Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman has alleged that the Election Commission has become hostage to business interests. Speaking at a press conference at TIB’s Dhanmondi headquarters in Dhaka on Thursday, he said many affidavits submitted by candidates for the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election were opaque. He noted that no Islamist party nominated female candidates, and a major party denied nomination to a prominent woman because another party’s candidate was already contesting in that seat.

According to TIB’s analysis, 21 candidates earn income from foreign sources, 25 declared movable assets and bank accounts abroad, and 17 reported ownership of immovable property outside Bangladesh. The organization said these figures show that money and business dominate politics. TIB also found that two candidates who claimed to have renounced foreign citizenship still hold British nationality, and one candidate failed to disclose a UK property worth 210 crore taka purchased under a dependent’s name.

TIB reported that 87 percent of candidates are party-nominated, 13 percent independent, and 48 percent are businessmen. The highest declared wealth belongs to BNP’s Mohammad Aminul Islam with assets worth 619 crore taka.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman formally launched his party’s election campaign through a large public rally at the Alia Madrasa ground in Sylhet on Thursday afternoon. The event began around 12:30 p.m. under tight security. As Rahman took the stage, the crowd erupted in applause. He greeted supporters with a smile and wave, joined on stage by his wife Zubaida Rahman and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

From early morning, thousands of BNP leaders, activists, and supporters gathered around the Alia Madrasa ground and nearby areas including Chowhatta, Zindabazar, Amberkhana, Medical Road, and Dargah Road, turning the rally into a sea of people. Candidates from six constituencies in Sylhet and five in Sunamganj attended with their teams to show support.

The rally marked the official start of BNP’s campaign activities in the region, signaling the party’s mobilization ahead of the upcoming national election.

Professor Ali Riaz, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser, called on citizens to vote 'Yes' in the upcoming national referendum, saying that every voter is a candidate for 'Yes'. Speaking as chief guest at a meeting in Khulna Divisional Auditorium on Thursday, he said a 'Yes' vote would open the door to building a new, democratic, and humane Bangladesh reflecting the aspirations of the July uprising.

Riaz explained that the referendum seeks public consent to implement the July Charter, drafted with consensus among all political parties. He said the 'Yes' vote would ensure joint work between the government and opposition in forming a caretaker government and election commission, limit prime ministerial tenure to ten years, and guarantee judicial independence. He emphasized that such reforms would prevent arbitrary constitutional changes and strengthen democracy.

Special Assistant Monir Haider added that a 'Yes' victory would close the path to fascism and fulfill the long-held dream of equality and justice envisioned by the nation’s founders. The event was attended by senior officials from ten districts of the Khulna Division.

National Citizens Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam has alleged that the Election Commission (EC) is not acting neutrally and is providing special advantages to a particular political party. He made the remarks on Thursday morning while speaking to journalists after visiting the graves of three leaders and Sharif Osman Hadi in the Dhaka University area. The visit marked the beginning of the NCP’s campaign for the upcoming thirteenth parliamentary election.

Nahid Islam said the party chose Dhaka University as the starting point for its campaign because it was the birthplace of the language movement, the liberation war, and the 2024 uprising. He described the current election as a movement against dominance and called on citizens to support the ten-party alliance led by Nasiruddin Patwari, who is contesting against what he termed new mafias. Patwari, the party’s chief coordinator, stated that justice for those injured or killed in the 2024 movement, including martyr Osman Hadi, is a major election agenda.

The NCP formally launched its election campaign by paying tribute at the graves of four leaders, signaling the start of its outreach efforts.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman is set to begin his election campaign in his Dhaka-15 constituency with a public rally at Mirpur 10’s Adarsha School ground on Thursday afternoon. The event, scheduled to start after 2 p.m., will feature Dr. Rahman as the chief guest. Preparations for the rally, including stage construction, have been completed, and party leaders and activists have started gathering at the venue.

According to the party’s central publicity department, leaders from various parties within the 10-party electoral alliance will attend the Mirpur rally as special guests. The rally marks the beginning of Dr. Rahman’s four-day campaign program, which includes public meetings across northern districts on Friday and Saturday. He is expected to return to Dhaka on January 25 to continue campaign activities in several constituencies.

