Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul stated that either a person nominated by the President or the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) will administer the oath to members elected in the upcoming 13th National Parliament. He made the clarification on Thursday, February 5, during a briefing with journalists at the Secretariat.

Nazrul explained that there are two options under the current arrangement. Former Speaker or Deputy Speaker cannot administer the oath. If the oath must be taken within three days of the election results being announced, the President will nominate a person on the advice of the Chief Adviser to conduct the ceremony. He added that the current Chief Justice could be such a nominee if willing. If the oath cannot be administered within three days for any reason, the CEC will then perform the duty.

The 13th National Parliament election and referendum are scheduled to be held on February 12, according to the adviser’s statement.

Bangla Academy has confirmed that the Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026 will begin on February 20, rejecting publishers’ calls to postpone the event until after Eid-ul-Fitr. The decision was announced at a press conference held at the academy on Thursday, where officials said the fair’s organizing committee had unanimously agreed on the date. The academy also announced special arrangements for iftar and prayers during Ramadan.

Director General Professor Mohammad Azam explained that the fair could not start on February 1 as in previous years because state approval was delayed. He said about 60 percent of preparations are complete, including stall construction, event management selection, and invitations to speakers. Stall rent has been reduced by 25 percent compared to last year, despite higher overall costs. A total of 527 returning and 24 new publishers have been selected for stalls, with over 100 institutions expressing interest in participation.

Azam added that holding the fair after Eid would be impractical due to April’s heat and storms. He urged all publishers to join the fair, expressing optimism that it will be well-organized despite challenges.

The Bangladesh government has decided to reduce value-added tax (VAT) on liquefied petroleum (LPG) gas, aiming to bring down its market price. The decision was made on Thursday, February 5, during an advisory council meeting chaired by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus. Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam announced the decision at a press briefing held at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka.

According to Shafiqul Alam, the council approved a proposal to exempt the existing 7.5 percent VAT and 2 percent advance tax on local production and trading of LPG, while imposing a 7.5 percent VAT at the import stage. He stated that this adjustment would reduce the overall tax burden on LPG and consequently lower its retail price in the domestic market.

The government expects that the revised VAT structure will ease consumer costs and stabilize LPG prices across the country, providing some relief to households and businesses dependent on the fuel.

National Citizens Party convener Nahid Islam declared that no conspiracy from Delhi would be accepted in Bangladesh’s political affairs. Speaking at an election rally in Kutubdia, Cox’s Bazar, on Thursday, he said the people of Bangladesh alone would decide who forms the government. He called for unity to free the country from terrorism, fascism, and domination, urging voters to support the balance-scale symbol in the upcoming election.

The rally was organized in support of Jamaat-e-Islami candidate and assistant secretary general Dr. A.H.M. Hamidur Rahman Azad. Jamaat’s central Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher, attending as chief guest, described the February 12 election as a milestone for building a new Bangladesh. He pledged to eliminate corruption, establish democracy, and ensure citizens’ rights if his coalition came to power.

Taher highlighted Kutubdia and Maheshkhali’s economic and geographic importance, comparing their potential to Singapore’s development model. He said if elected, Hamidur Rahman Azad could become a full minister under an eleven-party alliance government.

Daksu Vice President Sadiq Kayem alleged that a major political party and its leader were conducting politics in Bangladesh under India’s prescription. He made the remarks on Thursday afternoon at Shahbagh’s Shaheed Hadi Chattar while addressing a public gathering organized by the United Student Council in support of the ‘Yes’ vote in the upcoming referendum. Kayem said that true politics in Bangladesh requires opposing Indian dominance and accused Jatiya Party leader GM Quader of acting as an Indian agent for supporting the ‘No’ vote.

Other student leaders, including representatives from Jaksu, Joksu, and Chaksu, also spoke at the event, expressing support for the ‘Yes’ campaign and denouncing corruption, fascism, and political violence. They urged the interim government not to obstruct those campaigning for the ‘Yes’ vote and called for justice against those attacking women during political activities.

Speakers warned against election engineering and urged citizens to resist any attempt to seize power undemocratically, emphasizing that students and the public would support whichever party wins in a fair election.

