The three-day Bangladesh Light Engineering Expo 2026 began on Monday, February 2, at the Shaheed Abu Sayeed International Convention Center in Dhaka’s Minto Road. The event was inaugurated by Md. Abdur Rahim Khan, Project Director of the Export Competitiveness for Jobs (EC4J) project. The expo, running until February 4, showcases the latest technologies, machinery, and innovative products from the country’s light engineering sector.

Speakers emphasized coordinated efforts to make the sector export-oriented and competitive as Bangladesh prepares to graduate from LDC status in November. They highlighted the need for capacity building, technology advancement, and policy support to offset the loss of duty-free trade benefits. The World Bank’s Hosna Ferdous Sumi noted that both export and domestic markets, worth around USD 8 billion, offer major opportunities but stressed quality compliance and production efficiency as key challenges.

BSCIC President Abdur Razzak said the sector contributes about 3% to GDP, employs 300,000 skilled workers, and meets half of the USD 8.2 billion domestic demand. With proper policy and investment, exports could reach USD 12.56 billion by 2030, he added.

An interactive youth engagement event titled 'Chaer Adda' was held on Monday, February 2, 2026, at the DOHS playground in Mohakhali, Dhaka. The program was organized by the content generation team of the BNP Election Steering Committee to foster direct dialogue between national political voices and young voters. Barrister Jaima Rahman, daughter of BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman, attended the event as the chief guest.

During the session, Jaima Rahman listened to young participants discuss political awareness, voting rights, social media participation in politics, and their visions for the future of Bangladesh. Organizers stated that the event aimed to create a meaningful and constructive exchange between youth voters and national political representatives.

The initiative reflects BNP’s effort to engage the younger generation in political discourse and encourage their active participation in shaping the country’s democratic future.

Bangladesh Police have identified 53 out of 300 constituencies as vulnerable to violence ahead of the 13th national parliamentary election. Law enforcement agencies are on high alert in these areas, implementing additional security measures to prevent unrest, clashes, and disorder on election day. The police have already begun intelligence gathering and will maintain special surveillance before and during the polls. Senior officers will be deployed in the field to monitor the situation closely.

According to police sources, the constituencies were marked as risky due to multiple rival candidates, past records of election violence, unsatisfactory local law and order, and the influence of leftist extremists. Police stations and outposts have been instructed to strengthen mobile, foot, and vehicle patrols, set up checkpoints, and intensify beat policing. Special drives and house searches will be conducted near polling centers to curb criminal activity.

Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury stated that all forces have been directed to prevent any violence surrounding the election. Inspector General of Police Baharul Alam affirmed that the force is fully prepared to ensure a peaceful and violence-free election.

Testimony in the murder case of lawyer Saiful Islam Alif began on Monday at the Chattogram Divisional Speedy Trial Tribunal, presided over by Judge Md Zahidul Haque. During the hearing, all accused except Chandan Kumar Dhar alias Chinmoy Krishna Das, who remains in prison, were produced before the court under tight security. The victim’s father and plaintiff, Jamal Uddin, gave his statement as the first witness, while accused Chinmoy Krishna Das joined the proceedings virtually.

According to the plaintiff’s counsel, Advocate Md Raihanul Wazed Chowdhury, the trial gained momentum with the plaintiff’s testimony, though the defense repeatedly sought adjournments to delay proceedings. The court set the next hearing for February 18 after the defense requested time for cross-examination. The investigating officer has reportedly summoned around 50 witnesses in the case.

Additional police were deployed around the court premises during the hearing to ensure security.

BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed has alleged that a rival political party seeks to confine women within their homes and deny them progress, dignity, and empowerment. Speaking on Monday, February 2, 2026, at the Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Coastal College field in Pekua, Cox’s Bazar, during a prize-giving ceremony organized by the Pekua Upazila Chhatra Dal, he said his party nominated many women for direct parliamentary elections, while the opposing party did not nominate any.

Ahmed criticized the rival party’s leader for making derogatory remarks about women on social media, which he said sparked protests across the country. He accused them of wanting to reduce women’s working hours and limit their employment opportunities, contrary to the spirit of equality and justice achieved through the Liberation War and student movements.

He urged citizens to protest against the humiliation of women through their votes on February 12. Ahmed also credited Begum Khaleda Zia for introducing free education that increased female literacy and said BNP’s plans aim to empower women socially and economically.

