Md. Erfanul Haque, an additional secretary, has officially taken charge as the chairman of Bangladesh Oil, Gas and Mineral Corporation (Petrobangla). According to a press release issued by Petrobangla on Saturday, he assumed the position last Thursday. Before joining Petrobangla, Haque served as an additional secretary in the Energy and Mineral Resources Division.

The announcement stated that Haque is an officer of the 18th batch of the Bangladesh Civil Service (Administration) cadre and began his government career on January 25, 1999. Over his long career, he has served in various administrative roles, including as a first-class magistrate, assistant commissioner (land), and upazila executive officer. He also worked in several key ministries, including Education, ICT, Primary and Mass Education, and Public Administration.

Haque holds a master’s degree in International Relations from the University of Dhaka and another in the same field from Waseda University in Japan. Upon assuming his new role, he sought the prayers and cooperation of all concerned.

AB Party Chairman Mujibur Rahman Manju has alleged that recent police actions against Inquilab Mancha activists indicate a conspiracy surrounding the upcoming election. Speaking on Saturday morning in Feni, he condemned what he described as a brutal police attack on students and civilians during a protest demanding justice for the killing of Osman Hadi. The event took place after a bicycle rally organized by the Feni city branch of Islami Chhatra Shibir in support of Manju, the 11-party alliance candidate for the Feni-2 constituency.

Manju criticized the police for failing to protect Osman Hadi or apprehend his killers, accusing them instead of targeting innocent people. He said the behavior of law enforcement reflected anger and violent tendencies, suggesting the incident might have been intentional. According to him, such actions could be part of a broader attempt to send a political message ahead of the national election.

He further warned that the visible bias of the administration and police could signal deeper unrest, hinting at the possibility of a major upheaval if such trends continue.

A police constable was killed in a road accident on Saturday afternoon on the Dhaka Road near the Nabaganga Bridge in Magura town. The deceased was identified as Badsha Morol, 26, a constable stationed at Babukhali Camp under Mohammadpur Upazila in Magura. He was the son of Omar Ali from Ailia village in Satkhira district. The accident occurred when a speeding truck hit his motorcycle from behind while he was returning to his camp from the Magura police lines after collecting ration medicine. Passersby rescued him and took him to Magura Hospital, where the on-duty doctor, Sadia Jhora, declared him dead.

The body has been kept at the temporary morgue of Magura 250-bed District Hospital. Magura Superintendent of Police Md Habibur Rahman visited the scene and described the incident as tragic. He said legal action would be taken following an investigation and that necessary arrangements had been made for an autopsy.

Authorities have initiated the investigation process to determine the cause of the collision and identify those responsible.

Allegations have emerged that BNP activists obstructed the election campaign of the 11-party ‘Oikyo Boddho Bangladesh’ alliance, which includes Jamaat and NCP, in Dhaka-18 constituency. The incidents reportedly occurred on Friday across several areas, including Khilkhet’s Ward 48, where campaign leaflets were forcibly taken away after Jumma prayers. Local BNP leader Murad Kazi and his associates allegedly seized leaflets distributed in support of the Shapla Koli symbol and threatened campaigners with consequences if they went to polling centers on February 12.

The NCP claimed that alliance workers were intimidated during the campaign, with threats of assault if they continued campaigning in the area. A campaign rickshaw with loudspeakers was also reportedly taken away by BNP activists in the Borua Bazar area. Female members of the alliance were allegedly subjected to verbal abuse while campaigning for the Shapla Koli symbol.

Ariful Islam, the alliance’s candidate for Dhaka-18, condemned the incidents, calling them attempts to derail a fair election and demanded justice against those responsible.

A fire broke out early Saturday, February 7, 2026, at the election campaign office of Maulana Borhan Uddin, the 11-party alliance candidate for the Noakhali-3 constituency, located at Dineshganj Bazar in Rasulpur Union of Begumganj upazila, Noakhali. The blaze destroyed several chairs, tables, and an autorickshaw before local residents managed to bring it under control.

According to local sources, the office had been set up for campaign activities ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliament election and referendum. Leaders of the Bangladesh Shramik Kalyan Unit’s Rasulpur Union branch, who oversaw the office, alleged that the fire was an act of sabotage driven by political vengeance. They demanded that those responsible be identified and brought to justice.

Begumganj Model Police Station’s investigation officer Habibur Rahman said police, fire service personnel, and an executive magistrate visited the site. Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire and will take necessary action following the inquiry.

