Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizens Party (NCP), stated that the mass uprising would fail if the ‘No’ vote passes in the upcoming referendum. He made the remarks on Tuesday while inaugurating a campaign caravan aimed at promoting the referendum. Islam urged citizens to vote ‘Yes’, saying that even if they do not support his party, they should still vote in favor of the referendum.

He criticized a particular group for campaigning for the ‘No’ vote, arguing that supporting ‘Yes’ was the responsibility of all political parties. According to him, a victory for the ‘No’ side would bring an authoritarian force to power. He described the referendum as a vote that could shape Bangladesh’s next 50 years and called on voters to act consciously. Islam also mentioned that question leaks in recruitment exams had occurred under the current government and warned that a failed ‘Yes’ vote would return the country to its previous system.

NCP spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan announced that nationwide campaigning for the referendum had begun and would continue until the election. The party recently restructured its election management committee ahead of the 13th national parliamentary election.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has withdrawn the expulsion orders of five leaders who were previously removed for alleged breaches of party discipline. The announcement was made on Tuesday through a statement issued by the party’s Senior Joint Secretary General, Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi. According to the statement, the decision was taken following applications from the expelled members, and their primary memberships have been reinstated effective January 13.

The five reinstated leaders are Md. Abu Taher Siddiqui from Bagharpara upazila in Jashore, Syed Md. Sohel Chairman (SM Ataul Mostafa Sohel) from Madhabpur upazila in Habiganj, Khorshed Alam from Chattogram city BNP, Syed Sajjad Morshed from Nasirnagar upazila in Brahmanbaria, and Mosha. Parul Nahar from Hakimpur upazila in Dinajpur. They had earlier been expelled for activities deemed contrary to the party’s policies and ideals.

The statement also noted that BNP has previously reinstated other leaders and activists who were expelled at different times, indicating a continuation of internal reconciliation efforts within the party.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh approved 53 candidacies on the fourth day of appeal hearings related to the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. The hearings took place on Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the EC auditorium in Agargaon, Dhaka, with the Chief Election Commissioner, four other commissioners, and the EC secretary present. A total of 70 appeals were heard during the day, of which 53 were approved and 17 were rejected. Among the rejected appeals, two sought to cancel the candidacy of valid candidates but were dismissed.

In the first session of the day, 36 appeals were resolved, with 29 approved and 12 rejected. In the second session, 24 appeals were approved and 5 rejected. The process is part of the EC’s review of returning officers’ earlier decisions regarding candidate eligibility for the national election.

The hearings are continuing as part of the EC’s effort to finalize the list of eligible candidates ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election.

The Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) and the Directorate of Madrasa Education in Bangladesh have instructed all public and private schools, colleges, and madrasas to conduct extensive awareness campaigns about the upcoming national referendum, scheduled to take place on the same day as the thirteenth parliamentary election next month. According to the state news agency BSS, all education offices under both directorates have been directed to comply with these instructions.

Separate circulars from the two directorates specify that all educational institutions must display banners and festoons featuring the referendum logo in prominent locations and use the logo on all official communications and correspondence. The madrasa directive also calls for disseminating the message through parent meetings, students, notice boards, and social media. The move follows guidance from the Cabinet Division.

The referendum aims to seek public opinion on the fundamental reform proposals outlined in the July National Charter 2025, marking a significant step in the country’s ongoing state reform process.

The Election Commission (EC) has declared the nomination paper of Jamaat-e-Islami’s candidate Colonel (Retd.) Mohammad Abdul Haque valid for the Dhaka-2 constituency. The decision came on Tuesday, the fourth day of appeal hearings held at the EC building. Abdul Haque’s nomination had earlier been rejected on January 3 by the Dhaka district administration and returning officer Rezaul Karim during the scrutiny process.

According to the report, Abdul Haque is the president of the Retired Armed Forces Officers Welfare Association (RAOWA). The Dhaka-2 constituency has 419,215 registered voters. Three candidates submitted nomination papers for this seat: BNP’s Amanullah Aman, Jamaat’s Abdul Haque, and Islami Andolan Bangladesh’s Maulana Zahirul Islam. The EC previously validated the nominations of Amanullah Aman and one other candidate.

With the EC’s latest decision, Abdul Haque will now be able to contest the upcoming election in Dhaka-2 alongside the other approved candidates.

Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Myanmar’s ambassador U Kyaw Soe Moe in Dhaka after shots were fired from the Myanmar side near Hwaikong Union in Teknaf, injuring a 12-year-old child. The ministry expressed deep concern over the incident and described the unprovoked firing as a violation of international law and a threat to friendly relations between the two neighboring countries.

Bangladesh urged Myanmar to take full responsibility for the incident and to ensure that such occurrences do not happen again. It also called on Myanmar to make sure that internal conflicts between Myanmar authorities and armed groups do not affect the lives and livelihoods of people in Bangladesh. The injured child is currently receiving treatment in the ICU at Chittagong Medical College Hospital.

According to the ministry’s statement, the Myanmar ambassador conveyed condolences to the injured child’s family and assured that his government would take measures to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.

The Youth Parliament of the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) has announced a 13-point demand calling for the cancellation of the power purchase agreement with Indian company Adani and the halt of Adani’s electricity imports. The demands were presented at a press conference held on Tuesday at the Dhaka Reporters Unity, where student representatives from Dhaka University and BRAC University participated. CAB’s energy adviser M Shamsul Alam was also present at the event.

The demands include abolishing the Special Provision Act for quick power and energy supply, canceling all contracts and licenses under that law, stopping furnace oil-based power generation, and restoring the power and primary energy sectors as public service sectors. CAB also called for cost-based, non-profit energy supply, reducing fossil fuel imports by at least 5 percent in the next government term, and increasing solar power generation by 15 percent over five years. Other points include halting LNG import expansion for five years and banning new coal-based power capacity.

CAB urged political parties and candidates in the upcoming national election to include these 13 demands in their manifestos, aligning with the organization’s proposed Energy Transition Policy 2024 for a fair energy transformation.

The International Crimes Tribunal has released the full 457-page verdict against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and former IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun in the July–August genocide and crimes against humanity case. The verdict was published on the tribunal’s official website on Tuesday, January 13, 2026. On November 17, the three-member panel led by Justice Md. Golam Murtuza Mojumdar sentenced Hasina and Kamal to death by hanging and life imprisonment, while Al-Mamun received a five-year prison term as a state witness.

The verdict detailed five charges grouped into two categories of crimes. The first charge involved incitement and provocation, citing Hasina’s July 14, 2024 press conference remarks and her conversation with the Dhaka University vice-chancellor, which allegedly led to the killing of Abu Sayeed in Rangpur. The second charge concerned direct orders to kill, based on a July 18 conversation that allegedly resulted in twelve deaths in Dhaka’s Chankharpul and Ashulia areas.

The tribunal ordered confiscation of all properties of the convicts, directing the government to distribute the assets among victims of the July movement.

After nearly 28 years, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) is set to hold its central student union (SACSU) election on January 20, 2026. The long-awaited event has transformed the campus into a hub of campaign activity, with candidates engaging with voters, distributing leaflets, and presenting their plans. The atmosphere across the university has become celebratory as students express excitement about regaining a representative student body.

According to the Election Commission, 97 candidates are contesting various positions in the central union, including four for vice president, seven for general secretary, and four for assistant general secretary. Three main panels have been formed: “Sammilito SUSTian Oikya” backed by Chhatra Dal, “Durbar SUSTian Oikya” supported by Shibir, and “Sadharoner Oikkoswor,” a partial panel of general students. Several independent candidates are also participating. Hall-level campaigns are active as well, with both residential and non-residential students eligible to vote.

Students and candidates alike view the election as a revival of democratic practice on campus, hoping regular polls will foster responsible leadership and healthy political culture.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami leaders have expressed solidarity with the family of slain auto-rickshaw driver Samir Kumar Das in Daganbhuiyan upazila of Feni. On the night of January 12, Samir, son of Kartik Das from Faziler Ghat Ramanandapur Jelepara in Matubhunya Union, was brutally killed by unidentified assailants. To console the bereaved family, Dr. Mohammad Fakhruddin Manik, Jamaat’s nominated candidate for the Feni-3 parliamentary seat, visited their home accompanied by local Jamaat leaders.

During the visit, Dr. Fakhruddin strongly condemned the murder, describing it as heart-wrenching and reprehensible. He demanded the immediate arrest and exemplary punishment of those responsible. He also spoke with Feni’s Deputy Commissioner Monira Haque and Daganbhuiyan Police Officer-in-Charge Fayzul Azim Noman to learn about the investigation and urged swift legal action.

