Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS)

Expatriate voters to cast postal ballots from today

Italy supports Bangladesh’s democratic transition, July Charter: deputy minister

JS polls: 1,967 candidates to contest

21 Jan, 2026 10:36 am

DHAKA, Jan 21, 2026 (BSS) - A total of 305 candidates have withdrawn their nominations for the upcoming 13th Jatiya Sangsad (JS) elections, leaving 1,967 contenders in the fray. Election Commission (EC) Secretariat Director (Public Relations) and Information Officer Md. Ruhul Amin Mallick confirmed the figure late last night. He said the 1,967 candidates - comprising both party nominees and independents - will contest in 298 constituencies, excluding Pabna-1 and Pabna-2. According to EC officials, 2,585 nomination papers were initially submitted for 300 seats. As per the election schedule, the deadline for withdrawal of candidatures expired at 5 pm yesterday. Symbols will be allotted today, and election campaigning will begin tomorrow, January 22. Campaigning will continue until 48 hours before polling day. Voting for the 13th JS elections and referendum will be held on Thursday, February 12, from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm without interruption. Balloting will take place using transparent ballot boxes and printed ballot papers. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin announced the schedule for the 13th parliamentary (JS) elections in his address to the nation on December 11. The last date for submission of nomination papers was December 29.

'E-Bail Bond' system a landmark step in judiciary's digital transformation: Asif Nazrul

Election symbols to be allotted today

Trump heads for Davos maelstrom over Greenland

Ferry movement between Paturia-Daulatdia resumed after 4 hours

BNP to dig 20,000 km of canals if elected through people's vote: Tarique Rahman

‘I’m your son; want to work staying by your side’: Tarique Rahman

BNP gears up for mammoth crowd at Tarique Rahman’s Sylhet visit Thursday

'Yes' vote crucial for change in Bangladesh: Sakhawat

CHT Adviser calls for 'Yes' vote in referendum

Padma Bridge draws Tk 3,000cr as toll since 2022 opening

Fascist AL govt established 'mafia economy': Fakhrul

Election symbols to be allotted today

JS polls: 1,967 candidates to contest

Referendum essential for a better future: Religious Adviser

Sharmeen for raising awareness among voters about referendum

Latest
Most Viewed

Over 1,400 Indonesians left Cambodian scam groups in five days: embassy

১

South Korean ex-PM Han gets 23 years jail for martial law role

২

Hong Kong ferry disaster ruled 'unlawful killing' after 13 years

৩

Japan to restart world's biggest nuclear plant Wednesday

৪

Russian strikes kill two in Ukraine: authorities

৫

Hanif creates a sensation with malta cultivation in Rajshahi

৬

Expatriate voters to cast postal ballots from today

৭

Dry weather likely across country

৮

1971 crimes against humanity convict Azad surrenders before ICT

৯

'E-Bail Bond' system a landmark step in judiciary's digital transformation: Asif Nazrul

১০

Underground market to be set up in Ctg to protect hawkers, working people: City Mayor

১

Referendum is matter of National interest: Rizwana

২

Motorcyclist dies in Bogura road accident

৩

Postal ballots dispatched to 3.73 lakh expatriates

৪

Spain seeks answers as high-speed train crash toll rises to 40

৫

July Uprising Memorial Museum will show path to nation: CA

৬

76,580 Bangladeshi pilgrims registered for Hajj

৭

Tk 71.98cr allocated for CCTV installation at risky polling stations ahead of election

