Mujibur Rahman Manju, chairman of the Amar Bangladesh (AB) Party and candidate for the Feni-2 parliamentary seat, expressed doubts about whether the upcoming national election will be fair. Speaking as the chief guest at an event at the Feni Press Club on Thursday afternoon, he said there remains public skepticism about the election’s integrity because the administration is not functioning properly and lacks discipline. He urged the government to ensure that the local administration remains neutral and that the election in Feni is conducted fairly.

Manju stated that the struggle for power is a normal part of democracy but called for an end to divisive and defamatory politics. He emphasized the need for intellectual and policy-based debate, urging political actors to abandon old political practices. He also commented that both the BNP and Jamaat have long suffered under oppressive conditions and are now engaged in mutual blame, which he described as unfortunate.

The event was presided over by senior journalist Mir Hossain Miru and attended by local BNP and Jamaat leaders as special guests.

Bangladesh’s Rastrer Sangskar Andolon has sent a legal notice to the Election Commission (EC), accusing it of contempt of court. The notice, issued Thursday and signed by party president Hasnat Kaiyum and general secretary Syed Hasibuddin Hossain, alleges that the EC ignored a High Court order issued about four months ago directing the commission to grant registration to the party.

According to the statement, the EC’s delay and misinterpretation of the court’s ruling are preventing the party from participating in upcoming elections. The party said it had proposed seeking an opinion from the Attorney General’s Office to resolve disputes over the ruling’s interpretation, but that proposal was not accepted. The statement also criticized the EC for failing to implement reform proposals and for allegedly acting against electoral reform efforts.

The party said it will consider filing a case if the EC does not comply and is preparing to file a writ to expedite electoral reforms. It also indicated readiness to join with pro-reform citizens in a broader movement if necessary.

The Dhaka University Syndicate, the institution’s highest policy-making body, has recommended the permanent expulsion of four teachers accused of taking a stance against students during the July uprising. The decision was confirmed on Thursday, January 8, 2026, by the university’s proctor, Professor Saifuddin Ahmed. The accused teachers have been asked to respond to show-cause notices within one week, and final action will depend on the adequacy of their explanations.

The four accused are Sociology Department professors Dr. Sadeka Halim, Dr. Jinnat Huda, Dr. A.K.M. Jamal Uddin, and Dr. Md. Moshior Rahman. According to university sources, charges were framed against them for allegedly opposing the student movement, assisting the administration in suppressing protests, and making controversial statements and actions during the July uprising.

If the teachers fail to provide satisfactory explanations within the stipulated time, the recommendation for their permanent expulsion may be implemented, university sources indicated.

Banglalink, a leading digital operator in Bangladesh, has officially launched its Voice over Wi-Fi (VoWiFi) calling service across the country. The service enables customers to make high-quality voice calls using Wi-Fi networks in addition to mobile networks, ensuring uninterrupted communication even in areas with weak mobile coverage. The nationwide rollout follows a successful trial phase conducted in Dhaka, Chattogram, and Khulna, where user feedback helped refine the service.

According to Banglalink’s Chief Corporate and Regulatory Affairs Officer Taimur Rahman, the VoWiFi technology will bridge connectivity gaps and deliver clear, high-quality voice calls regardless of location or infrastructure. The system automatically routes calls through Wi-Fi when mobile signals are weak, without requiring additional apps or authentication. The initiative was made possible through collaboration among mobile operators, regulators, ISPs, and technology partners.

Currently, the service is available on selected handset models and through specific ISP partners as per regulatory guidelines. Banglalink is working with device manufacturers and ISPs to expand access, positioning VoWiFi as a complement to its LTE network and a step toward strengthening Bangladesh’s digital transformation.

The Election Commission (EC) has established a coordination cell at its headquarters in Agargaon, Dhaka, to handle complaints related to the national parliamentary election and referendum. According to an EC notice issued on Thursday and signed by Director (Public Relations) Md Ruhul Amin Mallik, the cell will remain operational until February 13, the day after voting concludes.

The notice states that any citizen may report violations of the electoral code of conduct, irregularities, or misinformation to the law and order coordination cell through five designated phone numbers. The initiative aims to ensure proper monitoring and coordination of law and order during the election and referendum period.

