Campaigning for the 13th National Parliamentary Election has gained momentum across the Laksam-Manoharganj area of Comilla-9 constituency. As the election draws nearer, discussions and speculation about potential candidates have increased, creating a festive atmosphere. The contest is expected to be three-way, with candidates from BNP, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Islamic Front, and Islami Andolan (Charmonai Pir) actively engaging with voters. Independent candidate Samira Azim Dola has withdrawn from the race, extending her support to the BNP candidate.

BNP’s sole candidate Abul Kalam expressed optimism about his victory, while Jamaat’s candidate Dr. Syed A.K.M. Sarwar Uddin Siddiqui said he is fully prepared and believes the people of Laksam-Manoharganj want change. Islamic Front’s Alhaj Mir Abu Bakar and Islami Andolan’s Alhaj Selim Mahmud also continue their campaigns, each hopeful of voter support. A recent rally at Laksam Stadium featured Jamaat Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman as chief guest.

Local BNP leaders claim the constituency is a BNP stronghold, suggesting their candidate has a strong chance of winning.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman addressed several election rallies in Comilla, Daudkandi, and Dhaka on Saturday, calling for an end to corruption, fascism, and dominance-based politics. Speaking as chief guest at the 11-party alliance’s gatherings, he said the people of Bangladesh desire change and that transformation will begin on the 13th. He emphasized building a youthful and humane Bangladesh, free from division and injustice, and said the alliance aims to govern based on the aspirations of 180 million citizens.

Rahman pledged that if his party comes to power, it will form a unity government ensuring justice, eradicating corruption, and implementing July reform proposals. He also promised to improve education, health, and civic services, including transforming Keraniganj into a model township. Other alliance leaders, including Nahid Islam of NCP and Maulana Mamunul Haque of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, echoed calls for national unity and resistance to foreign interference in elections.

The rallies drew large crowds, with Rahman urging voters to support the 11-party alliance in the upcoming polls to strengthen sovereignty and establish accountable governance.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman said that after toppling autocracy through movement, it is now time to rebuild the country collectively. He made the remarks on Saturday afternoon at an election rally in Sirajganj’s BSCIC Industrial Park, marking the final day of his northern region tour. Rahman called on supporters to stand by farmers and remain alert against any attempts to deprive citizens of their voting rights. He introduced party candidates from Sirajganj and Pabna and urged voters to support them.

Rahman emphasized BNP’s experience in state governance and pledged to establish new industrial parks, revive the handloom industry, and create vocational institutes to address unemployment. He also promised family and agriculture cards to assist women and farmers if the party wins. Earlier in Bogura, he met local leaders and described the district as a BNP stronghold.

At a later rally in Tangail, Rahman alleged that some groups were conspiring to obstruct the election by misleading voters. He outlined plans for regional development, including a barrage on the Jamuna River, new factories, and pineapple processing plants.

Educational institutions across Bangladesh have begun announcing extended holidays as the national election approaches. In Keraniganj, the Girls’ School and College declared holidays until February 15 after Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) established a camp on its premises to maintain law and order during the election period. Similar closures have been reported in other schools in and around Dhaka. Parents confirmed that students were informed of the extended break due to the BGB deployment.

According to BGB’s Dhaka Sector Commander Colonel S.M. Abul Ehsan, more than 37,000 BGB members will be deployed nationwide to ensure security during the upcoming parliamentary election. The government has also announced general holidays on February 11 and 12 for the election, with additional days off linked to religious observances and weekends, creating extended breaks for both students and government employees.

The overlapping of election-related and religious holidays has resulted in unusually long school closures across the country, affecting academic schedules and daily routines in many institutions.

Severe disruption has hit public services in the 3 No. Angarpara Union Parishad of Khansama upazila, Dinajpur, after its chairman went into hiding and the panel chairman was jailed. For nearly three weeks, administrative operations have been paralyzed, leaving residents unable to obtain birth registrations, certificates, inheritance documents, social safety allowances, and land-related services.

Local sources said elected chairman Mostafa Ahmed Shah, a former acting president of the upazila Awami League, went into hiding after being accused in an arson case filed by a local Jubo Dal leader following the fall of the Awami League government in July. Allegations suggest he is attempting to manage office affairs remotely through seals and signatures. The situation worsened when the panel chairman was recently arrested in an unidentified case, leaving the council without leadership.

