The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has come under scrutiny after approving nominations of candidates in four parliamentary constituencies in Chattogram who admitted exceeding the legally prescribed election spending limits. Despite the Representation of the People Order (RPO) 2025 amendment empowering the EC to act against such violations, returning officer Mohammad Zahidul Islam Miah declared the nominations valid. The law allows a maximum expenditure of 10 taka per voter, but candidates in constituencies including Chattogram-6, 7, 13, and 15 reported higher amounts in their affidavits.

Legal experts stated that exceeding the spending limit renders an affidavit defective and should not be accepted without EC approval. Chittagong University’s Professor Dr. Md. Shafiqul Islam said the incident shows the EC failed its first major test under the revised RPO, reflecting administrative weakness and lack of discipline. EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed acknowledged that overspending clearly violates the RPO and that verifying expense reports was the responsibility of returning officers.

Analysts warned that ignoring such admissions of legal breaches could set a dangerous precedent, undermining financial fairness, transparency, and public trust in future elections.

Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis has expelled Maulana Khairul Islam Thakur, its initially nominated candidate for the Kishoreganj-4 constituency, on allegations of violating party discipline. The decision was announced on Thursday by the party’s Secretary General, Maulana Jalaluddin Ahmad, under Article 30 of the party constitution. Thakur has been temporarily removed from his primary membership and all organizational responsibilities.

The party also issued strict instructions to all leaders and activists at every level to refrain from maintaining any electoral or organizational contact with Thakur. According to a press release, the directive takes immediate effect to uphold party discipline, ideology, and central decisions.

The statement further clarified that Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis currently has no recognized candidate for the Kishoreganj-4 (Austagram–Itna–Mithamain) constituency. Under the mutual understanding of the 11-party electoral alliance, this seat has been allocated to Jamaat-e-Islami.

Three murder suspects were mistakenly released from Mymensingh Central Jail on Tuesday, January 27, without any bail documents. The incident was not immediately reported to the district administration or police and became public only after confirmation on Thursday, January 29. Following the revelation, Deputy Jailer Zakaria Imtiaz was temporarily suspended for negligence, and a three-member committee was formed to investigate the matter.

Prisons DIG Mohammad Touhidul Islam stated that the release occurred because a production warrant was mistakenly treated as a bail order. Senior Jail Superintendent Aminul Islam described the incident as an “accidental release,” saying the responsible officer freed the inmates by mistake. The released individuals—Anis Mia, Rashedul Islam, and Jakirul Islam—were all residents of Tarati in Tarakanda and accused in a murder case.

Police officials said they were not informed in time, which hindered efforts to re-arrest the suspects. Authorities have pledged strict legal action if further involvement or intent is found during the investigation.

The interim government of Bangladesh has made a policy decision to divide the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) into two distinct entities—a regulatory body and an operational organization. The decision was communicated to CAAB through an official letter from the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism on January 28, and confirmed by the ministry’s Public Relations Department on January 29.

According to the ministry, CAAB currently performs dual roles: as a regulator overseeing aviation safety and security, and as an operator managing air navigation services and airports. This dual function has created conflicts of interest in decision-making. An audit by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and a government investigation into the October 18 fire at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport’s import cargo complex both recommended separating CAAB’s regulatory and operational functions.

To meet these requirements, the government will soon enact or amend necessary laws to establish a separate operator organization responsible for air navigation and airport management. The move aims to fulfill international obligations and improve the quality of civil aviation services in Bangladesh.

The women’s wing of Jamaat-e-Islami has postponed its planned rally at Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka. The event was originally scheduled for January 31, 2026, to protest alleged attacks, harassment, and intimidation during the recent election campaign. The announcement of the postponement came three days after the rally was first declared, with the party’s central women’s division citing unavoidable reasons for the decision. The update was shared through the party’s official Facebook page.

Earlier, Jamaat’s Nayebe Ameer, Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher, had announced the rally during a press conference held at the party’s central office. It was to be the first women’s rally organized by the party at Suhrawardy Udyan. The postponement marks a change in the party’s recent mobilization plans.

No new date for the rescheduled rally has been announced, and the reasons behind the postponement were not detailed in the party’s statement.

