A new legal controversy has emerged in Chattogram-2 (Fatikchhari) after BNP candidate Sarwar Alamgir was reportedly allocated the paddy sheaf election symbol without a signed High Court order. Allegations state that the returning officer and district commissioner made the decision based solely on a television news scroll, without receiving any official or digital copy of the court’s directive. Lawyers argue that implementing an unsigned order violates Election Commission (EC) rules and undermines judicial procedure.

According to the report, the High Court verbally suspended the EC’s earlier decision cancelling Alamgir’s nomination around noon on Tuesday, but the signed order was not yet issued. Despite this, Chattogram District Commissioner Mohammad Zahidul Islam Mia allegedly proceeded with the symbol allocation. EC officials confirmed they had not received any official documents and described the move as procedurally weak. The matter has since reached the Appellate Division under Civil Miscellaneous Petition No. 82/2026, making it sub judice.

Local political circles are questioning the district commissioner’s haste, while legal experts warn that such actions could compromise administrative neutrality and equal opportunity among candidates.

Three parliamentary candidates from the Rajshahi-5 (Puthia-Durgapur) constituency have been summoned to court for allegedly violating electoral conduct rules by posting festoons on electric poles and trees. The summons were issued by Senior Civil Judge Md. Mamun on behalf of the constituency’s Election Inquiry and Judicial Committee on Sunday and Monday. The candidates—independent and expelled BNP leaders Isfa Khairul Haque Shimul and Barrister Rezaul Karim, along with Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Maulana Manjur Rahman—were instructed to appear in person and submit written explanations.

According to the notice, the committee’s field inspection found that the candidates had displayed festoons in prohibited public areas for campaign purposes, which constitutes a clear breach of the electoral code of conduct. The committee initiated an inquiry on its own under the prescribed rules.

The notice further stated that since the incident is considered a pre-election irregularity, the candidates must explain why a report should not be sent to the Election Commission recommending legal and punitive action against them.

Bir Pratik awardee Lieutenant Colonel Hasinur Rahman testified on Tuesday before International Crimes Tribunal-1 in Dhaka as the second witness in a crimes against humanity case concerning abduction and torture at the Joint Interrogation Cell, known as Ayna Ghar. He stated that after being abducted twice during the Awami League’s fifteen-year rule, he was released on conditions that he must not speak about Sheikh Hasina, the Awami League, the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), or India. His release, he said, was subject to Hasina’s approval.

Rahman described being blindfolded and handcuffed before being dropped near his home on 22 February 2020. He said he later informed human rights groups and media outlets about Ayna Ghar. Following those disclosures, DGFI allegedly filed multiple cases against him under the Information and Communication Technology Act. Rahman also recounted that after August 2024 events, he revisited Ayna Ghar with investigators and identified locations where detainees had been held.

He told the tribunal his intention was not revenge but to prevent repetition of such crimes and to ensure public awareness of what he described as abuses under the Awami League government.

In Sitakunda municipality of Chattogram, female activists of Jamaat-e-Islami alleged that they were harassed by BNP activists during an election campaign in Idilpur village on Monday, January 26. According to local sources, the incident occurred when Jamaat’s women campaigners, promoting the ‘Dhal’ symbol, visited a supporter’s home for tea. BNP leader Nazmul Alam Sohag and Jubo Dal activist Arif Hossain allegedly confronted them, accusing one of the women of collecting national ID and mobile payment numbers from local women. The activists claimed that their organizational notebook was also taken away.

Following the incident, Jamaat’s local leaders, including ward president Dr. Nurul Huda Shahabuddin, arrived at the scene, joined later by BNP ward president Sajjad Hossain Rafiq. After about an hour of argument, the situation calmed, and BNP activists left. A video of the altercation later circulated on social media.

Jamaat leaders condemned the alleged harassment, while BNP’s female leader Maksuda denied any misconduct, saying the matter was resolved in presence of both sides’ leaders. Police confirmed a verbal dispute but said local elders settled it.

In the run-up to the 13th National Parliamentary Election, political dynamics in Bandarban-300 constituency have shifted rapidly. After a period of silence following tensions over the 11-party alliance’s candidate announcement, activists of Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Congress Party (NCP) have returned to the campaign field. The alliance had faced stagnation when Jamaat supporters withdrew in protest after the NCP unexpectedly nominated its candidate, S M Suza Uddin.

Over the past two days, Jamaat activists have reappeared in large numbers across Bandarban municipality, reviving the alliance’s campaign momentum. Despite mixed reactions from voters, with some viewing Suza Uddin as an outsider, he remains active in outreach efforts. Local analysts note that he faces challenges in gaining trust beyond his core supporters.

