A total of 146 polling centers have been set up in the Gaibandha-3 (Palashbari-Sadullapur) constituency for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election, with 56 of them identified as risky. The constituency, comprising 19 unions from Palashbari and Sadullapur upazilas, has 506,185 registered voters. Sadullapur has 75 polling centers, 46 of which are marked risky, while Palashbari has 71 centers, with 10 considered risky.

According to Palashbari Police Officer-in-Charge Sarayer Alam Khan, law enforcement agencies are on high alert to prevent any untoward incidents around the risky centers. Assistant Returning Officer and Upazila Nirbahi Officer Sheikh Jaber Ahmed stated that administrative measures are ongoing to ensure a free, fair, and acceptable election. He emphasized that immediate action will be taken wherever necessary to maintain neutrality.

Officials noted growing voter enthusiasm in the area and expressed optimism that the election in Palashbari would be peaceful and orderly under adequate security arrangements.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that his administration will demand $1 billion in compensation from Harvard University. According to a New York Times report cited in the source, the decision followed revelations that Harvard had secured certain concessions during settlement talks. Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social that his administration no longer wishes to maintain any relationship with Harvard.

Officials in the administration have accused Harvard and other universities of promoting so-called “woke” ideology and failing to adequately protect Jewish students during pro-Palestinian protests. Critics argue that these actions are part of a broader strategy to pressure liberal universities. Earlier, Columbia University reportedly agreed to pay $200 million and pledged to avoid considering racial identity in its policies.

Trump stated that after lengthy discussions, the administration abandoned its earlier demand for a $200 million settlement from Harvard, calling the university’s proposed employment training plan inadequate. He further alleged that Harvard avoided paying over $500 million in cash settlements but did not specify which laws were violated.

The High Court has dismissed a writ petition filed by Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP), challenging the candidacy of Dr. M A Kayum, the BNP-nominated candidate for the Dhaka-11 constituency. The petition alleged dual citizenship and concealment of information. The order was delivered on Tuesday afternoon by a bench comprising Justice Fahmida Kader and Justice Md Asif Hasan.

Following the court’s decision, lawyers confirmed that there is no legal barrier for Dr. Kayum to contest in the Dhaka-11 election. The dismissal of the writ effectively upholds the validity of his nomination, allowing him to continue his campaign without judicial obstruction.

The ruling resolves one of several legal challenges surrounding BNP candidates ahead of the election, clarifying the status of Dr. Kayum’s eligibility in the Dhaka-11 constituency.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) may announce its manifesto for the 13th parliamentary election on January 6, Friday, according to Mahdi Amin, spokesperson of the party’s election management committee. He made the statement on Tuesday at the BNP election management committee office in Gulshan, Dhaka.

Mahdi Amin said the party’s election manifesto is almost ready, with only one plan remaining to be completed. Once that is finalized, the manifesto could be announced on January 6. The announcement is expected to outline the BNP’s priorities and commitments ahead of the upcoming national election.

The statement indicates that the BNP is in the final stages of preparing its election platform, signaling an intensifying focus on campaign readiness as the election approaches.

A fire broke out early Tuesday around 5:00 a.m. at the election campaign camp of BNP-nominated candidate Chowdhury Nayab Yusuf in the Faridpur-3 constituency. The incident occurred near the Tetultala bus stand in Mrigi area of Kanaipur Union under Faridpur Sadar upazila. The camp had been set up by Farhad, president of the BNP’s Ward No. 4 unit in Kanaipur Union. The cause of the fire remains unknown.

The blaze partially damaged a campaign banner, a table, and decorative cloths. Raja Sheikh, vice-president of the same ward unit, noticed the fire after morning prayers and, with local residents, quickly brought it under control. Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Shahidul Islam of Faridpur Kotwali Police Station confirmed the incident, stating that police visited the site and would take legal action upon receiving a formal complaint.

Authorities have not yet identified who was responsible for setting the fire, and an investigation is expected to follow once a complaint is filed.

District police in Lakshmipur have identified 215 of the 496 polling centers across four parliamentary constituencies as highly important or high-risk, and 198 as important. To ensure security during the upcoming election, CCTV cameras have already been installed at 218 centers, including all 215 high-risk ones. The initiative was confirmed by Additional Superintendent of Police Hossain Mohammad Raihan Kazemi.

