EC directs police to tighten security at all election offices after recent attacks
In the wake of recent attacks targeting candidates and election facilities, the Election Commission (EC) has instructed police to beef up security at election offices nationwide, including those of the chief election commissioner, commissioners, the EC secretary, and returning officers. The directive, issued on Saturday, was sent to the inspector general of police and relevant authorities to ensure heightened protection ahead of the general election and referendum scheduled for Feb 12. A day after the schedule was announced on Thursday, a potential candidate, Sharif Osman bin Hadi, was shot in Dhaka and the Lakshmipur election office was targeted in an arson attack. An EC official, asking not to be named, said the measures include stronger police escort for election commissioners and the secretary, armed guards for returning officers in Dhaka, Chattogram, and Khulna, and boosted security at all election offices nationwide.
Source:bd News24
December 13, 2025 15:33 UTC
NHRC ordinance ‘trapped by bureaucratic control’, says TIB
Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has claimed that the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Ordinance is being “held hostage by a bureaucratic takeover”. Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman said stakeholders had hoped the gazetted NHRC ordinance would free the commission from longstanding bureaucratic control and align it with international standards and public expectations. He said changes to the selection committee on Dec 8, barely a month later, have turned that possibility into a tool of government control. It is part of a continuing pattern of government influence over the human rights commission and other constitutional and legal bodies,” he added. The inclusion of the cabinet secretary in the selection committee, he said, alone undermines the commission’s independence, neutrality, and effectiveness.
Source:bd News24
December 13, 2025 14:40 UTC
Attack on Hadi ‘dangerous’ for peaceful political climate, says SHUJAN
Civil society platform Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (SHUJAN) has warned that the attack on Inquilab Mancha Convener Sharif Osman Hadi could undermine the country’s peaceful political environment and democratic process ahead of the upcoming national election. In a statement on Saturday, the organisation said it was “deeply concerned and angered” by the daylight attack on Hadi, a prospective candidate for the Dhaka-8 constituency and spokesperson of the Inqilab Mancha platform. "We believe that this type of barbaric attack is dangerous for the country's peaceful political environment and democratic process." "We wish Sharif Osman Hadi a quick recovery, express our sympathy to his family and colleagues, and demand that the best possible medical treatment for him be arranged immediately." "The failure to ensure Sharif Osman Hadi's safety, despite potential threats of attack, raises concerns about the country's overall security."
Source:bd News24
December 13, 2025 11:17 UTC
Bangladesh condemns Rakhine hospital bombing
Bangladesh has condemned the recent airstrike on a hospital in Myanmar's western Rakhine state, killing at least 30 people and injuring scores of others. “Bangladesh underscores the importance of protecting civilians and civilian facilities without distinctions, and emphasises that all communities, including Rohingya and Rakhine, should be spared from violence,” the statement said. Reuters reported the hospital in Rakhine's Mrauk U township was struck late on Wednesday by bombs dropped by a military aircraft. The Mrauk U General Hospital was completely destroyed and the casualties occurred from the hospital receiving a direct hit, according to reports. However, Myanmar’s ruling junta defended the attack, saying armed rebels were using the hospital as their cover as a civil war continues to roil the country.
Source:bd News24
December 13, 2025 10:53 UTC
Ballot papers for overseas voting may start being sent next week
With expatriate Bangladeshis set to vote for the first time in the upcoming parliamentary election, the Election Commission (EC) is planning to start dispatching postal ballot papers to those registered abroad next week. Two ballot papers will be sent to overseas voters. Bringing up the topic of postal voting while announcing the schedule, CEC Nasir Uddin said: “The almost defunct postal voting system is being reformed and given an effective form in this election. In particular, our remittance fighters, who are a driving force of Bangladesh, are being brought under the voting system for the first time. Voters using the postal ballot will mark with a “tick” after viewing the constituency-wise candidate list, names, and symbols online.
Source:bd News24
December 13, 2025 06:18 UTC
30 recently promoted DIGs posted, 9 police officers transferred
Thirty police officers recently promoted to the rank of deputy inspector general (DIG) have been given official postings. In addition, four more additional DIGs and five superintendents of police (SPs) have been transferred in a wider reshuffle. The Ministry of Home Affairs issued two separate notices to this effect on Thursday, reports bdnews24.com. One of the transferred officers said the changes were made just ahead of the announcement of the election schedule, describing the move as “the last shake-up” before the timetable is unveiled. Of the newly promoted DIGs, 15 have been assigned to new units, while the remaining 15 will continue in their previous workplaces.
Source:bd News24
December 12, 2025 21:57 UTC
42 magistrates appointed in Chattogram to enforce election code of conduct
A total of 42 magistrates have been appointed across Chattogram city and its Upazilas to operate mobile courts aimed at ensuring compliance with the electoral code of conduct. Chattogram Deputy Commissioner Zahidul Islam Mian issued the order on Friday, confirming their appointment. Chattogram Additional District Magistrate Syed Mahbubul Hoque said the mobile courts will work to ensure that everyone follows the code of conduct to maintain a proper electoral environment. “The assigned magistrates began their duties on Friday, and their work will continue until two days after the election scheduled for Feb 12,” he said. According to the order, 12 magistrates will be deployed across 16 police stations in Chattogram city, while 30 magistrates will operate across 15 Upazilas.
