The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has released the constituency-wise voter list ahead of the upcoming parliamentary election and referendum scheduled for February 12. According to the list published on Thursday, the total number of registered voters stands at 127,711,895. Among them, 64,825,151 are male voters, 62,885,524 are female voters, and 1,120 are transgender voters.

The EC data shows significant variation in voter distribution across the 300 constituencies. Jhalokathi-1 has the lowest number of voters at 228,431, while Gazipur-2 has the highest with 804,333 voters. The updated list was made public as part of the commission’s preparations for the national election and referendum.

The publication of the voter list marks a key step in the electoral process, providing clarity on the size and composition of the electorate ahead of the February 12 vote.

Former Pakistan cricket captain Rashid Latif has called on Pakistan to boycott the upcoming T20 World Cup in solidarity with Bangladesh. The appeal follows Bangladesh’s decision not to send its team to India over security concerns. Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul confirmed that Bangladesh wants to play in Sri Lanka, a co-host of the tournament, rather than in India. The International Cricket Council (ICC) rejected Bangladesh’s request, prompting criticism from Latif.

Latif argued that Pakistan should stand with Bangladesh and challenge what he described as the current cricket system’s unfairness. He said this was an opportunity for Pakistan to take a firm stance and demonstrate unity. Latif also questioned the ICC’s assurance that there would be no security risks for Bangladeshi players in India, calling such guarantees unrealistic.

The tenth edition of the T20 World Cup is scheduled to begin on February 7, with India and Sri Lanka as co-hosts. Bangladesh’s refusal to play in India and Latif’s call for Pakistan’s boycott have added new tension to the tournament’s preparations.

A local BNP leader named Hasan Molla was shot by unidentified assailants in front of the party office in Keraniganj, Dhaka, on Thursday night. He was critically injured and taken to Square Hospital in Dhaka for treatment. Local residents demanded the immediate arrest of those involved in the attack.

According to local sources, Hasan Molla, who serves as the general secretary of the Hazratpur Union BNP, was standing on the road in front of the party office when several attackers suddenly opened fire on him before fleeing the scene. Witnesses rescued him and took him to the hospital, where his condition was reported to be critical.

Amanullah Aman, the BNP-nominated candidate for Dhaka-2 constituency, strongly condemned the attack, suggesting that it might have been an attempt to disrupt the upcoming February 12 election. He urged authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice and ensure exemplary punishment.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar said that people deprived of voting for a long time are now rushing to participate like a tidal wave. He claimed that an unprecedented public awakening has emerged in favor of the party’s scale symbol in the Dumuria-Phultala region. Parwar made these remarks on Thursday morning while addressing a street rally and courtyard meeting after an election campaign in Dhamalia Union of Dumuria upazila.

He described Jamaat-e-Islami as a party that has stood the test of time and criticized the country’s 54 years of governance for corruption, looting, misrule, money laundering, interference in the judiciary, and suppression of dissent. He alleged that while opposition activists face false cases and disappearances, ruling party members accused of serious crimes have received bail.

Parwar added that ten parties believing in Islamic ideals, the spirit of the July movement, and the values of the Liberation War have united to build a just Bangladesh. He urged voters nationwide to elect candidates from the ten-party alliance.

Candidates contesting in Barishal’s six parliamentary constituencies have officially begun their election campaigns ahead of Bangladesh’s 13th national parliamentary election, scheduled for February 12. On Thursday afternoon, BNP-nominated candidate for Barishal-5, Mojibur Rahman Sarwar, started his campaign with prayers and public outreach along Sadar Road. Islami Andolan candidate Mufti Syed Muhammad Faizul Karim also launched his campaign the same day, distributing leaflets and urging voters to support his party’s symbol.

Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (BASAD) candidate Dr. Manisha Chakraborty began her campaign by paying tribute at the Barishal Central Shaheed Minar before distributing leaflets in various city areas. In Barishal-2, BNP candidate S. Sarfuddin Ahmed Santu and JASAD candidate Abul Kalam Azad Badol conducted public outreach in Uzirpur and Banaripara respectively. In Barishal-1, BNP candidate Zahir Uddin Swapan and the party’s rebel candidate Engineer Abdus Sobahan also engaged in voter contact and leaflet distribution.

The coordinated start of campaign activities marks the formal beginning of electioneering in Barishal, as candidates intensify efforts to reach voters ahead of the February 12 polls.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has called on expatriate Bangladeshi voters to exercise their voting rights in the upcoming election by January 25. In a Facebook post published on Thursday night, he urged them to contribute to positive change in the country by casting two significant votes—one in favor of reforming what he described as a 54-year-old corrupt and misgoverned system through a referendum, and another for building a just, corruption-free, and people-oriented Bangladesh.