BNP candidate Sarwar Jamal Nizam for Chattogram-13 (Anwara–Karnaphuli) constituency has publicly appealed for an end to extortion activities until February 12. He made the request on Friday night during the inauguration of his election office at Chatari Choumuhani Bazar in Anwara upazila. A 55-second video of his speech later circulated on social media, sparking widespread discussion and criticism.

In the video, Nizam is heard describing Chatari as the economic center of Anwara and alleging ongoing extortion, anarchy, and terrorism in the area. He urged those involved to refrain from such activities until the 12th and warned that anyone attempting to tarnish the BNP’s image would not be spared. Attempts to reach Nizam by phone for further comment were unsuccessful.

Following the video’s spread, local political circles began debating his remarks. Some viewed them as an expression of concern over the election environment, while others criticized the statement.

The Uttarbangha Indigenous Forum held a press conference at the Chapainawabganj District Press Club on Saturday, demanding special security measures for indigenous and religious minority voters in the upcoming election. The organization presented a five-point demand, calling for effective steps to ensure safety and fair voting rights for these communities.

In a written statement, Forum General Secretary Provat Tudu said indigenous and minority groups across the country have long faced discrimination, fear, and violence, which intensify during elections. He noted that many are threatened or prevented from voting, describing such acts as violations of human rights and the constitution. Rajshahi city branch president Sumi Murmu urged the state, including the army, police, and law enforcement agencies, to take preventive measures against pre- and post-election violence and called on the Election Commission to act impartially and investigate intimidation complaints promptly.

Indigenous leaders reported that around 80,000 voters in three constituencies of Chapainawabganj feel insecure ahead of the polls and demanded increased patrols in indigenous areas.

Ata Sarkar’s essay, published on February 7, 2026, explores how Bangladeshi literary books often feature self-congratulatory notes or ‘certificates’ on their back covers. He observes that while a book’s front cover attracts readers through design and artistry, the back cover increasingly serves as a space for exaggerated praise of the author, sometimes written by the author themselves or by well-known figures. Sarkar questions why such certificates are needed when the book itself should serve as the writer’s true credential.

The piece highlights examples of authors who have written their own glowing endorsements or sought validation from prominent intellectuals, including foreign ones, to enhance their literary image. Sarkar criticizes this practice as a marketing strategy that prioritizes vanity over authenticity. He also notes that even lesser-known or rural writers imitate this trend, adding emotional or self-written certificates to their books.

The essay concludes by asserting that genuine literary merit should come from the author’s creative work, not from decorative or self-promotional back-cover statements.

Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus said that the country’s electoral culture has changed and that ensuring a perfect vote is now the biggest challenge. He made the remarks on Saturday night during a high-level meeting on election matters at the state guesthouse Jamuna, which he chaired. After the meeting, his Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam briefed reporters, saying the Chief Adviser expressed satisfaction with the overall election environment and noted nationwide enthusiasm and civility among participants.

Dr. Yunus stated that the upcoming election would be festive and memorable, with women participating joyfully. The Press Secretary added that the Chief Adviser tested body-worn cameras in five remote areas and that any issues would be reported through an Election Security App to the Election Commission and relevant offices. Around 900,000 law enforcement personnel will be deployed, including 108,000 armed forces members already in place. A 333 hotline is being launched for election-related matters.

Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumdar announced that permission for 10,000 election observers from the NGO “Pasha” had been revoked. Officials also assured that journalists face no security risks during the election.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has completed the distribution of parliamentary election ballots to returning officers across 299 constituencies. The process concluded on Saturday, with the final district set to receive its ballots on Sunday morning. Returning officers have acknowledged receipt and are authorized to begin constituency-level distribution from Sunday, following official instructions from the EC. The ballots were printed after final symbols were allocated to candidates on January 21.

According to EC officials, this election marks the first time expatriate Bangladeshis can vote through postal ballots alongside government officials, prisoners, and election staff. Over 1.53 million voters registered through the postal voting app, and more than 309,000 have already cast their votes. The remaining 126.2 million voters will vote in person using printed ballots distributed to local election offices.

Field-level distribution to assistant returning officers will begin Sunday, and polling officials are scheduled to collect ballots and materials on February 11. Voting will take place nationwide on February 12 from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Multimedia journalists working in Dhaka held a protest rally on Saturday, February 7, in front of the National Museum, condemning an alleged assault by law enforcement officers on journalists. The demonstration was organized by the Multimedia Reporters Association and journalists based in Dhaka, following what participants described as a planned attack on media workers.