The EC’s move reflects an effort to maintain transparency and responsiveness in addressing public concerns during the electoral process, as outlined in the official announcement.

Professor Ali Riaz, special assistant to the Chief Adviser, stated that the upcoming referendum is intended to ensure that future leaders of Bangladesh cannot become fascist. He made the remarks on Thursday in Dhaka at a workshop titled 'Upcoming Referendum and the Role of NGOs,' held at the NGO Affairs Bureau conference room. Riaz explained that flaws in the country’s constitutional and state structures have allowed authoritarian tendencies to emerge, and urged voters to support the 'Yes' option to block such paths.

He emphasized that the referendum will function like a general election, with voters receiving two ballots—one white for electing representatives and one colored for the referendum. Riaz said the people will decide through this process how Bangladesh will be governed in the future. He called on NGOs to raise awareness among grassroots communities, noting their trusted role in society.

Riaz added that the referendum’s approval could help implement the July National Charter, paving the way for greater transparency and accountability across state institutions.

Bangladesh will pursue diplomatic efforts to secure an exemption from the United States’ newly imposed visa bond requirement, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain said on Thursday. Speaking to reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he explained that the US decision was not directed solely at Bangladesh but applied to several countries. The US State Department’s travel website states that citizens of 38 countries must now deposit up to 15,000 US dollars as a visa bond when applying for entry.

Hossain noted that Washington’s concerns stem from perceived misuse of immigration and social security systems. He described the inclusion of Bangladesh in the list as unfortunate but not surprising, given the broader policy context. He emphasized that irregular migration is a long-standing policy issue and reiterated the interim government’s opposition to such migration, calling for sustainable solutions.

According to the US announcement, the new bond requirement will take effect on January 21, with some exceptions. Bangladesh’s diplomatic initiative aims to ease the burden on its citizens affected by the new rule.

The Indian Border Security Force (BSF) has reportedly begun constructing a road and barbed-wire fence within 150 yards of the international boundary at the Khalishakotal border in Fulbari upazila of Kurigram, Bangladesh. The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) objected to the activity, citing a breach of international law, and lodged a formal protest. A flag meeting between 12 members of both forces was held near international boundary pillar 934 on Thursday afternoon to address the issue.

According to reports, the disputed one-kilometer road runs from sub-pillar 1 to sub-pillar 11 of pillar 934, connecting areas in India’s Cooch Behar district. The road lies between 50 and 70 yards from the zero line, placing it well within the 150-yard restriction zone. The BGB has previously raised objections to similar construction attempts, which the BSF had halted. However, this time the BSF continued work despite BGB’s protest, leading to heightened tension along the border.

BGB commander Subedar Abu Taher confirmed the flag meeting and stated that some construction materials were being removed from the site by the BSF following the discussions.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has issued comprehensive instructions to returning officers to ensure that the upcoming national parliamentary election is held freely, fairly, and peacefully. The circular, signed by EC Deputy Secretary Mohammad Monir Hossain on January 8, outlines procedures for appointing election and polling agents, their duties, submission of expenditure reports, and measures to prevent terrorism and fake voting.

According to the directive, candidates must appoint qualified voters from their constituencies as election agents and notify returning officers in writing. Each polling station may have one polling agent, who must present appointment papers before voting begins. The EC emphasized that agents play a vital role from the start of voting through counting, and all candidates—whether elected, defeated, or unopposed—must submit detailed expenditure returns within 30 days of gazette publication. Failure to comply or exceeding spending limits will be treated as a punishable offense.

The EC also urged candidates and agents to cooperate in preventing violence, intimidation, and fake voting, warning that any illegal campaigning or disorder within 400 yards of polling centers will face strict action. Voting is scheduled for February 12, following the official campaign period ending on February 10.

The World Bank has issued a warning to the public in Bangladesh about fraudulent activities using its name and logo. According to a press release issued on Thursday, scammers are falsely claiming to offer loans from the World Bank in exchange for fees. The organization clarified that it does not provide loans directly to individuals and never requests personal financial information.

