Students of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) locked the university’s administrative building on Monday, January 19, 2026, demanding that the Shahjalal University Central Students’ Union (ShakSU) election be held on time. The protest began around 12:30 p.m., with students chanting slogans calling for the election to proceed as scheduled and asserting their right to student representation.

Earlier, members of the Nationalist Teachers’ Forum held a press conference announcing that they would not cooperate with the election process. They also urged election commission members with specific ideological affiliations to resign. Following this announcement, eight election commissioners reportedly submitted their resignations.

The student demonstration and the commissioners’ resignations have created uncertainty over whether the ShakSU election will proceed as planned, with tensions rising between student groups and sections of the university’s faculty.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s student wing, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, continued its protest for a second consecutive day by besieging the Election Commission (EC) office on Monday from 11 a.m. The demonstration centered on three issues, including disputes over postal ballots, alleged hasty decisions by the EC, and claims of interference by a particular political party in university elections. Law enforcement authorities placed barricades in front of the EC’s main gate as Chhatra Dal activists chanted slogans.

The previous day, Chhatra Dal had also surrounded the EC and later held a meeting with election commissioners. The five-member delegation included the organization’s president Rakibul Islam Rakib, general secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir, senior vice president Abu Afsan Mohammad Yahia, senior joint general secretary Shyamal Malum, and organizational secretary Amanullah Aman. The EC reportedly assured the delegation that their concerns would be considered rationally.

Following the assurance from the commission, Chhatra Dal announced the conclusion of its sit-in program on Monday afternoon.

A group of BNP-leaning teachers at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) announced on Monday, January 19, 2026, that they will not perform duties in the upcoming ShakSU election. The declaration was made at a press conference held at the university’s Social Science Building auditorium by the Nationalist Teachers’ Forum, led by Professor Dr. Ashraf Uddin. The teachers said they were being accused of conspiracy and decided to abstain to avoid further allegations. They also urged other teachers to refrain from participating in election duties.

Professor Ashraf Uddin stated that the nationalist teachers had worked to ensure a fair and participatory election but were now being unfairly tagged as conspirators. He criticized the vice-chancellor for unilaterally announcing the election date and forming a 15-member election commission without consulting the university syndicate or broader academic community. The teachers also mentioned a letter from the Ministry of Education requesting election postponement, which they said was not shared with them.

The forum expressed concern over growing divisions among students and teachers, calling for maintaining campus harmony and coexistence.

Islami Chhatra Shibir has warned that any attempt to obstruct the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) student parliament election will face continuous protest programs. The organization’s central president, Nurul Islam Saddam, made the announcement on Monday at a press conference held at the group’s central office in Purana Paltan, Dhaka. He alleged that certain groups were trying to use political influence and the court to derail the election process.

Saddam claimed that previous efforts to halt student council elections had failed and accused opponents of now resorting to legal petitions to stop the vote. He criticized members of the BNP for allegedly opposing the election despite the party’s past stance in favor of democracy. He also stated that if the government remains inflexible on the issue, it will face severe consequences.

Responding to questions, Saddam said Shibir respects court rulings but will still announce protest programs if the election is obstructed. He added that the organization will campaign in favor of a “yes” vote in the upcoming referendum and work with students across rural areas.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has released a second election roadmap on January 19, 2026, ahead of the upcoming parliamentary election. This marks the first time in the EC’s history that a new roadmap has been issued after the official schedule announcement. The earlier roadmap could not be fully implemented, particularly regarding political party registration and constituency delimitation. According to the new plan, the gazette for 300 constituencies’ polling centers will be published on January 22, followed by a special meeting with law enforcement agencies on January 28. On February 1, funds will be allocated for security forces, and election officials will be appointed as observers, while ballot materials will be distributed between February 2 and 3.

The EC has also instructed that no law enforcement camps be set up inside polling centers. The roadmap follows the 2024 student-led uprising that toppled the Awami League government, leading to an interim administration headed by Dr. Muhammad Yunus. The interim government pledged to hold elections within a year, with the 13th parliamentary election scheduled for February 12, 2026.

Meanwhile, the student wing of a political party continued its second day of protest outside the EC building, alleging bias in the commission’s activities.

Leaders and activists of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) paid tribute to the party’s founder and former president Ziaur Rahman on his 90th birth anniversary. The homage took place on Monday morning at Zia’s grave in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka, led by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. Senior leaders, standing committee members, and party activists were present, followed by prayers seeking forgiveness for the late leader.

