Interim government adviser Muhammad Faozul Kabir Khan announced that more than 60 hours of training have been made mandatory for obtaining a driving license in Bangladesh. He made the statement on Tuesday at 11 a.m., emphasizing that the new rule applies to all drivers seeking a license.

According to the adviser, drivers who undergo the required training will receive an allowance from the government. He also stated that the previous licensing committees will no longer exist, and applicants will receive their licenses upon passing the examination. The announcement reflects the interim government’s effort to reform the licensing process and ensure better driver preparation.

The new policy aims to simplify the licensing procedure while promoting road safety through structured training. The government’s decision to provide allowances for trainees is intended to encourage compliance with the new requirements.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman stated that future politics should belong to the people rather than any political party. He made the remarks on Tuesday morning at a public rally in Jessore, where he attended as the chief guest. Rahman emphasized that in the upcoming February 12 election, a 'yes' vote signifies freedom while a 'no' vote represents subjugation.

He further pledged that if his party comes to power, Jessore would be upgraded to a city corporation and unemployed youth would be provided with dignified employment opportunities. Rahman praised the youth who, according to him, resisted fascism and now seek change from outdated political structures.

His comments reflect Jamaat-e-Islami’s call for a transformation in Bangladesh’s political culture, focusing on public interest and generational change ahead of the February election.

Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim, Amir of Islami Andolan Bangladesh and Pir of Charmonai, stated that the political upheaval of August 5, 2024, created an opportunity to reshape Bangladesh and free it from foreign dominance. Speaking on Monday night at an election rally in Balijuri Bazar, Madarganj, Jamalpur-3 constituency, he said people now see a possibility of liberation and that his party had reached out nationwide with a message supporting Islam.

He alleged that power-hungry groups had destroyed the symbolic “box of Islam” that once united patriotic citizens and Islamic parties. Rezaul Karim warned that returning to previous governance policies would crush public hopes. He said Islami Andolan Bangladesh fielded candidates in about 258 constituencies under the “hand fan” symbol to promote love for the country, its people, and Islam. The rally was chaired by Maulana Shafiqul Islam and attended by several local leaders.

Rezaul Karim concluded that despite perceptions of isolation, his party was not alone, asserting that divine support and the backing of Islamic-minded citizens remain with them.

Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui, Director General of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), visited Cox’s Bazar to assess overall law and order and strengthen security ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. On Monday night, he chaired a coordination meeting at Shahparir Dwip in Teknaf with senior officials from the civil administration, armed forces, police, and intelligence agencies to ensure a free, fair, and peaceful election.

During the meeting, the BGB chief said the force is fully prepared to perform its assigned duties with professionalism and neutrality. Plans include deploying over 37,000 BGB members across 489 upazilas, with exclusive responsibility in 61 border upazilas. BGB will act as both mobile and static forces in 300 constituencies based on risk assessments. Training, briefings, and STX exercises have been completed to ensure lawful and disciplined operations.

He emphasized voter safety, ballot protection, and rapid response capabilities, including helicopters, K-9 units, drones, and body cameras. The BGB is maintaining heightened vigilance in Cox’s Bazar due to its 271-kilometer border with Myanmar and potential risks linked to smuggling and Rohingya presence.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman arrived in Mymensingh on Tuesday to participate in election campaigning for the 13th National Parliamentary Election. He left Dhaka’s Gulshan by road at 11 a.m. and reached Mymensingh city around noon. After a short rest at the district circuit house, he is scheduled to address a public rally there as the chief guest.

Local BNP leaders said that eight of the eleven constituencies in Mymensingh district have rebel candidates, adding a new dimension to the local political scene. Party sources indicated that at least five of those rebel candidates have a chance of winning. Following the Mymensingh rally, Tarique Rahman will deliver speeches at separate gatherings in Gazipur’s Rajbari field and Uttara’s Azampur Eidgah ground before returning to his residence in Gulshan.

According to the BNP media cell, Rahman began his campaign on January 22 in Sylhet and has since held several rallies across multiple divisions. After Mymensingh, he is expected to continue election rallies in Rajshahi, Naogaon, Bogura, and Barishal divisions.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman stated that forming a government would be meaningless if the 'Yes' vote does not win in the ongoing referendum. He made the remarks on Tuesday morning at a campaign rally held at the central Eidgah ground in Jashore. Rahman said that 180 million people want change and promised to upgrade Jashore to a city corporation and create dignified employment for unemployed youth if his party comes to power.

