BNP candidate Shahjahan Chowdhury from Cox’s Bazar-4 (Ukhiya-Teknaf) constituency has said that those who vote for Jamaat-e-Islami will not be able to enter heaven. He made the remark during a recent street meeting in Baharchhara Union of Teknaf upazila. A video clip of his statement has circulated on social media, prompting widespread discussion and criticism.

In his speech, Chowdhury accused Jamaat-e-Islami of opposing both the creation of Pakistan and Bangladesh, claiming that the party’s politics have always gone in the wrong direction. He contrasted Jamaat’s approach with the BNP’s pledge to introduce regular monthly allowances for ordinary citizens if it comes to power. He urged voters not to be misled by Jamaat, emphasizing that only sincere worship accepted by God can lead to paradise.

The remarks have drawn attention online and stirred debate over the use of religious references in political campaigning in the constituency.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman’s adviser Mahdi Amin has said that the party is committed to ensuring freedom of speech, human rights, and the rule of law for all in future Bangladesh. Speaking at a meeting with the Reporters Forum for Election and Democracy in Gulshan, Dhaka, he called on journalists to work together against electoral irregularities, manipulation, and engineering. He stated that if BNP assumes state responsibility, it will guarantee maximum press freedom and full protection and rights for journalists, as in previous BNP governments.

Mahdi Amin described the upcoming February 12 election as crucial, linking it to a 16-year struggle against what he termed a “passive arm” system. He criticized the 2014, 2018, and 2024 elections as processes that deprived citizens of voting rights and extended partisan control over state institutions. He praised journalists for exposing electoral irregularities despite restrictions on the media.

He expressed hope that journalists would maintain neutrality in the coming election and reaffirmed that a future BNP government would ensure press freedom and freedom of expression for all citizens.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman declared that the future of Bangladesh will be determined by the people’s votes, warning that any party that disregards the public will make life unbearable. He made these remarks on Wednesday afternoon at an election rally held at Bell’s Park in Barishal, marking his first visit to the city in two decades.

During his speech, Rahman alleged that a certain party was printing fake ballot papers and collecting mobile payment numbers from innocent women. He described the emergence of new oppressors linked to secret organizations and urged BNP leaders to stay close to the people over the next five years. Rahman also recalled initiatives taken during former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia’s tenure to promote women’s education, noting that BNP had made education free for girls up to the intermediate level.

He pledged that if BNP returns to power, women’s employment and dignity will receive top priority. Rahman arrived in Barishal by helicopter from Dhaka before addressing the large gathering at the historic Bell’s Park field.

A protest march was held on Wednesday in Santoshpur Union of Sandwip upazila, Chattogram, following an attack on the local Islami Chhatra Shibir president allegedly by a BNP leader. The demonstration began at 11 a.m. and moved through the main roads of Sandwip, with several hundred Shibir activists participating. The rally concluded with a gathering attended by Alaudin Sikdar, the 11-party alliance candidate for Chattogram-3 (Sandwip) and the Jamaat-e-Islami North District chief.

During his address, Alaudin Sikdar condemned attempts to establish political dominance in the area and the violent attacks on opposition activists. He urged that all those involved in the assault be brought under the law immediately.

The incident occurred on Tuesday night, February 3, when Union BNP president Shahadat Hossain and his group allegedly attacked Shibir president Ikramul Haider Nabil and his companions after prayers. Three people were injured and later rescued by the Coast Guard and police. They are now receiving treatment at Sandwip Upazila Health Complex, and a case has been filed with Sandwip Police Station.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman arrived at Barishal’s Bell’s Park field at 12:26 p.m. on Wednesday to address a large public rally organized by the party’s city unit. Supporters greeted him with continuous applause as he waved in response before beginning his speech. His visit marked his first appearance in Barishal in about twenty years, drawing significant enthusiasm among party leaders, activists, and supporters.

Crowds began gathering from 10 a.m., with participants arriving from Barishal and nearby districts. By 11:30 a.m., the field was filled to capacity. The rally featured placards of local candidates and the BNP’s election symbol, the paddy sheaf, as slogans echoed across the venue. Candidates from 19 constituencies across Barishal, Jhalakathi, Pirojpur, Patuakhali, Barguna, and Bhola attended the event.

