More than a hundred men, women and youths from the Chakma, Marma and Tripura communities formally joined Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami in Khagrachhari on Thursday evening. The event took place on the stage of an election rally, where the new members expressed support for the party’s electoral symbol, the balance scale. Jamaat’s central assistant secretary general, Maulana Mohammad Shahjahan, welcomed the new members and said the party aims to build a peaceful and inclusive Bangladesh that protects the rights and dignity of all communities.

The joining ceremony was attended by Khagrachhari district Jamaat chief Professor Syed Abdul Momen, Jamaat-nominated candidate Advocate Eyakub Ali Chowdhury, Bandarban district Jamaat chief A.S.M. Abdus Salam, Rangamati district chief Professor Abdul Alim, National Citizen Party’s southern regional organizer Minjila Jhum, and Marma Unity Federation convener Chaithoai Marma, along with representatives from the three ethnic groups.

The new members said they joined Jamaat-e-Islami with hopes for equality, justice and peaceful coexistence, and pledged to work actively for the balance scale symbol in the upcoming election.

More than one hundred leaders and activists from BNP’s associate bodies in Pabna-4 (Ishwardi–Atgharia) constituency resigned en masse on Thursday, February 6, 2026, expressing anger over party nominations, expulsion threats, and dissatisfaction with central decisions. The announcement was made at an emergency press conference at Kacharipara field in Ishwardi municipal town, where the participants symbolically celebrated their protest by sharing sweets.

Among the resigning members were at least 64 officeholders from the upazila and municipal units of Jubo Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal, and Chhatra Dal, along with several hundred supporters. In a written statement, Shahapur Union Swechchhasebak Dal president and upazila Jubo Dal joint convener Md. Rasel Parvez said they were disappointed that Zakaria Pintu, who had led local movements, was denied the BNP nomination and is now contesting as an independent candidate. He added that repeated expulsion threats from the party prompted their collective resignation.

Central BNP member and former Ishwardi mayor Mokhlesur Rahman Babul commented that such resignations before the election are personal decisions but not beneficial for the party. Local analysts noted the mass resignation could affect BNP’s organizational strength and alter the electoral dynamics in the constituency.

BNP candidate for Chattogram-4, Aslam Chowdhury, has been accused of defrauding families of July Movement martyrs, injured activists, and journalists by issuing 1,200 checks that repeatedly bounced. The checks, each worth 50,000 taka, were distributed on January 7 at an event held at the Institution of Diploma Engineers Bangladesh (IDEB) auditorium in Dhaka, organized by Chowdhury’s company, JAM Sangstha. Recipients later discovered that the account lacked sufficient funds, and some checks were invalid due to missing signatures.

Victims expressed anger and humiliation, saying they were promised financial honor but faced repeated rejection at banks. Chowdhury reportedly assured them on January 16 that funds would be deposited, but subsequent visits showed only minimal balances. Bank officials confirmed both insufficient funds and signature issues. Victims alleged the event was politically motivated rather than a genuine act of support.

In response, Aslam Chowdhury told Amader Desh that the problem arose from business difficulties and promised full payment by February 10. The report also noted previous allegations of large-scale loan defaults against him involving multiple banks.

The interim government of Bangladesh has decided to request the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to conduct an investigation into the killing of Shahid Sharif Osman Hadi. Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam confirmed on Thursday that the government will formally propose the inquiry as soon as possible. He stated that the administration is committed to ensuring full justice in the case and will extend full cooperation to any such investigation.

Earlier, the Inquilab Moncho organization and members of Hadi’s family had demanded a UN-led probe to ensure impartiality. They held a sit-in protest in front of the Chief Adviser’s residence, Jamuna, joined by Hadi’s wife, Inquilab Moncho’s member secretary Abdullah Al Jaber, and Dhaka University unit convener Fatima Tasnim Juma. Protesters expressed concern that justice might not be served after the interim government’s tenure ends and urged Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus to send a formal request to the UN.

Hadi was shot on December 12 in Dhaka’s Bijoynagar area and later died on December 18 in Singapore after being transferred for treatment.

At least 50 to 55 leaders and supporters from the BNP and Jatiya Party formally joined the National Citizens Party (NCP) in Pirgacha, Rangpur, creating a stir in local politics. The joining ceremony took place on Thursday evening at the Sechakandi Orphanage area of Parul Union during an NCP election courtyard meeting. NCP member secretary and Rangpur-4 (Kaunia-Pirgacha) candidate Akhtar Hossain attended the event.

Participants included Abu Raihan, Abdul Gafur, Iman Ali, Mizanur Rahman, Badsha Mia, Minhazul Islam, Rostom Khan Dipjal, and others. The new members said they left their former parties due to a lack of recognition for patriotic and dedicated workers. They described the NCP as an honest, courageous, and people-oriented alternative political force aiming to build a united Bangladesh.

Akhtar Hossain welcomed the newcomers, saying their decision reflected a growing desire for change among citizens. He expressed optimism that more leaders and activists would join the NCP in the coming days.

