Bangladesh politics

A hazy pre-election atmosphere

Eid has always been a singular occasion for mass campaigns. Aspiring electoral candidates seize the opportunity to meet their voters in their constituencies amid festivities
2 July 2023, 17:00 PM

An ex-MP’s abuse of power

How did he get away with it for so long?
18 June 2023, 02:00 AM

How to explain Jamaat’s return to the political scene?

Jamaat-e-Islami, one of the largest fundamentalist parties in Bangladesh, was recently allowed to hold a public meeting in Dhaka after almost a decade.
17 June 2023, 16:00 PM

Shouldn’t the EC be saying how it will make elections free and fair?

There’s no reason to believe the current EC has either the will or the ability to act independently
11 June 2023, 16:02 PM

A step backward for democracy

Proposed curbing of EC’s power sends a wrong message at the wrong time
6 June 2023, 20:39 PM

Time for AL to do some soul-searching

Infighting within the party has grown over the years, leading to the Awami League becoming its own rival at the grassroots level.
29 May 2023, 17:00 PM

BNP may go for 1-point demand

The BNP now plans to focus on one point: resignation of the Awami League government.
28 May 2023, 01:20 AM

New Visa Policy: US ‘heartened’ by Bangladesh’s response

The US state department has said that it was “heartened” that the Bangladesh government welcomed its decision to impose visa restrictions on those who undermine the democratic election process in Bangladesh.
26 May 2023, 18:00 PM

US govt’s new visa policy does not bother Bangladesh govt: Shahriar

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam said yesterday that the new visa policy announced by the US government "does not bother" the government of Bangladesh as authorities are "committed" to holding a free and fair election
24 May 2023, 19:43 PM

A poll-time government without BNP?

A fair election will require much more than token initiatives
16 May 2023, 12:24 PM

Gazipur City Polls: It’s responsibility of EC, govt to hold fair polls

TDS: You had not been involved in active politics. Do you think the electoral battle is going to be tough for you?
10 May 2023, 01:30 AM

Gazipur City Polls: Corruption-free, smart Gazipur top priority

TDS: The BNP has boycotted the election, and you are the ruling party candidate. How confident are you about winning?
10 May 2023, 01:20 AM

BNP goes for all-out boycott of five city polls

The BNP will go tough on its leaders and activists who will run for councillor in the city polls and those who will patronise them.
27 April 2023, 01:00 AM

Who will be AL’s main challengers in the city polls?

The upcoming city elections are likely to be less challenging compared to those of 2013 and 2018.
18 April 2023, 17:00 PM

Pick for Barishal Mayor: A resolute Hasina prevails

Barishal dominated the talks when the ruling Awami League’s  nomination board sat on Saturday to pick mayoral candidates for five cities.
17 April 2023, 01:00 AM

Why the president’s speech is so relevant

Politics of confrontation must end
8 April 2023, 11:35 AM

Our anti-corruption capacity is hostage to power

Positions of power acquired through various means have long been allowed to be treated as a licence for self-enrichment through various illicit means.
5 March 2023, 17:00 PM

EC must do more to empower voters

Business-as-usual approach to dealing with the opposition will not create the right condition for free polls
3 March 2023, 08:19 AM

US, India, and the election in Bangladesh

The foreign diplomats appear to have become more active with the 12th parliamentary election less than a year away.
25 February 2023, 03:00 AM

Who killed democracy in Bangladesh?

The recent by-polls represent the state of democracy in our country fairly accurately.
8 February 2023, 18:00 PM