Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman posted a message on his Facebook page on Tuesday night calling on all concerned to refrain from any activities that could disrupt the voting environment in Dhaka-15 constituency. He expressed hope that good sense would prevail among those involved.

Earlier, a clash broke out between activists of Jamaat-e-Islami and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in front of Al Mobarak Mosque in Pirerbag under Mirpur Model Police Station during leaflet distribution for the upcoming national election. At least 16 people were initially reported injured. The army and police quickly arrived at the scene and brought the situation under control.

Following the incident, Jamaat activists held a protest and rally demanding the immediate arrest and exemplary punishment of the attackers. The procession started in front of Pirerbag Paka Mosque and ended at Barek Molla Mor with a gathering attended by several local Jamaat leaders.

BNP Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas advised leaders of the National Citizen Party (NCP) to learn politics and focus on the country’s development. He made the remarks on Tuesday at a discussion meeting held at the Diploma Engineers Institution auditorium in Dhaka. Abbas said young leaders should avoid wrongdoing and that his party would support them if they engage in positive political activities.

Referring to the post-liberation period, Abbas stated that after the war, his generation returned to studies and work without seeking ministerial positions, unlike what he described as greed among some current leaders. He contrasted the roles of freedom fighters and those who fought to remove oppressive forces, asserting that his generation had also overthrown autocratic regimes in the past.

Abbas further emphasized his lifelong commitment to protecting Bangladesh’s independence and sovereignty, vowing not to let the country fall into the hands of deceivers or opportunists.

Dhaka city north unit of Jamaat-e-Islami held a protest rally in Mirpur on Tuesday night demanding the immediate arrest and exemplary punishment of those who carried out an armed attack on its activists. The rally followed an alleged assault that occurred when Jamaat members were leaving a mosque after Maghrib prayers. Shah Alam Tuhin, a member of the party’s Dhaka north executive committee, accused BNP and Jubo Dal activists of launching the attack and called on authorities to ensure justice.

The protest march began in front of Pirerbag Paka Mosque and ended at Barek Molla Mor with a gathering attended by several local Jamaat leaders. Tuhin alleged that the attackers acted out of political desperation and that law enforcement failed to act impartially. He claimed that even female Jamaat activists were assaulted and criticized the government for not taking effective measures to stop such violence.

Jamaat’s Dhaka north unit announced another protest march for Wednesday morning at Barek Molla Mor to condemn the attack and the reported harassment of female activists.

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 is set to deliver its order today on whether to frame charges against Sajib Wazed Joy, son of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her ICT adviser, and former state minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak. The prosecution has accused them of crimes against humanity during the so-called July Revolution, including shutting down the internet and inciting violence. Palak will be produced before the tribunal from prison for the hearing.

Earlier, defense lawyers Liton Ahmed and Munjur Alam argued that the prosecution failed to present sufficient evidence and sought discharge for their clients. Prosecutor Gazi M H Tamim countered that the charges were based on credible evidence and requested the court to proceed with the trial. The prosecution has brought three charges, including allegations of incitement through social media posts, ordering internet shutdowns, and aiding killings in Dhaka and Uttara.

Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam read out the charges on January 11 and formally requested the tribunal to frame charges against both accused. The tribunal’s decision today will determine whether the trial moves forward.

Bangladesh’s young generation, credited with toppling former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in 2024, is now expected to play a decisive role in the country’s upcoming national election on February 12. The vote, described by European Union observers as the “biggest democratic process in 2026, anywhere,” will be the first since the July 2024 uprising that forced Hasina to flee to India after a violent crackdown left up to 1,400 people dead. Many first-time voters, such as 27-year-old Rafiul Alam from Dhaka, say they are eager to participate after years of political disillusionment.

According to the Election Commission, nearly 56 million of Bangladesh’s 127 million registered voters are aged between 18 and 37, representing about 44 percent of the electorate. Analysts say this group’s shared distrust of institutions and demand for accountability could redefine the political landscape. The interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has barred the Awami League from contesting, leaving the field to two main coalitions led by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and Jamaat-e-Islami.

However, divisions have emerged within youth-led movements such as the National Citizen Party, whose alliance with Jamaat has drawn criticism from protest leaders. Women’s representation also remains low, with only 4.24 percent of candidates being female, raising concerns about the depth of political reform.

Two Awami League leaders, Azam Pasha Chowdhury Rumel and Advocate Saif Uddin Ahmed, allegedly arranged a family gathering known as a 'beyakhana' inside the women’s lockup of the Noakhali Chief Judicial Magistrate Court on Monday, January 19. The event reportedly took place with the cooperation of on-duty police officers while both leaders were brought to court for hearings. A video of the incident has surfaced, showing family members present inside the restricted area.

