The National Citizen Party (NCP) will contest 30 constituencies in the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election, according to the party’s spokesperson and Election Steering Committee Chairman Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan. He made the announcement on Monday, January 12, during an interview with the media. The NCP will participate as part of an 11-party electoral alliance formed under a mutual understanding.

Asif Mahmud stated that all party leaders and activists have accepted the decision in the interest of the nation and the people. He described the alliance as a reformist coalition against dominance and said the NCP made significant concessions to form it. He expressed optimism that the alliance would form the next government. He also mentioned that those who had submitted resignations remain valuable to the party, as their resignations have not yet been accepted.

The NCP spokesperson clarified that the alliance is strategic rather than ideological. In 270 constituencies where the NCP has no candidates, the party will campaign for a “yes” vote in the referendum and work at the grassroots level as representatives of the referendum candidates.

The Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) has recommended exemption for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, and 111 others in an attempted murder case filed at Dhanmondi Police Station during the July uprising. The final report was recently submitted to the Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Court, which set February 3 for the next hearing on whether to accept the report. The case was filed on September 3, 2024, alleging that on August 4, during the July movement, a man named Sahed Ali was injured near Dhanmondi 27, along with several students.

Investigation officer Shahjahan Bhuiyan stated that the case contained factual errors and that no injured persons mentioned in the complaint could be located. Official gazettes listing those injured in the July movement did not include the names cited in the case. The complainant, identified as Shariful Islam, could not produce the alleged victims or any medical documents despite repeated requests.

The PBI concluded that due to insufficient evidence and lack of verifiable witnesses, the allegations could not be substantiated. The report noted that if credible information about the victims emerges later, a new charge sheet may be filed.

Alhaj Golam Nabi Alamgir, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) candidate for Bhola-1 (Sadar) constituency in the 13th National Parliamentary Election, has withdrawn his nomination. His lawyer, Advocate Md. Amirul Islam Baset, submitted the withdrawal application to the returning officer on Monday afternoon, citing personal reasons. The returning officer and Bhola Deputy Commissioner Dr. Shamim Rahman confirmed receipt and acceptance of the application in accordance with election rules.

According to the submission, Alamgir had filed his nomination on December 28, 2025, which was verified as valid on January 3, 2026. The withdrawal letter was signed on January 11 and submitted on January 12. Following his withdrawal, Barrister Andaleeve Rahman Partha, chairman of the Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP), will now contest the February 12 election from Bhola-1 under the BNP alliance with the “bullock cart” symbol.

Other candidates in the constituency include Jamaat-e-Islami’s Principal Nazrul Islam, Islami Andolan’s Md. Obaidur Rahman, NPP’s Md. Mizanur Rahman, Gano Adhikar Parishad’s Md. Ainur Rahman Jewel, and Islami Front’s Mohammad Ashraf Ali.

Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus has announced that the interim government is fully prepared to hold a free, fair, and peaceful national election on February 12. Speaking in Dhaka during a courtesy meeting with former Japanese First Lady Akie Abe and a delegation of Japanese entrepreneurs, Yunus reiterated that he has no intention of joining politics or holding any government or state position after the election.

During the meeting, Yunus highlighted his focus on expanding quality healthcare, promoting youth entrepreneurship, and implementing his 'Three Zero' vision—zero unemployment, zero net carbon emissions, and zero wealth concentration. He called for increased Japanese investment in Bangladesh and urged Japan to recruit more Bangladeshi workers. Akie Abe praised Yunus for his leadership in restoring peace and stability and supporting economic recovery in Bangladesh.

The discussion covered cooperation in investment, marine research, and recruitment of caregivers and nurses for Japan’s aging population. Yunus also revealed plans to visit Tokyo in March to join a joint marine research initiative with the Sasakawa Foundation, which plans to sign an agreement to develop three model fishing villages along Bangladesh’s coast.

Syed Shahjahan Saju, president of the Dhaka metropolitan unit of Bangladesh NAP, has joined Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami. The announcement came on Monday afternoon at the party’s Dhaka South office, where Saju filled out a Jamaat associate membership form and submitted it to Helal Uddin, a central working committee member and Naib-e-Ameer of Dhaka South. Helal Uddin welcomed him and presented organizational materials and books on Jamaat’s constitution.

Saju stated that he joined Jamaat-e-Islami to contribute to building a welfare state based on justice and fairness. He said that Jamaat’s commitment to creating a corruption-, terrorism-, and extortion-free Bangladesh inspired his decision, adding that no other political party had shown such courage. Saju had served as Dhaka NAP president for the past ten years.

