Authorities in Bangladesh have intensified security measures at polling centers identified as high-risk ahead of the 13th national election scheduled for February 12. Hundreds of centers across the country have been marked as vulnerable, prompting deployment of additional law enforcement and surveillance systems. In Narsingdi-5 constituency, 66 of 167 polling centers have been labeled risky, including 21 considered highly sensitive. The army has already set up a camp in Raipura upazila, with Border Guard Bangladesh expected to follow soon.

In Chattogram-15 constituency, which covers parts of Satkania and Lohagara upazilas, law enforcement has designated 19 centers as highly risky and 12 as risky. CCTV installation and presiding officer training are underway to ensure a fair voting environment. Security forces including the army, police, Rapid Action Battalion, and Ansar battalions will be deployed for six days surrounding the election period.

Officials said the classification of risky centers was based on intelligence reports and past incidents. Each center will have armed personnel, and special monitoring will be maintained to prevent unrest and ensure smooth polling.

BNP candidate Professor Aslam Chowdhury, contesting from Chattogram-4 (Sitakunda), said that if his party comes to power, Bangladesh will achieve food self-sufficiency and revive the local economy. He made the remarks on Saturday while campaigning in Syedpur and Baraidala unions of Sitakunda upazila. Chowdhury emphasized that unplanned canal filling and encroachment on natural reservoirs have worsened waterlogging, damaged agriculture, and caused environmental degradation in the area.

He stated that the drainage crisis in Sitakunda and other regions has become a national challenge. According to him, planned canal re-excavation and integrated water management could make Sitakunda a model area for the country. He warned that without urgent canal restoration, both agriculture and industry would fail to reach their full potential.

Chowdhury also highlighted the importance of initiatives such as cold storage facilities, affordable fertilizer and seed distribution, and modern farming methods. He said implementing the proposed “Krishi Card” program could bring a new revolution in agriculture, ensuring food self-sufficiency and economic growth. He pledged that a BNP government would prioritize these farmer-friendly programs.

Jamaat-e-Islami’s central assistant secretary general Muhammad Shahjahan warned that if attacks by BNP activists on the party’s female leaders continue, Jamaat will gain ground in the electoral field while BNP will fall behind. He made the remarks at a press conference on Saturday afternoon at the party’s Dewanbazar office in Chattogram, condemning the assaults and asserting that Jamaat has not retaliated or supported any form of violence.

Shahjahan announced that Jamaat Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman will visit Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar on January 2 to attend five public rallies. These will be held in Maheshkhali, Cox’s Bazar town, Padua in Lohagara, Sitakunda, and the port area of Chattogram city. He said the rallies aim to reach more voters, particularly in economically significant areas like the port and Sitakunda.

He also urged voters to support the upcoming referendum with a “yes” vote, while noting that holding the referendum and national election separately would have been preferable. Shahjahan said the party accepted the government’s decision to hold both simultaneously and called for honoring the sacrifices of those who died for the cause.

Advocate Tarikul Islam, executive board member of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), said that Tarique Rahman’s BNP and its election symbol, the paddy sheaf, have become poisonous and should be rejected by the people on February 12. He made the remarks on January 31 at a campaign rally in Valuka, Mymensingh, during NCP’s electoral march. Tarikul alleged that BNP’s plan was to occupy polling centers and accused them of threatening Hindu voters and attacking women, urging people to guard polling stations and protect their votes.

At the same event, Dr. Zahidur Rahman, candidate of the Eleven-Party Alliance for Mymensingh-11, said their slogan is “United Bangladesh” and pledged to ensure farmers’ rights, women’s safety, and youth employment. Mymensingh district Jamaat-e-Islami chief Abdul Karim described the upcoming February 12 election as a turning point for Bangladesh, calling for a corruption-free political culture. NCP’s election committee member secretary Monira Sharmin emphasized that attacks on minorities for political reasons would be prosecuted through a special human rights cell.

Speakers at the rally collectively called for unity under the Eleven-Party Alliance to build a reformed and inclusive Bangladesh.

At an election rally in Teknaf on January 31, 2026, Cox’s Bazar-4 (Ukhiya-Teknaf) constituency candidate and district Jamaat-e-Islami chief Maulana Nur Ahmad Anowari pledged to transform Teknaf into a tourism-friendly city and to initiate a port corridor. Speaking at the event organized in support of the 'Dari-Palla' symbol, he emphasized his commitment to establishing justice and eliminating corruption in the region.

