A writ petition has been filed in the High Court challenging the eligibility of Dr. M A Kayum, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) candidate for the Dhaka-11 constituency, on allegations of concealing foreign citizenship information. The petition was submitted on Monday by Nahid Islam, the Eleven-Party Alliance candidate and convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP), in the relevant branch of the High Court.

The writ seeks suspension of Dr. Kayum’s candidacy, alleging fraud related to his foreign citizenship status. Earlier, the Election Commission had declared valid the nomination papers of both Nahid Islam and Dr. M A Kayum, who also serves as the BNP’s microcredit affairs secretary. The petition directly challenges that decision, calling for judicial review of the commission’s approval.

The High Court’s decision on the writ could affect the electoral process in Dhaka-11, depending on whether the court upholds or suspends Dr. Kayum’s candidacy.

A major controversy has erupted across Bangladesh after an alleged post from Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman’s verified X (formerly Twitter) account made disparaging remarks about working women. The post quickly went viral, prompting widespread criticism on social media and strong condemnation from political rivals, including the BNP, whose student wing staged protest marches accusing Jamaat of misogyny.

Jamaat-e-Islami has denied responsibility, claiming the Ameer’s account was hacked as part of a political conspiracy to tarnish his image. The party said a government official’s email from Bangabhaban was used in the hack and that its IT team regained control of the account within hours. Jamaat filed a general diary with police, informed the Election Commission and Cyber Tribunal, and held a press conference detailing the incident. Dr. Rahman later apologized to anyone hurt by the false post but insisted it was the work of hackers.

BNP leaders questioned the credibility of the hacking claim, noting the delay in reporting and suggesting the explanation was unconvincing. The issue has fueled heated debate ahead of the national election.

The upcoming parliamentary election in Sunamganj-2 (Dirai-Shalla) has sparked intense campaigning between rival candidates. From early morning until late night, candidates and their supporters are holding rallies, market meetings, and door-to-door visits to seek votes. Family members of the contenders have also joined the campaign, meeting voters directly and sharing promises for local development. Digital banners and creative online outreach have replaced paper posters, especially targeting young voters.

BNP’s national executive committee member Nasir Uddin Chowdhury is contesting against Shishir Monir, the candidate of Jamaat-e-Islami and a ten-party alliance. Nasir, a veteran politician and former two-time upazila chairman, continues campaigning despite health issues, while Monir, a young lawyer, is gaining popularity through social media and grassroots engagement with farmers, laborers, expatriates, and the third-gender community.

Local residents express divided opinions: some praise Nasir’s long-standing leadership and liberation war background, while others believe Monir’s approach could bring long-awaited development to the neglected Dirai-Shalla region.

In Jamalpur’s hilly areas bordering India’s Meghalaya, the indigenous Garo community remains indifferent to Bangladesh’s 13th parliamentary election. Despite nationwide political fervor, residents of seven Garo villages under Bakshiganj’s Dhanua Kamalpur Union say they see no reason to vote. They claim that election promises made by candidates are never fulfilled, leaving them without basic civic amenities even after 54 years of independence.

Local residents, including Khogis Sangma and Kapus Marak of the Tribal Welfare Association, expressed frustration over poor roads, inadequate sanitation, lack of employment, and limited access to education and healthcare. They said elected representatives rarely visit after winning, and development in the hills remains negligible. The community also faces crop and property damage from wild elephants descending into villages.

The Garos say they no longer want promises but tangible development. Their main demand after the 13th election is the implementation of long-delayed infrastructure and welfare measures in their remote settlements.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain expressed optimism that Bangladesh’s upcoming national parliamentary election, scheduled for February 12, will be free and peaceful. He made the remarks on Sunday at the closing ceremony of a training program organized by the Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) at a hotel in Dhaka.

Referring to political consensus and past election examples, Hossain said voter turnout in the upcoming election is expected to exceed 55 percent, noting that the 1991 national election saw a 55 percent turnout. Responding to a question, he added that earlier confusion among some people about the “yes” vote has been resolved as major political parties now support it. He believes that since people generally follow their party’s stance, the proposal will easily pass.

On another topic, Hossain said he was not concerned about Pakistan’s decision regarding participation in the upcoming T20 World Cup, describing it as an internal matter for that country. He clarified that Pakistan has not said it will not play, only that it will consider the issue.

