July Oikya announced it will hold a 'March to Election Commission' program on Tuesday to demand the disqualification of loan defaulters, dual citizens, and 14 political parties including the Jatiya Party from the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. The announcement was made Monday by organizer Plabon Tariq at a press conference. Organizer Israfil Farazi alleged that the Election Commission had legitimized candidates who are loan defaulters and dual citizens, violating existing laws. He claimed at least 45 loan defaulters were allowed to contest while 68 were excluded.

Farazi further stated that July Oikya has been campaigning for two months to bar the Jatiya Party and allied groups, accusing them of involvement in past violence. The group also demanded immediate recovery of illegal weapons before the election, citing the killing of one of its organizers, Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, during election campaigning. They criticized the interim government and the Home Ministry for failing to act and warned that any ensuing unrest would be the responsibility of the Election Commission and the Home Ministry.

The press conference was also addressed by organizers Zainal Abedin Shishir and Munshi Burhan Mahmud.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Principal Belayet Hossain held a press conference on Monday at the Companiganj upazila Jamaat office, alleging that supporters of his rival BNP candidate were issuing threats, committing assaults, and engaging in irregularities ahead of the election in Noakhali-5 (Companiganj-Kabirhat) constituency. He claimed that BNP activists were intimidating Jamaat supporters in Noajpur and Ashdia unions and in ward 3 of Kabirhat municipality, including threats to female voters to prevent them from going to polling centers.

Belayet Hossain further alleged that despite the Election Commission’s instructions for appointing presiding, assistant presiding, and polling officers, the rival side influenced the cancellation of the official list and replaced it with their preferred officials. He warned that if the Election Commission failed to take legal action, his party would announce a program to surround the offices of the returning and assistant returning officers.

BNP candidate Fakhrul Islam denied all allegations, claiming that no such incidents occurred and instead accused Jamaat supporters of threatening his Hindu voters.

Hafiz Maulana Mahmudul Hasan, the Islami Andolan Bangladesh–nominated candidate for the Sylhet-1 parliamentary seat, stated on Monday, January 26, 2026, that his party is contesting independently due to a lack of ideological alignment with Jamaat-e-Islami. Speaking at a press briefing and candidate introduction meeting in Sylhet, he said the party is upholding Islamic ideals while running under its own symbol.

Hasan highlighted that expatriates’ hard-earned assets in Sylhet have long been targeted by criminals and land grabbers. He pledged to take strict measures to protect those assets if elected and to establish a business-friendly environment free from extortion. He also promised to transform Sylhet into a safe, livable “model city” free from corruption, extortion, and terrorism.

He further alleged that divisions have been created among Muslims, Hindus, Christians, Buddhists, and other communities in Sylhet, fostering fear. Hasan also claimed that expatriate remittance earners, a key force in the national economy, have been neglected and undervalued for years. Islami Andolan leaders from Sylhet city and district levels attended the event.

A mobile court in Mirsarai upazila of Chattogram fined a supporter of BNP-nominated candidate Nurul Amin for violating the electoral code of conduct ahead of the 13th National Parliament Election and Referendum 2026. The incident occurred on Monday, January 26, when officials found Mohammad Tarek campaigning with a pickup van displaying framed colored banners and festoons and using loudspeakers at Gheramara Forest Gate area of Korerhat Union.

The mobile court, operating under Regulation 27(a) of the Political Parties and Candidates Conduct Rules 2025, imposed a fine of Tk 25,000 on Tarek for breaching clauses 7(b) and 7(g). All campaign materials were removed from the vehicle. Upazila Assistant Returning Officer and Executive Officer Somaiya Akter said campaigners and supporters present were made aware of the election code during the operation.

According to the report, a supporter named Haque paid the fine and expressed regret, stating that the violation occurred without the candidate’s knowledge.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has expelled 21 more leaders for violating party decisions and engaging in activities deemed harmful to the organization. The expulsions were announced on Monday through five separate notices signed by BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi. Those expelled include Anwar Hossain Bulu, a member of the BNP National Executive Committee, along with several district and upazila-level leaders from Munshiganj, Tangail, and Kishoreganj.

According to the official notices, all expelled individuals have been removed from their primary and all other party positions. The decision follows internal disciplinary measures aimed at maintaining organizational discipline and unity within the BNP. The notices did not provide further details about the specific actions that led to the expulsions.