Helal Uddin said Jamaat aims to build a hunger- and poverty-free, humane Bangladesh without corruption or discrimination. He added that growing public trust in Jamaat’s leadership has led many patriotic politicians to join the party, including Saju.

The political platform July Oikya, inspired by the spirit of the 24th mass uprising, announced it will submit a memorandum to the Election Commission on Tuesday demanding the cancellation of nominations of candidates from the 14-party alliance, including the Jatiya Party, and the NDF coalition for the 13th National Parliamentary Election. The announcement was made Monday afternoon at a press conference held at Dhaka University’s Madhur Canteen by one of the group’s organizers, Plabon Tarek. As part of the program, a ‘March to EC’ will take place on January 13 at noon, followed by similar marches and memorandum submissions to divisional election offices on January 14.

At the press conference, July Oikya organizer Musaddeq Ali Ibne Mohammad accused the Election Commission of failing to act on repeated demands and warned it to stop serving what he called fascist interests. He questioned whether the Commission truly intends to hold a fair election. Another organizer, A.B. Zubair, said the group has been campaigning to ban the Awami League’s politics and to cancel nominations of parties allegedly involved in past atrocities.

The organizers reiterated their demand for immediate cancellation of all nominations of the Jatiya Party and allied groups, emphasizing their ongoing legal and protest efforts.

Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus has called for ensuring that election rigging never occurs again in Bangladesh. He made the remarks on Monday afternoon at the state guesthouse Jamuna after receiving the report from the National Election (2014, 2018, 2024) Investigation Commission. Yunus said the entire electoral process had been distorted and that the truth must be presented to the nation. He emphasized the need to identify those involved and ensure accountability so that citizens can regain confidence in the system.

According to the commission’s report, the elections of 2014, 2018, and 2024 were systematically manipulated under decisions made at the highest levels of the state to keep the Awami League in power. The report stated that in 2014, 153 seats were uncontested, while the remaining contests were prearranged. In 2018, ballot papers were allegedly stamped overnight in 80 percent of polling centers, and in 2024, dummy candidates were used to simulate competition. The commission found that administrative, police, and intelligence agencies were used to execute these plans.

The report further noted that between 2014 and 2024, election administration shifted from the Election Commission to the bureaucracy, making the latter the main controlling force.

International Crimes Tribunal prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim has declared that there will be no compromise in the trial of the July genocide cases. He made the statement on Monday after the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement submitted a three-point demand to the tribunal’s prosecution, urging that no accused be granted bail, acquittal, or exemption in the ongoing crimes against humanity cases linked to the July revolution.

Tamim said one of the group’s demands was to form a special investigation team and a special tribunal to expedite the trials. He noted that establishing such bodies is the government’s responsibility, but the prosecution will forward the demand for prompt action. The student group also announced plans to file cases against business and cultural figures accused of aiding the July killings, to which Tamim responded that investigations would begin swiftly once formal complaints are received.

The demands followed the January 11 conditional bail granted to Humayun Kabir Patwari, a local political leader accused in a crimes against humanity case. Tamim clarified that the bail was approved on humanitarian grounds due to the accused’s serious health conditions.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir stated that insulting a cricketer amounts to insulting Bangladesh. He expressed agreement with the government’s decision on the matter. Fakhrul made the remarks on Monday morning while speaking to journalists at his residence in Thakurgaon town.

Discussing the country’s law and order situation, Fakhrul said there has been no significant improvement and expressed concern that the government has failed to recover illegal weapons. On the issue of elections, he noted that the current environment appears fair but added that the situation will become clearer after January 22.

Fakhrul also said that if the BNP forms the next government, it will ensure Bangladesh receives its fair share of water from the Teesta and other rivers shared with India. Local BNP leaders, including district general secretary Poigam Ali, were present during the discussion.

Iran’s government has declared three days of national mourning following recent violent protests and clashes that left multiple civilians and security personnel dead. The announcement was made on Sunday evening, January 11, through a statement from the presidential office, according to Tasnim News. The government said the mourning period honors those killed in the unrest, expressing condolences on behalf of the state and cabinet.

Authorities reiterated their commitment to bringing those responsible for the violence to justice and to maintaining public order. Officials alleged that the recent incidents were carried out by “externally supported rioters” who attacked political figures and security forces, creating instability across the country.

The declaration of mourning comes amid heightened political tension and ongoing opposition activity within Iran’s political and security environment, reflecting the government’s attempt to restore calm after widespread unrest.

