Police in Mirzaganj, Patuakhali arrested Anwar Hossain Babul Mallik, a local Awami League leader, on Tuesday. The arrest took place at Subidkhali Bazar as part of the ongoing Operation Devil Hunt Phase-2. Mallik, aged 60, serves as the joint general secretary of the Mirzaganj Upazila Awami League and is a resident of Chhailabunia village under Amragachia Union.

According to Mirzaganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md. Abdus Salam, the arrested leader was sent to Patuakhali district jail through the court. The police official stated that the operation would continue. The report described the Awami League as a banned organization in the area, and the arrest was carried out under that context.

Authorities have not provided further details about the specific allegations or the broader scope of the operation beyond confirming that it remains active.

At a public discussion titled 'Tarunyer Vabnay Agamir Bangladesh' held on February 3 at Comilla Town Hall, Dhaka University Chhatra Dal Joint General Secretary Abidul Islam Khan declared that Jamaat-Shibir has no opportunity to conduct politics openly in Bangladesh. He accused Shibir activists of initiating offensive slogans against Tarique Rahman at Dhaka University after July and criticized them for engaging in what he called 'obscene politics' against the late President Ziaur Rahman.

Khan further alleged that Jamaat-Shibir members committed atrocities during the Liberation War, including violence against women and collaboration in killings of Bangladeshis. He described them as internationally recognized collaborators and warned that their continuation of 'dirty politics' would bring consequences. The event also featured speeches by Dhaka University Treasurer Professor M. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury and Professor Dr. Chowdhury Saima Ferdous as the chief discussant.

The remarks reflect ongoing political tensions between student groups aligned with major national parties and highlight the enduring sensitivity surrounding wartime history and political legitimacy in Bangladesh.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has warned that postal ballots from expatriate voters for the 13th National Parliamentary Election may be canceled if they do not arrive in the country by tomorrow. According to the EC, nearly 300,000 ballots from overseas voters have already reached Bangladesh. The commission reiterated that ballots must reach returning officers by 4:30 p.m. on election day to be counted.

A notice on the EC’s Postal Vote BD app urged voters to promptly mail their ballots, emphasizing that any ballot arriving after February 5 may not reach the returning officer in time. The EC clarified that the voting process is entirely manual and that the mobile app is not connected to ballot submission or declaration forms. Once received, ballots are separated from declaration forms before counting to ensure anonymity.

The EC reported that 766,862 postal ballots were sent abroad, of which 524,080 were received by expatriates. A total of 467,707 overseas voters cast their ballots, and 297,350 have so far arrived in Bangladesh. The national election and referendum are scheduled for February 12.

Jatiya Ganotantrik Party (JAGPA) spokesperson Rashed Pradhan called for voters to show a 'red card' against corruption and extortion during an election rally in Garaya, Thakurgaon, on Tuesday afternoon. Speaking at an 11-party alliance Jamaat-e-Islami campaign event, he criticized Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, urging him to speak with restraint. Pradhan also expressed support for the alliance’s candidate Delwar Hossain, who is contesting under the 'scales' symbol, and pledged to gift the Thakurgaon-1 seat to Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, described as the future prime minister.

He recalled past incidents in the area following the verdict against Allama Delwar Hossain Sayeedi, noting that both Muslims and Hindus had joined protests at that time. Pradhan urged unity among voters on the upcoming 12th to ensure victory for the alliance’s candidate. The rally was presided over by union Jamaat leader Nurul Huda and attended by district Jamaat secretary Kofil Uddin and Khelafat Majlish president Abu Said.

In Madaripur’s Shibchar upazila, a Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) courtyard meeting for the Madaripur-1 constituency turned into a gathering of several Awami League leaders, despite restrictions on their participation. The event, held on Tuesday afternoon at the residence of former mayor and Awami League leader Awlad Hossain Khan, was organized by Shibchar municipal BNP in support of BNP candidate Nadera Akter. Awami League leaders present said they were acting under the direction of former chief whip Noor-e Alam Chowdhury Liton to support the BNP candidate.

The meeting saw participation from union chairmen, municipal councillors, and Awami League activists who publicly urged voters to support the BNP’s “sheaf of paddy” symbol. Nadera Akter, addressing the gathering as chief guest, pledged to address citizens’ problems directly if elected and outlined plans for family and agriculture cards and subsidies for disaster-affected farmers. The joint presence of Awami League and BNP figures on the same stage has stirred mixed reactions in local political circles.

