The Bangladesh Election Commission (EC) has issued a warning about a fraudulent group targeting officials assigned to the national election. According to a notice signed by Md. Mamun Ar Rashid, Deputy Director of the Department of Films and Publications attached to the EC, the fraudsters are contacting officials and asking for their bKash numbers under the false promise of paying election honorariums. The notice, released on Sunday, February 1, 2026, identified two phone numbers—01342046232 and 01612677074—used for these deceptive calls.

The EC clarified that all officials will receive their election honorariums through presiding officers after the upcoming referendum and national parliamentary polls, following official procedures. It emphasized that no individual or organization is authorized to collect personal financial details or distribute payments on behalf of the commission.

The commission urged all election officials not to respond to such fraudulent calls and to remain cautious against any unauthorized communication related to election payments.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has established a law and order coordination cell ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliament Election and Referendum 2026. The announcement was made through a press release issued by the ministry on Sunday. The cell will handle complaints related to law and order during the election period and has provided several emergency contact numbers for public communication.

According to the ministry, citizens can reach the coordination cell through telephone numbers 02-47118700, 02-47118701, 02-47118702, and 02-47118703. Additionally, a mobile number (01550-064226) and a WhatsApp number (01550-064227) have been made available for urgent communication. The ministry has requested the public to use these numbers for reporting any election-related law and order issues.

The formation of the coordination cell aims to ensure effective monitoring and quick response to any law and order concerns during the election and referendum period.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed a case against six former officials of Essential Drugs Company Limited (EDCL), including former managing director Professor Dr. Ehsanul Kabir. The case alleges that they illegally appointed five officials on a contractual basis without prior approval from the EDCL board, causing financial losses to the state-owned company. The case was announced on Sunday afternoon at the ACC headquarters in Segunbagicha, Dhaka, by the commission’s Director General (Prevention) Md. Akhter Hossain.

According to the ACC, Dr. Kabir, in collusion with other accused officials, abused his authority and engaged in fraud and criminal breach of trust by directing the unlawful appointments. The irregularities allegedly caused a financial loss of 3,614,943 taka to EDCL. The case has been filed under sections 409, 420, and 109 of the Penal Code, along with section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947.

The other accused are former finance director and company secretary Muhammad Khurshid Alam, former general manager (procurement) Syed Zahir Uddin Jamal, former deputy general managers Md. Shawkat Ali and A. Kaiyum Khan, and former production manager Bikash Kumar Sarkar.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Alhaj Aftab Uddin Molla for Dinajpur-4 (Khansama–Chirirbandar) constituency called on journalists to report crimes and wrongdoing without fear or bias. He made the remarks on Saturday night during a meeting with journalists working in Khansama upazila, Dinajpur. Aftab emphasized that journalists should present facts truthfully and remain steadfast even if obstacles arise after revealing the truth.

During the discussion, Aftab Uddin Molla highlighted the crucial role of the media in building a fair, just, and accountable society. He stated that fearless journalism in favor of truth and justice can help eliminate corruption, irregularities, and injustice from society. He also assured full cooperation to journalists in carrying out their professional duties.

Aftab pledged to work for the protection of press freedom and the safety of journalists. The meeting was attended by representatives from various print and electronic media outlets operating in Khansama upazila.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has expelled its central committee member Samiran Dewan after he decided to contest the upcoming election as an independent candidate from Khagrachhari-298 constituency under the football symbol. The decision was announced on Sunday through a press release signed by BNP Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, citing involvement in activities against party discipline. The expulsion includes termination of Dewan’s primary membership and removal from all party positions.

According to the party, Khagrachhari district BNP president Abdul Wadud Bhuiyan received the official nomination and is contesting under the paddy sheaf symbol. Dewan’s decision to run independently prompted the party to take organizational action against him. Dewan had previously contested the 2008 national election as a BNP candidate and finished second.

In response, Dewan alleged that Abdul Wadud Bhuiyan, facing corruption charges, fielded his nephew Daudul Islam Bhuiyan as an independent candidate to block Dewan’s potential victory. Dewan declined to comment further on his expulsion, saying he was busy with campaign activities.

The Appellate Division of Bangladesh’s Supreme Court has upheld the candidacy of Mobashwer Alam Bhuiyan, the BNP-nominated candidate for the Comilla-10 constituency in the 13th National Parliamentary Election. The court, led by the Chief Justice, issued the order on Sunday, allowing Bhuiyan to contest under the ‘paddy sheaf’ symbol. At the same time, the court cancelled the nomination of another BNP leader, Abdul Gafur Bhuiyan, from the same constituency.

