Data of 14,000 Journalists Leaked, EC Launches Investigation

While applying for online registration for the 13th National Parliament Election and referendum, allegations have emerged that the personal and professional information of nearly 14,000 journalists was leaked from the Election Commission (EC) website.

Lowest Number of Female Candidates in a Decade and a Half

In Bangladesh’s 13th parliamentary election, women remain severely underrepresented, with only 65 female candidates around 3.5 percent contesting despite women making up nearly half of the electorate, highlighting persistent gender bias within political party nominations and the absence of enforceable legal safeguards.

The Language Movement Month Begins in a Different Atmosphere, Without the Book Fair Spirit

February has begun the month of the Bengali Language Movement. However, this time the beginning of February is different. Breaking a long-standing tradition, the “Amar Ekushey Book Fair” is not starting on the first day of the language month. Due to the national parliamentary elections, the book fair is not being inaugurated at its scheduled time this year.

Rice Prices Remain High Despite Stable Vegetable, Chicken and Egg Markets

Prices of Miniket rice and locally produced Nazirshail rice have remained elevated in the capital’s kitchen markets over the past few weeks. Newly arrived Miniket and Nazirshail rice are being sold at Tk 70–75 per kilogram, while older stocks are priced higher at Tk 75–85 per kilogram.

UK AL Leaders meet in Delhi Sheikh Hasina Seen Healthy and Confident

A delegation of the UK Awami League recently met with former Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina in New Delhi. The five-member delegation, which traveled from London, held a nearly five-hour-long meeting with Sheikh Hasina on January 21. They returned to the United Kingdom on January 26 after completing their visit.

Sheikh Hasina Comments on Bangladesh’s Upcoming Election While in Exile

Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, currently residing abroad, has expressed her concerns over Bangladesh’s forthcoming national election, highlighting the exclusion of her political party from the electoral process.

Adani’s Power Supply to Bangladesh Increases Amid Diplomatic Tensions

Despite strained relations between Dhaka and New Delhi, visa complications, and security concerns, India’s industrial conglomerate Adani Group has increased its electricity supply to Bangladesh. Power exports from Adani Power’s coal-based Godda power plant in Jharkhand, owned by Indian billionaire Gautam Adani, to Bangladesh have risen significantly in recent months.

Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council Fears and anxieties may discourage minority communities from voting

Minority communities want to exercise their citizenship rights by voting. However, their fears and concerns regarding life, livelihood, property, and dignity are not subsiding in any way. These fears and concerns may discourage minority communities from voting, said the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council.

Sheikh Hasina: Democracy Will Weaken If Free Participation Is Not Ensured in the National Election

From exile, Sheikh Hasina, the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh and a widely recognized advocate of democratic governance, has expressed deep and serious concerns regarding the upcoming national election following the ban imposed on her political party, the Awami League.

Using religion to seek votes in elections is concerning: ASK

The use of religion in campaigning for the upcoming national parliamentary election, as well as the tendency to seek votes by exerting direct or indirect pressure on citizens who practice other religions, is also a matter of serious concern. In addition, incidents of clashes, violence, provocative statements, and allegations of irregularities among political parties and candidates in various parts of the country have prompted the Law and Arbitration Center (ASK) to express deep concern and anxiety.