National Citizen Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam on Thursday, January 29, 2026, called on citizens to vote 'Yes' in the upcoming referendum to prevent the return of what he described as fascist or autocratic governance in Bangladesh. Speaking at an NCP election march held at the petrol pump area in Sreemangal, Moulvibazar, he urged voters to reject those seeking to reestablish the defeated Awami League forces in the February 12 election. He said the NCP emerged from the August 5 movement and aims to eliminate corruption, misrule, and family-based leadership.

Without naming any party, Nahid Islam alleged that a major political group filed mass cases nationwide after August 5 and is now using those cases for political bargaining. He called on voters to resist such attempts by supporting the NCP’s Shapla Koli symbol. NCP spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan highlighted the struggles of party candidate Pritam Das, who was jailed for 132 days for labor rights activism. He pledged wage increases and infrastructure improvements if elected.

Pritam Das also urged voters to support the 11-party alliance’s Shapla Koli symbol in the February 12 election for Sreemangal’s development.

The Election Commission has withdrawn the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) and Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Jhenaigati in Sherpur following the killing of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami leader Maulana Rezaul Karim. Senior Secretary of the Election Commission Akhtar Ahmed confirmed the decision to journalists on Thursday, January 29, 2026. He said the commission will take further action after receiving the judicial inquiry committee’s report on the candidates involved. Ahmed also noted that if any candidate regains eligibility by court order after February 8, their name and symbol will not appear on postal ballots.

Earlier, Jamaat-e-Islami held a press conference alleging that the killing occurred under the instigation of BNP candidate Mahmudul Haque Rubel and that local administration officials remained inactive during the incident. The party demanded immediate arrests and legal action against those responsible, warning that administrative bias could undermine a fair election. Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) called for a proper investigation to determine whether the Sherpur clash could have been avoided.

The Election Commission’s withdrawal of the two officials marks an initial administrative response as inquiries continue into the politically charged incident.

A Dhaka court has again postponed the submission date for the further investigation report in the murder case of Inqilab Moncho spokesperson Shahid Sharif Osman Bin Hadi. On Thursday, January 29, 2026, Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Awlad Hossain Muhammad Jonaid set February 3 as the new date after the investigating officer, CID Assistant Superintendent of Police Abdul Kadir Bhuiyan, failed to submit the report.

According to court sources, Hadi was shot by assailants on a motorcycle in the Box Culvert area of Paltan on December 12, 2025, while traveling to Suhrawardy Udyan after Friday prayers and election campaigning in Motijheel. He was first treated at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, then transferred to Evercare Hospital, and later sent to Singapore for advanced treatment, where he died on December 18. The case was subsequently reclassified as a murder case.

Earlier, on January 6, detectives filed charges against 17 people, including former ward councilor Taizul Islam Chowdhury Bappi and Faisal Karim Masud. Following dissatisfaction with that report, the court ordered the CID to conduct further investigation on January 15.

The Ministry of Housing and Public Works has rejected a recent report published by the daily Prothom Alo claiming that the government would build 9,030-square-foot flats with swimming pools for ministers. In a press release issued on Thursday and signed by Public Relations Officer Md. Alamgir Hossain, the ministry described the report as completely baseless, misleading, and false.

According to the ministry, while the Public Works Department had once proposed such a project, it was never considered or approved by the ministry. The statement emphasized that publishing such distorted information creates confusion among the public and harms the image of the government. The ministry urged media outlets to refrain from publishing inaccurate or misleading reports in the future.

The clarification aims to counter misinformation and reaffirm that no official decision or approval exists for the construction of large ministerial flats as described in the disputed report.

The Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) has temporarily suspended its previously announced plan to shut down all textile mills across the country from February 1. The decision followed clear government assurances and positive progress in ongoing discussions. BTMA stated that the move was made considering national interests, the upcoming election, and the need to maintain industrial stability.

A key meeting was held on January 27 at the Ministry of Commerce, chaired by Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin, to address the ongoing crisis in the ready-made garment and textile sectors. The meeting reviewed the challenges facing the spinning sector, with the adviser acknowledging their legitimacy and promising swift, fair, and practical solutions. Senior officials from the National Board of Revenue, the Ministry of Finance, and industry associations including BGMEA and BKMEA attended the session.

BTMA expressed hope that resolving the spinning sector’s crisis would enhance export competitiveness, safeguard employment, and strengthen overall economic stability. The association said future programs would be announced after reviewing the situation.

