The interim government of Bangladesh has recommended the withdrawal of 23,865 politically motivated cases filed against leaders and activists of several political parties, including BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, Hefazat-e-Islam, and Gano Adhikar Parishad. The announcement was made on Sunday through a press release signed by Dr. Md. Rezaul Karim, Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs. According to the statement, the decision could relieve nearly half a million people from such cases filed during the previous Awami government.

The press release stated that to review and recommend the withdrawal of these cases, the interim government formed two committees on September 22, 2024: a district-level committee led by the Deputy Commissioner and an inter-ministerial committee headed by Dr. Asif Nazrul, Adviser to the Ministry of Law. The committees invited applications from political parties seeking withdrawal of harassment cases filed between January 6, 2009, and August 5, 2024.

The inter-ministerial committee held 39 meetings to examine the applications and recommended the withdrawal of 23,865 cases. The process remains ongoing, according to the ministry’s statement.

Major (Retd.) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, a member of the BNP Standing Committee and the party’s nominated candidate for Bhola-3, said the interim government formed one and a half years ago has failed to deliver any development and described it as a weak administration. He made the remarks on Sunday, February 8, during his final campaign rally for the 13th National Parliamentary Election at the Tazumuddin Government Degree College field in Bhola.

Hafiz Uddin criticized the Awami League, accusing it of promoting a culture of criminal politics and alleging that the party sent a miscreant to campaign against him. He also criticized an Islamic political party for misleading voters by linking religious promises to voting symbols, saying that Jamaat-e-Islami has a long-standing habit of exploiting religion for political gain.

The rally was organized by the Tazumuddin Upazila BNP, chaired by Upazila BNP President Golam Mostafa Mintu and conducted by General Secretary Omar Asad Rintu. Several district and local BNP leaders also addressed the gathering.

The Ministry of Public Administration has issued a circular fixing office hours from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. during the upcoming holy month of Ramadan. The directive, released on Sunday by the ministry’s Regulation-6 branch, applies to all government, semi-government, autonomous, and semi-autonomous institutions across the country.

According to the circular, the schedule was set considering the times for Sehri and Iftar. It also states that banks, insurance companies, financial institutions, postal services, railways, hospitals, state-owned industries, factories, and other essential service providers may determine and follow their own office hours according to their respective laws and regulations. The Supreme Court will set working hours for itself and all subordinate courts.

The interim government’s advisory council had approved the proposal for Ramadan office hours on February 5. Depending on the sighting of the moon, the month of Ramadan is expected to begin on February 18 or 19.

The Election Commission of Bangladesh announced that expatriate voters registered through the 'Postal Vote BD' app must cast their votes by Tuesday midnight, Bangladesh time. Votes not submitted by 11:59 p.m. on that day will be considered invalid. The commission issued the directive on Sunday, urging registered voters who have not yet scanned the QR code printed on their ballot envelopes to do so before the deadline.

According to election official Salim Ahmad Khan, a total of 503,441 expatriate Bangladeshis have already voted in the upcoming parliamentary election and referendum, with 428,828 postal ballots having reached Bangladesh by mail. In addition to expatriates, election officials, government employees working outside their home constituencies, and voters in legal custody are also eligible to vote by postal ballot.

The commission stated that ballots submitted to post offices by Tuesday will reach returning offices on time. Only ballots arriving by 4:30 p.m. on February 12, the day of the election, will be counted; others will be invalidated.

The Bangladesh interim government has published a book titled 'Reform Book' summarizing major reform initiatives undertaken since August 2024. According to a press release from the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing issued on Saturday morning, the publication outlines sector-wise reforms implemented after the interim administration, led by Professor Muhammad Yunus, assumed office during a period of severe economic and institutional crisis following the July uprising.

The press release stated that the government enacted around 130 new or amended laws and took over 600 executive decisions within 18 months, with about 84 percent of reforms already implemented. Key measures include strengthening banking oversight, restoring judicial independence, and ensuring media freedom. The government also reported progress in foreign relations, including tariff reductions with the United States, duty-free access for over 7,400 products to Japan, and renewed cooperation with China and India.

The statement described these reforms as the first step toward a new governance system, acknowledging that reversing 16 years of authoritarian damage cannot be achieved in 18 months but asserting that Bangladesh has moved decisively away from authoritarian rule.