According to the report, Tarique Rahman last visited Barishal in May 2005 to attend a union-level representative conference of the party.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami is set to officially announce its election manifesto this evening ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. The event will take place at 6:30 p.m. at Hotel Sheraton in Banani, Dhaka. The announcement was confirmed by Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, the party’s Assistant Secretary General and head of its Central Publicity and Media Department.

According to the organizers, ambassadors from various countries, senior leaders of political parties, business figures, professionals, and senior media representatives are expected to attend the manifesto unveiling ceremony. The event marks a key step in Jamaat-e-Islami’s preparations for the national election.

The manifesto release is expected to outline the party’s political priorities and campaign commitments as it seeks to engage voters ahead of the national polls.

Police in Mirzaganj, Patuakhali arrested Anwar Hossain Babul Mallik, a local Awami League leader, on Tuesday. The arrest took place at Subidkhali Bazar as part of the ongoing Operation Devil Hunt Phase-2. Mallik, aged 60, serves as the joint general secretary of the Mirzaganj Upazila Awami League and is a resident of Chhailabunia village under Amragachia Union.

According to Mirzaganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md. Abdus Salam, the arrested leader was sent to Patuakhali district jail through the court. The police official stated that the operation would continue. The report described the Awami League as a banned organization in the area, and the arrest was carried out under that context.

Authorities have not provided further details about the specific allegations or the broader scope of the operation beyond confirming that it remains active.

At a public discussion titled 'Tarunyer Vabnay Agamir Bangladesh' held on February 3 at Comilla Town Hall, Dhaka University Chhatra Dal Joint General Secretary Abidul Islam Khan declared that Jamaat-Shibir has no opportunity to conduct politics openly in Bangladesh. He accused Shibir activists of initiating offensive slogans against Tarique Rahman at Dhaka University after July and criticized them for engaging in what he called 'obscene politics' against the late President Ziaur Rahman.

Khan further alleged that Jamaat-Shibir members committed atrocities during the Liberation War, including violence against women and collaboration in killings of Bangladeshis. He described them as internationally recognized collaborators and warned that their continuation of 'dirty politics' would bring consequences. The event also featured speeches by Dhaka University Treasurer Professor M. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury and Professor Dr. Chowdhury Saima Ferdous as the chief discussant.

The remarks reflect ongoing political tensions between student groups aligned with major national parties and highlight the enduring sensitivity surrounding wartime history and political legitimacy in Bangladesh.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has warned that postal ballots from expatriate voters for the 13th National Parliamentary Election may be canceled if they do not arrive in the country by tomorrow. According to the EC, nearly 300,000 ballots from overseas voters have already reached Bangladesh. The commission reiterated that ballots must reach returning officers by 4:30 p.m. on election day to be counted.

A notice on the EC’s Postal Vote BD app urged voters to promptly mail their ballots, emphasizing that any ballot arriving after February 5 may not reach the returning officer in time. The EC clarified that the voting process is entirely manual and that the mobile app is not connected to ballot submission or declaration forms. Once received, ballots are separated from declaration forms before counting to ensure anonymity.

The EC reported that 766,862 postal ballots were sent abroad, of which 524,080 were received by expatriates. A total of 467,707 overseas voters cast their ballots, and 297,350 have so far arrived in Bangladesh. The national election and referendum are scheduled for February 12.

Jatiya Ganotantrik Party (JAGPA) spokesperson Rashed Pradhan called for voters to show a 'red card' against corruption and extortion during an election rally in Garaya, Thakurgaon, on Tuesday afternoon. Speaking at an 11-party alliance Jamaat-e-Islami campaign event, he criticized Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, urging him to speak with restraint. Pradhan also expressed support for the alliance’s candidate Delwar Hossain, who is contesting under the 'scales' symbol, and pledged to gift the Thakurgaon-1 seat to Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, described as the future prime minister.

He recalled past incidents in the area following the verdict against Allama Delwar Hossain Sayeedi, noting that both Muslims and Hindus had joined protests at that time. Pradhan urged unity among voters on the upcoming 12th to ensure victory for the alliance’s candidate. The rally was presided over by union Jamaat leader Nurul Huda and attended by district Jamaat secretary Kofil Uddin and Khelafat Majlish president Abu Said.

