More than fifty young men from Hajipara village in Nilphamari’s Jaldhaka upazila formally joined Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami on Friday night, February 6, 2026. The joining took place at an open-yard meeting under the party’s scale symbol in Ward No. 8 of Dharmapal Union, led by former upazila vice chairman Faisal Murad. Jamaat leaders welcomed the new members with flowers during the event.

Faisal Murad described the new entrants as the assets of the future, emphasizing their potential role in building a just and equitable Bangladesh based on Islamic ideals. The youths said they were inspired by Islamic principles and the current social and political context of the country, expressing their intention to participate actively in party activities and work for the scale symbol.

Union Ameer Maulana Rasheduzzaman, along with Shahidur Rahman, Masum Mawla, Maulana Robiul Islam, Imran Ali, Liton, and other local leaders, activists, and residents, were present at the gathering.

The 13th national election, scheduled for February 12, will see participation from all political parties after a long gap, with analysts predicting major changes in Chattogram’s 16 parliamentary constituencies. According to the Election Commission, the region has 6.68 million registered voters, including about 334,000 new ones, most of whom are young. Women make up nearly 47 percent of the electorate, adding a new dimension to the voting equation.

Observers note that this election may prioritize candidates’ personal integrity, education, and development plans over party symbols. Many candidates and their family members are engaging directly with women voters through door-to-door campaigns and small meetings. Youth and women, previously discouraged by disputed elections, are now motivated by a desire for change following the July uprising.

Election data show that 11 constituencies have gained around 20,000 voters each, while the Chattogram-11 seat saw a decline of about 7,000 due to voter relocation linked to employment shifts. Analysts believe that the active participation of young and female voters could decisively influence the outcome across the district.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairman Tarique Rahman has announced the party’s election manifesto ahead of the upcoming national polls, pledging to build a corruption-free, welfare-oriented, and accountable state. The manifesto, titled “Korbo Kaj, Gorbo Desh” (We Will Work, We Will Build the Nation), was unveiled at the Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka. It outlines a five-part, 51-point plan emphasizing democracy, rule of law, social welfare, and economic reform. The BNP promises to create four crore jobs and prioritize anti-corruption, rule of law, and accountability if elected.

The manifesto highlights nine key commitments, including monthly family support through “Family Cards,” fair crop prices via “Farmer Cards,” recruitment of 100,000 health workers, education reform with mid-day meals, youth employment and entrepreneurship programs, sports infrastructure expansion, environmental restoration, interfaith harmony, and digital economy growth. It also proposes constitutional reforms, judicial independence, and decentralization of power to local governments.

BNP describes the manifesto as a new social and state contract based on justice and humanity, rejecting revenge politics. The party vows to restore voting rights, strengthen democratic institutions, and ensure transparency across all levels of governance.

Audio recordings of former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak speaking with Jeffrey Epstein have surfaced, revealing Barak’s remarks about Israel’s demographic policies and attitudes toward different Jewish communities. Released last week by the U.S. Department of Justice, the undated recording captures Barak telling Epstein that he had informed Russian President Vladimir Putin that Israel needed one million Russian-speaking immigrants. He said Israeli authorities could now be more “selective” and “control the quality” of immigrants more effectively than in the past.

In the conversation, Barak appeared to disparage Jews from North Africa and Arab countries, contrasting them with potential Russian-speaking immigrants. He also discussed breaking the Orthodox rabbinate’s monopoly over religious definitions and ceremonies to encourage mass conversions to Judaism. The recording highlights long-standing divisions between religious and secular Jews and reflects Israel’s ongoing efforts to shape its population through immigration.

The report also notes that Israel continues to promote immigration, offering tax incentives to new arrivals in 2026. Past immigration waves, such as those from Ethiopia’s Beta Israel community, have exposed persistent racism and inequality within Israeli society.

Bangladeshi businessman and politician Krishna Nandi, a Hindu and parliamentary candidate for Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, has stated that if his party comes to power, Hindus will live in Bangladesh with dignity, safety, and respect. Writing about his candidacy, Nandi said his nomination challenges the assumption that an Islamic political party cannot represent religious minorities. He emphasized that Jamaat’s principles include justice, accountability, and equal citizenship, and that his own presence in the party demonstrates these commitments.

Nandi explained that he joined Jamaat in 2003 out of conviction, finding discipline and moral clarity within the organization. He argued that fear has long been used to divide communities and that Jamaat’s internal principles reject intimidation and corruption. In his Khulna-1 constituency, he pledged to address injustices faced by minorities, including unfair dismissals and violence, through lawful means.

Referring to the July 2024 uprising, Nandi said Jamaat members protected minority communities and their places of worship. He described his campaign as an effort to restore trust between citizens and the state and to promote a politics beyond fear and communal suspicion.

