[🇧🇩] Forming Election Commission/Conducting Elections

[Saif]

Election roadmap to be unveiled this week: EC secretary

Speaking to newspersons at the EC office in the capital’s Agargaon, he confirmed that a draft of the election roadmap has been prepared

en.prothomalo.com

Election roadmap to be unveiled this week: EC secretary

BSS Dhaka
Published: 18 Aug 2025, 19: 47

Senior secretary of the EC Akhtar Ahmed BSS file photo

Senior secretary of the Election Commission (EC) Akhtar Ahmed on Monday said the Election Commission (EC) will announce the action plan or roadmap of the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election within this week.

Speaking to newspersons at the EC office in the capital’s Agargaon, he confirmed that a draft of the election roadmap has been prepared and will soon be placed before the commission for final approval.

"The plan focuses on inter-departmental coordination and relevant operational issues. We hope to finalise and publish it within the week," he stated.

Addressing concerns over law and order, Ahmed said there is no immediate reason for worry as law enforcement agencies and administrative officials are already working in their respective areas.

"If everyone does their part responsibly, there won't be any problem," he added.

On voter list and NID updates, the secretary reported that around 80,000 appeals for NID corrections have been submitted so far, though the number is gradually declining.

He stressed ongoing improvements in the data entry process for reducing future errors.

Regarding the number of polling stations, Ahmed noted that the overall number will remain the same and some adjustments may be made based on necessity.

"We're exploring options like increasing the number of voters per booth from 500 to 600 for better efficiency," he said.

The EC also plans to scan and upload the unscanned Form-2 voter registration documents dating back to 2008 to enrich its digital database, he said.

On constituency delimitation, he informed that objections have been raised over 83 seats, with hearings scheduled from 24 August for four days, he added.

In terms of political party registration, 22 parties are undergoing field verification, he continued.

Rejected applicants are being formally notified with specific reasons for disqualification, he added.

Ahmed stressed the importance of early preparation saying if all concerned can finish their works early, then the coordination of the polling procedure will become smooth.​

 

[Saif]

Elections only way to restore political rights, resist fascism: Tarique

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Tuesday said that holding elections is the only way to restore the political rights of people and resist fascism. “Through the practice of electing public representatives by direct vote, people gain strength in the state and politics. If the people are n

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Elections only way to restore political rights, resist fascism: Tarique

Published :
Aug 19, 2025 22:58
Updated :
Aug 19, 2025 22:58

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Tuesday said that holding elections is the only way to restore the political rights of people and resist fascism.

“Through the practice of electing public representatives by direct vote, people gain strength in the state and politics. If the people are not strong, the state and the government cannot be strong. In a democratic system, elections are the main way to empower people and ensure every citizen’s political rights,” he said while virtually addressing a discussion, UNB reports.

Speaking about the interim government’s announcement to hold the national election in February, Tarique said the people’s long wait of nearly 15 years will come to an end. “People will vote themselves and choose the candidates they want — this is now the hope of all.”

He also said statements from various political parties have raised questions in the minds of democracy-loving citizens about the election.

“From this event, I would like to draw the attention of all leaders of pro-democracy political parties — if the distance grows between democratic forces, it will open the door for the defeated and fugitive fascist groups to return. I sincerely urge all democracy-loving people across the country to stay alert and cautious,” the BNP leader said.

Tarique said if different conditions or obstacles are created on the path of restoring people’s political rights, democracy will face a serious crisis.

“We must remember that during authoritarian rule, no democratic political worker or opposition member was safe — nor were their families. If the path to democracy is blocked and people can't exercise their rights, the entire state will fall into trouble,” the BNP leader said.

He said true power lies with the people, and if people are not empowered, no laws and rules can resist fascism. “You cannot stop fascism with the constitution or written laws. If we want to prevent fascism in the state and politics, there is no alternative but to politically empower the people.”

Tarique said that falling into unnecessary debates after the fall of a brutal fascist regime disrespects the sacrifices of the martyrs who fought for democracy.

He urged all to stay away from the politics of revenge and instead focus on implementing well-thought-out plans to bring positive changes in the country’s political system.

The BNP leader said hid party’s future politics will be centred around improving people’s living standards. “Creating jobs both at home and abroad and ensuring safe employment will be BNP’s top priority.”

Jatiyatabadi Swechchhasebak Dal arranged the programme at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre, marking its 45th founding anniversary.

On 19 August 1980, BNP’s founder and former President Ziaur Rahman established the Jatiyatabadi Swechchhasebak Dal.

On the occasion of the founding anniversary, party leaders, including Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi and Swechchhasebak Dal members, laid floral wreaths at the grave of Ziaur Rahman in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar.

Tarique said if BNP gets the responsibility to run the country with direct support from people’s votes, it will be able to quickly implement its plans for the welfare of the country and the people. “Ahead of the upcoming national election, please present BNP’s vision and plans to the people at all levels.”

“BNP believes that people are the source of all political power. Let us stand with the people, and tell them, ‘Vote for the sheaf of paddy, and together we’ll build the nation,” he said

Giving advice to the leaders of the party’s voluntary wing, Tarique said, “You are already running campaigns at upazila-level hospitals voluntarily. Please consider launching a union-level cleanliness drive to protect the environment through voluntary efforts.”

He said he believes that if a countrywide cleanliness campaign was declared at a suitable time, it would not only help protect the environment but also set an example of positive political change. “This would help present the nationalist movement to the people in a new way.”

Tarique also urged everyone to avoid doing anything that might create a negative impression among the people.

He reminded them that people are the strength of BNP and told them to stay close to people by earning their love and showing love in return.

“My appeal to you — avoid doing anything that might create a negative impression in the minds of the people. Always remember — manpower is BNP’s strength. Stay with the love of the people, and keep loving them back,” the BNP leader said.

BNP Standing Committee members Nazrul Islam Khan, Selima Rahman and Hafizuddin Ahmed Khan were present.

Some children of Swechchhasebak Dal leaders and activists, who were victims of enforced disappearance or killed during the struggle against autocratic ruler Sheikh Hasina, spoke at the programme, creating an emotional atmosphere that deeply moved the audience.​

 

[Saif]

BNP thanks CA for reaffirming Feb election

BNP on Thursday thanked the Chief Adviser for reaffirming that the next national election will be held in the first half of February and for announcing that a referendum will take place on the same day. “The BNP Standing Committee, chaired by Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, thanked the Chief

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

BNP thanks CA for reaffirming Feb election

FE ONLINE DESK
Published :
Nov 13, 2025 23:06

BNP on Thursday thanked the Chief Adviser for reaffirming that the next national election will be held in the first half of February and for announcing that a referendum will take place on the same day.

“The BNP Standing Committee, chaired by Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, thanked the Chief Adviser for reaffirming that the national election will be held in the first half of February and for announcing that a referendum will be held on the same day in his address to the nation,” said party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, reports UNB.

He made the remarks while talking to reporters after an emergency meeting of the party’s Standing Committee at the Chairperson’s office in Gulshan.

Fakhrul said the meeting urged the government and the Election Commission to make all necessary preparations to hold the national election as soon as possible, along with the referendum to seek public approval of the July National Charter signed on October 17, 2025.

Earlier in the day, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus announced that the national election and the referendum on the July Charter would be held on the same day.

In a televised address to the nation, he said a meeting of the Council of Advisers had approved the July National Charter (Constitution Amendment) Implementation Order, 2025.

“To implement the July Charter, this order includes several important provisions. These include holding a referendum on the constitutional amendment proposals in the charter and, subsequently, forming a Constitution Reform Council,” he said.​