Candidates contesting the Sylhet-6 constituency are conducting their election campaigns with relatively low expenditures, relying mainly on donations from expatriates. According to their affidavits, all five candidates have declared that they will use contributed funds rather than personal wealth. BNP candidate Emran Ahmad Chowdhury expects to spend about 6.5 million taka, of which 1.5 million will come from his own income, while the rest will be provided by expatriate relatives and well-wishers in France and the United Kingdom.

In the same constituency, Jatiya Party’s Mohammad Abdun Noor plans to spend 2.5 million taka, including 2.2 million from expatriate relatives. Independent candidate Md. Fakhrul Islam will use 2 million taka from his brother’s overseas earnings out of a total 2.4 million budget. Jamaat-e-Islami’s Mohammad Selim Uddin and Gano Adhikar Parishad’s Zahidur Rahman will spend 2.4 million and 2.5 million taka respectively.

Local civic group leader Advocate Md. Aman Uddin noted that the Beanibazar-Golapganj area has long depended on expatriate support in both national and local elections, and this year’s contest continues that pattern.

Election campaigning has begun in the Lakshmipur-4 (Ramgati-Kamalnagar) constituency for the 13th parliamentary elections, but voters report little excitement. Unlike previous elections, the area remains free of posters, with only limited use of microphones and festoons in the afternoons. Candidates from several parties, including BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, JSD, Islami Andolon, and Gana Odhikar Parishad, are contesting the seat.

Field observations show empty campaign spaces with few visible materials. Candidates are relying on hand microphones and leaflets to reach voters, while posters—traditionally a key campaign tool—are absent. Locals, including educators and residents, note that although posters often clutter the environment, they also help create electoral enthusiasm, which is missing this time.

According to Election Commission official Abdul Wadud Suman, the commission has introduced new restrictions: campaign microphones may operate only between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., festoon use is limited, and posters are completely banned. Digital and social media campaigning is permitted under the new rules.

Amir Hamza, the Jamaat-e-Islami candidate for the Kushtia Sadar parliamentary seat, has claimed that certain groups are engaged in a deep conspiracy against the country. He issued this warning to citizens through a post on his verified Facebook page at around 11 p.m. on Sunday, urging everyone to remain alert and not to believe in rumors.

In his message, Hamza called on the public to stay vigilant, keep their eyes and ears open, and avoid spreading or reacting to unverified information. He suggested that if people remain cautious, those spreading rumors would be frustrated. The post was intended as an advance warning to the nation, emphasizing unity and awareness among citizens.

The statement comes amid his ongoing campaign activities in Kushtia Sadar, where he continues to use social media to communicate directly with supporters and the broader public.

Maulana Mojibur Rahman, the Khelafat Majlis candidate for the Comilla-4 (Debidwar) constituency, has withdrawn from the election to support Hasnat Abdullah, the 11-party alliance candidate led by Jamaat-e-Islami and the chief organizer of the National Citizens Party (NCP) in the southern region. On Sunday, January 25, he joined Hasnat Abdullah’s campaign in several villages of Debidwar, urging voters to support the alliance’s symbol, the Shapla Koli.

Mojibur Rahman stated that although he did not officially withdraw his candidacy earlier, he is now working in the field according to his party’s decision to ensure the victory of the alliance candidate. He expressed confidence that the Shapla Koli symbol would secure victory for the coalition.

Earlier, on January 20, the final day for candidate withdrawal, Mojibur Rahman had announced his intention to continue contesting. However, he later aligned with the alliance’s decision and began active campaigning for Hasnat Abdullah.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman is scheduled to visit Feni on Friday, January 30, to attend an election rally of the 11-party alliance. The event will begin at 8 a.m. at Feni Government Pilot High School field, where he will deliver the keynote speech as the chief guest. The information was confirmed by the party’s Feni district Ameer, Mufti Abdul Hannan.

According to party sources, Dhaka University Central Students’ Union Vice President Sadiq Kayem, NCP leader Hasnat Abdullah, and Chittagong University Central Students’ Union Vice President Ibrahim Hossain Rony are also expected to speak at the rally. The gathering will call on supporters to unite behind alliance candidates in Feni-1, Feni-2, and Feni-3 constituencies and to support a ‘Yes’ vote in the upcoming referendum. Leaders from other alliance parties at various levels will also address the event.

