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.”

At least seven Jamaat-e-Islami activists were injured in a clash with BNP supporters on Tuesday night in the Ambagan Railgate area under Khulshi Police Station in Chattogram city. The incident occurred around 9 p.m. during the election campaign of Shamsuzzaman Helali, the Jamaat-backed candidate for Chattogram-10. Police arrived at the scene and brought the situation under control.

According to witnesses, a group of people armed with local weapons attacked Helali’s campaign team, spreading panic among supporters. Jamaat alleged that BNP activists carried out a planned assault, looting mobile phones, microphones, and cash. BNP, however, countered that Jamaat members vandalized their office. Police said both sides accused each other of attacks and urged political parties to act responsibly.

Jamaat leaders expressed deep concern over the violence, demanding the arrest and punishment of those responsible. Police have not yet confirmed whether any case has been filed or arrests made following the incident.

BNP-nominated candidate Nabi Ullah Nabi conducted an election campaign in Ward 70 of Dhaka-5 on Tuesday, where he met residents, listened to their concerns, and discussed local issues. Accompanied by party leaders and supporters, he visited roads, markets, and residential areas, engaging directly with voters to understand their long-standing problems and expectations.

During the campaign, Nabi Ullah Nabi promised to address waterlogging, ensure planned urbanization, create employment, and improve civic services. He stated that if elected with public support, he would transform Dhaka-5 into a livable, safe, and modern area, focusing on youth employment, women’s empowerment, and the realization of basic civic rights.

Local residents highlighted issues such as poor road conditions, drainage problems, shortages of clean water, and gas supply disruptions. Nabi assured them of swift solutions and reaffirmed his commitment to stand by the people. Local BNP leaders described him as a clean and people-oriented politician and said party workers were united to ensure his victory.

Rifat Niloy Jowardar, known as the cashier of former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed, has been arrested by a unit of the Detective Branch (DB) police. The arrest took place at Monorama Apartment, House No. 29, Road No. 14/A in Dhanmondi, Dhaka. According to the report, he was detained with arms and drugs. Jowardar had allegedly provided financial support to suppress the July movement and had been accused in multiple murder cases but remained active until his arrest.

The report states that Jowardar managed several flats in Dhaka allegedly occupied by former SB chief Monirul Islam and former IGP Benazir Ahmed. He was reportedly responsible for renting out these properties and delivering the collected rent money to Benazir and Monirul each month. Despite his criminal allegations, he had continued these activities until the DB operation led to his detention.

The arrest marks a significant development in ongoing investigations involving associates of former senior police officials, though further official details were not provided in the report.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has formally asked the International Cricket Council (ICC) to explain its decision to deny accreditation to Bangladeshi journalists for coverage of the upcoming T20 World Cup. According to reports, the ICC informed Bangladeshi journalists via email on Monday that their accreditation applications had been rejected, preventing them from covering the tournament. BCB Director and Media Committee Chairman Amjad Hossain confirmed that the board had contacted the ICC seeking clarification on the matter.

The decision has drawn criticism toward the ICC, which was already under scrutiny for allegedly excluding Bangladesh from the T20 World Cup under Indian influence. Amjad Hossain noted that Bangladeshi journalists had previously received accreditation even when the national team did not participate in ICC events, calling the latest move an unprecedented step. Indian media reports suggested that political and security concerns were the main reasons behind the denial, citing Bangladesh’s own statements about instability and safety concerns regarding travel to India.

The controversy has intensified debate over transparency and fairness in ICC’s administrative decisions, with the BCB awaiting an official response.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has launched the 'Physically Challenged Cricket Trial Camp 2026', a two-day program aimed at selecting talented and promising cricketers with physical disabilities from across the country. The camp began today under the initiative of the BCB’s Physically Challenged Wing and seeks to identify players capable of representing Bangladesh in national and international competitions.

According to the BCB, the main goal of the initiative is to build a strong and skilled national team for physically challenged players. The selection process is being conducted under international standards, with experienced coaching staff and certified classifiers assessing participants’ physical ability, technical skills, game strategy, fitness, and mental strength. The process is designed to be transparent and impartial.

BCB Director and Chairman of the Physically Challenged Wing, Zulfiqar Ali Khan, attended the opening ceremony as chief guest. He stated that integrating physically challenged cricketers into mainstream sports is a key priority for the board and reflects inclusive progress in Bangladesh’s sporting sector.

Professor Mujibur Rahman, the Jamaat-e-Islami central Naib-e-Ameer and party-nominated candidate for Rajshahi-1 (Godagari-Tanore), has called the upcoming national election a systematic jihad for establishing faith-based governance. Speaking at an election rally on Tuesday at Gudripatti field in Kakonhat Municipality, Godagari, he urged people to pursue political change through ballots rather than weapons, describing this as the modern path of struggle.

He emphasized that in a modern state system, transformation of power and law should occur through democratic means. Mujibur Rahman called on citizens to unite for a just and fair society and asserted that only through principled leadership could the nation be freed from misrule, corruption, and injustice. He assured supporters that if people vote together for truth and justice, the victory of the party’s symbol, the scale, would be ensured on February 12.

