Bangladesh advanced to the final of the SAFF Under-19 Women's Championship after defeating Nepal 4-0 in Pokhara Rangasala Stadium on February 4, 2026. The victory marked Bangladesh’s third consecutive win in the group stage, following earlier triumphs over India and Bhutan. With this result, Bangladesh topped the round-robin table with nine points and will face India in the final on February 7.

In the match against host Nepal, Protima Munda opened the scoring early for Bangladesh, while substitute Alpi Akter made a strong impact and was named player of the match. The team’s consistent performance throughout the preliminary round ensured their place as the top-ranked side heading into the championship decider.

Bangladesh’s dominant run in the tournament positions them as strong contenders for the title, with their upcoming final against India expected to be a competitive encounter between the two best-performing teams of the event.

Human Rights Support Society (HRSS) reported that five people were killed and more than 970 injured in 162 incidents of election-related violence across Bangladesh following the announcement of the schedule for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. The findings were released at a press conference held at the National Press Club on Wednesday, based on information from 15 national newspapers, over 150 local papers, and district correspondents covering the period up to January 31, 2026.

According to the HRSS report, internal conflicts within political parties were a major cause of the violence. Among the dead were three from the BNP, one from Jamaat-e-Islami, and one from Inqilab Mancha. The report also documented 12 incidents of violence against women during campaign activities, where 18 women were harassed and six injured. Additionally, 25 incidents of threats and intimidation against 34 individuals were recorded, involving several political groups.

The report further noted that 13 candidates, both party-nominated and independent, faced harassment and attacks during campaign activities across the country.

Nahid Islam, the Dhaka-11 constituency candidate and convener of the National Citizens Party (NCP), alleged that India is once again involved in a conspiracy surrounding Bangladesh’s upcoming 13th national parliamentary election. He made the remarks on Wednesday while participating in an election campaign and public outreach event in the Malibagh area of the capital.

According to Nahid Islam, a neighboring country is interfering in the election process, and its diplomats are making various comments about the polls. He claimed that India had previously supported what he described as a manipulated election under the Awami League and is now engaged in similar activities. Nahid further accused his rival, BNP candidate M A Kaiyum, of attempting to conceal his dual citizenship by spending money in different places.

He also criticized the inclusion of loan defaulters and dual citizens in the election process, saying it has damaged the electoral environment.

A women-led rally was held in Dhunat upazila under the Bogura-5 (Dhunat-Sherpur) constituency in support of Jamaat candidate Dabibur Rahman. The event, organized by the women’s wing of Jamaat-e-Islami, began at 11 a.m. on Wednesday from the Dhunat Central Shaheed Minar premises and paraded through the main streets of the town. Before the rally, Dabibur Rahman addressed a brief gathering.

The discussion meeting was presided over by Assistant Professor Aminul Islam, the upazila Jamaat amir, and conducted by Lucky Akter, secretary of the women’s division. Other speakers included upazila Jamaat secretary Abdul Karim, former amir Rezaur Komir Bacchu, joint secretary Abdul Wahab, Firoz Ahmed, executive council member Professor Tarikul Islam, and several women leaders including Ruhani Jannat, Anicha Begum, Sabana Akter, Tahmina Akter, and Tania Khatun.

The rally and meeting were part of the local campaign activities for the Jamaat candidate’s scale symbol in the Bogura-5 constituency.

At a rally in Faridpur city’s Rajendra College field on Wednesday afternoon, BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman called on female voters to remain at polling centers until results are announced during the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. He urged voters to pray Fajr in congregation, join voting lines early, and guard the centers to prevent vote manipulation. Rahman pledged that if BNP forms the government, Faridpur would be made a separate division and the Padma Barrage would be built to boost agricultural development.

He described February 12 as not only election day but also a day of destiny for Bangladesh, calling for nationwide participation to restore democracy and voting rights allegedly suppressed over the past 15 years. Rahman also promised to bring four crore families under a family card program and to re-excavate about 20,000 kilometers of canals across the country to support agriculture and environmental protection.

He warned voters to stay alert against attempts to collect NID cards and mobile payment numbers and criticized large-scale corruption under so-called mega projects, emphasizing that the country belongs to its people.

Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) has arrested Emran Mia, 30, the main suspect in the murder of tomtom driver Kashem Ali in Bahubal, Habiganj. The arrest took place on February 3 at around 1:30 p.m. during a raid at Duliakhal Point in Habiganj Sadar upazila. The CNG autorickshaw used in the killing was also recovered. Emran, son of Dorbesh Ali, is from Lamatashi village in Mirpur Union, the same village as the victim.

According to PBI sources, the operation was led by Inspector Sujan Chandra Pal, the investigating officer, along with SI Mahmud, ASI Mir Shahin, and driver Constable Azim Molla. Investigators said Emran had been evading arrest for a long time by moving between different locations. Earlier, another accused named Faruk was taken into remand, through which PBI learned about Emran’s involvement.

Using advanced information technology, PBI has reportedly gathered all necessary evidence against Emran, marking a significant development in the high-profile murder case in Bahubal.

A joint force detained Jahangir Alam, an Awami League leader and former chairman of Majidpur Union Parishad, in Shahpur village of Titas upazila, Cumilla, on Wednesday morning. He was reportedly preparing to join the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) during a local campaign event when he was arrested from his home. Alam was the general secretary of the now-banned Awami League unit in Majidpur Union.

Local sources said Alam had not been seen publicly since August 5. His detention occurred as BNP held a campaign and road meeting in the area. Residents claimed that a few hours after the arrest, Alam’s elder brother Ripon Sarkar joined BNP by presenting flowers to Selim Bhuiyan, the BNP candidate for Cumilla-2 constituency. Allegations also exist that Alam was involved in several violent incidents and cases related to local dominance since August.

Titas police confirmed the arrest, stating that Alam was a named accused in a case linked to an anti-discrimination movement and that legal proceedings to send him to court were underway.

Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizens Party (NCP), is set to deliver an important address to the nation as part of the party’s election campaign. The speech is planned to be broadcast through Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar. The NCP has formally applied to the Election Commission for permission to air the address, according to a statement issued to the media on Wednesday by Mahabub Alam, the party’s joint chief coordinator and head of the election media subcommittee.

Mahabub Alam stated that the application has been submitted but no broadcast slot has yet been allocated. He expressed hope that the slot would be confirmed soon. Earlier, it was announced that Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Tarique Rahman and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman would also address the nation on February 9 as part of their respective election campaigns.

The NCP’s request indicates its intention to engage voters through national media platforms during the ongoing election period, pending approval from the Election Commission.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman stated that his party would not abandon Bangladesh during times of crisis, contrasting this stance with those he accused of fleeing to escape the consequences of their own authoritarianism. Speaking on Wednesday afternoon at an election rally organized by the Nilphamari and Lalmonirhat branches of Jamaat-e-Islami at the Teesta helipad in Dalia, he declared that Bangladesh would not be divided.

Addressing the previous government, Rahman accused it of looting national resources and establishing fascism, urging its leaders to withdraw from politics. He pledged that if Jamaat came to power, a hydropower project would be developed on the Teesta River and the Teesta Master Plan would be implemented to promote northern Bangladesh’s development. He criticized the long-standing neglect of the region and called for equitable treatment.

Rahman also promised to establish an independent judiciary ensuring equal punishment for all, including the president and ordinary citizens, and urged youth participation in building a vibrant Bangladesh.

A new survey by the Communication and Research Foundation (CRF) and Bangladesh Election and Public Opinion Studies (BEPOS) found that 91.7 percent of voters intend to cast their ballots in the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. The findings were released on February 4, 2026, at the National Press Club in Dhaka. Among first-time voters since 2008, 37.4 percent expressed support for Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, while 27 percent favored the BNP and 17 percent the NCP. The survey also revealed that 48.2 percent of Awami League voters were inclined to vote for the BNP.

The survey, conducted in two phases between November 20 and December 31, 2025, collected responses from 11,038 voters across the country using stratified random sampling. It showed that 67.3 percent of respondents would vote against corruption, 63.4 percent would consider price control competence, and 55.4 percent would focus on development issues. Additionally, 53 percent valued job creation and neutrality, while 35.9 percent considered religion in their voting decisions.

Experts at the survey presentation noted that voters are prioritizing governance, accountability, and economic issues over identity or religious factors, reflecting a strong preference for effective and people-centered leadership.