Anowari alleged that conspiracies were emerging ahead of the election involving port operations, corridor management, and illegal toll collection. He criticized what he described as ongoing corruption and unfair politics in the country, asserting that the people of Teknaf would not allow their fate to be manipulated. He also promised to reopen Teknaf port, ensure fair business opportunities, and prevent any syndicate-based leasing system.

Local Jamaat leaders, including district welfare secretary Nur Hossain Siddiqi and upazila chief Maulana Rafiqullah, also addressed the rally, urging voters to support the 'Dari-Palla' symbol for a just and corruption-free state.

A mobile court in Bholahat upazila of Chapainawabganj fined a government employee Tk 20,000 for violating the electoral code of conduct. The fined individual, Md Erfan Ali of Bireshwarpur village, works at the Dhaka Higher Secondary Education Office. The operation was conducted on Saturday, January 31, at around 4 p.m. by Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate Md Shamim Hossain.

According to the mobile court, Erfan Ali organized a secret meeting at his residence with head teachers from local schools and potential assistant presiding officers under the banner of a teachers’ association. He had also invited BNP-nominated candidate Md Aminul Islam for Chapainawabganj-2 constituency, though the candidate did not attend. Acting on a tip-off, the mobile court raided the meeting and detained Erfan Ali.

The court found him guilty of attempting to influence the election process and fined him under sections 21(b) and 27(a) of the Parliamentary Election Code of Conduct 2025. He paid the fine immediately. Magistrate Shamim Hossain stated that the administration remains strict to ensure free and fair elections and will continue legal action against any official violating the code.

Maulana Habibur Rahman, a central Majlis-e-Shura member of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and the party’s nominated candidate for the Sylhet-1 (Metropolitan and Sadar) constituency under the 11-party alliance, said a nationwide wave of support has formed in favor of the 'Scales' election symbol. He made the remarks on Saturday afternoon during an election campaign event near the PDB Point area of Sylhet city, attended by a large number of party leaders, activists, and local residents.

During his address, Habibur Rahman urged voters to cast their ballots for the 'Scales' symbol in the upcoming election, promising to remain accessible to the public and serve as their caretaker rather than ruler. He called on patriotic students and citizens to unite against fascism and support the alliance’s cause. He also pledged to work toward improving the lives of local residents if elected.

Several local Jamaat leaders and representatives from affiliated organizations were present at the campaign event, reflecting active grassroots participation in the Sylhet-1 constituency.

Independent candidate Dr. Tasnim Jara unveiled a six-point manifesto aimed at resolving long-standing issues in Dhaka-9, including gas shortages, waterlogging, healthcare, safety, education, and employment. She presented her plan on Saturday at an event organized by the Assistant Returning Officer’s office at Khilgaon Model College. Jara emphasized that residents of Dhaka-9 pay equal taxes as those in affluent areas but receive inferior services, vowing to end this disparity.

Her manifesto includes legislative efforts for a 'no service, no bill' policy, subsidized LPG supply, and strict oversight of WASA and city corporations to prevent waterlogging. She pledged to modernize Mugda Medical College Hospital, form a year-round dengue taskforce, and ensure women-friendly healthcare. On safety, she promised CCTV-equipped “safe corridors” and action against drug syndicates. Education reforms include eliminating MP quotas in school admissions and promoting science and coding education. She also proposed a 'Startup Dhaka-9' fund for youth, community daycare centers, and an open digital dashboard for citizen complaints.

Jara vowed to open a permanent constituency office within a month of election if elected, ensuring direct public access without intermediaries.

Monir Haidar, special assistant to the chief adviser of the interim government and associate of the National Consensus Commission, stated that the July uprising’s goals and spirit would remain incomplete without a 'yes' vote in the national referendum. He made the remarks on Saturday, January 31, at a discussion meeting held at Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) to raise public awareness about the referendum. The event took place at the Syed Nazrul Islam Conference Hall.

Haidar explained that under Professor Muhammad Yunus’s leadership, the interim government formed several reform commissions, the most significant being the Constitutional Reform Commission. Out of nearly one thousand recommendations from various commissions, eighty-four were finalized through the National Consensus Commission to form the 'July National Charter 2025'. The referendum is the first and most crucial step toward implementing this charter.

Addressing confusion about the number of referendum questions, Haidar clarified that although forty-eight constitutional recommendations will be grouped into four categories on the ballot, there will be only one question—whether voters support or oppose the July uprising. The meeting was attended by several university vice-chancellors and chaired by a University Grants Commission member.

The deadline for licensed firearm holders in Bangladesh to deposit their weapons at the nearest police station ended on Saturday, January 31, 2026. The directive, issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs on January 19, aimed to ensure a free, fair, and peaceful 13th National Parliamentary Election. The order warned that failure to comply would result in legal action under relevant sections of the Arms Act of 1878.

