UK-based weekly The Economist has reported that Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairman Tarique Rahman is leading the race to become Bangladesh’s next prime minister in the upcoming general election scheduled for February 12, 2026. The magazine described him as a 60-year-old heir of a prominent political family and the top contender following the country’s first election since a ‘revolution’ 18 months earlier that ended the Awami League’s 15-year rule.

The Economist’s analysis stated that the return to democracy is expected to improve law and order, reassure investors, and repair strained relations with India. It noted that the interim government led by Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus has stabilized the economy and prepared reforms to prevent future authoritarianism, including proposals for a new upper house and a 10-year limit on the prime minister’s tenure. The report also mentioned that Rahman’s BNP is leading opinion polls.

Rahman has pledged to support investors, create jobs, train young Bangladeshis for overseas employment, dig 20,000 kilometers of canals to address water shortages, and plant 50 million trees annually. He emphasized ensuring freedom of expression, maintaining law and order, and prosecuting those responsible for the 2024 protest killings.

Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, son of Libya’s former leader Muammar Gaddafi, has been shot dead in the western Libyan city of Zintan. The incident was confirmed on Tuesday night by Qatar-based broadcaster Al Jazeera, citing its Arabic service correspondent Ahmed Khalifa. The 53-year-old was reportedly living in Zintan for the past decade. His political adviser Abdullah Othman confirmed his death, though details about the attackers and circumstances remain unknown. Libyan authorities have yet to comment on the incident.

Saif al-Islam Gaddafi never held an official government position but was considered the second most influential figure in Libya between 2000 and 2011, after his father. Muammar Gaddafi was killed in 2011, ending his decades-long rule. Saif was imprisoned in Zintan that same year and released in 2017.

The lack of official statements leaves questions about the motive and perpetrators of the killing, as Libya continues to face political instability and fragmented authority.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has reported that the X (formerly Twitter) account of its Secretary General, Mia Golam Porwar, was hacked just days after the party chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman’s account was compromised. The hackers allegedly posted objectionable content from Porwar’s account, which was later deleted by the party’s social media team. The incident was disclosed at an emergency press conference held at Jamaat’s central office on Tuesday night, where the party announced plans to take legal action.

At the briefing, Jamaat’s central election committee member Engineer Sirajul Islam claimed that the earlier hacking of the party chief’s account had originated from an email linked to Bangabhaban, suggesting possible wider access to multiple devices. He urged the government to investigate the extent of the hackers’ control and warned that such cyberattacks could be used for data theft and conspiracies. Jamaat leaders condemned the attacks, describing them as part of a broader plot against the party.

Assistant Secretary General Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair also issued a statement condemning the hacking and called on authorities to identify and act against those responsible.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami announced that its Secretary General, Mia Golam Porwar’s X (formerly Twitter) account was hacked on Tuesday night. After the breach, offensive content was posted from his account, which was later deleted by the party’s social media team. Jamaat leaders said legal action would be taken soon. The incident was disclosed at an emergency press conference held at the party’s central office.

Engineer Sirajul Islam, a member of Jamaat’s central election committee, said the attack might be connected to a previous hacking of the party chief’s X account, allegedly carried out using an email from Bangabhaban. He urged the government to investigate the extent of the hackers’ control over devices and systems. Jamaat’s Assistant Secretary General and media chief, Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, condemned the hacking and described it as part of a broader conspiracy targeting party leaders.

The party reiterated its earlier claim that a government email address had been misused in a phishing attempt that compromised the Jamaat chief’s account, calling for accountability and stronger cyber protections.

The National Citizens Party (NCP) has alleged that unethical 'election engineering' activities are underway ahead of Bangladesh’s upcoming 13th national election. At a press conference held Tuesday evening at the party’s temporary central office in Dhaka’s Banglamotor, NCP leaders claimed that the Election Commission has lost its neutrality and that state institutions, including the police and administration, are working to favor one political party. They also accused authorities of appointing presiding officers based on political ideology, warning that such actions could render the election fraudulent.

The NCP further alleged that its candidates and workers from the 11-party alliance are facing widespread violence and obstruction during campaigning. The party cited incidents of attacks, arson, and intimidation in several districts, including Comilla, Narsingdi, and Narayanganj. It also accused the BNP of engaging in both violence and vote-buying, claiming that a mobile court recently sentenced six individuals for distributing money in Mymensingh-11. The NCP called for impartial action from the Election Commission and administration to ensure a free and fair election.

