The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has issued detailed instructions on the cancellation of postal ballots for the upcoming national election scheduled on February 12, 2026. Deputy Secretary Mohammad Monir Hossain sent a directive to all returning officers specifying that ballots will be invalidated if they lack a declaration form, voter signature, or contain marks on multiple symbols. Ballots with unclear markings, no markings, or symbols other than tick or cross will also be rejected.

The EC further clarified that postal ballots arriving after the start of counting or affected by court-ordered candidate list changes will not be included in the count. Invalid ballots must be sealed in designated envelopes, with totals recorded in the official result statement. Additionally, ballots invalidated due to duplicate or unscanned QR codes must be stored separately and accounted for.

A total of 1.533 million voters, including government employees, prisoners, law enforcement members, and expatriates, have registered to vote by postal ballot in this election.

The government has promoted 118 joint secretaries to the rank of additional secretary under the Ministry of Public Administration. The promotion order was issued on Tuesday night, signed by Deputy Secretary Mohammad Rafiqul Haque on behalf of the President. According to ministry officials, the promoted officers belong to the 20th batch, with 118 selected out of 407 eligible officers.

The official notification stated that if any officer has already changed their workplace, they must submit their joining letter mentioning the current office name and address. It also noted that the authorities reserve the right to amend or cancel the order if any adverse information about a promoted officer is later found. The newly promoted officials are instructed to submit their joining letters directly to the Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration or via email.

The order takes immediate effect, marking a significant administrative reshuffle within the public administration structure.

The Bangladesh Air Force and China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC) International have signed a government-to-government agreement to establish a drone manufacturing and assembly plant in Dhaka Cantonment. The signing ceremony took place at the Air Force Headquarters, with Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan attending as the chief guest. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the project includes technology transfer, capacity building, and joint technical cooperation aimed at enhancing Bangladesh’s self-reliance in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) production.

ISPR stated that the Air Force will initially gain the capability to produce and assemble various types of medium-altitude, low-endurance, and vertical take-off and landing UAVs. The drones will serve both military operations and humanitarian or disaster management missions. The agreement is expected to expand domestic UAV production capacity to meet national and international demand while contributing to the development of a skilled aerospace workforce through specialized training and knowledge exchange.

The event was attended by China’s Ambassador Yao Wen, senior officials from the Armed Forces Division, several ministries, and representatives from CETC International.

A Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami member in Purbadhala, Netrokona, has alleged that his business establishment was attacked, vandalized, and looted late Monday night. The incident reportedly occurred around midnight when an armed group entered the premises of Suruzzaman’s ‘Nawroz Computer Training and Coaching Center’ and adjacent grocery shop ‘Family Shop’. Jamaat leaders held a press conference on Tuesday afternoon at their upazila office on Roushan Ara Road, demanding the arrest of those responsible.

According to the written statement read by district Jamaat assistant secretary and local parliamentary candidate Mashum Mostafa, the attackers looted computers, printers, cameras, a motorcycle, and various goods worth about Tk 902,450. Jamaat leaders accused BNP and its affiliated organizations of involvement in the attack, calling for exemplary punishment. BNP leaders, however, denied any connection, claiming Jamaat had been distributing goods to voters ahead of the election, which caused local resentment but not the attack itself.

Purbadhala police officer-in-charge Md Didarul Islam said he had heard about the incident but had not yet received a formal complaint. He stated that legal action would be taken once a complaint is filed.

Five leaders of the Kamalganj upazila and municipal units of the BNP under Moulvibazar-4 constituency have been relieved of their organizational positions for allegedly violating party discipline and engaging in anti-organizational activities. The decision was announced in a press release issued by the Moulvibazar district BNP on Monday night, signed by convener Md. Faizul Karim Moyun and member secretary Md. Abdur Rahim Ripon. The order took immediate effect.

The expelled leaders are Alom Parvez Chowdhury Sohel, Iqbal Parvez Chowdhury Shahin, Shafiqul Rahman, Abdus Shahid, and Haji Noman Ahmad. The action followed allegations from BNP’s nominated candidate for Moulvibazar-4, Haji Mujibur Rahman Chowdhury, who claimed that several local leaders were working against the party’s official candidate symbol. Meanwhile, former district BNP member Mohsin Mia Madhu is contesting as an independent candidate with the football symbol.

The district BNP also instructed party members and affiliated organizations not to maintain organizational contact with the expelled individuals. Earlier, on January 19, five other Kamalganj BNP leaders, including a joint convener, were removed on similar charges.

