Barrister Rumin Farhana, an independent candidate from Brahmanbaria-2 constituency, has lodged serious allegations against the administration and police ahead of the upcoming national election. On Thursday, she submitted a written response to the Election Commission in Dhaka and spoke to journalists, claiming that her campaign workers were attacked, beaten, and their homes set on fire, yet no cases had been filed.

Farhana stated that she was forced to leave her constituency and come to Dhaka because she felt the authorities were not maintaining neutrality. She warned that if the administration failed to remain impartial, the situation could resemble previous controversial elections. In addition to notifying the Election Commission, she said she would meet with European Union observers to present her concerns.

Despite the alleged attacks, Farhana affirmed that she would not withdraw from the race and would continue campaigning until the end. She called on all political parties to ensure a fair election and vowed to resist any attempt to manipulate the process.

National Citizen Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam announced that eliminating mafia-led extortion networks across Dhaka-8 is the first agenda of the party’s candidate, Nasiruddin Patwari. He made the statement on Thursday during an election campaign event in front of the National Press Club. Nahid Islam also said that ensuring justice for the killing of Shaheed Osman Hadi, which occurred in the same constituency, is another major priority for Nasiruddin.

The NCP leader stated that Bangladesh is holding a national election after 16 years, during which citizens were deprived of their voting rights. He emphasized that nearly one thousand martyrs sacrificed their lives to restore this right, and urged voters to support reform by voting “yes” in the upcoming election. The NCP is participating nationwide as part of a ten-party electoral alliance, fielding 30 candidates under the “Shapla Kali” symbol.

Nasiruddin Patwari urged all political parties to honor the martyrs by supporting the “yes” vote and vowed to build a new Bangladesh free from impunity, corruption, and extortion, ensuring safety for all citizens and businesses.

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has revealed that two candidates in the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election still hold British citizenship despite 21 others declaring the renunciation of their foreign nationality. The anti-corruption watchdog stated that the names of the two candidates were not disclosed but would be reported to the relevant authorities. TIB also found that one candidate failed to declare a property worth £1.4 million in the UK, purchased in 2013 under the name of a declared dependent.

At a press conference held at TIB’s headquarters in Dhanmondi, Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman said that many affidavits submitted by candidates lacked transparency. He noted that 21 candidates earn income from foreign sources, 25 have movable assets or investments abroad, and 17 declared ownership of immovable property outside Bangladesh. TIB’s data shows that 87 percent of candidates are party-nominated, 13 percent are independent, and 48 percent are businessmen.

The organization highlighted that the intertwining of money, business, and religion in politics has created a hostage-like situation, undermining healthy political practices.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman, speaking at an election rally in Moulvibazar on Thursday, called on the interim government’s head and advisers to increase the protocol and security for certain unnamed political figures. Without mentioning any party by name, he said that if they required protocol, it should be made three times higher than what BNP receives. He argued that these individuals were misleading the public, and as people were becoming aware of it, there was a risk of public anger against them.

Rahman stated that his appeal was made on behalf of BNP and millions of supporters to ensure safety and avoid any untoward incidents. He recalled the role of some groups during the 1971 Liberation War, saying that people were now re-examining their actions from that period. He emphasized that history could not be erased and that the public had already seen their stance against the country.

He reiterated that as these individuals sought government protection, the interim administration should provide them with triple the protocol and security currently afforded to BNP leaders.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has announced that national identity card (NID) correction services will resume across the country from January 25. The Director General of the National Identity Registration Wing, A S M Humayun Kabir, confirmed the decision on Thursday, January 22, stating that citizens will again be able to correct all information on their NIDs starting Sunday.

According to EC sources, the correction process had been temporarily suspended since November 24 to facilitate the updating of the voter list ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election and a planned referendum. During that period, limited correction services were available only for urgent cases through special applications.

Officials said that with the voter list preparation now completed, full correction services are being reopened for the general public. Citizens waiting to update their names, addresses, or other details on their NIDs can now submit regular applications from January 25.

Two rival groups within the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) clashed multiple times during an election campaign in Tongibari upazila of Munshiganj on Thursday. The incidents occurred between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the Dighirpar Bazar area, where supporters of BNP candidate Abdus Salam Azad organized a procession. The clashes erupted as the procession moved from Dighirpar Bazar toward Kamar Khara, involving sharp weapons and sticks.

