Local administration and law enforcement in Nesarabad upazila of Pirojpur have identified 77 polling centers as vulnerable ahead of the upcoming parliamentary election for the Pirojpur-2 constituency, which includes Nesarabad, Kaukhali, and Bhandaria upazilas. Officials said strict security measures are being implemented to prevent irregularities, influence, violence, or any obstruction to voters’ rights.

Nesarabad Upazila Election Officer Rubayet Hossain stated that the area has the highest number of voters and polling centers among the three upazilas, making it more prone to risk. He added that preparations are in the final stage to ensure smooth voting for 198,001 registered voters, with ballot boxes, papers, and CCTV cameras ready for timely distribution. Pirojpur Election Commissioner Abdu Mannan reported that the constituency has a total of 405,302 voters, seven candidates including one independent, and 166 polling centers overall.

Authorities emphasized that enhanced security and logistical readiness aim to ensure a free, fair, and peaceful election process in the constituency.

Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) has announced that metro rail services in Dhaka will continue to operate normally during the national election and referendum period, despite a nationwide restriction on vehicular movement. DMTCL Director A.K.M. Khairul Alam confirmed that metro trains will run as on regular working days to ensure smooth travel for passengers and facilitate voter movement across the city.

According to the announcement, station gates located directly beside polling centers may remain closed for security reasons, while all other gates will stay open. To maintain uninterrupted metro operations during the election period, DMTCL has canceled all staff leave. Earlier, the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges issued a circular on February 2 imposing restrictions on various types of vehicles, including taxis, pickups, microbuses, and trucks, from midnight on February 11 to midnight on February 12.

Additionally, motorcycle movement across the country will be banned for 72 hours from midnight on February 10 to midnight on February 13, though exceptions will apply for emergency and election-related activities.

Japan will hold a snap election on Sunday, with opinion polls suggesting a major victory for Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). The country’s first female prime minister, Takaichi, has seen her popularity rise sharply in recent months, according to an AFP report. The 64-year-old leader, who took office last October as Japan’s fifth prime minister in five years, has gained strong appeal among younger voters and on social media.

Pre-election surveys indicate that the LDP and its coalition partner, the Japan Innovation Party (JIP), could win more than 300 of the 465 parliamentary seats, securing a two-thirds majority. Meanwhile, the main opposition alliance, formed by the CDP and Komeito under the new Centrist Reform Alliance, may lose about half of its current 167 seats.

Despite her growing domestic support, uncertainty remains over Japan’s relations with China. Takaichi’s past visits to the Yasukuni Shrine and her remarks suggesting possible military intervention if China moves on Taiwan have drawn attention. Economically, her $135 billion stimulus plan has unsettled investors, though experts believe market forces will restrain any risky fiscal moves.

A total of 379,924 postal ballots from expatriate voters have arrived in Bangladesh ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliament election and referendum. The information was confirmed on Thursday by Salim Ahmad Khan, team leader of the OCV-SDI project on expatriate voter registration. As of 9:30 a.m., 766,862 ballots had been sent to registered expatriate voters through the ‘Postal Vote BD’ app, with 526,008 ballots received and 480,416 votes already cast. Additionally, 444,952 expatriate voters have submitted their ballots to postal authorities in their respective countries, and 107,168 ballots have been received by returning officers in Bangladesh.

The Election Commission has also begun sending postal ballots to domestic voters registered under the ICPV system. So far, 662,191 ballots have been dispatched within the country, with 260,447 voters receiving them. Among these, 211,122 have voted, and 168,519 have submitted their ballots to post offices or drop boxes. Returning officers have received 27,367 domestic ballots.

According to Salim Ahmad Khan, a total of 1,533,684 voters, both domestic and expatriate, have registered through the ‘Postal Vote BD’ app to participate in the election and referendum via postal ballots.

BNP candidate and central treasurer M Rashiduzzaman Millat in Jamalpur-1 (Dewanganj-Bakshiganj) constituency has drawn controversy after a video of his campaign speech went viral on social media. In the video, recorded Monday night at Haruabarhi Rahmani Madrasa field, Millat is heard saying that police have been instructed not to arrest or harass Awami League supporters and that they can vote freely. He urged them to support the BNP’s ‘sheaf of paddy’ symbol, claiming Awami League would not win elections for at least 20 years.

The remarks triggered widespread debate across the district, with many voters expressing surprise and anger. Some Awami League activists reportedly began openly campaigning for Millat, while others criticized the move as political opportunism. Dewanganj Upazila BNP leaders confirmed that some Awami League members were joining BNP activities under local approval.