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Bangladesh has announced a 34-point election manifesto ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election. The declaration was made on Sunday afternoon at the party’s central office in Purana Paltan, Dhaka, by senior vice president and election monitoring cell convener Maulana Abdur Rob Yousufi. The event was presided over by vice president Maulana Najmul Hasan Kasemi and attended by several senior party leaders.

The manifesto prioritizes Islamic values, social justice, good governance, a corruption-free state system, educational and economic reforms, religious freedom, and the protection of national sovereignty. Yousufi described the manifesto as a realistic framework to prevent moral decline, ensure citizens’ rights, and build a welfare state based on justice. Key pledges include improving Islamic education, ensuring justice, controlling commodity prices, creating employment, and strengthening national unity.

The manifesto also emphasizes providing all adult citizens with phased self-defense and basic military training to prepare them to act as guardians of independence during national crises. Party leaders called on citizens to unite behind the manifesto and support the party in the upcoming election.

The government has imposed nationwide restrictions on vehicle movement ahead of the national parliamentary election and referendum. According to a circular issued on February 1 by the Road Transport and Highways Division, taxi cabs, pickups, microbuses, and trucks will be prohibited from operating for 24 hours starting midnight on February 11 until midnight on February 12, the day of voting. Additionally, motorcycle movement will be completely banned for 72 hours from midnight on February 10 to midnight on February 13.

The circular states that exemptions will apply for essential services and election-related activities. Law enforcement, armed forces, administration, and accredited election observers will not be subject to the ban. Vehicles carrying emergency services, medicines, essential goods, and newspapers will be allowed to operate. Special allowances are also provided for outbound and returning air passengers, candidates, election agents, journalists, and telecommunications service vehicles under specific conditions.

Authorities have been instructed to maintain normal traffic flow on national highways, ports, and key inter-district routes to prevent communication breakdowns. District magistrates and metropolitan police commissioners may tighten or relax the restrictions based on local circumstances.

Major General Abdul Motaleb Sajjad Mahmud, Director General of the Ansar and Village Defence Force, has warned that no negligence or bias will be tolerated during the upcoming national election. Speaking to Ansar members at the district stadium in Chattogram on Sunday morning, he said that anyone failing to perform duties properly would face strict action, including possible imprisonment for biased behavior.

He instructed all members to carry out their responsibilities with dedication, emphasizing that their duty extends beyond maintaining law and order to ensuring a fair voting environment. The Director General made it clear that any failure to uphold these responsibilities would not be accepted.

Deputy Director General Dr. Saifur Rahman and Chattogram District Commandant Mostak Ahmad were present at the event, which focused on reinforcing discipline and neutrality among Ansar personnel ahead of the election.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has urged citizens not to believe or spread rumors circulating on social media about the postponement of the upcoming referendum and the 13th National Parliamentary Election. The call was made in a press release signed by EC Director of Public Relations Md. Ruhul Amin Mallik on Sunday.

According to the statement, some individuals have been spreading misinformation online claiming that the elections would be delayed. The EC clarified that the national election and referendum will be held as scheduled on February 12, 2026 (Thursday), in 299 parliamentary constituencies, excluding Sherpur-3. The commission reaffirmed that there has been no change to the official election timetable.

The EC requested the public to remain alert against any kind of propaganda or misinformation regarding the postponement of the election and referendum, emphasizing that such rumors are baseless and misleading.

The Education Rights Parliament has expressed deep concern over the government's move to swiftly approve the proposed Education Act 2026. In a statement signed by its convener, Professor Niaz Asadullah, the organization said that passing such a significant law during the interim government's limited tenure, without public engagement, stakeholder consultation, or national consensus, would be inappropriate.

The statement emphasized that the Education Act is a long-term, multidimensional law requiring participation from all relevant stakeholders, evidence-based analysis, and broad civic discussion. The group warned that approving the draft in the current context would undermine democratic deliberation and participation. It also pointed out definitional ambiguities, unclear governance structures, and a lack of implementation guidelines in the draft, which could lead to future administrative and policy complications.

The Education Rights Parliament proposed deferring the approval of the Education Act 2026 until a newly elected government takes office, allowing for inclusive participation and the creation of a stronger, sustainable, and widely accepted education law.