The statement explained that fraudsters have created fake Facebook pages, false identities, and other schemes to deceive people and collect money through mobile banking. The World Bank urged anyone encountering such fraudulent activities to immediately contact local authorities. It also emphasized that it has no involvement with any such projects or loan offers made in its name.

The warning aims to raise public awareness and prevent further financial losses caused by these scams, which have recently surfaced in Bangladesh.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh reported that a total of 469 appeals have been filed against the returning officers’ decisions on nomination papers for the upcoming national parliamentary election. On the fourth day alone, 174 appeals were submitted to the EC. The information was officially released by the commission on Thursday, January 8, 2026.

According to the election schedule, the EC will continue accepting appeals until January 9. The disposal of these appeals is set to take place between January 10 and 18. Candidates will have until January 20 to withdraw their candidacies. The final list of approved candidates and the allocation of election symbols will be announced on January 21, followed by the start of the official campaign period on January 22.

Election campaigning will continue until 7:30 a.m. on February 10, and voting is scheduled for February 12, marking the culmination of the national election process.

Leaders of Khelafat Majlis have warned that the upcoming national election will be questioned if the administration does not maintain neutrality. Speaking at the party’s monthly central executive meeting held Wednesday evening at its central office in Paltan, Dhaka, they urged authorities to strengthen monitoring to ensure compliance with the electoral code of conduct.

The leaders expressed deep concern over the killing of political leader Shahid Osman Hadi, alleging that the killers remain at large and the government has failed to arrest the main perpetrators. They criticized law enforcement agencies for inaction and lack of intelligence surveillance, claiming that such negligence has emboldened criminals. According to them, as the election day approaches, administrative bias toward a particular party is becoming more visible, undermining a fair electoral environment.

The meeting demanded immediate intensified patrols, weapon recovery, and special drives by law enforcement to ensure a level playing field. The leaders also called for eliminating terrorism and extortion to create a festive and peaceful election atmosphere.

Bangladesh’s foreign exchange reserves have declined following payment to the Asian Clearing Union (ACU). On Thursday, the central bank paid $1.53 billion from reserves to settle ACU bills for November and December, reducing the total reserves to $32.43 billion. Under the International Monetary Fund’s BPM-6 calculation method, reserves now stand at $27.84 billion. The information was confirmed by Arif Hossain Khan, executive director and spokesperson of Bangladesh Bank.

According to Bangladesh Bank data, total reserves were $33.78 billion on January 7, while the BPM-6 adjusted figure was $29.18 billion. The ACU is a regional settlement system among nine Asian central banks, including Bangladesh, India, Iran, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Bhutan, and the Maldives. Through this mechanism, import and export payments among member countries are settled every two months.

The latest payment marks a continued decline in reserves, reflecting the country’s periodic obligations under the ACU settlement system.

West Indies cricketer Jason Holder has come under fire after commenting on India and Pakistan’s tense cricket rivalry. Speaking on the popular podcast ‘Game With Grace,’ Holder criticized India’s decision not to accept the Asia Cup trophy despite winning the tournament. He said the rivalry had gone beyond cricket and called the move excessive, urging both nations to show unity and mutual respect as symbols of sportsmanship and peace.

Following his remarks, Indian social media users reacted sharply, with many calling for a boycott of Holder and even demanding his exclusion from the Indian Premier League (IPL). The backlash mirrors a recent incident in which Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman was reportedly dropped from Kolkata Knight Riders following similar public pressure.

The controversy highlights how cricket continues to reflect broader political and emotional tensions between India and Pakistan, with players’ statements often sparking intense public reactions across both nations.

The Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) has instructed all heads of educational institutions to take necessary measures according to the revised schedule for celebrating National Education Week 2026. The directive was issued through a letter signed by Assistant Director Md. Khalid Hossain on Thursday, referencing a memorandum from the Ministry of Education. The letter includes the updated national-level activity schedule and requests compliance with the outlined timeline.

Earlier, the ministry’s memorandum stated that all institutions must follow the National Education Week celebration guidelines and send daily activity reports via email between January 4 and 20. The reports should include information on the best students, class teachers, institution heads, institutions, upazilas, and education officers at various administrative levels.

The DSHE’s directive aims to ensure uniform implementation of the celebration across the country in line with ministry instructions, emphasizing timely reporting and adherence to the official schedule.