India’s upper house of Parliament, the Rajya Sabha, adopted a condolence motion on Wednesday mourning the death of former Bangladesh Prime Minister and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia. The motion was presented in the presence of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and members stood in silence to pay tribute to Zia. The session also included condolence motions for former Rajya Sabha members L. Ganesan and Suresh Kalnadi.

Before the submission of official documents, Rajya Sabha Chairman C. P. Radhakrishnan read out the condolence messages for the deceased, followed by a one-minute silence observed by all members. The session began with the President’s address, attended by Modi, cabinet ministers, and other members of the upper house.

Khaleda Zia passed away on December 30 at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar had earlier visited Dhaka to pay his last respects.

Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus said on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, that many countries are refusing to accept Bangladeshi passports because of widespread forgery. Speaking at the inauguration of the Digital Device and Innovation Expo 2026 and the launch of the Bangladesh Innovation Challenge website and logo at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center in Dhaka, he described Bangladesh as a “factory of fraud.” He said fake visas, passports, and certificates have damaged the country’s reputation abroad.

Yunus shared an account of a discussion with a Middle Eastern minister who explained that his country and several others have barred entry to Bangladeshis after discovering forged educational and professional certificates. He cited an example of a woman who presented a fake medical certificate to work abroad. Yunus urged that technology should not be used for deceit and called for moral reform and honesty in innovation.

He emphasized that Bangladesh must correct its foundations, eliminate fraudulent practices, and empower youth to become ethical entrepreneurs so that the nation can stand proudly on the global stage.

Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP) and candidate for Dhaka-11, has alleged that there is no level playing field in the ongoing election campaign. Speaking to journalists in Badda on Wednesday afternoon after a day of campaigning, he said that when candidates or their supporters are attacked or harassed and the administration takes no action, the situation cannot be described as fair. He urged voters to support his Shapla Koli symbol and to vote 'yes' in the referendum.

Nahid Islam claimed that since Tuesday, the election environment has been disrupted across the country, with female activists of the 11-party alliance facing harassment and attacks. He alleged that NCP candidates in Dhaka-18 and Dhaka-8 were also assaulted. Pointing toward the BNP, he accused the party of using muscle power and creating an atmosphere of intimidation to obstruct the election process. He said complaints had been submitted to the Election Commission and law enforcement agencies but no remedy had been provided.

He warned that if such conditions persist, the election could become one-sided and fail to reflect the people’s true verdict. He pledged to work for reform and a corruption-free, equitable state if elected.

At an election rally in Rangpur’s Badarganj upazila on Wednesday evening, Jamaat-e-Islami’s Nayeb-e-Ameer and Rangpur-2 constituency candidate ATM Azharul Islam alleged that the Awami League government had arranged false witnesses through its own tribunal to sentence him to death. He said divine mercy and public support helped him regain freedom after years of imprisonment, asserting that no one can harm those protected by God.

Azharul Islam stated that he was too young to fight in 1971 but was falsely branded a war criminal because of his advocacy for Islam. He claimed witnesses in his trial gave contradictory testimonies, saying they saw alleged killings from distances of three to nine kilometers. According to him, the tribunal’s fabricated evidence led to his 14-year imprisonment and torture.

He further alleged that after his release, some witnesses admitted they were pressured and enticed by the Awami League government to testify falsely. Urging voters to reject corruption, he called for support for the 11-party alliance’s “scales” symbol and a “yes” vote in the upcoming referendum on February 12.

The election field in Pabna-1 constituency has grown increasingly heated following the allocation of symbols for the upcoming national election. Tensions escalated further after former state minister and Awami League leader Professor Abu Sayeed joined the BNP, withdrawing his independent candidacy and pledging full support to BNP candidate Shamsur Rahman.

Jamaat-e-Islami’s candidate Barrister Najibur Rahman Momen, son of the late party chief Matiur Rahman Nizami, accused the BNP of conspiring to restore fascism by bringing Abu Sayeed into the party. He warned that such activities would be resisted. After receiving his election symbol, Momen alleged that BNP was attempting to disrupt the electoral environment and cautioned that administrative inaction could provoke public outrage.

BNP candidate Shamsur Rahman rejected the allegations, stating that Abu Sayeed was not fascist and had long distanced himself from such politics. He said Abu Sayeed joined BNP through a proper process, strengthening the party’s position in the constituency.