Dr. Fakhruddin conveyed deep condolences to the victim’s family and requested local Jamaat leaders to continue supporting them in the future.

The Bangladesh Army has released a statement regarding the death of BNP leader Md. Shamsuzzaman, known as Dabul, during a joint forces operation in Jibannagar, Chuadanga. According to an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) press release issued on Tuesday, the operation took place on the night of January 12, based on specific intelligence to recover illegal weapons. Dabul, aged 50, was detained from a pharmacy near the Jibannagar Upazila Health Complex on allegations of possessing illegal arms.

Following his detention, a patrol team searched the pharmacy and recovered a 9mm pistol, a magazine, and four rounds of ammunition. The statement said that after the operation, Dabul suddenly fell ill and lost consciousness. He was taken to the Jibannagar Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared him dead at 12:25 a.m.

The ISPR described the incident as unexpected, tragic, and unacceptable. It confirmed that the camp commander and all soldiers involved were withdrawn to the cantonment, and a high-level investigation committee was formed to determine the cause. The army pledged appropriate legal action under military law if any personnel are found guilty.

Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Myanmar’s ambassador in Dhaka, U Kyaw Soe Moe, on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, following a shooting incident along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border near Hwaikong Union in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar. During the meeting, Bangladesh expressed deep concern over the incident, in which a 12-year-old child named Huzaifa was seriously injured. The ministry stated that firing into Bangladeshi territory without provocation constitutes a clear violation of international law and poses a serious obstacle to bilateral relations.

Bangladesh demanded that Myanmar take full responsibility for the incident and urged the neighboring country to adopt effective measures to prevent any recurrence of cross-border firing. The ministry also emphasized that internal conflicts between Myanmar’s authorities and armed groups must not affect the lives and livelihoods of Bangladeshi citizens.

In response, the Myanmar ambassador expressed regret on behalf of his government and conveyed sincere sympathy to the injured child and her family. He assured that his government would take necessary steps to prevent such incidents in the future.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has called for the intervention of the army chief following the death of Shamsuzzaman Dablue, general secretary of Jibannagar municipal BNP in Chuadanga, after his detention. In a statement issued on Tuesday, Fakhrul alleged that members of the security forces detained Dablue under the pretext of recovering weapons and subjected him to severe torture, leading to his death. He expressed deep sorrow and condemned the incident as inhumane and brutal.

Fakhrul stated that such acts by members of the security forces are harmful to the country and constitute a grave violation of existing laws. He emphasized that under the current interim government, people expect justice through the judicial system, not extrajudicial killings. He urged the army chief to ensure a fair investigation and justice for the incident.

In his statement, Fakhrul also conveyed condolences to Dablue’s bereaved family and prayed for the departed soul.

Sylhet Deputy Commissioner Md. Sarwar Alam has emphasized the need to strengthen the capacity of village courts to reduce case backlogs. Speaking on Monday at a discussion titled “The Role of Media in Raising Public Awareness about Village Courts,” organized under the Village Court Activation (Phase 3) Project at the Sylhet DC office conference room, he said that electing socially accepted and competent representatives would enhance public trust in local justice.

He noted that when qualified individuals handle justice, disputes are less likely to escalate into formal cases. The DC called for collective efforts to deliver village court services to people’s doorsteps, saying that activating these courts at the local level would ease pressure on higher courts. Addressing media professionals, he urged them to highlight both the successes and limitations of village courts through traditional and social media.

The meeting was chaired by Suborna Sarkar, Deputy Director of the Local Government Department in Sylhet, and attended by officials, journalists, and project representatives.

BNP National Standing Committee member and former minister Salahuddin Ahmed stated that no future democratic government in Bangladesh should deviate from its course. Speaking as the chief guest at a meeting of the Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal in Chiringa, Chakaria, Cox’s Bazar on Tuesday, January 13, he emphasized the need to build a parliament where representatives speak for the people and where there is no place for terrorism.

He said the next parliament should focus on lawmaking to advance Bangladesh, replacing praise and ceremonial performances with genuine debate and opposition. Ahmed described the upcoming national election as a decisive one that will determine the country’s direction and ensure the realization of citizens’ democratic rights. He added that the election would be the most significant in the nation’s history, strengthening democratic institutions and establishing them as protectors of democracy.

Local BNP leaders, including Enamul Haque, M Mobarak Ali, Mizanur Rahman Chowdhury Khokon Mia, Ali Ahmed, and Shariful Alam, were also present at the event.