The government has appointed 21 officers from the BCS (Administration) cadre as executive magistrates across the country to ensure strict enforcement of the electoral code of conduct during the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. The appointments were announced through a circular issued on Thursday by the Ministry of Public Administration’s Deputation-2 branch, signed by Deputy Secretary Mohammad Nur-e-Alam.

According to the circular, the appointed magistrates will operate mobile courts under Section 5 of the Mobile Court Act, 2009, until two days after the voting ends. They have been instructed to report or join their assigned districts by January 25, either to the respective District Magistrate or Returning Officer. District Magistrates will allocate responsibilities and determine operational areas for the magistrates, who must submit daily reports on mobile court activities in a prescribed format.

The circular stated that the appointments were made in the public interest, with the primary objective of maintaining peace and order during the election period.

More than one hundred leaders and activists from the Awami League and the National Citizen Party (NCP) formally joined the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in Daudkandi, Cumilla. The joining ceremony took place on Friday at the BNP’s municipal office, where the new members shook hands with Dr. Khondaker Maruf Hossain, a member of the BNP National Executive Committee and a Supreme Court lawyer.

The group was led by NCP’s Daudkandi municipal coordinator Md. Mohsin Bhuiyan and Awami League leader Md. Sakib Ahmed. During the event, both leaders stated that their decision was motivated by the current political situation, the movement to restore democracy, and their trust in the BNP’s electoral symbol. They expressed hope that a democratic and people-oriented government would be established under BNP leadership.

The event was presided over by Daudkandi municipal BNP convener Nur Mohammad Selim Sarkar and attended by several local BNP and affiliated organization leaders, including youth and cultural wings.

Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus stated that Bangladesh belongs to everyone and should be a safe and peaceful home for all, regardless of religion or ethnicity. He made the remarks on Friday, January 23, during a message marking the occasion of Saraswati Puja, extending warm greetings and congratulations to the Hindu community.

In his message, Dr. Yunus described Bangladesh as a shining example of communal harmony, where people of all faiths have lived together for centuries with mutual respect and friendship. Referring to Hindu beliefs, he said Goddess Saraswati symbolizes truth, justice, and knowledge, guiding people from darkness to light. He expressed hope that education would serve not only personal advancement but also the betterment of society.

The Chief Adviser wished peace, welfare, and prosperity to all citizens of Bangladesh, including members of the Hindu community, on the occasion of the festival.

Taslima Akhter, the Ganosamhati Andolon candidate for Dhaka-12 constituency, announced a 12-point election manifesto on Friday near the South Plaza of the National Parliament building. The manifesto, presented under the slogan 'Less talk, more work, love Bangladesh,' outlines commitments to control commodity prices, ensure accessible civic services, and strengthen anti-corruption and anti-drug measures.

Her proposals include ensuring women’s rights and safety, providing free and quality education up to grade twelve, and preventing political influence in educational institutions. The manifesto also emphasizes forming a Dhaka-12 Citizens’ Council to increase voter participation in policymaking. Other pledges cover labor rights, healthcare expansion, youth development, environmental protection, religious harmony, and inclusion of marginalized communities.

The document further calls for improved coordination between local government bodies and parliamentary representatives to enhance accountability and service delivery within Dhaka-12.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Ministry Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan has called on all administrative officials, regardless of political affiliation, to work in favor of a 'Yes' vote in the upcoming referendum. He made the remarks on Friday in Rangpur after placing a wreath at the July Memorial, built in memory of the martyrs of the July uprising. He said the referendum is essential for implementing the July Charter, which he described as a milestone in freeing Bangladesh from fascism.

Senior officials including Rangpur Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Enamul Ahsan, Housing and Public Works Secretary Md. Nazrul Islam, Local Government Division Secretary Md. Rezaul Maksud Zahidi, and Rural Development and Cooperatives Division Secretary Md. Shawkat Rashid Chowdhury were present at the event. Later, the adviser attended a meeting with district-level officials at the Rangpur Deputy Commissioner's conference room to discuss referendum promotion and visited several local development projects.

Adilur Rahman Khan also visited Pirganj upazila to pay respects at the grave of martyr Md. Abu Sayeed and met with his family members.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman is scheduled to visit Chattogram on Saturday night, January 24, to hold a series of public meetings ahead of the 13th National Parliament Election. According to BNP Media Cell member Shayrul Kabir Khan, Rahman will attend seven political programs on Sunday, beginning with a policy dialogue with youth at Hotel Radisson in Chattogram at 9:30 a.m., followed by a rally at the Polo Ground at 11 a.m. He will then address gatherings in Feni, Comilla’s Chauddagram, Comilla’s Suagazi, Comilla’s Daudkandi, and Narayanganj’s Kanchpur Balur Math.

