Election materials for the 13th national election and the referendum are being dispatched to polling centres across Dhaka. Ballot papers, boxes, and other essential voting equipment have already arrived at several centres. At Ideal School in Banasree (Dhaka-11), the materials were delivered under heavy security, with RAB, army, Ansar, and police personnel deployed along the main road and surrounding streets. A police officer on duty said, “The election materials have arrived. Sources confirmed that election materials have reached other centres across the capital, with security personnel stationed to ensure their safe delivery and maintain order during polling.

At least 394 international election observers and 197 foreign journalists have arrived in Bangladesh to observe the country’s 13th general election and the referendum on the July National Charter, both scheduled to be held on Thursday. Of the international observers, 80 represent various international organizations, 240 come from bilateral countries — including independent European observers — and 51 are individuals affiliated with different global institutions. The number of international observers for the upcoming polls is more than double that of the controversial general election held on January 7, 2024. By comparison, the 12th, 11th, and 10th general elections were monitored by 158, 125, and just four international observers respectively. In 2024, the foreign observers were from dubious groups.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Director General Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui has instructed BGB personnel to firmly resist any attempts at sabotage, violence, or disorder during the election period. He issued the directive on Wednesday morning while visiting several BGB election camps in Dhaka and its surrounding areas. The BGB chief inspected election base camps set up at Mugda Ideal School and College in the capital, Uttara Haji Camp, and in Tongi, Gazipur. During the visits, he exchanged views with BGB members deployed on duty. Emphasising that no negligence in maintaining law and order would be tolerated, the BGB chief urged members to perform their duties with the highest level of vigilance.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman has alleged that certain groups are spreading misinformation across the country as the nation is preparing for a free, fair and credible election. The Jamaat chief emphasized that voting is both a constitutional right and a sacred responsibility. “Vote for the candidate and symbol of your choice that is what the entire nation expects,” he wrote. In a separate post addressing young voters, Shafiqur Rahman called on the Gen-Z generation to participate actively in the election. “Tomorrow is the time for you to lead once again,” he wrote, adding, “Through a voting revolution, let the whole world know that you are the architects of a new Bangladesh.”

Prof. Francis Barany, microbiology, met with convicted child sex offender and financier Jeffrey Epstein in 2011 to discuss funding Barany’s cancer research, according to files released by the Department of Justice on Jan. 30. Barany, who works for Weill Cornell, later attempted to source funding for Ebola research through Epstein associates over email in 2014. Barany and Epstein were connected by Ossa Properties’ Anthony Barrett, a longtime associate of Epstein whose name appears frequently in the files. Emails appear to show that Barrett asked Epstein on multiple occasions to meet Barany. That guy needs some attitude adjustment.”To that, Epstein wrote, “ignore it,.. i dont like him, .

Reading time: about 6 minutesCornell announced the creation of the Ashley School of Global Development and the Environment within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences on Dec. 16 after a $55 million donation from Stephen B. Ashley ’62, MBA ’64. According to its website, the Ashley School will comprise 600 undergraduate students, 170 graduate students and 107 faculty members. The Sun spoke to students and CALS administration to better understand what the Ashley School will look like. ’93, former chair of the department of natural resources and the environment, was appointed as interim director for the Ashley School, announced along with the launching of the new school. “Our top priority is searching for the inaugural director of the Ashley School,” Houlton wrote, noting that the search is currently underway and interviews will be occurring over the next two months.

Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin on Wednesday reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to delivering a peaceful, credible and participatory election. “As we approach the election day that is tomorrow, I wish to reaffirm the election commission's unwavering commitment to delivering a peaceful, credible and participatory election,” he said while briefing international election observers and foreign journalists at a hotel in Dhaka. Nasir Uddin said that from the very first day of his commission’s journey, they have prioritized transparency. After the close of polling, counting will be conducted at the polling stations under the supervision of the presiding officers, he said. “Results will be announced at the polling stations upon completion of counting and subsequently compiled and publicly declared by the returning officers,” Nasir Uddin said.

New Zealand storm past UAENew Zealand continued their impressive run at the T20 World Cup as they scored a 10-wicket win over UAE in Chennai on Tuesday. Playing their first match of the this World Cup, UAE put up a spirited show with the bat, finishing at 173/6. The 175-run stand between Seifert and Allen was the highest partnership for any wicket in men's T20 World Cup history. It was New Zealand's second successive win at the T20 World Cup 2026 and saw them climb atop Group D standings. It was the first win for the Netherlands at the T20 World Cup 2026.

Bangladesh’s latest ranking, where it ranked 13th among the world’s most corrupt countries as per Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index, is nothing if not deeply hurtful. A marginal improvement in score and the slip in position underscores a bitter truth: As a nation, we remain trapped in a cycle of dishonesty and dysfunction. Corruption affects every single Bangladeshi, robbing the poor of dignity, denying the young their future, and eroding trust in every institution meant to serve the people. We must confront the reality that corruption continues to corrode the very foundations of our democracy and development. Bangladesh continuing to be defined by its corruption is a humiliation that cannot be ignored.

Dhaka, the densely populated capital of Bangladesh, ranked second among the world’s most polluted cities on Wednesday morning, recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 282 at 8:18am. The city’s air was classified as ‘very unhealthy’, indicating a serious health threat, according to the AQI report. The AQI, which reports daily air quality, informs residents how clean or polluted the air is and highlights potential health effects. Dhaka has long struggled with air pollution. Air quality usually deteriorates in winter and improves during the monsoon season.

Do these young people even realize how undemocratic -- anti-democratic -- the words coming out of their months are? It is simply immaterial what percentage of the population that individual belongs to in terms of these categories. Another irony is that so many of these young people have pledged allegiance to a political party -- Jamaat-e-Islami -- which is fundamentally undemocratic in both its policies and its practices. If you can’t bring yourself to do that, or if you feel that you can’t be bothered to, then guess what? Tanvir Haider Chaudhury has worked as a development activist, a research associate, a project coordinator, an economist, and a senior banker.

If citizens consciously uphold just three fundamental conditions -- before and after the 13th national election -- a transformative shift in state institutions, governance, and public trust is entirely possible. History shows that when citizens withdraw from the political process, the state is captured by organized but narrow interest groups. Three: Compel a national unity government after the electionThe responsibility of citizens does not end on polling day. This reality makes the case for a national unity government. Why is a national unity government necessary?

The public does not need spreadsheets to recognize the shift. When crime rises in categories that shape daily mobility, snatching, robbery, and abduction, people stop debating politics in abstract terms. They begin to judge politics by a simpler standard: Does the state still look capable? In that vacuum, politics does not become calmer. When politics cannot protect everyday safety or social trust, citizens stop asking who will win.

Vehicles that will not be allowedAccording to the EC, the movement of taxicabs, pickup vans, microbuses and trucks will remain suspended nationwide from 12:00am Wednesday (the night before polling day) until 12:00am Friday. Motorcycle movement will be banned from 12:00am Tuesday until 12:00am Friday, the day after the election. Vehicles engaged in emergency services, including medical, health and medicine-related services, will be allowed to operate. Election expert Md Abdul Alim said voters would be allowed to use private cars to travel to polling centres. Metro Rail to operate normallyDhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) said metro rail services would operate as usual on polling day.

What matters is whether such forces operate transparently, remain accountable, and serve citizens rather than intimidate them. For too long, RAB in particular has been associated with allegations of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and operating above the law. True reform requires dismantling the structures of impunity. We can only expect that after elections, our security forces truly embrace transparency, submit to oversight, and prioritize service to the public. Reform is not about appearances but accountability.