Dr. Badiul Alam Majumdar, Secretary of Citizens for Good Governance (Sujon), stated that Bangladesh urgently needs a fair, acceptable, and neutral election. He said the electoral field and political parties have become corrupted, with most candidates relying on black money and muscle power. He made these remarks on Friday, January 16, at 7 p.m. during a brief exchange meeting with local dignitaries at the Hasan Azizur Rahman Auditorium of the World Literature Center in Palashbari, Gaibandha.

Emphasizing the need for reform of the Election Commission, Majumdar said that such reform is the most crucial step, claiming that members of the commission had become more partisan than even Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He added that the constitution was originally written to empower Bangabandhu, which made the prime minister all-powerful, and that Sheikh Hasina followed the same path. He also said that by abolishing the caretaker government system through constitutional amendment, Sheikh Hasina aimed to remain in power for life.

Majumdar described the 1991 election as the best in Bangladesh’s history. Several Sujon officials and local dignitaries attended the meeting.

BNP candidate Jasim Uddin from Chittagong-14 (Chandanaish and part of Satkania) has been accused of violating the electoral code of conduct by campaigning inside a mosque. On Friday, January 16, he addressed worshippers at Kanchannagar Johadia Darbar Mosque after Jumma prayers, urging them to support the BNP’s paddy sheaf symbol and grant him their mandate in the upcoming election. A 3-minute-32-second video of his speech later circulated on social media.

According to the 2025 electoral code of conduct, candidates or their representatives are prohibited from starting any campaign activities earlier than three weeks before the polling date. The 13th national parliamentary election is scheduled for February 12, 2026. When contacted, Jasim Uddin initially denied seeking votes, claiming he only asked for prayers and requested positive reporting.

Chandanaish Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Assistant Returning Officer Md. Rajib Hossain confirmed receiving the complaint and stated that action was being taken against the accused candidate.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has strongly condemned and protested the filing of what it called a politically motivated false case against Dr. Colonel (Retd.) Oli Ahmad Bir Bikram, chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and a decorated freedom fighter. In a statement to the media on Saturday, Jamaat’s Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar described Oli Ahmad as an honest, democratic, and patriotic senior politician who played an important role in the country’s democratic movements.

Porwar said that filing a false case against such a respected political figure was undesirable, unexpected, and driven by political ill intent. He demanded that the authorities immediately withdraw what he termed a harassing and baseless case. According to the report, a case was filed at Satkania Police Station accusing Oli Ahmad and 12 others of involvement in an attack on a vehicle, with allegations also brought against 50–60 unidentified individuals. The complaint was lodged on the night of January 11 by M A Hashem Raju, the chief coordinator of BNP candidate Jasim Uddin’s election campaign for Chattogram-14 constituency.

The statement reflects Jamaat-e-Islami’s opposition to what it views as politically motivated legal actions against opposition figures.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has completed the draft list of polling officials ahead of the 13th parliamentary election. The list, prepared from officials of educational institutions, banks, and various government and private organizations, has triggered contrasting reactions. Many listed officials have applied for exemption citing illness, family issues, or childcare, while others, excluded despite being qualified, are lobbying for inclusion. The EC plans to begin training for finalized polling officials on January 22.

According to EC sources, several hundred thousand polling officials will be required for the upcoming election. A large number of exemption requests have already been submitted, particularly from field-level teachers and bank employees who fear possible unrest or violence on election day. Conversely, some experienced officials claim they were unfairly left out due to local administrative bias or political favoritism, warning that excluding skilled personnel could undermine electoral transparency.

An EC senior official stated that recruitment follows strict guidelines and that genuine exemption requests are being considered. However, unjustified refusal to serve may lead to disciplinary action. The EC is reviewing all complaints to ensure a fair and competent final panel.

Ahead of the national election, concerns have intensified in Bangladesh over the absence of a level playing field for candidates. The issue gained urgency after an attack on Sharif Osman Hadi, a parliamentary candidate and spokesperson of Inquilab Mancha, raising questions about the state’s ability to guarantee safety and fairness. The article argues that ensuring equal opportunity for all candidates is not just an ideal but a measure of democratic maturity.

The commentary identifies three essential pillars for a fair election: equality of security, equality of resources, and impartial enforcement of law. It warns that when some candidates enjoy administrative protection and state resources while others face insecurity and financial constraints, democracy itself is undermined. The lack of neutrality erodes public trust, discourages voters, and diminishes the symbolic value of democracy both domestically and internationally.

