The press secretary to the chief adviser of the interim government, Shafiqul Alam, announced that the results of the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election may be delayed. He made the statement following a law and order meeting on election issues chaired by the chief adviser on Wednesday. Alam explained that the delay could occur because both the parliamentary election and a referendum will be held simultaneously, along with the counting of postal ballots.

According to the press secretary, several new measures have been introduced this year to ensure a thorough and accurate vote count, which may take additional time. He also confirmed that the election will be held in all 300 constituencies on February 12, and ballot paper printing will begin at midnight on January 21. The Election Commission secretary has resolved the complications regarding Pabna-1 and Pabna-2 constituencies, ensuring full participation across the country.

The announcement aims to preempt rumors that often arise when vote counting takes longer than expected, emphasizing transparency and procedural integrity in the upcoming election process.

Former state minister for information and member of Bangladesh’s constitution drafting committee, Professor Abu Sayeed, has officially joined the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). The announcement was made on Wednesday at the BNP chairperson’s political office in Gulshan, Dhaka, where he presented flowers to the party’s secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. A day earlier, Sayeed had met with BNP chairperson Tarique Rahman.

Professor Abu Sayeed previously served as a member of parliament from Pabna-1 in 1973 and 1996 and held the position of state minister for information under Sheikh Hasina’s government in 1996. Over the years, he contested elections under various political banners, including BAKSAL, Awami League, as an independent, and as a Gono Forum candidate in 2018.

Explaining his decision, Sayeed said that given the rise of extremism, he believes BNP is the only party that should be advanced. He also confirmed submitting his nomination papers as an independent candidate for the upcoming national election from Pabna-1, adding that he will remain in the race if the party instructs him to do so.

Students of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) have boycotted all classes and examinations in protest against the suspension of the university’s central student union (ShakSU) election. They announced that they would not participate in any academic activities until the Chamber Judge Court grants permission for the election to proceed. The boycott began on Tuesday night through separate statements issued by students from different departments, following continuous demonstrations and sit-in programs on campus.

At a press conference held on Wednesday noon in front of the central library building, student leaders expressed frustration over the postponement. Delowar Hasan Shishir, vice president candidate from a Shibir-supported panel, said that the election was supposed to be held the previous day but was halted after two candidates and one voter filed a writ petition in the High Court. He claimed this deprived about 9,000 students of their democratic voting rights and demanded a prompt ruling in favor of the students. Independent general secretary candidate Faisal Hossain urged the court to exempt the ShakSU election from restrictions related to the national election period.

Students warned that if the court does not rule in their favor, they will announce a complete campus shutdown.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has called for a fear-free and fair election that reflects public opinion and allows voters to cast ballots without intimidation. He made the remarks on Wednesday while visiting injured party activists at Ibn Sina Hospital in Dhaka’s Kalyanpur. According to Jamaat, sixteen of its activists were injured in two separate attacks allegedly carried out by BNP supporters in Mirpur’s Pirerbag area on Tuesday.

Rahman condemned the incidents, claiming that BNP members assaulted and detained female Jamaat activists before law enforcement intervened. He urged authorities to ensure equal opportunities for all parties and to take legal action against those involved in violence. He emphasized that no group has the right to create mobs or disrupt campaigns, and that political differences should be resolved through lawful and peaceful means.

The Jamaat chief reiterated his party’s commitment to a corruption-free and just society, urging all candidates to respect voters’ rights. He warned that any attempt to undermine citizens’ voting rights would be met with a strong response through the ballot box.

A total of 1,967 candidates will contest in Bangladesh’s upcoming parliamentary election after 305 contenders withdrew their nominations on the final day for withdrawal, according to the Election Commission. The Commission will allocate election symbols to candidates today, with registered parties receiving their official symbols and independents choosing from approved options. Campaigning will officially begin tomorrow and continue until the morning of February 10, ahead of the February 12 parliamentary election and national referendum, both to be held on the same day.

Among the remaining candidates are 290 from the BNP, 216 from Jamaat-e-Islami, 259 from Islami Andolan Bangladesh, 196 from Jatiya Party, 30 from the National Citizens Party, and 92 from Gano Adhikar Parishad. Over 300 independents are also contesting, including several BNP dissidents and expelled Awami League leader Abdul Latif Siddique. The election will feature 49 registered political parties, while 11 others, including the suspended Awami League, are not participating.