Professor Aslam Chowdhury, former joint secretary general of the BNP and candidate for Chittagong-4 (Sitakunda), stated that the country’s industrial and trade sectors would see major growth if the BNP comes to power. He emphasized that ensuring a fair and secure investment environment would increase employment and significantly reduce unemployment. He made these remarks on Saturday during a daylong public outreach program in the 9th North Pahartali Ward of Chittagong city.

The campaign began with a visit to the Nuriya Madrasa shrine and included meetings with residents across various neighborhoods of Pahartali. Chowdhury described the Chittagong-4 constituency, including Pahartali, as a promising area for industrial and commercial development. He said that with an investment-friendly environment, new factories and businesses could emerge, creating jobs for local youth.

He further noted that Pahartali’s close economic and social ties with Sitakunda and Chittagong city make it suitable for integrated development. He pledged improvements in communication, employment, education, and tourism, urging local residents to support the BNP’s electoral victory to achieve these goals.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman carried out extensive mass outreach in his Dhaka-15 constituency on Sunday afternoon. The campaign march took place in the Uttara Kafrul area of Mirpur, beginning at 4:30 p.m. from the East Baishteki Graveyard Mosque. Before the procession, Dr. Rahman addressed a gathering, pledging never to misuse public resources and emphasizing that corruption contradicts the party’s principles. He stated that returning misappropriated public assets to the people is their responsibility.

During his speech, Dr. Rahman sought forgiveness from anyone who may have been hurt by the party’s words and prayed for sincerity in serving the people. He reiterated that Jamaat-e-Islami does not pursue personal or group agendas. The rally, held under the party’s electoral symbol, was attended by senior Jamaat leaders including Mobarak Hossain, Abdur Rahman, Laskar Md. Taslim, and others.

After the assembly, the procession peacefully marched through various local streets, with participants chanting slogans in favor of a just and corruption-free society.

The Bangladesh Navy has announced full preparedness to ensure that the upcoming national parliamentary election and referendum on February 12 are held in a free, fair, and festive environment. On Sunday, Rear Admiral Mohammad Musa, Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Operations), inspected contingents and polling centers in the Navy’s assigned areas. During his visits, he met with local administration and representatives of other law enforcement agencies to coordinate efforts for a peaceful election.

Rear Admiral Musa visited contingents in Teknaf, Saint Martin, and Maheshkhali, where he provided special directives to personnel responsible for election duties. He urged all forces to work together to maintain normal and stable law and order during the polls. The Navy, along with other law enforcement agencies, has already deployed contingents and intensified patrols at key locations to ensure voter safety.

According to an ISPR press release, both land and maritime patrols have been strengthened, with vehicles, boats, and naval ships deployed to handle any adverse situation efficiently and decisively.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has established a law and order coordination cell ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliament Election and Referendum 2026. The announcement was made through a press release issued by the ministry on Sunday. The cell will handle complaints related to law and order during the election period and has provided several emergency contact numbers for public communication.

According to the ministry, citizens can reach the coordination cell through telephone numbers 02-47118700, 02-47118701, 02-47118702, and 02-47118703. Additionally, a mobile number (01550-064226) and a WhatsApp number (01550-064227) have been made available for urgent communication. The ministry has requested the public to use these numbers for reporting any election-related law and order issues.

The formation of the coordination cell aims to ensure effective monitoring and quick response to any law and order concerns during the election and referendum period.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Alhaj Aftab Uddin Molla for Dinajpur-4 (Khansama–Chirirbandar) constituency called on journalists to report crimes and wrongdoing without fear or bias. He made the remarks on Saturday night during a meeting with journalists working in Khansama upazila, Dinajpur. Aftab emphasized that journalists should present facts truthfully and remain steadfast even if obstacles arise after revealing the truth.

During the discussion, Aftab Uddin Molla highlighted the crucial role of the media in building a fair, just, and accountable society. He stated that fearless journalism in favor of truth and justice can help eliminate corruption, irregularities, and injustice from society. He also assured full cooperation to journalists in carrying out their professional duties.

Aftab pledged to work for the protection of press freedom and the safety of journalists. The meeting was attended by representatives from various print and electronic media outlets operating in Khansama upazila.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has expelled its central committee member Samiran Dewan after he decided to contest the upcoming election as an independent candidate from Khagrachhari-298 constituency under the football symbol. The decision was announced on Sunday through a press release signed by BNP Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, citing involvement in activities against party discipline. The expulsion includes termination of Dewan’s primary membership and removal from all party positions.

