused the TMC of deliberately stoking communal sentiments ahead of the 2026 state elections. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee urged citizens to remain vigilant against divisive forces, asserting that Bengal’s tradition of communal harmony must be preserved. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely to prevent escalation.

A case has been filed against senior advocate Mohammad Shishir Monir, Jamaat-e-Islami’s parliamentary candidate for Sunamganj-2, over alleged remarks equating Ramadan fasting and Hindu Puja rituals. The complaint accuses Monir of making statements that hurt religious sentiments by describing the two practices as 'two sides of the same coin.' The Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate of Dhaka, Jashita Islam, recorded the complainant’s deposition and directed the Detective Branch (DB) of police to investigate. According to the case filed by lawyer Ridwan Hossain Robin, Monir’s comments—made in a video on the YouTube channel DSN—were intended to provoke religious tension and gain political advantage. The complaint notes that such remarks could disturb communal harmony in Bangladesh, where about 91.4% of the population is Muslim. Court officials confirmed the order for investigation. The case underscores the sensitivity of religious discourse in Bangladesh’s political landscape. Authorities are expected to review the video evidence, and the DB’s findings will determine whether formal charges follow.

Former president of the National Press Club and Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ), Shawkat Mahmud, was detained by the Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police on Sunday, December 7. According to police officials, a DB team brought him from his residence in Malibagh to the DB office in the afternoon. Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Talebur Rahman confirmed that Mahmud is currently in DB custody but did not specify whether his detention is linked to any particular case. Shawkat Mahmud, a veteran journalist and former vice-chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), recently became the secretary general of a newly formed political party called Janata Party Bangladesh, launched in April with actor Ilias Kanchan as chairman. His detention has drawn attention within media and political circles, though authorities have yet to clarify the reasons behind the move. Observers note that the arrest could have political undertones given Mahmud’s past BNP affiliation and recent political activities. Further details from law enforcement are awaited as journalists’ associations monitor the situation closely.

Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) and Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) Executive Chairman Ashiq Chowdhury announced that a new digital application will be launched next year to reduce bureaucratic harassment faced by entrepreneurs during business registration. Speaking at the inauguration of the seven-day National SME Product Fair on December 7, he said the app will allow entrepreneurs to complete registration processes online, minimizing direct contact with government offices. The event, attended by industry advisers and SME representatives, highlighted persistent challenges in the SME sector, including high interest rates—15% for bank loans and up to 25% for NGO loans—driven by inflation. Speakers also noted that loan disbursement to SMEs has declined amid election-related stagnation, despite banks holding surplus liquidity of about BDT 1.5 trillion. Stakeholders urged reforms to make bonded warehouse procedures more SME-friendly and emphasized that increased investment in industrial parks could protect agricultural land and stimulate economic recovery once demand improves.

Bangladesh’s Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Md. Sanaullah announced that the day of the 13th National Parliamentary Election will be a general holiday across the country. The decision was revealed after a review meeting on the election schedule, referendum, and related preparations. Banks and post offices may remain open as per the Election Commission’s operational needs. The advisory council will not be allowed to approve new projects after the election schedule is declared. Sanaullah stated that the election and referendum schedule will be announced within the current week, accompanied by a televised address from the Chief Election Commissioner. Two magistrates will be assigned to each upazila from the day of the schedule announcement to ensure compliance with the electoral code of conduct, with additional magistrates deployed five days before voting. Ballots will reach polling centers the night before the election, and printing for expatriate voters has already begun. The voting period has been extended by one hour, running from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., aiming to facilitate greater voter participation.

Eighteen migrants have died after a boat sank off the southern Greek island of Chrissi on Saturday, according to the Greek Coast Guard. The vessel went down about 40 kilometers from the shore, with only two survivors rescued and transferred to nearby Crete. A Turkish cargo ship first spotted the sinking boat and alerted Greek authorities shortly after the incident. The Coast Guard reported that the boat was carrying 20 migrants attempting to reach Europe. The tragedy highlights the persistent dangers faced by migrants crossing the Mediterranean from Libya, Turkey, and Morocco toward Greece and Italy. Since 2015, more than a million undocumented migrants have sought refuge in Greece, many housed in overcrowded camps. Authorities warn that worsening weather conditions and unseaworthy vessels continue to make these journeys perilous. The Greek government has called for stronger regional cooperation to curb human smuggling and prevent further loss of life in the Mediterranean migration routes.

The Alliance for Health Reforms Bangladesh (AHRB) has urged the Chief Adviser to prioritize and directly oversee the swift implementation of the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) policy, calling it a matter of national strategic interest. In an open letter sent on December 7, AHRB leaders emphasized that while Bangladesh can produce most medicines domestically, the country remains heavily dependent on imported APIs, leaving its health security vulnerable to global market disruptions. The letter, signed by Professor Syed Abdul Hamid and Professor Syed Md. Akram Hossain, highlighted lessons from the successful 1982 National Drug Policy, noting that strong political commitment and leadership were key to transforming the sector. The AHRB proposed five urgent measures: removing administrative barriers, introducing a production-linked incentive scheme, ensuring continuous R&D funding, strengthening academia–industry collaboration, and forming a permanent empowered task force. Experts argue that developing domestic API capacity could reduce import dependence, save foreign currency, and expand exports. They stress that without knowledge-based industrial transformation, Bangladesh’s tax-to-GDP ratio will remain low, limiting economic resilience.

A Dhaka court has accepted a fraud case against Beximco Group Vice Chairman Salman F Rahman, his brother and Group Chairman ASF (Sohel) Rahman, and four others over allegations of deceiving three pilots of Beximco Aviation. The plaintiffs—Captains Mahbub Alam, Rashedul Amin, and Zahidur Rahman—claimed they were defrauded of BDT 12.05 million in unpaid dues after being terminated from the company in February. According to the plaintiffs’ lawyer, Tariqul Islam, the pilots were employed between 2021 and 2024 and provided flight services for the company’s helicopter operations. They later discovered that Beximco Aviation Limited was allegedly a fake entity used to exploit their services. The court has directed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to investigate and submit a report. Salman F Rahman, currently in custody since August 1 following the fall of the Awami League government, faces multiple allegations of financial misconduct, including stock market manipulation and large-scale loan fraud. His relatives are reportedly abroad. The case adds to growing scrutiny of the Beximco Group’s financial dealings and political influence.