The party warned that without immediate corrective measures, the election’s credibility could be questioned even before polling begins.

Inkilab Monch has demanded an international investigation under United Nations supervision into the killing of Shaheed Osman Hadi, alleging state negligence and non-cooperation in the ongoing inquiry. The group announced its position at a press conference held on Tuesday, February 3, at Dhaka University’s Madhur Canteen. Member Secretary Abdullah Al Jaber urged Interim Government Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus to send a formal request to the UN within 24 hours for such an investigation.

Jaber claimed that the domestic investigation process is being used to shield the real perpetrators, noting that despite 53 days since the shooting and 47 days since Hadi’s death, no suspects have been identified. He also alleged that key information is being withheld from him as the case’s complainant and expressed concern about possible forgery of his signature. Drawing a parallel with the Rafik Hariri assassination case, he argued that only a UN-led inquiry could ensure justice.

The organization also raised issues regarding the upcoming 13th national election, calling for body cameras for security forces at vulnerable polling centers and measures against the use of illegal money and muscle power.

Former Pakistani Prime Minister and imprisoned PTI leader Imran Khan has undergone eye surgery and is gradually recovering, according to party chairman Barrister Gohar Khan. The update, shared on Tuesday, was based on information from Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi. The operation took place last week at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences after Khan experienced severe eye pain. Doctors had warned that without treatment, there was a risk of losing his eyesight.

Gohar Khan disclosed the details after family members were allowed to meet Imran Khan in prison, where only Bushra Bibi was present during the visit. He stated that no political discussions took place at that time. Gohar also alleged irregularities in the prison’s meeting policies, arguing that there is no written restriction on political discussions and that all parties should be treated equally under the law.

He described the authorities’ refusal to allow him to meet the PTI founder as regrettable and urged that prison visits should not be politicized. Imran Khan has also sent a message for his party and legal team, which Gohar Khan will deliver.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has issued a public notice prohibiting all forms of gatherings, rallies, sit-ins, and processions in several key areas of the capital, including the Bangladesh Secretariat and the Chief Adviser’s official residence, Jamuna. The restriction will take effect from Wednesday, February 4, 2026, and will remain in place until further notice. The order was signed by DMP Commissioner Sheikh Md. Sajjat Ali.

According to the notice, the decision was made under Section 29 of the DMP Ordinance to maintain public order and ensure the security of the Chief Adviser. The restricted zones include the areas surrounding the Secretariat and Jamuna, covering the stretch between Hotel Intercontinental Crossing, Kakrail Mosque Crossing, Officers Club Crossing, and Minto Road Crossing.

The DMP announcement emphasized that the ban applies to all types of public assemblies, including human chains, demonstrations, and processions, within the designated areas until new instructions are issued.

A total of 297,350 postal ballots from expatriate voters have arrived in Bangladesh ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliament Election and referendum. The information was confirmed on Tuesday, February 3, by Salim Ahmad Khan, team leader of the OCV-SDI project on expatriate voter registration. According to him, as of 12 p.m. that day, 766,862 ballots had been sent to registered expatriate voters through the Postal Vote BD app. Among them, 524,080 voters received their ballots, and 467,707 have already cast their votes.

Additionally, 423,712 expatriate voters have submitted their ballots to postal services in their respective countries, with 6,042 ballots already received by returning officers in Bangladesh. The Election Commission has also begun sending postal ballots to domestic voters under the ICPV system, dispatching 646,507 ballots so far. Of these, 125,668 voters have received their ballots, 96,632 have voted, and 70,810 have submitted their ballots to post offices or drop boxes.

In total, 1,533,684 voters at home and abroad have registered through the Postal Vote BD app to participate in the election and referendum.

The Supreme Court of Bangladesh has suspended a previous High Court order that had directed authorities to refrain from disconnecting water, electricity, and gas connections in under-construction buildings within areas controlled by the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK). The chamber court of the Appellate Division issued the suspension order on February 3, 2026, following a petition filed by RAJUK challenging the earlier High Court directive.

The High Court had earlier, on December 17, 2025, issued a rule and an interim injunction in response to a writ petition filed by the Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh (REHAB), instructing RAJUK and related authorities not to disconnect utility connections in such buildings. The government had initially decided on April 17, 2025, that utility connections would be cut off for buildings under construction that violated approved designs in RAJUK-controlled areas.