According to police sources, the centers have been categorized as highly important, important, or general based on law and order considerations. The highest number of high-risk centers is in Lakshmipur Sadar upazila. The district administration stated that installing CCTV cameras is part of a broader effort to ensure full security on election day. Additional Deputy Commissioner Mezbaul Alam Bhuiyan said the remaining centers will receive cameras once funds are available.

Police officials added that extra law enforcement personnel will be deployed at high-risk and important centers, with body-worn cameras and real-time monitoring from the district control room to maintain oversight.

Home Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd.) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has warned that any member of the law enforcement agencies found involved with any individual, party, or political agenda during the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election will face departmental and strict legal action. He issued the warning on Tuesday, February 3, during the Bangladesh Coast Guard Medal Award ceremony at the Coast Guard headquarters in Agargaon, Dhaka.

The adviser emphasized that the government will show zero tolerance regarding the neutrality of Coast Guard members in performing their duties during the election and referendum. He praised the Coast Guard for its contributions in ensuring coastal and inland waterway security, preventing illegal fishing, arms and drug trafficking, human trafficking, robbery, and piracy. He also commended their role in disaster response, rescue operations, and humanitarian assistance, including efforts during cyclones, floods, and the Rohingya crisis.

According to the adviser, 3,585 Coast Guard members are among nearly 900,000 law enforcement personnel deployed nationwide to ensure a free, fair, peaceful, and neutral election on February 12. Forty Coast Guard members received medals for their exemplary service at the event.

The prosecution has formally filed charges against Bangladesh Workers Party President Rashed Khan Menon and former Food Minister Kamrul Islam for alleged crimes against humanity linked to killings during the July uprising. The charges were submitted on Tuesday afternoon at the International Crimes Tribunal, confirmed by prosecutor Gazi M.H. Tamim.

According to the prosecution, Menon and Kamrul are accused of involvement in two killings that occurred during the July uprising. Both political figures have been in custody since August 5, 2024, following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government.

The tribunal’s acceptance of the formal charges marks a significant step in the ongoing investigation into the July uprising incidents, though further details on the next phase of proceedings were not provided in the report.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has alleged that a political party continues to exploit the issue of an ID hack even after the matter has been clarified. He made the remarks on Tuesday around 11:15 a.m. during a public rally in Kishoreganj. Rahman said the youth of 2024 seek change and will not allow anyone to divide the nation. He also claimed that some groups are using women’s issues to target Jamaat and vowed that no future election would be allowed through unfair means.

Rahman emphasized that Jamaat does not want to see dirty politics anymore and aspires for Bangladesh to be established as a humane and dignified nation. He expressed hope that the country would stand proudly and independently on the global stage. Paying tribute to the youth, he said they had resisted all forms of fascism in July and sacrificed their blood for freedom and independence.

The speech reflected Jamaat’s stance against political exploitation and its call for unity and integrity in national politics.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman is scheduled to visit Naogaon on Thursday, February 5, as part of his nationwide election campaign and political tour. He will attend an election rally at the Etim Maidan in Naogaon city at 11 a.m. as the chief guest and deliver a speech outlining the party’s vision for the future.

District Jamaat secretary and Naogaon-5 candidate Advocate A S M Sayem confirmed the visit after inspecting the rally ground on Tuesday morning. He said that Dr. Rahman will be accompanied by top leaders of the 11-party alliance. Sayem added that preparations for the rally are ongoing and that people from all 11 upazilas of the district are expected to attend.

According to Sayem, the event aims to demonstrate growing public support for change and for the party’s electoral symbol. He expressed confidence that the rally would attract between five to six lakh participants and serve as a platform for Dr. Rahman to present Jamaat’s outline for the future of Bangladesh.

Sajeeb Wazed Joy, son of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, admitted responsibility for the deaths during the July 2024 student movement. Speaking virtually from abroad at a book launch organized by the BJP-affiliated cultural group ‘Khola Hawa’ in Kolkata on Monday, Joy expressed remorse and acknowledged that innocent students and civilians were killed during the protests. He described the quota reform protesters’ demands as legitimate and called the government’s handling of the issue a failure, though he maintained his stance regarding alleged conspiracies behind the unrest.