AB Party chairman and Feni-2 candidate under the 11-party electoral alliance, Mujibur Rahman Manju, met with Feni Deputy Commissioner and Returning Officer Monira Haque on February 2, 2026. During the meeting, discussions focused on the election environment, adherence to the code of conduct, and law and order issues. Manju also held courtesy meetings with local military, BGB, and RAB officials regarding security matters. Several alliance leaders, including representatives from Jamaat and NCP, were present.

Speaking to journalists afterward, Manju alleged that an assistant commissioner (land), Jasim Uddin, detained one of his campaign workers, mistreated him, and fined him 20,000 taka for using colored banners. He claimed that similar campaign caravans operated elsewhere without penalty, calling the action discriminatory and biased. Manju further alleged that his party’s campaign faced obstacles, including voter inducement through family card promotions and electioneering in educational institutions.

He said written complaints had been submitted and that the returning officer promised action. Manju urged authorities to ensure equal enforcement of election rules and prevent intimidation or irregularities during the polls.

A Dhaka court has ordered the freezing of eight bank accounts belonging to former minister and banned Awami League advisory council member Amir Hossain Amu. The order was issued on Monday by Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Sabbir Foyez, confirmed by court bench assistant Md Riaz Hossain. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) had sought the order, citing preliminary allegations of fraud, forgery, money laundering, and extortion involving Amu and his associates.

According to the ACC’s application, investigators found eight bank accounts opened under Amu’s name, with a current balance of 75.1 million taka. The commission’s initial review suggested that these accounts were used for transactions involving domestic and foreign currency smuggling and to conceal the sources of illicit funds. The court determined that freezing the accounts was necessary to ensure a fair investigation and uphold justice.

The order marks a significant step in the ACC’s ongoing inquiry into alleged financial misconduct by the former minister and his associates.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Tarique Rahman has called for prayers seeking global peace, unity, solidarity, and security for Muslims worldwide on the occasion of the holy Shab-e-Barat. In a message conveyed through the party’s Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Monday, he urged believers to dedicate the night to devotion and repentance before Allah.

Rahman described Shab-e-Barat as a sacred night in the month of Sha’ban, symbolizing salvation and divine mercy. He emphasized that the night heralds the arrival of Ramadan and offers believers an opportunity to seek forgiveness and blessings. He encouraged Muslims to avoid violence, hatred, and discord, and instead commit to tolerance, restraint, and harmony for the greater good of humanity.

In his message, Rahman expressed hopes for continued happiness, peace, and prosperity for Muslims in Bangladesh and across the world, praying for the nation’s progress and welfare during this auspicious night.

The Dhaka Education Board has once again extended the deadline for filling out forms for this year’s Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examination. According to a notice signed by Exam Controller Professor S M Kamal Uddin Haydar on February 2, 2026, students can now complete their form submission with a late fee until February 5, Thursday.

The notice stated that the extended period for form fill-up with a late fee will run from February 2 to February 5, 2026. It also mentioned that students must submit their fees through the ‘Sonali Seba’ system by February 5. Heads of all institutions under the Dhaka Education Board have been instructed to ensure that their students complete the process within the new timeframe.

This marks another extension of the SSC form fill-up schedule for the current year, providing additional time for students and institutions to finalize their registration and payment procedures.

More than 464,000 expatriate voters have completed their postal voting through the Postal Vote BD mobile app ahead of Bangladesh’s upcoming referendum and 13th National Parliamentary Election. The information was confirmed on Monday by Salim Ahmad Khan, team leader of the OCV-SDI project on expatriate voter registration. As of 11 a.m., 766,862 ballots had been sent to expatriates, of which 522,315 were received, and 418,962 ballots were submitted to local post offices or mailboxes abroad. BD Post has forwarded 1,859 ballots to returning officers.

The Election Commission has also started sending postal ballots to domestic voters under the ICPV system. Across the country, 646,507 registered voters have received ballots, with 58,797 having accepted them by 11 a.m. Among them, 43,319 have completed voting, and 29,334 have submitted their ballots to post offices or mailboxes.

According to Salim Ahmad Khan, a total of 1,533,684 voters, both domestic and expatriate, have registered through the Postal Vote BD app to participate in the upcoming national election and referendum.

