The Election Commission (EC) has issued separate show-cause notices to Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP), and Nasiruddin Patwari, the NCP candidate for Dhaka-8 constituency, for alleged violations of the electoral code of conduct ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election. The notices, signed by Returning Officer and Dhaka Divisional Commissioner Sharaf Uddin Ahmad Chowdhury on Sunday, January 18, 2026, cited the display of large color billboards in Dhaka-11 and Dhaka-8 constituencies featuring campaign slogans and candidate images.

According to the EC, the actions contravened Rule 18 of the Political Party and Candidate Conduct Rules 2025, which prohibits any form of election campaigning more than three weeks before the polling date. The candidates were instructed to remove all billboards by 9:30 a.m. on January 19 and to submit written explanations by 11:00 a.m. the same day at the Returning Officer’s office.

The 13th National Parliamentary Election and referendum are scheduled to be held on February 12, 2026, under the supervision of the Election Commission.

The Election Commission has validated the nomination of Sharaf Uddin Azad Sohel, vice-president of Ramgati Upazila Awami League, as an independent candidate for the 13th National Parliamentary Election in the Lakshmipur-4 (Ramgati-Kamalnagar) constituency. His nomination was initially rejected by the district returning officer, S.M. Mehedi Hasan, due to inconsistencies in one percent of voter slips. Following an appeal, the Chief Election Commission found the voter support authentic and reinstated his candidacy.

The decision has sparked anger among July Movement activists and local BNP members, who accused Sohel of past involvement in violence, vote manipulation, and misuse of political influence. July Mancha’s joint convener Abdus Sobhan alleged that Sohel led attacks on students and citizens during the July movement and used his loyalists to intimidate opponents. BNP leaders claimed his supporters vandalized their offices and destroyed posters of party leaders.

Assistant Returning Officer Nilufa Yasmin Nipa confirmed that Sohel collected his nomination form locally but submitted it at the district level, and attempts to contact the district returning officer for comment were unsuccessful.

The Rural Electrification Board (REB) will distribute leaflets titled 'Yes' to its 37.2 million customers ahead of the upcoming referendum. The announcement was made on Sunday, January 18, during a meeting between REB Chairman Major General S M Ziaul Alam and Professor Ali Riaz, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser, at the latter’s office. Special Assistant Monir Haidar was also present at the meeting.

According to a press release issued by Senior Information Officer Mahbubur Rahman Tuhin from the Department of Information, the leaflets will promote support for change in the forthcoming referendum. The initiative reflects REB’s involvement in disseminating information related to the national vote.

No further details were provided regarding the distribution timeline or the specific content of the leaflets beyond their title and purpose.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A.M.M. Nasir Uddin stated that no bias was shown during the appeal hearings against decisions made by returning officers. He made the remarks on Sunday, January 18, 2026, at the Election Building after nine consecutive days of hearings. The CEC emphasized that the Election Commission had also waived the requirement for independent candidates to gather signatures from one percent of voters, aiming to ensure broader participation in the upcoming election.

Nasir Uddin acknowledged that some might criticize the Commission’s decisions but reiterated that all judgments were made impartially by him and his team. He expressed appreciation for the cooperation received during the hearings and hoped for continued support in the future. Election Commissioner Abul Fazl Md. Sanaullah added that the Commission reluctantly allowed some loan defaulters to contest, as permitted by law.

The CEC’s remarks highlight the Commission’s intent to promote inclusivity and transparency in the electoral process while addressing concerns about fairness and legal compliance.

BNP Chairperson’s adviser and chief coordinator of the Dhaka-17 election campaign committee, Bir Muktijoddha Abdus Salam, has said that the upcoming election is not merely a political contest but a decisive event for restoring democracy and determining the country’s future. He made the remarks on Sunday at the campaign headquarters in Banani during a meeting with the Bangladesh Nationalist Cooperative Party.

During the event, Salam urged party activists to fulfill their assigned responsibilities properly, emphasizing that only through dedicated work could they ensure the election of their leader, Tarique Rahman. He also called on all campaigners in Dhaka-17 to strengthen their efforts and act responsibly in the run-up to the polls.

The meeting was attended by BNP Chairperson’s adviser Nazimuddin Alam, assistant information secretary Shamimur Rahman, Nur Afroze Jyoti, Bir Muktijoddha Lutfur Rahman, and other party leaders and activists.

