The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has imposed strict nationwide restrictions on vehicle movement ahead of the 13th National Election and referendum. According to a letter signed by Deputy Secretary Mohammad Monir Hossain on January 27, motorcycles will be banned from February 10 midnight to February 13 midnight, while taxis, pickups, microbuses, and trucks will be restricted for 24 hours on February 12, the polling day. The directive was sent to the Secretary of the Road Transport and Highways Division.

The EC circular allows limited exemptions for essential and authorized vehicles, including those of law enforcement, armed forces, administration, election observers, ambulances, emergency services, and media transport. Vehicles carrying medicines, health supplies, newspapers, and passengers with valid air tickets are also exempt. Candidates and their agents may use one vehicle each with returning officer approval and visible stickers. Telecommunications service vehicles under BTRC are classified as emergency transport.

Local administrations, including district magistrates and metropolitan police commissioners, have been empowered to relax or extend restrictions based on local needs and conditions.

Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman has called on army personnel to perform their election duties with professionalism, neutrality, patience, and citizen-friendly behavior. He made the appeal during a meeting at the Rajshahi Cantonment, where troops have been deployed under the 'In Aid to the Civil Power' framework for the upcoming National Election and Referendum 2026. The Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR) provided this information to the media.

According to ISPR, the Army Chief observed the activities of deployed personnel on the ground and gave necessary directives. He also held discussions with the civil administration and attended a meeting organized by the Bangladesh Infantry Regimental Centre (BIRC) involving senior military, divisional, and district officials, as well as representatives from various law enforcement agencies. The discussions focused on inter-agency coordination and overall security management to ensure a peaceful, neutral, and fair national election.

Senior military officers from the Army Training and Doctrine Command, the 11th Infantry Division, and Bogura Area Command, along with the Rajshahi Divisional Commissioner and other senior civil and law enforcement officials, were present at the meeting.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman announced that his party will establish a government hospital in Dhaka’s Uttara area if it comes to power. He made the statement early Tuesday during an election rally at Azampur Eidgah ground in Uttara, emphasizing that the hospital is a long-standing demand of local residents, particularly for low- and middle-income families. Rahman said the initiative would be taken if the BNP’s election symbol, the paddy sheaf, wins in the January 12 election.

In his speech, Rahman also acknowledged the contribution of Uttara residents to the August 5 student and public uprising, saying their role would be remembered in history. He highlighted ongoing problems in the area, including irregular gas supply despite regular billing, and linked it to a nationwide issue of halted gas exploration. He further pledged to address water shortages, waterlogging, and traffic congestion if his party forms the next government.

The rally concluded around 1:20 a.m., after which Rahman departed for his residence in Gulshan.

ATM Azharul Islam, Nayeb-e-Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, said the party would serve as public servants rather than rulers if elected. He made the statement on Tuesday afternoon at a youth rally in support of the party’s 'Dharipalla' (scales) symbol in Badarganj Sadar, Rangpur. The rally began at Sahapur field, paraded through key roads, and ended at the Upazila Parishad road, with a large number of youth activists carrying party flags, banners, and festoons.

In his address, Azharul Islam said the absence of honest and competent leadership had prevented the creation of a corruption-free state. He argued that corrupt leadership could never build a corruption-free Bangladesh and urged voters to elect honest, qualified, and patriotic leaders. He emphasized that Jamaat-e-Islami had no place for corruption, terrorism, or extortion and that past governments had exploited the people.

Azharul Islam also referred to the July 2024 mass uprising, saying it made current political expression possible. He called on supporters to uphold the spirit of that movement and vote for the 'Dharipalla' symbol to establish a just, corruption-free society based on Islamic values.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman has called for the restoration of voting rights, alleging killings, repression, and disenfranchisement over the past decade. Speaking at a public rally at Mymensingh Circuit House field on Tuesday afternoon, he said the only path to national recovery is ensuring citizens’ right to vote. He emphasized that the upcoming election on the 12th will allow people to exercise this right, which he described as essential for reflecting the people’s will in governance.

Rahman said the absence of voting rights has left basic issues unresolved across the country, including river erosion, employment shortages, and poor infrastructure in education, health, and transportation. He announced plans for a “Krishak Card” to deliver fertilizer, seeds, and pesticides directly to farmers, and a “Family Card” to support women and poor households if the BNP forms government. He also pledged to expand hospitals, strengthen rural healthcare, and promote fish farming and agricultural exports.

Rahman concluded by urging unity across religious and social lines, asserting that collective action is necessary to establish public accountability and democratic governance.

Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd.) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury stated that there is no risk of election disruption as, according to him, Awami fascists and their militant associates have fled the country. He said that if they had courage, they would have sought legal recourse within the country. Chowdhury added that their supporters are also absconding abroad, and the government will request those countries to repatriate them.

He made these remarks on Tuesday morning at the parade ground of Kashimpur Central Jail in Gazipur, after attending the closing ceremony of the 63rd batch of female prison guards’ basic training course. The adviser emphasized that prisons are sensitive and vital institutions forming an integral part of the criminal justice system, where security and human rights must complement each other.

Chowdhury expressed hope that the newly trained guards would perform their duties with honesty, skill, and professionalism. The event was attended by senior prison officials, police, and local administrators, with trainee Raihana Akter Subarna receiving the best trainee award among 866 participants.

BNP Standing Committee member and Dhaka-8 candidate Mirza Abbas said on Tuesday, January 27, that his invitation for tea was being misrepresented as a threat. Speaking at a campaign event in Gulbag, Malibagh, he claimed that opponents were trying to provoke conflict and accused them of labeling him unfairly. Abbas emphasized that he would not fall into any traps and urged all candidates to seek votes based on their contributions to the area.

Following the rally, Abbas conducted public outreach from Mouchak to Rajarbagh Police Gate and later led a large procession organized by the local BNP and affiliated groups. He criticized rival candidates as temporary figures who appear only during elections and highlighted his long-standing presence in national politics since 1991. Abbas also rejected allegations of extortion, saying those making such claims were themselves responsible for such acts.

He asserted that voters would ultimately judge his opponents on February 12, suggesting that the public would issue them a “red card” for their behavior.

Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said there is no problem if fairs are held beyond 400 yards of polling centers, as such events would not disrupt the environment. He made the remarks on Sunday after a meeting of the Home Ministry’s Core Committee on law and order, responding to journalists’ questions about election-related activities. When asked about possible contradictions with earlier statements from other advisers, he said he currently had no information and would clarify the matter after the next meeting.

Chowdhury also stated that there is no security risk surrounding the upcoming parliamentary elections, a position he has maintained for the past year. In his written statement, he outlined the ministry’s preparations, including the formation of a law and order coordination cell for the 2026 national election and referendum, reviews of anti-drug and illegal arms recovery operations, and measures to prevent untoward incidents during campaigns.

He emphasized that security remains the ministry’s top priority and directed law enforcement agencies to act impartially, avoid illegal orders, and maintain public trust to ensure peaceful elections.

Nahid Islam, the convener of the Nationalist Citizens’ Party (NCP), alleged that the attack on Nasiruddin Patwari at Habibullah Bahar College in Dhaka’s Ramna area occurred under the direction of BNP Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas and with the consent of Tarique Rahman. He claimed that identified activists from the BNP’s student wing, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, carried out the assault in a planned manner. Nahid made these allegations at an emergency press conference on Tuesday, describing the incident as a “planned terrorist attack.”

He warned that such actions would not be tolerated and called on the Election Commission, the college administration, and the BNP to take appropriate measures. Nahid also announced that his party would respond on the streets on February 12 if no action was taken. Patwari is contesting the Dhaka-8 constituency as a candidate of the Jamaat-led ten-party electoral alliance, while Mirza Abbas is running from the same seat for the BNP.

During the press conference, Nahid criticized Abbas’s political history and accused the BNP of attempting to rehabilitate Awami League-style politics through violence. He also reminded that the public has not forgotten the BNP’s past from 2001 to 2006.

BNP candidate and party chairperson’s adviser Khandaker Abdul Muktadir stated that a nationwide wave of public enthusiasm has emerged since BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman returned to the country. He made the remarks on Tuesday during a daylong mass outreach campaign across various parts of Sylhet city, where he said people are eager to vote for the BNP’s electoral symbol, the paddy sheaf.

The campaign began in Pathantula under Muktadir’s leadership and turned into a large procession with spontaneous participation from BNP leaders, activists, and local residents. The rally stretched several kilometers through multiple neighborhoods, where women greeted Muktadir with flowers from their homes and expressed anticipation to vote after nearly one and a half decades. Senior BNP leaders from city and district units joined the event.

