[🇧🇩] Forming Election Commission/Conducting Elections

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Bangladesh interim govt chief seeks armed forces’ support to hold peaceful polls

Bangladesh interim government chief adviser Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday sought support from the armed forces, police and other law enforcement agencies to hold the upcoming national elections in a peaceful and festive manner in the first half of February...

www.newagebd.net

Bangladesh interim govt chief seeks armed forces’ support to hold peaceful polls
Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha . Dhaka 19 November, 2025, 17:09

Chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus speaks at the DSCSC Course-2025 certificate distribution function held at the DSCSC Complex in Mirpur Cantonment on Wednesday. | BSS photo

Bangladesh interim government chief adviser Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday sought support from the armed forces, police and other law enforcement agencies to hold the upcoming national elections in a peaceful and festive manner in the first half of February.

‘So, now is the time for the election. We are looking forward to it and we announce the date for the polls in the first half of February. Again we need the support from our armed forces, from our police, law enforcing agencies, all types,’ he said.

Muhammad Yunus said, ‘Because it is a big undertaking coming from an uprising, moving to an election, which is going to be peaceful, a kind of celebration, need for happiness and being together, still expressing their own desires and aspirations.’

Yunus addressed the Defence Services Command and Staff College Course-2025 certificate distribution ceremony at a function at the DSCSC Complex at Mirpur cantonment in Dhaka.

The chief adviser congratulated all the graduating officers and advised them to utilise the knowledge, wisdom and determination gained from the course for the progress of the nation.

‘It is an immense pleasure to be present at the graduation ceremony of the Defence Services Command and Staff College Course-2025. The heartiest congratulations to all the graduating officers,’ he said.

Hailing the DSCSC as a military institution, Yunus said, ‘I feel particularly proud coming here to this institute. I am proud of this institution. This institution is one of the best in the country, but also internationally.’

Addressing the graduates, he said, ‘While you are in Bangladesh, I am sure you have familiarised yourself with the country. While you are going through your preparations, your studies for the coursework that you are doing, which is a routine thing, anywhere you go, will go through that.’

‘But you are lucky to be here in Bangladesh. At a time when Bangladesh is going through a tremendous transition and transformation, which we repeatedly mentioned that we are moving to a new Bangladesh,’ he mentioned.

Speaking about the mass uprising in the past year, which ended the past regime, he said that new hopes and aspirations had been created among the country’s people. ‘These are not just Bangladeshi aspirations. This is a global aspiration.’

He said that both foreign and Bangladeshi participants in the course might have absorbed the historical moment they had witnessed during their training, saying, ‘Such an experience is rare even in Bangladesh.’

About the role of armed forces during the 2024 uprising, the chief adviser said that the armed forces played the role they were supposed to play by standing firmly with the people.

‘Bangladesh is a lucky country. All the armed forces… under the leadership of their leaders stay committed to the people,’ he added.

Noting that this unity ensured a swift conclusion of the crisis and helped stabilise the nation, Yunus said, ‘And that is why, we could move forward with the implementation of all the aspirations and hopes of the nation. Because the armed forces stood behind them, the people.’

About the interim government’s commitment to state reforming, he said that returning to the past would have rendered all sacrifices meaningless.

‘Unless we build the country of a dream. That was the process of reform. So, we undertook the big project of reform. Know what to do. Reform is one thing but to know what exactly it has to be done so that you do not make mistakes again,’ Yunus said.

About the trial of the July uprising, he said, ‘Then the question of trial. Those who have done this terrible thing to us must be brought to justice.’

Addressing the global participants in the DSCSC course, Yunus said, ‘Your participation is a glowing reflection of our strong global defence relations. I hope that your association with the staff college and with Bangladesh will continue in the years to come.’

According to ISPR, 311 trainees completed the course this year. Among them were 170 officers from the Bangladesh Army, 45 from the Bangladesh Navy, 36 from the Bangladesh Air Force, and three from the Bangladesh Police.

In addition, 58 officers from China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Jordan, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Liberia, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Nepal, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Turkey and Uganda also took part in the DSCSC graduation course.

Notably, 14 female officers, including one from the Bangladesh Police, completed the course this year, reflecting DSCSC’s commitment to women’s inclusion and empowerment.

The DSCSC is an internationally acclaimed institution dedicated to preparing mid-level officers for higher responsibilities and leadership roles.

