Yes, No and Different Layers of Legal and Constitutional Righteousness
Generally, a referendum or plebiscite calls upon the electorate of a country to cast direct votes on any proposal, law, economic or political issue. For example, in a referendum staged on June 23, 2016, around 52 percent of the British voters who did took part in it, decided to come out of the European Union (EU). Or, I have seen the news headlines of Pakistan’s call to India for a referendum in Kashmir since my childhood.
Ballot Paper Without the Boat Symbol After 30 Years
One of the country’s oldest political parties, the Awami League, boycotted the election twice; and this time, due to the suspension of its registration, it did not get the opportunity to contest at all. As a result, the boat symbol is not even on the postal ballot.
Washington Briefing: Election Without Awami League Questioned
At a U.S. congressional briefing, some participants expressed the view that the election set to take place in Bangladesh without the Awami League will be regarded as “questionable.”
Competition and Participation Fade in the Absence of Regional Parties
While other districts of the country are witnessing campaign activities, posters, banners, and rallies centered around the National Parliamentary Election, the picture in the three districts of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Rangamati, Khagrachhari, and Bandarban is completely different. There is no electoral heat here, nor any indication of strong competition.
77% of People Unaware of What the July Charter Contains: Survey
Reforms are being carried out based on the much-discussed July National Charter. The charter will be implemented if the upcoming referendum is won. However, most people do not know what the July Charter contains. This figure stands at 77.2 percent. In contrast, 37.2 percent of people said they know what is included in the July Charter. Even within this group, disparities exist. These findings emerged from the pre-election public perception survey conducted by the Institute of Informatics and Development (IID) and Youth for Policy.
Rice Trader, Jubo League Leader Hacked to Death in Trishal Shop
A rice trader was hacked to death inside his shop in Trishal upazila of Mymensingh. After killing him, the assailants left the body inside the shop and closed the shutter before fleeing. He was also the President of Hariram Union Ward No. 6 Jubo League of Trishal upazila.
Dhaka University Teachers: Election Not Acceptable Without All Parties
Ahead of the Thirteenth National Parliamentary Election, the Dhaka University teachers’ organization ‘Blue Group’ has stated that no election or referendum will be acceptable to the nation without the participation of all political parties. The organization expressed this concern and demand in a press release on Monday, February 9, 2026.
More than 21 political parties are not participating in the election
Ahead of the upcoming Thirteenth National Parliamentary Election, although the Election Commission (EC) is claiming that the vote will be “participatory” and “competitive,” the ground reality is conveying a very different message. Of the 60 registered political parties, at least 21 are not participating in the election as political parties; moreover, due to the banning of activities and suspension of registration, the country’s largest party, the Awami League, is also outside the electoral process.
Election Process Violates Constitution: 707 Lawyers Call for Boycott
A total of 707 lawyers of the Supreme Court have called for a boycott of the upcoming 13th National Parliament election, describing it as directly unconstitutional and an illegal political event. In their words, this is not an election, but rather a staged drama designed to forcibly legitimize the government, where the people’s voting rights have been deliberately buried.
Police Cover Mouth of Former MP Tuhin as She Attempts to Speak
Former Member of Parliament (MP) Sabina Akhter Tuhin, who is currently in jail, was brought to court. After the hearing, she was being taken to the court lock-up. While being taken, the former MP wanted to speak to journalists present in the court premises. At that moment, a female police officer on duty covered her mouth.