The expulsions reflect continued internal enforcement within the BNP as it seeks to address organizational dissent and ensure adherence to party directives.

Leaders of the Bangladesh Administrative Service Association have stated that rumors are being spread by certain groups regarding the formation of a new central executive committee. According to the association, several newspapers published misleading reports based on these rumors. In an official statement, Md. Nazrul Islam, president of the association and secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Public Works, clarified that no decision was made to form a new committee during the association’s recent meeting.

The statement explained that the meeting, held on Sunday evening at the association’s headquarters, focused on issues related to members’ interests. It did not include any discussion or decision about leadership changes or committee formation. Nazrul Islam emphasized that reports in some media outlets about a new committee were incorrect and baseless.

The association said the clarification was issued to protect its image and maintain transparency among members, urging the public not to be misled by unverified information.

Election Commissioner Brigadier General Abul Fazl Md. Sanaullah announced that mobile banking transactions will be closely monitored during Bangladesh’s upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election to prevent vote buying and selling. He made the statement on Monday at a meeting with the law and order cell and vigilance and observation teams held at the Chandpur Deputy Commissioner’s conference room. From February 8, assistant returning officers have been instructed to take immediate action if any unusual transactions occur at mobile banking agents during specific times.

Sanaullah emphasized that there will be no government pressure in the election process and that transparency, neutrality, and firmness must guide election management. He said six committees of the Election Commission are working at the field level with authority to conduct investigations and judicial activities. On the topic of the referendum, he urged officials to encourage voter participation, noting that citizens will express their choice for the future of Bangladesh through “yes” or “no” votes.

The meeting was organized by the district administration and chaired by Deputy Commissioner and Returning Officer Md. Nazmul Islam Sarkar, with officials from various departments present.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman announced that the party aims to ensure dignified employment for every capable man and woman in the country. Speaking as the chief guest at an election rally in Kushtia on Monday at noon, he said the initiative would particularly empower the youth to contribute to national development through their energy and skills.

Rahman emphasized that Jamaat does not want unemployment to persist in the country and seeks to eliminate it through productive work opportunities. He also called for reforms in the education system to build a skilled and humane nation, making education more employment-oriented. He added that the party envisions a Bangladesh where citizens can proudly identify themselves as Bangladeshis.

The Jamaat chief further stated that the party would establish justice equally for all, ensuring the same legal standards for the president, workers, and even the poor. The rally was presided over by Kushtia district Jamaat’s acting Ameer Abdul Gafur and attended by several central and regional leaders from Jamaat and allied organizations.

Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus has directed Bangladesh’s armed forces to remain on maximum alert to ensure a free, fair, and credible 13th National Parliamentary Election and referendum scheduled for February 12. He issued the directive on Monday during a meeting with senior military officials at the Army Headquarters, according to a statement from the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing. Yunus emphasized that the armed forces’ professionalism, neutrality, and responsibility are crucial to maintaining public confidence and ensuring a peaceful and festive electoral atmosphere.

He described the upcoming vote as a decisive moment for Bangladesh’s democratic future, particularly for young and long-disfranchised voters. Yunus urged the military leadership to ensure all field-level decisions are lawful, restrained, and responsible, warning that even minor deviations could undermine public trust. He also paid tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War and the July–August student uprising, acknowledging the armed forces’ role in maintaining stability.

Yunus further noted that the interim government has prioritized strengthening the armed forces’ capacity, including establishing domestic arms production and signing defense cooperation memoranda with several countries.

Election Commission (EC) Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed stated that a level playing field exists in the ongoing election process, allowing candidates to campaign freely. Speaking to reporters on Monday at the EC headquarters in Dhaka, he advised that complaints about code of conduct violations should be filed directly with the Electoral Inquiry and Adjudication Committees or returning officers for quicker action, rather than through the central EC office.

Ahmed also briefed journalists about a recent meeting between the EC and foreign diplomats, where 41 ambassadors and mission heads were informed about the upcoming February 12 parliamentary election and referendum. The diplomats were particularly interested in security arrangements and command structures. The EC detailed the deployment of police, army, navy, air force, RAB, and Ansar personnel, noting that 25,000 to 30,000 police body-worn cameras will be used at polling centers.

