Authorities have clarified that reports claiming Bagerhat Chhatra League leader Jewel Hasan Saddam was denied parole to attend his wife and child’s funeral were inaccurate. Saddam, detained in Jashore Central Jail, was required under the 2016 parole policy to apply through the Jashore District Magistrate. His family instead submitted the application to the Bagerhat District Magistrate, who advised them to reapply in Jashore. No application was subsequently filed there, leading to the parole not being granted.

The incident followed the deaths of Saddam’s wife Kaniz Subarna Swarnali and their son Shehzad Hasan Nazif on January 23, 2026, which police said remained under investigation. Media reports and social media posts had suggested that Saddam was refused parole and saw his family’s bodies only at the prison gate, sparking public debate. Officials later stated that the misunderstanding arose from incomplete reporting and procedural confusion.

Legal experts cited in the report expressed differing opinions on whether a magistrate could exercise discretionary power to grant parole across districts, but officials maintained that the 2016 policy restricted such authority to the district of detention.

BNP National Standing Committee member and Cox’s Bazar-1 constituency candidate Salahuddin Ahmed declared that the Awami League and its election symbol, the boat, no longer exist, asserting that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina herself has buried them. He made these remarks on Sunday afternoon at an election campaign rally organized by the local BNP at Toitong High School field in Pekua upazila.

During his speech, Salahuddin described the BNP as the political force representing the people of Bangladesh, committed to protecting the country’s independence and democracy. He contrasted this with his opponents, whom he accused of lacking plans and misleading voters with religious rhetoric. He urged citizens seeking prosperity and progress to vote for the BNP’s paddy sheaf symbol.

Salahuddin also criticized those he described as subservient to India, claiming they have disappeared from Bangladesh’s political scene. He emphasized that the BNP has clear policies and programs for the nation’s development.

At least 20 people were injured in violent clashes between supporters of the BNP candidate and an independent candidate in Bhaluka upazila of Mymensingh-11 constituency on January 25, 2026. The incident began when supporters of independent candidate Alhaj Muhammad Murshed Alam, led by student leader Adi Khan Shakil, were campaigning with the deer symbol at Kana Market in the municipal area. They were allegedly attacked by supporters of BNP candidate Fakhr Uddin Ahmed Bacchu.

Following the initial attack, supporters of the independent candidate retaliated by vandalizing the BNP office in the upazila headquarters. In response, BNP supporters reportedly set fire to Shakil’s business establishment and the independent candidate’s office. The local fire service brought the blaze under control after about two hours. Among the injured were former Chhatra Dal president Matiur Rahman Milton, while four seriously wounded individuals were sent to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital.

The violence disrupted traffic on the Dhaka–Mymensingh highway for nearly two hours before police and army personnel arrived to restore order.

BNP Standing Committee member and Cox’s Bazar-1 constituency candidate Salahuddin Ahmed delivered a sharp critique of the Awami League during an election campaign rally at Toitong High School field in Pekua upazila on Sunday, January 25, 2026. Speaking as the chief guest at the event organized by the local BNP unit, he claimed that the Awami League had brought about its own downfall and urged voters to support the BNP’s paddy sheaf symbol.

Ahmed described the BNP as the political force representing the people of Bangladesh, asserting that the party upholds the country’s independence and democracy. He accused rival groups of lacking clear plans and misleading the public with religious rhetoric, while emphasizing that the BNP has policies and programs aimed at national progress.

Several senior BNP leaders, including local and upazila-level representatives, attended the rally, underscoring the party’s coordinated campaign efforts in the region ahead of the upcoming election.

Hasnat Abdullah, the South Regional Chief Organizer of the NCP and a Jamaat-NCP alliance candidate, called on voters to support a 'yes' vote in the upcoming referendum on retaining 'Bismillah' in the Constitution. He made the remarks on Sunday, January 25, 2026, during a campaign rally at Saichapara High School field in Fatehabad Union of Debidwar, Cumilla. Abdullah said the referendum would include 'yes' and 'no' options and urged citizens to vote for change through the referendum process.

He emphasized that a 'yes' vote would represent support for a corruption-free country, an extortion-free society, and an independent and neutral Election Commission. Abdullah also encouraged his supporters to reach out to relatives and acquaintances living outside the area to seek votes and to prioritize local marriages within Debidwar during the campaign period. He described the upcoming election as one earned through sacrifice and urged voters to choose qualified and honest candidates.

Leaders from Jamaat and NCP, including Saiful Islam Shahid and Jahangir Alam, were present at the event, along with other local activists.