Suza Uddin continues to highlight his personal qualifications and pledges to build a modern Bandarban. His campaign emphasizes improving the living standards of marginalized hill communities, modernizing tourism, and advancing education and infrastructure development.

National Citizen Party (NCP) member secretary and parliamentary candidate Akhtar Hossain addressed an election courtyard meeting on Tuesday afternoon at Siddik Bazar in Haragach Union, Kaunia upazila, Rangpur-4 constituency. He stated that the spontaneous presence and enthusiasm of people prove growing trust in the party’s Shapla Koli election symbol and expressed confidence in its victory. Hossain emphasized that the NCP believes in reform, justice, and building a discrimination-free Bangladesh.

He pledged that if elected, he would work actively in the national parliament for the rights and development of people not only in Kaunia–Pirgacha but across the Rangpur region. Local leaders, supporters, and a large number of voters attended the meeting, where residents shared their problems and expectations. Hossain assured them of realistic development initiatives.

Meanwhile, Alhaj Emdadul Haque, the candidate for the Dhaner Shish symbol in the same constituency, continues door-to-door campaigning. Political observers noted that his long-standing field activity gives him a comparatively advantageous position.

A district-level Imam Conference was held in Lalmonirhat on Tuesday morning to encourage voter awareness and active participation in the democratic process. The event took place at the field adjacent to the District Model Mosque, with Deputy Commissioner H. M. Rokib Haydar attending as chief guest and Superintendent of Police Md. Asaduzzaman as special guest. Officials from the Islamic Foundation, including directors Md. Abdul Hamid Khan and Mostafa Monsur Alam Khan, along with imams from various mosques, were also present.

The conference, chaired by Islamic Foundation Lalmonirhat Deputy Director Rezaul Karim, featured discussions by Maulana Md. Rafiqul Islam of Nesaría Kamil Madrasa and Maulana Zainul Abedin of Marqazul Quran Madrasa. Speakers emphasized the moral duty of citizens to vote in the upcoming national parliamentary election and highlighted the importance of free, fair, and participatory elections for strengthening democracy.

They also noted that imams and religious leaders can play an effective role in maintaining social harmony and raising public awareness about voting rights.

The European Union (EU) has reaffirmed its continued support for the reform initiatives of Bangladesh’s interim government while closely monitoring their progress. The commitment was conveyed by EU Ambassador to Dhaka Michael Miller during a meeting with Dr. Ali Riaz, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser, held at the Chief Adviser’s Office on Tuesday afternoon.

During the meeting, the ambassador expressed the EU’s support for the government’s preparations for the upcoming national referendum and parliamentary elections. He also confirmed that a team is already in Bangladesh as part of the EU’s process to deploy a large observer mission to monitor the elections. Miller expressed optimism that relations between Bangladesh and the EU would continue in the coming days.

Dr. Ali Riaz thanked the EU for its support toward Bangladesh’s democratic transition and briefed the ambassador on various activities related to the forthcoming referendum.

More than fifty leaders and activists from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jatiya Party formally joined Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami in Jaldhaka upazila of Nilphamari on Tuesday afternoon. The joining took place at a gathering organized by Jamaat in Mondoppora of Shimulbari Union’s Ward No. 2, where former BNP ward president Abdus Sobhan Chinu and Jatiya Party’s Haroa Shimulbari branch president Shukur Ali led the group. They presented Jamaat candidate Obaidullah Salafi with a scarf bearing the party’s scale symbol and received primary membership, being welcomed with flowers by local Jamaat leaders.

In brief remarks, Abdus Sobhan Chinu said he had long been involved in BNP politics but found Jamaat’s ideology and social activities more acceptable, prompting his decision to join. Shukur Ali stated that after twenty years as a Jatiya Party ward president, he was inspired by Jamaat’s activities to switch allegiance. The event was attended by Jamaat’s parliamentary candidate Obaidullah Salafi, acting upazila amir Kamaruzzaman, and other local leaders.

The mass joining signals a local political shift in Jaldhaka ahead of upcoming political activities in the region.

Election Commissioner Md. Anwarul Islam Sarkar stated that the Election Commission believes it has achieved nearly full compliance with the electoral code of conduct ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliament election. He said that fines totaling 905,500 taka have been imposed for 144 violations of the code. Between January 8 and 26, 94 cases were filed for breaches, covering 128 constituencies out of 300.

Speaking to journalists at his office in Agargaon, Dhaka, on Tuesday, the commissioner explained that each nomination paper included pledges from both party leaders and candidates to uphold the code of conduct. Returning officers gathered candidates to reaffirm these commitments, which he said contributed to improved discipline. He noted that compared to previous elections, the current campaign environment appears cleaner and more orderly.

