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.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh announced on Monday, January 26, that it will grant voting passes to 3,818 media outlets to cover the upcoming referendum and parliamentary elections scheduled for February 12. The EC’s public relations division confirmed that all government-approved media houses will receive journalist identification cards and vehicle stickers. Applications for these passes must be submitted by February 3.

According to the EC’s list, the approved outlets include 18 television online portals, 129 daily newspaper online portals, 61 regional online media, and 263 online news portals. Additionally, there are 3,347 print newspapers, comprising 1,397 dailies, 1,231 weeklies, 215 fortnightlies, 451 monthlies, and several other periodic publications. Of these, 1,422 are published in Dhaka and 1,935 outside the capital.

The EC’s decision aims to facilitate comprehensive media coverage of the national election process, ensuring access for both national and regional outlets.

National Citizen Party (NCP) leader Hasnat Abdullah has described recent politically motivated attacks during election campaigns as a warning sign of repression ahead of the upcoming national election. Speaking to reporters after a meeting with the Chief Election Commissioner in Agargaon, Dhaka, on Monday evening, he said the attacks, including one on the NCP candidate in Dhaka-18, reflect a 'practice match' for capturing polling centers and pose a serious threat to free and fair elections.

Hasnat Abdullah expressed deep concern over the electoral environment, alleging that opposition campaign activities are being systematically obstructed and that provocative remarks are being made to incite police action against rival groups. He said such incidents send a negative message about the entire electoral process and raise doubts about how participatory the election will be.

NCP election and administration subcommittee secretary Ayman Rahat alleged that BNP candidates are attacking NCP and Jamaat candidates across several constituencies and violating campaign rules without facing consequences. He claimed that government facilities are being used for campaign events and that controversial officials from past elections have been reappointed, heightening fears of manipulation.

Dhaka University’s Public Administration Department teacher and Assistant Proctor Shehrin Amin Bhuiya, known as Monami, posted on Facebook on Monday highlighting examples of misogynistic remarks made by individuals from different political backgrounds. In her post, she noted that despite representing three distinct political parties, the leaders she referenced shared a common tendency to make obscene and derogatory comments about women and female politicians. She criticized the use of the 'women card' by these parties ahead of elections to project a commitment to women’s rights while failing to address internal misogyny.

Monami expressed concern over the lack of unified resistance against such harassment, arguing that outrage over misogyny often depends on political convenience rather than principle. She pointed out that party leaders and supporters frequently remain silent or even participate in coordinated attacks against women, including the use of AI-generated images to demean them. She also accused self-proclaimed centrist and leftist groups of maintaining deliberate silence when misogyny arises within their own ranks.

She concluded that unless all political parties are held accountable for harassment and abusive behavior toward women, claims of women-friendly politics and empowerment will remain hollow slogans.

Former Bangladesh Army Chief Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan has alleged that India is undermining Bangladesh’s security by providing shelter to Sheikh Hasina, who he described as convicted for genocide. In a verified Facebook post on Monday, he claimed that India had supported what he called 15 years of fascist misrule and continues to offer state-level backing to Hasina. Bhuiyan referred to a January 23 press event at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club in New Delhi, where Hasina’s audio message was played, accusing the Indian government of aiding anti-sovereignty and anti-democratic rhetoric.

He argued that India’s actions amount to interference in Bangladesh’s sovereignty and warned that such moves could heighten tensions and further damage already strained bilateral relations. Bhuiyan also accused India of sheltering fugitives from Bangladesh and pressuring Dhaka to restore political rights to those facing judicial proceedings.

Drawing a historical comparison, he said India had not learned from its past experience of hosting the Dalai Lama, warning that supporting Hasina could similarly bring long-term costs for India.

Following the start of election campaigning on January 22 for Bangladesh’s 13th national parliamentary election scheduled for February 12, Google Trends data show that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has drawn the highest online search interest. Between January 22 and January 26, BNP recorded an average search interest of 67 percent, ahead of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami at 45 percent, the National Citizen Party (NCP) at 11 percent, and Islami Andolon Bangladesh at 4 percent.