The visit has generated enthusiasm among alliance activists, with preparations underway for a large turnout. Dr. Rahman last visited Feni on February 3 of the previous year for humanitarian and commemorative activities.

A report alleges that 153 officials appointed to the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) during the past 15 years under the Awami League government remain in their positions despite questions about their legality. Many were reportedly hired without proper qualifications, competitive exams, or within the legal age limits, often through political recommendations. The appointments allegedly violated government recruitment rules and the 2001 Telecommunications Act. A 2023 compliance audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General raised objections over these irregularities, but no corrective action has been taken.

Sources cited in the report claim that after the July uprising and the formation of the caretaker government, other sectors saw promotions for long-deprived officials, but BTRC did not. Over one-third of its 355 permanent staff are said to hold illegal appointments, while more than 50 positions remain vacant. Some of the disputed appointees are reportedly lobbying for promotions. A three-member committee was formed to investigate, but it has yet to submit a report.

The report suggests that political influence and administrative irregularities have hindered BTRC’s intended role as an independent regulator of the telecommunications sector.

Dr. Md. Enamul Haque, in an article published on January 26, 2026, reflects on Bangladesh’s 2024 mass uprising, which he says cost thousands of lives and injuries but did not bring structural change. He writes that despite the public’s demand for accountability and balance of power, the state’s core machinery remained intact, with only faces changing in government. The author identifies a persistent 'deep state'—a network of military and civilian bureaucracy, security agencies, economic oligarchs, foreign-linked lobbies, and media influence—that operates beyond elected authority.

According to Haque, this deep state neutralized the uprising through delay tactics, narrative control, and preservation of administrative continuity. Promised reforms, investigations, and rehabilitation remained largely declarative, while the same bureaucratic and security structures continued to dominate. He argues that no meaningful accountability, electoral reform, or economic transparency followed the movement.

The article concludes that real transformation requires dismantling entrenched power habits through transparency, decentralization, and institutional reform. Without such change, Haque warns, future uprisings will repeat the same cycle of sacrifice without systemic progress.

BNP-nominated candidate Air Vice Marshal (Retd.) Altaf Hossain Chowdhury carried out a mass outreach campaign in Patuakhali municipality on Monday night, January 25. Representing the Patuakhali-1 constituency, which includes Patuakhali Sadar, Mirzaganj, and Dumki, he began the campaign from Suraiya Villa on Sher-e-Bangla Road, accompanied by district BNP leaders and a large number of activists. The team distributed leaflets starting from New Market and marched through the main streets of the town before holding a brief street meeting at the local launch terminal area.

District BNP President Snehangshu Sarkar Kuti, General Secretary Advocate Md. Mojibur Rahman Toton, and Election Steering Committee Coordinator Maksud Ahmed Bayezid Panna were among those present. Several other district leaders and activists also joined the campaign, which aimed to strengthen BNP’s presence in the constituency.

The event marked a formal start to Altaf Hossain Chowdhury’s local campaign activities in the area as part of BNP’s broader electoral efforts in Patuakhali.

An opinion piece by Dr. Wazed Khan highlights growing public concern over the neutrality of Bangladesh’s Election Commission ahead of the 13th parliamentary election scheduled for February 12, 2026. The article stresses that a fair and impartial commission is essential to ensure credible elections and maintain public trust. It warns that the upcoming vote, which coincides with a national referendum, will determine the future of the July Charter and must be conducted transparently.

The author reviews past elections, alleging that commissions over the past two decades failed to demonstrate neutrality and competence. He cites reports of manipulation in the 2008, 2014, 2018, and 2024 elections, claiming these were engineered to secure victories for the ruling party. The piece also notes that the current commission led by Nasiruddin faces allegations of bias and public skepticism, particularly regarding issues of loan default and dual citizenship among candidates.

The commentary concludes that the commission and interim government must prioritize accountability to the people over loyalty to any political group, warning that failure to uphold neutrality could further damage Bangladesh’s democratic institutions.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has organized a preparatory meeting on Monday afternoon at the Eidgah ground in Uttara Sector 6 to ensure the success of a public rally scheduled for Tuesday in Dhaka, where party chairman Tareq Rahman is expected to appear. The meeting, set for 3 p.m., aims to finalize arrangements for stage construction, security, discipline, and crowd management.