Asif Mahmud, chairman of the NCP Election Steering Committee, warned that any attempt to seize polling centers by force would be met with counter-resistance. Speaking on Wednesday at a public rally during the NCP’s election march at the Shaheed Minar grounds in Sarail, Brahmanbaria, he said the party would also resist attacks on women and uphold justice in future governance.

Mahmud highlighted Brahmanbaria’s history of participation in democratic movements from the anti-British struggle to the July uprising. He criticized the current government for failing to deliver development in the district and pledged that the Eleven-Party Alliance would ensure fair budget allocations for all regions if it came to power. He also mentioned that more than 30 alliance activists were injured in an attack on their candidate in Sherpur.

At the same event, alliance candidate Maulana Ashraf Uddin vowed to establish a just Bangladesh, ensure transparency in governance, and resist foreign dominance if elected.

Palestinian-supporting US Representative Ilhan Omar was attacked during a town hall meeting in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Tuesday. According to Reuters, an unidentified man sprayed an unknown dark-colored liquid on her while she was calling for the abolition of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency. Police arrested the assailant on third-degree assault charges. Authorities have not yet disclosed details about the substance used, though Omar was not injured.

C-SPAN footage showed the attacker rushing the stage as Omar demanded the resignation of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Omar later said the liquid had a terrible smell but confirmed she was fine and planned to undergo a medical checkup. Returning to the stage, she reaffirmed her resilience, saying Minnesota remained strong despite such acts. She also posted on X that she would not be intimidated.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Republican Representative Nancy Mace condemned the attack, emphasizing that violence has no place in political discourse. Omar, a Somali-American and former refugee, has long faced opposition from conservatives for her progressive stances on immigration and criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza.

A video from BNP Chairperson Tareq Rahman’s election rally in Mymensingh has gone viral on social media, showing Rahman seated on a chair while Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) president Rakibul Islam Rakib sits near his feet. Following widespread criticism online, Rakib posted the full video and an explanation on his Facebook page on Wednesday.

In his post, Rakib stated that Tareq Rahman personally called him to sit beside him during the rally on January 27. Because he was wearing sneakers, he found it difficult to sit properly, and at the suggestion of another BNP leader, he sat in front of Rahman with permission. Rakib said the circulated clip was edited to create a misleading narrative.

Rakib added that he felt honored to be invited to sit beside the BNP chairperson despite the presence of senior leaders. He urged supporters to remain patient and work toward implementing Rahman’s vision, noting that the BNP leader had returned to the country only a month earlier.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has finalized the list of polling centers and rooms for the upcoming 13th national election and referendum scheduled for February 12. Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed announced the details at the EC headquarters in Agargaon, Dhaka, confirming that voting will take place at 42,766 centers nationwide, with 247,482 polling rooms. A total of 785,225 officials, including presiding, assistant presiding, and polling officers, will manage the process.

According to the EC, 42,779 presiding officers, 247,482 assistant presiding officers, and 494,964 polling officers have been appointed to ensure smooth voting. The total number of registered voters stands at 127,711,793, comprising 64,825,361 men, 62,885,200 women, and 1,232 transgender voters. The commission stated that all necessary preparations for the election and referendum are in their final stages.

The EC emphasized that adequate manpower has been deployed to conduct the nationwide vote efficiently, marking one of the largest electoral operations in the country’s history.

At least 30 people were injured in a clash between BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami supporters over seating arrangements at an election manifesto event in Sherpur-3 constituency (Sreebardi-Jhenaigati) on Wednesday afternoon. The incident occurred at the Jhenaigati Upazila mini stadium before the program officially began. Several motorcycles were also vandalized during the violence.

According to the local administration, the event was organized by the Jhenaigati Upazila administration to present election manifestos of competing candidates. The altercation began when some BNP and Jamaat supporters argued over front-row seats, escalating into a violent confrontation. Police and army personnel later arrived to bring the situation under control. Injured individuals were taken to the Upazila Health Complex and district hospital.

Jamaat candidate Nuruzzaman Badol accused BNP supporters of a premeditated attack, while BNP candidate Mahmudul Haque Rubel blamed Jamaat activists for inciting chaos. The Upazila Executive Officer Ashraful Alam Russell confirmed the incident and said higher authorities had been informed. Police reported that the situation was now normal and no case had yet been filed.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman condemned reported assaults on women during election campaigning and warned that his party would not remain silent if such incidents continued. Speaking on Wednesday afternoon at a women’s rally organized by the 11-party electoral alliance at Monipur High School and College in Mirpur, Dhaka-15, he urged those responsible to repent and vowed to defend women’s honor at any cost.

