BNP candidate for Dhaka-6, Engineer Ishraque Hossain, stated that every member of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party is committed to protecting the rights and dignity of women. He made the remarks on February 1 during a street meeting in Sutrapur’s Ward 44 while campaigning for the upcoming national election scheduled for February 12. Ishraque said several working women had recently expressed concerns about their future if another political party came to power, assuring them that such fears would not materialize.

He emphasized that the election would determine the future direction of Bangladesh and recalled the BNP’s 17 years of political struggle, including imprisonment, disappearances, and killings of activists. Ishraque reiterated that the BNP seeks a fair, proper, and peaceful election where citizens can transfer power through their votes. He urged party workers to maintain peace and avoid provocation from rival groups.

Ishraque expressed confidence that BNP candidates would win by a large margin under the paddy-sheaf symbol and form the next government, with Tarique Rahman as the future prime minister. He added that the party would continue to uphold the legacy of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia in defending the rights of all citizens.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman on February 2 addressed an election rally at the Boro Maheshkhali Government Primary School field in Cox’s Bazar’s Maheshkhali upazila. The event was organized by the local Jamaat unit in support of party candidate Dr. A.H.M. Hamidur Rahman Azad for the Maheshkhali-Kutubdia constituency. Rahman called for votes in favor of reform and against fascism, describing the upcoming 13th National Parliament election as a turning point for the country’s politics.

He said Jamaat seeks victory not only for itself but for all 180 million people of Bangladesh, emphasizing that the realization of the people’s aspirations would ensure the party’s success. Rahman pledged to recover looted national wealth and promised employment opportunities for youth instead of unemployment allowances. He noted that 62 percent of Jamaat’s members are young and that the party aims to empower them to build the nation with dignity.

Rahman urged leaders and activists of the 11-party alliance to remain united under the ‘scales’ symbol, stressing that their candidates are contesting to serve the people, not to become leaders.

Advocate M Ruhul Kudduz Talukder Dulu, the BNP candidate for Natore-2 constituency, said that people are eager to vote for the BNP and send it to parliament. Speaking at several street meetings in different wards of Naldanga municipality on Monday, he asserted that no matter how many conspiracies arise, the BNP will win the upcoming election and form the next government. He accused the Awami League of misrule during its nearly 18 years in power, alleging killings, disappearances, and suppression of opposition voices.

Dulu stated that Tarique Rahman’s return to the country and assumption of the BNP chairmanship have united people to bring the party back to power. He said the BNP, under Rahman’s leadership, will form a new Bangladesh based on a 31-point program. Several local BNP leaders, including Nasim Uddin Nasim, Hafiz Uddin Hafiz, and others, also spoke at the events.

Dulu added that during his previous tenure as MP and minister, he contributed to Natore’s development and pledged to continue that progress if elected again on the BNP’s “sheaf of paddy” symbol.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman declared that his party opposes dynastic politics, emphasizing that leadership should be based on merit rather than lineage. Speaking as chief guest at an election rally organized by the party’s Cox’s Bazar district branch on February 2, 2026, he said he dreams of a Bangladesh where even a rickshaw-puller’s talented child could become prime minister. The rally, held at Baharchhara’s Bir Muktijoddha field, drew thousands of party members and supporters.

Rahman described the upcoming election as a turning point for the nation, promising a corruption-free and just Bangladesh. He pledged to ensure women’s safety, government-funded education for girls up to master’s level, and employment opportunities for youth instead of unemployment allowances. He also vowed to recover allegedly laundered funds and use them for public welfare. Addressing government officials, he called for honesty, transparency, and non-partisan service to citizens.

He announced plans to establish a public university in Cox’s Bazar focused on modern and professional education accessible to all, including poor students, aiming to build a skilled and ethical generation for national development.

An interactive youth engagement event titled 'Chaer Adda' was held on Monday, February 2, 2026, at the DOHS playground in Mohakhali, Dhaka. The program was organized by the content generation team of the BNP Election Steering Committee to foster direct dialogue between national political voices and young voters. Barrister Jaima Rahman, daughter of BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman, attended the event as the chief guest.

During the session, Jaima Rahman listened to young participants discuss political awareness, voting rights, social media participation in politics, and their visions for the future of Bangladesh. Organizers stated that the event aimed to create a meaningful and constructive exchange between youth voters and national political representatives.

The initiative reflects BNP’s effort to engage the younger generation in political discourse and encourage their active participation in shaping the country’s democratic future.