After the tribute, Mirza Fakhrul told reporters that the BNP has confidence in the Election Commission (EC), noting that the commission has so far performed its duties competently. He said the party had raised some issues with the EC the previous day but believed the commission would manage the election properly. Regarding the cancellation of some BNP candidates’ nominations, he remarked that such issues are not new during the scrutiny process.

The event reflected BNP’s continued reverence for its founder and its current stance of cautious optimism toward the election process under the existing commission.

India’s Supreme Court is currently hearing a case against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who has been accused of obstructing an Enforcement Directorate (ED) investigation. The allegation stems from an incident on January 8, 2026, when Banerjee arrived with senior police officers during ED searches at the home and office of a consultancy linked to her party, the Trinamool Congress. The agency claims she removed files and electronic devices from the premises, which Banerjee later acknowledged as political documents.

The ED, operating under India’s Finance Ministry, investigates money laundering and has the authority to make arrests. While Banerjee faces no corruption charges, the Supreme Court is treating the obstruction allegation seriously. The report also outlines previous instances where Indian chief ministers were arrested by central agencies, including Delhi’s Arvind Kejriwal, Bihar’s Lalu Prasad Yadav, Jharkhand’s Hemant Soren, and Tamil Nadu’s late J. Jayalalithaa.

The article notes that both the ED and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) have low conviction rates, and accusations persist that the ruling party uses these agencies against political opponents.

Students and candidates from various panels at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) staged a protest on Monday at the university’s central roundabout, demanding that the Shahjalal University Central Students’ Union (ShakSU) election be held on January 20 as scheduled. The demonstration came in response to a High Court petition filed by independent vice-president candidate Mominur Rashid Shuvo seeking to halt the election.

According to the report, the ShakSU election is set to take place for the first time on Tuesday. The petition to stop the election is listed as the third item on Monday’s cause list before the High Court bench of Justice Fahmida Kader and Justice Md Asif Hasan, with a hearing expected later in the day. Protesters chanted slogans asserting that holding the election is a student right and rejecting any attempt to delay it.

Durbar SUSTian panel’s general secretary candidate Mujahidul Islam told the newspaper that students would not accept any conspiracy to stop the election. Attempts to contact petitioner Mominur Rashid Shuvo were unsuccessful.

The Election Commission of Bangladesh has upheld the candidacy of BNP Vice Chairman Abdul Awal Mintoo for the Feni-3 constituency. The decision came on Sunday, January 18, following an appeal hearing at the commission’s auditorium in Agargaon. Mintoo’s nomination had been challenged by his rival candidate, Mohammad Fakhruddin Manik of Jamaat-e-Islami, who alleged that Mintoo held dual citizenship.

After the commission rejected the appeal, Mintoo expressed gratitude in a Facebook post, describing the challenge as baseless and harassing. He stated that since returning to Bangladesh in 1981, he had conducted his business with transparency and integrity and remained devoted to public service. He reaffirmed his identity as a Bangladeshi citizen and thanked supporters for their trust and affection.

Mintoo concluded his message by emphasizing his faith in the people and in God, asserting that the decision validated his legitimacy in the electoral race and that “truth has prevailed.”

A delegation from the National Citizens Party (NCP) is scheduled to meet Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus today, Monday, at 5 p.m. The delegation will be led by NCP convener Nahid Islam and will include the party’s spokesperson and chairman of the election management committee, Asif Mahmud. The meeting is expected to discuss the prevailing political situation ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election.

According to the report, the meeting follows a similar discussion held on Sunday evening between Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus and leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami. The series of meetings indicates ongoing consultations between the Chief Adviser and various political parties as the election approaches.

The discussions are likely to focus on election-related issues and the current political environment, though specific agenda details were not disclosed in the report.

Leaders and activists of the Rajshahi University (RU) unit of Chhatra Dal announced that they will submit a memorandum to the university vice-chancellor at noon on Monday, January 19, 2026, demanding mental treatment for Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (Raksu) General Secretary Salauddin Ammar. The group also called for a human chain protest at 1 p.m. on the university’s Paris Road, led by unit president Sultan Ahmed Rahi and general secretary Sardar Zahurul.

According to the report, the demand follows several incidents involving Ammar’s alleged indecent behavior and actions that created tension on campus. Rahi stated that Ammar’s recent conduct has raised concern among students and that, as a student leader, he should focus on solving student issues rather than causing unrest. The Chhatra Dal leaders said they would formally urge the vice-chancellor to arrange mental health treatment for Ammar.