Singer Asif Akbar campaigned for BNP candidate Jasim Uddin in Cumilla-5 constituency on Tuesday, joining a public outreach event at Sahebabad Bazar in Brahmanpara. During the gathering, Asif urged residents of Burichang and Brahmanpara to vote for the BNP’s symbol, the paddy sheaf, in the upcoming election scheduled for February 12. He expressed his intention to continue campaigning across the country in support of the BNP.

Jasim Uddin, the BNP candidate for Cumilla-5, thanked Asif Akbar for visiting his constituency and said that local party members were delighted by the artist’s presence. Leaders and activists from the Brahmanpara units of BNP, Jubo Dal, Chhatra Dal, and other affiliated organizations were also present at the event.

The campaign appearance highlighted the involvement of cultural figures in local political activities as the election date approaches.

BNP-nominated candidate for Sylhet-2 constituency (Bishwanath–Osmaninagar), Tahsina Rushdir Luna, called on voters to support the party’s paddy-sheaf symbol to ensure justice for all enforced disappearances and killings, including that of missing leader M Ilias Ali. She made the appeal on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, while addressing an election rally organized by Tajpur Union BNP in Osmaninagar upazila.

During her speech, Luna criticized what she described as the rule of a fugitive autocrat, alleging that people were deprived of voting rights and the country was pushed toward economic collapse through state fund misappropriation. She said that although those rulers fled the country, their associates were still involved in creating unrest. Luna urged unity to implement BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman’s people-centered state-building plan, promising restoration of democracy, rule of law, and accelerated development in the constituency.

She also recalled the contributions of missing leader Ilias Ali, crediting him for realizing the long-cherished dream of the Kushiyara dyke project and pledging to continue development if her party wins.

A violent clash broke out between supporters of the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami in Bhojeshwar area of Naria upazila, Shariatpur, on Tuesday afternoon, reportedly over a Facebook post. At least 12 people from both sides were injured in the incident. The confrontation began after a Jamaat activist allegedly made an offensive comment about a BNP female activist who had recently campaigned for the 'No Vote' movement.

According to police and local sources, the dispute started as an argument and quickly escalated into a physical clash with sticks, spreading panic in the area. Police, local administration, and army personnel arrived promptly and brought the situation under control. The injured were taken to Naria Upazila Health Complex and other hospitals for treatment.

Naria Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md. Bahar Mia confirmed that the situation is now under control, with additional police deployed to prevent further unrest. Executive Magistrate Laki Das stated that necessary measures have been taken to maintain law and order and that legal action will follow after investigation.

Gono Odhikar Parishad president Nurul Haque Nur held a press conference on Tuesday at the Golachipa Upazila BNP office, accusing expelled BNP leader and independent candidate Hasan Mamun of carrying out attacks, vandalism, and issuing threats in the Patuakhali-3 (Golachipa-Dashmina) constituency. Nur alleged that Mamun’s supporters assaulted his campaign workers, vandalized vehicles, and intimidated supporters by visiting their homes. He cited incidents in Alipura, Charkapalbera, and Charborhan, where several activists were reportedly beaten and campaign offices vandalized.

Nur claimed that domestic and foreign forces were attempting to disrupt the electoral environment, noting that candidates and supporters had been killed in other parts of the country. He said his party was participating in the election despite security concerns to uphold national interest. Nur emphasized that the election was crucial for Bangladesh’s stability and urged all sides to act responsibly and with tolerance.

He warned that if authorities failed to take immediate action, the situation could deteriorate further, casting doubt on whether the upcoming election could be held peacefully.

A fire broke out on Tuesday night in a house at Islamnagar near Jahangirnagar University, leaving four people, including a university student, injured. The incident occurred around 9 p.m. when local residents managed to control the blaze before firefighters arrived. The injured include Saiful Islam (Roni), a student of the university’s anthropology department, along with house owner Abdur Rahman’s sons Md. Raihan and Md. Rahat, and tenant Md. Hasinur.

According to reports, the fire started after a family dispute between brothers Rahat and Raihan. Raihan allegedly poured petrol in a room intending to set it on fire. When their acquaintances Roni and Hasinur tried to intervene, Raihan ignited a lighter, causing the fire to spread rapidly and burn all four individuals. They were first taken to the university’s medical center, where doctors said two were critically injured.

Medical staff estimated that Saiful Islam sustained burns over 70 percent of his body. All four victims were later transferred to the burn unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital for further treatment.