BNP candidate for Dhaka-18 constituency, S M Jahangir Hossain, along with leaders and activists from Dhaka North BNP and its affiliated organizations, will attend the session. Hossain stated that residents of Uttara are united under Tareq Rahman’s leadership in the movement to restore democracy and that the upcoming rally will be a massive gathering of people. He added that the preparatory meeting will complete all necessary arrangements.

The event marks part of BNP’s broader campaign activities in Dhaka, with local leaders emphasizing peaceful and orderly participation in the rally.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman announced that if his party comes to power, the new administrative division will be named Comilla. He made the statement on Sunday night, January 25, at a BNP election rally held at Suagazi Fultoli field in Comilla Sadar South upazila. Rahman also said that the party would initiate canal excavation projects in the region to support agricultural activities and involve local people in the work.

During his speech, Tarique Rahman highlighted BNP’s past governance record, mentioning free education for women up to higher secondary level and interest waivers on agricultural loans. He defended the party’s family and farmer card programs, saying criticism from other parties would not deter their commitment to improving people’s lives. Rahman urged supporters to vote for the BNP’s symbol, promising to continue working for the welfare of ordinary citizens.

Several senior BNP leaders, including Aminur Rashid Yasin, Monirul Haque Chowdhury, Zakaria Taher Suman, Ashiqur Rahman Wasim, Utbatul Bari Abu, and Yusuf Molla Tipu, attended the rally.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman announced plans to introduce a 'family card' program aimed at mothers and homemakers, offering seven to ten days of monthly assistance in cash or food. He made the announcement during an election rally held late Sunday, January 25, in Kanchpur, Narayanganj.

In his speech, Rahman emphasized ensuring safety for women and businesspeople, promising legal action against criminals. He also pledged to curb corruption and drug abuse, create employment opportunities for youth both at home and abroad, and address local waterlogging by re-excavating canals. Additionally, he mentioned plans to provide training and honoraria for mosque and madrasa clerics, and to rebuild damaged roads, schools, and culverts.

Rahman urged supporters to remain united against conspiracies and to turn out in large numbers on election day, asserting that citizens must safeguard their own voting rights after years of what he called dummy elections.

National Citizen Party (NCP) spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan visited the grave of martyr Ismam at Darzipara cemetery in Lohagara, Chattogram, on Monday morning. He was accompanied by party leaders and activists. During the visit, he offered prayers for the martyr’s soul and paid deep respect to the family of the deceased.

In his remarks, Asif Mahmud said that the sacrifices of the July martyrs made Bangladesh a free and sovereign nation. He emphasized that the nation can never repay the blood debt of heroes like Ismam, whose ideals and patriotism will continue to inspire future generations. He also expressed hope that the upcoming election and a successful “yes” vote in the referendum would help realize the desired reforms and the dream of the martyrs.

Local political leaders, freedom fighter families, social and cultural representatives, and members of Ismam’s family were present at the event, where all participants prayed for the martyr’s peace.

The government of Bangladesh has issued the 'July Mass Uprising (Protection and Liability Determination) Ordinance, 2026', granting legal protection and immunity to students and citizens who took part in the July mass uprising. The ordinance was officially gazetted on Sunday night by the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Ministry of Law.

According to the ordinance, all civil and criminal cases, complaints, or proceedings filed against participants of the July uprising will be withdrawn under its provisions. Furthermore, no new civil or criminal cases, complaints, or proceedings can be legally initiated against those involved in the uprising.

The ordinance aims to provide full legal immunity to individuals associated with the July movement, ensuring that no future legal actions can be taken against them for their participation.

Nahid Islam, convener of the Bangladesh National Citizen Party (NCP) and a key coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, along with Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, former youth and sports adviser and head of the NCP election management committee, are visiting Ramganj in Lakshmipur today. The visit is part of their participation in an election campaign event.

According to the report, the two leaders are scheduled to address a campaign gathering at 4:30 p.m. at the Ramganj Pilot Girls’ High School field. The event is organized in support of Mahbub Alam, the NCP central committee joint convener and candidate for the Lakshmipur-1 (Ramganj) constituency, who is contesting under the ‘Shapla Koli’ symbol. Mahbub Alam confirmed the matter to journalists.

The visit underscores the NCP’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its presence in the Lakshmipur-1 constituency ahead of the election, with senior party figures joining local campaign activities.