Barrister Arman, son of executed war crimes convict Mir Quasem Ali, testified before International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Wednesday as the first witness in a case concerning enforced disappearance and torture at the Rapid Action Battalion’s Taskforce for Interrogation (TFI) cell. He alleged that on August 9, 2016, armed men abducted him from his home and held him in secret detention for eight years. During his confinement, he was blindfolded, handcuffed, and subjected to severe physical and psychological abuse. Arman said his weight was measured upon arrival, and he was told later that he had narrowly escaped execution.

His testimony implicated former prime minister Hasina and 12 current and former army officers among 17 accused in the case. Arman described the TFI cell conditions, identifying it as part of the RAB-1 compound under the RAB Intelligence Wing. He recounted being kept in a damp cell, hearing other detainees’ screams, and suffering from illness and suspected poisoning. He said he was eventually released near Uttara’s Diabari area after years of captivity.

The tribunal, chaired by Golam Mortuza Mojumdar, recorded his statement as part of ongoing proceedings into alleged abductions and torture under the previous government.

National Citizen Party (NCP) member secretary Akhtar Hossain said on Wednesday in Rangpur that the Jatiya Party has exposed its fascist nature through its 'No' vote campaign. Speaking to reporters after receiving his election symbol for the Rangpur-4 constituency, he claimed that the public would not support the 'No' campaign but would instead reject the Jatiya Party itself. He described the party as authoritarian and accused it of opposing reforms to the existing state structure.

Hossain expressed concern over the country's deteriorating law and order situation, citing recent incidents involving the death of a Rapid Action Battalion member and casualties in Mirpur. He urged the government and the Election Commission to ensure the safety of candidates and voters during the campaign period. Referring to past elections, he alleged that ordinary citizens had faced repression and manipulation, and called for decisive government action to prevent illegal arms and violence.

Highlighting the importance of the upcoming referendum, Hossain said the NCP and its allies were campaigning for a 'Yes' vote to implement reforms outlined in the July Charter. He urged citizens to support participatory governance and reject authoritarianism.

Rifaat al-Assad, the exiled uncle of former Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad, has died in the United Arab Emirates at the age of 88, according to media reports citing Reuters. He was the brother of the late Syrian president Hafez al-Assad. Rifaat became infamous for leading forces that crushed an Islamist uprising in the central Syrian city of Hama in 1982, an operation that involved airstrikes and shelling and reportedly killed around 37,000 people. The brutality of that campaign earned him the nickname “Butcher of Hama.”

Following the Hama crackdown, Rifaat attempted a failed coup against his brother Hafez, which forced him into exile. He spent many years in France, where he faced charges of embezzling Syrian state funds. In 2020, a French court sentenced him to four years in prison and ordered the confiscation of his assets. After the verdict was upheld in 2022, Rifaat returned to Syria.

In December 2024, after Bashar al-Assad was deposed, Rifaat fled Syria again, traveling through Lebanon to Dubai, where he later died.

BNP Standing Committee member and Bhola-3 parliamentary candidate Major (Retd.) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed Bir Bikram said that the next Bangladesh will be a country of communal harmony and strong democracy. He made the remarks on Wednesday afternoon at a meeting with the Hindu community held in the courtyard of the Sri Sri Madan Mohan Jiu Temple in Lalmohan municipality of Bhola.

During the event, Major Hafiz criticized the Awami League’s 16-year rule, alleging that elections during that period were a mockery. He stated that the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election, scheduled for February 12, would firmly establish democracy in Bangladesh. He urged all citizens to go to the polling centers and vote for candidates who would lead the country toward happiness and prosperity.

The meeting was presided over by temple president Nirab Kumar Dey and attended by local BNP leaders, including the presidents and general secretaries of the Lalmohan upazila and municipal BNP units, along with party activists.

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam announced that Bangladesh’s national parliamentary election will be held on February 12 across all 300 constituencies. He made the statement at a press briefing at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka on January 21. The Election Commission confirmed that complexities regarding Pabna-1 and Pabna-2 constituencies have been resolved, allowing voting in all seats. Ballot paper printing is scheduled to begin at midnight on January 21.

According to the press secretary, the government held a high-level emergency meeting led by the Chief Adviser to review election security. The Chief Adviser instructed authorities to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply during voting and to recover stolen weapons. Law enforcement will use 25,500 body-worn cameras linked to a security app for quick response. Around 150,000 police, 100,000 army personnel, and members from other forces including Navy, Air Force, Ansar, BGB, RAB, and Fire Service will be deployed, along with 500 drones.