Bangladesh Police have identified 53 out of 300 constituencies as vulnerable to violence ahead of the 13th national parliamentary election. Law enforcement agencies are on high alert in these areas, implementing additional security measures to prevent unrest, clashes, and disorder on election day. The police have already begun intelligence gathering and will maintain special surveillance before and during the polls. Senior officers will be deployed in the field to monitor the situation closely.

According to police sources, the constituencies were marked as risky due to multiple rival candidates, past records of election violence, unsatisfactory local law and order, and the influence of leftist extremists. Police stations and outposts have been instructed to strengthen mobile, foot, and vehicle patrols, set up checkpoints, and intensify beat policing. Special drives and house searches will be conducted near polling centers to curb criminal activity.

Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury stated that all forces have been directed to prevent any violence surrounding the election. Inspector General of Police Baharul Alam affirmed that the force is fully prepared to ensure a peaceful and violence-free election.

BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed has alleged that a rival political party seeks to confine women within their homes and deny them progress, dignity, and empowerment. Speaking on Monday, February 2, 2026, at the Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Coastal College field in Pekua, Cox’s Bazar, during a prize-giving ceremony organized by the Pekua Upazila Chhatra Dal, he said his party nominated many women for direct parliamentary elections, while the opposing party did not nominate any.

Ahmed criticized the rival party’s leader for making derogatory remarks about women on social media, which he said sparked protests across the country. He accused them of wanting to reduce women’s working hours and limit their employment opportunities, contrary to the spirit of equality and justice achieved through the Liberation War and student movements.

He urged citizens to protest against the humiliation of women through their votes on February 12. Ahmed also credited Begum Khaleda Zia for introducing free education that increased female literacy and said BNP’s plans aim to empower women socially and economically.

AB Party chairman and Feni-2 candidate under the 11-party electoral alliance, Mujibur Rahman Manju, met with Feni Deputy Commissioner and Returning Officer Monira Haque on February 2, 2026. During the meeting, discussions focused on the election environment, adherence to the code of conduct, and law and order issues. Manju also held courtesy meetings with local military, BGB, and RAB officials regarding security matters. Several alliance leaders, including representatives from Jamaat and NCP, were present.

Speaking to journalists afterward, Manju alleged that an assistant commissioner (land), Jasim Uddin, detained one of his campaign workers, mistreated him, and fined him 20,000 taka for using colored banners. He claimed that similar campaign caravans operated elsewhere without penalty, calling the action discriminatory and biased. Manju further alleged that his party’s campaign faced obstacles, including voter inducement through family card promotions and electioneering in educational institutions.

He said written complaints had been submitted and that the returning officer promised action. Manju urged authorities to ensure equal enforcement of election rules and prevent intimidation or irregularities during the polls.

A Dhaka court has ordered the freezing of eight bank accounts belonging to former minister and banned Awami League advisory council member Amir Hossain Amu. The order was issued on Monday by Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Sabbir Foyez, confirmed by court bench assistant Md Riaz Hossain. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) had sought the order, citing preliminary allegations of fraud, forgery, money laundering, and extortion involving Amu and his associates.

According to the ACC’s application, investigators found eight bank accounts opened under Amu’s name, with a current balance of 75.1 million taka. The commission’s initial review suggested that these accounts were used for transactions involving domestic and foreign currency smuggling and to conceal the sources of illicit funds. The court determined that freezing the accounts was necessary to ensure a fair investigation and uphold justice.

The order marks a significant step in the ACC’s ongoing inquiry into alleged financial misconduct by the former minister and his associates.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Tarique Rahman has called for prayers seeking global peace, unity, solidarity, and security for Muslims worldwide on the occasion of the holy Shab-e-Barat. In a message conveyed through the party’s Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Monday, he urged believers to dedicate the night to devotion and repentance before Allah.

Rahman described Shab-e-Barat as a sacred night in the month of Sha’ban, symbolizing salvation and divine mercy. He emphasized that the night heralds the arrival of Ramadan and offers believers an opportunity to seek forgiveness and blessings. He encouraged Muslims to avoid violence, hatred, and discord, and instead commit to tolerance, restraint, and harmony for the greater good of humanity.

In his message, Rahman expressed hopes for continued happiness, peace, and prosperity for Muslims in Bangladesh and across the world, praying for the nation’s progress and welfare during this auspicious night.

More than 464,000 expatriate voters have completed their postal voting through the Postal Vote BD mobile app ahead of Bangladesh’s upcoming referendum and 13th National Parliamentary Election. The information was confirmed on Monday by Salim Ahmad Khan, team leader of the OCV-SDI project on expatriate voter registration. As of 11 a.m., 766,862 ballots had been sent to expatriates, of which 522,315 were received, and 418,962 ballots were submitted to local post offices or mailboxes abroad. BD Post has forwarded 1,859 ballots to returning officers.