Union officials said documents cannot be issued without the chairman’s signature, forcing citizens to wait days. The Upazila Nirbahi Officer stated that uninterrupted public service is essential and that directives have been issued to ensure timely service delivery under administrative monitoring.

At least three people were injured when stones were thrown at an election rally of Abdul Hannan Masud, the candidate nominated by the 11-party alliance, in Hatiya upazila of Noakhali. The incident occurred on Saturday evening at Talatala Bazar in Tamraddi Union, where Masud was addressing supporters. Following the attack, tension spread throughout the area as the assailants fled the scene.

According to the National Citizen Party (NCP), the attack took place while Masud was delivering his speech, allegedly by individuals supporting the BNP. The injured were identified as Didar Uddin, son of Abdur Rahman from Ward 8, and Sompod, son of Mozammel Hossain from Ward 5, along with another person. They received local medical treatment.

NCP’s Hatiya upazila convener, Shamsul Tibriz, condemned the attack, accusing the BNP of attempting to disrupt the electoral environment and manipulate polling centers. He demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible for the violence.

Allegations have surfaced that the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) is attempting to promote 29 junior consultants who were allegedly appointed illegally during the previous Awami League government without written or oral examinations. Despite multiple letters from the Posts and Telecommunications Division urging action after the issue appeared in a government audit, the commission has reportedly taken no visible steps. Instead, efforts are underway to finalize the promotions before the new government assumes office.

According to sources, the audit identified the appointments as illegal and corrupt. The government’s recently formed White Paper Committee, tasked with investigating 15 years of irregularities in the telecommunications sector, also found extensive corruption in BTRC recruitment and listed the names of these officials. Reports indicate that the commission has twice rescheduled meetings to push through the promotions, an unusual move in its history.

A departmental promotion meeting on January 25 decided that officials with audit objections would not be promoted, but the decision was not finalized. Several senior posts remain vacant, and many qualified officers allege that their promotions are being delayed to favor unqualified appointees.

In Sylhet-2 constituency, two influential factions of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) have announced unity in support of the party’s paddy sheaf symbol ahead of the upcoming national parliamentary election. The declaration came after years of internal disputes that had divided the local BNP into two camps led by Joint Secretary General Humayun Kabir and central leader Tahsina Rushdir Luna. The formal announcement was made at a coordination meeting held at the Lavista Hotel in Sylhet city, chaired by district BNP president Abdul Koyum Chowdhury.

According to party sources, earlier misunderstandings and misinformation had caused long-standing divisions and sidelined many grassroots activists. Central intervention helped resolve the conflict, with Chowdhury assigned to coordinate between the two groups. At the meeting, Luna urged all members to forget past differences and work together for victory, while Chowdhury emphasized unity, discipline, and grassroots strength.

The meeting also decided to hold two worker gatherings in Osmani Nagar and Bishwanath upazilas on February 2 or 3 in the presence of Humayun Kabir to strengthen organizational activities ahead of the election.

Senior US Congressmen Joe Wilson and Nile Pow, co-chairs of the bipartisan Congressional Bangladesh Caucus, have written to US Secretary of State Mark Rubio urging support for Bangladesh’s government to ensure that the upcoming February 12 general election is free, fair, and secure. The letter, sent last Tuesday, describes the election as crucial for Bangladesh’s future and calls for active engagement from the US State Department ahead of the national vote and referendum.

The congressmen noted that the election follows reforms by the interim government and represents a positive step forward. They emphasized that this will be Bangladesh’s first vote since the 2024 protests and uprising, during which the UN Human Rights Office reported over 1,400 deaths caused by security forces. The letter also referenced the US State Department’s earlier assessments that the 2018 and 2024 elections were not free or fair.

Expressing concern over Bangladesh’s fragile and unstable situation, the lawmakers cited recent killings of a pro-democracy leader and a worker. They described the election as an opportunity to break cycles of violence and build a government that respects the rule of law and human rights, urging a pre-election briefing on US actions.

Eminent academic Dr. Mahbub Ullah stated that the Awami League’s vengeful politics poses a major obstacle to democratic progress and peaceful coexistence in Bangladesh. Speaking on Saturday at the grand finale and award ceremony of the ‘Debate for Democracy’ election debate competition held at the FDC in Dhaka, he warned that the party’s actions risk damaging both the electoral environment and national peace. He also alleged that former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had turned into a political miscreant due to her obsession with power.