Earlier, Mobashwer Alam Bhuiyan’s nomination had been rejected over allegations of loan default. He challenged the decision in the High Court, which on January 25 suspended the cancellation and directed the Election Commission to allocate him the BNP’s election symbol. Following that order, Bhuiyan received the symbol and continued his campaign. Later, another candidate from the same constituency, Hasan Ahmed, filed a leave-to-appeal petition against the High Court’s decision.

After hearing the appeal, the Appellate Division confirmed Bhuiyan’s eligibility to contest while maintaining the cancellation of Abdul Gafur Bhuiyan’s nomination, finalizing the BNP’s candidate lineup for Comilla-10.

Senior Assistant Secretary Md. Kamal Hossain, serving as a special officer on special duty (OSD) under the Ministry of Public Administration, has been temporarily suspended for allegedly misusing power to obtain a BCS administration cadre position. The ministry issued the suspension order on Sunday following a case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) while he was serving as Upazila Nirbahi Officer in Nachol, Chapainawabganj. On January 28, a Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge’s Court denied his bail and sent him to jail.

According to the government order, the suspension was made under Section 39(2) of the Government Service Act, 2018, effective from January 28. During the suspension period, Kamal Hossain will receive subsistence allowance as per regulations. The ACC case, filed on December 26, 2024, alleges that he falsified his parentage to claim benefits under the freedom fighter quota.

The case statement says Hossain listed his uncle, freedom fighter Md. Ahsan Habib, and aunt, Mosha. Sanoara Khatun, as his parents instead of his real father and mother. Using this false identity, he gained university admission and later secured his BCS administration cadre post through the 35th BCS examination.

A CCTV camera installed at a polling center in Keraniganj, Dhaka, for the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election has been stolen. The incident occurred at Amirabag Government Primary School, designated as a polling center under Dhaka-3 constituency. According to local administration officials, six cameras had been installed at the school’s old building on Thursday, but one camera placed at the main gate was found missing the following morning.

Keraniganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md. Umar Faruq and Jinjira Union Parishad Administrator Shiblizzaman confirmed the theft. A local vegetable vendor, Abul Hossain, said he saw the cameras being installed and later noticed one missing. He also heard that another camera from a nearby mosque building had been stolen. Officials visited the site and verified that one of the six cameras was taken.

Md. Umar Faruq stated that the perpetrators have not yet been identified and assured that all polling centers will have CCTV installations completed by February 5, with overall security measures strengthened.

BNP-nominated candidate for Cumilla-05 (Burichang–Brahmanpara) constituency and former district BNP member secretary Haji Jasim Uddin has said that a massive wave of public support has formed in favor of the paddy sheaf symbol. Speaking at an election campaign event in Kalakchua area of Moynamoti Union, Burichang upazila, on Monday afternoon, he predicted a 'vote revolution' for the BNP on February 12.

Jasim Uddin stated that he has been serving the people of the area for thirty years and that people from all political backgrounds are now supporting him. He said he has taken various initiatives to improve local living standards beyond the BNP’s 31-point program, citing poor road conditions in Burichang and Brahmanpara due to seventeen years of neglect. He pledged to prioritize road construction and modernization of transport if elected.

He dismissed his Jamaat-e-Islami rival as not well known locally and called for a fair and neutral election without vote rigging. He also alleged that one side was trying to influence presiding officers and urged his supporters to remain fearless and active during the polls.

The Noakhali Science and Technology University (NSTU) branch of Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir has launched a campaign supporting a 'Yes' vote in the upcoming national referendum. The initiative, held on Sunday, aimed to promote awareness about the vote’s significance in realizing the aspirations of the historic July uprising. As part of the campaign, members displayed banners, set up photo booths, and distributed leaflets across key campus locations including the main roundabout, Prashanti Park, and administrative buildings.

NSTU Shibir leaders stated that the campaign seeks to encourage reforms in the state structure to protect democracy and citizens’ rights. They linked the referendum to the ideals of the July revolution, emphasizing the need for a just and accountable governance system. The campaign reportedly received strong responses from teachers, students, and staff.

According to the organizers, the February 12 referendum, held alongside the 13th national parliamentary election, offers citizens a chance to express direct support for structural reforms and the creation of a fair, inclusive Bangladesh.

A group of thieves stole five cows from the barn of farmer and grocery trader Rafiqul Islam in Kopatia Para, Maona Union of Sreepur upazila, Gazipur, early Sunday, February 1, 2026. The stolen livestock, including one bull, two cows, and two heifers, are valued at around seven lakh taka. Locals said the thieves emptied the barn, leaving the farmer destitute.