Lieutenant General (Retd.) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, Adviser to the Ministry of Home and Agriculture, stated that there is no possibility of vote rigging in the upcoming national parliamentary election. He expressed confidence that the election would be credible, peaceful, and festive. He urged everyone to cooperate and report any irregularities immediately so that prompt action could be taken. He made these remarks on Sunday afternoon after a meeting on law and order regarding the national election and referendum at the Rangpur Divisional Commissioner’s office.

Responding to a question about whether a fair election is possible under the current law and order situation, the adviser said that necessary preparations have been made according to local needs. The meeting discussed related measures to ensure a peaceful and fair election. He reiterated his expectation of a free, fair, and credible election conducted in a festive atmosphere.

Senior officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Rangpur Division, police, district administration, armed forces, Rapid Action Battalion, Border Guard Bangladesh, and Ansar-VDP were present at the meeting.

Brigadier (Retd.) Sakhawat Hossain, adviser to the Ministry of Shipping, said on Sunday that the ongoing protests at Chattogram Port cannot continue by holding 180 million people hostage. Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat, he described the protesters’ demands as trivial and confirmed that the government would now adopt a hardline stance. He also mentioned that several individuals involved had already been arrested.

The adviser alleged that some groups were attempting to create unrest ahead of the upcoming national election. He warned that if the election in Chattogram did not take place, questions could arise about the entire national election. Referring to the upcoming holy month of Ramadan, he noted that essential commodities such as lentils, oil, and chickpeas are imported through the port, and a few people were disrupting this vital supply chain.

On the issue of the port contract, Sakhawat Hossain said that DP World had sent a letter to the chief adviser requesting additional time for the signing process.

Former army chief General (Retd.) Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan testified before International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Sunday in a case against Ziaul Ahsan, alleging that after the 2009 BDR mutiny, resentment against India and the Awami League sharply increased within the Bangladesh Army. He stated that professional officers were sidelined while loyal ones were promoted, and the army was drawn into national projects, leading to corruption. According to his testimony, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina believed a corrupt army would be safer for her government.

Bhuiyan further said that during Hasina’s 1996–2001 tenure, she consolidated control over the state by abolishing the caretaker government system and amending the constitution. He claimed that her relative, Tarique Siddique, as security adviser, established influence over intelligence and security agencies including DGFI, NSI, RAB, NTMC, Ansar, and BGB, forming four operational circles that extended political and financial control. Bhuiyan also described internal conflicts over RAB’s extrajudicial activities and his attempts to discipline officers defying military rules.

The testimony portrays a period of deep institutional division and alleged politicization within the armed forces following the BDR massacre.

Former army chief General (Retd.) Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan testified before International Crimes Tribunal-1 that the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) detained and tortured Tarique Rahman during the 2007–2009 emergency period. His statement came in a case against Ziaul Ahsan over alleged crimes against humanity involving abduction and murder. Bhuiyan said DGFI became the main controlling authority of the country during that time, detaining ministers and political figures in secret cells for interrogation.

In his testimony, Bhuiyan described how the emergency period altered the culture within the armed forces, leading to a return to political involvement, a rise in dominance attitudes, and divisions between senior and junior officers. He also mentioned the emergence of a cash-driven culture and blind obedience to superiors’ orders.

The testimony further recalled the 2009 BDR mutiny, in which 57 military officers and 17 civilians were killed. Human Rights Watch reported that around 50 BDR members died under interrogation at Pilkhana. Later, a court sentenced 152 to death, 161 to life imprisonment, and 256 to various prison terms.

The Bangladesh interim government has requested assistance from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in investigating the killing of Shahid Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesman of Inquilab Mancha. According to a press release from the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing on Sunday, the Permanent Mission of Bangladesh in Geneva sent a note verbale to the OHCHR on February 6, following instructions from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The letter sought technical and institutional support from the UN human rights office for the investigation.

Hadi was critically injured in a shooting in Dhaka’s Bijoynagar area on December 12 and later died while receiving treatment in Singapore on December 18. The Geneva mission stated that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would be informed once a response from the OHCHR is received.

The interim government reaffirmed its commitment to identifying those responsible and bringing them to justice, pledging to ensure maximum transparency and accountability in line with international human rights standards.