Separately, Jamaat’s candidate for Dhaka-6, Dr. Abdul Mannan, will conduct an election outreach program on Thursday afternoon at Kaptan Bazar and in front of the Suhrawardy Mosque, joined by local leaders.

An allegation has surfaced that campaign banners of Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Nurul Islam Bulbul were vandalized and set on fire in Chapainawabganj-3 (Sadar) constituency. The incident occurred on Wednesday night in Ward No. 3 of Srirampur village under Baliyadanga Union. It remains unclear who was responsible for the arson. Local sources said miscreants deliberately set fire to festoons placed in different parts of the village, completely burning several of them.

Candidate Nurul Islam Bulbul described the incident as a deliberate and condemnable act aimed at disrupting the democratic environment. He also termed it a threat to the area’s peace and order. In response, Chapainawabganj Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Assistant Returning Officer Maruf Afzal Rajan stated that police had been sent to the scene after receiving a verbal complaint, and law enforcement agencies were investigating the matter.

Five candidates are contesting in the Chapainawabganj-3 constituency, representing BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, JSD, Islami Andolan, and Gano Adhikar Parishad respectively.

The National Citizens Party (NCP) has appointed Advocate Md. Tariqul Islam, a member of its executive council and convener of the National Youth Force, as the chief coordinator of its election management committee. The announcement was made on Wednesday night through a statement signed by NCP convener Nahid Islam and member secretary Akter Hossain. The committee will be chaired by Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, with Monira Sharmin serving as secretary.

According to the statement, leaders from NCP, Youth Force, Student Force, and Workers Force at both central and metropolitan levels will work together in the committee. The appointment aims to make the committee’s activities more dynamic, effective, and well-coordinated ahead of upcoming electoral activities.

Following the announcement, the National Youth Force congratulated Tariqul Islam and expressed hope that he would carry out his responsibilities with dedication in coordinating the overall election management process.

Bangladesh’s political parties have intensified their online campaigns ahead of the February 12 national election, with viral songs, short dramas, and emotional voter interviews dominating social media platforms. A song supporting Jamaat-e-Islami, released in November, sparked a wave of digital campaign music from rival parties including the BNP and the National Citizen Party. The online battle began weeks before physical campaigning started on January 22, as parties sought to attract young voters who played a key role in the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Analysts say the surge in digital campaigning reflects Bangladesh’s massive online population, with about 130 million internet users and over 60 million on Facebook alone. Nearly 44 percent of voters are aged 18 to 37, many voting for the first time after years of disputed elections. BNP’s online content focuses on policy promises such as a proposed “family card” program, while Jamaat-linked materials often criticize both BNP and India. The interim government and the NCP are also running online drives supporting a “yes” vote in the upcoming referendum.

Experts note that online campaigning now rivals traditional rallies, shaping offline discussions and voter sentiment nationwide.

The central leadership of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) expelled three of its Gopalganj district leaders on Wednesday night for engaging in activities deemed contrary to party discipline. The expelled members include former district BNP president and current convening committee member M H Khan Monju, former president and committee member Sirajul Islam Siraj, and committee member Habibur Rahman Habib. All three were removed from their primary membership and all party positions.

According to the report, the expulsions followed the leaders’ decision to contest the upcoming election as independent candidates despite the party’s directive. Monju and Siraj are contesting from Gopalganj-2 constituency, while Habib is running from Gopalganj-3. The decision was made after they failed to withdraw their nomination papers by the final withdrawal date.

The BNP stated that the expulsions were necessary to uphold party discipline and maintain organizational unity ahead of the election.

BNP candidate Manjurul Ahsan Munshi is set to file an appeal with the Appellate Division on Thursday, challenging the High Court’s order that upheld the Election Commission’s decision to cancel his nomination for the Cumilla-4 constituency. His lawyer, Advocate Saifullah Al Mamun, confirmed the move, describing it as Munshi’s final legal recourse to regain candidacy.

On Wednesday, a High Court bench comprising Justice Rajik Al Jalil and Justice Md Anwarul Islam dismissed Munshi’s writ petition that sought to overturn the Election Commission’s January 17 decision to reject his nomination. Following the dismissal, lawyers stated that Munshi is now ineligible to contest the election.

After the ruling, Hasnat Abdullah’s lawyer, Mohammad Hossain Lipu, said the court maintained the cancellation due to alleged concealment of loan default information. The upcoming appeal will determine whether Munshi can re-enter the electoral race for Cumilla-4.

