The symbol allocation process for the upcoming national elections was completed across 20 constituencies of Dhaka district yesterday.

Jamaat-e-Islami, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis and BNP’s Dhaka-15 candidate yesterday alleged that a level playing field remains absent ahead of the 13th national parliamentary election and referendum scheduled for February 12.

As major political parties prepare their election manifestos, law enforcement experts and rights activists urge them to make law and order a top priority, keep police free from political interference, and end the partisan use of the force.

M Hafizuddin Khan, a former adviser to the caretaker government and ex-comptroller and auditor general (CAG) of Bangladesh, passed away yesterday at a private hospital in the capital’s Uttara due to age-related complications. He was 87.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus yesterday said a fair and credible election is possible under the current circumstances, expressing confidence in preparations for the upcoming 13th parliamentary polls.

Abul Kalam Azad alias Bachchu, who was sentenced to death in 2013 for crimes against humanity committed during the 1971 Liberation War, surrendered before the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) yesterday after more than a decade as a fugitive.

The University Teachers’ Network and rights organisation Naripokkho yesterday demanded the immediate reinstatement of two University of Asia Pacific (UAP) faculty members, accusing the authorities of succumbing to mob pressure.

The Ninth National Pay Commission yesterday proposed a new salary structure for government employees, recommending increases ranging from 100 percent to 142 percent, alongside substantial rises in other benefits.

With election symbols allocated yesterday, MP candidates and their supporters are set to hit the campaign trail as electioneering for the 13th national polls formally kicks off today.

There was a time when the boat was not confirmed for the Awami League, nor was the paddy sheaf the BNP’s permanent symbol.

Sajeeb Wazed Joy, son of deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, has said his mother had already planned to step away from politics, describing her removal from power as “in a sense the end of the Hasina era”.

Following nomination appeal hearings, the Election Commission has given the green signal to 24 aspirants who had dual citizenship to contest the upcoming February 12 national election.

The BNP yesterday expelled 59 rebel candidates from the party for their involvement in activities that go against party policy, ideology and discipline.

A woman was arrested after police recovered the body of a five-year-old girl from a water tank at a house in the capital’s Kuril Mirdhabari area under Bhatara Police Station yesterday afternoon.

Students of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (Sust) yesterday warned of a complete shutdown of the campus if the Supreme Court verdict goes against their demand for immediate central students’ union elections.

EC publishes final list of candidates

Hefazat-e-Islam Amir Mohibullah Babunagari has congratulated Islami Andolan Bangladesh Ameer Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim for withdrawing from their political association with Jamaat-e-Islami ahead of the upcoming election.

The Gonotrantik Odhikar Committee yesterday presented a set of 25 recommendations for the next elected government, calling upon it to ensure justice, accountability, peace, security, and democratic rights of the people, and public ownership of the July uprising, the Liberation War, and all past uprisings.

Health experts and campaigners yesterday urged the immediate formulation of a law making primary healthcare (PHC) a constitutional obligation aimed at achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

Transcom Group Chairman Shahnaz Rahman, Chief Executive Officer Simeen Rahman, and three other top officials were exempted yesterday from a case filed by the CEO’s sister.