A total of 1,842 valid candidates will contest the election. Sixty-nine returning officers, 657 judicial magistrates, and 1,047 executive magistrates will oversee the process, coordinated through the “Election Security” app.

Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir organized a protest march in Feni on Wednesday to oppose the suspension of the ShakSU election. The demonstration, arranged by the organization’s Feni city branch, began in front of the central Jame Mosque and proceeded through Doel Square on Trunk Road and the Model Police Station area before concluding with a gathering at the Shaheed Minar.

During the event, leaders from the district and city branches of Chhatra Shibir delivered brief speeches. They demanded the immediate implementation of the ShakSU election, expressing dissatisfaction over its postponement.

The protest reflected the organization’s continued call for student representation through the ShakSU body, though no official response to their demand was mentioned in the report.

NCP member secretary Akhtar Hossain has called for ensuring the safety of all candidates during the election campaign, warning that no one should face a fate similar to that of Hadi. He made the remarks on Wednesday at a press conference, referring to the recent killing of a RAB officer during an operation in Sitakunda’s Jungle Salimpur area, which he said reflected a deterioration in the country’s law and order situation.

Akhtar urged the government to take measures so that no illegal weapons remain in circulation, no conflicts occur, and no voters or candidates suffer harm. His comments came as political parties prepare for election activities under heightened security concerns.

The statement underscores growing anxiety over political violence and the need for stronger law enforcement to ensure a peaceful electoral environment.

Interim Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus said the government has entered a 'phased test' ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election and the referendum on the July National Charter. He made the remarks on Wednesday at a meeting held at the Chief Adviser’s Office in Tejgaon, Dhaka. Yunus stated that the process begins now and will conclude on February 12, emphasizing that the Election Commission’s directives are the highest authority and must be followed collectively.

During the meeting, the Chief Adviser said the Ministry of Home Affairs will play the lead role in maintaining law and order during the election period, expressing confidence that a fair election is possible under current conditions. Election Commission Secretary Akhtar Ahmed reported that 51 of 59 registered political parties will participate, and observers from 26 countries have been invited, with the European Union expected to send about 300 observers.

Army Chief Waker-Uz-Zaman informed that 3,619 weapons were looted during the August 2024 uprising, of which 2,259 have been recovered. Home Affairs Adviser Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury added that armed forces members will act as law enforcement and may enter polling centers if necessary.

Overseas Bangladeshi voters registered through the ‘Postal Vote BD’ app can begin casting their postal ballots from 5 p.m. on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, for the upcoming 13th National Parliament election and referendum. According to the Election Commission (EC), voters can follow the prescribed procedure on the commission’s website or the app to select candidates and symbols for their respective constituencies. Completed postal ballots must reach the returning officer’s office in Bangladesh by January 25.

The EC stated that the ‘Postal Vote BD’ mobile app includes necessary security features to prevent unauthorized voting and ensure full confidentiality of the voting process. Salim Ahmad Khan, team leader of the OCV-SDI project, said the commission has already sent postal ballots to 767,028 expatriate voters in 121 countries. In total, 1,533,683 voters have registered through the app for the election and referendum.

The initiative marks a significant step in enabling expatriate participation in Bangladesh’s electoral process through digital and postal means, with strict deadlines and security measures in place.

The press secretary to the chief adviser of the interim government, Shafiqul Alam, announced that the results of the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election may be delayed. He made the statement following a law and order meeting on election issues chaired by the chief adviser on Wednesday. Alam explained that the delay could occur because both the parliamentary election and a referendum will be held simultaneously, along with the counting of postal ballots.

According to the press secretary, several new measures have been introduced this year to ensure a thorough and accurate vote count, which may take additional time. He also confirmed that the election will be held in all 300 constituencies on February 12, and ballot paper printing will begin at midnight on January 21. The Election Commission secretary has resolved the complications regarding Pabna-1 and Pabna-2 constituencies, ensuring full participation across the country.

The announcement aims to preempt rumors that often arise when vote counting takes longer than expected, emphasizing transparency and procedural integrity in the upcoming election process.

Former state minister for information and member of Bangladesh’s constitution drafting committee, Professor Abu Sayeed, has officially joined the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). The announcement was made on Wednesday at the BNP chairperson’s political office in Gulshan, Dhaka, where he presented flowers to the party’s secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. A day earlier, Sayeed had met with BNP chairperson Tarique Rahman.