Bangladesh’s outgoing foreign affairs adviser Md. Touhid Hossain said he does not personally accept responsibility for the recent difficulties Bangladeshis face in obtaining foreign visas. Speaking at a media briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday, he stated that the problem stems from systemic and national shortcomings rather than individual or ministerial failures. He argued that widespread document fraud has damaged Bangladesh’s credibility abroad, making it harder for citizens to secure visas or admissions.

Hossain explained that visa and admission decisions depend on the authenticity of submitted documents, and Bangladesh’s reputation for falsification has undermined trust. He warned that unless the country addresses internal irregularities, the situation could worsen. He also acknowledged that relations between Bangladesh and India had stagnated during the interim government’s tenure, noting that both nations prioritized their own interests.

Expressing optimism, Hossain said he believes the next government will be able to improve bilateral relations with India. He also dismissed concerns that agreements signed by the interim government would burden its successor, saying they were intended to facilitate future work.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) will announce its election manifesto for the 13th National Parliament election on Friday. BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman is scheduled to formally unveil the manifesto at 3:30 p.m. in the ballroom of Hotel Sonargaon in Dhaka. The announcement was confirmed by BNP media cell member Shayrul Kabir Khan. The event will be presided over by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and conducted by Standing Committee member and Election Steering Committee Chairman Nazrul Islam Khan.

According to party sources, the manifesto emphasizes BNP’s previously declared 31-point agenda, the July Charter, and the aspirations of young voters. It will highlight citizen-focused services such as family cards, health cards, and farmer cards. The document is also expected to include commitments to restore democracy, ensure judicial independence, decentralize administration, protect human rights, and strengthen anti-corruption frameworks. Economic and foreign policy directions will also be outlined.

The event is expected to be attended by prominent citizens, ambassadors, high commissioners, and representatives from international organizations and diplomatic missions in Dhaka.

Chittagong Port is set to reopen on Friday morning after six days of shutdown due to worker protests against the government’s decision to appoint a foreign operator at the port’s New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT). Shipping Adviser M Sakhawat Hossain announced the resumption following a series of meetings at the port building on Thursday, warning that strict legal action would be taken against anyone obstructing operations.

The adviser said discussions with worker representatives were not fruitful but assured that the terms of the agreement with DP World would be reviewed to include workers’ concerns where possible. He emphasized that the government could not withdraw from its current position on the deal. Hossain also noted that the country was in a sensitive period ahead of elections and Ramadan, making it essential to keep the port operational.

Leaders of the Port Protection Struggle Council have suspended their protest programs for Friday and Saturday following the adviser’s assurances. They warned that if the government fails to make a positive decision within two days, they will resume their movement from Sunday.

The European Union Election Observation Mission has called for a level playing field in Bangladesh’s upcoming 13th national parliamentary election, scheduled for February 12. Chief Observer Ivars Ijabs made the remarks on February 5 after meeting Chief Election Commissioner A M M Nasir Uddin at the Election Commission building in Agargaon, Dhaka. He emphasized that the mission was not there to give advice but to observe the process, expressing hope for a free, fair, and impartial election.

Ijabs said the EU team had already deployed observers across various parts of the country and that more would arrive before election day. Discussions with the Election Commission focused on election challenges and ensuring fairness in the electoral field. The EU mission is currently monitoring the electoral environment in all 300 constituencies.

The Chief Observer noted satisfaction with the Election Commission’s activities and reiterated the EU’s commitment to observing the process to help ensure transparency and credibility in the upcoming vote.

Ten individuals have been named as recipients of the 2026 Ekushey Padak, according to Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam. The announcement was made on Thursday at a briefing held at the Foreign Service Academy auditorium in Dhaka. The honorees include actress Farida Akhtar Bobita for film, Professor Dr. Mohammad Abdus Sattar for fine arts, Marina Tabassum for architecture, Ayub Bachchu for music, the band Warfaze for band music, Islam Uddin Palakar for theatre, Shafik Rehman for journalism, Professor Dr. Mahbubul Alam Majumdar for education, Tejas Halder Jos for sculpture, and Orthi Ahmed for dance.

The government had earlier invited nominations for the 2026 Ekushey Padak at the end of July of the previous year, with submissions due by October 30. The Department of Information had requested proposals from cultural institutions under the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, all ministries and departments, public universities, district commissioners, and previous recipients of the Ekushey and Independence Awards.