The report, based on Google Trends analysis, highlights that users searched for these parties using various keywords in both Bangla and English. Alongside online searches, social media engagement also reflects similar patterns. BNP’s official Facebook page has 4.73 million followers, followed by Jamaat-e-Islami with 3 million, Islami Andolon Bangladesh with 1.6 million, and NCP with 1.4 million.

The data indicate that digital interest and social media presence are playing a significant role in the ongoing election campaign, which is being conducted both offline and online across Bangladesh.

Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General and head of the party’s central publicity department, Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, alleged that female activists of the party have been attacked and harassed in several areas, including Dhaka-15 constituency. Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin on Monday afternoon, he said women campaigners were being assaulted, forced to remove their veils, and had their mobile phones snatched. He urged the Election Commission to take necessary action, expressing concern over the lack of effective response from law enforcement.

Zubair also complained that some MPO-listed teachers were being obstructed or fined by local officials and magistrates for participating in election activities, despite teachers being allowed to contest elections. He said the Election Commission had promised to look into the matter. Responding to allegations that Jamaat was collecting NID cards through female workers, he denied any such instruction from the party.

On the absence of female candidates, Zubair explained that about 40 percent of Jamaat’s members are women, and the party does not impose decisions on them. He added that women are free to decide based on their circumstances and that the party plans to nominate female candidates in the future.

India’s Assistant High Commissioner in Sylhet, Aniruddha Das, stated that the relationship between India and Bangladesh remains friendly, historical, and multidimensional. He made the remarks on Monday, January 26, during a ceremony at a hotel in Sylhet city marking India’s 77th Republic Day. Das noted that India became a sovereign and democratic republic on January 26, 1950, and emphasized that geographical proximity and shared cultural heritage make the two nations important partners.

Referring to 1971, he said India stood by Bangladesh during its struggle and continues to support a peaceful, stable, and inclusive Bangladesh. He added that youth engagement, economic potential, and regional cooperation between the two countries could play a vital role in South Asia’s development.

The event was attended by the Sylhet Deputy Commissioner, senior BNP leaders, academics, intellectuals, journalists, and cultural figures. It began with the national anthems of both countries, symbolizing their historic bond, and concluded with a dinner in honor of the guests.

July Oikya announced it will hold a 'March to Election Commission' program on Tuesday to demand the disqualification of loan defaulters, dual citizens, and 14 political parties including the Jatiya Party from the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. The announcement was made Monday by organizer Plabon Tariq at a press conference. Organizer Israfil Farazi alleged that the Election Commission had legitimized candidates who are loan defaulters and dual citizens, violating existing laws. He claimed at least 45 loan defaulters were allowed to contest while 68 were excluded.

Farazi further stated that July Oikya has been campaigning for two months to bar the Jatiya Party and allied groups, accusing them of involvement in past violence. The group also demanded immediate recovery of illegal weapons before the election, citing the killing of one of its organizers, Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, during election campaigning. They criticized the interim government and the Home Ministry for failing to act and warned that any ensuing unrest would be the responsibility of the Election Commission and the Home Ministry.

The press conference was also addressed by organizers Zainal Abedin Shishir and Munshi Burhan Mahmud.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Principal Belayet Hossain held a press conference on Monday at the Companiganj upazila Jamaat office, alleging that supporters of his rival BNP candidate were issuing threats, committing assaults, and engaging in irregularities ahead of the election in Noakhali-5 (Companiganj-Kabirhat) constituency. He claimed that BNP activists were intimidating Jamaat supporters in Noajpur and Ashdia unions and in ward 3 of Kabirhat municipality, including threats to female voters to prevent them from going to polling centers.

Belayet Hossain further alleged that despite the Election Commission’s instructions for appointing presiding, assistant presiding, and polling officers, the rival side influenced the cancellation of the official list and replaced it with their preferred officials. He warned that if the Election Commission failed to take legal action, his party would announce a program to surround the offices of the returning and assistant returning officers.

BNP candidate Fakhrul Islam denied all allegations, claiming that no such incidents occurred and instead accused Jamaat supporters of threatening his Hindu voters.