The government has launched extensive campaigns urging citizens to vote “yes” in the referendum. For the first time, expatriates and certain domestic voters can cast ballots via online postal registration, with more than 1.53 million already registered.

In the 13th parliamentary election, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami did not withdraw its nominations in two constituencies of Narsingdi district, despite a decision by the 10-party alliance it leads. The party’s candidates are district secretary general Upadhyaksha Amjad Hossain in Narsingdi-2 (Palash) and Shibpur upazila amir Mostafizur Rahman Kawsar in Narsingdi-3 (Shibpur). The alliance had nominated Golam Sarwar Tushar of the NCP for Narsingdi-2 and Maulana Rakibul Islam of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis for Narsingdi-3. January 20 was the final date for nomination withdrawal.

Jamaat candidates claimed they were fully prepared to comply with the party’s directive to withdraw but were prevented by local activists who locked their homes and confined them, making withdrawal impossible. Narsingdi district Jamaat’s publicity secretary Advocate Amirul Islam Amir confirmed that the party had instructed both candidates to withdraw but that leaders faced resistance from local activists when they tried to enforce the decision.

NCP activists expressed anger, accusing Jamaat of violating the alliance’s collective decision. The situation has created tension within the 10-party coalition over candidate coordination in Narsingdi.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair has rejected allegations that his party engaged women in early election campaigning, calling the claims completely false. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday at the Election Training Institute in Agargaon, Dhaka, after symbol allocation for constituencies Dhaka-15 and Dhaka-13, he said all campaign materials were removed immediately after the election schedule was announced, without waiting for the Election Commission’s directive.

Zubair alleged that false propaganda was being spread to damage the unity of the ten-party alliance that includes Jamaat-e-Islami. He further claimed that a particular group had incited attacks on their female voters and expressed hope that such incidents would not recur. He also reported that party workers had been attacked in various areas and that the matter had been conveyed to the returning officer.

He emphasized that the upcoming national election is highly significant and that a concurrent referendum would give legal basis to long-standing reform processes. Zubair expressed hope for a fair, peaceful, and secure election.

The High Court has dismissed a writ petition filed by BNP candidate Manjurul Ahsan Munshi challenging the Election Commission’s decision regarding his nomination for the Comilla-4 constituency. The order was delivered on Wednesday afternoon by a bench led by Justice Rajik Al Jalil. Following the dismissal, lawyers confirmed that Munshi will not be able to contest in the election.

Earlier, on January 1, Munshi had filed the writ petition seeking to overturn the Election Commission’s decision that invalidated his nomination. The Election Commission had rejected his nomination appeal on January 17. The writ petition also sought a stay on the Commission’s January 17 decision.

During the hearing, Advocate Ahsanul Karim, Barrister Hamidul Misbah, and Advocate Saifullah Al Mamun represented Munshi, while Barrister Ehsan Abdullah Siddiqi, Advocate Zahirul Islam Musa, and Advocate Mujahidul Islam Shaheen appeared for Hasnat Abdullah.

Justice Farah Mahbub of the Supreme Court has been appointed as the new Chairperson of the Bangladesh Judicial Service Commission. The appointment was made through a government notification issued by the Ministry of Law on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, under the directive of the President.

Before this appointment, Justice Farah Mahbub was promoted to the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on March 24, 2025, and her appointment took effect after the oath-taking on March 25. She is the fifth woman to serve as a justice in the Appellate Division. Justice Mahbub began her legal career in 1992 at the district court level after completing her LLB and LLM from the University of Dhaka. She became an advocate of the High Court in 1994 and of the Appellate Division in 2002.

She was appointed as an additional judge of the High Court on August 23, 2004, and became a permanent judge in 2006. Justice Farah Mahbub is the daughter of former minister and prominent lawyer Advocate Mahbubur Rahman.

Election symbols have been distributed among 31 candidates contesting in five parliamentary constituencies of Jamalpur district. The allocation took place on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, under the supervision of Jamalpur Deputy Commissioner and Returning Officer Mohammad Yusuf Ali. Candidates and their representatives were present during the event. Following the withdrawal of three candidates on Tuesday, a total of 31 contenders, including independents and party nominees, will compete in the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election.

In Jamalpur-1 (Dewanganj-Bakshiganj), four candidates received symbols, while Jamalpur-2 (Islampur) also has four contenders. Jamalpur-3 (Melandah-Madaripur) will see nine candidates, Jamalpur-4 (Sarishabari) six, and Jamalpur-5 (Sadar) eight. The candidates represent various political parties including BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Jatiya Party, Communist Party of Bangladesh, and several others, along with independent candidates.

