BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman addressed a large public rally in Naogaon’s ATM field on Thursday evening as part of the party’s campaign for the 13th national election scheduled for February 12. He urged voters to support BNP by voting for the paddy sheaf symbol, emphasizing that the election was achieved through long struggles for democracy. Rahman reminded supporters not to forget the events of August 5 and said that families of those who were killed or injured during past political turmoil were present at the rally.

During his speech, Rahman announced several pledges including family cards for mothers to provide financial assistance, and agricultural cards for farmers to access free fertilizers, seeds, pesticides, and agricultural loans. He also promised to promote sports by selecting players from schools and to provide monthly honorariums for religious leaders of all faiths. Rahman introduced BNP candidates for six constituencies in Naogaon and two in Joypurhat, urging voters to elect them.

The rally drew large crowds from Naogaon, Joypurhat, and Bogura districts, with tight security arrangements in place throughout the city.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said that if his party is elected through the upcoming polls, ensuring women’s safety, respect, and dignity will be the first priority. Speaking as chief guest at an election rally at Mirpur’s Ward 2 Eidgah ground in Dhaka-16, he pledged to protect mothers’ interests and reduce working hours to five during maternity periods. He criticized those spreading misinformation about the policy, saying they oppose women’s welfare.

Rahman rejected the idea of unemployment allowances, saying Jamaat would focus on creating jobs based on merit rather than distributing stipends. Remembering martyrs of the July movement, he vowed to complete their unfinished mission and demanded exemplary punishment for those responsible for the killings of Abu Sayeed, Abrar Fahad, and Osman Hadi. He also promised to solve key problems in the Pallabi–Rupnagar area if elected.

During the event, Rahman handed over the party’s scale symbol to retired Colonel Abdul Baten, the 11-party alliance candidate for Dhaka-16, urging voters to support change in the January 12 election.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has instructed that government employees cannot campaign in favor of either the 'yes' or 'no' side in the upcoming referendum. The directive, signed by EC Deputy Secretary Mohammad Monir Hossain, was sent to all returning officers, the Cabinet Secretary, the Chief Adviser’s Principal Secretary, and other relevant officials. The EC clarified that taking sides in the referendum would be considered a punishable offense under the Referendum Ordinance 2025 and the Representation of the People Order 1972.

According to the letter, public servants may inform and raise awareness among citizens about the referendum process but are prohibited from urging voters to support any particular side. The EC emphasized that such actions could influence the outcome of the referendum, which is scheduled to be held on February 12 alongside the parliamentary election. The commission has directed authorities to take necessary measures in line with the legal provisions.

The announcement comes as campaigning intensifies ahead of the February 12 polls, with rival candidates already active in their election efforts.

Jamaat-e-Islami central assistant secretary general and Cox’s Bazar-2 candidate AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad claimed that the killing of Maulana Rezaul Karim in Sherpur-3 constituency was the result of a violent attack by a rival party, proving an ongoing conspiracy to derail the upcoming national election. He made the remarks on Thursday during a campaign rally and public meeting in Hoanak Union of Maheshkhali upazila.

Azad accused the rival party of speaking about democracy while engaging in conspiracies and violence. He alleged that despite growing competition at the grassroots level, the government had failed to ensure a level playing field. According to him, the BNP was obstructing the campaigns of Jamaat and the 11-party alliance through violent attacks in various constituencies. He condemned the attack on Maulana Rezaul Karim and said the people of Bangladesh would reject terrorism through ballots.

Azad inaugurated his election office in Hoanak Union and conducted door-to-door campaigning across several local markets and villages, urging voters to support the 11-party alliance’s scale symbol.

Police have arrested Abul Kalam Chowdhury, the former mayor of Chatak Municipality and vice president of the Sunamganj District Awami League. He was detained on Wednesday around 2 p.m. from the Tarapur Tea Garden area in Sylhet by officers from the Jalalabad Police Station under the Sylhet Metropolitan Police. Following his arrest, he was sent to the Sylhet court.

According to police, the arrest was made in connection with a case filed over an attack on anti-discrimination student activists. The investigation officer of Jalalabad Police Station, Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Tarek, confirmed the arrest and subsequent court transfer.

The report did not include further details about the case proceedings or any official statements from the accused or his political party.

Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (Daksu) Vice President Sadiq Kayem on Thursday addressed a rally in Sylhet’s Chowhatta, organized by the newly formed ‘Oikoboddho Chhatrosongshod’, a coalition of student leaders from Daksu, Jaksu, Chaksu, Raksu, and Joksu. He said that supporting ‘Yes’ in the upcoming February 12 referendum means returning power to the people, while voting ‘No’ represents alignment with foreign interests and support for judicial killings.