Dr. Rahman, also a candidate for Dhaka-15, emphasized that women have the right to participate in election campaigns alongside men. He outlined his vision for a society built on maternal respect and compassion, promising safe transport for women, workplace daycare and breastfeeding facilities, and reduced working hours for mothers. He said these measures would apply to women of all religions.

Calling for a “yes” vote in the February 12 referendum, Rahman linked the outcome to justice and national sovereignty. He urged support for the party’s balance-scale symbol, portraying it as a stand for fairness and humanity across all communities.

NCP leader Asif Mahmud announced that the 11-party alliance would modernize the Qawmi education system if elected. Speaking on Wednesday at a campaign rally at the National Hero Abdul Quddus Makhan Municipal Stage in Brahmanbaria, he said the alliance would introduce technical training for madrasa students to make them self-reliant and ensure they are no longer deprived.

Mahmud, who chairs the NCP election management committee, described Brahmanbaria as a stronghold of democratic movements, noting that 11 people were martyred in the 2017 anti-Modi protests. He alleged that the district had been deprived of development projects due to its role in democratic struggles. He also welcomed the government’s announcement of an interim salary structure for imams and urged its quick implementation.

At the same event, Ataullah, the 11-party alliance candidate for Brahmanbaria-3, promised to improve local education, launch new train services, and ensure justice for the killing of his friend Osman Hadi if elected.

Bangladesh’s interim government foreign affairs adviser Md. Touhid Hossain said he could not find any reason behind India’s decision to recall family members of its diplomats from the Indian mission in Dhaka. Speaking to reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday, January 28, he stated that there was no situation in Bangladesh that posed any danger to Indian officials or their families.

Hossain clarified that there were no security threats or signals indicating any risk, describing the move as India’s internal matter. He added that India had not formally informed Bangladesh of any security concerns or incidents involving its diplomats. According to him, the overall security situation in Bangladesh remained stable, with no disruptions reported.

He further noted that minor scuffles during election periods were not unusual in Bangladesh and that the current situation did not appear worse than in previous elections. Hossain emphasized that India was free to bring back its diplomats’ families if it wished, as Bangladesh had no objection to such a decision.

The 9th Bangladesh–United States Land Forces Talks 2026 concluded successfully at the Army Sports Control Board conference room in Dhaka Cantonment on January 27, following two days of discussions held from January 26 to 27. According to an ISPR press release issued on January 28, the meeting was a continuation of the earlier session held in the United States from September 8 to 10. Representatives from both armies participated in the talks aimed at enhancing mutual cooperation.

The Bangladeshi delegation, led by Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Badrul Haque from the Army Training Directorate, comprised 22 members, while the U.S. side included four representatives led by Major Michael Jacob Oster from the U.S. Pacific Army Command’s Security Cooperation Division. Brigadier General Md Humayun Kabir, Director of the Army Training Directorate, attended the opening and closing sessions.

Discussions focused on strengthening military collaboration, improving training exchanges, and expanding the use of advanced technology and equipment. Both sides emphasized joint exercises, innovative training methods, and coordinated disaster preparedness. They also agreed on the importance of technical cooperation to address global challenges and contribute to regional peace and security.

Ala Uddin Shikdar, the Jamaat-e-Islami candidate of the 10-party alliance for the Chattogram-3 (Sandwip) constituency, has been served a show-cause notice for allegedly violating the electoral code of conduct. The notice was issued on Wednesday by Md. Helal Uddin, chairman of the Election Inquiry and Adjudication Committee and Joint District and Sessions Judge. The action followed a written complaint filed by Md. Alomgir Hossain, chief agent of BNP candidate Mostafa Kamal Pasha.

According to the notice, Shikdar used PVC-printed banners on campaign vehicles and installed more than 20 digital billboards, in addition to using 12 loudspeakers simultaneously during campaigning. Authorities stated that these actions constitute clear violations of sections 7(b) and 17(1) of the electoral code. The candidate has been asked to explain within a specified time why punitive measures should not be taken or a recommendation sent to the Election Commission.

The Sandwip police officer-in-charge has been instructed to deliver the notice and submit a report, while copies have been sent to the Election Commission Secretariat, the district administrator, and the returning officer.