In the upcoming 13th parliamentary election, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) electoral symbol ‘Sheaf of Paddy’ will not appear on ballots in eight constituencies out of 300. The party has allocated 11 seats to its alliance partners, with seven of them contesting under their own party symbols. Additionally, four candidates who recently joined BNP from other parties will compete under the ‘Sheaf of Paddy’ symbol. The court has also cancelled the nomination of BNP candidate Manjurul Ahsan Munshi in Cumilla-4 due to loan default, leaving that seat without a BNP candidate.

A hearing is scheduled today on an appeal regarding the candidacy of BNP’s Sarwar Alamgir in Chattogram-2. If his nomination is cancelled, the number of constituencies without the BNP symbol could rise to nine. BNP sources said the party reached an electoral understanding with Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, leaving four seats for its candidates, while other alliance partners such as Ganosamhati Andolon, Revolutionary Workers Party, and Gana Odhikar Parishad are contesting under their own symbols.

Several leaders from other parties, including Dr. Redwan Ahmed, Fariduzzaman Farhad, Bobby Hajjaj, and Muhammad Rashed Khan, have joined BNP to contest under the ‘Sheaf of Paddy’ symbol.

An election rally for the BNP’s ‘Sheaf of Paddy’ candidate was held on Saturday afternoon at the Paichbag Islamia High School field in Gafargaon, Mymensingh-10 constituency. Mohammad Aktaruzzaman Bacchu, the BNP candidate, attended the event as the chief guest. The rally was presided over by Ashraf Uddin Wakil Dhali, former convener of Paichbag Union BNP, and was also addressed by former district BNP general secretary Abul Kashem Arju and district BNP member Advocate Al Fatah Khan, among others.

In his speech, Mohammad Aktaruzzaman Bacchu said that Paichbag Union is one of the strongholds of the BNP in the area. He pledged that if elected, the upazila would be free from syndicates, corruption, nepotism, terrorism, extortion, and drugs. He expressed his desire to serve the people as their representative and remain a servant of the public.

The rally reflected the BNP’s local campaign efforts in the Mymensingh-10 constituency ahead of the upcoming election.

Dhaka University organized a 'Language Walk' on Sunday morning to welcome Language Month and mark the upcoming Shaheed Day and International Mother Language Day. The event, initiated by the Department of Linguistics, began at the base of Aparajeyo Bangla and was inaugurated by Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration) Professor Dr. Saima Haque Bidisha. The walk circled the university campus and concluded at the Central Shaheed Minar.

At the Shaheed Minar, teachers and students laid floral wreaths to pay deep respect to the martyrs of the historic Language Movement. Participants highlighted the significance of the movement, the dignity of the mother tongue, and the importance of preserving linguistic diversity. The event was attended by senior university officials including the Dean of the Faculty of Arts, the Proctor, and the Chairperson of the Department of Linguistics.

Organizers stated that the Department of Linguistics arranges this annual walk to honor the memory of language martyrs and to spread the spirit of the Language Movement among the younger generation.

A large procession and rally were held in Gafargaon, Mymensingh, on Saturday in support of Maulana Ismail Hossain Sohel, the 11-party alliance–endorsed candidate for Mymensingh-10 (Gafargaon). The event began at the Imam Bari Eidgah field in the municipal area and moved through several town streets before concluding at Jamtala intersection, where a brief rally took place. Sohel, who is also the upazila amir of Jamaat-e-Islami, led the march.

The gathering was attended by local and regional leaders from Jamaat-e-Islami, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, and other allied organizations, including religious scholars, human rights activists, and professionals. In his address, Sohel emphasized that there is no alternative to honest, competent, and patriotic leadership for the welfare of the nation and urged citizens to unite in building a just society.

The event reflected the 11-party alliance’s campaign momentum in the Gafargaon constituency ahead of upcoming political activities, highlighting calls for ethical leadership and social unity.

The International Crimes Tribunal-2 has set February 5 for delivering the verdict in the case over the killing of seven people, including the burning of six bodies, during the July uprising in Ashulia. The decision was announced on Sunday, February 1, 2026, by a three-member judicial panel led by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, with judges Md Manjurul Basid and Nur Mohammad Shahriar Kabir as members.

According to prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim, the incident occurred on August 5, 2024, in front of Ashulia Police Station, where victims were shot dead and their bodies set on fire with petrol. The case involves 16 accused, eight of whom are currently in custody. Those detained include former Dhaka district Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime and Ops) Md Abdullahil Kafi, former Additional SP (Savar Circle) Md Shahidul Islam, and several other police officers. Former Member of Parliament Saiful Islam and the remaining accused are absconding.

