NCP convener Nahid Islam has criticized BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman’s announcement to provide family cards and flats for slum dwellers, saying people want a safe life, not such promises. He made the remarks on Thursday afternoon at a public rally organized by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami in Dhaka-15 constituency. Nahid Islam questioned who would actually benefit from the proposed family card worth 2,000 to 3,000 taka and alleged that corruption could affect its distribution.

He accused BNP of nominating loan defaulters and warned that such candidates might misuse public funds if elected. Describing the flat pledge as a signal of eviction for slum dwellers, he said they prefer safety and justice over false assurances. Nahid Islam emphasized that elections must be fair and transparent, with no special privileges for any party, and reminded the Election Commission of its responsibility.

Calling the upcoming election both a contest and a referendum, he urged voters to support justice and equality by voting “yes” in the referendum and to continue resisting fascism and extortion.

The Election Commission (EC) has set specific time limits for the use of microphones and sound-amplifying devices during the campaign period for Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliamentary Election. Campaigning began just after midnight on Wednesday, January 21, and will continue until 7:30 a.m. on February 10. According to the EC, microphones or other sound-enhancing devices may only be used between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. in any electoral area.

The EC further stated that no candidate, political party, or their representatives may use more than three microphones or loudspeakers simultaneously at a single public meeting. However, this restriction does not apply to general campaign announcements. Additionally, the sound level of microphones or amplifying devices used in election campaigns must not exceed 60 decibels.

This election marks the first time that campaigning has begun without the use of posters, signaling a shift in campaign practices as the country moves toward the February 10 polling day.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman announced that if his party wins the upcoming election, Bangladesh will be governed based on the Prophet’s principles of justice. He made the statement on Thursday afternoon while addressing a large public rally at the Alia Madrasa field in Sylhet. Rahman emphasized that the country’s interests are his top political priority, declaring “Bangladesh first,” and criticized the ruling party for what he described as subservience to foreign powers over the past fifteen years.

During his speech, Rahman accused the current government of widespread corruption and mismanagement, alleging that billions were looted in the name of development. He also pledged to create employment opportunities for youth both domestically and abroad to reduce unemployment. Addressing religious sentiments, he questioned the legitimacy of campaign promises made by rivals, calling for unity against what he termed falsehood and injustice.

Rahman further criticized past elections under the Awami League government, claiming that ballot boxes were seized and citizens’ voting rights were denied through manipulated polls over the last fifteen to sixteen years.

Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman visited the Chattogram area ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliament Election and referendum. During the visit, he met with senior military officials, divisional administration, and law enforcement representatives to discuss election security, law and order, and inter-agency coordination. A meeting was held at the Chattogram Circuit House on Thursday morning to review overall preparations and security plans for conducting the election and referendum peacefully, neutrally, and credibly.

In the meeting, the Army Chief emphasized professionalism, discipline, and neutrality in performing duties. He highlighted the importance of coordinated and effective roles among all relevant institutions to maintain law and order during the election period. He also instructed personnel to act with patience and a citizen-friendly attitude. The Army will remain active to ensure a fair election.

After the meeting, the Army Chief visited the Dampara Army Camp in Chattogram, reviewed the current law and order situation, and interacted with army members deployed under “In Aid to the Civil Power.” His schedule also included observing other key activities in the Chattogram area.

Barrister Rumin Farhana, an independent candidate from Brahmanbaria-2 constituency, has lodged serious allegations against the administration and police ahead of the upcoming national election. On Thursday, she submitted a written response to the Election Commission in Dhaka and spoke to journalists, claiming that her campaign workers were attacked, beaten, and their homes set on fire, yet no cases had been filed.

Farhana stated that she was forced to leave her constituency and come to Dhaka because she felt the authorities were not maintaining neutrality. She warned that if the administration failed to remain impartial, the situation could resemble previous controversial elections. In addition to notifying the Election Commission, she said she would meet with European Union observers to present her concerns.

Despite the alleged attacks, Farhana affirmed that she would not withdraw from the race and would continue campaigning until the end. She called on all political parties to ensure a fair election and vowed to resist any attempt to manipulate the process.

National Citizen Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam announced that eliminating mafia-led extortion networks across Dhaka-8 is the first agenda of the party’s candidate, Nasiruddin Patwari. He made the statement on Thursday during an election campaign event in front of the National Press Club. Nahid Islam also said that ensuring justice for the killing of Shaheed Osman Hadi, which occurred in the same constituency, is another major priority for Nasiruddin.