According to court sources, both leaders are long-term detainees in Noakhali District Jail facing multiple murder and explosives-related cases. The gathering followed the recent marriage between Rumel’s daughter and Ahmed’s son, which took place on December 30. Police officials confirmed that the lockup is normally used for female detainees’ basic needs, not for family events.

Following reports of the incident, a three-member investigation committee was formed under Additional Superintendent of Police (Administration and Finance) Abu Tayeb Md Arif Hossain. The committee has been instructed to submit its report within seven working days, after which internal disciplinary action may be taken.

The government of Bangladesh has approved a special allocation of Tk 71.98 crore to install CCTV cameras at 21,946 highly important and high-risk polling centers across the country ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election and referendum. The announcement was made by Deputy Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser, Abul Kalam Azad Majumder, following the 119th meeting of the National Implementation Committee on Administrative Reorganization (NIKAR) held at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka.

According to Majumder, out of approximately 42,000 polling centers nationwide, 6,552 already have CCTV cameras, while new installations are underway at the rest. Each high-risk center will receive at least six cameras under the special allocation, while other centers will be covered through local administrative and city corporation funding. The installation process has started in all districts, with Gazipur district nearing completion. Additionally, 299 polling centers without electricity will be equipped with solar power or generator backup to ensure uninterrupted power supply on election day.

The briefing also discussed improving law enforcement in Dhaka amid rapid urban growth and reviewed possible administrative restructuring of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police, though no final decision was reached.

Mehedi Hasan Himel, convener of Jagannath University (JNU) Chhatra Dal, issued a stern warning on Tuesday evening, January 20, through a Facebook post emphasizing politeness, tolerance, and healthy student politics. He stated that while his organization had long endured controversial activities from other student groups with patience, any further crossing of limits would lead to severe consequences. Himel warned that those who overstep boundaries would not be able to stay anywhere in Dhaka, neither on campus nor at home.

In his post, Himel described Jagannath University as an emotional space for Chhatra Dal, founded by Begum Khaleda Zia, and said the group had shown restraint to maintain a peaceful educational environment. His remarks came after Ibrahim Khalil, organizational secretary of JNU Shibir, accused the authorities of halting the Shaksu election to arrange a BNP rally in Sylhet and called for a blockade in protest. That statement sparked criticism among Chhatra Dal activists nationwide.

Himel further warned that any organization under the influence of Chhatra League making provocative comments would not be spared, triggering renewed debate in campus politics.

The ‘Vote Rickshaw’ campaign was inaugurated in Sylhet as part of nationwide publicity for the upcoming referendum and the 13th National Parliamentary Election scheduled for February 12. The event, organized by the Sylhet District Information Office, was virtually inaugurated by Md. Abdul Jalil, Director General of the Department of Mass Communication, at the Sadar Upazila Parishad premises on Tuesday. The initiative is being implemented under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting with the support of the Department of Mass Communication.

According to officials, the campaign aims to raise public awareness about the referendum and encourage voter participation. Abdul Jalil stated that the program will expand across all eight divisions, 64 districts, 495 upazilas, and 4,579 unions nationwide. Sadar Upazila Executive Officer Khoshnur Rubaiyat emphasized that the dual voting process—covering both the national election and the referendum—requires citizens to be well-informed. The referendum seeks to ensure the proper implementation of the July Charter based on public opinion.

In Sylhet, the campaign will run across 13 upazilas and 106 unions until February 9, with participation from local officials and media representatives.

Brigadier General (Retd.) Dr. M Sakhawat Hossain, Adviser on Shipping and Labour and Employment, has called on citizens to vote 'Yes' in the upcoming Referendum 2026, describing it as a historic opportunity in Bangladesh’s democratic journey. Speaking on Tuesday, January 20, at a campaign discussion organized by the Panchagarh District Administration at the Panchagarh Government Auditorium, he said the referendum would allow people to directly express their opinions on key state matters and strengthen participatory, transparent, and accountable governance.

He emphasized that the referendum is not merely a formal process but a reflection of the people’s sovereign power. Hossain warned that if the 'No' side wins, the nation could lose the opportunity gained through the July mass uprising. He urged citizens to vote 'Yes' to ensure true empowerment and liberation from past autocratic practices.