Separately, tea workers from Lakkatura Tea Garden publicly declared their full support for the BNP’s paddy sheaf symbol at a rally on Monday night, saying they were united to ensure its victory.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Director General Major General Mohammad Ashrafulzaman Siddiqui announced that the force is fully prepared to carry out all responsibilities assigned for the upcoming national parliamentary election. He made the statement on Monday night during a coordination meeting on law and order and security at Shahpari Island in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar, attended by senior officials from the district administration, police, armed forces, and intelligence agencies.

The BGB chief said over 37,000 personnel will be deployed in 489 of the country’s 495 upazilas, with the force operating independently in 61 border upazilas. BGB will also serve as mobile and static forces in 300 constituencies based on risk assessments. Preparations include training, briefings, and exercises to ensure lawful and professional conduct. Helicopters, quick response teams, dog squads, drones, and body cameras will support operations.

He added that BGB remains vigilant in Cox’s Bazar due to its 271-kilometer border with Myanmar, focusing on preventing smuggling, illegal entry, and trafficking. The presence of Rohingya refugees has also been factored into security planning.

Hasnat Abdullah, the Jamaat-NCP 11-party alliance candidate for Comilla-4 (Debidwar), warned that anyone attempting to seize polling centers would be restrained and handed over to police. He made the remarks on Tuesday morning at a courtyard meeting held at Wahidpur Ghoshaibari field in Debidwar upazila. Abdullah told supporters that preventing vote rigging no longer required political leaders, asserting that those who joined the July movement would now guard the polls.

He urged voters to cast two ballots—one for the Shapla symbol and another as a 'yes' vote—stating that the future of Bangladesh would depend on the outcome of the referendum. Abdullah dismissed claims that a 'yes' vote would remove “Bismillah” from the constitution, calling such statements misinformation. He also advised supporters to arrive at polling centers after Fajr prayers to protect the vote.

The meeting was presided over by Subil Union Jamaat leader Maulana Tajul Islam and attended by several local leaders from Jamaat and allied parties.

Election Commissioner Brigadier General (Retd.) Abul Fazal Md. Sanauallah stated that dual citizens who voluntarily renounced their foreign citizenship before December 29 are eligible to participate in the upcoming election. He said the Election Commission has granted this legality in accordance with existing law. Sanauallah made the remarks on Tuesday afternoon while addressing a meeting of the law and order, vigilance, and observation teams at the Noakhali Deputy Commissioner’s office ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election and referendum.

He emphasized that the integrity of the vote will not be compromised under any circumstances and that any vote cast without following proper procedures will be canceled. Sanauallah also explained that both general and postal ballots will be counted simultaneously, though postal ballot counting will take longer due to the presence of 119 symbols on each ballot. He urged election officials to ensure a festive yet peaceful environment where all voters can cast their votes freely.

The meeting, chaired by Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Shafiqul Islam, was attended by upazila executive officers, election officials, and representatives from the armed forces and law enforcement agencies.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman on Tuesday addressed an election rally at Mymensingh Circuit House field, where he criticized Jamaat-e-Islami for its recent remarks against the BNP. He questioned why Jamaat’s two ministers did not resign from the BNP-led government between 2001 and 2006 if the party was as corrupt as alleged. Rahman argued that those ministers stayed because they knew then–Prime Minister Khaleda Zia was taking strict measures against corruption.

During the rally, Rahman urged supporters to guard polling centers to prevent vote rigging and emphasized unity across religious and social lines to build a better Bangladesh. He highlighted local issues such as river erosion, unemployment, and drug problems, proposing vocational and ICT training to create youth employment. He also mentioned plans to honor mosque imams and muezzins through training and support programs.

The event introduced 24 BNP parliamentary candidates from the Mymensingh division. Rahman’s campaign will continue in Gazipur, Uttara, and later in Rajshahi, Naogaon, Bogura, and Barishal divisions, according to the BNP media cell.

Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd.) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said there is no risk of instability in Bangladesh centering the upcoming national election. He made the remarks on Tuesday at the parade ground of the Prison Training Center in Kashimpur, Gazipur, after the closing ceremony of the 63rd batch of female prison guards’ basic training course.

Responding to a question about whether statements from the deposed Awami League government’s ex-prime minister Sheikh Hasina, reportedly speaking from Delhi, could cause unrest, the adviser said there is no such possibility. He claimed that the banned Awami League lacks the courage to return to the country and that its supporters and militants have either fled or taken refuge abroad. He also urged foreign countries to return those he described as fascist extremists.

In response to another question, the adviser said the government is considering building another prison in Keraniganj due to space constraints at Kashimpur. He added that recruitment under the Home Ministry has been conducted transparently without irregularities.