He accused opponents of campaigning against the referendum, claiming that a victory for the 'Yes' vote would prevent the return of fascism. Rahman criticized those who, according to him, resort to violence and suppression of dissent even before winning elections, questioning the safety of the country under such leadership. He emphasized that politics in Bangladesh should serve the people, not families or parties.

Rahman also warned that any obstruction to Jamaat’s ideological campaign or harassment of women during election activities would be met with resistance, asserting that no one has the authority to hinder their political movement.

The interim government led by Professor Muhammad Yunus has completed all preparations to hand over power to the incoming administration following the February 12 parliamentary election. Officials said the oath-taking ceremony for the new government is expected between February 16 and 18, with February 17 being prioritized. The Cabinet Division, Parliament Secretariat, and other relevant offices have been instructed to finalize arrangements, while Bangabhaban has been asked to remain ready to host the event.

According to government sources, multiple meetings have been held to coordinate the swearing-in of both new members of parliament and the incoming cabinet. The Election Commission has been requested to publish the gazette of elected MPs by February 13 or 14. The Ministry of Home Affairs is responsible for ensuring protocol and security for guests attending the ceremony, which is planned to be festive and inclusive. The President’s military division will oversee overall management at Bangabhaban’s Darbar Hall.

Meanwhile, the Parliament building and related facilities have been fully renovated after damage during the 2024 uprising, and a committee has been formed to select the new prime minister’s official residence from four proposed options.

An explosion was alleged near the election campaign rally of BNP candidate Ershad Ullah in the Chattogram-8 (Boalkhali–Chandgaon) constituency on Monday evening, January 26. The incident occurred around 6 p.m. in front of Purba Kadhurkhil High School in Boalkhali, where Ullah was conducting a public meeting. Witnesses reported hearing two loud blasts about 50 yards from the rally site, causing panic among attendees. No injuries were reported, and police later said they found no evidence of explosives at the scene.

BNP leaders quickly brought the situation under control and concluded the meeting briefly before holding a protest march in the upazila town. District BNP leaders condemned the incident, calling for the perpetrators to be identified and arrested. One local BNP leader alleged that the attack was a deliberate attempt to disrupt the election atmosphere and blamed rival groups. Police confirmed they responded promptly but found no physical traces of any explosive devices.

BNP candidate Ershad Ullah described the explosions as an attempt to create unrest and destabilize the electoral environment.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has instructed all returning and election officials not to engage in any campaign related to the ongoing referendum, warning them against supporting either the ‘yes’ or ‘no’ side. The EC said the directive aims to preserve neutrality and credibility in the electoral process and may be formally communicated to the government. Commissioner Anwarul Islam Sarkar confirmed that all officers involved in election duties must refrain from referendum campaigning to avoid questions about impartiality.

The EC has also decided to amend sections of the electoral code of conduct midway through the election schedule, a move that has sparked debate about its timing and consistency. The revisions include lifting the restriction on using only three microphones at political rallies and allowing candidates to distribute voter slips containing their names, party affiliations, and symbols. Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed confirmed these changes, citing practical needs.

Civil society leader Dr. Badiul Alam Majumdar criticized the mid-election amendments, saying they could cause confusion at the grassroots level and undermine confidence in the EC’s decision-making process.

Bangladesh’s interim government led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus has strongly protested what it calls India’s attempt to destabilize the country ahead of the February 12 general election and an upcoming referendum linked to the July Charter. According to diplomatic sources cited by the newspaper, Indian policymakers and intelligence agencies have launched a campaign to make the election controversial and prevent approval of the referendum. The report claims that Delhi’s efforts include bringing former prime minister Sheikh Hasina back into the political spotlight.

On January 23, an audio message from Hasina was played at a Delhi event titled “Safe Democracy in Bangladesh,” where she allegedly urged her supporters to boycott and resist the election. Dhaka’s foreign ministry said the speech incited violence and aimed to overthrow the government, calling India’s role a serious threat to Bangladesh’s democratic transition and bilateral relations. Analysts quoted in the report said India is anxious about the election outcome, given the absence of the Awami League and the uncertain position of other parties.

