Govt clarifies CA’s support for ‘Yes’ vote in referendum 
Govt clarifies CA’s support for ‘Yes’ vote in referendum 
Police not protectors of any political party: Home Adviser
Police not protectors of any political party: Home Adviser

Final day of nomination appeal hearings in progress at EC

18 Jan, 2026 12:23 pm
DHAKA, Jan 18, 2026 (BSS) - The Election Commission (EC) is conducting the concluding day of hearings on appeals against the decisions of returning officers regarding the acceptance and rejection of nomination papers for the 13th Jatiya Sangsad election. The hearing commenced at 10 am today at the EC auditorium (Basement-2) in Agargaon here, with the full commission, led by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin, is overseeing the proceedings. As per the EC schedule, appeals numbered 611 to 645, along with previously deferred cases awaiting verdicts, are being heard today. The programme will continue until the afternoon, with a one-hour recess at noon. On Saturday, the eighth day of hearings, the commission reviewed 112 appeals, of which 45 were accepted. Director (Public Relations) at the EC Secretariat Md Ruhul Amin Mallik told BSS that on Saturday, 43 appeals filed against the rejection of nomination papers were accepted, resulting in the restoration of candidature of those 43 candidates. He said the commission also accepted two appeals filed against the acceptance of nomination papers, which will result in the cancellation of the nominations of the concerned two candidates. On the eighth day, the EC rejected 37 appeals, including 13 filed against rejection of nominations and 24 filed against acceptance of nominations. Besides, nine appeals were withdrawn during the hearings, while two appellants remained absent. The commission kept 19 appeals pending for verdict, which are to be disposed of today. A total of 645 appeals were filed with the EC against the decisions on acceptance and rejection of nomination papers in the ongoing election. On January 4, the last day of scrutiny of nomination papers, returning officers declared 1,842 nomination papers valid and rejected 723 out of a total of 2,568 nomination papers submitted for 300 parliamentary constituencies.  
Final day of nomination appeal hearings in progress at EC
Verdict in plot scam case against Hasina, Radwan, 16 others on Feb 2
Verdict in plot scam case against Hasina, Radwan, 16 others on Feb 2
Trump threatens Europe with tariffs over Greenland as protesters rally
Trump threatens Europe with tariffs over Greenland as protesters rally
UK's Starmer says Trump's tariff threats over Greenland 'completely wrong'
UK's Starmer says Trump's tariff threats over Greenland 'completely wrong'
Rizwana urges stopping unnecessary honking to curb noise pollution
Rizwana urges stopping unnecessary honking to curb noise pollution
Poets, litterateurs meet Tarique Rahman
Poets, litterateurs meet Tarique Rahman
Jamaat holds special executive council meeting
Jamaat holds special executive council meeting
Tarique Rahman sends floral greetings to Chief Adviser
Tarique Rahman sends floral greetings to Chief Adviser

EC grants hearing to 45 appeals over nomination decisions

EC grants hearing to 45 appeals over nomination decisions

‘Yes’ vote in referendum to be driving force to build new Bangladesh: CHT Adviser

‘Yes’ vote in referendum to be driving force to build new Bangladesh: CHT Adviser

Proper zakat management can eradicate poverty: Religious Adviser

Proper zakat management can eradicate poverty: Religious Adviser

Use of safe genetic technology essential for biodiversity conservation: Farida Akhter

