At least 23 people, including Inquilab Mancha leader Abdullah Al Jabir, were injured on Friday when police used sound grenades, tear gas, water cannons, and batons to disperse protesters near Dhaka’s Hotel Intercontinental intersection. The demonstrators were marching toward the chief adviser’s residence in Jamuna demanding justice for the killing of former spokesperson Sharif Osman Bin Hadi. The confrontation turned the Shahbagh, Kakrail, and Paribagh areas into a conflict zone, halting traffic and forcing nearby shops to close.

Doctors at Dhaka Medical College Hospital confirmed that all 23 injured had leg wounds, likely from batons, and none were hit by bullets or sharp weapons. Witnesses said the clash began around 3:30 p.m. when students tried to break police barricades. Police said they acted to control the situation and denied any use of live ammunition. Authorities have deployed additional police, RAB, and BGB forces across key intersections and banned gatherings in the Jamuna area.

Inquilab Mancha has been staging a sit-in since Thursday, demanding a UN-led investigation into Hadi’s killing and vowing to continue protests until their demands are met.

The Election Commission of Bangladesh has declared all polling centers across the country as smoke-free zones ahead of the upcoming national parliamentary election. The directive, signed by Senior Assistant Secretary Md. Shahidul Islam from the Election Management and Coordination-1 branch, was issued on Friday. It states that no one, including voters, candidates, election officials, or law enforcement personnel, will be allowed to smoke inside polling centers during voting on February 12.

The commission instructed returning officers, presiding officers, and local administrations to take necessary measures to enforce the decision. Notices prohibiting smoking are to be displayed at entrances and key points of polling centers. Officials said the move aims to ensure a healthy, comfortable, and disciplined environment for voters and to facilitate smoother election management.

According to the Election Commission, maintaining smoke-free polling centers will contribute to a safer and more orderly voting process nationwide.

The Ministry of Public Administration has issued appointment orders for 1,490 candidates under the 44th Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) examination. The order, released on Friday following issuance on Thursday, comes seven months after the Public Service Commission’s (PSC) recommendation. The new officers have been appointed to various cadres, including 244 in administration, 48 in police, 9 in foreign affairs, and 29 in audit and accounts.

According to the official circular, all appointed officers must join their assigned offices under the respective cadre-controlling ministries by February 9. If no further instructions are issued, they are to report directly to their designated ministries on that date. Failure to join within the deadline will be considered a refusal of the appointment, resulting in cancellation of the appointment letter. The ministry also reserved the right to amend or revoke any appointment if adverse information about any appointee emerges.

The PSC had earlier published the final results of the 44th BCS on June 30 of the previous year, recommending 1,690 candidates for 1,710 vacant posts across different cadres.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has announced that it will create the post of vice president and introduce an upper house in parliament if it comes to power. The party also pledged to limit the prime minister’s tenure to ten years, ensure a deputy speaker from the opposition, and guarantee that women hold 20 percent of seats in the upper house. The manifesto was unveiled on Friday afternoon at a ceremony in Dhaka’s Hotel Sonargaon, where BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman presented its key features ahead of the national election.

In the section on state system reform, the manifesto promises to restore full faith in Almighty Allah as a guiding constitutional principle, reinstate the caretaker government system, and ensure judicial independence. It also calls for transparency in international agreements, reform of constitutional institutions, and the establishment of an independent election commission. The BNP further commits to implementing the 31-point reform plan and the July Charter, promoting social justice, and forming an inclusive, welfare-oriented government.

The manifesto emphasizes national unity under Bangladeshi nationalism, pledging to overcome social divisions and establish a Truth and Healing Commission to strengthen collective identity.

Inqilab Moncho announced that it will return to the streets after its activists were dispersed by police during a clash in Dhaka on Friday afternoon. The confrontation occurred around 4:30 p.m. near the Intercontinental intersection, where police used water cannons, tear gas, and sound grenades to disperse demonstrators. Several activists, including Jaber and Raksu General Secretary Ammar, were reported seriously injured, with claims that Jaber was shot.

Following the incident, Inqilab Moncho issued a statement on Facebook urging supporters not to gather temporarily and to remain safe until they recover from injuries. The group reiterated its intention to resume street demonstrations after receiving medical treatment.