The unusual cross-party support has generated new discussions and controversy in the region’s political landscape ahead of the national election.

The Election Commission of Bangladesh has suspended the election for the Sherpur-3 parliamentary constituency following the death of Jamaat-e-Islami’s district secretary and candidate, Nuruzzaman Badol. Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud confirmed the decision to the media on Wednesday morning. Badol passed away early Tuesday, February 3, reportedly from kidney-related complications while under hospital care.

According to Bangladeshi law, if a candidate dies before a national parliamentary election, the election process in the concerned constituency must be suspended or canceled. Jamaat-e-Islami confirmed Badol’s death in a Facebook post, identifying him as the party’s nominated candidate for Sherpur-3.

The Election Commission’s suspension of the Sherpur-3 poll aligns with legal provisions ensuring fairness in the electoral process when a candidate’s death occurs before voting.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has canceled its earlier decision to deploy members of the Bangladesh National Cadet Corps (BNCC) at polling centers for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election and referendum. The revised directive, signed by EC Deputy Secretary Mohammad Monir Hossain on February 3, 2026, was sent to returning officers across the country.

According to the updated instructions, BNCC cadets will now assist only in maintaining order at the IT-supported postal ballot counting centers (OCV and ICPV) located in the offices of returning officers. The election is scheduled to be held on February 12, 2026. The EC’s decision modifies its previous plan that had included BNCC participation in broader election-related duties.

The change follows administrative adjustments ahead of the national polls, with the EC clarifying the limited scope of BNCC involvement in election operations.

Indian authorities have ordered two British tourists to leave the country after they allegedly placed stickers supporting Palestine in various locations in Ajmer, Rajasthan. The couple, identified as Louis Gabriel D. and his wife Anushi Emma Kristin, were staying in Pushkar on tourist visas when intelligence officials received reports on January 21 that they were distributing 'Free Palestine' stickers. Following verification through CCTV footage and local sources, police questioned the pair and determined that their actions violated visa conditions.

Officials stated that engaging in political or ideological activities while on a tourist visa constitutes a clear breach of the Immigration and Foreigners Act. As a result, the couple’s visas were canceled and a formal 'Leave India Notice' was issued. District police later removed the stickers from public areas with assistance from local authorities.

Authorities reiterated that any political, protest-related, or ideological activities are strictly prohibited for foreign nationals visiting India on tourist visas.

A new controversy has emerged in the political scene of Madaripur-1 constituency after BNP-nominated parliamentary candidate Nadera Akter was seen sharing a stage with several Awami League and affiliated organization leaders at an election courtyard meeting. The event took place on Tuesday afternoon at Khanbari in Shibchar upazila, where Awami League leader and former Shibchar municipal mayor Awlad Hossain Khan and other local party members were present. Awami League leaders concluded their speeches with the slogan 'Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu.'

The joint appearance has triggered mixed reactions in local politics, particularly causing discontent and unease among grassroots BNP activists. Several BNP leaders, speaking anonymously, said that sharing a stage with Awami League leaders contradicts the party’s ideology and long-standing political stance, potentially confusing activists and negatively affecting the campaign.

Local discussions have also surfaced about whether this reflects an undeclared political understanding ahead of the election or merely personal and social ties. However, no official statement has been issued by either side. Madaripur district BNP member secretary Jahandar Ali Jahan commented that those who practice good politics should not be blamed for being active in the field.

Thousands of supporters marched through Caracas on Tuesday demanding the release of former Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro, who was arrested a month ago following a deadly US military operation that removed him from power. Maduro was taken to New York to face drug trafficking charges. The government-organized rally drew large numbers of public employees carrying images of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, who was also detained during the operation.

Interim president Delcy Rodríguez faces a complex political situation, balancing Washington’s support while maintaining backing from Maduro loyalists within the government and society. Maduro’s son, National Assembly deputy Nicolás ‘Nicolasito’ Maduro Guerra, declared that Venezuelans reject US dominance and embrace anti-imperialist sentiment. Many demonstrators wore red, symbolizing the Chavista movement founded by Hugo Chávez.