Use of safe genetic technology essential for biodiversity conservation: Farida Akhter
  • Latest
  • Most Viewed
Three people electrocuted in Gopalganj
Govt clarifies CA’s support for ‘Yes’ vote in referendum 
Two killed in separate road accidents in capital
Zverev happy with response after wobble in opening Melbourne win
Kurdish-led forces withdraw from Syria's largest oil field: monitor
France's Moutet booed for underarm match point serve in Melbourne
Syria state media says two main bridges on Euphrates destroyed in Raqa
Hosts Morocco ready for battle with Mane's Senegal in AFCON final
Police not protectors of any political party: Home Adviser
Boro farming progressing fast in Khulna region
১০
Govt clarifies CA’s support for ‘Yes’ vote in referendum 
Govt clarifies CA’s support for ‘Yes’ vote in referendum 
DHAKA, Jan 18, 2026 (BSS) - The interim government today clarified the Chief Adviser's support for the "Yes" vote in the forthcoming referendum is consistent with democratic norms in Bangladesh, outlining major six points in favour of the government stance. "Recent commentary has raised concerns that the Interim Government and the Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus's open support for a "Yes" vote in Bangladesh's forthcoming referendum on institutional reforms may be inconsistent with the expectations of an interim administration," said a statement issued by the Chief Adviser's Press Wing this afternoon. "These concerns deserve respectful consideration. However, when assessed in light of Bangladesh's specific political context, the mandate of the interim government, and comparative international practice, such criticism does not withstand close scrutiny," it said. In Bangladesh's current transitional moment, the statement said, silence would not represent neutrality, it would represent a failure of leadership. The Interim Government's Mandate Is Reform, Not Procedural Minimalism: Bangladesh's interim government was not constituted merely to administer routine state functions or to act as a passive electoral caretaker, the statement noted, saying it emerged from an acute governance and legitimacy crisis, marked by sustained public protest, institutional breakdown, and a collapse of confidence in political processes. Its mandate-understood domestically and communicated clearly to international partners-has been to stabilize the state, restore democratic credibility, and deliver a credible framework of reforms before returning authority to an elected government, it read. "Professor Yunus, as the Chief Adviser, has spent the past eighteen months leading an unprecedented process of consultation across political parties, civil society, professional groups, and youth constituencies," the statement said, adding, the reform package now before the electorate is the product of that process. "To suggest that he should now refrain from advocating for these reforms is to misunderstand the very purpose of the interim arrangement," the statement said, adding, an interim authority entrusted with reform cannot plausibly be expected to disown that reform at the moment of democratic decision.

Start Prayer Time

Date : 18 Jan, 2026
  • Won’t take steps to harm Dhaka’s relations with any country: Touhid  
    Won’t take steps to harm Dhaka’s relations with any country: Touhid  
  • Bangladesh sets Guinness World Record with highest flag-parachuting demonstration 
    Bangladesh sets Guinness World Record with highest flag-parachuting demonstration 
  • Govt implementing extensive programmes nationwide to create awareness about referendum
    Govt implementing extensive programmes nationwide to create awareness about referendum
  • Bangladesh’s economy grows by 4.50% in Q1 of FY26
    Bangladesh’s economy grows by 4.50% in Q1 of FY26
  • A defining crossroads: Bangladesh’s journey through 2025
    A defining crossroads: Bangladesh’s journey through 2025
  • Khaleda Zia: From homemaker to Bangladesh's first female prime minister
    Khaleda Zia: From homemaker to Bangladesh's first female prime minister
  • The untold Liberation War journey of Khaleda Zia
    The untold Liberation War journey of Khaleda Zia
  • Khaleda Zia's policy: Balancing between left and right
    Khaleda Zia's policy: Balancing between left and right

RU 'A' unit admission test held at KU sub-centre

KHULNA, Jan 18, 2026 (BSS) - The 'A' unit admission test of Rajshahi University for first-year undergraduate (honours) programmes for the 2025-2026 academic session has been held smoothly and peacefully at the Khulna University sub-centre.  The 'A-1' unit examination was conducted from 11:00 am to 12:00 noon on Saturday, while the 'A-2' unit examination took place from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm. During the examinations, Khulna University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Md Rezaul Karim and Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Md Harun-or-Rashid Khan visited the examination halls and control rooms to oversee the proceedings and inquire about the overall arrangements. They expressed satisfaction over the orderly and peaceful conduct of the tests. Treasurer Professor Dr Md Nurunnabi, focal point of the admission tests, and Director of Student Affairs Professor Dr Md Nazmus Sadat, along with concerned teachers and officials, were present during the inspection. Deans of various schools, heads of disciplines, teachers, and officers were also present.  
RU 'A' unit admission test held at KU sub-centre
RU A unit intake test held with 90.66pc attendance
RU A unit intake test held with 90.66pc attendance
CUET admission test held
CUET admission test held
BAU’s dairy farm emerges as hub of education and research
BAU’s dairy farm emerges as hub of education and research
Three people electrocuted in Gopalganj
Three people electrocuted in Gopalganj
Boro farming progressing fast in Khulna region
Boro farming progressing fast in Khulna region