The Facebook post also called for calm in handling the situation, emphasizing that the movement would continue once the injured activists recover.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman announced that his party had proposed a ten-year limit for the prime minister’s tenure nearly two years before the government’s reform commission discussed similar ideas. Speaking at the BNP’s election manifesto launch on Friday, February 6, 2026, at Hotel Sonargaon in Dhaka, he said the proposal was part of the party’s 31-point reform plan and was officially documented. Rahman emphasized that if BNP forms the next government, it will introduce this limit through legal and constitutional means.

He further discussed broader constitutional reforms, including gradual changes to Article 70, which restricts lawmakers’ independence. Rahman said the party aims to make the provision more flexible over time. He also reaffirmed BNP’s commitment to restoring the caretaker government system, arguing that only a non-political interim administration can ensure free and fair elections, as seen in 1991, 1996, and 2001.

Rahman concluded that democratic practices, especially the right to vote, must be preserved under a system trusted by the people.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has outlined a comprehensive plan for the power and energy sectors in its manifesto for the 13th national election, presented on Friday at the Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka by party chairperson Tarique Rahman. The party claims that over the past fifteen years, corruption, opaque procurement, costly short-term contracts, high capacity charges, and import dependency have made the sectors inefficient and expensive. BNP pledged to ensure transparency, efficiency, and optimal use of domestic resources to build an affordable, reliable, and environmentally friendly energy system.

According to the manifesto, BNP aims to raise power generation capacity to 35,000 megawatts and expand transmission lines to 25,000 circuit kilometers by 2030. It plans to modernize outdated plants, introduce smart grids, and review rental and short-term contracts to reduce unnecessary costs. The party also proposed strengthening BAPEX for gas exploration, constructing a new oil refinery with five million tons annual capacity, and ensuring transparency in all energy purchase agreements.

BNP set a goal to increase renewable energy’s share to 20 percent by 2030, promote green financing, and reassess the Rooppur nuclear power plant’s effectiveness while investigating any alleged irregularities.

Police reportedly used sound grenades and batons to disperse members of Inquilab Mancha during a sit-in protest in front of the Intercontinental Hotel on Friday afternoon. The group was demanding that the killing of Osman Hadi be investigated under the supervision of the United Nations. Witnesses saw police firing tear gas and sound grenades to break up what participants described as a peaceful demonstration.

Among those present at the protest were Osman Hadi’s wife Rabeya Islam Shompa, Inquilab Mancha’s member secretary Abdullah Al Jaber, and Dhaka University branch spokesperson and Daksu leader Fatima Tasnim Juma. Following the incident, Jaber posted on Facebook urging supporters not to gather temporarily, to seek medical care, and to remain safe until they return to the streets. In another post, he called for calm and advised against escalating the situation.

The posts indicate that Inquilab Mancha intends to resume its activities after recovering from injuries sustained during the police action.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has announced a 51-point election manifesto ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliament election. The manifesto, unveiled on Friday at the Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka, was presented by BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman. This marks Rahman’s first manifesto as party leader. The slogan of the manifesto is “Bangladesh First,” and it carries the pledge “We will work, we will build the nation.” The BNP has committed to implementing nine key promises if it comes to power.

According to the announcement, the manifesto is divided into five sections, outlining a five-year plan that emphasizes 51 specific points. The document reflects the party’s vision for national development and governance priorities for the next term. The event in Dhaka served as a formal presentation of the BNP’s policy direction under Tarique Rahman’s leadership.

The manifesto’s release signals the BNP’s preparation for the upcoming election campaign, positioning the party’s agenda and leadership ahead of the national vote.

A total of 401,460 postal ballots from expatriate voters registered through the ‘Postal Vote BD’ app have arrived in Bangladesh ahead of the 13th National Parliament Election and referendum. The information was confirmed on Friday by Salim Ahmad Khan, team leader of the OCV-SDI project on expatriate voter registration. As of 9:30 a.m. Friday, 766,862 ballots had been sent to expatriate voters, of which 526,498 were received, 482,817 votes were cast, and 449,006 ballots were submitted to postal authorities abroad. Returning officers have so far received 124,746 ballots.

The Election Commission has also started sending postal ballots to domestic voters registered under the ICPV system. So far, 694,146 ballots have been dispatched within the country, with 324,002 voters having received them. Among these, 259,394 have voted, 213,697 have submitted their ballots, and 30,706 ballots have been received by returning officers.

In total, 1,533,684 voters at home and abroad have registered through the ‘Postal Vote BD’ app to vote by post. The national election and referendum are scheduled for February 12 from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has announced its manifesto for the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election, pledging to build a just and inclusive Bangladesh under the slogan “Bangladesh First.” The manifesto, titled “We Will Work, We Will Build the Nation,” was unveiled by BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman at the Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka. It marks Rahman’s first manifesto as party leader and outlines nine major promises and a 51-point plan divided into five sections for the next five years.