Speakers at the rally said that despite changes in police uniforms, their behavior toward journalists had not changed. They demanded that the police officers involved face justice and alleged that the assault took place in the presence of DC Masud, with his consent. The protesters claimed that police specifically targeted multimedia journalists and vowed to continue their protest programs until justice is served.

Leaders of the Multimedia Reporters Association, including President Fakhrul Islam and General Secretary Akhtaruzzaman, addressed the rally, expressing anger over repeated attacks on journalists covering incidents of violence against civilians.

Asif Mahmud, head of the National Citizens Party (NCP) election management committee, has criticized Tarique Rahman’s recent remarks to Reuters suggesting that Sheikh Hasina’s children could return to politics if the people desired. He made the comments on Saturday during a press conference at the NCP central office.

Mahmud argued that if the public had wanted Sheikh Hasina’s children to reenter politics, there would have been no need for an uprising or the loss of 2,400 lives. He said the people did not want the BAKSAL system in 1975 and claimed that bringing Sheikh Hasina back into politics was a mistake by Ziaur Rahman, a decision that cost both Zia and Khaleda Zia for decades. He accused some political leaders of being blinded by power and said Tarique Rahman was repeating the same mistake.

Mahmud also alleged that the BNP had taken an anti-people stance by opposing the July Charter and lacking any concept of proportional representation in its manifesto. He further accused the Election Commission of issuing show-cause notices to NCP candidates over minor issues.

A group of armed robbers attacked the home of Khan Ashikuzzaman, a local correspondent for Amar Desh in Mongla upazila of Bagerhat, early Friday night. The assailants held the journalist and his wife hostage at gunpoint, looting cash, gold ornaments, important documents, and journalism equipment. The robbers also threatened to kill him if he continued his journalism work and used a chemical spray to render the couple unconscious before fleeing.

According to Ashikuzzaman, the incident occurred around 3 a.m. on February 6 when six to seven armed men broke into his tin-shed house in Sundarban Union. They took about 4,000 taka, one bhori of gold, national ID cards, a Green Television microphone boom, and a Vivo V-29 mobile phone. The couple was later rescued unconscious by neighbors and admitted to Mongla Upazila Health Complex.

Ashikuzzaman filed a written complaint with Mongla Police Station against unidentified robbers. Assistant Superintendent of Police Md. Refatul Islam said police visited the scene and legal action is underway.

Rail communication between Sylhet and the rest of Bangladesh resumed on Saturday evening after being suspended for about six and a half hours due to an engine failure on the Sylhet–Chattogram-bound Paharika Express at Magurchhara in Kamalganj upazila of Moulvibazar. The disruption began around 12:30 p.m. when the train’s engine broke down and ended at 6:30 p.m. after the disabled train was towed to Sreemangal station.

According to Kulaura station master Md. Ruman Ahmed, the breakdown caused severe schedule disruptions for four trains: the Dhaka-bound Parabat Express, Dhaka-bound Jayantika Express, Sylhet-bound Paharika Express, and Chattogram-bound Paharika Express. A replacement engine from the Jayantika Express was initially sent, but the coupling hook detached after being connected.

After the stranded Paharika Express was finally moved to Sreemangal station, normal rail operations between Sylhet and the rest of the country were restored, easing the travel disruption that had affected multiple routes for much of the day.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman announced that his party aims to enhance farmers’ financial well-being and create employment for the unemployed through agro-based industrialization. Speaking as the chief guest at an election rally on Saturday at Birampur Government College field in Dinajpur, he said BNP’s politics goes beyond raw agricultural production and focuses on ensuring fair prices for farmers. He pledged to establish processing centers, storage facilities, and export-oriented industries in the region to reduce waste and boost exports.

Rahman highlighted Dinajpur’s fertile soil and hardworking people, emphasizing the potential of its renowned Kataribhog rice and lychees in global markets. He criticized the previous government for neglecting farmers and increasing production costs without ensuring fair returns. He promised that a BNP government would prioritize agriculture and protect farmers’ rights.

He also mentioned plans for equitable water distribution under the Teesta Master Plan and long-term agricultural and environmental protection. Rahman urged unity to build a democratic, agriculture-friendly, and development-oriented Bangladesh ahead of the February 12 national election.