U.S. President Donald Trump has announced several members of the new Gaza Peace Board, which will oversee the interim administration in the war-torn territory. The seven-member founding executive board includes U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, and World Bank President Ajay Banga. Trump will chair the 15-member board himself, describing it as the most prestigious of its kind.

The board stems from Trump’s 20-point peace plan introduced in late 2025, which led to an initial ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas and a prisoner exchange. The plan calls for an international “Board of Peace” to supervise a Palestinian technocratic body managing Gaza’s governance during the transition period. However, the White House has not yet detailed the board’s specific responsibilities.

Residents of Gaza have expressed skepticism about the recently announced second-phase ceasefire, citing unfulfilled promises from the first stage of the agreement.

Reports from multiple Indian outlets surrounding Bangladesh’s upcoming parliamentary election show a consistent narrative portraying Jamaat-e-Islami as a destabilizing and extremist force. Publications such as Firstpost, Indian Express, Anandabazar Patrika, and Republic Bangla have framed Jamaat’s political resurgence as a security threat, while downplaying its student wing’s electoral victories. Analysts cited in the report argue that this coverage reflects a deliberate attempt to isolate Jamaat politically and influence Bangladesh’s internal dynamics.

Diplomatic observers note that following the fall of the Awami League, India is eager to rebuild influence in Dhaka by aligning with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). However, Delhi reportedly views Jamaat as a “red line” and seeks to pressure BNP to sever ties with it. Indian media’s portrayal of Jamaat as “Pakistan-leaning” and “anti-India” is seen as part of this strategy.

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

Interim government adviser for finance and the Ministry of Science and Technology, Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, described the upcoming February 12 election as highly critical. Speaking on Friday evening at a voter awareness event organized by the Sirajganj district administration, he said both domestic and foreign observers were watching the election’s transparency closely. The event was held at the Sirajganj Collectorate grounds as part of a campaign promoting the referendum and voter participation.

Dr. Ahmed emphasized the importance of spreading the achievements of the July Revolution and urged attendees to counter negative attitudes with positivity. He expressed hope that future administrations would not overturn previous initiatives and encouraged citizens to support the “yes” vote to strengthen both themselves and the next government.

The meeting was chaired by Rajshahi Divisional Commissioner Dr. A. N. M. Bazrul Rashid and attended by senior officials, including the Cabinet Secretary, district administrators, and ministry secretaries. Cultural performances preceded the speeches.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Standing Committee member Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan stated that former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia never practiced politics of vengeance. He made the remark on Saturday, January 17, at a memorial meeting held at the National Press Club in Dhaka, organized jointly by the World Human Rights Organization and the Lawyers’ Association to pray for Khaleda Zia’s departed soul. Dr. Moyeen Khan described her as a leader who rose above political definitions through her thoughts, work, competence, and love for people.

Recalling his time as a minister, Moyeen Khan said Khaleda Zia always allowed her ministers full independence and never interfered in their work. Other speakers, including BNP Advisory Council member Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal, highlighted her leadership and maternal qualities, saying she would remain immortal in the nation’s history. Professor Dr. Abdul Latif Masum, chairman of the World Human Rights Organization Bangladesh, emphasized her uncompromising role and contributions to the country.

The event was presided over by Advocate Syed Mahbub Hossain, president of the Lawyers’ Association, and attended by several BNP leaders and advisors.

The ongoing photo card sharing campaign, part of the 2026 referendum publicity drive, has continued since January 11. According to Senior Assistant Press Secretary Fayez Ahmed, the initiative aims to raise public awareness and encourage active citizen participation in the upcoming referendum. The campaign will continue until Sunday, January 18, as confirmed by the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing.

The photo cards carry the message urging citizens to vote 'yes' in the referendum, described as a step toward accelerating national progress. Alongside this initiative, other advisers have been participating in various public events to promote the 'yes' vote. Government channels are also actively supporting the campaign.