Hasnat Abdullah, chief organizer of the southern region of the Nationalist Citizens Party (NCP), said that seeking votes is more honorable than extortion. He made the remarks on Thursday afternoon at a rally of the 11-party alliance in Chandla Union of Brahmanpara upazila, Comilla. Abdullah emphasized that police officers should not be bribed and that law enforcement should act with conscience and professional integrity to ensure a fair election.

He called on party workers to intensify their campaign efforts until election day, visiting more households daily and personally appealing to voters. Abdullah claimed that even some workers from rival parties were dissatisfied with corruption and might support his side. He contrasted two groups in Bangladesh—one allegedly aligned with foreign interests and corruption, and another striving for national independence and freedom from authoritarianism.

Abdullah concluded by asserting that the power to decide the nation’s future lies with the voters, not the candidates, urging citizens to act responsibly in the upcoming polls.

A caravan campaign supporting the 'Yes' vote in the upcoming referendum and 13th National Parliament election was launched in Dhaka-18 constituency on Thursday, February 5, 2026. The event took place in Uttara, where Ariful Islam, the candidate of the ten-party 'United Bangladesh Alliance' that includes Jamaat and NCPC, inaugurated the campaign in front of the BNS Center. The mobile campaign traveled through various areas of Uttarkhan and Dakshinkhan police stations, promoting the importance of voting 'Yes' in the referendum.

During the campaign, vehicles displayed the Shapla Kolly symbol and played songs supporting the 'Yes' vote, drawing significant public attention. Many residents stopped to watch the caravan and responded positively. In his opening remarks, Ariful Islam said the alliance was formed to resist Indian dominance, terrorism, corruption, and extortion, and to build public support for the July Charter and the 'Yes' vote.

He added that the alliance envisions a new Bangladesh where no one can become autocratic if the 'Yes' vote wins, emphasizing that their campaign aims to realize a people’s Bangladesh.

Production at the state-owned Jamuna Fertilizer Factory in Jamalpur came to a halt early Friday after rats chewed through electrical wires, causing a short circuit and a sudden blackout across the plant. The incident occurred around 1 a.m. in the factory’s power plant, disrupting electricity supply and stopping the production process. General Manager (Operations) Md. Fazlul Haque confirmed that repair work was underway and production was expected to resume by Saturday.

The Jamuna Fertilizer Factory, the country’s largest urea producer, has faced repeated production interruptions in recent months. After resuming operations on November 24 following a 23-month gas shortage, the plant has experienced multiple shutdowns due to low gas pressure and technical faults. The latest disruption adds rodent infestation to its list of operational challenges.

Factory officials and engineers cited long-standing maintenance and safety constraints, including inadequate budgets and outdated equipment. Experts noted that proper cable protection and regular pest control could have prevented the blackout. Authorities said the situation was under control and pledged to strengthen preventive measures to avoid similar incidents in the future.

BNP’s nominated candidate for Barishal-2 (Uzirpur–Banaripara) constituency, S. Sarfuddin Ahmed Santu, said that if the BNP comes to power, Uzirpur will be free from extortion, land grabbing, and terrorism. He also promised to eliminate unemployment and ensure that citizens can access services without paying bribes or relying on brokers. Santu made these remarks on Thursday, February 5, at 4 p.m. during a courtyard meeting held at the Markazul Karim Samela Majed Qaumi Madrasa field in Shikarpur Union, Uzirpur, ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election scheduled for February 12.

The meeting was organized by the Shikarpur Union BNP and its affiliated organizations, drawing a large number of activists. It was presided over by Union BNP President Md. Abdur Rof and conducted by General Secretary Mohammad Faruk Hossain Molla. Several district and upazila-level BNP leaders, including Md. Abul Kalam Shahin, Nazim Uddin Panna, and Mamun Reza Khan, also addressed the gathering.

Speakers at the event urged everyone to work together to ensure BNP’s victory by voting for the party’s symbol, the paddy sheaf.

Three individuals were arrested in Kishoreganj, Nilphamari, for allegedly embezzling Tk 2.1 million by issuing fake visas under the pretense of sending a person to Australia. The joint forces conducted raids on Wednesday night in separate locations of Nitai Union and detained the suspects. Police sent them to the district jail on Thursday following their arrest.

According to the temporary army camp in Kishoreganj, the arrests were made after a complaint was filed. The detainees were identified as Sahabul Haque (21) of Nitai Kacharipara village, Hridoy alias Bokri Dipjal alias Shipon (20) of Mushrut Paniyalpukur Balapara village, and Sujon (19) of Tokeyapara village. Police Sub-Inspector Kazi Ripon stated that the accused defrauded Jewel Mia, son of Abdul Mannan from Kasba, Brahmanbaria, of Tk 2,116,000 using fake Australian visas.

A case was filed under the Cyber Security Act at Kishoreganj Police Station, with Jewel Mia as the complainant. The arrested individuals have been sent to the district jail pending further legal proceedings.