The nine key pledges include introducing a ‘Family Card’ to support low-income families, ensuring fair prices for farmers through a ‘Farmer Card,’ recruiting 100,000 health workers, reforming education with a skill-based policy, expanding youth employment and entrepreneurship, developing sports infrastructure, promoting environmental resilience through river dredging and tree planting, strengthening religious harmony, and expanding digital economy initiatives such as PayPal and e-commerce hubs.

BNP described the manifesto as a new social and state contract rooted in the philosophies of Ziaur Rahman, Khaleda Zia’s Vision 2030, and Tarique Rahman’s 31-point state reform plan, emphasizing governance based on justice, accountability, and citizens’ rights.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has expressed concern over repeated clashes between police and government employees in Dhaka. In a statement issued to the media on Friday, the party’s Assistant Secretary General and head of its central publicity and media department, Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, said the incidents occurred when government employees held a peaceful rally at the Central Shaheed Minar demanding publication and implementation of the ninth pay scale gazette. As the procession moved toward the state guesthouse Jamuna around 11:15 a.m., police reportedly used batons, tear gas, and water cannons, injuring many participants.

Zubair stated that peaceful protest is a constitutional right of every citizen and that the use of force cannot resolve legitimate demands. He emphasized that government employees are vital partners in state administration and urged the government to respect and implement their justified demands. Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman also supported resolving the issue through dialogue and called for a peaceful settlement.

Zubair further urged the government to engage in discussions with all parties to find a peaceful solution, ensure proper treatment for the injured, and accept the employees’ legitimate demands.

Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP), warned that anyone attempting vote rigging or fraud in the upcoming February 12 election would face consequences similar to fascists. Speaking at an election rally in Savar’s Shahibagh area for Dhaka-19 constituency candidate Dilshana Parul, he described the election as one for justice, reform, and liberation from authoritarianism. He accused opponents of fearing women’s participation and obstructing their campaign activities, citing the killing of a party member in Sherpur.

Islam criticized the interim government for failing to arrest those responsible for the murder of Osman Hadi, calling it a major failure. He urged voters to come to polling centers without fear, even if voting against his party, to ensure justice and resist oppression. He also rejected any political plans that could restore fascism or corruption, emphasizing that the NCP and its 11-party alliance would include skilled individuals from home and abroad if elected.

He called on citizens to support Dilshana Parul, who returned from abroad to serve the nation, and to vote for change and integrity in governance.

A tense situation unfolded in central Dhaka on Friday as two simultaneous demonstrations surrounded the Chief Adviser’s residence, Jamuna. Students staged a sit-in demanding justice and an impartial investigation into the killing of Shaheed Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, while government employees marched toward Jamuna calling for the publication and implementation of the ninth pay scale gazette. Law enforcement agencies, including police, RAB, and BGB, were deployed in large numbers around Shahbagh, the Intercontinental Hotel, and Kakrail intersections to maintain order.

Clashes erupted when police blocked the employees’ procession near Shahbagh. Water cannons, tear gas, and sound grenades were used to disperse the crowd, leaving several injured and spreading panic in nearby areas. Despite police resistance, protesters advanced toward Jamuna and continued their sit-in. Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sheikh Md. Sajjat Ali stated that gatherings near Jamuna were prohibited and that law enforcement remained on high alert to prevent unrest ahead of the upcoming election.

Six BGB platoons were deployed, and additional patrols and checkpoints were established. Employee leaders warned of tougher actions if their pay scale demand was not met soon.

The Government of Japan has decided to send an election observation mission to Bangladesh to support the fair conduct of the 13th National Parliamentary Election scheduled for February 12. According to a statement from the Japanese Embassy in Dhaka, the mission will be present in Bangladesh from February 9 to 14 to observe the election process and contribute to ensuring transparency and credibility.

The mission will be led by Watanabe Masato, former Japanese ambassador to Bangladesh, and will include officials from Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, representatives from the Japanese Embassy in Dhaka, and an external election expert. The observers will monitor not only the voting but also the counting process, as well as the overall electoral environment and administrative preparations. They will also exchange views and information with the Bangladesh Election Commission and other international observer teams.

The Japanese government stated that this initiative is part of its long-standing cooperation to strengthen democracy in Bangladesh and is expected to contribute positively to a credible and transparent electoral process.