Jatiotabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) on Sunday surrounded the Election Commission (EC) building in Agargaon, protesting what it described as political influence and biased decisions by the commission, particularly regarding postal ballots. Hundreds of Chhatra Dal activists gathered in front of and around the Election Commission, positioning themselves outside the EC’s security cordon and chanting slogans. The program was led by Chhatra Dal President Rakibul Islam. Addressing the protest, Chhatra Dal President Rakibul Islam alleged that a specific political group had exerted undue influence over postal ballots and that the EC had acted with its encouragement. EC Secretariat Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said that postal ballots are sent through the Universal Postal Union and that postal systems differ across countries, particularly in the Middle East.

Source: Dhaka Tribune January 18, 2026 13:43 UTC