Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus has assured that the national election scheduled for February 26 will be held in a festive atmosphere. However, he warned that groups opposed to the interim government will attempt to obstruct the process.

“Some signs of this are already visible. We must remain vigilant,” Yunus told reporters, according to his press secretary.

He pledged a better voting experience for all citizens—especially those who were previously deprived of their rights or faced intimidation. He also stressed the need to safeguard the election from foreign interference.

Yunus added that ensuring a peaceful environment during Durga Puja celebrations was a collective responsibility, warning that some groups may attempt to incite unrest.

Earlier, he held meetings with seven political parties and Hefazat-e-Islam.

Malaysian authorities have detained 770 undocumented migrants—including 377 Bangladeshis—in a special immigration raid in Kuala Lumpur.

Immigration Department official Basri Othman said the raid, code-named “Ops Belanja,” was carried out following local complaints. Migrants were detained for overstaying visas, lacking valid documents, and misusing permits.

The operation, launched Tuesday evening with 106 enforcement officers, checked 2,445 people, including 1,600 foreigners. Some migrants attempted to hide in shops or escape to rooftops but were eventually caught as the area was cordoned off.

The detainees were taken to the Putrajaya Immigration Office for screening before being moved to detention centers. Legal proceedings under immigration laws are ongoing.

The Bangladesh High Court has ordered the Election Commission to grant political registration to Bangladesh Nezame Islami Party (BNIP).

The verdict came Tuesday in response to Writ Petition No. 4146/2025 filed by BNIP Secretary General Maulana Muhammad Musa Bin Ezahar, after the EC earlier refused to register the party despite scrutiny.

With this ruling, Bangladesh now has one more registered political party.

BNP leader Ishraque Hossain has demanded immediate justice for the attack on Nurul Haq Nur, calling it a targeted attempt to kill him. Posting a photo from Nur’s hospital cabin, Ishraque wrote, “Nur’s condition is critical. The video footage clearly shows the attack. The people of Bangladesh want to know—who has been held accountable so far?”

He urged authorities to send Nur abroad for advanced treatment immediately, stressing that no force—military or civilian—should be above the law.

“If this government fails to act and something happens to Nur, they will bear the consequences. Justice may not come today, but tomorrow the perpetrators will face exemplary punishment,” he warned.

The Election Commission (EC) has forwarded amendments to the Representation of the People Order (RPO) 1972, including provisions for a “No” vote in uncontested constituencies, to the Law Ministry for vetting.

EC Secretary Akhter Ahmed said the ministry will review the changes before they are published as a gazette.

Key proposals include:

EC’s authority prevailing over government in case of disagreements

Senior officials, including police, placed under EC control 45 days before polls

Secret reports and disciplinary actions against officials violating EC directives

Runoff voting instead of lottery in case of a tie

Increasing candidate deposits to Tk 50,000

Allowing journalists during vote counting

Election expense monitoring committees

Parties required to publish financial reports online

Court cases to be settled before symbol allocation

Legal action for false affidavits even after polls

Penalties for filing false complaints

At a protest rally, Islami Chhatra Shibir leader Nurul Islam Saddam criticized BNP’s student wing, Chhatra Dal, saying they should focus on student rights instead of attacking Shibir in their speeches.

Saddam alleged attempts are underway to block student union elections across campuses, including Dhaka University, with administrative interference influenced by outside forces. He also claimed a campaign of cyberbullying and harassment is targeting Shibir activists and female students.

Highlighting past incidents, Saddam said:
“Chhatra Dal is the organization responsible for the 2002 incidents of harassment and sexual violence at Rokeya Hall and Shamsun Nahar Hall. It was at their hands that BUET’s Soni lost his life. After the political upheaval, at least 30 rape cases were linked to their activists.”

He accused university administrations at Chittagong and Bangladesh Agricultural University of failing to ensure student safety, warning, “No campus can function under such conditions.”

BNP leader Barkat Ullah Bulu has slammed the proportional representation (PR) system, saying, “Many don’t even know what PR means. Under this system, you could cast your vote in Noakhali and end up with an MP from the Chittagong Hill Tracts or North Bengal.”

Bulu alleged that parties like Jamaat-e-Islami favor PR because they have no concern for people’s real needs. “Jamaat and the fascist Awami League are two sides of the same coin,” he said, recalling that in 1986 both parties “betrayed” Khaleda Zia by participating in elections under dictator Ershad.

He strongly criticized Jamaat’s role in the Liberation War: “In 1971, Jamaat collaborated with the Pakistanis, killing freedom fighters. At that time, 3 million people were massacred, and 200,000 women were dishonored.”