৮

Potato cultivation in full swing in Khulna region, 78pc target achieved

৯

Referendum to act as catalyst in restoring political culture: AFM Khalid

১০

Expatriate voters to cast postal ballots from today

DHAKA, Jan 21, 2026 (BSS) - Expatriate voters registered through the “Postal Vote BD” app will be able to cast their ballots for the upcoming 13th Jatiya Sangsad (JS) elections and referendum from 5:00 pm today. The Election Commission (EC) has instructed that voters follow the prescribed procedure available on its website or app to select their candidate and symbol in the respective constituency. According to the EC schedule, expatriates must send their completed postal ballots to the office of the Returning Officer of their constituency in Bangladesh by January 25. In a message issued today, the EC informed registered expatriate voters that they may exercise their franchise from January 21 by following the designated process on the mobile app. Voters are required to deposit the yellow envelope containing their ballot at the nearest post office or mailbox by January 25. Another EC message assured that the “Postal Vote BD” app has adequate security measures in place, ensuring that no voter’s ballot can be cast by another person and the secrecy of the vote remains protected. Salim Ahmad Khan, Team Leader of the “OCV-SDI” project on expatriate voter registration, told BSS that the EC has completed the distribution of postal ballots to 767,028 expatriate voters across 121 countries. According to EC data, a total of 15,33,683 voters from home and abroad have registered through the “Postal Vote BD” app to participate in the 13th JS (National Parliament) elections and referendum.

Dry weather likely across country

'E-Bail Bond' system a landmark step in judiciary's digital transformation: Asif Nazrul

US regulator appeals Meta's court victory in monopoly case

Election symbols to be allotted today

Start Prayer Time

Date : 21 Jan, 2026

At a Glance

July Uprising Memorial Museum will show path to nation: CA
At a Glance

Majority of incidents involving minority communities in 2025 found non-communal: police report
At a Glance

Govt clarifies CA’s support for ‘Yes’ vote in referendum
At a Glance

Govt. has every right to campaign for “yes” vote in referendum: Riaz
At a Glance

Won’t take steps to harm Dhaka’s relations with any country: Touhid
At a Glance

Bangladesh sets Guinness World Record with highest flag-parachuting demonstration
At a Glance

Govt implementing extensive programmes nationwide to create awareness about referendum
At a Glance

Bangladesh’s economy grows by 4.50% in Q1 of FY26

CU launches ‘CUCSU Free Legal Aid Cell’ for students

CHITTAGONG UNIVERSITY, Jan 20, 2026 (BSS) - Chittagong University Central Students’ Union (CUCSU) has launched ‘CUCSU Free Legal Aid Cell’ to provide free legal services and consultations to students of Chittagong University (CU). The legal aid cell was formally inaugurated this evening at the CU Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration) office. The initiative aims to enhance legal awareness among students, protect their rights and ensure easy access to justice. Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration) Prof. Dr. Md. Kamal Uddin attended the inauguration ceremony as the chief guest, while Acting Registrar Prof. Dr. Mohammad Saiful Islam was present as a special guest and speaker. CUCSU Vice President (VP) Ibrahim Hossain Rony, General Secretary (GS) Saeed Bin Habib, Law and Human Rights Secretary Fazle Rabbi Touhid, other CUCSU representatives and the lawyers associated with the Free Legal Aid Cell were also present on the occasion. Senior Advocate of the Bangladesh Supreme Court Barrister Belayet Hossain, Deputy Attorney General Barrister Osman Chowdhury and Assistant Attorney General Advocate Tarikul Islam joined the initiative. Besides, a total of 20 renowned lawyers from the Bangladesh Supreme Court and Chattogram Judge Court are associated with the legal aid cell. Prof. Dr. Md. Kamal Uddin said the initiative taken by CUCSU to ensure free legal services for students would set an exemplary model across the country. “Many students face legal challenges but often fail to seek proper assistance. This initiative will enable students to receive legal support easily and help them raise a strong voice against injustice and discrimination,” he said. CUCSU GS Saeed Bin Habib said, “Today, a commitment has been fulfilled. We are working relentlessly to implement our manifesto, and CUCSU will always stand beside students to ensure effective and sustainable solutions to their problems, Insha’Allah.” Organisers expressed hope that the ‘CUCSU Free Legal Aid Cell’ would emerge as a landmark initiative in ensuring legal protection, safeguarding rights and promoting access to justice for Chittagong University students.