Police officials, including the Dewanganj officer-in-charge and Jamalpur superintendent of police, denied Millat’s claims, stating that regular arrest operations continue and no such instructions were given. Jamaat candidate Nazmul Haque Sayeedi accused Millat of betraying political commitments and demanded the removal of the Dewanganj police chief for alleged bias.

U.S. President Donald Trump said it is time for the country to move on from the Jeffrey Epstein case after the Justice Department completed its mandatory review of millions of documents related to Epstein’s sex trafficking investigation. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche confirmed that the review, required under a law passed by Congress last November, found no grounds for new prosecutions. Despite this, the House of Representatives continues its own inquiry, summoning former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to testify later in February.

Some lawmakers and Epstein’s victims are demanding the release of additional unreleased files. The documents mention Trump over 6,000 times, reflecting his past friendship with Epstein during the 1990s, which he says ended in the early 2000s. The Justice Department also published unverified FBI source lists containing unsubstantiated allegations against Trump and other influential figures, later temporarily removed from its website. The department stated those claims were false and lacked evidence.

While Trump appears politically unscathed, other high-profile individuals named in the documents, including Prince Andrew, Larry Summers, and Bill Gates, have faced professional and personal fallout.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M M Nasiruddin will administer the oath to the newly elected members of Bangladesh’s 13th Parliament, as both the Speaker and Deputy Speaker positions are currently vacant. According to constitutional provisions, the CEC assumes this responsibility when no Speaker or designated person is available to conduct the ceremony. Parliament and Election Commission sources confirmed the arrangement.

Following the July uprising, the Speaker resigned and the Deputy Speaker’s post also became vacant. The Constitution mandates that newly elected MPs must take their oath within three days of the official gazette publication of election results. The Parliament Secretariat is preparing for the ceremony, with renovation of the oath and session rooms nearing completion ahead of the February 12 election. A committee is being formed to organize the event.

Election Commission officials stated that preparations are underway to avoid any constitutional crisis. Legal experts noted that the CEC-led oath is fully valid under the Constitution and ensures continuity of governance. Delays in the oath process could otherwise raise questions about the new Parliament’s legitimacy and operations.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman announced a vision for a united, corruption-free, and humane Bangladesh while unveiling the party’s election manifesto at an event in Dhaka’s Banani Sheraton Hotel on Wednesday evening. The 86-page manifesto, prepared with input from various social groups, outlines 26 priority areas and 41 pledges under the slogan “Let’s Build Bangladesh Together.” It emphasizes honesty, justice, efficiency, and employment while rejecting corruption, fascism, dominance, unemployment, and extortion.

The manifesto details commitments to good governance, youth empowerment, women’s safety, and inclusive development. It proposes reforms in governance, law enforcement, economy, education, and healthcare, along with digitalization to ensure transparency. It also pledges to strengthen democracy through proportional representation and caretaker government systems, ensure women’s empowerment, and provide social security for all citizens.

Dr. Rahman said the manifesto aims to unite the nation beyond partisan politics and called for public feedback. The document positions Jamaat’s vision as a practical and welfare-oriented roadmap to build a just, prosperous, and inclusive Bangladesh.

Multiple security and intelligence sources have warned of a coordinated plan to destabilize Bangladesh ahead of the upcoming national election and referendum. The alleged blueprint aims to derail the electoral process, incite violent clashes between rival political groups, and create international controversy around the election’s legitimacy. Intelligence reports suggest involvement of cross-border networks, fugitive political and administrative figures, and extremist groups, with online disinformation and paid violence as key tactics.

According to the reports, a critical phase has been identified before the election, during which targeted killings, communal unrest, and attacks on political gatherings could occur. Security agencies have issued high alerts regarding 103 fugitive JMB members allegedly trained under foreign supervision. The government has deployed over nine hundred thousand personnel from the army, police, and other forces nationwide, with advanced surveillance including drones and AI-based monitoring to counter digital misinformation.

Authorities have urged political parties to act with restraint and citizens to avoid spreading unverified information. U.S. and U.K. embassies have issued security advisories, while national agencies continue joint operations to prevent potential sabotage.

Abul Kalam Azad Majumdar, Deputy Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser, announced that the government will hand over power to elected representatives as soon as possible after the election. He made the statement on Wednesday night through a verified Facebook post.

In his post, Majumdar rejected claims that the interim government would remain in power for 180 additional working days after the election, calling such assertions dishonest. He said those spreading the rumor had previously tried to create doubts about the election and were now promoting new conspiracy theories as the polls proceed on schedule.

Majumdar added that even some highly educated individuals were being misled by these false campaigns, but assured that there is no scope for confusion. The government, he reiterated, will transfer authority swiftly once the elected representatives take office.

Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd.) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury stated that there is no fear of mob violence or unrest within the police ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election and referendum. Speaking to journalists on Wednesday afternoon in front of the Rajshahi Prison Training Center auditorium, he said the election will be held in a peaceful and festive atmosphere.

He explained that preparations for the election are nearly complete, with CCTV cameras installed at almost all polling centers. In places lacking boundary walls, bamboo fencing will be used. Chowdhury added that illegal weapons are being regularly recovered, leaving no scope for violence. He emphasized that the election will proceed peacefully, supported by extensive deployment of security forces, including 100,000 army members, 5,000 navy personnel, 37,000 from the Border Guard Bangladesh, 4,000 from the Coast Guard, 150,000 police, 9,000 Rapid Action Battalion members, and over 500,000 Ansar personnel.

The meeting was chaired by Senior Secretary Nasimul Gani and attended by senior officials from various law enforcement and administrative agencies.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has issued an urgent directive requiring political parties and candidates to strictly follow the electoral code of conduct during online campaigning ahead of the upcoming parliamentary election and referendum. The EC’s Public Relations Director, Md. Ruhul Amin Mallik, stated that letters have been sent to all returning officers outlining the new enforcement measures.

According to the directive, under Rule 16 of the Political Parties and Candidates’ Code of Conduct 2025, candidates or their election agents must submit details such as platform name, account ID, and email address to the returning officer before starting any social media campaign. Rule 22(2) further requires that all expenses related to online content creation, advertising, boosting, and sponsorship be included in the official election expenditure report submitted to the EC.

The EC reiterated that all social media campaign costs must be reported to returning officers and instructed that information on which platforms are being used by parties and candidates be sent to the EC Secretariat’s Public Relations Division.

An NCP leader was allegedly attacked during an election campaign in Kishoreganj-6 constituency on Wednesday afternoon. The incident occurred around 5 p.m. at Subichar Mor in Gobaria Abdullahpur Union of Kuliarchar upazila while promoting the 11-party alliance’s ‘Rickshaw’ symbol. According to the complaint, Kuliarchar upazila NCP convener Ariful Islam and upazila Chhatra Shibir president Nazimuddin Hridoy were among those injured.

Ariful Islam claimed that supporters of BNP candidate and district BNP president Md. Shariful Alam assaulted him during the campaign, snatched leaflets and a mobile phone, and issued threats. The complaint also alleged that they warned of dire consequences for campaigning for any symbol other than the ‘Sheaf of Paddy’. However, Gobaria Abdullahpur Union BNP general secretary Masud Rana denied the allegations when contacted.

Assistant Returning Officer and Kuliarchar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md. Yasin Khondaker said police were sent to the scene and the situation was now normal. He added that necessary action would be taken if a written complaint was filed. In protest, a demonstration was held in the evening at Bhairab Durjoy Mor led by upazila Chhatra Shibir president Ali Ahsan Mujahid.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has announced a 37-point set of pledges focused on healthcare reform as part of its election manifesto, unveiled under the theme “Healthcare as Everyone’s Right.” The manifesto was formally presented by party chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman on Wednesday, January 4, at the Grand Ballroom of Hotel Sheraton in Banani, Dhaka. The health-related commitments include ensuring affordable and quality medical services, free healthcare for citizens under five and over sixty, and tripling the national health budget.

The party’s plan also promises to strengthen public hospitals, introduce national health insurance and digital health cards, and expand telemedicine and referral systems. It emphasizes transparency through public disclosure of financial data, anti-corruption measures, and e-GP procurement. Jamaat further pledges to improve healthcare governance, enhance medical education, and ensure safety and rights for patients and healthcare workers.

The manifesto positions healthcare as a central pillar of Jamaat’s broader vision for a “Safe Bangladesh,” prioritizing 26 key areas of national development, with health reform presented as a major component.

Thousands of female activists of Jamaat-e-Islami held a protest rally and procession in Chuadanga’s Chowgacha upazila on Wednesday afternoon, denouncing alleged harassment of their members in various parts of the country, including Chowgacha and Jhikargacha. The event, organized by the upazila’s women’s wing, drew around ten thousand participants and concluded at the Kamil Madrasa field after marching through the town’s streets. The rally was presided over by Shahina Khatun, with Jamaat’s parliamentary candidate Dr. Mosleh Uddin Farid as chief guest.

Speakers at the rally alleged that female activists were being threatened and assaulted while campaigning for votes. They cited incidents in Mukhtarpur, Naodapara, and Matichakla villages where women were reportedly harassed, their belongings seized, and later returned after written undertakings. The speakers blamed administrative inaction for emboldening opponents and warned that continued attacks would provoke a strong response.

Organizers also claimed that BNP activists blocked several vehicles carrying participants on the way to the rally, which were later released following administrative intervention.