The Election Commission (EC) has reinstated the candidacy of two independent contenders for the Pabna-1 constituency in Bangladesh’s 13th parliamentary election. Following successful appeals, Khairun Nahar Khanam and Md. Tajul Islam’s nomination papers were declared valid. The decision was announced on Sunday, January 25, 2026, through a notice signed by EC Deputy Secretary (Law) Sannullah. The commission instructed the returning officer to include both names in the official list of valid candidates.

Earlier, elections in Pabna-1 and Pabna-2 were suspended on January 9 due to a Supreme Court order concerning boundary disputes. The suspension reduced the number of constituencies from 300 to 298. A subsequent Supreme Court ruling on January 15 removed the legal barriers, allowing the EC to issue a revised election schedule. Under the new timetable, nomination submissions closed on January 18, scrutiny took place on January 19, and appeals were heard between January 20 and 24. The final appeal decisions were made on January 25.

According to the updated schedule, candidate withdrawal ends on January 26, symbols will be allocated on January 27, and elections for Pabna-1 and Pabna-2 will be held alongside the national polls and referendum on February 12.

Bir Pratik awardee Lieutenant Colonel Hasinur Rahman testified before International Crimes Tribunal-1 that he was abducted twice during the Awami League’s one-and-a-half-decade rule. He said he was interrogated at the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence’s (DGFI) ‘Aynaghar’ facility about his writings on the 2014 election, the Awami League’s relations with India, and the then army chief General Aziz. According to his statement, interrogators told him he was abducted on Sheikh Hasina’s orders and threatened with disappearance if he did not comply.

Hasinur described being first abducted on July 9, 2011, while serving at Mymensingh Cantonment, and held blindfolded for 43 days. He was later court-martialed on what he called false charges and imprisoned for four years before being released. He said he was again abducted on August 8, 2018, and detained in a small, bloodstained cell under harsh conditions. He recounted physical torture, psychological abuse, and threats of death.

The tribunal recorded his testimony as the second witness in a crimes against humanity case against Sheikh Hasina and 12 current and former army officers. The hearing was adjourned for continuation of his incomplete statement.

A total of 683,122 postal ballots have been delivered to expatriate voters registered through the Postal Vote BD mobile app for Bangladesh’s 13th national parliamentary election and referendum. The information was confirmed on Sunday by Salim Ahmad Khan, team leader of the OCV-SDI project on expatriate voter registration. As of 4 p.m. on January 25, all ballots had reached the respective countries where the expatriates reside.

According to the project data, 437,145 expatriate voters have received their ballots, and 353,739 have already cast their votes. Among these, 284,431 ballots have been submitted to local post offices or mailboxes abroad, while 16,274 have already arrived in Bangladesh. Salim Khan further stated that a total of 1,533,683 voters, both domestic and expatriate, registered through the Postal Vote BD app to participate in the election and referendum.

The update marks a significant step in facilitating overseas participation in Bangladesh’s electoral process through digital registration and postal voting systems.

In Netrakona-4 constituency, comprising Madan, Mohanganj, and Khaliajuri upazilas, the Jamaat-e-Islami-led ten-party alliance has launched an aggressive campaign to secure victory for its candidate under the 'scales' symbol. The alliance’s candidate, Al Helal Talukder, a lecturer and organizational secretary of Mymensingh city Jamaat, is actively canvassing across the haor region. He stated that the alliance is receiving strong public support, particularly from youth seeking change, and expressed confidence in winning if the election is fair.

Opposing him, former state minister for home affairs and BNP heavyweight Lutfozzaman Babar is contesting under the 'sheaf of paddy' symbol, joined by his wife, Tahmina Zaman Shraboni, who previously led local BNP activities during Babar’s 17-year imprisonment. Babar has pledged to prioritize youth employment and combat drug abuse if elected, urging citizens to help law enforcement against drug dealers.

Political analysts cited in the report note that past BNP victories in this seat were largely due to Babar’s personal popularity. The main contest is expected between the Jamaat-led alliance and the BNP, though candidates from CPB, Workers Party, and Islami Andolan Bangladesh are also in the race.

Sarjis Alam, the northern regional organizer of the National Citizen Party (NCP), said that the concept of predetermined political heavyweights will no longer hold in Bangladesh. Speaking on January 25 during public meetings and door-to-door campaigns in various areas of Panchagarh’s Amarkhana Union, he predicted a landslide fall of so-called heavyweight leaders from major political parties in the February 12 election.

He stated that a wave of change has reached every household and that people are ready to vote against oppression, extortion, land grabbing, threats, abuse of power, and corruption. Sarjis also alleged that some local leaders and activists of the BNP were threatening voters, including a Jamaat worker, warning them not to vote for the 11-party alliance. He warned that those who try to intimidate voters would face a downfall worse than that of Sheikh Hasina.