The article concludes that the Election Commission and administration must act decisively to dismantle networks of violence, ensure candidate safety, and maintain visible neutrality. A fair election, it stresses, is not merely a change of government but the foundation of democratic survival.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh approved 18 appeals and rejected 17 during the seventh day of hearings on appeals filed against returning officers’ decisions for the 13th National Parliamentary Election. The session, held on Friday afternoon at the EC building in Agargaon, Dhaka, was chaired by Chief Election Commissioner A M M Nasir Uddin. A total of 43 appeals were heard, with four kept pending for verdicts.

According to the EC, the appeals included challenges to both rejected and accepted nomination papers. Of the total, 18 appeals against rejected nominations were approved, while 17 similar appeals were dismissed. Additionally, four appeals challenging accepted nominations were also dismissed. The hearings are scheduled to continue on Saturday and Sunday, covering appeals numbered 511 to 645 and any pending cases.

The EC reported that 645 appeals were filed in total against returning officers’ decisions. On January 4, returning officers had declared 1,842 of 2,568 nomination papers valid and 723 invalid across 300 constituencies.

Several Indian news outlets have been accused of running a coordinated anti-Jamaat-e-Islami campaign ahead of Bangladesh’s upcoming parliamentary election. Reports from Firstpost, Indian Express, Anandabazar Patrika, and Republic Bangla allegedly portray Jamaat’s potential political rise as a threat to regional stability and security. Analysts cited in the report say these outlets claim Jamaat seeks to destabilize Bangladesh to delay the election, while ignoring the group’s recent student wing victories in university polls.

The report contrasts Indian media narratives with those of international outlets such as BBC and Al Jazeera, which describe Jamaat’s political rehabilitation as part of a democratic process. Diplomats and analysts suggest India’s media strategy aligns with Delhi’s broader political interests following the fall of the Awami League, aiming to pressure the BNP to distance itself from Jamaat. They argue that Indian media’s portrayal of Jamaat as extremist or anti-India serves this purpose.

Observers warn that if such media campaigns continue, they could strain Bangladesh-India relations and fuel anti-India sentiment among the Bangladeshi public.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman will begin a nationwide election campaign tour on January 22 ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. According to the party’s central publicity department, the tour will start in Dhaka city, where he will conduct public outreach and address an election rally in his constituency, Dhaka-15.

The campaign will continue in northern Bangladesh on January 23 and 24. On January 23, Dr. Rahman is scheduled to attend rallies in Dinajpur’s Gor-e-Shaheed Maidan at 2 p.m., in Thakurgaon at 4 p.m., and in Rangpur city in the evening as the chief guest. The following morning, January 24, he will visit the grave of Abu Saeed, a student of Begum Rokeya University and the first martyr of the July uprising, before addressing a public meeting in Palashbari, Gaibandha at 10 a.m.

The announcement marks the start of Jamaat-e-Islami’s formal campaign activities for the 13th parliamentary election, with Dr. Rahman leading the party’s outreach efforts across key northern districts.

Shafik Rehman, editor of the newspaper Jaijaidin, has invited United States President Donald Trump to visit Bangladesh. He extended the invitation on Friday during a memorial event organized by civil society in remembrance of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. Rehman said that it is now the era of Donald Trump and personally invited him to come to Bangladesh.

During his speech, Rehman expressed his belief that Khaleda Zia might have lived longer had she not passed away on November 7. He urged young voters to reflect on the messages delivered at the event before casting their first votes. He also noted that the gathering was taking place at a critical time and warned that any untoward incident could delay the election scheduled for February 12. Rehman said that Dr. Yunus had guaranteed that the upcoming election would be joyful.

He further advised citizens to question candidates about the stability of essential commodity prices, law and order, and the safety of bank deposits before voting.

Hasnat Abdullah, the chief organizer for the southern region of the National Citizens Party (NCP), met with the family of Shaheed Adil, who was killed during the July uprising in Narayanganj. The meeting took place on Friday afternoon in Delpara, Fatullah upazila. During the visit, Abdullah called on young voters in the Narayanganj-4 (Sadar) constituency to cast 'Yes' votes in the forthcoming referendum.

Addressing the gathering, Abdullah said that the goal of the NCP is to build a corruption- and extortion-free Bangladesh. He emphasized that the party seeks a state where the balance of power is maintained and citizens’ dignity and democratic values are upheld. He stated that voting 'Yes' is essential to create a new Bangladesh based on these principles.