The rally was presided over by Maulana Nazrul Islam, Amir of Kakonhat Municipality, and attended by local Jamaat and Shibir leaders and activists.

BNP Standing Committee member and Dhaka-8 candidate Mirza Abbas has alleged that National Citizens Party leader Nasiruddin Patwari made accusations against the BNP only to gain public sympathy and cheap popularity. Abbas made the remarks on Tuesday while campaigning for the BNP’s ‘sheaf of paddy’ symbol in Malibagh Gulbag, Dhaka, following Patwari’s claim of being attacked during a public outreach event.

During his campaign speech, Abbas dismissed the allegations as politically motivated and said he would not fall into his opponents’ traps. He criticized rival candidates for spreading falsehoods and questioned their contributions to the constituency. Abbas also referred to his long political career since 1991, asserting his consistent presence in elections and movements.

The former minister further accused his rivals of labeling BNP members as extortionists to influence the election. He warned that those threatening to show a “red card” would instead face rejection from voters on February 12, adding that attempts were underway to create unrest in the country.

A new legal controversy has emerged in Chattogram-2 (Fatikchhari) after BNP candidate Sarwar Alamgir was reportedly allocated the paddy sheaf election symbol without a signed High Court order. Allegations state that the returning officer and district commissioner made the decision based solely on a television news scroll, without receiving any official or digital copy of the court’s directive. Lawyers argue that implementing an unsigned order violates Election Commission (EC) rules and undermines judicial procedure.

According to the report, the High Court verbally suspended the EC’s earlier decision cancelling Alamgir’s nomination around noon on Tuesday, but the signed order was not yet issued. Despite this, Chattogram District Commissioner Mohammad Zahidul Islam Mia allegedly proceeded with the symbol allocation. EC officials confirmed they had not received any official documents and described the move as procedurally weak. The matter has since reached the Appellate Division under Civil Miscellaneous Petition No. 82/2026, making it sub judice.

Local political circles are questioning the district commissioner’s haste, while legal experts warn that such actions could compromise administrative neutrality and equal opportunity among candidates.

Three parliamentary candidates from the Rajshahi-5 (Puthia-Durgapur) constituency have been summoned to court for allegedly violating electoral conduct rules by posting festoons on electric poles and trees. The summons were issued by Senior Civil Judge Md. Mamun on behalf of the constituency’s Election Inquiry and Judicial Committee on Sunday and Monday. The candidates—independent and expelled BNP leaders Isfa Khairul Haque Shimul and Barrister Rezaul Karim, along with Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Maulana Manjur Rahman—were instructed to appear in person and submit written explanations.

According to the notice, the committee’s field inspection found that the candidates had displayed festoons in prohibited public areas for campaign purposes, which constitutes a clear breach of the electoral code of conduct. The committee initiated an inquiry on its own under the prescribed rules.

The notice further stated that since the incident is considered a pre-election irregularity, the candidates must explain why a report should not be sent to the Election Commission recommending legal and punitive action against them.

Bir Pratik awardee Lieutenant Colonel Hasinur Rahman testified on Tuesday before International Crimes Tribunal-1 in Dhaka as the second witness in a crimes against humanity case concerning abduction and torture at the Joint Interrogation Cell, known as Ayna Ghar. He stated that after being abducted twice during the Awami League’s fifteen-year rule, he was released on conditions that he must not speak about Sheikh Hasina, the Awami League, the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), or India. His release, he said, was subject to Hasina’s approval.

Rahman described being blindfolded and handcuffed before being dropped near his home on 22 February 2020. He said he later informed human rights groups and media outlets about Ayna Ghar. Following those disclosures, DGFI allegedly filed multiple cases against him under the Information and Communication Technology Act. Rahman also recounted that after August 2024 events, he revisited Ayna Ghar with investigators and identified locations where detainees had been held.

He told the tribunal his intention was not revenge but to prevent repetition of such crimes and to ensure public awareness of what he described as abuses under the Awami League government.

In Sitakunda municipality of Chattogram, female activists of Jamaat-e-Islami alleged that they were harassed by BNP activists during an election campaign in Idilpur village on Monday, January 26. According to local sources, the incident occurred when Jamaat’s women campaigners, promoting the ‘Dhal’ symbol, visited a supporter’s home for tea. BNP leader Nazmul Alam Sohag and Jubo Dal activist Arif Hossain allegedly confronted them, accusing one of the women of collecting national ID and mobile payment numbers from local women. The activists claimed that their organizational notebook was also taken away.

Following the incident, Jamaat’s local leaders, including ward president Dr. Nurul Huda Shahabuddin, arrived at the scene, joined later by BNP ward president Sajjad Hossain Rafiq. After about an hour of argument, the situation calmed, and BNP activists left. A video of the altercation later circulated on social media.

Jamaat leaders condemned the alleged harassment, while BNP’s female leader Maksuda denied any misconduct, saying the matter was resolved in presence of both sides’ leaders. Police confirmed a verbal dispute but said local elders settled it.