In his message, Rahman emphasized that every political party has the right to seek votes and encouraged voters to make informed decisions based on recent political developments since July 2024. He reminded expatriates that voting is not only their right but also a sacred responsibility to guide the nation in the right direction.

The post reflects Jamaat-e-Islami’s effort to mobilize support among expatriate Bangladeshis ahead of the national election, highlighting themes of reform, justice, and anti-corruption.

Cristiano Ronaldo broke another record on Wednesday night as Al Nassr defeated Damac 2-1 in the Saudi Pro League. The Portuguese superstar scored in the 50th minute, marking his 116th goal for Al Nassr across all competitions. With this, he became the club’s highest-scoring foreign player, surpassing Abderrazak Hamdallah’s previous record of 115 goals set between 2018 and 2021.

Ronaldo, now 40, has played 131 matches for Al Nassr, averaging 0.89 goals per game and scoring once every 99 minutes. His tally includes six hat-tricks and 22 assists for teammates. In the overall list of Al Nassr’s top scorers, including Saudi players, Ronaldo currently ranks third behind Majed Abdullah with 259 goals and Mohammad Al-Sahlawi with 131. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has now reached 960 career goals and is 40 goals away from the 1,000-goal milestone.

So far this season, Ronaldo has scored 16 goals in the Saudi Pro League, continuing his prolific form and extending his record-breaking career.

Novak Djokovic continued his dominant form at the Australian Open, defeating Italy’s Francesco Maestrelli in straight sets to secure a place in the third round. The Serbian superstar won 6-3, 6-2, 6-2, marking his 399th career singles victory in Grand Slam tournaments. With this result, Djokovic stands just one win away from becoming the first player in tennis history to reach 400 Grand Slam singles wins.

In other second-round matches, Italy’s Jannik Sinner advanced after beating Australia’s James Duckworth 6-1, 6-4, 6-2. Croatia’s Marin Cilic also progressed, defeating Canada’s Denis Shapovalov 6-4, 6-3, 6-2. Switzerland’s Stan Wawrinka reached the third round after a five-set battle against France’s Arthur Gea, winning 4-6, 6-3, 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (10-3).

In the women’s singles, Poland’s Iga Swiatek cruised past Czech player Marie Bouzkova 6-2, 6-3, while Japan’s Naomi Osaka overcame Romania’s Sorana Cirstea 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 to move forward.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman called on supporters to vote for allied candidates under their respective election symbols during a campaign rally in Brahmanbaria on Thursday night. The event took place around 10:45 p.m. at Kottapara Field as part of BNP’s campaign for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. Rahman specifically sought votes for the ‘palm tree’ and ‘headgear’ symbols representing allied parties’ candidates.

BNP has extended support to Zonayed Saki, chief coordinator of Ganosamhati Andolon, contesting from Brahmanbaria-6 (Bancharampur), and to Maulana Junayed Al Habib, vice-president of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Bangladesh, running in Brahmanbaria-2 (Sarail–Ashuganj and part of Bijoynagar). Both candidates are competing under their own party symbols. Rahman told party activists that these allies had stood by BNP during difficult times and urged them to vote accordingly.

The Brahmanbaria rally followed BNP’s campaign launch earlier in the day at Sylhet’s historic Alia Madrasa Field, with subsequent gatherings in Moulvibazar and Habiganj before concluding in Brahmanbaria late at night.

On the first day of campaigning for the 13th National Parliamentary Election, fifty-five people, including twenty-two leaders of Islami Andolan, formally joined Jamaat-e-Islami in Chuadanga. The joining ceremony took place on Thursday night at the football field of Gaidghat village in Makhaldanga Union under Chuadanga Sadar upazila, where the new members were welcomed with flower garlands by Jamaat leaders.

The group joining Jamaat included 22 Islami Andolan leaders led by Shahin Ali, the union’s health affairs secretary, 15 BNP activists led by Rana Ali, and 18 residents from various professions in Gaidghat village. The event was presided over by union Jamaat Amir Mohsin Ali and attended by Chuadanga-1 Jamaat candidate and district assistant secretary Masud Parvez Russell as chief guest, along with several district and upazila Jamaat leaders.

Shahin Ali stated that the decision came due to dissatisfaction with Islami Andolan’s central leadership, while Masud Parvez Russell said the new members were inspired by Jamaat’s ideals and urged unity to ensure victory for the party’s symbol in the upcoming election.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has decided to hold a meeting with diplomats from various foreign missions stationed in the country. The meeting, scheduled for Sunday at 10:30 a.m. at The Westin in Dhaka, aims to explain the commission’s position regarding the upcoming 13th National Parliament election and the related referendum. A responsible source within the commission confirmed the information.