At a Sunday morning dialogue titled 'Judicial Independence and Rule of Law' organized by the Center for Governance Studies at Sirdap Auditorium in Dhaka, International Crimes Tribunal Chief Prosecutor Tazul Islam cautioned against using the term 'mob' to describe revolutionary movements. He said that equating the fall of Bastille with street looters would be inappropriate and warned that any attempt to subtly question the legitimacy of the recent revolution would be unacceptable. He emphasized that while criminal acts must be suppressed firmly, efforts to undermine revolutionary achievements should not be tolerated.

After delivering his remarks, Tazul Islam left the event. Following his departure, Ruhin Hossain Prince, former general secretary of the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), described the Chief Prosecutor’s comments as a 'threat'. Prince argued that advocating for the rule of law while simultaneously inciting mobs was contradictory and unacceptable in Bangladesh.

The exchange highlighted differing interpretations of the revolution’s portrayal and the boundaries of acceptable political discourse in the context of Bangladesh’s evolving governance landscape.

The Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) and Executive Magistrate of Sarail, Abu Bakar Sarkar, has filed a petition with the Senior Civil Judge Court seeking legal action against Barrister Rumin Farhana, an independent candidate for the Brahmanbaria-2 constituency. The petition, submitted on January 18, 2026, alleges that a public meeting was organized in support of Rumin Farhana in violation of the electoral code of conduct.

According to the petition, the event organizer, Jewel Mia, was fined 40,000 taka by an Executive Magistrate from the District Commissioner’s office. The complaint also accuses Rumin Farhana of threatening an on-duty Executive Magistrate and obstructing judicial proceedings, which were described as clear breaches of election regulations. The UNO requested the court to take necessary legal measures in response.

The UNO further stated that earlier, on January 11, 2026, Rumin Farhana’s supporter Ashiqur Rahman had been fined 5,000 taka for a similar violation of the electoral code.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher has alleged that the country’s administration is gradually leaning toward a specific political party. Speaking to journalists on Sunday night, January 18, 2026, after a meeting with Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus at the state guesthouse Jamuna, he warned that if this trend continues, public confidence in a free and fair election will erode. He also said the Election Commission would not be able to avoid responsibility if the principle of equality in the electoral field is violated.

Dr. Taher claimed that administrative officials across the country are showing visible bias toward the BNP, particularly among SPs and DCs who are also serving as returning officers. He said Jamaat has prepared a list of such officials but has not yet filed a written complaint. He further alleged that the government’s recent provision of extra security and protocol for a top leader of one party breaches electoral neutrality.

Taher stated that Jamaat has drawn the Chief Adviser’s attention to these issues and requested his intervention if the Election Commission fails to act effectively.

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen paid a courtesy call on National Security Adviser Dr. Khilur Rahman on Sunday at the Chief Adviser’s Office in Dhaka. According to the press wing, the meeting took place in a cordial atmosphere and covered discussions on the integrated management and restoration of the Teesta River and the proposed Bangladesh-China Friendship Hospital.

Both sides exchanged views on issues of mutual interest and reaffirmed the long-standing friendship and development cooperation between Bangladesh and China. The Chinese ambassador stated that he would visit the Teesta project area and reiterated China’s commitment to completing the ongoing technical assessment quickly. He also conveyed his government’s continued support for Bangladesh’s democratic transition and extended best wishes for the upcoming national election.

The two parties expressed satisfaction with the positive progress in bilateral relations and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation for mutual benefit.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has questioned the transparency of several activities of the Election Commission (EC), alleging that the commission has shown bias in many cases. He warned that such behavior could hinder a fair election but expressed optimism that a credible election is still possible under the current commission if existing flaws are quickly resolved. Fakhrul made these remarks after meeting the Chief Election Commissioner on Sunday, January 18, at 4:45 p.m.

He claimed that the postal ballots sent to voters were faulty and designed to favor a particular party, demanding immediate supply of correct symbol-marked ballot papers. Fakhrul also criticized the collection of voters’ NID, mobile, and bKash numbers, expressing doubts about the purpose behind it. He alleged that campaign rules were being violated through one-sided promotion and that voter transfers in parts of Dhaka were being done deliberately.