He added that vote counting is expected to take three to four hours per center, though counting for expatriate ballots may take longer due to separate ballot formats and centralized scanning procedures.

The Election Commission of Bangladesh announced that nearly 56,000 domestic and foreign observers will monitor the upcoming national parliamentary election and referendum. According to the commission’s approval, the observers will be present at polling centers on election day to oversee field-level activities. Md. Asadul Haque, Assistant Director of the EC’s Public Relations Department, stated that 55,454 observers from 81 domestic organizations and around 500 international observers will participate. Voting will take place continuously from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on February 12, when voters will cast their ballots for both the parliamentary election and the referendum.

The commission said both local and international observers will closely monitor the voting environment, law and order situation, and voter participation. EC officials noted that the presence of observers will help ensure transparency and credibility in the election process. Observers will prepare reports on conditions inside and outside polling centers and submit them to the commission afterward.

According to the Election Commission, the inclusion of foreign representatives is expected to enhance international confidence in Bangladesh’s electoral process.

The government of Bangladesh has issued a new policy outlining the conditions, duration, and authority for granting parole to prisoners. The policy, released by the Security Services Division’s Prison-2 branch of the Ministry of Home Affairs, was announced on Monday by Assistant Inspector General (Development) Md. Jannat-ul Forhad through a press release. It specifies that prisoners, including VIPs and other categories, may be granted temporary parole in cases such as the death of close relatives or under special government or court orders.

According to the policy, parole duration cannot exceed 12 hours, though the government retains the right to extend or reduce it in special cases. Prisoners released on parole must remain under constant police supervision. The district magistrate will serve as the approving authority for parole within their jurisdiction, taking into account factors such as distance, security, and accessibility. The policy also cancels previous parole regulations issued in 2007 and 2010.

Authorities have been instructed to implement the new policy accordingly, ensuring compliance with the updated procedures for temporary prisoner release.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has alleged that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled to Delhi after causing devastation to the country. He made the remarks on Monday afternoon while conducting election campaigning in his Thakurgaon-1 constituency. Fakhrul accused the ruling government of abandoning not only its own party members but also the entire democratic process.

According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Fakhrul urged members of the Hindu community to remain courageous and assured them of BNP’s support in any difficulties. He encouraged them to vote freely for any candidate of their choice and promised that his party would stand by them if anyone tried to obstruct their voting rights. He also called on people to stay alert against attempts to create division among communities.

Fakhrul further appealed to voters to reject those who had supported Pakistan in 1971 and to vote for the BNP’s “sheaf of paddy” symbol in support of democracy and the nation.

Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizens Party (NCP) and candidate for Dhaka-11, has pledged to realize the aspirations of expatriate voters who supported the cause of good governance and national sovereignty. He made this commitment in a video message posted on his verified Facebook page on Monday.

In the video caption, Nahid expressed hope that the ballot papers of expatriate voters would reach the Election Commission before the 13th National Parliamentary Election scheduled for January 12. He also extended gratitude to expatriates for their active participation in both the national election and the referendum, acknowledging their contribution to the democratic process.

The statement underscores the NCP candidate’s emphasis on engaging overseas Bangladeshis in national governance and ensuring their votes are properly counted ahead of the election.

In Chattogram-8 constituency, a ten-party alliance has officially nominated Zobairul Hasan Arif of the National Citizen Party (NCP) as its candidate. However, during a campaign event in Boalkhali’s Phultala on Monday, discontent surfaced among locals, particularly from Ruby Akter, mother of July uprising martyr Omar Bin Nurul Absar. She questioned the nomination of a non-local candidate, saying that local voters prefer someone from their own area.

Ruby Akter emphasized that local votes make up the majority in the constituency and expressed concern that the alliance’s decision could harm local representation. She argued that while the alliance’s vote share might be around 20 percent, local votes account for 80 percent, and the nominated candidate is unfamiliar to residents. NCP spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan and candidate Arif tried to reassure her, but she suggested keeping the seat open for both NCP and Jamaat’s candidate Dr. Abu Naser.

The incident highlights growing unease within the alliance as local loyalties and personal networks appear to challenge the coalition’s formal decision.