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.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman announced that the party aims to ensure dignified employment for every capable man and woman in the country. Speaking as the chief guest at an election rally in Kushtia on Monday at noon, he said the initiative would particularly empower the youth to contribute to national development through their energy and skills.

Rahman emphasized that Jamaat does not want unemployment to persist in the country and seeks to eliminate it through productive work opportunities. He also called for reforms in the education system to build a skilled and humane nation, making education more employment-oriented. He added that the party envisions a Bangladesh where citizens can proudly identify themselves as Bangladeshis.

The Jamaat chief further stated that the party would establish justice equally for all, ensuring the same legal standards for the president, workers, and even the poor. The rally was presided over by Kushtia district Jamaat’s acting Ameer Abdul Gafur and attended by several central and regional leaders from Jamaat and allied organizations.

Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus has directed Bangladesh’s armed forces to remain on maximum alert to ensure a free, fair, and credible 13th National Parliamentary Election and referendum scheduled for February 12. He issued the directive on Monday during a meeting with senior military officials at the Army Headquarters, according to a statement from the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing. Yunus emphasized that the armed forces’ professionalism, neutrality, and responsibility are crucial to maintaining public confidence and ensuring a peaceful and festive electoral atmosphere.

He described the upcoming vote as a decisive moment for Bangladesh’s democratic future, particularly for young and long-disfranchised voters. Yunus urged the military leadership to ensure all field-level decisions are lawful, restrained, and responsible, warning that even minor deviations could undermine public trust. He also paid tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War and the July–August student uprising, acknowledging the armed forces’ role in maintaining stability.

Yunus further noted that the interim government has prioritized strengthening the armed forces’ capacity, including establishing domestic arms production and signing defense cooperation memoranda with several countries.

Election Commission (EC) Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed stated that a level playing field exists in the ongoing election process, allowing candidates to campaign freely. Speaking to reporters on Monday at the EC headquarters in Dhaka, he advised that complaints about code of conduct violations should be filed directly with the Electoral Inquiry and Adjudication Committees or returning officers for quicker action, rather than through the central EC office.

Ahmed also briefed journalists about a recent meeting between the EC and foreign diplomats, where 41 ambassadors and mission heads were informed about the upcoming February 12 parliamentary election and referendum. The diplomats were particularly interested in security arrangements and command structures. The EC detailed the deployment of police, army, navy, air force, RAB, and Ansar personnel, noting that 25,000 to 30,000 police body-worn cameras will be used at polling centers.

He added that vote counting is expected to take three to four hours per center, though counting for expatriate ballots may take longer due to separate ballot formats and centralized scanning procedures.

The Election Commission of Bangladesh announced that nearly 56,000 domestic and foreign observers will monitor the upcoming national parliamentary election and referendum. According to the commission’s approval, the observers will be present at polling centers on election day to oversee field-level activities. Md. Asadul Haque, Assistant Director of the EC’s Public Relations Department, stated that 55,454 observers from 81 domestic organizations and around 500 international observers will participate. Voting will take place continuously from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on February 12, when voters will cast their ballots for both the parliamentary election and the referendum.

The commission said both local and international observers will closely monitor the voting environment, law and order situation, and voter participation. EC officials noted that the presence of observers will help ensure transparency and credibility in the election process. Observers will prepare reports on conditions inside and outside polling centers and submit them to the commission afterward.

According to the Election Commission, the inclusion of foreign representatives is expected to enhance international confidence in Bangladesh’s electoral process.

The government of Bangladesh has issued a new policy outlining the conditions, duration, and authority for granting parole to prisoners. The policy, released by the Security Services Division’s Prison-2 branch of the Ministry of Home Affairs, was announced on Monday by Assistant Inspector General (Development) Md. Jannat-ul Forhad through a press release. It specifies that prisoners, including VIPs and other categories, may be granted temporary parole in cases such as the death of close relatives or under special government or court orders.

According to the policy, parole duration cannot exceed 12 hours, though the government retains the right to extend or reduce it in special cases. Prisoners released on parole must remain under constant police supervision. The district magistrate will serve as the approving authority for parole within their jurisdiction, taking into account factors such as distance, security, and accessibility. The policy also cancels previous parole regulations issued in 2007 and 2010.

Authorities have been instructed to implement the new policy accordingly, ensuring compliance with the updated procedures for temporary prisoner release.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has alleged that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled to Delhi after causing devastation to the country. He made the remarks on Monday afternoon while conducting election campaigning in his Thakurgaon-1 constituency. Fakhrul accused the ruling government of abandoning not only its own party members but also the entire democratic process.

According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Fakhrul urged members of the Hindu community to remain courageous and assured them of BNP’s support in any difficulties. He encouraged them to vote freely for any candidate of their choice and promised that his party would stand by them if anyone tried to obstruct their voting rights. He also called on people to stay alert against attempts to create division among communities.

Fakhrul further appealed to voters to reject those who had supported Pakistan in 1971 and to vote for the BNP’s “sheaf of paddy” symbol in support of democracy and the nation.

Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizens Party (NCP) and candidate for Dhaka-11, has pledged to realize the aspirations of expatriate voters who supported the cause of good governance and national sovereignty. He made this commitment in a video message posted on his verified Facebook page on Monday.

In the video caption, Nahid expressed hope that the ballot papers of expatriate voters would reach the Election Commission before the 13th National Parliamentary Election scheduled for January 12. He also extended gratitude to expatriates for their active participation in both the national election and the referendum, acknowledging their contribution to the democratic process.

The statement underscores the NCP candidate’s emphasis on engaging overseas Bangladeshis in national governance and ensuring their votes are properly counted ahead of the election.

In Chattogram-8 constituency, a ten-party alliance has officially nominated Zobairul Hasan Arif of the National Citizen Party (NCP) as its candidate. However, during a campaign event in Boalkhali’s Phultala on Monday, discontent surfaced among locals, particularly from Ruby Akter, mother of July uprising martyr Omar Bin Nurul Absar. She questioned the nomination of a non-local candidate, saying that local voters prefer someone from their own area.

Ruby Akter emphasized that local votes make up the majority in the constituency and expressed concern that the alliance’s decision could harm local representation. She argued that while the alliance’s vote share might be around 20 percent, local votes account for 80 percent, and the nominated candidate is unfamiliar to residents. NCP spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan and candidate Arif tried to reassure her, but she suggested keeping the seat open for both NCP and Jamaat’s candidate Dr. Abu Naser.

The incident highlights growing unease within the alliance as local loyalties and personal networks appear to challenge the coalition’s formal decision.

At least 40 people, including 15 journalists, were injured during a Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) rally in Feni on Sunday night, where party chairman Tarique Rahman delivered his second speech in the district. The event, held at Feni Government Pilot High School field, descended into chaos as crowds broke through security barriers, forcing Rahman to cut his speech short. Security forces including BGB, police, and CSF escorted him to safety after disorder spread near the stage.

The rally faced multiple disruptions, including breaches of protocol, poor sound management, and allegations of mismanagement. The event’s management contract was reportedly given to an associate of a local Awami League leader, prompting suspicions of sabotage among BNP supporters. Despite the injuries, no senior BNP leader was seen visiting the wounded, and several attendees reported thefts during the commotion.

Feni Television Journalists Club president Atiar Sajal condemned the attacks on journalists and demanded action against those responsible. Local BNP leaders later attributed the disorder to emotional supporters and the large turnout, acknowledging the incidents as regrettable.

The US Embassy in Dhaka has provided a detailed explanation of how the new 'Visa Bond Pilot Program' will operate. The clarification was shared on the embassy’s verified Facebook page on Monday, outlining the steps of the initiative. Under this program, certain foreign nationals may be required to deposit a financial bond before receiving a temporary visa to ensure compliance with visa conditions, particularly the duration of stay.

According to the information, the program includes conditions such as not working in the United States and returning home within the permitted period. On January 7, the US Department of State announced the suspension of immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries, including Bangladesh, and added Bangladesh to the list of countries under the visa bond pilot program. As a result, Bangladeshi travelers may need to deposit between 5,000 and 15,000 US dollars as a bond.

The US side stated that the main objective of the pilot program is to discourage visa overstays, targeting countries with higher rates of travelers who fail to return after their authorized stay.

Interim government Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus has instructed the armed forces to perform their duties with professionalism during the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. The directive was given on Monday at the Helmet Auditorium of the Army Headquarters during a meeting with senior military officials ahead of the 2026 national election and referendum.

Upon arrival, Dr. Yunus was received by the chiefs of the army, navy, and air force, along with the principal staff officer of the Armed Forces Division. In his remarks, he acknowledged the armed forces’ historic and responsible role in national service and expressed gratitude for their patience and professionalism in maintaining law and order over the years.

The meeting discussed key election-related and contemporary issues. Dr. Yunus emphasized that the armed forces must ensure a participatory, fear-free, and fair election through professionalism, neutrality, and inter-institutional coordination. Senior officers from all three branches of the military, invited guests, and media representatives attended the session.

A court in Kurigram has summoned two leaders of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) for allegedly violating the election code of conduct by involving schoolchildren in political campaigning. The incident occurred at Purba Dhaldanga Government Primary School in Shilkhuri Union of Bhurungamari upazila, where a video circulated on social media showed children chanting slogans in favor of the paddy sheaf symbol. The Election Inquiry and Judicial Committee for Constituency-25, Kurigram-1, issued notices signed by Civil Judge Muhammad Ayaz, directing the accused to appear before the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court on January 27 to explain their actions.

The notice was issued to Upazila JCD vice-president Mokaddes Ali and Shilkhuri Union JCD senior vice-president Md. Shahjahan. Following the video’s spread and public reaction, Bhurungamari police confirmed that summonses were being delivered to the accused. The incident, which took place on January 22, drew widespread criticism from parents and local residents.

In response, the Upazila JCD leadership removed Mokaddes Hossain from his role in the election management committee and asked him to explain his conduct within 48 hours.