Professor Abu Sayeed previously served as a member of parliament from Pabna-1 in 1973 and 1996 and held the position of state minister for information under Sheikh Hasina’s government in 1996. Over the years, he contested elections under various political banners, including BAKSAL, Awami League, as an independent, and as a Gono Forum candidate in 2018.

Explaining his decision, Sayeed said that given the rise of extremism, he believes BNP is the only party that should be advanced. He also confirmed submitting his nomination papers as an independent candidate for the upcoming national election from Pabna-1, adding that he will remain in the race if the party instructs him to do so.

Students of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) have boycotted all classes and examinations in protest against the suspension of the university’s central student union (ShakSU) election. They announced that they would not participate in any academic activities until the Chamber Judge Court grants permission for the election to proceed. The boycott began on Tuesday night through separate statements issued by students from different departments, following continuous demonstrations and sit-in programs on campus.

At a press conference held on Wednesday noon in front of the central library building, student leaders expressed frustration over the postponement. Delowar Hasan Shishir, vice president candidate from a Shibir-supported panel, said that the election was supposed to be held the previous day but was halted after two candidates and one voter filed a writ petition in the High Court. He claimed this deprived about 9,000 students of their democratic voting rights and demanded a prompt ruling in favor of the students. Independent general secretary candidate Faisal Hossain urged the court to exempt the ShakSU election from restrictions related to the national election period.

Students warned that if the court does not rule in their favor, they will announce a complete campus shutdown.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has called for a fear-free and fair election that reflects public opinion and allows voters to cast ballots without intimidation. He made the remarks on Wednesday while visiting injured party activists at Ibn Sina Hospital in Dhaka’s Kalyanpur. According to Jamaat, sixteen of its activists were injured in two separate attacks allegedly carried out by BNP supporters in Mirpur’s Pirerbag area on Tuesday.

Rahman condemned the incidents, claiming that BNP members assaulted and detained female Jamaat activists before law enforcement intervened. He urged authorities to ensure equal opportunities for all parties and to take legal action against those involved in violence. He emphasized that no group has the right to create mobs or disrupt campaigns, and that political differences should be resolved through lawful and peaceful means.

The Jamaat chief reiterated his party’s commitment to a corruption-free and just society, urging all candidates to respect voters’ rights. He warned that any attempt to undermine citizens’ voting rights would be met with a strong response through the ballot box.

A total of 1,967 candidates will contest in Bangladesh’s upcoming parliamentary election after 305 contenders withdrew their nominations on the final day for withdrawal, according to the Election Commission. The Commission will allocate election symbols to candidates today, with registered parties receiving their official symbols and independents choosing from approved options. Campaigning will officially begin tomorrow and continue until the morning of February 10, ahead of the February 12 parliamentary election and national referendum, both to be held on the same day.

Among the remaining candidates are 290 from the BNP, 216 from Jamaat-e-Islami, 259 from Islami Andolan Bangladesh, 196 from Jatiya Party, 30 from the National Citizens Party, and 92 from Gano Adhikar Parishad. Over 300 independents are also contesting, including several BNP dissidents and expelled Awami League leader Abdul Latif Siddique. The election will feature 49 registered political parties, while 11 others, including the suspended Awami League, are not participating.

The government has launched extensive campaigns urging citizens to vote “yes” in the referendum. For the first time, expatriates and certain domestic voters can cast ballots via online postal registration, with more than 1.53 million already registered.

In the 13th parliamentary election, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami did not withdraw its nominations in two constituencies of Narsingdi district, despite a decision by the 10-party alliance it leads. The party’s candidates are district secretary general Upadhyaksha Amjad Hossain in Narsingdi-2 (Palash) and Shibpur upazila amir Mostafizur Rahman Kawsar in Narsingdi-3 (Shibpur). The alliance had nominated Golam Sarwar Tushar of the NCP for Narsingdi-2 and Maulana Rakibul Islam of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis for Narsingdi-3. January 20 was the final date for nomination withdrawal.

Jamaat candidates claimed they were fully prepared to comply with the party’s directive to withdraw but were prevented by local activists who locked their homes and confined them, making withdrawal impossible. Narsingdi district Jamaat’s publicity secretary Advocate Amirul Islam Amir confirmed that the party had instructed both candidates to withdraw but that leaders faced resistance from local activists when they tried to enforce the decision.

NCP activists expressed anger, accusing Jamaat of violating the alliance’s collective decision. The situation has created tension within the 10-party coalition over candidate coordination in Narsingdi.