Dr. Ullah further claimed that fallen autocrats and neighboring states were supporting election-related violence and were unwilling to accept political change in Bangladesh. He said the nation had yet to reap the full benefits of its Liberation War, which he described as being influenced by neighboring powers. He urged the government to take effective measures to end electoral violence and bring qualitative change to politics to uphold democracy.

At the same event, Debate for Democracy Chairman Hasan Ahmed Chowdhury Kiron said public expectations for the upcoming election were higher than ever, describing it as a contest against fascist forces.

Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) Secretary General Quader Gani Chowdhury declared that no media outlet in the country will be allowed to operate without implementing the wage board. Speaking on Saturday, January 31, at a meeting with journalists at the VIP Lounge of Chattogram Press Club, he said all journalists must receive wage board benefits and announced plans for a nationwide rally in Dhaka to press the demand to the government.

Chowdhury criticized the disparity between journalists in Dhaka and those outside the capital, noting that many regional journalists do not receive wage board payments. He also demanded two weekly holidays for journalists, similar to other professions. During his remarks, he condemned what he described as partisan journalism and interference in press clubs, asserting that press institutions should be run by members’ opinions, not political or government influence.

He emphasized unity among journalists as the only way to protect their rights and dignity, warning against any attempts to control or politicize press organizations.

BNP-nominated candidate for Jhenaidah-4, Rashed Khan, intervened to secure the release of three teenagers detained by police for allegedly tearing his party’s election posters in Kushobaria Bazar on Friday night. The police had taken the boys into custody following complaints that several posters bearing the BNP’s ‘sheaf of paddy’ symbol were damaged, sparking local political tension. Upon learning of the arrests, Rashed Khan went to the police station and requested their release without legal action, a request the police granted.

After being freed, the teenagers said they had acted out of youthful impulse, not political motives, and expressed remorse for their actions. They thanked Rashed Khan for forgiving them instead of pursuing punishment. Rashed explained that he did not want to ruin their lives over a small mistake and emphasized that politics should be about humanity, not revenge. He said forgiveness and compassion can correct mistakes and help young people grow into responsible citizens.

Local residents viewed Rashed Khan’s decision as a positive example of tolerance and humanity in the area’s election politics.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has expelled nine local leaders from Sylhet-5 constituency for working in favor of an expelled independent candidate. The decision was announced on Saturday through separate press releases signed by BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi. Among those expelled, five are from Zakiganj upazila and municipality units, and four are from various units in Kanaighat.

According to the press release, the expelled leaders violated party discipline and ignored official directives by supporting Mamunur Rashid, also known as Chaksu Mamun, who was previously expelled from the BNP. The expelled individuals include Ismail Hossain Selim, Masuk Ahmad, Ripon Ahmad, Hasan Ahmad, Waes Ahmad, Khusruzzaman Parvez, Abul Bashar, Nazrul Islam, and Nurul Hossain Nimar.

Earlier, the BNP had supported Jamiat-e-Ulama’s central president Maulana Ubaidullah Faruq as part of an alliance agreement for the Sylhet-5 seat. Mamunur Rashid opposed this decision and filed as an independent candidate with the football symbol, leading to his expulsion on December 30. He continues to campaign with his supporters.

Dr. Sheikh Faridul Islam, the BNP-nominated candidate for Bagerhat-3 (Mongla-Rampal), called on voters to support the paddy sheaf symbol to ensure public safety and make Tarique Rahman the prime minister. He made the appeal on Saturday at a courtyard meeting organized by Ward No. 6 of Mongla Municipality BNP at the Labour Union premises in Mongla town.

During the event, Sheikh Faridul Islam emphasized the need to develop the region by uniting port workers, EPZ workers, and fishermen dependent on the Sundarbans, while respecting their rights and fairness. Mongla Municipal BNP President Zulfiqar Ali, speaking as the chief guest, said Tarique Rahman had sent Sheikh Faridul Islam as the guardian of the area with the paddy sheaf symbol and urged voters to elect him to Parliament.

Zulfiqar Ali added that the Rampal-Mongla constituency is crucial for the BNP to form a government and called for unity among all supporters to secure a decisive victory for the paddy sheaf in the upcoming election.

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.