With the Supreme Court’s latest order, there is no longer any legal barrier preventing RAJUK and relevant authorities from conducting mobile court operations and disconnecting water, gas, and electricity connections in buildings under construction that deviate from approved designs.

Former student leader Moksed Alam has been appointed as the central joint general secretary of the Jatiyatabadi Krishak Dal. The announcement was made on Monday through a press release signed by the party’s central office secretary, Shafiqul Islam. The appointment was approved by the organization’s central president, agriculturist Hasan Jafir Tuhin, and general secretary, Shahidul Islam Babul.

According to the press release, the decision took effect on February 1. It also expressed hope that Moksed Alam would play an active role in strengthening, organizing, and energizing the Krishak Dal. The appointment reflects the leadership’s confidence in Alam’s ability to contribute to the party’s organizational development.

The announcement underscores the party’s ongoing efforts to reinforce its central leadership structure and enhance internal coordination through new appointments.

Sanatan (Hindu) students at Jagannath University held a sit-in on Tuesday at the university’s Muktomoncho, demanding the establishment of a central temple on campus. The protesters described a plan to build a public toilet near the proposed temple site as an act of religious disrespect. Participants from various departments joined the demonstration, chanting slogans asserting their right to a temple and criticizing the university administration.

Ajay Pal, general secretary of the Sri Chaitanya Education and Culture Association, said the university has about 2,700 Sanatan students but no central temple despite repeated petitions. He added that the vice-chancellor had cited space constraints but later indicated a site near Muktomoncho, where a public toilet project has now been initiated, angering students. Priyanta Swarnakar, acting president of the Student Unity Council, said the decision to build the toilet was made without consulting them.

Sumon Kumar Das, president of the Jagannath University Sanatan Student Council, announced that foundation rituals would be completed and temple construction would begin the same day. The protesters demanded a clear statement from the administration to fulfill their request promptly.

National Citizen Party (NCP) spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan claimed that government officials are openly seeking votes for the opposition’s paddy sheaf symbol, describing it as a threat to democracy. Speaking at an NCP election road meeting on Tuesday at Singra bus stand in Natore, he alleged that the Election Commission and administration are showing bias as the election approaches. He cited a social media video showing a presiding officer in Panchagarh asking for votes for the paddy sheaf.

Bhuiyan said that complaints from the 11-party alliance to the Election Commission are ignored, while complaints from the BNP receive immediate action. He warned that attempts to use the administration to stage another rigged election would not succeed, saying the people would defend their voting rights even at the cost of their lives. Other NCP leaders, including Monira Sharmin and Tariqul Islam, echoed concerns about administrative bias and pledged to protect polling centers.

The event was part of the NCP’s nationwide election campaign, attended by leaders from the 11-party alliance supporting Shapla Koli symbol candidate S.M. Jargis Kadir in Natore-3 constituency.

The chiefs of Bangladesh’s Army, Navy and Air Force visited Gazipur district on Tuesday ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election and Referendum 2026. During the visit, General Waker-uz-Zaman, Admiral M Nazmul Hasan and Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmud Khan met senior military officers, law enforcement officials and civil administration representatives from Gazipur, Narsingdi and Narayanganj districts at the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute conference hall.

The meeting focused on ensuring peaceful, neutral and fair elections through inter-agency coordination and comprehensive security management. The three service chiefs emphasized professionalism, neutrality, discipline, patience and citizen-friendly conduct in carrying out duties. They also inspected the activities of armed forces personnel deployed under the “In Aid to the Civil Power” framework and provided necessary guidance.

Senior military and civil officials, law enforcement representatives and members of the media were present during the visit, reflecting a broad-based coordination effort for maintaining order during the election period.

Dr. Shafiqul Islam Masud, central executive member of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and Dhaka South secretary, alleged that the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Bauphal Police Station has lost neutrality. Speaking at a press conference at the Bauphal upazila Jamaat office on Tuesday, he claimed that the OC conducted a raid on their party office under provocation from another political group, without proper verification. Masud argued that a neutral election cannot be expected while the current OC remains in his post and urged the Election Commission to withdraw him immediately.

He questioned how members of another political organization and several journalists were present before the police raid, suggesting that they had prior knowledge of the operation. Masud said the police found nothing during the raid, which, according to him, proves the action was politically motivated. He emphasized that law enforcement should ensure full confirmation before conducting such operations.

Masud also announced that Jamaat Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman will visit Bauphal on February 6 to address a public rally at the local field, where other alliance leaders will also attend.