The tribunal’s verdict is expected to conclude a significant case of crimes against humanity tied to the violent events of the July uprising.

Workers and employees at Chattogram Port continued their strike for a second day on Sunday, halting operational activities and disrupting import-export traffic. From 8 a.m., workers attempted to stage demonstrations outside the port, while law enforcement, including the army, tightened security. The Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) issued directives prohibiting assemblies and gatherings in the port area for one month to maintain normal port operations.

According to sources, the strike was called to protest the decision to lease the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to a foreign company and a related court ruling. The port authority formed a six-member committee to assess revenue losses and identify those responsible. Four employees accused of leading the movement were transferred to Dhaka’s Pangaon ICT, and officials warned of disciplinary action against participants during office hours.

CMP Commissioner Hasib Aziz’s public notice imposed restrictions under the 1978 Metropolitan Police Ordinance, banning gatherings, weapons, and explosives in key port areas until March 2. However, election campaigns for the 2026 national polls remain exempt from the ban.

A Grameen Bank officer was killed in a road accident on the Dhaka–Barishal highway in Uzirpur upazila of Barishal on Sunday morning. The incident occurred around 7:30 a.m. near the Ichladi toll plaza when Ripon Biswas, 43, from Ramanandi village in Agailjhara upazila, was crossing the road. A speeding Sakura Paribahan bus traveling from Barishal to Dhaka lost control and ran him over, killing him on the spot. The driver fled after leaving the bus beside the road, and locals later recovered the body.

According to police and eyewitnesses, the bus has been seized while the driver remains at large. Gouranadi Highway Police Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Shamim Sheikh said preparations were underway to hand over the body to the victim’s family. Uzirpur Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Rokibul Islam confirmed that police were deployed at the scene and traffic movement had returned to normal.

Police investigations are ongoing to locate the absconding driver and complete formal procedures related to the fatal accident.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecast partly cloudy skies over Dhaka and surrounding areas today, with mainly dry weather conditions. The forecast, issued for six hours from 7 a.m. Sunday, indicates that light fog may occur in some places. Winds are expected to blow from the west or northwest at speeds between 5 and 10 kilometers per hour. The department also reported that daytime temperatures are likely to remain nearly unchanged.

According to the morning observation, Dhaka recorded a temperature of 18.2 degrees Celsius at 6 a.m., with humidity at 98 percent. The highest temperature in the capital on the previous day was 27.7 degrees Celsius, while the lowest today was 17.5 degrees Celsius. No rainfall was recorded in the last 24 hours. Sunset is expected at 5:45 p.m. and sunrise tomorrow at 6:40 a.m.

The nationwide forecast suggests that skies across Bangladesh may remain temporarily partly cloudy until 6 p.m., with dry weather prevailing and both day and night temperatures likely to stay nearly steady.

Hasnat Abdullah, the chief organizer of the National Citizens Party, stated that there will be no leniency for corrupt individuals, extortionists, and bank looters. He made the remarks on Sunday, February 1, after the Supreme Court’s Appellate Division dismissed a petition filed by BNP-nominated candidate Manjurul Ahsan Munshi. Abdullah described the verdict as a judgment of the oppressed against the oppressor.

In a Facebook post the same day, Abdullah wrote that the people of Bangladesh had achieved victory in their fight against bank looters and loan defaulters. His comments came in response to the court’s decision, which he framed as a triumph for ordinary citizens over financial wrongdoing.

The statements reflect the National Citizens Party’s stance against corruption and financial crimes, emphasizing accountability and justice following the court’s ruling.

The Appeal Division has cancelled the nomination of BNP-endorsed candidate Engineer Manjurul Ahsan Munshi for the Comilla-4 (Debidwar) constituency in the 13th National Parliamentary Election. The court’s ruling on Sunday means Munshi will not be able to contest in this election, leaving the BNP without a candidate in the seat. As a result, Hasnat Abdullah, nominated by the 11-party alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami and serving as the chief organizer of NCP’s southern region, now faces a significantly weakened field.

Earlier, on January 21, the High Court had dismissed Munshi’s writ petition challenging the cancellation of his nomination. The Appeal Division has now rejected his leave-to-appeal petition, finalizing his disqualification. With no BNP or independent contenders remaining, Abdullah’s main competition now comes from candidates of smaller parties including Gano Adhikar Parishad, Insoniyat Biplob Bangladesh, Khelafat Majlis, and Islami Andolan Bangladesh.

The withdrawal of Jamaat’s previous nominee Saiful Islam Shahid and the absence of any BNP replacement have further cleared the way for Hasnat Abdullah’s likely victory in the constituency.