Since its establishment, 6,814 officers have been trained at the DSCSC, including 5,329 officers from the Bangladesh armed forces, 20 officers from Bangladesh Police, and 1,465 officers from 45 friendly foreign countries.​

 

[Saif]

Bangladesh general election likely between Feb 8 and 12

The forthcoming general election and the national referendum are expected to be held any day between February 8 and February 12 next year, election commissioner Md Anwarul Islam Sarkar said on Tuesday.

www.newagebd.net

Bangladesh general election likely between Feb 8 and 12
Schedule in a couple of days after EC meeting Dec 7: EC Anwarul

Front view of Election Commission office in Dhaka. | File photo

The forthcoming general election and the national referendum are expected to be held any day between February 8 and February 12 next year, election commissioner Md Anwarul Islam Sarkar said on Tuesday.

The commissioner, speaking to reporters at the Election Commission headquarters in Dhaka, also said that the election schedule could be announced in a couple of days after the commission meeting, expected to be held on December 7.

‘The parliamentary elections and the referendum will be held any day between 8 February and 12 February. It can be held one or two days after February 8 or one or two days before February 12. In other words, it can be held on a day that falls at some point in the middle,’ Anwarul Islam said.

He said that the commission is set to hold a meeting on December 7 to finalise the election schedule.

Depending on the outcome, the official announcement of the election schedule can be made within two or three days of the meeting, possibly around December 11, he said.

Anwarul said that the commission was also considering extending voting hours as both the parliamentary election and the referendum would be held on the same day.

He said that voting time might be extended from eight hours to nine hours.

The current voting period, which runs from 8:00am to 4:00pm, could be adjusted by setting the hours between 7:30am and 4:30pm.

European Union ambassador to Dhaka, Michael Miller, met chief election commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin on Tuesday at Nirbachan Bhaban to discuss preparations for the next general election and the referendum.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Miller said that the commission was well prepared to conduct both the parliamentary polls and the referendum on the July charter on the same day.

He appreciated the commission’s advanced planning and careful assessment of logistical challenges.

Miller also reiterated that the EU is preparing to send a large election observer mission to monitor what is expected to be the world’s largest democratic exercise in 2026.

Regarding the overall situation, the EU envoy said preparations appear to be progressing smoothly, though challenges are inevitable in a populous country.

He stressed the need for extensive civic and voter education so that the citizens can understand both the election and the referendum.​

 

[Saif]

'Polls schedule announcement still undecided'

EC secretary says commission met for election preparations today

www.thedailystar.net

'Polls schedule announcement still undecided'
EC secretary says commission met for election preparations today

File Photo

Although preparations for holding the 13th national election and the referendum on the same day are on in full swing, the Election Commission (EC) has not yet decided when it will announce the election schedule.

EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said at a workshop with journalists at the Election Training Institute this afternoon, "We were in a meeting on election preparations from 11:30 in the morning."

Regarding the announcement of the schedule, he said, "The Election Commission has not yet been able to fix the date."

The interim government has announced that the 13th national election will be held in the first half of February next year, while the EC had planned to announce the election schedule in the first week of December.

Earlier, on November 29, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin said that the schedule for the upcoming national election will likely be announced in the second week of December.

However, the EC secretary claimed that the EC is fully prepared to conduct the election. Urging everyone to refrain from spreading misinformation about the election, he said, "I request everyone to provide accurate information… Certainly, strong preparations for the election are underway."

The workshop titled, "Introduction to the Representation of the People Order, 1972 (with latest amendments); Code of Conduct for Political Parties and Candidates in Parliamentary Elections, 2008 (with latest amendments); and the Election Officers (Special Provisions) Act, 1991", was organised by UNDP and the Reporters Forum for Election and Democracy (RFED).​

 

[Saif]

'We'll deliver the best election in the country's history'

Yunus says after being briefed by CEC on election preparations

www.thedailystar.net

'We'll deliver the best election in the country's history'
Yunus says after being briefed by CEC on election preparations

Photo: CA's Press Wing

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus today expressed satisfaction over the Election Commission's preparations for the upcoming national election and referendum, assuring that the government will provide all necessary support to ensure a free and fair poll.

Speaking after being briefed by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin and four other commissioners at the state guesthouse Jamuna, Yunus said, "You [EC] are in the driver's seat for this long-awaited election by the nation. We must reach our desired goal."

He emphasised the interim government's commitment to conducting a free and fair election, adding, "We are moving forward with the commitment that in the first half of February, we will deliver to the nation the best election in the country's history."

CEC Nasir confirmed that preparations are progressing smoothly and that the Election Commission is fully prepared to hold both the national election and the referendum on the same day in February.