NCP’s nominated candidate for Narayanganj-4, Advocate Abdullah Al Amin, was also present. Together with local party leaders and activists, they campaigned across the area in favor of the 'Yes' vote, urging the youth to take the lead in shaping a new political direction.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman called on everyone to show respect and patience in a Facebook post published on Friday night, January 16, 2026. In his message, he emphasized that patience is the greatest test and prayed for divine guidance to help people maintain it. He also wrote that showing respect to others would lead to receiving greater respect from Allah.

The post quickly drew significant attention online, receiving over 10,000 comments within 50 minutes. Among the responses, one user named Kharid Saifullah Mohiuddin remarked that although many were pleased, both sides had suffered losses while a third party benefited. Another commenter, Md. Enamul Islam, expressed disappointment that a collective effort had not ended well.

The post reflects ongoing discussions among supporters and observers of Islamic political groups in Bangladesh, with some expressing concern about unity and cooperation among such parties.

National Citizen Party (NCP) spokesperson and election committee chairman Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan has stated that law enforcement agencies are not sufficiently active or effective ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election and the reform referendum, both scheduled for February 12. He made the remarks on Friday afternoon while attending a winter clothing distribution event at Mahuttuli Government Primary School in Old Dhaka.

During his speech, Asif Mahmud said that juvenile gangs and criminals are still moving freely in public. He demanded swift punishment for those involved in the killing of Osman Hadi and for attacks on political leaders. The event also featured NCP’s nominated candidate for Dhaka-7 constituency, Tarek A. Adel, who joined Mahmud in distributing winter clothes as part of a humanitarian initiative.

The comments come amid preparations for the national election and referendum, highlighting concerns about public safety and the effectiveness of law enforcement in maintaining order during the electoral period.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Nayeb-e-Ameer and Rangpur-2 (Badarganj-Taraganj) parliamentary candidate ATM Azharul Islam said the party’s goal is to build a welfare-oriented state. He stated that implementing such policies would eliminate poverty and unemployment. He made these remarks on Friday afternoon at a courtyard meeting in Lakkhanpur, Ramnathpur Union of Badarganj upazila, presided over by union Jamaat secretary Abdul Halim, with other local leaders also speaking.

Azharul Islam further said Bangladesh is not a poor country but has been weakened by large-scale money laundering abroad, creating “Begumpara” for corrupt individuals. He urged voters to cast their ballots freely for honest and qualified candidates, emphasizing the need to vote for the “balance scale” symbol and support the “yes” side in the referendum to uphold democracy and recognize the sacrifices of July fighters.

He accused the previous Awami government of holding citizens hostage and claimed that without student and public movements, the country would have been completely destroyed. He warned that any attempt to obstruct voting would face strong public resistance.

A human chain was organized in Jurain, Dhaka, by Jamaat-e-Islami’s Kadamtali Thana unit on Friday to demand an end to the ongoing gas crisis. Several hundred local men and women participated in the demonstration. Speaking at the event, Syed Zainul Abedin, a member of the Dhaka South Jamaat executive council, alleged that the gas shortage across the country was artificial and caused by a syndicate of dishonest traders. He claimed that the government failed to take strict action against them due to internal and external political influences.

Abedin further stated that Jamaat-e-Islami had repeatedly warned the interim government after August 5, 2024, to identify and prosecute those responsible for corruption and lawlessness. He accused certain political groups of protecting wrongdoers for personal gain and called on the youth to reject corrupt and violent leadership. On the issue of the upcoming referendum, he urged citizens to vote “yes” to prevent authoritarian rule and ensure judicial independence.

He added that a “yes” victory in the referendum would limit any individual’s tenure as prime minister to ten years, which he said would help prevent dictatorship and uphold justice in Bangladesh.

A two-day training program on election journalism was organized by the Press Institute of Bangladesh (PIB) in collaboration with the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliament election and a referendum on reforms. The event began on Thursday and concluded on Friday, with 50 journalists from various Dhaka-based media outlets participating. Certificates were distributed to participants at the end of the program.

The training, held for the second time, aimed to strengthen professionalism and reporting skills among journalists. Sessions covered election laws and administrative structures, ethics of election reporting, fact-checking, countering rumors and misinformation, and ensuring both physical and digital safety for journalists. PIB Director General Faruq Wasif emphasized that journalists must demonstrate professionalism and prioritize truth, neutrality, and public interest to maintain public trust during elections.

Organizers stated that such continuous training initiatives would help ensure responsible, professional, and impartial journalism during the upcoming national election.