Political leaders and candidates are simultaneously conducting campaigns for both the 13th National Parliamentary Election and the referendum, indicating a broad mobilization effort across the country.

BNP leader and Ghuridah Union Parishad Chairman Selim Ahmed Tulip organized a large community feast in Saghata, Gaibandha, where around 10,000 people from various professions gathered to eat the traditional dish Pithali. The event took place on Friday at the Saghata Degree College field following a prayer ceremony seeking forgiveness for the late Begum Khaleda Zia’s soul. The field quickly filled as people arrived after Jumma prayers, and food was served for about one and a half hours.

Local residents described the event as highly organized and satisfying, noting that such a large gathering for the traditional meal had not been seen in over a decade. Participants from different areas, including Ghuridah, Bonarpara, and Holdia, praised the taste of the dish and the discipline maintained during the event.

The gathering was attended by Gaibandha district BNP leaders, including President Professor Dr. Moinul Hasan Sadiq, General Secretary Md. Mahamudunabi Titul, and BNP’s nominated candidate for Gaibandha-5 constituency Alhaj Md. Faruk Alam Sarkar, along with other party members.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh is conducting the eighth day of appeal hearings related to the acceptance and rejection of nomination papers for the 13th National Parliament election. The hearings began at 10 a.m. on Saturday at the EC headquarters in Agargaon, Dhaka, under the chairmanship of Chief Election Commissioner A M M Nasir Uddin. According to the EC schedule, 100 appeals numbered 511 to 610 are being heard from morning to 5 p.m., with a one-hour break at noon.

On the previous day, Friday, the commission heard 43 appeals, approving 18 appeals against nomination rejections, rejecting 17, and keeping four pending for verdict. Additionally, four appeals challenging the acceptance of others’ nominations were dismissed. The EC stated that the final day of hearings will be held on Sunday, covering appeals numbered 611 to 645 and any remaining pending cases.

A total of 645 appeals were filed with the EC against returning officers’ decisions. On January 4, returning officers declared 1,842 of 2,568 nomination papers valid and 723 invalid across 300 constituencies.

Adilur Rahman Khan, adviser to the ministries of Housing and Public Works, Industries, and Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, addressed a public awareness meeting in Cox’s Bazar on Saturday, January 17, 2026, as part of the campaign for the upcoming 2026 referendum. Speaking as the chief guest at the Cox’s Bazar Institute and Public Library Hall, he declared that enforced disappearances, extrajudicial actions, and crossfire incidents would no longer be tolerated in Bangladesh. He urged citizens to vote ‘yes’ in the referendum to end years of irregularities in the voting process.

Khan said the July Charter had been signed to fulfill the dreams of 1,400 students, workers, and citizens who sacrificed their lives for change, and that all political parties supported the charter. The Cox’s Bazar district administration organized the event, chaired by Deputy Commissioner Md. A. Mannan, and detailed extensive promotional activities including banners, posters, films, and social media outreach across the district.

The adviser’s visit to Cox’s Bazar followed campaign stops in Chattogram and Bandarban. He and his team were scheduled to return to Dhaka on Saturday night after completing the day’s activities.

Ten leaders and activists of Islami Andolan Bangladesh from Ward 75 (Daserkandi) under Dhaka South have joined Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami. The group included Gazi Nasir Uddin, president of the ward unit, businessman Kazi Akter Hossain, and Kazi Khaled Hossain. They formally joined the party on Saturday morning at a ceremony held in the capital’s Daserkandi area.

The event was attended by Kabir Ahmad, Jamaat’s nominated candidate for the Dhaka-9 parliamentary seat and central vice-president of the Labour Welfare Federation, as the chief guest. The program was presided over by Maulana Mahmudur Rahman, amir of Khilgaon East Thana Jamaat. Party leaders welcomed the new members and highlighted the organization’s ideology, goals, and objectives.

The joining marks a local-level shift of Islami Andolan members toward Jamaat-e-Islami in Dhaka South, reflecting ongoing political realignments within Islamist groups in the area.

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.