According to the commissioner, the combination of candidate pledges and motivational efforts by returning officers and field officials has resulted in a better electoral atmosphere than in past national elections.

Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (Raksu) General Secretary Salahuddin Ammar alleged that Mirza Abbas is attempting to take control of the Dhaka-8 constituency. Ammar made the claim in a social media post on Tuesday, stating that members of the student wing Chhatra Dal attacked the brother of Nasiruddin Patwari. He further wrote that Abbas is trying to seize the seat informally and reminded that Nasiruddin had contributed to Begum Zia’s release.

According to the report, Mirza Abbas is the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) nominated candidate and a senior member of its standing committee for Dhaka-8. Nasiruddin Patwari, the chief coordinator of the National Citizens Party (NCP), is contesting the same seat as part of an eleven-party alliance. On Tuesday, eggs were thrown at Patwari at Habibullah Bahar University College in Dhaka’s Shantinagar area.

The incident and Ammar’s remarks highlight growing tensions between political groups and candidates ahead of the contest for Dhaka-8.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman experienced an emotional moment on Tuesday while traveling from Mymensingh to Gazipur for an election rally. His motorcade stopped at the Seed Store area in Valuka, where a teenage girl approached him to express her desire to serve people through politics. She told Rahman that politics was in her blood and asked for his blessings to one day meet him again as a member of parliament.

According to eyewitnesses, Rahman personally opened the bus door and listened attentively to the girl. During the brief encounter, she presented him with a photograph of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, which Rahman accepted with appreciation and thanked her. His wife, Dr. Zubaida Rahman, was also present at the scene.

The girl said she had seen Rahman at the earlier rally but wanted to meet him in person, calling it a long-cherished dream. The meeting added a personal and emotional touch to Rahman’s campaign journey between the two rallies.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam has said that Bangladesh Police will demonstrate full professionalism, neutrality, and responsibility during the upcoming national parliamentary elections. He made the remarks on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, while addressing the 27th BCS (Police) batch ASP probationers at the 'Hall of Integrity' in the Police Headquarters. The probationers were initially selected in 2008, and their appointments were recently finalized after a long delay.

The IGP stated that the police force stands at a critical juncture, working tirelessly to boost morale and restore public confidence. He described the probationers’ appointments as a symbol of rightful recognition rather than mere personal success. Emphasizing the changing nature of policing, he noted that intelligence, global awareness, and technological adaptability are now essential to address cybercrime and social media influence.

Baharul Alam urged the new officers to maintain discipline, punctuality, and strict adherence to regulations during their training at the Bangladesh Police Academy. Senior police officials, including several Additional IGPs, were present at the event.

The Bangladesh Army has found no evidence of a reported cocktail explosion during the election campaign of BNP candidate Ershad Ullah in Boalkhali, Chattogram. After inspecting the site, collecting evidence, and analyzing CCTV footage, the army concluded that the sound initially described as a blast was actually from a small firecracker or ‘chocolate bomb’. Major Md. Rasel, commander of the Boalkhali army camp, confirmed that no explosive residue or aftershock was detected at the scene.

The investigation reviewed four CCTV recordings, which showed a low-intensity sound inconsistent with a cocktail explosion. Although one person’s movements appeared suspicious, neither BNP nor Jamaat leaders could identify him. The army’s findings also cleared those previously accused, including a Jamaat activist whom BNP had blamed for the alleged attack. Footage showed that the accused was sitting at a nearby tea stall when the sound occurred and later ran toward the site with others.

The incident, which took place Monday evening near Purba Kadhurkhil High School, had sparked political tension in Chattogram-8. The army’s investigation determined it was a misunderstanding rather than an explosion.

Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) Vice President Sadiq Kayem has alleged that administrative bias and inaction led to a violent attack on Nasiruddin Patwari, the 11-party alliance candidate for the Dhaka-8 parliamentary seat. In a Facebook post on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, he claimed that instead of ensuring law and order, the administration was effectively working in favor of a particular political party.

Kayem stated that a planned effort was underway across the country to create a conflict-ridden environment ahead of the upcoming election. He cited continuous attacks on female Jamaat activists, provocative incidents involving hijab, threats to opposition candidates, and violent behavior during campaigns as evidence of one party’s attempt to destabilize the political atmosphere. He also criticized parts of the media for allegedly taking sides and indirectly encouraging confrontational politics.

Referring to the attack, Kayem said at least 13 Islami Chhatra Shibir activists were seriously injured and described the incident as a direct threat to Bangladesh’s democratic transition. He urged students and citizens to unite against violence and extortion and called for a “yes” vote in the upcoming referendum to build a just and safe Bangladesh.