The NCP leader stated that Bangladesh is holding a national election after 16 years, during which citizens were deprived of their voting rights. He emphasized that nearly one thousand martyrs sacrificed their lives to restore this right, and urged voters to support reform by voting “yes” in the upcoming election. The NCP is participating nationwide as part of a ten-party electoral alliance, fielding 30 candidates under the “Shapla Kali” symbol.

Nasiruddin Patwari urged all political parties to honor the martyrs by supporting the “yes” vote and vowed to build a new Bangladesh free from impunity, corruption, and extortion, ensuring safety for all citizens and businesses.

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has revealed that two candidates in the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election still hold British citizenship despite 21 others declaring the renunciation of their foreign nationality. The anti-corruption watchdog stated that the names of the two candidates were not disclosed but would be reported to the relevant authorities. TIB also found that one candidate failed to declare a property worth £1.4 million in the UK, purchased in 2013 under the name of a declared dependent.

At a press conference held at TIB’s headquarters in Dhanmondi, Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman said that many affidavits submitted by candidates lacked transparency. He noted that 21 candidates earn income from foreign sources, 25 have movable assets or investments abroad, and 17 declared ownership of immovable property outside Bangladesh. TIB’s data shows that 87 percent of candidates are party-nominated, 13 percent are independent, and 48 percent are businessmen.

The organization highlighted that the intertwining of money, business, and religion in politics has created a hostage-like situation, undermining healthy political practices.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman, speaking at an election rally in Moulvibazar on Thursday, called on the interim government’s head and advisers to increase the protocol and security for certain unnamed political figures. Without mentioning any party by name, he said that if they required protocol, it should be made three times higher than what BNP receives. He argued that these individuals were misleading the public, and as people were becoming aware of it, there was a risk of public anger against them.

Rahman stated that his appeal was made on behalf of BNP and millions of supporters to ensure safety and avoid any untoward incidents. He recalled the role of some groups during the 1971 Liberation War, saying that people were now re-examining their actions from that period. He emphasized that history could not be erased and that the public had already seen their stance against the country.

He reiterated that as these individuals sought government protection, the interim administration should provide them with triple the protocol and security currently afforded to BNP leaders.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has announced that national identity card (NID) correction services will resume across the country from January 25. The Director General of the National Identity Registration Wing, A S M Humayun Kabir, confirmed the decision on Thursday, January 22, stating that citizens will again be able to correct all information on their NIDs starting Sunday.

According to EC sources, the correction process had been temporarily suspended since November 24 to facilitate the updating of the voter list ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election and a planned referendum. During that period, limited correction services were available only for urgent cases through special applications.

Officials said that with the voter list preparation now completed, full correction services are being reopened for the general public. Citizens waiting to update their names, addresses, or other details on their NIDs can now submit regular applications from January 25.

Two rival groups within the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) clashed multiple times during an election campaign in Tongibari upazila of Munshiganj on Thursday. The incidents occurred between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the Dighirpar Bazar area, where supporters of BNP candidate Abdus Salam Azad organized a procession. The clashes erupted as the procession moved from Dighirpar Bazar toward Kamar Khara, involving sharp weapons and sticks.

According to local accounts, the violence broke out between followers of BNP leader Shamim Molla and supporters of union BNP general secretary Monowar Khan. The confrontation escalated quickly, and by 1 p.m., supporters from the Khan and Molla families were again engaged in fighting. Several hundred people reportedly took part, forcing shopkeepers and residents to flee as the market area shut down amid panic.

One injured person, identified as Nazrul Molla, 42, from Dighirpar, was named, while others remained unidentified. Tongibari police officer-in-charge Mohammad Monirul Haque Dablue said additional police were deployed, the situation was under control, and legal action was being processed.

The central leadership of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has expelled three members from Madaripur district for contesting as independent candidates against official party nominees in the 13th national parliamentary election. The expulsions were confirmed on Wednesday night, January 21, through a press release signed by BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi. The expelled individuals are Kamal Zaman Molla from Madaripur-1, Sajjad Hossain Siddiqui Lablu from the same constituency, and Milton Baidya from Madaripur-2.