Joy claimed that an audio recording of Sheikh Hasina proved that extremists attacked police stations, sparking the violence. He asserted that neither the government nor police initiated the clashes, blaming militant groups for the escalation. Turning to the upcoming February 12 general election, Joy labeled it one-sided, saying the exclusion of the Awami League and suppression of progressive parties made it a contest between the BNP and Jamaat. He warned that such a process was unacceptable and raised concerns about India’s border security if Jamaat gained influence.

Joy urged international intervention to prevent Jamaat from becoming a dominant political force in Bangladesh.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has imposed a 12-hour ban on fireworks, firecrackers, and lanterns across the city to preserve the sanctity and ensure peaceful observance of Shab-e-Barat. The restriction, announced through a public notice signed by DMP Commissioner Sheikh Md. Sajjat Ali on February 3, 2026, will remain in effect from 6 p.m. on February 3 to 6 a.m. on February 4.

According to the notice, the decision was made under Section 28 of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police Ordinance to maintain law and order during the religious occasion. The ban covers all forms of fireworks, gas balloons, and explosive materials, including their sale, transport, and use. The DMP stated that the measure aims to prevent any disorder and allow citizens to perform religious activities without disturbance.

Authorities have warned that legal action will be taken against anyone violating the directive during the restricted hours.

The interim government of Bangladesh has decided to rename the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) as the Special Intervention Force (SIF). The announcement was made by Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury following a core committee meeting at the Ministry of Home Affairs on Tuesday afternoon. The chief adviser has approved the new name, and the force will begin operations under the new title once the official order is issued. The uniform of the force will also be changed.

RAB was originally formed in 2004 during the government of Khaleda Zia, initially known as the Rapid Action Team (RAT). Over the years, the force has faced multiple allegations of human rights violations. In response to such allegations, the United States imposed sanctions on RAB and seven of its officers on December 10, 2021, through the Treasury Department and the State Department. The sanctions list included former RAB Director General Benazir Ahmed, who was also banned from entering the United States.

A 2024 report by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights recommended the dissolution of RAB, while Human Rights Watch has long advocated for the same. The renaming marks a significant administrative shift amid ongoing international scrutiny.

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, led by the Chief Justice, ruled on Tuesday that three BNP-nominated candidates—Sarowar Alam of Chattogram-2, Aslam Chowdhury of Chattogram-4, and Fahim Chowdhury of Sherpur-2—may participate in the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election. The court’s order confirmed that there are no legal barriers to their participation.

According to lawyer Md. Mojibur Rahman, the order regarding Aslam Chowdhury came in response to an appeal filed by Jamuna Bank challenging the validity of his nomination. For Sarowar Alam, the court allowed him to contest but directed that the election result for his constituency remain withheld until the pending appeal is resolved. Earlier, the High Court had suspended the Election Commission’s decision that canceled Sarowar’s candidacy over loan default allegations. In Sherpur-2, Fahim Chowdhury regained eligibility through appeal after his nomination was initially rejected over dual citizenship claims.

The rulings collectively ensure that all three BNP candidates can take part in the election process, though one constituency’s result will remain pending until further judicial resolution.

Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Amir Maulana Mamunul Haque addressed an 11-party electoral alliance rally at Nandokumar Institution field in Shibchar, Madaripur-1 constituency on Monday night, February 2. In his speech, he alleged that individuals with numerous criminal cases were moving freely in the country and criticized what he described as the return of those once expelled by the nation’s martyrs. He said the 'July Revolution' had changed the mindset of Bangladeshis, making them more courageous and determined.

Haque argued that for 214 years, the people of the region had been exploited under various rulers, from foreign powers to domestic elites, and that the nature of oppression had not changed since independence. He claimed that the current political system continued to deprive citizens of their rights. He called on the public to reject corruption, violence, and exploitative politics, describing the upcoming election as a struggle to restore the people’s right to food and vote.

The rally was chaired by Shibchar Upazila Jamaat-e-Islami Amir Maulana Sarwar Hossain Mridha and attended by alliance leaders including Saeed Uddin Ahmad Hanzala and Maulana Mokhlesur Rahman.