Sarjis urged that citizens be allowed to vote freely, saying that the people of Bangladesh are no longer in the same position as before.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has urged political leaders to cleanse themselves of corruption before advocating for a corruption-free Bangladesh. Speaking as the chief guest at an election rally for the Dhaka-7 constituency at Dhaka Alia Madrasa field in Bakshibazar on Sunday evening, he criticized those who include loan defaulters in parliamentary elections while promising justice and fairness. He said that such deceptive promises would no longer be accepted and called for genuine intent in building a corruption-free nation.

During the rally, Dr. Rahman also called on voters to support candidates from the 11-party alliance and to vote “yes” in the upcoming referendum scheduled for February 12, which he described as a vote for justice. He emphasized unity, rejecting divisive politics, and pledged that his party’s candidates would serve as guardians and servants of the people. He further promised to transform Old Dhaka into a prosperous area, asserting that Jamaat keeps its promises.

The event was chaired by Abdur Rahman, with participation from several alliance leaders including Haji Enayet Ullah, Col. (Retd.) Oli Ahmad, and others.

BNP’s Dhaka-7 parliamentary candidate and national executive committee member Hamidur Rahman has said that his party believes in independent journalism and will ensure full media freedom if it comes to power. He made the remarks on Sunday while addressing the ‘Conscious Best Reporting Award and Certificate’ ceremony organized by the Kabi Nazrul Government College Journalists’ Association, where he attended as chief guest.

During his speech, Rahman outlined his plans for his constituency, noting that Old Dhaka faces serious problems such as Buriganga River pollution, dengue fears, and the spread of chemical warehouses. He pledged to prioritize permanent solutions to these issues and address the acute gas crisis if elected. He also highlighted the significance of the July-August movement, describing it as a turning point for regaining true freedom, and urged young journalists to portray the sacrifices of the movement’s martyrs through their writing.

The event was presided over by association president Md Atik Hasan Shuvo and attended by several guests, including leaders from the BNP’s volunteer wing and Bangladesh Shanti Songho. Awards were presented to young reporters for outstanding reporting.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman has alleged that several external parties are openly interfering in Bangladesh’s internal affairs as the nation approaches a critical decision-making moment. He made the remarks on Sunday at an election rally held at Dhupkhola field in Gendaria, Dhaka-6, in support of a candidate from the 10-party alliance that includes Jamaat-e-Islami. Rahman did not specify which countries or entities were involved in the alleged interference.

In his speech, Rahman urged outsiders to refrain from meddling in Bangladesh’s domestic matters, emphasizing that the people of the country are capable of making their own choices. He stated that Bangladesh seeks friendly relations with all civilized nations but will not tolerate intimidation or dominance from any party. He added that mutual respect and equality must guide all international relationships and declared that the Bangladeshi nation will not bow to anyone.

The comments reflect Jamaat-e-Islami’s position on maintaining national sovereignty and resisting perceived external pressure during a politically sensitive period.

French Ambassador to Bangladesh Jean-Marc Serre-Charlot paid a courtesy call on Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman on Sunday evening at the party chief’s office in Bashundhara, Dhaka. The meeting was attended by Deputy Ambassador Frederic Inza and Economic Adviser Julien Dure from the French Embassy.

According to Jamaat’s central publicity department, the discussion took place in a cordial and friendly atmosphere. Both sides exchanged views on Bangladesh’s upcoming national parliamentary election and matters of mutual interest between Bangladesh and France. They expressed optimism that the friendly relations and mutual cooperation between the two countries would be further strengthened in the future.

Dr. Rahman was accompanied by Assistant Secretary General and head of the central publicity and media department Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, educationist Dr. Zubair Ahmed, and foreign affairs adviser Professor Dr. Mahmudul Hasan.

The Student Rights Council has submitted a memorandum to the Election Commission (EC) demanding the cancellation of the registration of the Jatiya Party (JaPa) and other parties that supported the previous Awami League government. The group also called for these parties to be declared ineligible for the upcoming national election. The memorandum was handed over on Sunday at the EC office in Agargaon, Dhaka, where the organization’s leaders warned that allowing JaPa to contest would bring severe harm to the country.

General Secretary Sanaullah accused the Jatiya Party of legitimizing the Awami League through its participation in the 2014, 2018, and 2024 elections, which he described as flawed. He criticized both the government and the EC for failing to act on earlier demands to ban JaPa. The group also announced plans to meet the Chief Adviser to protest the issue.

Council President Nazmul Hasan alleged that the EC was showing leniency toward JaPa and criticized recent commission decisions. He warned that the organization would launch tougher programs if JaPa’s registration was not revoked.