According to the report, campaigning for the 13th National Parliamentary Election in Jamalpur is set to begin from Thursday, following the symbol distribution.

A South Korean court has sentenced former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo to 23 years in prison for assisting in the brief imposition of martial law. The Seoul Central District Court, presided over by Judge Lee Jin-kwan, found Han guilty of helping then-President Yoon Suk-yeol declare military rule in December 2024 and failing to convene a legitimate cabinet meeting. The 76-year-old former leader was ordered to be taken into custody immediately after the verdict.

Judge Lee stated that Han had shown extreme negligence in his duties as prime minister and that Yoon’s attempt to impose martial law aimed to undermine constitutional order, equating it to an act of rebellion. The judge warned that Han’s actions risked returning South Korea to a dark past when citizens’ basic rights and democratic systems were violated.

Han denied all charges, insisting that he never supported or assisted in the declaration of martial law.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has strongly condemned an attack on its activists in Mirpur’s Pirerbag area of Dhaka. In a statement issued on Wednesday, Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar alleged that local BNP activists confined female Jamaat members during a meeting at a house near Alimuddin High School from 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. When Jamaat and Shibir activists tried to rescue them, they were attacked, leaving at least 16 people injured. The victims were later rescued with the help of police and the army and are now receiving treatment in hospitals.

Porwar denounced the incident as a deliberate attempt to disrupt the election process and spread fear among voters. He demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of those responsible and urged the administration and Election Commission to ensure a level playing field before the election. He also called for strict measures to improve law and order and protect public safety.

The statement further claimed that in Jamaat Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman’s constituency, Dhaka-15, organized efforts were being made to destabilize the situation and influence the election outcome.

Bobby Hajjaj and Maulana Mamunul Haque have officially received their election symbols for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election scheduled for February 12. The allocation took place on Wednesday at the Election Training Institute (ETI) building in Agargaon, Dhaka, under the supervision of Returning Officer Md. Yunus Ali. Bobby Hajjaj, nominated by the BNP, received the 'sheaf of paddy' symbol, while Maulana Mamunul Haque, the Amir of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis and candidate from the Jamaat alliance, received the 'rickshaw' symbol.

On behalf of Bobby Hajjaj, his chief election assistant Kazi Md. Yusuf collected the symbol, and Mamunul Haque’s younger brother Mashrurul Haque collected his. The symbol distribution marks the formal start of campaign preparations in Dhaka-13, where both candidates will compete for parliamentary representation.

The event also included symbol allocations for Dhaka-15, conducted under the same returning officer, as part of the Election Commission’s preparations for the February 12 national polls.

BNP Election Steering Committee spokesperson Mahadi Amin announced that the party will hold discussions with rebel candidates who remain in the electoral field despite the nomination withdrawal deadline having passed. Speaking at a press conference in Gulshan, Dhaka, on Wednesday, he said that if any candidate continues to defy party decisions after these talks, organizational measures will be taken against them under the party constitution.

Amin explained that after fifteen years of anti-fascist movements, many dedicated BNP leaders were unable to participate in elections, and the current polls have naturally created internal competition within the party. He emphasized that only one candidate can be nominated per constituency, and the leadership will engage in phased discussions with those still contesting independently.

He further stated that BNP expects all leaders and activists, including those from affiliated organizations, to work unitedly for the victory of the official “sheaf of paddy” candidates. Those who act outside party decisions or fail in their responsibilities will also face organizational consequences.

Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman will begin his election campaign tour on Thursday, January 22, starting from Dhaka. He is scheduled to address a public rally in Mirpur-10 under the Dhaka-15 constituency in the afternoon. The campaign is part of the 10-party electoral alliance’s preparations for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election, following the finalization of candidate lists and allocation of election symbols.

According to the party’s central publicity department, Dr. Rahman will continue his campaign in northern Bangladesh on January 23 and 24. He will attend rallies in Dinajpur, Thakurgaon, and Rangpur as the chief guest. On January 24, he will visit the grave of July uprising martyr Abu Sayeed at Begum Rokeya University and later address a rally in Palashbari, Gaibandha. Jamaat and its allied parties have undertaken extensive preparations for the campaign, with top leaders planning nationwide tours.

The alliance’s campaign will also include outreach in support of a referendum’s “Yes” side, with the participation of Islami Chhatra Shibir across the country.