Two killed in Tangail road accident

Two killed in Tangail road accident

Khaleda Zia a role model for democracy, human rights: Manju

Khaleda Zia a role model for democracy, human rights: Manju

3 die from electrocution in Gopalganj

3 die from electrocution in Gopalganj

Two killed in Tangail road accident 

Two killed in Tangail road accident 

CMP bans entry, presence of 330 individuals in Chattogram

CMP bans entry, presence of 330 individuals in Chattogram
Zverev happy with response after wobble in opening Melbourne win
Zverev happy with response after wobble in opening Melbourne win

France's Moutet booed for underarm match point serve in Melbourne

MELBOURNE, Jan 18, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Frenchman Corentin
France's Moutet booed for underarm match point serve in Melbourne

Hosts Morocco ready for battle with Mane's Senegal in AFCON final

RABAT, Jan 18, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The Africa
Hosts Morocco ready for battle with Mane's Senegal in AFCON final

Raducanu says Australian Open schedule 'does not make sense'

MELBOURNE, Jan 18, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Former US
Raducanu says Australian Open schedule 'does not make sense'

McIlroy rights ship before final round at Dubai Invitational

DUBAI, Jan 18, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Rory McIlroy
McIlroy rights ship before final round at Dubai Invitational

British qualifier upsets 20th seed Cobolli in Melbourne

MELBOURNE, Jan 18, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - British qualifier
British qualifier upsets 20th seed Cobolli in Melbourne

Liverpool draw 'feels like defeat', says Wirtz

LONDON, Jan 18, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Florian Wirtz
Liverpool draw 'feels like defeat', says Wirtz
Social media sites block 4.7 million underage accounts in Australia
Social media sites block 4.7 million underage accounts in Australia
Seven-day BRRI research review workshop begins in Gazipur
GPU Cloud, PaaS launched to strengthen Digital Public Infrastructure
8
Dry weather likely across country
Dry weather likely across country
Dry weather likely across country in next 24 hours
Mild cold wave continues in north, relief likely during daytime
'Kuashar Gaan' concert at DU on Jan 17 to support cold-affected people
'Kuashar Gaan' concert at DU on Jan 17 to support cold-affected people
Chinese dissident artist Ai Weiwei debuts in India
Golden Globes viewership shrinks again
Slum dwellers grow vegetables to boost income in Rajshahi
Slum dwellers grow vegetables to boost income in Rajshahi
Tomato cultivation emerges as significant economic force in Rajshahi
Tomato cultivation emerges as significant economic force in Rajshahi
Bumper Aman production in Khulna brings smiles to farmers
Bumper Aman production in Khulna brings smiles to farmers
DoF stresses curbing antibiotic use in fish production
DoF stresses curbing antibiotic use in fish production
Char land farming boosts commercial agriculture in Rajshahi region
Char land farming boosts commercial agriculture in Rajshahi region
Unused land utilized for pesticide-free vegetable farming in Dighalia
Unused land utilized for pesticide-free vegetable farming in Dighalia
Growers’ witness untimely mango flowering in Rajshahi
Growers’ witness untimely mango flowering in Rajshahi
Govt. to procure 1 crore liters of soybean oil, 40,000 MTs fertilizer
Govt. to procure 1 crore liters of soybean oil, 40,000 MTs fertilizer
Honey collection in mustard fields boosts farmers' fortunes in Rajshahi
Honey collection in mustard fields boosts farmers' fortunes in Rajshahi