National Citizen Party (NCP) candidate for Comilla-4 (Debidwar) constituency and the party’s chief coordinator for the southern region, Hasnat Abdullah, called for making politics accessible to ordinary people. Speaking on Friday morning after Fajr prayers at Debidwar New Market Mosque during his second day of campaigning, he said politics should not become a costly or luxurious pursuit dominated by corrupt individuals. He pledged that voters would cast their votes freely, and his team would serve them without charge for five years.

Abdullah strongly criticized the prevailing VIP culture in politics, urging organizers to avoid creating artificial barriers around leaders. He emphasized that separating leaders from the public alienates politics from the people. He also stated that politics should not be treated as an investment for personal gain and that only educated and honest individuals should join the political arena.

His campaign events drew large crowds across Debidwar, including meetings in Bhinglabari, Bihar Mondol, Chotona High School field, and Shantir Road. Local leaders from the 10-party alliance, including Jamaat-e-Islami’s Comilla North district secretary Saiful Islam Shahid, were present.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has alleged that secret attacks are being carried out to sabotage the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election. In a statement issued on Friday, January 23, he expressed deep concern over the shooting of Hasan Molla, general secretary of the Hazratpur Union BNP under Keraniganj Model Upazila, who was attacked by assailants in front of the party office in Keraniganj late on January 22 night.

Mirza Fakhrul strongly condemned the incident, claiming that miscreants who had remained dormant after the fall of what he termed an autocratic regime were now attempting to destabilize the country. He demanded that the attackers be identified and brought to justice, warning that failure to do so could lead to further violence. He also called for unity among all citizens to protect democracy and voting rights, urging the government to ensure a fear-free environment for a fair election.

The BNP leader demanded immediate arrest and exemplary punishment of those responsible and wished a speedy recovery for Hasan Molla and other injured party members.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and Cricket South Africa (CSA) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to enhance mutual cooperation in cricket development. The agreement was signed on Friday, January 16, at the Bangladesh High Commission chancery in Pretoria, South Africa. Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Shah Ahmed Shafi, signed on behalf of the BCB, while CSA Chief Executive Officer Pholetsi Moseki represented the South African board.

According to the Bangladesh High Commission in Pretoria, the MoU will allow emerging Bangladeshi cricketers to receive high-quality training at CSA’s Centre of Excellence in Pretoria on a regular basis. The agreement also includes training and exchange programs for umpires and pitch curators, as well as increased bilateral tours for both men’s and women’s teams at various levels.

The three-year agreement aims to promote coaching development, technical knowledge exchange, and institutional capacity building between the two boards. Officials expressed optimism that the MoU will further strengthen cricket relations between Bangladesh and South Africa.

Two CCTV cameras installed by the Election Commission at the Chhoto Falia Secondary School polling center in Magura municipality were vandalized on Thursday. According to local sources, an unidentified person struck one of the cameras with a bamboo stick, breaking it. The cameras had been set up to cover nearby roads and the school playground. Although the incident was captured on CCTV footage, poor lighting prevented clear identification of the perpetrator.

The school’s head teacher, Mizanur Rahman, confirmed that both cameras were damaged by miscreants and said a written complaint was filed at Magura Sadar Police Station against unidentified individuals. Officer-in-Charge Ashiqur Rahman stated that police have visited the scene, reviewed the footage, and are continuing efforts to identify those responsible. Legal proceedings are underway, but no arrests have been made so far.

Authorities are continuing their investigation to determine the identity of the vandal and ensure accountability for the damage to the election monitoring equipment.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has pledged to upgrade Dinajpur district to a city corporation if the 10-party alliance comes to power in the upcoming 13th national election. He made the announcement on Friday while addressing a public rally organized by the 10-party electoral alliance in Dinajpur.

Earlier, at a rally in Panchagarh, Dr. Rahman said that northern Bangladesh had been deliberately kept impoverished since the country’s independence. He vowed that within five years, the region’s condition could be transformed through collective effort. He also promised to establish specialized hospitals in every district, reopen closed sugar mills in Panchagarh, and turn northern Bangladesh into an industrial hub.

Dr. Rahman urged supporters to remain united until victory is achieved on the 12th, warning them to stay alert so that no old wrongdoers return in new forms. He emphasized that the people themselves are the party’s strength and that Jamaat would continue working alongside citizens to build a responsible and compassionate Bangladesh.