The announcement reflects the government’s continued recognition of contributions across diverse fields of culture, education, and the arts in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman announced that female students will be able to study up to the master’s level at government expense. He said no mother’s child will be left out of education, and the state will take responsibility for children whose families cannot afford schooling. He made these remarks on February 5 at a public rally of the 11-party electoral alliance in Naogaon’s A.Team field ahead of the 13th national parliamentary election.

Dr. Rahman outlined a vision for an inclusive and equitable Bangladesh, emphasizing education, agricultural development, and regional infrastructure. He proposed establishing a medical college and agricultural research university in Naogaon, developing storage facilities for crops, and promoting fruit processing industries. He also called for preserving archaeological sites like Kusumba Mosque and Paharpur Buddhist Monastery to boost tourism.

He criticized past governments for corruption and neglect of citizens, pledging to recover misappropriated public funds and invest them in underdeveloped regions. Rahman urged unity across religious communities and reaffirmed his commitment to justice, women’s dignity, and youth empowerment through education and vocational training.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has stated that if his party is entrusted with governing Bangladesh, their administration will remain accountable to the people. In a verified Facebook post on Thursday, he said elected representatives and senior government officials would regularly face the public to ensure transparency and responsibility.

Dr. Rahman emphasized that past governments in the country had ruled without accountability, making key decisions behind closed doors and concealing corruption. He pledged that under a Jamaat-led government, ministers, members of parliament, and senior officials would be required to publicly disclose their assets and answer directly to citizens for their decisions.

He further announced that the government would operate through a transparent and digital record system, allowing citizens to monitor official work, expenditures, and services in real time. According to him, this approach would permanently end the culture of secrecy in governance.

A meeting held in Chattogram on Thursday to resolve the ongoing deadlock at the port ended without any decision. The session, attended by Shipping Adviser M Sakhawat Hossain, was convened amid a six-day blockade by port workers protesting the government’s decision to lease the NCT terminal to a foreign company. Despite the adviser’s presence and discussions with port authorities and stakeholders, the protesting workers refused to join the meeting and continued their demonstrations outside.

Sakhawat Hossain told reporters that no foreign operator had yet been appointed and that there was no justification for halting operations at the country’s key economic hub ahead of Ramadan and the national election. He expressed hope that the crisis could be resolved if workers agreed to sit for talks. However, the workers, led by the Port Protection Struggle Council coordinator Humayun Kabir, rejected an invitation to a follow-up meeting at the Boat Club, insisting that any discussion must take place at the port building.

The standoff remains unresolved, with security forces maintaining a presence around the port premises.

Popular Islamic scholar Dr. Mizanur Rahman Azhari has shared his views on the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election and referendum, scheduled for February 12. In a Facebook post on February 5, he encouraged young voters to cast their first votes in favor of justice and fairness.

According to the official election schedule, campaigning by contesting candidates began on January 22 and will continue until 48 hours before polling starts. The Election Commission has announced that voting will take place uninterrupted from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on February 12, using transparent ballot boxes and paper ballots.

Chief Election Commissioner A.M.M. Nasir Uddin had earlier announced the election schedule in a national address on December 11. The post by Azhari adds a social and moral dimension to the public discourse ahead of the national vote.

Bangladesh’s legendary band musician Ayub Bachchu and acclaimed actress Farida Akhter Bobita are among ten individuals selected to receive the Ekushey Padak for 2026. The announcement was made by Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam during a briefing at the Foreign Service Academy auditorium in Dhaka on Thursday. The honorees include Bobita for film, Professor Dr. Mohammad Abdus Sattar for fine arts, Marina Tabassum for architecture, Ayub Bachchu for music, Warfaze for band music, Islam Uddin Palakar for theatre, Shafik Rehman for journalism, Professor Mahbubul Alam Majumdar for education, Tejas Halder Jos for sculpture, and Orthy Ahmed for dance.

Earlier, the government invited nominations for the 2026 Ekushey Padak at the end of July last year, with submissions due by October 30. According to an information department release, nominations were sought from ministries, public universities, district administrators, and previous recipients of national honors.

The government reaffirmed its policy to recognize individuals, groups, and institutions—living or deceased—for outstanding contributions in fields such as language movement, arts, journalism, education, science, and social service through the annual Ekushey Padak awards.