More than one hundred leaders and activists of the Gano Adhikar Parishad from various units in Jamalpur district resigned on Saturday night, alleging that the party had deviated from its discipline, principles, and ideals. The announcement was made at a press conference held at a club near Madarganj Model Police Station. The resignations were led by several district and upazila-level leaders, including Robiul Mondol, Zakirul Islam Zakir, Shahin Alam, and Rezaul Karim Hira, and also included members of the expatriate wing.

The resigning leaders stated that they had long observed a lack of discipline and ideological politics within the party. They expressed dissatisfaction over sudden changes in candidate announcements, such as the reversal of the nomination for Jamalpur-3 constituency within fifteen minutes. They also said that about 150 leaders had raised objections to central leaders, which were ignored, leading to frustration and disillusionment.

Jamalpur district general secretary Zakir Hossain responded that those who resigned were not truly committed to the party and that their departure would not affect its activities. He added that the organization would continue its work and strengthen its grassroots presence.

BNP rebel candidate Mohsin Mia Madhu declared that he has no party owner and that his only allegiance is to the people. He made the statement on Saturday night while campaigning across various areas of Sreemangal upazila in the Moulvibazar-4 (Sreemangal–Kamalganj) constituency. During his campaign, he held street meetings, yard gatherings, and distributed leaflets door to door, seeking direct voter support.

Madhu expressed his commitment to developing Sreemangal and Kamalganj as model areas, promising that if elected, citizens would not need to approach him for development initiatives as he would take proactive steps himself. Drawing on his experience as a former municipal mayor, he claimed to have previously transformed Sreemangal Municipality into a model one. He pledged to make the region free from terrorism, corruption, and extortion.

He appealed to voters of all political affiliations to support him under his election symbol, the football. Other candidates in the constituency include BNP’s Mujibur Rahman Chowdhury, NCP’s Pritam Das, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish’s Maulana Nure Alam Hamidi, Jatiya Party’s Zarif Hossain, and BASAD’s Advocate Md. Abul Hasan.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has alleged that its Amir, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, and several senior leaders were targeted in a cyberattack on their social media accounts. The party’s Assistant Secretary General and head of its publicity and media division, Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, stated in a press release on Sunday that attackers briefly took control of Dr. Rahman’s official Twitter (X) account and used it to post false and misleading content. The party’s cyber team reportedly regained control shortly afterward and secured other accounts.

The statement clarified that the unauthorized post did not represent the Jamaat Amir’s views or the party’s position, describing it as entirely false. The party condemned the spread of misinformation and urged the public, journalists, and social media users to verify information only from official and trusted sources. It also warned that spreading fake news, identity fraud, and manipulated content are punishable offenses that harm democratic integrity.

Jamaat’s campaign team reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, digital security, and credible communication, promising to share further updates if necessary and calling for restraint from unethical online activities.

Supporters of the BNP and Jamaat clashed on Saturday night in Nilphamari’s Jaldhaka municipality over the placement of election billboards. The incident occurred around 9 p.m. at Abu Sayeed Square, where both groups attempted to display their campaign materials. Police and army personnel were deployed to control the situation, and additional forces have since been stationed in the area amid a tense atmosphere.

Eyewitnesses said several billboards bearing Jamaat’s scale symbol had been installed earlier, and BNP supporters later tried to put up their own posters at the same location. Jamaat activists objected, leading to heated exchanges and eventually a chase between the two sides. BNP coordinator Fahmid Faisal Chowdhury Comet claimed their worker was obstructed and mistreated, while Jamaat coordinator Kamruzzaman alleged that BNP activists attacked their members, injuring three.

Jaldhaka police officer-in-charge Namjul Alam confirmed that the situation was brought under control after security forces intervened. Law enforcement remains deployed to prevent further unrest in the town.

Election campaigning in Naogaon-1 constituency has intensified ahead of the 13th parliamentary election, with candidates actively engaging voters across Porsha, Sapahar, and Niamatpur. Despite the presence of a rebel BNP candidate, local observers expect the main contest to be between the BNP’s ‘paddy sheaf’ symbol and Jamaat-e-Islami’s ‘scale’ symbol. The constituency, known as a BNP stronghold, has seen vibrant rallies and voter outreach in villages and markets.

BNP’s official candidate, Niamatpur BNP general secretary Md. Mostafizur Rahman, is contesting under the party symbol, while former MP and Niamatpur BNP president Dr. Salek Chowdhury is running as a rebel. Although Chowdhury has a strong local base, many of his supporters have joined Mostafizur’s campaign. Jamaat candidate Principal Mahbubul Alam is also campaigning actively, while three other candidates represent Islami Andolan and Jatiya Party.

The constituency has 407,465 registered voters, including 238,684 women, 235,377 men, and four third-gender voters, according to the report.