Under pressure to normalize relations with the United States, Rodríguez’s government has begun releasing political prisoners and opening the state energy sector to private investment. The US envoy Laura Dogu outlined a three-step plan for building a stable and democratic Venezuela. Meanwhile, students and relatives of political detainees also marched, urging swift passage of a promised amnesty law.

Abdul Awal Mintoo, vice chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and candidate for Feni-3 constituency, declared that Jamaat-e-Islami would never be allowed to come to power in Bangladesh. Speaking at an election campaign rally on Tuesday evening at the Sonagazi municipal grounds, he described Jamaat as a group of hypocrites and accused them of working against national development. Mintoo urged voters to ensure that no member of Jamaat could hold even a local position.

He appealed to residents to vote for the BNP’s electoral symbol, the paddy sheaf, in the upcoming election on the 12th. Mintoo said that if the BNP returned to power and Tarique Rahman became head of government, Bangladesh would move forward with divine blessings. He called on supporters to mobilize family members, especially women, to cast their votes for the BNP.

Several BNP leaders, including central and district-level representatives, were present at the rally, showing organizational support for Mintoo’s campaign in Feni-3.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman is scheduled to visit Barishal and Faridpur on Wednesday, marking his first trip to Barishal in 20 years. He will depart Dhaka by helicopter at 11 a.m. and is expected to arrive at the historic Bell’s Park field by noon to address an election rally. Following the event, he will travel to Faridpur. The rally will feature candidates from BNP and its allied coalition representing 21 constituencies in the Barishal division.

Party leaders and activists from across the division have begun gathering at the venue since early morning to welcome their leader. According to the report, Tarique Rahman is expected to outline the party’s election roadmap and discuss development plans for the southern region. The atmosphere across the division has taken on a festive tone ahead of his arrival.

The visit is viewed as a significant moment for BNP’s regional campaign efforts, as it brings together party members and supporters from multiple districts in anticipation of the upcoming election.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman is scheduled to speak at an election rally today at the helipad ground of Teesta Barrage in Lalmonirhat district. The event, part of the campaign supporting the 13th National Parliamentary Election and referendum, will begin around 12:30 p.m. in Hatibandha upazila. The rally is organized by the 11-party alliance.

According to local party leaders, the gathering will support seven candidates contesting under the 'scale' symbol across Nilphamari and Lalmonirhat districts. Lalmonirhat Jamaat chief Advocate Md. Abu Taher is contesting from Lalmonirhat-3, while Anwarul Islam Raju, Jamaat’s central vice president for industry and commerce, is running from Lalmonirhat-1 (Patgram and Hatibandha). Both are expected to attend the rally alongside other alliance candidates.

The event marks a major campaign effort by Jamaat-e-Islami in northern Bangladesh ahead of the upcoming national election and referendum.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has curtailed the involvement of Bangladesh National Cadet Corps (BNCC) members in the upcoming 13th parliamentary election and referendum scheduled for February 12, 2026. Initially, the EC planned to deploy BNCC members at polling centers to assist with election duties. However, following objections from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), the EC decided to restrict their role to maintaining discipline at postal ballot counting centers and the EC Secretariat.

According to a circular signed by an EC deputy secretary on Tuesday, BNCC members will work at IT-supported postal ballot counting centers and at the Secretariat’s result collection and dissemination sections from February 11. The directive outlines six operational guidelines, including coordination with returning officers, verification of cadets’ neutrality, and pre-deployment training. The EC will cover related expenses from its budget.

The decision followed a February 1 meeting between the Chief Election Commissioner and BNP representatives. BNP leader Nazrul Islam Khan stated that involving young students in a politically sensitive process could make both the students and their institution controversial, prompting the EC to revise its earlier plan.

Nuruzzaman Badal, the secretary of Jamaat-e-Islami’s Sherpur district branch and the party’s candidate for the Sherpur-3 (Sreebardi–Jhenaigati) parliamentary seat, has passed away at the age of 51. His death occurred at around 3 a.m. on Tuesday night, according to a Facebook post by Jamaat-e-Islami confirming the news.

The post stated that Nuruzzaman Badal had been admitted to a hospital due to kidney-related illness and died while undergoing treatment. He was the officially nominated candidate of Jamaat-e-Islami for the Sherpur-3 constituency in the upcoming election.

The report did not mention further details about funeral arrangements or the party’s next steps regarding the vacant candidacy.