According to local accounts, the violence broke out between followers of BNP leader Shamim Molla and supporters of union BNP general secretary Monowar Khan. The confrontation escalated quickly, and by 1 p.m., supporters from the Khan and Molla families were again engaged in fighting. Several hundred people reportedly took part, forcing shopkeepers and residents to flee as the market area shut down amid panic.

One injured person, identified as Nazrul Molla, 42, from Dighirpar, was named, while others remained unidentified. Tongibari police officer-in-charge Mohammad Monirul Haque Dablue said additional police were deployed, the situation was under control, and legal action was being processed.

The central leadership of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has expelled three members from Madaripur district for contesting as independent candidates against official party nominees in the 13th national parliamentary election. The expulsions were confirmed on Wednesday night, January 21, through a press release signed by BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi. The expelled individuals are Kamal Zaman Molla from Madaripur-1, Sajjad Hossain Siddiqui Lablu from the same constituency, and Milton Baidya from Madaripur-2.

According to the press release, a total of 57 BNP leaders across the country were expelled for engaging in activities contrary to party policy, ideology, and discipline. The decision followed internal disputes over nominations in Madaripur, where Kamal Zaman Molla was initially nominated but later replaced by Nadira Akter in Madaripur-1. In Madaripur-2, Jahandar Ali Mia is contesting as the official BNP candidate, while in Madaripur-3, Anisur Rahman Khokon Talukder is representing the party.

The expulsions underscore BNP’s effort to enforce internal discipline and maintain unity ahead of the 13th national election.

Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam announced that February 11 will be a public holiday ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election scheduled for February 12. The decision was revealed at a press briefing at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka. Workers in industrial areas will also receive leave on February 10, while February 13 and 14 (Friday and Saturday) are regular weekends, resulting in a four-day holiday for government employees.

The press secretary said the cabinet meeting approved 13 agenda items, including the final approval of several draft laws and policies. These include the Bangladesh Private Export Processing Zone (Repeal) Act, the Gambling Prevention Ordinance 2026, the Right to Information Ordinance 2026, and the National Poultry Development Policy 2026. The cabinet also approved the Bangladesh-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement and the Dhaka Central University Ordinance 2026.

According to Shafiqul Alam, the Gambling Prevention Ordinance 2026 defines 19 types of gambling and sets 15 categories of punishment, with a maximum fine of 500,000 taka and imprisonment up to 10 years.

The Bangladesh Election Commission (EC) has issued a warning prohibiting the collection of voters’ personal information and National Identity Cards (NID) under the guise of election campaigning. The notice, released on Thursday, January 22, 2026, stated that the commission had observed attempts by certain individuals to gather such data, which violates the National Identity Registration Act, 2010. The act forbids carrying or transferring another person’s NID.

The EC further reminded that under Rule 4 of the ‘Code of Conduct for Political Parties and Candidates in Parliamentary Elections, 2025,’ no political party, candidate, or representative may offer or promise donations, gifts, or contributions to individuals, groups, or institutions within an electoral area. The commission emphasized that these actions constitute punishable offenses under existing regulations.

The EC urged all citizens and organizations to refrain from engaging in or supporting such activities, reinforcing its commitment to maintaining lawful and transparent election practices.

BNP central leader and Natore-2 constituency candidate Advocate M Ruhul Quddus Talukder, also known as Dulu, formally began his election campaign on Thursday morning from Chatni Bhatpara village in Chatni Union. He claimed that during his five-year tenure as a minister starting in 2001, he had implemented significant development projects in Natore. He alleged that the subsequent Awami League government failed to bring any development to the district and instead engaged in widespread corruption and plundering. Dulu urged voters to support him by voting for the BNP’s symbol, the paddy sheaf, promising to continue the previous development initiatives.

During his campaign, Dulu stated that Natore had suffered from two decades of violence and pledged to transform it into a peaceful and developed area if the BNP returned to power. He announced plans to introduce family cards for women and agricultural cards for farmers, which would provide various benefits for five years. Throughout the day, he addressed rallies at ten locations across Chatni Union, accompanied by local BNP leaders including Rahim Newaz, Kazi Shah Alam, and Rafiqul Islam.

The campaign events marked the formal start of BNP’s local election activities in Natore ahead of the upcoming polls.

At least twelve leaders and activists of the suspended Awami League and Jubo League, including an accused in an arson and violence case, have joined the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in Badarganj, Rangpur. The joining took place on the night of January 21, 2026, led by former Betgari Union Parishad chairman Mohayemin Islam Maruf, who had earlier resigned from the Awami League on December 25, 2025. The development has sparked widespread discussion and debate in local political circles.