Leaders of Iraq’s Coordination Framework (CF), the largest Shia political bloc, remain committed to nominating former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki for the premiership despite a warning from US President Donald Trump that Washington would cut off aid if he returned to power. Trump and the US administration view al-Maliki as aligned with Iran’s influence network in Iraq and fear his reinstatement would undermine efforts to curb Tehran’s reach. The CF reiterated that choosing a prime minister is an Iraqi constitutional matter free from foreign interference.

The CF’s internal divisions have deepened, with some factions, including the Badr Organization and the Islamic Supreme Council, backing al-Maliki, while others such as Ammar al-Hakim and Haider al-Abadi caution against economic repercussions from defying the US. Kurdish and Sunni parties also remain split, delaying the presidential election required before a new government can form. The CF is attempting to mediate between the Kurdistan Democratic Party and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan to break the deadlock.

The standoff coincides with a looming US decision on renewing legal protections for Iraq’s oil revenues held in New York. A refusal to renew could freeze Iraqi assets, threatening the country’s economy and adding pressure on Baghdad’s political negotiations.

The United States announced new sanctions on Friday targeting 14 vessels described as part of a “shadow fleet” allegedly used to evade restrictions on transporting Iranian oil and petroleum products. The State Department also imposed penalties on two individuals and 15 entities, including ship management companies based in China, Liberia, and Turkiye, for trading in Iranian-origin crude, petroleum, or petrochemical products. The move coincided with US-Iran talks in Oman aimed at easing tensions between the two countries.

According to the State Department, the sanctions are intended to support antigovernment protests in Iran and to curb the Iranian government’s destabilizing activities. Within hours of the announcement, President Donald Trump signed an executive order threatening additional tariffs on any country acquiring goods or services from Iran. The administration said the measures seek to cut off revenue that Tehran uses to fund terrorism abroad and repress its citizens.

The sanctions form part of a broader pressure campaign under Trump, which has included military actions, threats of further strikes, and the deployment of naval forces near Iran. Despite regional allies urging restraint, the administration maintains that it will continue targeting networks supporting Iran’s oil trade.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh announced that postal ballot counting for the upcoming national election will begin across the country at 4:30 p.m. on February 12. Each constituency’s returning officer will designate the counting location, and 300 presiding officers have been appointed to oversee the process. Political parties may have one polling agent present during counting, which will be conducted under strict adherence to EC regulations to ensure transparency and credibility.

According to EC officials, the process is designed to fully protect voter confidentiality. Declaration forms and ballots will be separated before counting, and once verified, valid ballots will be counted without any possibility of linking them to individual voters. Security forces will be present, and all counting will occur in front of polling agents. Postal ballots for the parliamentary election and referendum will be counted separately, with results later combined with general votes.

The EC noted that postal ballot counting may take longer than regular ballots due to multiple verification steps. Ballot boxes were sealed earlier in the presence of polling agents, and lock details were publicly posted to maintain transparency.

Election campaigns in Sylhet have drawn attention for their peaceful atmosphere and candidate tolerance, despite the absence of traditional posters, rallies, and feasts. As of early February 2026, two-thirds of the official campaign period has passed without any reports of violence or conflict. Returning Officer and District Commissioner Sarwar Alam confirmed that all 33 candidates across six constituencies are campaigning freely, while law enforcement and border guards remain on high alert to ensure a fair election.

Police Commissioner Abdul Quddus described the overall law and order situation as stable, with only minor local incidents reported. Shahjalal University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Sarwar Uddin Chowdhury expressed optimism about high voter turnout, noting the positive environment. The district has 2.9 million registered voters, and many residents are preparing to return to their villages to cast ballots.

Although some citizens miss the festive atmosphere of past elections, the conflict-free campaigns and strong administrative oversight have led local observers to describe Sylhet’s polls as a potential model for fair and peaceful elections in Bangladesh.

At an election campaign rally held Wednesday night at the Bypass intersection in Rajapur upazila, Jhalakathi, Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) Vice President Sadiq Kayem expressed support for Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Dr. Fayzul Haque in the Jhalakathi-1 (Rajapur-Kathalia) constituency. Kayem stated that if Jamaat came to power, justice and fairness would be established in the country, emphasizing that the party practices politics based on ideals rather than power.

He urged followers to build a new Bangladesh inspired by the sacrifices of Shaheed Osman Hadi and Shaheed Abu Saeed. Kayem also warned that anti-national and hegemonic forces were conspiring again and called for vigilance. He described Dr. Fayzul Haque as a successor to Osman Hadi’s ideals and said his victory could help establish a justice-based society.