The Election Commission has also started sending postal ballots to domestic voters under the ICPV system. Across the country, 646,507 registered voters have received ballots, with 58,797 having accepted them by 11 a.m. Among them, 43,319 have completed voting, and 29,334 have submitted their ballots to post offices or mailboxes.

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 upcoming national election and referendum.

At a meeting in Shanta Community Center, Ranisankail, Thakurgaon, on Monday, Mizanur Rahman Master, the Thakurgaon-3 candidate of the Eleven-Party Alliance, said journalists would be able to work freely if the alliance came to power. He stated that there would be no room for corruption within the alliance and that serving the people was their main duty. He also announced plans to build roads, schools, colleges, and a 250-bed hospital in the upazila.

The event was organized by the alliance’s Press Media Cell and chaired by Upazila Jamaat Secretary Rojob Ali. Other speakers included central NCP Joint Chief Coordinator agriculturist Golam Mortuza Selim, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Upazila President Amanullah Aman, District Press Media President Shahjalal Jewel, and Municipal Amir Abdul Matin. Local journalists and representatives from labor and youth organizations were also present.

Mizanur Rahman added that unemployed people would receive free jobs instead of unemployment allowances, foreign employment opportunities would be expanded, and local rivers would be dredged to restore their flow.

A total of 194,914 postal ballots from expatriate voters have arrived in Bangladesh ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliament election and referendum. The information was confirmed on Monday by Salim Ahmad Khan, team leader of the OCV-SDI project on expatriate voter registration. As of 11 a.m. that day, 766,862 ballots had been sent to expatriates through the ‘Postal Vote BD’ mobile app, with 522,315 voters receiving their ballots and 464,225 completing their votes. Additionally, 418,962 expatriate voters have submitted their ballots to local post offices or mailboxes, and BD Post has forwarded 1,859 ballots to returning officers.

The Election Commission has also started sending postal ballots to domestic voters registered under the ICPV system. So far, 646,507 registered voters across the country have been sent ballots. By 11 a.m. Monday, 58,797 domestic voters had received their ballots, 43,319 had completed voting, and 29,334 had submitted their ballots to post offices or mailboxes.

According to Salim Ahmad Khan, a total of 1,533,684 voters, both at home and abroad, have registered through the ‘Postal Vote BD’ app to participate in the election and referendum.

In Shibchar upazila of Madaripur, BNP’s nominated candidate for Madaripur-1 constituency, Nadera Akter, led a group of party leaders and activists to visit the grave of late Awami League leader Ilias Ahmed Chowdhury, a cousin of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The visit has triggered sharp discontent and debate within the local BNP ranks.

Following the visit, many grassroots BNP activists publicly expressed dissatisfaction, arguing that Ilias Ahmed Chowdhury’s family benefited from the Awami League government, which they accuse of long-term political repression. They said visiting the grave of a family associated with such a regime contradicts BNP’s political principles and has hurt the sentiments of those who suffered under Awami League rule. The incident has also caused confusion and resentment among the public.

Local BNP leaders stated that those who fought against Awami League’s governance cannot accept such actions. Political analysts noted that this controversy could negatively affect BNP’s internal unity and public support ahead of the election. No official party statement or comment from Nadera Akter has yet been issued.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman is scheduled to visit Khulna and Jashore today, Monday, to attend election rallies. He will first address party workers and supporters at a rally at Khulna’s Probati School ground at 11 a.m., where he is expected to outline plans for the overall development and economic revival of the southern region. Later in the day, he will speak at another rally at Jashore’s Upashahar College ground.

At a press briefing in Khulna on Sunday, BNP Executive Committee member and Khulna-3 candidate Rakibul Islam Bakul said preparations for the Khulna rally, including stage setup, security, and crowd management, were nearly complete. He noted that enthusiasm among party members across the southwest region was high, and large crowds were expected from nearby districts. Several BNP leaders, including Azizul Bari Helal, Nazrul Islam Manju, and SM Monirul Hasan Bappi, were present at the briefing.

In Jashore, Acting Organizing Secretary and Jashore-3 candidate Anindya Islam Amit told reporters that Tarique Rahman would arrive by helicopter around 1:30 p.m. before addressing the rally. Senior BNP leaders, including Vice Chairperson Nargis Begum, were also present at the local press conference.