Calling on the EC to act, Fakhrul urged investigations against biased officials and demanded equal opportunities for all parties. He reiterated that a fair election is possible if the commission identifies and corrects its shortcomings and proves its neutrality.

The Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives has temporarily suspended Md. Saidur Rahman Bhuiyan, chairman of Lengura Union Parishad in Netrokona’s Kalmakanda upazila. The order, issued on Sunday, stated that Bhuiyan obstructed the activities of an executive magistrate and committed contempt of court during official proceedings, which constituted misuse of power and misconduct under local government law.

According to the report, the incident occurred when Bhuiyan became involved in an argument with Kalmakanda Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Masudur Rahman. The dispute arose at Lengura Bazar after the UNO detained Bhuiyan’s brother, Md. Parvez, during the construction of a market on government land. A video of the altercation later circulated on social media.

The suspension order emphasized that Bhuiyan’s actions were inconsistent with the responsibilities of an elected representative and violated administrative discipline.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said that a US military attack on Greenland would make Russian President Vladimir Putin the happiest man in the world and signal the death knell for NATO. He made the remarks in an interview published Sunday in the Spanish newspaper La Vanguardia, according to Reuters. Sánchez argued that any US military action against Denmark’s vast Arctic island would damage NATO and legitimize Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The comments came after former US President Donald Trump shifted his stance on Greenland, pledging to raise tariffs on European allies until the United States is allowed to purchase the island. In a Truth Social post, Trump announced that starting February 1, a 10 percent import tariff would apply to goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland, and Great Britain, rising to 25 percent on June 1 if no purchase deal is reached. Danish and Greenlandic leaders have reiterated that the island is not for sale and that they do not wish to become part of the United States.

Sánchez’s warning underscores growing tensions between Washington and European allies over Greenland and NATO’s unity amid global geopolitical strains.

Daksu Vice President Sadiq Kayem has alleged that a student organization is attempting to stop the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) Central Student Union (ShakSU) election, scheduled for January 20. In a Facebook post on January 18, he warned that the student community would not accept any effort to halt the election through force. He urged the Election Commission and university administration not to yield to any threats or pressure and to ensure a fair and impartial election on time.

The post further stated that the alleged attempt was being made to serve the agenda of the organization’s parent body. Kayem emphasized that any move to curtail students’ democratic rights after the July Revolution would be resisted. Meanwhile, an independent candidate, Mominur Rashid Shubho, has filed a petition with the High Court seeking to postpone both the ShakSU and hall union elections.

The Election Commission has extended the campaign period for participating candidates by 12 hours, while the ShakSU election remains set for January 20.

The Ministry of Education has finalized a decision to divide the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) into two separate directorates. The decision was made on Sunday during an inter-ministerial meeting held at the ministry’s conference room. According to the plan, secondary-level education will fall under a new Directorate of Secondary Education, while college-level education will be managed by a Directorate of Higher Education or Directorate of Higher Education and Research. An eight-member committee has been formed to develop a strong institutional organogram for the new structure.

An official present at the meeting, who requested anonymity, said that each of the two directorates will have a Director General and additional Director General positions, though the number of additional posts has not yet been determined. Another committee will finalize the full staffing structure and submit it to the Cabinet Division, which will issue a circular to implement the separation. The meeting was attended by Rehana Parveen, Secretary of the Secondary and Higher Education Division, along with officials from the Education, Finance, Cabinet, and Public Administration ministries.

Once the Cabinet Division issues the circular, the two directorates will officially begin operating separately.

Mufti Amir Hamza, the Jamaat-e-Islami candidate for the Kushtia-3 (Sadar) parliamentary seat, has claimed that he has been receiving death threats from various sources. He made the statement on Sunday through a post on his personal Facebook account, saying he has been threatened since the previous day and that he is always prepared for death.

In recent days, an old video of Amir Hamza’s speech at a religious gathering has gone viral on social media. In that video, he was seen distorting the name of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia’s younger son, Arafat Rahman Koko, and comparing it to an animal’s name. The resurfaced clip sparked political tension, and the Kushtia district unit of the BNP publicly protested his remarks.

Following the backlash, Amir Hamza posted an apology on Facebook late Friday night, expressing regret over his earlier comments.