Hafiz Maulana Mahmudul Hasan, the Islami Andolan Bangladesh–nominated candidate for the Sylhet-1 parliamentary seat, stated on Monday, January 26, 2026, that his party is contesting independently due to a lack of ideological alignment with Jamaat-e-Islami. Speaking at a press briefing and candidate introduction meeting in Sylhet, he said the party is upholding Islamic ideals while running under its own symbol.

Hasan highlighted that expatriates’ hard-earned assets in Sylhet have long been targeted by criminals and land grabbers. He pledged to take strict measures to protect those assets if elected and to establish a business-friendly environment free from extortion. He also promised to transform Sylhet into a safe, livable “model city” free from corruption, extortion, and terrorism.

He further alleged that divisions have been created among Muslims, Hindus, Christians, Buddhists, and other communities in Sylhet, fostering fear. Hasan also claimed that expatriate remittance earners, a key force in the national economy, have been neglected and undervalued for years. Islami Andolan leaders from Sylhet city and district levels attended the event.

A mobile court in Mirsarai upazila of Chattogram fined a supporter of BNP-nominated candidate Nurul Amin for violating the electoral code of conduct ahead of the 13th National Parliament Election and Referendum 2026. The incident occurred on Monday, January 26, when officials found Mohammad Tarek campaigning with a pickup van displaying framed colored banners and festoons and using loudspeakers at Gheramara Forest Gate area of Korerhat Union.

The mobile court, operating under Regulation 27(a) of the Political Parties and Candidates Conduct Rules 2025, imposed a fine of Tk 25,000 on Tarek for breaching clauses 7(b) and 7(g). All campaign materials were removed from the vehicle. Upazila Assistant Returning Officer and Executive Officer Somaiya Akter said campaigners and supporters present were made aware of the election code during the operation.

According to the report, a supporter named Haque paid the fine and expressed regret, stating that the violation occurred without the candidate’s knowledge.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has expelled 21 more leaders for violating party decisions and engaging in activities deemed harmful to the organization. The expulsions were announced on Monday through five separate notices signed by BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi. Those expelled include Anwar Hossain Bulu, a member of the BNP National Executive Committee, along with several district and upazila-level leaders from Munshiganj, Tangail, and Kishoreganj.

According to the official notices, all expelled individuals have been removed from their primary and all other party positions. The decision follows internal disciplinary measures aimed at maintaining organizational discipline and unity within the BNP. The notices did not provide further details about the specific actions that led to the expulsions.

The expulsions reflect continued internal enforcement within the BNP as it seeks to address organizational dissent and ensure adherence to party directives.

Leaders of the Bangladesh Administrative Service Association have stated that rumors are being spread by certain groups regarding the formation of a new central executive committee. According to the association, several newspapers published misleading reports based on these rumors. In an official statement, Md. Nazrul Islam, president of the association and secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Public Works, clarified that no decision was made to form a new committee during the association’s recent meeting.

The statement explained that the meeting, held on Sunday evening at the association’s headquarters, focused on issues related to members’ interests. It did not include any discussion or decision about leadership changes or committee formation. Nazrul Islam emphasized that reports in some media outlets about a new committee were incorrect and baseless.

The association said the clarification was issued to protect its image and maintain transparency among members, urging the public not to be misled by unverified information.

Election Commissioner Brigadier General Abul Fazl Md. Sanaullah announced that mobile banking transactions will be closely monitored during Bangladesh’s upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election to prevent vote buying and selling. He made the statement on Monday at a meeting with the law and order cell and vigilance and observation teams held at the Chandpur Deputy Commissioner’s conference room. From February 8, assistant returning officers have been instructed to take immediate action if any unusual transactions occur at mobile banking agents during specific times.

Sanaullah emphasized that there will be no government pressure in the election process and that transparency, neutrality, and firmness must guide election management. He said six committees of the Election Commission are working at the field level with authority to conduct investigations and judicial activities. On the topic of the referendum, he urged officials to encourage voter participation, noting that citizens will express their choice for the future of Bangladesh through “yes” or “no” votes.

The meeting was organized by the district administration and chaired by Deputy Commissioner and Returning Officer Md. Nazmul Islam Sarkar, with officials from various departments present.