Highlighting BNP founder Ziaur Rahman’s legacy, he said, “Awami League had no sector commanders. It was Shaheed Zia, a sector commander, who declared independence. Zia worked tirelessly for national development.”

Bulu also accused Jamaat of labeling progressive leaders like Gandhi, Jinnah, and Nehru as atheists while voting for Nehru instead of Pakistan. He further alleged Sheikh Mujibur Rahman shut down all newspapers except four, becoming “a king,” while his daughter now “conspires against Bangladesh from abroad.”

Predicting BNP’s victory, Bulu claimed: “Khaleda Zia will form the next government, winning 280 seats in February’s election.”

Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki has sparked debate by suggesting that mental health checks be made mandatory for anyone assuming the role of Bangladesh’s head of government.

In a Facebook post, Farooki shared his reaction after rewatching the documentary “Pilkhana: Thirty-Six Hours of Betrayal.” He expressed horror at former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s conversations during the 2009 BDR mutiny, accusing her of betrayal by failing to send aid to trapped officers.

“This raises the question—was her pathological hatred toward the army at play?” Farooki wrote. “Seeing this, I believe any future head of government must undergo mental health screening.”

The interim government released the documentary on Monday, reigniting debate over the Pilkhana massacre.

Caretaker Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus held discussions on Tuesday with representatives of seven political parties and one organization.

Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam told reporters after the meeting that Dr. Yunus reaffirmed elections would be held within the announced timeframe, promising the “fairest and most festive election in Bangladesh’s history.”

He confirmed that the issue of Jatiya Party was raised, with different parties offering varied opinions. Discussions also touched on proportional representation (PR) systems, with the Election Commission expected to brief the media.

A delegation from ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR), comprising current and former lawmakers from ASEAN nations, visited Rohingya camps in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar, on Tuesday.

The eight-member team, led by Santiago, held meetings with camp officials, the Rohingya Consultative Council, and community leaders.

Rohingya Council President Syedullah said discussions focused on the release of detained Rohingya in Malaysia and elsewhere, safe repatriation, and boosting international cooperation.

The delegation later toured the Rohingya Cultural Memory Centre at Camp 18 and met with women and youth representatives.

Police have revealed shocking details in the murder of Dr. A.H.M. Amirul Islam in Natore, linking the crime to a love triangle involving a hospital nurse, Amirul, and his personal assistant Asad.

Superintendent of Police Mohammad Amzad Hossain said Asad, disguised in a burqa, hid under Amirul’s bed before fatally stabbing him while he slept.

During interrogation, Asad confessed, citing longstanding disputes over their relationship with the nurse. He also claimed Amirul had beaten him and the woman, and eventually fired him. Originally, Asad planned to cripple Amirul but ended up killing him.

Police have recovered the murder weapon.

Tension has flared in Sundarganj, Gaibandha, ahead of BNP’s founding anniversary. Following factional disputes within the party, the Upazila administration has banned all rallies and gatherings in the municipal area to prevent unrest.

The order, issued by Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Executive Magistrate Raj Kumar Biswas, came into effect Tuesday night around 9:30 PM under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has expressed “deep grief and concern” over the death of a worker, Habibur Rahman, who was killed when security forces opened fire during a labor protest at Uttara EPZ in Nilphamari. At least 10 others were injured.

In a statement, Jamaat leader Golam Parwar condemned the incident: “Firing on workers demanding their rightful dues is unjustifiable. The perpetrators must face justice.”

He also demanded proper treatment and compensation for the injured, as well as reopening of closed factories and reinstatement of laid-off workers.

In a major move to strengthen the judiciary, the Supreme Court has approved the creation of 232 new judge posts across Bangladesh.

The decision was made unanimously in a meeting on Tuesday under the direction of the Chief Justice.

The posts include:

72 judges for Women and Child Repression Prevention Tribunals,

65 judges for Family Appeal Courts,

54 judges for Land Survey Appeal Tribunals,

41 judges for Land Survey Tribunals.

The law and justice division has also been advised to immediately appoint support staff and provide necessary equipment for these positions.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has claimed that Dr. Muhammad Yunus has no intention of entering politics and is instead trying to restore peace in Bangladesh.

Speaking before BNP’s voluntary canal-cleaning program, Fakhrul accused Sheikh Hasina of continuing her “evil politics” from abroad, alleging she is instigating unrest from India. He urged party members to uphold Ziaur Rahman’s ideals, warning that BNP must not become a “sycophantic party” like Awami League.

Fakhrul also assured that BNP would maintain balance of power in the future, contrasting with Sheikh Hasina’s previous control of “everything.” He called on police to act responsibly, emphasizing that BNP would not disrupt student union elections or provoke unrest.