In Sandwip, Chattogram, Alaudddin Sikdar, the Jamaat-e-Islami leader and 11-party alliance candidate for Chattogram-3 constituency, stated that ensuring voters can reach polling centers without fear is the responsibility of the administration. He made the remarks on Wednesday afternoon during a press briefing at the Gachhua Union party office, where he discussed the overall situation in Sandwip. Former Gachhua Union chairman and campaign chief executive Walid Islam was also present.

Sikdar said that after receiving his election symbol on January 21, his team began formal campaigning on January 22, visiting every union and ward to meet voters and hear their expectations. He alleged that young voters are being discouraged from voting through intimidation and that threats have been made to evict minority communities after the 12th of the month. He called on the administration to take effective measures against identified criminals, recover illegal weapons, and ensure a festive and peaceful voting environment.

He emphasized that the administration must play a more active role to guarantee a secure and fear-free election atmosphere in Sandwip.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman claimed that his X account was hacked four days ago and used to spread misleading content. Speaking during an election campaign event, he said that certain groups had taken advantage of the situation, but the party’s cyber team had taken strong measures and uncovered the truth. He condemned what he described as the mischief of those responsible.

During the same campaign, Rahman assured that Jamaat-e-Islami would ensure complete safety for women if it came to power. He promised that women would no longer face sexual violence and that their security and dignity would be guaranteed in all public and workplace environments. He emphasized that the party would not discriminate based on religion or community and that respecting women of all faiths was a major responsibility.

The statement comes amid Jamaat’s ongoing election activities, with the party also planning further public addresses and demonstrations in the capital.

Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Machud stated in Dhaka on February 4, 2026, that any election official or member of law enforcement found violating the electoral code of conduct will face investigation and appropriate action upon receiving complaints. He said serious allegations would be taken up directly by the Election Commission and handled according to due process.

Speaking at a press briefing at the Election Commission building in Agargaon, Machud explained that anyone can file complaints with the Inquiry and Adjudication Committee if they observe bias or legal breaches by election personnel. He added that even misconduct or adverse behavior could lead to disciplinary measures if confirmed as code violations. The commissioner noted that the overall electoral environment remains satisfactory and urged political parties to help maintain fairness.

Machud also expressed condolences over the death of Sherpur-3 candidate Nuruzzaman Badol, confirming that all electoral procedures for that constituency have been canceled under Article 17 of the Representation of the People Order. A new schedule will be announced soon, but not before February 12, as at least fifteen days’ notice is required.

Ariful Islam, the candidate of the ten-party 'Oikkoboddho Bangladesh' alliance including Jamaat-e-Islami and NCP for Dhaka-18 constituency, said that ensuring women’s safety, dignity, and respect at home and workplaces is a fundamental right, not a privilege. He made the remarks on Wednesday, February 4, at a women’s gathering organized by the women’s wing of Jamaat-e-Islami’s Dakshinkhan unit near Mollartek Central Jame Mosque in Uttara.

Ariful outlined plans to introduce special transport services for women, install CCTV cameras in public transport, and build hygienic public toilets for women. He also called for impartial investigations into killings during Sheikh Hasina’s 17-year rule and urged citizens to support the implementation of the 'July National Charter' through a referendum. He described the upcoming election as a struggle to protect Bangladesh’s independence and sovereignty from foreign dominance and to safeguard people’s faith, culture, and lifestyle.

He criticized the BNP for allegedly fostering violence and failing to ensure the safety of its own activists, asserting that the 'Oikkoboddho Bangladesh' alliance aims to resist terrorism, corruption, and extortion while pursuing justice and structural reform.

Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Professor Mia Golam Porwar criticized the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) for making what he called unrealistic promises, including plans for ‘family cards’ and ‘farmer cards.’ Speaking as the chief guest at a public rally in Siddhirganj, Narayanganj, on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, he said BNP’s pledges were similar to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s ten-taka-per-kilogram rice program, which he claimed people did not appreciate.

Porwar alleged that corruption and political favoritism had infiltrated all levels of the state, undermining justice and allowing criminals to act with impunity while innocent people were jailed for years without bail. He also criticized restrictions previously placed on Jamaat leaders in Narayanganj, referring to local political figures.

At the end of the rally, Porwar handed over electoral symbols to candidates of the 11-party alliance, including Jamaat nominees for Narayanganj’s five constituencies, in the presence of central and local leaders and a large number of activists.