At a meeting in Shanta Community Center, Ranisankail, Thakurgaon, on Monday, Mizanur Rahman Master, the Thakurgaon-3 candidate of the Eleven-Party Alliance, said journalists would be able to work freely if the alliance came to power. He stated that there would be no room for corruption within the alliance and that serving the people was their main duty. He also announced plans to build roads, schools, colleges, and a 250-bed hospital in the upazila.

The event was organized by the alliance’s Press Media Cell and chaired by Upazila Jamaat Secretary Rojob Ali. Other speakers included central NCP Joint Chief Coordinator agriculturist Golam Mortuza Selim, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Upazila President Amanullah Aman, District Press Media President Shahjalal Jewel, and Municipal Amir Abdul Matin. Local journalists and representatives from labor and youth organizations were also present.

Mizanur Rahman added that unemployed people would receive free jobs instead of unemployment allowances, foreign employment opportunities would be expanded, and local rivers would be dredged to restore their flow.

A total of 194,914 postal ballots from expatriate voters have arrived in Bangladesh ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliament election and referendum. The information was confirmed on Monday by Salim Ahmad Khan, team leader of the OCV-SDI project on expatriate voter registration. As of 11 a.m. that day, 766,862 ballots had been sent to expatriates through the ‘Postal Vote BD’ mobile app, with 522,315 voters receiving their ballots and 464,225 completing their votes. Additionally, 418,962 expatriate voters have submitted their ballots to local post offices or mailboxes, and BD Post has forwarded 1,859 ballots to returning officers.

The Election Commission has also started sending postal ballots to domestic voters registered under the ICPV system. So far, 646,507 registered voters across the country have been sent ballots. By 11 a.m. Monday, 58,797 domestic voters had received their ballots, 43,319 had completed voting, and 29,334 had submitted their ballots to post offices or mailboxes.

According to Salim Ahmad Khan, a total of 1,533,684 voters, both at home and abroad, have registered through the ‘Postal Vote BD’ app to participate in the election and referendum.

In Shibchar upazila of Madaripur, BNP’s nominated candidate for Madaripur-1 constituency, Nadera Akter, led a group of party leaders and activists to visit the grave of late Awami League leader Ilias Ahmed Chowdhury, a cousin of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The visit has triggered sharp discontent and debate within the local BNP ranks.

Following the visit, many grassroots BNP activists publicly expressed dissatisfaction, arguing that Ilias Ahmed Chowdhury’s family benefited from the Awami League government, which they accuse of long-term political repression. They said visiting the grave of a family associated with such a regime contradicts BNP’s political principles and has hurt the sentiments of those who suffered under Awami League rule. The incident has also caused confusion and resentment among the public.

Local BNP leaders stated that those who fought against Awami League’s governance cannot accept such actions. Political analysts noted that this controversy could negatively affect BNP’s internal unity and public support ahead of the election. No official party statement or comment from Nadera Akter has yet been issued.

The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) has increased the retail price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for February. The price of a 12-kilogram LPG cylinder has been raised by 50 taka to 1,356 taka. The new rate will take effect from 6 p.m. on Monday. Alongside, the price of autogas has also been increased by 2.34 taka per liter, setting the new consumer price at 62.14 taka per liter including VAT.

According to BERC Chairman Jalal Ahmed, the February adjustment follows the previous revision on January 4, when the price of a 12-kilogram LPG cylinder was raised by 53 taka to 1,306 taka. Similarly, autogas prices were last adjusted on January 4, when the rate was increased by 2.48 taka per liter to 59.80 taka per liter including VAT.

The latest price adjustment reflects BERC’s monthly review process for LPG and autogas rates, which are periodically revised based on market conditions and other regulatory considerations.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has expressed deep concern after 40 accused, including the prime suspect, were granted anticipatory bail in the murder case of Maulana Rezaul Karim, secretary of Jamaat’s Sreebardi upazila unit in Sherpur. The party’s Secretary General, Mia Golam Porwar, issued a statement to the media on Monday voicing the concern.

In the statement, Porwar said that Rezaul Karim was brutally beaten to death during a planned attack at a public event related to an election manifesto announcement. He described the killing as a national tragedy and questioned the granting of bail before justice was served, saying it undermined public confidence in the justice system and raised questions about citizens’ safety.

Porwar warned that such a decision in a clear and high-profile murder case could embolden criminals and encourage future political violence. He demanded the immediate arrest of the accused and called for a fair, impartial, and speedy trial, urging the higher court to take necessary steps to ensure justice.