The controversy has heightened diplomatic tension, with Bangladesh warning that such actions could harm future bilateral cooperation and vowing to prevent any violence or conspiracy surrounding the polls.

Dr. Fawzul Kabir Khan, adviser overseeing the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources along with two other key ministries, has submitted his income and asset statement for the 2024–25 fiscal year to the Cabinet Secretary’s office. The submission was made on Monday, January 26, as disclosed in a post on his personal Facebook account, where he also mentioned including his wife’s income and asset details.

According to the 2024 policy for disclosure of income and assets by advisers and equivalent officials of the interim government, Dr. Khan filed the statement in compliance with the rules. He noted that a similar report for the 2023–24 fiscal year had already been submitted. The adviser explained that the current declaration covers income and assets up to June 30, 2025, and has also been filed with the National Board of Revenue along with his tax return.

Dr. Khan stated that, in the interest of accountability, he intends to submit another updated statement to the Cabinet Division after the completion of the 2025–26 fiscal year.

The Election Commission (EC) has introduced a major change in the process of issuing journalist and observer cards for the upcoming 13th parliamentary election and referendum. For the first time, journalists and observers must apply online through the EC’s designated website, pr.ecs.gov.bd, to obtain observer cards and vehicle stickers. Applicants must register by providing their national ID number, email, mobile number, and password, followed by OTP verification.

After registration, applicants can log in to submit their applications, providing personal details, media organization information, and necessary documents, including proof of registration and the latest publication copy. Journalists must also upload an approved list from their media organization, indicating their position on the list. If a vehicle sticker is required, relevant vehicle documents must be submitted. The final step involves uploading an office ID, issue and expiry dates, photo, signature, and national ID card.

Upon verification, the EC will issue a QR code-enabled card in PDF format, granting journalists legal authorization to collect election news.

National Citizen Party (NCP) spokesperson Asif Mahmud has alleged that attempts are being made to buy votes by offering various cards instead of cash. He made the remarks on Monday, January 26, during an election march at Ramganj Pilot Girls High School field in Lakshmipur, where he attended as a special guest.

Mahmud said that while other countries are providing all citizen services through a single smart card, a certain political party in Bangladesh is trying to manipulate voters by promising multiple separate cards. He accused that such tactics aim to keep the country behind under the guise of allowances and benefits. He also stated that Bangladeshi voters are now more aware through social media and will not fall for such manipulation.

The NCP election steering committee chairman further said that their eleven-party alliance does not support unemployment allowances but wants to create employment opportunities to build human resources and move Bangladesh toward prosperity.

A prayer and memorial meeting demanding justice for the murder of Dhaka University’s former political science student, Shaheed Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, was held on Monday, January 26, 2026, at the Professor Muzaffar Ahmad Chowdhury Auditorium. The event was organized by the Department of Political Science and attended by Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmad Khan as the chief guest.

Other speakers included Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration) Professor Dr. Saima Haque Bidisha, Treasurer Professor Dr. M. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences Professor Dr. Tayebur Rahman, and several faculty members and student leaders. The session was presided over by Professor Md. Shariful Islam, convener of the organizing committee.

Vice-Chancellor Khan described Osman Hadi as a principled individual who stood for justice and the oppressed, calling his killing an attack on ideals. He urged all to play an active role in ensuring swift justice for Hadi’s murder.

National Citizen Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam declared that no one would be allowed to seize polling centers after late-night prayers, accusing a rival party of planning to mark ballots early. He made the remarks on Monday night, January 26, at a campaign event for the 11-party alliance candidate Mahabub Alam in Ramganj Pilot Girls High School field, Lakshmipur. Nahid Islam said the alliance would unite on February 12 to resist all conspiracies and protect polling centers, warning of strong resistance against any obstruction.

During the same event, he criticized the Awami League for what he called false promises made in the 2001 election, describing the “farmer card” and “family card” as deceptive packages. He emphasized that Bangladesh’s real challenges lie in reviving the economy, ensuring accountability for loan defaulters and looters, and attracting investment.

Other speakers, including NCP spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, alleged that corruption had undermined the ruling party’s legitimacy and vowed that the people would resist such practices.