According to the government circular, carrying or displaying licensed firearms is completely prohibited until February 15, 2026, in line with the announced election schedule. However, the restriction does not apply to validly nominated parliamentary candidates and their armed retainers under the “Firearms License and Retainer Appointment Policy, 2025.” The policy was introduced on December 14, 2024, to regulate firearm licensing and retainer appointments for politically significant individuals and election candidates.

The measure is part of broader security preparations to maintain order and prevent violence during the upcoming national election period.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has expelled 44 leaders and activists from various upazilas and wards in Mymensingh, Sylhet and Gaibandha for violating party decisions and engaging in activities deemed against the organization. The decision was announced on Saturday, January 31, 2026, through separate press releases signed by BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.

According to the statements, the expelled members include several joint conveners, general secretaries, and other office bearers from Saghata, Jakiganj, Kanaighat, Haluaghat, and Dobaura upazilas. Each was removed from all party positions, including primary membership, for alleged involvement in organizational misconduct and defiance of party directives.

The expulsions reflect the party’s ongoing internal disciplinary measures aimed at maintaining organizational unity and adherence to central decisions, as stated in the official press releases.

Former chairman of the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances and former justice Moinul Islam Chowdhury described enforced disappearances as a grave human rights violation and said they are worse than death. He made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a symposium titled “Human Rights Situation in Bangladesh: A Review,” held at the Bangladesh Institute of Law and International Affairs (BILIA) auditorium in Dhanmondi.

Justice Moinul explained that while families of the deceased can mourn and perform funeral rites, families of the disappeared remain in uncertainty, not knowing the fate or whereabouts of their loved ones. He said such families live in prolonged suspense, facing social stigma, financial hardship, and isolation.

Other speakers at the BILIA event included former commission members Justice Md. Farid Ahmed Shibli, Sajjad Hossain, and Nur Khan Liton; Odhikar director Taskin Fahmina; BILIA secretary Dr. Muhammad Ekramul Haque; and BILIA director Ambassador M. Maruf Zaman.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) will remain deployed in Rangpur, alongside the rest of the country, to keep the 13th national parliamentary election free from political influence and to maintain law and order. Rangpur Sector Commander Colonel S M Shafikur Rahman announced this on Saturday after inspecting a BGB security post at Park Mor in Rangpur city. He said around 3,000 BGB members have been deployed under the Rangpur sector to ensure public confidence in security during the election period.

Colonel Rahman added that BGB is on high alert along the 627-kilometer border in Rangpur Division to prevent any untoward incidents. Surveillance and patrols have been intensified to stop illegal arms entry and infiltration through the border. The commander also inaugurated new checkposts and search operations at key city points following his inspection.

He confirmed that BGB’s activities will continue throughout the election period to ensure overall security. Other officials from the Rangpur BGB headquarters were present during the visit.

Four leaders of the Saghata Upazila unit of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in Gaibandha have been expelled for engaging in activities contrary to party policy and organizational discipline. The decision was announced on Saturday through a press release signed by BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.

According to the press release, the expelled leaders are Joint Conveners Md. Matlebur Rahman Reza, Md. Abu Kalam Azad, Md. Enamul Haque Shilpi, and member Mosammat Munmun Rahman. They have been removed from all party positions, including their primary membership in the BNP. The action was taken following allegations of breaching party discipline.

Saghata Upazila BNP Convener Mohammad Ali and Member Secretary Selim Ahmed Tulip confirmed that the decision was implemented from the party’s central level, emphasizing that it reflects the organization’s commitment to maintaining internal discipline.

Election Commissioner Brigadier General (Retd.) Abul Fazal Md. Sanaullah emphasized that there will be no opportunity for irregularities in the upcoming vote. He stated that every candidate must win through legitimate votes and that voters must be able to cast their ballots safely and without obstruction. He also called for broad public participation in the 'yes' vote and stressed the importance of ensuring that the referendum is conducted fairly, peacefully, and neutrally.

He made these remarks on Saturday in Bhola while addressing a meeting with the Law and Order Cell and the Vigilance and Observation Team as the chief guest. The meeting was held at the Bhola Deputy Commissioner's conference room, chaired by District Returning Officer and Deputy Commissioner Dr. Shamim Rahman.

Senior officials including Bhola Police Superintendent Shahidullah Kawchar, Civil Surgeon Dr. Md. Monirul Islam, assistant returning officers, and representatives from the Navy, Coast Guard, Ansar, and other government departments were present at the meeting.