According to Badarganj police, a case was filed on September 16, 2024, over violent incidents during an anti-discrimination student and public movement on August 4, 2024. The case, numbered 4/24, remains under investigation. Maruf, one of the accused, was previously arrested and later released on bail. Other new BNP members include Abu Taher Md. Rokibul Haque, Md. Ashraf Ali, Md. Khademul Islam, Nazrul Islam, Babu Harimol Chandra Sarker, Jahangir Alam, Mahbubur Rahman, Rakib Ahmed Robiul, Bayezid Islam, Julfikar Ali, and Aminur Rahman.

Local BNP president Chand Sarkar said the former Awami League members joined BNP inspired by the ideals of late President Ziaur Rahman. Police confirmed that the ongoing investigation and legal process will continue unaffected by the political shift.

The Ministry of Public Administration has appointed 3,263 candidates to various cadres of the Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) through the 48th BCS (Special) Examination 2025. The announcement was made in a government circular issued on Thursday, based on recommendations from the Bangladesh Public Service Commission dated September 29 and October 27. The newly appointed officers will receive salaries under the 2015 national pay scale, ranging from 22,000 to 53,060 taka.

According to the circular, appointees must complete basic training at the Bangladesh Public Administration Training Centre or another government-designated institution, followed by professional and specialized training. They will serve a two-year probationary period, extendable by up to two additional years. Successful completion of training, departmental exams, and satisfactory probation will lead to permanent appointment. The circular also outlines disciplinary measures, resignation procedures, and conditions for cancellation of appointments, including false information or marriage to a foreign national.

Appointees must join their designated offices by February 1, submit property declarations, and sign a bond pledging not to engage in dowry practices. Failure to comply with these conditions will result in cancellation of the appointment.

Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizens Party (NCP), expressed confidence that the Jamaat-e-Islami-led 10-party alliance will win by a large margin in the upcoming national election. He made the remarks on Thursday at Dhaka University campus after visiting the graves of three leaders, marking the formal start of his party’s election campaign. Islam said the alliance aims to form the next government with the support of the people and called on voters nationwide to back the coalition and NCP’s 30 candidates running under the Shapla Kolly symbol.

He alleged that the Election Commission and the government were favoring a particular party and not acting neutrally, citing instances where other parties conducted campaigns despite restrictions while his party received show-cause notices. Islam emphasized that true neutrality requires impartial conduct from the authorities. He reaffirmed NCP’s firm stance on reform, justice, and fair elections, vowing to ensure that the February 12 election is held properly.

The NCP’s campaign, titled “March for Justice,” began after the grave visit and is scheduled to conclude in Motijheel.

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has reported that 59.41 percent of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) candidates in the upcoming 2026 national election are indebted. The findings were released on Thursday at a press conference presenting TIB’s report titled “Candidate Profiles in Affidavits 2026.” The analysis, based on candidates’ affidavits, shows that the total amount of debt among candidates is the highest compared to the last four elections since 2008.

Although the percentage of indebted candidates has decreased, the total debt now stands at nearly 1.9 trillion taka, up from over 1.74 trillion taka in the 2024 election. Among the ten most indebted candidates, eight are from the BNP and two are independents. The highest individual debt exceeds 315.5 billion taka, belonging to an independent candidate from Brahmanbaria, followed by four BNP candidates each with debts exceeding 10 billion taka.

TIB’s analysis also found that BNP leads in the number of millionaire candidates, with 71.86 percent of its nominees classified as millionaires based on declared assets.

Syed Bahadur Shah Mozaddedi, chairman of Islami Front Bangladesh and candidate of the largest Sunni Alliance, called for a 'No' vote while campaigning in Chandpur-5 constituency. On Thursday, he began his election campaign by visiting the shrine of his father, Pir Syed Abed Shah Mozaddedi, and holding a discussion with local journalists in Hajiganj. During the meeting, he urged voters to reject the proposed changes in the upcoming referendum.

Mozaddedi stated that the phrase invoking Allah’s trust and the word 'Bismillah' had been removed from the July charter, which he said was part of the 1971 Constitution. He argued that a 'Yes' vote would distort that original constitution. He called on citizens to vote for the Sunni Alliance’s 'chair' symbol in the election and to cast a 'No' vote in the referendum to protect the country and Islam.

The meeting was attended by local journalists and several leaders of Islami Front Bangladesh and the broader Sunni Alliance, including central and upazila-level representatives.