The High Court has dismissed a writ petition seeking to postpone the 50th Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) preliminary examination during the period of the 13th National Parliamentary Election. The order was issued on Thursday, January 29, 2026, removing all legal barriers to holding the exam as scheduled on Friday, January 30, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. across eight regional centers including Dhaka, Rajshahi, Chattogram, Khulna, Barishal, Sylhet, Rangpur, and Mymensingh.

According to the Bangladesh Public Service Commission (PSC), the 50th BCS circular was published on November 26, 2025, with applications accepted from December 4 to December 31. A total of 290,951 applications were submitted, significantly fewer than in previous years. The examination will recruit 2,150 candidates for both cadre and non-cadre positions, including 650 in the health cadre, 200 in administration, and 117 in police.

The PSC has also revised the preliminary exam structure, reducing marks in Bangla, English, and Bangladesh affairs while increasing marks in international affairs, mathematical reasoning, and ethics. The commission plans to complete the written and viva stages promptly after the preliminary test.

The government has promoted 40 officers from the BCS (Police) cadre to the rank of Additional Superintendent of Police. The Ministry of Home Affairs issued an official notification on Thursday through its Police-1 branch confirming the promotions. According to the notice, the new rank falls under the 6th grade of the 2015 national pay scale, with a salary range of Tk 35,500 to Tk 67,010.

The notification stated that the promoted officers must submit their joining letters to the Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs through the appropriate authority. It also mentioned that the order was issued in the public interest and would take immediate effect.

The list of the promoted officers was made available along with the announcement, marking a significant administrative update within the police service structure.

A writ petition was filed in the High Court on Wednesday seeking postponement of the 50th Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) preliminary examination. Four candidates submitted the petition to the relevant branch of the court. However, according to information from the Public Service Commission (PSC) on Thursday, the exam will not be delayed and will take place as scheduled. The PSC’s legal officer will respond to the court regarding the writ, and preparations for the exam are continuing.

The 50th BCS has received 290,951 applications, a notable decrease compared to previous years. A total of 2,150 candidates will be recruited for both cadre and non-cadre positions, including 650 in the health cadre, 200 in administration, and 117 in the police. The preliminary exam format has been adjusted, reducing marks in Bangla, English, and Bangladesh affairs by five each, while increasing marks in international affairs, mathematical reasoning, and ethics by five each.

According to the PSC’s roadmap, written and oral tests will be completed as soon as possible after the preliminary exam.

After nearly two months of suspension, rice imports through the Sonamasjid land port in Shibganj, Chapainawabganj, have resumed. As part of trade activities with India, a total of 1,188 metric tons of non-basmati parboiled rice entered Bangladesh by Thursday afternoon. The information was confirmed by Kamal Khan, Operations Manager of Panama Sonamasjid Port Link Limited, who detailed the import schedule between January 24 and 28.

According to customs officials, the average cost per kilogram of the imported rice ranged between Tk 50 and Tk 70, depending on the type. Samir Chandra Ghosh, Deputy Director of the Sonamasjid Plant Quarantine Center, said the last rice consignment through this port arrived on December 3 of the previous year, totaling 563.7 metric tons. Import operations had remained halted since then.

The resumption marks a continuation of bilateral trade between Bangladesh and India through one of the country’s key land ports, potentially stabilizing local rice supply after the import gap.

The interim government of Bangladesh has issued the 'Microfinance Bank Ordinance, 2026' to strengthen microcredit operations, create employment, reduce poverty, and ensure ownership for small borrowers. According to the ordinance, published in a gazette by the Legislative Division of the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, microfinance borrowers will now become shareholders, holding at least 60 percent ownership in the new bank. The bank will be established with an authorized capital of Tk 500 crore and a minimum paid-up capital of Tk 200 crore, under a license from Bangladesh Bank.

The ordinance defines the Microfinance Bank as a social business institution, requiring profits to be reinvested in social and poverty alleviation sectors rather than distributed as dividends. The nine-member board will include four borrower-elected directors, three nominated directors, two independent directors, and a managing director without voting rights. The bank will provide loans for self-employment, accept deposits, and offer technical and administrative support to small entrepreneurs.

Bangladesh Bank will act as the licensing authority and may dissolve the board or remove directors if necessary. The government will announce the effective date of the ordinance through a separate notification.