In Madaripur’s Shibchar upazila, a Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) courtyard meeting for the Madaripur-1 constituency turned into a gathering of several Awami League leaders, despite restrictions on their participation. The event, held on Tuesday afternoon at the residence of former mayor and Awami League leader Awlad Hossain Khan, was organized by Shibchar municipal BNP in support of BNP candidate Nadera Akter. Awami League leaders present said they were acting under the direction of former chief whip Noor-e Alam Chowdhury Liton to support the BNP candidate.

The meeting saw participation from union chairmen, municipal councillors, and Awami League activists who publicly urged voters to support the BNP’s “sheaf of paddy” symbol. Nadera Akter, addressing the gathering as chief guest, pledged to address citizens’ problems directly if elected and outlined plans for family and agriculture cards and subsidies for disaster-affected farmers. The joint presence of Awami League and BNP figures on the same stage has stirred mixed reactions in local political circles.

The unusual cross-party support has generated new discussions and controversy in the region’s political landscape ahead of the national election.

The Election Commission of Bangladesh has suspended the election for the Sherpur-3 parliamentary constituency following the death of Jamaat-e-Islami’s district secretary and candidate, Nuruzzaman Badol. Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud confirmed the decision to the media on Wednesday morning. Badol passed away early Tuesday, February 3, reportedly from kidney-related complications while under hospital care.

According to Bangladeshi law, if a candidate dies before a national parliamentary election, the election process in the concerned constituency must be suspended or canceled. Jamaat-e-Islami confirmed Badol’s death in a Facebook post, identifying him as the party’s nominated candidate for Sherpur-3.

The Election Commission’s suspension of the Sherpur-3 poll aligns with legal provisions ensuring fairness in the electoral process when a candidate’s death occurs before voting.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has canceled its earlier decision to deploy members of the Bangladesh National Cadet Corps (BNCC) at polling centers for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election and referendum. The revised directive, signed by EC Deputy Secretary Mohammad Monir Hossain on February 3, 2026, was sent to returning officers across the country.

According to the updated instructions, BNCC cadets will now assist only in maintaining order at the IT-supported postal ballot counting centers (OCV and ICPV) located in the offices of returning officers. The election is scheduled to be held on February 12, 2026. The EC’s decision modifies its previous plan that had included BNCC participation in broader election-related duties.

The change follows administrative adjustments ahead of the national polls, with the EC clarifying the limited scope of BNCC involvement in election operations.

Indian authorities have ordered two British tourists to leave the country after they allegedly placed stickers supporting Palestine in various locations in Ajmer, Rajasthan. The couple, identified as Louis Gabriel D. and his wife Anushi Emma Kristin, were staying in Pushkar on tourist visas when intelligence officials received reports on January 21 that they were distributing 'Free Palestine' stickers. Following verification through CCTV footage and local sources, police questioned the pair and determined that their actions violated visa conditions.

Officials stated that engaging in political or ideological activities while on a tourist visa constitutes a clear breach of the Immigration and Foreigners Act. As a result, the couple’s visas were canceled and a formal 'Leave India Notice' was issued. District police later removed the stickers from public areas with assistance from local authorities.

Authorities reiterated that any political, protest-related, or ideological activities are strictly prohibited for foreign nationals visiting India on tourist visas.

A new controversy has emerged in the political scene of Madaripur-1 constituency after BNP-nominated parliamentary candidate Nadera Akter was seen sharing a stage with several Awami League and affiliated organization leaders at an election courtyard meeting. The event took place on Tuesday afternoon at Khanbari in Shibchar upazila, where Awami League leader and former Shibchar municipal mayor Awlad Hossain Khan and other local party members were present. Awami League leaders concluded their speeches with the slogan 'Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu.'

The joint appearance has triggered mixed reactions in local politics, particularly causing discontent and unease among grassroots BNP activists. Several BNP leaders, speaking anonymously, said that sharing a stage with Awami League leaders contradicts the party’s ideology and long-standing political stance, potentially confusing activists and negatively affecting the campaign.

Local discussions have also surfaced about whether this reflects an undeclared political understanding ahead of the election or merely personal and social ties. However, no official statement has been issued by either side. Madaripur district BNP member secretary Jahandar Ali Jahan commented that those who practice good politics should not be blamed for being active in the field.