Rafiqul Islam reported that around 1 a.m. he checked on the cows and found everything normal. However, at dawn he discovered the barn door locked from outside. After calling his nephew Shamim to help open it, he found all the cows missing. He suspects the thieves locked him inside before stealing the animals.

The incident has caused alarm in the area, with residents claiming cattle thefts have recently increased. They urged authorities to identify and arrest the culprits. Rafiqul Islam said he is preparing to file a complaint with Sreepur Police Station, though the officer-in-charge could not be reached for comment.

Police in Mirsharai, Chattogram have arrested Imam Hossain, 25, joint convener of Baraiyarhat College Chhatra Dal, on charges of gang-raping a seventh-grade girl after forcing her to consume an intoxicating substance. The arrest followed a case filed on Sunday by the victim’s mother at Jorarganj Police Station, naming two other suspects, Hridoy, 25, and Rana, 27. The incident reportedly occurred on January 26 around 7 p.m. in a garden near a pond beside Shahjahan’s house in Jamalpur village under Baraiyarhat municipality.

According to the case statement, the accused threatened the girl not to disclose the assault and later pressured her family to avoid filing a case. Police confirmed that Imam Hossain is currently in custody while efforts are underway to arrest the remaining suspects. Chattogram North District Chhatra Dal General Secretary Sarowar Hossain Rubel said he would look into the matter and take necessary organizational action after returning from an election rally.

Law enforcement officials stated that the investigation is ongoing and further arrests are expected as part of the case proceedings.

Professor Ali Riaz, special assistant to the chief adviser, stated that every letter of the July Charter was written in blood. He made the remark on Sunday, February 1, at 11:30 a.m. during a discussion on referendum campaigning held at the central auditorium of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST). Riaz emphasized that the charter was born from the sacrifices of those who died in July 2024 and that it will determine Bangladesh’s future direction, not serve any government agenda.

Addressing constitutional reform concerns, Riaz clarified that the July Charter does not omit 'Bismillah' or deny the Liberation War, calling such claims misleading. He said the 39-page document upholds equality, human dignity, social justice, religious freedom, and cultural values—principles rooted in the Liberation War’s declaration. He also stressed that secularism in the charter reflects Bangladesh’s multiethnic and multireligious reality, not opposition to religion.

SUST Vice-Chancellor Professor A.M. Sarwaruddin Chowdhury described the July Revolution as essential, adding that a referendum validating the charter could prevent future authoritarian resurgence.

Detective Branch (DB) police in Barishal faced obstruction from local BNP activists while attempting to arrest a leader of the banned Chhatra League in Babuganj upazila on Sunday evening. The incident occurred around 6:30 p.m. at Rahutkathi Bazar in Dehergati Union, where the DB team detained Yasir Arafat, also known as Sohel Kazi. As officers tried to place him in their vehicle, a group led by Babuganj Upazila Jubo Dal convener Rakibul Hasan Khan Rakib reportedly surrounded the car and forcibly freed the detainee.

DB Sub-Inspector Redowan confirmed that an incident took place but declined to provide details, while other senior police officials said they were unaware of the matter. Local sources said Sohel Kazi had been an active Chhatra League leader and a candidate for the upazila unit presidency before the organization was banned. He is also believed to be a close relative of Rakibul Hasan Khan Rakib.

The incident has sparked widespread discussion in the area. Concerned citizens described the act of obstructing law enforcement and snatching a detainee as a direct challenge to state authority and called for an impartial investigation and strict legal action against those involved.

Leaders of the women’s wing of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami submitted a nine-point memorandum to the Chief Election Commissioner on Sunday, protesting what they described as ongoing violence, intimidation, and rights violations against female campaigners supporting the 11-party electoral alliance. The memorandum called for preventive measures to ensure women’s safety during election campaigns across the country.

The submission took place at the Election Commission building in Agargaon, Dhaka, in the presence of Jamaat Assistant Secretary General and head of the party’s publicity division Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, journalist Oliullah Noman, and several senior women leaders. The memorandum cited multiple incidents between January 9 and 25 in Bhola, Natore, Meherpur, Jessore, and other districts where female activists were allegedly harassed, assaulted, or obstructed while campaigning.

The nine demands include strict enforcement of penalties for violence or harassment against women during campaigns, mandatory investigations into such incidents, special police patrols for female campaigners, a gender-sensitive complaint platform under the Election Commission, and public commitments from all parties to ensure violence-free elections. The women leaders urged the Commission to act decisively to guarantee a safe and participatory electoral environment for all.