Earlier, Rahman launched his election campaign from Sylhet on January 22, completing seven rallies in sixteen hours before returning to Dhaka late at night. His first rally took place at the Alia Madrasa field in Sylhet, followed by events in Moulvibazar, Habiganj, Brahmanbaria, Kishoreganj, Narsingdi, and Narayanganj.

The Chattogram visit marks the continuation of Rahman’s nationwide campaign activities as part of BNP’s preparation for the upcoming parliamentary election.

BNP National Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed declared that the BNP is the only political force representing Bangladesh’s interests. He made the remarks on Friday, January 23, during a campaign visit in Surajpur-Manikpur of Chakaria upazila, Cox’s Bazar, on the second day of his election campaign. He criticized groups he described as aligned with India or foreign interests and urged citizens to resist any return of fascism in the country.

Ahmed warned that the rise of undemocratic forces would bring the same fate for all and reaffirmed BNP’s lifelong struggle to secure people’s voting rights. He pledged to build a strong democratic Bangladesh in line with the aspirations of the nation’s martyrs. The senior BNP leader also called on voters to cast their ballots freely in the upcoming February 12 election.

Throughout the day, he conducted door-to-door campaigning and street meetings, interacting with local salt farmers and taking photos with them, while children and youths joined the events with enthusiasm.

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Md. Shafiqul Alam stated that a mass wave of support is forming in favor of the 'Yes' vote in the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. He said citizens now understand that voting 'Yes' would prevent the return of autocracy and oppression, ensuring the protection of civil rights, establishment of justice, and security for families. He made these remarks on Friday, January 23, during a visit to the shrine of Baba Buchai Chan Pagla in Batulia village of Dhamrai.

During his visit, the Press Secretary condemned a recent attack on the shrine, calling it a reprehensible act. He emphasized that Bangladesh is a land of saints and spiritual leaders through whom Islam spread in the country. He added that attacking a shrine is unacceptable, urging people to respect cultural and religious diversity.

Shafiqul Alam also noted that Buchai Chan Pagla was a revered saint of the area and that a Baul music gathering is held there every January, featuring renowned artists. He called for maintaining Bangladesh’s tradition of communal harmony.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman called on voters in Thakurgaon to support the 'Yes' vote during a campaign rally organized by a ten-party alliance on January 23, 2026. Speaking as the chief guest at Thakurgaon High School field, he urged people to elect those who would build friendships abroad rather than seek foreign masters. He also pledged to upgrade Saidpur Airport to international standards.

Dr. Rahman said northern Bangladesh had been neglected and that producers were not receiving fair prices for their goods. He promised a justice-based social system ensuring fair value for farmers and the establishment of modern hospitals in all 64 districts, prioritizing deprived areas. He outlined three commitments if elected: zero tolerance for corruption, ensuring impartial justice without political interference, and preventing extortion, land grabbing, and terrorism.

He further stated that instead of offering unemployment allowances, his party would focus on creating jobs and providing technical training for youth employment.

Ariful Islam Adib, the Dhaka-18 constituency candidate representing a ten-party alliance, pledged to stand by entrepreneurs and businessmen in Uttara to prevent politically motivated extortion. He made the commitment on Friday, January 23, during a street rally in Uttara’s Sector 12 as part of his second day of election campaigning. Adib stated that businessmen in the area have been subjected to repeated extortion and vowed to build a just constituency free from coercion.

During his speech, Adib emphasized safeguarding every citizen’s vote and ensuring a peaceful election process. He warned that any attempt to obstruct voters would be resisted, even at personal risk. The Jamaat-NCP alliance candidate also criticized the lack of civic initiatives in Uttara, citing severe traffic congestion and inadequate municipal services despite the area being under city corporation jurisdiction for about a decade.

Supporters from the ten-party alliance, including Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and Khelafat Majlis, conducted campaign activities across Uttara, distributing leaflets bearing the alliance’s symbol after Friday prayers at Azampur Central Jame Mosque.

Jamaat-e-Islami has expressed deep concern, condemnation, and protest following an attempted murder of its Dhaka-7 constituency candidate, Hafiz Enayet Ullah, on Thursday night. The incident occurred during an election meeting with business leaders, where three suspicious individuals were seen, one wearing a T-shirt with the Awami League logo. Two of them were detained by Enayet’s bodyguards, who found sharp weapons in their possession, while the third escaped with a pistol. The detained suspects were handed over to police, and local residents along with Jamaat activists protested in front of Chawkbazar Police Station that night.