The move comes after Ammar removed a banner congratulating Tarique Rahman, which had been hung by the Rajshahi District Zia Parishad president. He had earlier posted an ultimatum on Facebook demanding the banner’s removal, prompting further controversy on campus.

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 in Bangladesh began the trial of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 12 former and current army officers on Monday, January 19, 2026. The case involves allegations of enforced disappearances and torture at the Joint Interrogation Cell (JIC) during the Awami League government. The three-member judicial panel, led by Justice Golam Mortuza Majumder, opened proceedings with introductory statements, after which witnesses Hummam Quader Chowdhury and former army officer Hasinur Rahman were scheduled to testify against the accused.

The tribunal had formally framed charges on December 18, 2025, marking the first time in Bangladesh’s history that enforced disappearances are being tried as crimes against humanity. Prosecutor Shaikh Mahdi stated that five charges were approved, based on evidence that around 26 people were secretly detained and tortured at the JIC in Ayna Ghar between 2015 and 2024. Thirteen individuals, including Hasina, face charges; three are in custody while ten remain fugitives, several of whom previously served as Directors General of the DGFI.

The prosecution has submitted a list of more than 40 witnesses. The tribunal’s proceedings are expected to examine the alleged abuses and command responsibility within the JIC operations.

Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Kazi Din Muhammad called on farmers, workers, and voters in Comilla-6 constituency to cast a 'Yes' vote in the upcoming national election. During daylong campaign activities on January 18 across Amratali Union and other areas, he emphasized building a just and fair society and criticized what he described as 54 years of misrule. He reiterated promises of interest-free loans for farmers, fair prices for agricultural products, a farmer-friendly market system, and special loans for entrepreneurs.

Addressing gatherings and yard meetings, Kazi Din Muhammad pledged to eliminate corruption in union and land offices and ensure employment without bribery. He stated that Jamaat ministers had no corruption allegations and vowed to maintain that standard. He also encouraged youth to pursue success like university students and expressed confidence in achieving collective progress.

The campaign included local Jamaat and Islami Chhatra Shibir leaders, with evening events held in Kandirpar and other city areas, where he again urged voters to support the 'Yes' vote in the national referendum.

The Election Commission (EC) has declared BNP candidate Aslam Chowdhury’s nomination for the Chittagong-4 constituency valid after finding no evidence of legal or electoral rule violations. The unanimous decision came on Sunday following an appeal hearing at the EC headquarters in Agargaon, Dhaka. This ruling removes all legal barriers to Chowdhury’s participation in the upcoming parliamentary election for the Sitakunda seat, which includes Chattogram City Corporation wards 9 and 10.

According to EC sources, Jamaat-backed candidate Anwar Siddique Chowdhury and two banks had separately appealed to cancel Aslam Chowdhury’s nomination, citing financial and administrative allegations. The hearing, initially scheduled for Saturday, was postponed to Sunday. During the session, Chowdhury’s lawyers presented documentary and legal explanations, which the commission reviewed thoroughly before rejecting the appeals.

Aslam Chowdhury’s personal lawyer stated that his client had been a persecuted political leader who suffered imprisonment and personal losses under the previous government. The EC’s decision now allows him to contest the election without further legal obstacles.

The National Citizen Party (NCP), a youth-led group that emerged from the July Revolution, is preparing its manifesto for the upcoming parliamentary elections in Bangladesh. Party sources said the manifesto will prioritize fundamental and structural reforms at the levels of the state, citizens, and institutions. It will emphasize strengthening defense capabilities to protect sovereignty, promoting economic self-reliance, and integrating technology-driven solutions with youth innovation to preserve and develop cultural uniqueness.

According to party insiders, an eight-member subcommittee led by Ehtesham Haque and secretary Ishtiaq Akib was formed on January 15 to draft the manifesto, which is still under preparation. The NCP aims to build a justice-based state ensuring basic rights, personal security, and human dignity. The manifesto will include plans for transparent asset declarations by officials, raising the tax-to-GDP ratio, establishing a national minimum wage, expanding parental leave, and creating a national digital server and health database.

The document will also propose strengthening defense with mid-range missiles and drones, dissolving the Rapid Action Battalion, and forming a Truth and Reconciliation Commission for institutional reform.