Kayem stated that the ‘Yes’ campaign aims to empower citizens, ensure justice for past crimes, and dismantle what he called a fascist political structure. He claimed that students and the general public have already taken a stand for ‘Yes’ and urged Sylhet residents to intensify local campaigning. He also criticized a political faction for backing ‘No’ and accused it of serving India’s interests.

The event was attended by student leaders from several universities, Jamaat’s Sylhet-1 candidate Maulana Habibur Rahman, and Shahjalal University’s vice-chancellor. The rally caused traffic disruption at the busy Chowhatta intersection, prompting public criticism over the choice of venue.

Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd.) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has stated that honesty, efficiency, and professionalism will be the key strengths of Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliament Election. Speaking on Thursday at a law and order coordination meeting at the Bangladesh Police Auditorium in Rajarbagh, Dhaka, he emphasized that government officials and law enforcement personnel must perform their duties with complete neutrality. He warned that no political bias or favoritism would be tolerated and that any official found working for a candidate or political agenda would face strict legal and departmental action.

The meeting, organized by the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Dhaka Divisional Commissioner’s Office, was chaired by Senior Secretary Nasimul Gani and attended by senior police and administrative officials. The adviser instructed all election-related officers to strictly follow the Representation of the People (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 and the Political Party and Candidate Code of Conduct 2025. He also directed that subordinates be regularly briefed on election conduct rules and that daily or periodic meetings be held to review preparations and compliance.

Chowdhury expressed optimism that with collective effort, the upcoming national election would set a standard appreciated both domestically and internationally.

In Bhola’s Charfassion municipality under the Bhola-4 constituency, Jamaat-e-Islami’s local unit held a counter press conference on Thursday afternoon denying allegations of harassment made by Islami Andolan Bangladesh. The dispute arose after Islami Andolan’s female activist Maria Kamal claimed on Wednesday that two Jamaat workers obstructed and harassed her during election campaigning. Jamaat’s Charfassion unit chief, Mir Mohammad Sharif Hossain, rejected the accusation and presented a different version of events.

According to Jamaat’s statement, the incident occurred around 9:30 a.m. Wednesday in Ward 6, when Maria Kamal, her son Tahzib, and Youth Andolan secretary Faisal were distributing leaflets for Islami Andolan’s Bhola-4 candidate A.M.M. Kamal Uddin. A verbal dispute reportedly broke out with locals over remarks about political alliances. Jamaat alleged that Faisal assaulted a retired teacher and later attacked a mosque imam who tried to record the scene, injuring him. The imam was hospitalized afterward.

Jamaat leaders said no woman was harassed and accused Islami Andolan of spreading false claims on social media despite a local reconciliation. Earlier that morning, Islami Andolan’s candidate Kamal Uddin had demanded punishment for those allegedly involved in the attack.

Govinda Chandra Pramanik, secretary general of the Bangladesh National Hindu Grand Alliance and an independent candidate for Gopalganj-03 (Tungipara-Kotalipara), visited the grave of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in Tungipara on Thursday afternoon. Standing with his supporters at Gate No. 3 of the mausoleum, he offered prayers and told journalists that visiting the resting place of the Father of the Nation had been a long-cherished dream. He described the site as a sacred place for all Bengalis and said it was a privilege to pay respects there.

Explaining his decision to contest the election, Pramanik said several well-wishers from the Hindu community had faced obstacles in submitting nomination papers, including arrests and intimidation. He stated that his candidacy aimed to encourage participation in the electoral process and reduce fear among minority voters. Pramanik also criticized the BNP candidate, accusing him of trying to discourage competition and seeking an uncontested victory.

After the prayer, Pramanik and his supporters distributed leaflets across Tungipara to promote his election symbol, the horse, as part of his campaign activities.

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumdar said that efforts are underway to arrest the real culprits involved in the recent violence between BNP and Jamaat in Sherpur, which resulted in the death of a Jamaat leader. He made the statement on Thursday during a press briefing at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka, responding to questions from journalists.

Majumdar stated that strong measures are being taken and that law enforcement agencies are working based on video footage and witness testimony to identify and arrest those truly responsible. He emphasized that the investigation aims to avoid indiscriminate arrests, ensuring that innocent people are not harassed while the actual offenders do not escape justice.

According to the press secretary, police are conducting a close investigation to specifically identify those responsible for the incident, focusing on evidence-based arrests rather than broad operations.