Election Commissioners Abdur Rahmanel Masud, Tahmida Ahmad, Anwarul Islam Saker, Brig Gen (retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah, and EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed attended the meeting. National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman and Chief Adviser's Principal Secretary M Siraj Uddin Mia were also present.​

 

[Saif]

66pc say BNP will win the most seats in the election

Most people in the country believe the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) will win the highest number of seats in the upcoming national election. Jamaat-e-Islami ranks second on the list of people’s preferred parties. More than half of the respondents also said the country would be better off...

en.prothomalo.com

66pc say BNP will win the most seats in the election
Special Correspondent Dhaka
Published: 09 Dec 2025, 10: 56

Most people in the country believe the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) will win the highest number of seats in the upcoming Jatiya Sangsad (national parliament) election. Jamaat-e-Islami ranks second on the list of people’s preferred parties.

More than half of the respondents also said the country would be better off if the BNP wins. Nearly one-third believe the country would fare better under Jamaat-e-Islami.

These views emerged in a survey conducted by Prothom Alo. The survey was carried out by the private research organisation Keymakers Consulting Limited. Its title is “National opinion poll on key socio-political issues.”

Which party will win the most seats

One of the survey questions asked: If the upcoming national election is free and fair, which party do you think will win the highest number of seats? The question did not ask for an estimate of how many seats.

In response, nearly 66 per cent of respondents said the BNP would win the most seats. The views of men, women, and respondents across all age groups were broadly similar. About 26 per cent said Jamaat-e-Islami would win the most seats.

Since the fall of military ruler H M Ershad, the BNP has formed the government three times in the past 35 years. Under a caretaker government, the BNP formed government in 1991 with Jamaat-e-Islami’s support. The 15 February 1996 election was boycotted by the Awami League and other opposition parties.

Although the BNP won and formed the government, it lasted only a month and a half. In the second election that year, held in June, the BNP became the main opposition party. In 2001, as part of the four-party alliance, the BNP returned to power with an overwhelming majority.

In the 2008 election, the BNP won 30 seats. The party boycotted the single-party election in 2014 and the controversial 2024 “dummy vote” election. It did contest the 2018 election but won only seven seats, in an election widely marred by irregularities, including ballot stuffing the night before polling—an election now widely referred to as the “night-time vote.”

Jamaat-e-Islami, on the other hand, has never become the second-largest party in any past election. Its highest achievements were 18 seats in 1991 and 17 seats in 2001 (the latter within an electoral alliance with the BNP). After the fall of the Awami League government in the July mass uprising, Jamaat-e-Islami has suddenly emerged as a major force on the political field.

Its student wing recently won absolute majorities in student-union elections at Dhaka University and three other universities. The survey shows that a significant portion of respondents—around 26 per cent—believe Jamaat will win the highest number of seats this time.

In response to the same question, slightly over 7 per cent said the Awami League—whose activities are currently banned. Another 0.8 per cent named the National Citizen Party (NCP), the youth-led party that played a key role in the July mass uprising. 0.1 per cent expressed support for Islami Andolan Bangladesh.

Following the fall of the Awami League government in the July uprising, many of the party’s top leaders have gone into hiding or taken refuge abroad.

The interim government has banned all organisational activities of the party until the trials at the International Crimes Tribunal are completed. Before this, the government had issued the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Ordinance 2025, allowing the banning of activities of any individual or entity involved in terrorist acts. The party’s registration with the Election Commission also remains suspended.

The Awami League ruled the country continuously from 2009 until its fall last year. Earlier, it also governed once in 1996. Under non-partisan caretaker governments, the party received between 30 per cent and 48 per cent of the vote in each election.

Several other parties were also mentioned in the Prothom Alo survey regarding which party might win the most seats. Only 0.1 per cent named the Jatiya Party (Japa). Yet in the last three parliaments, JaPa served as the main opposition, though widely regarded as a “domesticated opposition,” as those elections were controversial and Japa had entered parliament through arrangements with the ruling Awami League.

Following his ouster in the 1990 mass uprising, Ershad was jailed. Under the caretaker government, JaPa won 35 seats in the 1991 election, 32 seats in 1996, and 14 in 2001. In the most recent election under a caretaker government in 2008, Japa, contesting as part of the Awami League-led Grand Alliance, won 27 seats.

Which party’s victory would be best for the country
Another question in the survey asked: Which party’s victory in the upcoming national election would be best for the country?

In response, 57.5 per cent said the BNP. 32.5 per cent said Jamaat-e-Islami.

8.5 per cent said the Awami League. 0.9 per cent believed the NCP’s victory would be best. JaPa and Islami Andolan Bangladesh each received 0.1 per cent support.

The survey collected opinions from 1,342 adults (ages 18–55) in five urban and five rural/semi-urban areas. Among them were 674 men and 668 women, representing diverse income levels, social classes, and professions. Data was collected between 21 and 28 October.

The survey organisation noted that this was an opinion poll representing the country’s general population, though it does not represent any specific constituency. The sample includes only people who can read online or print newspapers and who are likely to vote in the next election. The reported confidence level of the findings is 99 per cent.​