The adviser also stressed the importance of public awareness and responsible, fact-based campaigning to ensure the referendum’s success. He assured that the process would follow a clear legal and constitutional framework with transparency and neutrality at every stage.

Iranian authorities have issued a three-day ultimatum for citizens involved in recent anti-government protests to surrender. National Police Chief Ahmad-Reza Radan announced on state television that those who participated in what the government calls “riots” would be treated leniently if they turn themselves in within the given timeframe. He described the young participants as “deceived individuals” rather than enemy soldiers and said the Islamic Republic would show flexibility toward them.

The protests, which began in late December over economic hardship, quickly evolved into one of the biggest challenges to Iran’s leadership. Human rights organizations claim thousands were killed during violent crackdowns, while Iranian officials argue that the initially peaceful demonstrations were later fueled by the United States and Israel to destabilize the country. Tasnim News Agency reported around 3,000 arrests, though rights groups estimate the number could reach 20,000.

The ultimatum follows a stern warning from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who urged authorities to crush “traitors” and ensure no domestic or foreign offenders escape punishment, further intensifying Iran’s political and social unrest.

A Dhaka court has denied permission for Moazzem Hossain, former assistant personal secretary (APS) to interim government adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, to travel to Thailand for medical treatment. The order was issued on Tuesday by Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge (Senior Special Judge) Md Sabbir Foyez, confirmed by the court’s bench assistant Riaz Hossain. Moazzem had sought permission to travel abroad citing spinal cord injuries and a scheduled medical appointment in Thailand on February 15.

In his petition, Moazzem claimed he was falsely implicated in a case to harass him and asserted that he was not involved in any unlawful or anti-state activities. His lawyer, Md Raihan, told the court that Moazzem suffered a spinal injury causing fluid leakage and required specialized treatment abroad. Despite these arguments, the court rejected the application after hearing.

The same court had earlier, on May 24 of the previous year, blocked Moazzem’s national identity card and imposed a travel ban against him in connection with a corruption allegation.

Khelafat Majlis has withdrawn more than fifty of its seventy-two approved candidates on the final day of withdrawal for Bangladesh’s 13th national parliamentary election. The withdrawals were made Tuesday under central directives as part of seat-sharing arrangements within the ten-party alliance. Party candidates submitted their withdrawal letters to district returning offices, accompanied by alliance partners and local leaders.

According to the party’s joint secretary general Abdul Jalil, twenty candidates remain in the race. Of these, eleven are single candidates under the alliance agreement, while nine others are contesting in open seats alongside other allied nominees. A party press release stated that Khelafat Majlis had initially nominated candidates in 258 constituencies before reducing the number to 74 after seat adjustments with partners. The latest withdrawals were described as a move to preserve unity among Islamist and nationalist forces.

The remaining Khelafat Majlis candidates will contest under the ten-party alliance symbol, the wall clock, in the upcoming election.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M M Nasir Uddin said that if Bangladesh’s postal ballot project succeeds, it will brighten the country’s image worldwide. He made the remarks on Tuesday, January 20, at the Election Building auditorium after briefing political parties on the voting process through the postal ballot app.

The CEC explained that the initiative is unprecedented and involves significant risks and challenges. He noted that expatriates from 122 countries have registered to vote by postal ballot, each with different postal systems and regulations, making coordination a major challenge. Nasir Uddin thanked the media for their cooperation and urged continued support to ensure the project’s success. He acknowledged that misunderstandings may occur but emphasized that transparency and communication can resolve confusion.

He added that the Election Commission has introduced systems for voting from prisons and for people working away from their constituencies, which had never been attempted before. The CEC expressed optimism that with collective effort, the postal ballot project could become a milestone for Bangladesh and earn international recognition.

Dr. Mahamuda Mitu, the central joint member secretary of the National Citizen Party (NCP), has decided not to contest the election from the Jhalakathi-1 constituency. On Tuesday, she formally withdrew her nomination papers and announced her support for Jamaat alliance candidate Faizul Haque. The announcement was made through a Facebook post on Tuesday evening, where she confirmed her decision to step aside in line with her party’s directive.

In her post, Dr. Mitu expressed gratitude for the party’s decision and urged her supporters in the Kathalia-Rajapur area to stand by Faizul Haque. She also stated that she would actively participate in the election campaign for the Jamaat alliance in Jhalakathi-1. Calling on voters to support the alliance’s symbol, she reaffirmed her commitment to remain engaged throughout the campaign period.

The withdrawal and endorsement mark a shift in local electoral dynamics, as Dr. Mitu’s participation in Jamaat’s campaign could influence voter alignment in the constituency.