According to an election commissioner, the meeting will include foreign diplomats, ambassadors from different countries, and representatives of the United Nations. Discussions will focus on the EC’s preparations for the February 12 election, transparency measures, and issues related to international observation. The initiative reflects the commission’s intent to engage with the diplomatic community ahead of the national vote.

The meeting is expected to clarify the EC’s stance and readiness for the upcoming electoral process, providing an opportunity for foreign missions to understand the commission’s approach to ensuring transparency and international oversight.

The formal campaign for Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliamentary Election began on Thursday, marked by a rally in support of Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Maulana Obaidullah Salafi in Nilphamari-3 (Jaldhaka). The Jaldhaka Upazila unit of Jamaat organized the procession in favor of the party’s traditional scale symbol, starting at 4:30 p.m. from the Al-Falah upazila office. Several local leaders, including district council member Prabhashak Sader Hossain, acting Amir and Jaldhaka Press Club president Alhaj Kamruzzaman, and NCP leader Mohayminul Rahman Sana, participated in leading the march.

According to the report, this election marks the first time in nearly 17 years that Jamaat-e-Islami is contesting under its own electoral symbol. Political observers noted that this opportunity has energized the party’s activists and supporters across the region.

The event in Jaldhaka reflects Jamaat’s renewed organizational activity as the national campaign period officially opens, signaling heightened political engagement ahead of the upcoming polls.

Advocate Fazlur Rahman, the BNP-nominated candidate for Kishoreganj-4 (Itna–Mithamain–Austagram) constituency, fell ill on his way to attend a public rally of BNP Chairperson Tareq Rahman in Bhairab on Thursday afternoon. He was subsequently admitted to Jahurul Islam Medical College Hospital in Bhagalpur, Bajitpur upazila of Kishoreganj, around 4:30 p.m.

According to his personal assistant Enamul Haque, Fazlur Rahman suddenly became unwell while traveling to the rally venue, developing fever and vomiting. Hospital Director Professor Dr. Bahar Uddin Bhuiyan stated that the patient was suffering from fever, breathing difficulties, and a respiratory infection. When asked about his condition, Dr. Bhuiyan said it was too early to determine whether he was out of danger, as medical tests were still ongoing.

The incident occurred ahead of a major BNP gathering in Bhairab, where Tareq Rahman was scheduled to address supporters.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed a case against 43 individuals, including Liaquat Ali Khan, chairman of Rupayan Housing Estate Limited, and several officials of Rajuk, over allegations of occupying government and privately owned land. The announcement was made on Thursday afternoon at the ACC headquarters in Segunbagicha, Dhaka, by Akhtar Hossain, the commission’s Director General (Prevention).

According to the ACC, Liaquat Ali Khan made an agreement in 2013 with a landowner for about 2.5 acres but later claimed ownership without completing payment or registration, leading to a court case that remains under a stay order. Despite the pending case, Rajuk officials allegedly approved land use, project, and construction permissions for Rupayan without verifying ownership documents or court restrictions. The ACC stated that Rupayan obtained approvals for projects covering 41.548 acres, though valid documents were submitted for only 16.32 acres.

The ACC’s preliminary investigation confirmed the allegations, prompting the case. Other accused include Rupayan’s estate officer Sajjad Hussain and several Rajuk planners and designers. The case involves illegal inclusion of government and Bhawal Estate land in Rupayan’s projects.

The United Arab Emirates has implemented a new Child Digital Safety (CDS) Law that makes it a legal obligation for parents to monitor and control their children's online activities. The law transforms digital safety from a matter of parental advice into a binding legal responsibility. It imposes strict regulations on harmful online content, excessive digital use, and the collection and use of children’s personal data, assigning clear duties to parents, digital platforms, and service providers.

According to the UAE Cybersecurity Council, 72 percent of children aged eight to twelve use smartphones daily, while only 43 percent of parents regularly monitor their children's online behavior. The CDS Law applies not only to UAE-based companies but also to foreign digital platforms that target Emirati child users. It mandates age verification systems, content filtering, parental control software, and restrictions on advertising aimed at minors.

Legal expert Marina El Hachem stated that parents are now legally required to oversee children’s digital activities, prevent inappropriate account access, protect privacy and security, and report harmful or obscene content to authorities. Neglecting a child’s online safety will be treated as a legal violation under the new law.