Law enforcement agencies have identified remote and high-risk polling centers in Gaibandha-5 constituency’s char areas and initiated special security preparations ahead of the 13th national parliamentary election. As part of these measures, the Bangladesh Army’s 66 Infantry Division has begun field exercises in the region to strengthen readiness.

According to administrative sources, the char areas of Fulchhari and Saghata along the Brahmaputra River have been marked as vulnerable due to poor communication links, isolation, and difficulty in delivering emergency assistance. The drills, directed by Major General Mohammad Kamrul Hasan, GOC of the 66 Infantry Division and Rangpur Area Commander, include troop deployment in remote centers, helicopter-based rescue and supply operations, and rapid response strategies to maintain law and order.

Officials stated that additional security layers will be established at high-risk centers during the election, with plans to use river and air routes for quick personnel and equipment delivery. The army’s preparatory activities will continue until the election to ensure peaceful voting and voter safety in the remote char regions.

In Godagari upazila of Rajshahi, local Awami League leader Sunandan Das Ratan was seen campaigning for the BNP candidate Major General (Retd.) Sharif Uddin in the Rajshahi-1 constituency. A 53-second video posted on Facebook by a former Chhatra League activist showed Ratan urging people to vote for the BNP symbol, saying, “We need an umbrella.” Ratan, a former assistant publicity secretary of the Godagari Awami League and a proposed vice president in 2024, confirmed the video was recorded during his campaign in Mohanpur Union.

Ratan, a retired customs officer accused of amassing illegal wealth, previously held local political positions under former MP Omar Faruk Chowdhury. He claimed his support for the BNP candidate was his personal decision, denying any current position in the Awami League. The video drew criticism from a banned Chhatra League member, who accused Ratan of betraying the party for personal gain. Local BNP president Abdus Salam Shawal said he was unaware of the matter and could not stop anyone acting independently.

The incident has stirred debate in Godagari politics, highlighting shifting loyalties ahead of upcoming elections.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has called on citizens to unite for a corruption-free, exploitation-free, and humane Bangladesh. Speaking as the chief guest at a large rally held on February 5, 2026, at the historic Madrasa ground in Rajshahi, he urged voters to cast their first vote in favor of 'yes' and the second for the party’s symbol, the balance scale, representing justice. He described the upcoming national election and referendum as a decisive moment for establishing a just state through people’s mandate.

Dr. Rahman emphasized that the 11-party electoral alliance’s candidates were selected based on honesty and competence, asserting that none of them were involved in bank robbery, extortion, loan default, or violence against women. He pledged that Jamaat would neither engage in corruption nor tolerate corrupt individuals. Outlining the party’s governance vision, he said that if Jamaat assumed state responsibility, the government would bear all educational expenses from primary to postgraduate levels, ensuring free education for every child.

The rally was conducted by local Jamaat leaders and attended by alliance candidates from multiple constituencies in Rajshahi.

Eight senior police officers have been transferred ahead of Bangladesh’s 13th national parliamentary election. The Ministry of Home Affairs issued the order on Thursday, signed by Mahbubur Rahman, Deputy Secretary of Police Branch-1. The directive stated that the changes were made in the public interest and would take immediate effect.

According to the order, Additional DIG M A Jalil from Police Headquarters and Additional DIG Md Saifuzzaman Faruqi from the Special Branch have been reassigned to the Dhaka Range DIG office. Additional DIG Mohammad Belayet Hossain from the Khulna Range has been appointed as Additional Commissioner of Gazipur Metropolitan Police. Supernumerary SP Saheb Ali Pathan from Rajshahi’s Sardah has been made Deputy Commissioner of GMP, while Additional DIG Mohammad Jabedur Rahman from Sardah has been transferred to CID. S M Ashrafuzzaman has been moved to Industrial Police as Additional DIG, and Additional DIG Md Rashidul Hasan from Rajshahi Range has been attached to Rangpur PTC. The transfer order for Additional DIG Mohammad Robiul Hossain Bhuiyan to the Anti-Terrorism Unit has been canceled.

The ministry emphasized that the reshuffle was implemented immediately in the public interest.

Jamaat-e-Islami central Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher stated that if the 11-party alliance wins the upcoming election, it will mark the end of political vengeance in Bangladesh. He made the remarks on Thursday afternoon at an election rally held at Munshirhat High School field in Chauddagram upazila of Cumilla, where he was the chief guest. Dr. Taher urged voters to support the alliance’s symbol, the balance scale, for the sake of national development.

In his speech, Dr. Taher said that the past twelve elections were characterized by changes in power and that successive governments had engaged in corruption, which he described as the country’s number one problem. He called the current election a fight against corruption, oppression, and extortion, warning that one party was becoming increasingly authoritarian. The rally was chaired by Union Jamaat Ameer Maulana Zafar Ahmed and attended by several local and regional leaders from Jamaat, NCP, and Khelafat Majlish.

The event drew a large crowd of Jamaat and Shibir activists along with local residents, reflecting active grassroots mobilization ahead of the election.