Jamaat-e-Islami candidate for Bhola-4 (Charfassion and Monpura), Principal Maulana Mostafa Kamal, has alleged that he received a death threat through a voice message sent to his personal Facebook Messenger account. The threat reportedly came from an unidentified Facebook page named 'Islami Shramik Andolon Omorpur Shakha'. Following the incident, a written complaint was submitted on Tuesday afternoon to the Upazila Assistant Returning Officer Md. Lokman Hossain by Advocate Enamul Haque Raihan, assistant secretary of the Upazila Jamaat.

According to the complaint, the same Facebook page has been posting defamatory and threatening content against Mostafa Kamal, including a live video on January 26 containing intimidating and provocative remarks. Kamal claimed that such actions are disrupting his election campaign and endangering his personal safety. He urged authorities to investigate the page administrator and take legal action to ensure a free and fair election.

Assistant Returning Officer Md. Lokman Hossain confirmed receiving the complaint and said the election investigation team will take necessary measures after inquiry.

BNP candidate for Dhaka-6, Engineer Ishraq Hossain, has urged women voters to exercise their voting rights in the upcoming national election on February 12, even if it requires standing in long lines. Speaking at a campaign event in Ward 46 of Gendaria on January 27, he called on voters to support the BNP’s ‘sheaf of paddy’ symbol and warned that women’s freedom and employment opportunities could face serious threats if the rival political party assumes power.

Hossain criticized the opposing party for lacking clear plans regarding education, healthcare, and urban management, citing Dhaka’s poor infrastructure, pollution, and inadequate drainage systems. He argued that the government bears responsibility for controlling extortion and claimed that any such crimes are more likely linked to the ruling side. He also described BNP as a liberal democratic party committed to equal rights for all citizens regardless of religion or ethnicity.

Hossain pledged that BNP aims to build a livable, pollution-free city and lay the foundation for transforming Bangladesh into a strong Southeast Asian nation within the next 25 to 50 years.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has pledged to reopen closed mills and factories and establish new ones if his party comes to power. Speaking at a large election rally on Tuesday at the historic Circuit House ground in Khulna, he expressed sorrow over the destruction of the region’s industry and agriculture, blaming previous governments’ mismanagement and corruption for the shutdown of factories. He said Jamaat would focus on employment rather than distributing unemployment allowances, aiming to restore dignity to the youth through work opportunities.

The rally, organized by Jamaat’s Khulna metropolitan and district branches and presided over by Professor Mahfuzur Rahman, drew a massive crowd that filled the venue before the scheduled time. Dr. Rahman also voiced concern over violence surrounding the national election, urging political actors to respect public opinion and refrain from dishonoring women. He called on supporters to safeguard every citizen’s voting rights and remain vigilant during the election process.

The Press Institute of Bangladesh (PIB) organized a two-day special training workshop on election reporting for members of the Dhaka University Journalists’ Association (DUJA) and campus-based reporters. The sessions were held on January 26 and 27, 2026, and concluded with a ceremony attended by PIB Director General Faruq Wasif as chief guest and Deputy Editor of Amar Desh Sultan Mahmud as special guest.

In his address, Faruq Wasif emphasized that elections are not merely a process of power transfer but a critical stage in shaping the nation’s future. He highlighted the historical consequences of rejecting election results and urged journalists to report responsibly and truthfully, especially in times of misinformation and political manipulation. He also called on campus journalists to question candidates about reforms, justice, and governance, and to disclose their financial and political positions to help voters make informed decisions.

DUJA President Mohiuddin Muhajir Mahi and General Secretary Mahadi Hasan said the training strengthened professional and ethical standards and provided practical knowledge on legal frameworks, risk management, and ethics in election reporting.

Jamaat-e-Islami’s Ameer declared that the party’s main goal is to establish a humane state free from discrimination. Speaking at an election rally on Tuesday afternoon at Khan Jahan Ali Mazar field in Bagerhat, he emphasized that there would be no compromise against drugs, corruption, or extortion. He said the party aims to build a safe and peaceful Bangladesh.

The Jamaat leader stated that the state would be governed ensuring equal rights for all citizens, including Hindus, Muslims, and people of all religions and communities. He added that no injustice would be tolerated and that proper recognition and evaluation of July freedom fighters would be ensured. Referring to the party’s previous limited participation in government, he said their activities were visible and that Jamaat representatives had been elected in universities.

He further pledged that if the party came to power, it would transform the country within five years and called on voters to support change by voting “yes.”