Two cases have been filed at Valuka Model Police Station in Mymensingh against more than 1,500 BNP leaders and activists, including party-nominated candidate Fakhruddin Ahmed Bacchu, over incidents of election violence. The cases, numbered 33 and 34, were lodged on the night of January 28 by complainants Atikul Islam and Aman Ullah. A total of 191 individuals were named, while about 1,400 others were listed as unidentified.

According to the case details, on January 25, independent candidate Alhaj Muhammad Morshed Alam began campaigning in the Batajor area with his supporters when, allegedly under Bacchu’s direction, BNP activists armed with local weapons obstructed the campaign, assaulted several workers, and vandalized three motorcycles. Later that evening, BNP supporters reportedly attacked the office of Jubo Dal leader Shamim Ahmed at Seedstore Bazar, injuring three people and setting fire to seven or eight motorcycles.

Valuka Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Zahidul Islam stated that four counter-cases have been filed by both sides over the violence. One accused from the BNP side, who was handed over to police, is currently under treatment under police guard.

The Government of Bangladesh has issued the 'Domestic Violence Prevention Ordinance, 2026' to prevent and suppress family-related crimes and ensure speedy trials. The announcement was made on Thursday, January 29, through a press release from the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing. The ordinance replaces the Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act, 2010, introducing a more comprehensive and updated legal structure aimed at protecting women and children from domestic abuse.

According to the release, the ordinance defines domestic violence broadly to include physical, mental, sexual, and economic abuse. It also recognizes mental abuse that harms psychological well-being and includes provisions addressing digital forms of mental abuse. The ordinance sets a target to resolve most cases within 60 working days and criminalizes violations of court orders such as protection, residence, or compensation directives. Accountability measures have been introduced for enforcement and police officers failing in their duties.

The government stated that this ordinance represents a strong step toward ensuring family safety, dignity, and justice, and will support the implementation of a zero-tolerance policy against violence toward women and children.

An allegation has been raised that a plan to kill independent candidate Hasan Mamun in the Patuakhali-3 (Galachipa-Dashmina) constituency is underway. The claim was made on Thursday morning at a press conference held at Mamun’s election headquarters, where former senior joint general secretary of Dashmina Upazila BNP, Md. Fokoruzzaman Badol, accused Ganadhikar Parishad president and BNP-backed candidate Nurul Haque Nur of orchestrating the plot.

In a written statement, Badol alleged that Nur held three meetings with Israel’s intelligence agency Mossad and received illegal funds for anti-state activities, as reportedly stated by the Palestinian ambassador. He further claimed that Nur earned large sums through lobbying after August 5 and was using the money for election expenses, pressuring BNP activists with financial incentives to support him.

Badol also alleged that Nur’s supporters attacked Mamun’s campaign offices, spread false propaganda using AI, and conducted nighttime armed displays with outsiders. Several BNP leaders, including Abdul Alim Talukdar and Elamul Haque Ratan, were present at the press conference.

The government of Bangladesh has issued the 'Prevention of Sexual Harassment at Workplaces and Educational Institutions Ordinance, 2026' to ensure safety, dignity, and non-discrimination in professional and academic environments. The ordinance received final and policy approval at the Advisory Council meeting on Thursday, January 29, and took immediate effect across the country. It also applies to government-affiliated institutions located outside Bangladesh.

The ordinance provides a broad definition of sexual harassment, covering physical, verbal, non-verbal, digital, and online behaviors, including those committed through social media, email, and messaging platforms. It mandates the formation of Internal Complaint Committees (ICC) in all applicable workplaces and educational institutions to receive complaints, conduct investigations, ensure protection during inquiries, and recommend disciplinary actions ranging from reprimand to dismissal or expulsion. For informal sectors, local complaint committees will be formed under district and upazila administrations.

National, district, and upazila-level monitoring committees will oversee implementation, while a special fund will support victims with financial aid, rehabilitation, counseling, legal assistance, and awareness programs.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman told Al Jazeera in an interview that if his party comes to power, the decision to implement Islamic law will rest with the parliament, not with him personally. He stated that if such a move is deemed essential for the country's development, the parliament will make that determination. Rahman emphasized that Jamaat is participating in elections under the existing national laws and will act in accordance with the people's will, not against it.

Addressing a question about whether a woman could ever serve as the party’s chief, Rahman said it would not be possible. He explained that men and women have distinct roles as created by God, and these differences cannot be altered. He argued that a mother who gives birth could not simultaneously fulfill the responsibilities of the party’s top leadership, asserting that only God knows best.

The interview highlights Jamaat’s stance on governance, gender roles, and its approach to aligning political decisions with public sentiment and religious principles.