According to the party, Khagrachhari district BNP president Abdul Wadud Bhuiyan received the official nomination and is contesting under the paddy sheaf symbol. Dewan’s decision to run independently prompted the party to take organizational action against him. Dewan had previously contested the 2008 national election as a BNP candidate and finished second.

In response, Dewan alleged that Abdul Wadud Bhuiyan, facing corruption charges, fielded his nephew Daudul Islam Bhuiyan as an independent candidate to block Dewan’s potential victory. Dewan declined to comment further on his expulsion, saying he was busy with campaign activities.

A large election rally led by Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman began at 2 p.m. on Monday at the Sitakunda Government Model High School field in Chattogram. The venue was filled with party activists carrying the balance symbol, and the surrounding areas were crowded with supporters chanting religious slogans. The event was chaired by district Jamaat leader Alauddin Sikdar and conducted by Chattogram-4 election director Fazlul Karim. Leaders from the 11-party alliance, including Khelafat Majlis, NCP, AB Party, and JAGPA, attended the gathering.

According to sources, Dr. Rahman was scheduled to arrive by helicopter from Lohagara at 4 p.m. and join the rally after landing at Barabkunda High School and College field. District Jamaat leaders said they expected around 200,000 activists from seven northern upazilas to attend. Security forces, including police, RAB, BGB, army, and Ansar, were deployed across Sitakunda, with checkpoints and rooftop surveillance by intelligence agencies.

Participants came from Mirsharai, Sandwip, Rangunia, Raozan, Hathazari, and Fatikchhari, reflecting strong regional mobilization ahead of the election.

The Appellate Division of Bangladesh’s Supreme Court has upheld the candidacy of Mobashwer Alam Bhuiyan, the BNP-nominated candidate for the Comilla-10 constituency in the 13th National Parliamentary Election. The court, led by the Chief Justice, issued the order on Sunday, allowing Bhuiyan to contest under the ‘paddy sheaf’ symbol. At the same time, the court cancelled the nomination of another BNP leader, Abdul Gafur Bhuiyan, from the same constituency.

Earlier, Mobashwer Alam Bhuiyan’s nomination had been rejected over allegations of loan default. He challenged the decision in the High Court, which on January 25 suspended the cancellation and directed the Election Commission to allocate him the BNP’s election symbol. Following that order, Bhuiyan received the symbol and continued his campaign. Later, another candidate from the same constituency, Hasan Ahmed, filed a leave-to-appeal petition against the High Court’s decision.

After hearing the appeal, the Appellate Division confirmed Bhuiyan’s eligibility to contest while maintaining the cancellation of Abdul Gafur Bhuiyan’s nomination, finalizing the BNP’s candidate lineup for Comilla-10.

BNP-nominated candidate for Cumilla-05 (Burichang–Brahmanpara) constituency and former district BNP member secretary Haji Jasim Uddin has said that a massive wave of public support has formed in favor of the paddy sheaf symbol. Speaking at an election campaign event in Kalakchua area of Moynamoti Union, Burichang upazila, on Monday afternoon, he predicted a 'vote revolution' for the BNP on February 12.

Jasim Uddin stated that he has been serving the people of the area for thirty years and that people from all political backgrounds are now supporting him. He said he has taken various initiatives to improve local living standards beyond the BNP’s 31-point program, citing poor road conditions in Burichang and Brahmanpara due to seventeen years of neglect. He pledged to prioritize road construction and modernization of transport if elected.

He dismissed his Jamaat-e-Islami rival as not well known locally and called for a fair and neutral election without vote rigging. He also alleged that one side was trying to influence presiding officers and urged his supporters to remain fearless and active during the polls.

The Noakhali Science and Technology University (NSTU) branch of Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir has launched a campaign supporting a 'Yes' vote in the upcoming national referendum. The initiative, held on Sunday, aimed to promote awareness about the vote’s significance in realizing the aspirations of the historic July uprising. As part of the campaign, members displayed banners, set up photo booths, and distributed leaflets across key campus locations including the main roundabout, Prashanti Park, and administrative buildings.

NSTU Shibir leaders stated that the campaign seeks to encourage reforms in the state structure to protect democracy and citizens’ rights. They linked the referendum to the ideals of the July revolution, emphasizing the need for a just and accountable governance system. The campaign reportedly received strong responses from teachers, students, and staff.

According to the organizers, the February 12 referendum, held alongside the 13th national parliamentary election, offers citizens a chance to express direct support for structural reforms and the creation of a fair, inclusive Bangladesh.