Source:bd News24
December 12, 2025 21:40 UTC
Fakhrul sees Hadi shooting as ‘plot to derail election'
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has described the shooting of Sharif Osman bin Hadi, a potential independent contender for Dhaka-8 and convenor of the Inquilab Mancha platform, as “a conspiracy to derail the general election”. He warned that “a force seeking to disrupt the election appeared to have resumed its manoeuvres”. The senior BNP leader called on the government to ensure the safety of all candidates. Brigadier General Md Asaduzzaman, director of DMCH, told bdnews24.com at 5pm: “There is a bullet lodged inside his head. His surgery is under way in the operating theatre.”He added that Hadi has been placed on life support.
Source:bd News24
December 12, 2025 14:10 UTC
Commuters suffer as metro service suspended over work stoppage
Commuters are suffering as a work stoppage by the Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) staff led to the shutdown of metro rail services. The unannounced closure of the service prompted many people to change their plan, returning home from metro stations, while others expressed their annoyance at the development. Raisul was speaking at 4:45pm at the metro rail entrance next to Suhrawardy Udyan. He feared the suspension of the service would result in traffic congestion, implying he could not reach his destination at 5:30pm. Metro rail service stopped after staff launched a full-scale work stoppage at 3pm, shortly before the service was supposed to start.
Source:bd News24
December 12, 2025 13:09 UTC
Police headquarters besieged demanding resignation of IGP Baharul Alam
Police headquarters have been besieged by the Shaheed Pintu Smriti Sangsad, demanding the resignation of Inspector General of Police Baharul Alam. The organisation’s rally towards the police headquarters was blocked near Government Employees Hospital at 4pm on Thursday. “They stayed for half an hour. We convinced them, and they left without any conflict,” said Masud Alam, deputy commissioner of Ramna Division. The Pintu Smriti Sangsad was formed in memory of Bangladesh Nationalist Party leader Nasir Uddin Ahmed Pintu, who was arrested after the BDR mutiny and died in prison.
Source:bd News24
December 11, 2025 12:26 UTC
A man filed a July Uprising case over the murder of his brother. Police have now found the victim alive
A police investigation into a murder case filed over an incident during the July Uprising has found the alleged victim alive. Now, police are looking to prosecute the brother who filed the case. The case filed over his murder claimed he had been killed on Aug 3 amid the Students Against Discrimination protests. The case investigation was transferred from the police station to the DB. The final report states that Mostafa has multiple cases against him, including a murder case, at Fulbaria Police Station.
Source:bd News24
December 11, 2025 06:55 UTC
Secretariat staff call off sit-in after assurance of government order on allowance
Employees have withdrawn their sit-in after receiving assurances that a government order (GO) will be issued to introduce a “Secretariat allowance”. They ended their protest around 8:30pm on Wednesday, after blocking Finance Advisor Salehuddin Ahmed inside his office for six hours on the fourth floor of the Finance Division, bdnews24.com reports. Badiul Kabir, a leader of the employees’ union, said: “We have been assured that the GO will be issued tomorrow. We have withdrawn the protest.”Staff from all ministries and divisions working inside the Secretariat began demonstrating after 2:30pm, gathering outside the advisor’s office to press for a 20 percent Secretariat allowance for all employees. That is why we are demanding a 20 percent Secretariat allowance.”
Source:bd News24
December 10, 2025 16:45 UTC
Private off-docks go on undeclared strike, export sector worries
Those concerned worry that the export sector in the country will face losses due to the undeclared strike. The “Bangladesh Inland Container Depot Association” (BICDA) said that they did not call for a strike, but the depot owners said there would be no container handling. There are 19 private container depots under BICDA in Chattogram engaged in operational activities. Former BGMEA vice president SM Abu Tayeb said, “This decision will harm the readymade garment sector the most. “Different important consignments of the readymade garment sector are stuck.
Source:bd News24
December 10, 2025 11:12 UTC
Businessmen, bureaucrats blocking renewable energies: Fouzul Kabir
Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan has called some businessmen in the power sector and some officials of the ministry the “only obstacle” in the transition to renewable energy. The adviser to the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources said, “We have no choice but to rely on fossil fuels. If there were another way, we would not have imported LNG.” He said, “The only obstacle to moving from fossil fuel dependence to renewable energy is some businessmen in the power sector and some officials in the ministry. “Fossil fuel businessmen and power sector employees have been involved in this." He said, “People in this sector negotiate and make transactions as if the old system is still in place.
Source:bd News24
December 10, 2025 04:03 UTC
Tangail saree weaving industry recognised as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage
The UNESCO has recognised the Tangail saree weaving industry as an Intangible Cultural Heritage. The decision was made unanimously at the ongoing 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee of the UNESCO 2003 Convention in Delhi, India, on Tuesday. A statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said this is Bangladesh's sixth individual registration under this convention. This is the second registration in the four years since being elected to the board for the first time, it added.
Source:bd News24
December 09, 2025 13:48 UTC