According to the press release, a total of 57 BNP leaders across the country were expelled for engaging in activities contrary to party policy, ideology, and discipline. The decision followed internal disputes over nominations in Madaripur, where Kamal Zaman Molla was initially nominated but later replaced by Nadira Akter in Madaripur-1. In Madaripur-2, Jahandar Ali Mia is contesting as the official BNP candidate, while in Madaripur-3, Anisur Rahman Khokon Talukder is representing the party.

The expulsions underscore BNP’s effort to enforce internal discipline and maintain unity ahead of the 13th national election.

Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam announced that February 11 will be a public holiday ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election scheduled for February 12. The decision was revealed at a press briefing at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka. Workers in industrial areas will also receive leave on February 10, while February 13 and 14 (Friday and Saturday) are regular weekends, resulting in a four-day holiday for government employees.

The press secretary said the cabinet meeting approved 13 agenda items, including the final approval of several draft laws and policies. These include the Bangladesh Private Export Processing Zone (Repeal) Act, the Gambling Prevention Ordinance 2026, the Right to Information Ordinance 2026, and the National Poultry Development Policy 2026. The cabinet also approved the Bangladesh-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement and the Dhaka Central University Ordinance 2026.

According to Shafiqul Alam, the Gambling Prevention Ordinance 2026 defines 19 types of gambling and sets 15 categories of punishment, with a maximum fine of 500,000 taka and imprisonment up to 10 years.

The Bangladesh Election Commission (EC) has issued a warning prohibiting the collection of voters’ personal information and National Identity Cards (NID) under the guise of election campaigning. The notice, released on Thursday, January 22, 2026, stated that the commission had observed attempts by certain individuals to gather such data, which violates the National Identity Registration Act, 2010. The act forbids carrying or transferring another person’s NID.

The EC further reminded that under Rule 4 of the ‘Code of Conduct for Political Parties and Candidates in Parliamentary Elections, 2025,’ no political party, candidate, or representative may offer or promise donations, gifts, or contributions to individuals, groups, or institutions within an electoral area. The commission emphasized that these actions constitute punishable offenses under existing regulations.

The EC urged all citizens and organizations to refrain from engaging in or supporting such activities, reinforcing its commitment to maintaining lawful and transparent election practices.

BNP central leader and Natore-2 constituency candidate Advocate M Ruhul Quddus Talukder, also known as Dulu, formally began his election campaign on Thursday morning from Chatni Bhatpara village in Chatni Union. He claimed that during his five-year tenure as a minister starting in 2001, he had implemented significant development projects in Natore. He alleged that the subsequent Awami League government failed to bring any development to the district and instead engaged in widespread corruption and plundering. Dulu urged voters to support him by voting for the BNP’s symbol, the paddy sheaf, promising to continue the previous development initiatives.

During his campaign, Dulu stated that Natore had suffered from two decades of violence and pledged to transform it into a peaceful and developed area if the BNP returned to power. He announced plans to introduce family cards for women and agricultural cards for farmers, which would provide various benefits for five years. Throughout the day, he addressed rallies at ten locations across Chatni Union, accompanied by local BNP leaders including Rahim Newaz, Kazi Shah Alam, and Rafiqul Islam.

The campaign events marked the formal start of BNP’s local election activities in Natore ahead of the upcoming polls.

At least twelve leaders and activists of the suspended Awami League and Jubo League, including an accused in an arson and violence case, have joined the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in Badarganj, Rangpur. The joining took place on the night of January 21, 2026, led by former Betgari Union Parishad chairman Mohayemin Islam Maruf, who had earlier resigned from the Awami League on December 25, 2025. The development has sparked widespread discussion and debate in local political circles.

According to Badarganj police, a case was filed on September 16, 2024, over violent incidents during an anti-discrimination student and public movement on August 4, 2024. The case, numbered 4/24, remains under investigation. Maruf, one of the accused, was previously arrested and later released on bail. Other new BNP members include Abu Taher Md. Rokibul Haque, Md. Ashraf Ali, Md. Khademul Islam, Nazrul Islam, Babu Harimol Chandra Sarker, Jahangir Alam, Mahbubur Rahman, Rakib Ahmed Robiul, Bayezid Islam, Julfikar Ali, and Aminur Rahman.

Local BNP president Chand Sarkar said the former Awami League members joined BNP inspired by the ideals of late President Ziaur Rahman. Police confirmed that the ongoing investigation and legal process will continue unaffected by the political shift.