In a statement to the media on Friday, Jamaat’s central Majlis-e-Shura member and Dhaka South Nayeb-e-Ameer Abdus Sabur Fakir criticized the government for ignoring repeated calls to recover illegal arms and bring criminals to justice. He linked the attack to a broader pattern of violence against anti-fascist and election candidates, citing the earlier killing of Sharif Osman Hadi. Fakir urged the interim government to launch joint operations under a ‘zero tolerance’ policy to ensure a free, fair, and participatory election.

He further demanded equal opportunities and security for all candidates, warning that the nation would not accept a manipulated or engineered election.

Poet and thinker Farhad Mazhar said no political party in Bangladesh has opposed the proposal to send a so-called ‘stabilization force’ to Gaza. Speaking as chief guest at a discussion titled ‘Nationwide crisis of gas, electricity and pure water: Role of civil society’ at the National Press Club on Friday, he claimed that every political party is in some way linked to the United States. He added that while some parties publicly take anti-India positions, they remain largely silent against what he called American imperialism.

Mazhar also criticized the political behavior of party leaders since the events of August 2024, describing the formation of the current government as a “constitutional counterrevolution.” He declared opposition to the upcoming national election, arguing that a genuine state structure must first be established by removing what he termed a system of plunder. He accused Dr. Muhammad Yunus of trying to return power to corrupt forces through the election.

He further warned that weak policies in key economic sectors are depriving citizens of essential capacities, and that neglecting electricity, gas, and water issues would worsen living conditions and security.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman on Friday, January 23, 2026, addressed an election rally of the district’s 10-party alliance at the historic Gor-e-Shaheed Maidan in Dinajpur. He declared that his party would neither engage in corruption nor allow others to do so. Rahman emphasized building a people-friendly Bangladesh free from religious conflict and pledged to bring back and prosecute those who had stolen national wealth.

He outlined plans to transform Dinajpur into a city corporation and develop agro-based industries, including storage facilities for potatoes and lychees. Rahman also promised to establish medical colleges in every district, ensure quality education, and guarantee public safety. He stressed creating safe environments for women both at home and in workplaces and vowed to prevent the purchase of justice with money.

The rally was attended by leaders of the 10-party alliance, including Jamaat’s Assistant Secretary General Maulana Abdul Halim and representatives from Islami Chhatra Shibir and the Nationalist Congress Party. Leaders from 13 upazilas of Dinajpur district were also present.

National Citizen Party (NCP) candidate for Comilla-4 (Debidwar) constituency and the party’s chief coordinator for the southern region, Hasnat Abdullah, called for making politics accessible to ordinary people. Speaking on Friday morning after Fajr prayers at Debidwar New Market Mosque during his second day of campaigning, he said politics should not become a costly or luxurious pursuit dominated by corrupt individuals. He pledged that voters would cast their votes freely, and his team would serve them without charge for five years.

Abdullah strongly criticized the prevailing VIP culture in politics, urging organizers to avoid creating artificial barriers around leaders. He emphasized that separating leaders from the public alienates politics from the people. He also stated that politics should not be treated as an investment for personal gain and that only educated and honest individuals should join the political arena.

His campaign events drew large crowds across Debidwar, including meetings in Bhinglabari, Bihar Mondol, Chotona High School field, and Shantir Road. Local leaders from the 10-party alliance, including Jamaat-e-Islami’s Comilla North district secretary Saiful Islam Shahid, were present.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has alleged that secret attacks are being carried out to sabotage the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election. In a statement issued on Friday, January 23, he expressed deep concern over the shooting of Hasan Molla, general secretary of the Hazratpur Union BNP under Keraniganj Model Upazila, who was attacked by assailants in front of the party office in Keraniganj late on January 22 night.

Mirza Fakhrul strongly condemned the incident, claiming that miscreants who had remained dormant after the fall of what he termed an autocratic regime were now attempting to destabilize the country. He demanded that the attackers be identified and brought to justice, warning that failure to do so could lead to further violence. He also called for unity among all citizens to protect democracy and voting rights, urging the government to ensure a fear-free environment for a fair election.

The BNP leader demanded immediate arrest and exemplary punishment of those responsible and wished a speedy recovery for Hasan Molla and other injured party members.