Local leaders and supporters of Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Chhatra Shibir attended the event, which was part of the ongoing campaign for the Jhalakathi-1 constituency.

At least ten people were injured in a clash between activists of the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami in Monpura upazila of Bhola on Friday morning. The incident occurred in Ward 3 of Uttar Sakuchia Union during election campaigning. Police and naval personnel arrived at the scene and brought the situation under control after about one and a half hours. Several of the injured were admitted to Monpura Upazila Health Complex.

Witnesses said the clash began when Jamaat supporters went for campaign activities near the house of a local BNP leader, prompting objections from BNP activists. The altercation escalated into violence, injuring a local journalist and members of both groups. Jamaat’s union secretary Abdur Rahim claimed six of their workers were hurt, three seriously, while BNP’s joint general secretary Abdur Rahim Farazi said both sides engaged in scuffles during campaigning.

Monpura police officer-in-charge Sheikh Farid Uddin stated that no written complaint had been filed yet, but legal action would follow if one is received.

Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir celebrated its 49th founding anniversary in Shahjahanpur upazila of Bogura with a bicycle rally and a brief assembly on Friday morning. The rally began at 10:30 a.m. from Majhira Bazar and moved through various roads along the Dhaka–Bogura highway before concluding with a gathering. The event was chaired by Abu Sayem, president of the Shahjahanpur town branch, and attended by a large number of members and students.

Bogura district east branch office secretary Tawfiqul Islam Taki attended as chief guest, while Baytul secretary Talibul Habib and publication secretary Rakibul Islam Robin were special guests. In his address, Taki emphasized the importance of student organizations in fostering morally and ideologically sound generations. Jamaat-e-Islami’s nominated candidate for Bogura-7, Golam Rabbani, also spoke, urging unity to build a generation inspired by ethics, education, and patriotism.

Speakers highlighted Shibir’s ongoing efforts to promote ideal education, social responsibility, and positive leadership among youth, calling on students to contribute to national welfare through discipline and human values.

Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh’s Amir Allama Shah Muhibullah Babunagari has declared that voting for Jamaat-e-Islami is religiously forbidden, calling it 'haram' and 'not permissible in any way.' He made the statement on Thursday night at a religious event marking the completion of Bukhari Sharif at Kazi’s Hat Boro Madrasa in Fatikchhari, Chattogram. During the same event, Babunagari announced a 'jihad' against Jamaat-e-Islami and publicly endorsed BNP’s paddy-sheaf symbol candidate, Md. Sarwar Alamgir, for the Chattogram-2 (Fatikchhari) constituency.

His remarks quickly stirred widespread discussion in local political circles and on social media. While some users supported his statement, most online comments criticized the language and the mixing of religious messages with politics. Several observers described the remarks as potentially provocative for the election environment, and local political actors speculated that the statement could alter the electoral dynamics in the constituency.

As of publication, Jamaat-e-Islami and other concerned parties had not issued any immediate response to Babunagari’s comments.

Police dispersed a demonstration by Inkilab Moncho activists on Friday during their campaign demanding justice for the killing of Shahid Sharif Osman Hadi. Several members of the group were injured in the incident. Later that night, the organization released a video on its Facebook page where member secretary Abdullah Al Jaber described the events and accused police of using excessive force against peaceful protesters near Dr. Yunus’s residence.

In the video, Jaber alleged that police assaulted female activists and ignored orders from senior officers to avoid violence. He claimed that the attack was intended to disrupt the upcoming national election scheduled for the 12th. The group demanded that the interim government send a letter to the United Nations by February 8 requesting an independent investigation into Hadi’s killing under UN supervision. Jaber also alleged that some police officers removed nameplates and wore masks during the assault.

Inkilab Moncho called for identifying and prosecuting those responsible for the attack and warned that failure to act could further destabilize the country’s law and order situation.

According to the Department of Prisons, only about seven percent of inmates across Bangladesh are participating in the national election and referendum through postal ballots. Out of approximately 85,000 prisoners nationwide, 5,960 have been approved to vote by post. Assistant Inspector General of Prisons Jannatul Farhad confirmed the information on Friday, noting that inmates from 71 of the country’s 75 prisons registered for postal voting, while four newly established prisons currently have no inmates.

Prison authorities reported that 6,313 prisoners initially registered for postal voting, but after verification and procedural complexities, 5,960 registrations were approved. By Thursday, 3,647 votes had been collected and sent to the respective centers, with the remaining ballots still being processed. The registration process is conducted online, requiring inmates to access candidate lists from their home constituencies, which takes additional time.

Officials added that many prisoners lack national identity cards or show little interest in voting, contributing to the low participation rate. The prison population has risen sharply since the July uprising, with about 85,000 inmates now held in facilities designed for 43,000.