The General Secretary of Chittagong University Central Students’ Union (ChakSU), Saeed Bin Habib, has alleged that national newspapers Prothom Alo and Samakal published biased reports regarding the detention of Hasan Mohammad Roman Shuvo, a teacher from the university’s law department. Speaking at a press conference at the ChakSU office on Monday, Habib said the incident was misrepresented as mob harassment, though video footage showed no physical abuse or violence. He stated that ChakSU leaders handed Shuvo over to the administration after he attempted to flee when questioned about allegations against him.

Habib further claimed that ChakSU leaders, particularly female members, have been facing organized cyberbullying and death threats through social media, including the use of obscene and misogynistic language. He described the attacks as part of a coordinated campaign of defamation and intimidation. Addressing recent recruitment issues at the university, Habib urged the administration to disclose all relevant information under the Right to Information Act, 2009, to strengthen trust between students and the administration.

ChakSU believes that transparency in recruitment processes will help resolve ongoing disputes and restore confidence within the university community.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has called on citizens to vote 'yes' for reform, regardless of political affiliation. He made the appeal on Monday during a press briefing following a courtesy meeting with a three-member European Union election observation team led by Ivars Ijabs, a member of the European Parliament, at his office in Bashundhara, Dhaka.

Dr. Rahman said a final announcement on seat-sharing for the upcoming national election would come within the next two days, adding that discussions with all parties were ongoing to reach a coordinated decision. He noted that the EU delegation inquired about election preparations, law and order, and the Election Commission’s role. He outlined three key conditions for post-election stability: building a corruption-free state, ensuring an independent judiciary, and implementing reform commission proposals.

He emphasized that Jamaat seeks balanced foreign relations based on mutual respect and equality, with special attention to youth and women’s security. He also mentioned that around 200 EU observers would monitor the polls across districts and city corporations and expressed hope that the administration would act neutrally.

Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that the Islamic Republic is currently engaged in battles on four simultaneous fronts—economic, intellectual, military, and counterterrorism—against enemies led by the United States and Israel. Speaking in parliament on Sunday, he said these conflicts have been ongoing for years and are becoming increasingly complex. According to him, Iran’s adversaries have already been defeated militarily, prompting the US to attempt to incite unrest and impose what he described as a “terrorist war” inside the country.

Ghalibaf warned that this so-called “terrorist war,” resembling Daesh-style operations, aims to harm Iran. He criticized US President Donald Trump’s threats and said the Iranian people have resolved to confront and eliminate armed terrorists. Separately, on January 9, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei accused certain groups of carrying out sabotage in Tehran and other cities to please the US president. He alleged that Trump was responsible for the deaths of over a thousand Iranians during a 12-day war in June 2025.

Khamenei emphasized that the Islamic Republic, founded through great sacrifice, would never submit to foreign powers and urged Iranian youth to maintain unity and readiness to defeat all enemies.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman announced that the party’s final decision on seat-sharing will be declared within the next two days. He made the statement on Monday during a press briefing following a courtesy meeting with a three-member European Union election observation delegation led by Ivars Ijabs, a member of the European Parliament, at his office in Bashundhara, Dhaka. He said journalists would be invited when the parties sit together to finalize the agreement.

During the hour-long discussion, topics included the upcoming February national election, the referendum, and the preparedness of Jamaat and its allies. The EU team inquired about the law and order situation, the roles of the government and the Election Commission, and whether a level playing field exists. Dr. Rahman said the party had raised its concerns with the relevant authorities and received partial remedies.

He added that Jamaat supports fair elections, reform, and justice for all, emphasizing that voters must be able to cast their ballots freely and that results should reflect the people’s will. He also confirmed that the EU plans to send 200 observers to cover district and city corporation areas.

Mohammad Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizens Party (NCP), and Maulana Mohammad Mamunul Haque, amir of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, held a courtesy meeting on Monday afternoon at Haque’s personal office in Mohammadpur, Dhaka. The two leaders, both part of the Jamaat-e-Islami–led 11-party alliance, discussed the upcoming national election, the planned referendum, and other current political issues.

According to party sources, the hour-long meeting covered the country’s ongoing political situation, recent political alignments, and future strategies. The discussion emphasized strengthening mutual understanding within the alliance and coordinating joint political initiatives. Particular focus was placed on developing a unified political stance to safeguard national interests, independence, and sovereignty, as well as mobilizing public support for a “yes” vote in the referendum.

The meeting reflected efforts within the 11-party alliance to consolidate cooperation and define strategies ahead of the next election and referendum.