An emotional atmosphere marked the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) first election rally in Sylhet, held on Thursday at the Sylhet Government Alia Madrasa ground, as party members carried banners and festoons bearing images of missing leader M Ilias Ali. Participants from across the Sylhet division joined processions chanting slogans demanding justice for his disappearance and his return. According to party sources, BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman was scheduled to address the gathering.

Outside the venue, attention centered on the Sylhet-2 constituency (Bishwanath–Osmaninagar), where Ilias Ali’s wife, Tahsina Rushdir Luna, is contesting the election under the BNP’s “sheaf of paddy” symbol. Supporters displayed posters and banners endorsing her candidacy. Several BNP activists described Ilias Ali as a national leader whose popularity had unsettled the ruling government.

Ilias Ali, a former MP and BNP’s then central organizing secretary, went missing with his driver from Dhaka’s Banani area on April 17, 2012. BNP leaders allege that the then Awami League government was responsible. Thirteen years later, his name continues to resonate in Sylhet’s political movements and election campaigns.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has begun its national election campaign ahead of the 13th parliamentary polls with a large rally at the historic Government Alia Madrasa ground in Sylhet city. The event, which started at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, was attended by BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman. Thousands of party leaders and activists from Sylhet, Sunamganj, and nearby districts gathered at the venue, filling the field and surrounding streets. Local BNP leaders addressed the crowd as banners, flags, and posters featuring the party symbol and Rahman’s image filled the area.

The rally marks the formal start of BNP’s nationwide campaign activities. It is Tarique Rahman’s first visit to Sylhet in nearly two decades, generating significant enthusiasm among supporters. Senior party leaders expect him to introduce BNP candidates from Sylhet and Sunamganj constituencies and provide strategic guidance for the upcoming election. Strict security measures were enforced across the city, with police and other law enforcement agencies deployed.

Following the Sylhet rally, Rahman is scheduled to travel by road to Dhaka, holding additional campaign events in Moulvibazar and Habiganj districts along the way.

U.S. President Donald Trump has withdrawn his plan to impose a 10 percent tariff on eight European countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany, and France, which was set to take effect on February 1. The decision followed his meeting with the NATO Secretary-General during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Trump announced on Truth Social that they had developed a framework for a future agreement concerning Greenland and that, based on this understanding, he would not proceed with the tariffs.

Trump described the meeting as highly productive and said the potential agreement would benefit both the United States and all NATO members. He added that discussions regarding an initiative called “The Golden Dome” related to Greenland are ongoing, with Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and special envoy Steve Witkoff involved in the talks.

Despite the announcement, questions remain about the future U.S. role in Greenland. Trump had previously expressed interest in Greenland’s ownership due to increasing Russian and Chinese presence, a stance opposed by several European nations.

Iran has officially released the death toll from recent anti-government protests for the first time. According to a report by state television Press TV on Wednesday, citing the Interior Ministry, a total of 3,117 people were killed across the country. The Martyrs Foundation stated that among the dead were 2,427 civilians and members of the security forces. Tehran described the protests as 'foreign-backed terrorist activities.'

Ali Akbar Pourjamshidian, secretary of Iran’s National Security Council, told Press TV that those who engaged in violence, including attacks on government and military facilities, were classified as 'terrorist-rioters.' Meanwhile, the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reported a higher death toll of 4,560 since the protests began.

The demonstrations started on December 28 in response to rising living costs and severe inflation, spreading across the country in the following weeks.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has expressed deep sorrow over the death of former caretaker government adviser and prominent civil society figure M Hafiz Uddin Khan. In a condolence message issued on Wednesday, Yunus recalled Khan’s long career dedicated to the welfare of the state and its people, describing him as an honest, wise, and responsible public servant whose integrity and moral stance remain exemplary.

Professor Yunus also noted his personal connection with Khan, calling him a classmate and close friend whose wisdom, humanity, and candor enriched his life. He said Khan’s honesty, dedication, and competence in public service, along with his later contributions to promoting good governance, would be remembered with respect by the nation.

Hafiz Uddin Khan passed away on Wednesday evening due to old age. He had served as secretary in the ministries of Posts, Telecommunications, and others, and as adviser to the caretaker government in 2001 overseeing finance, planning, and several other ministries.