Police in Cumilla have arrested Assistant Government Pleader (AGP) Masudul Haque alias Masum, brother of a local Jamaat-e-Islami leader, along with another man named Ariful Islam. The arrests took place after a foreign pistol, two magazines, and ten rounds of ammunition were recovered. The operation was confirmed by Inspector Saiful Islam of the EPZ police outpost under Cumilla Sadar South Model Police Station, who said a case under the Arms Act has been filed and both men were sent to court.

According to police, Ariful was first detained early Thursday at a checkpoint in the Tomchom Bridge area with five bullets and a knife. A photo on his phone showed a pistol, which he said belonged to Masum. Based on this information, police searched Masum’s home and recovered the weapon and ammunition. Cumilla Jamaat Secretary Mahbubur Rahman claimed the incident appeared staged, saying Masum was not politically active though he is the younger brother of city Jamaat’s Naib-e-Ameer Emdadul Haque Mamun.

Public Prosecutor Kaimul Haque Rinku said the ministry had been informed and legal action would follow once official instructions arrive.

Interim government Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam stated that a wave of public support is rising across Bangladesh in favor of the 'Yes' vote in the upcoming referendum. Speaking to journalists on Friday, January 23, 2026, during a visit to the Buchai Pagla shrine in Sanora Union of Dhamrai, Dhaka, he said citizens believe that a 'Yes' vote will prevent the return of autocracy and injustice, ensuring protection of rights and establishment of a fair governance system.

Alam added that the Election Commission has assured there will be no issues with vote casting, though counting may take time. He urged people to remain calm and patient during the process. He also described the Buchai Pagla shrine as a symbol of communal harmony and an example of Bangladesh’s pluralistic culture, noting its annual Baul music fair. Referring to the 2024 vandalism incident at the shrine, he condemned attacks on religious sites and emphasized respect for all faiths.

He further stressed that ensuring journalists’ safety is a shared responsibility of the government, political parties, and citizens, expressing hope for fair election coverage.

At a public reception in Morelganj, Bagerhat, Jamaat-e-Islami candidate for Bagerhat-4 constituency, Principal Abdul Alim, called on citizens to vote for the party’s balance symbol to build a fair and justice-based state. The event, held on Friday morning at the Naboirshi bus stand, honored newly elected Jagannath University Vice President Riazul Islam. Alim also urged people to vote ‘yes’ in the upcoming referendum to implement the July Movement’s charter.

The gathering was presided over by Professor Shahadat Hossain, the local Jamaat chief, and attended by several party leaders and professionals. Following the speeches, a large procession paraded through the town, ending with a separate ceremony where Riazul Islam received a crest and floral tribute.

Alim further stated that victory for the balance symbol would help transform Morelganj and Sharankhola into modern towns, ensuring safe drinking water, sustainable embankments, and an end to corruption, extortion, and inequality.

On the second day of election campaigning for Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliamentary Election, BNP’s Dhaka-16 candidate and former national football team captain Aminul Haque called on voters to remain alert against data fraud, religious exploitation, and conspiracies. Speaking at a street rally in front of Mirpur’s Pallabi Station on Friday, he warned that some groups were misusing religion to gain votes and deceiving devout citizens.

Haque reiterated that only Allah can grant salvation and no political symbol or individual holds such power. He emphasized that BNP believes in religious and Islamic values but never uses religion as a political shield. He also alleged that a vested group was collecting voters’ national ID and mobile banking information, which he feared could be part of a larger fraud or fake voting scheme. He urged citizens not to share sensitive personal data with anyone.

Referring to foreign interference, Haque claimed that certain political forces were attempting to undermine the election with external support. He affirmed that BNP would not engage in any conspiracy and would respect the people’s verdict.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said he came not to deliver a speech but to bear witness, asserting that North Bengal had been deliberately kept poor since the country’s independence. Speaking as the chief guest at a rally organized by the 10-party electoral alliance at the Panchagarh sugar mill field on Friday afternoon, he pledged to transform the region within five years through collective effort and faith.

Dr. Rahman emphasized creating employment for all citizens and eliminating youth unemployment in the northern districts. He promised to establish specialized hospitals in every district, including Panchagarh, and to recover embezzled funds allegedly siphoned abroad. He also vowed to reopen closed sugar mills and turn North Bengal into the industrial capital of Bangladesh. Calling the people his true strength, he urged vigilance against the return of corrupt elements in new forms.

Other speakers at the rally included Jamaat’s Assistant Secretary General Maulana Abdul Halim, National Citizens Party coordinator Sarjis Alam, and National Democratic Party vice president Rashed Pradhan.

In the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election, the Gopalganj-1 constituency (covering parts of Muksudpur and Kashiani) has drawn attention for featuring two imprisoned candidates. Independent contender Md. Ashraful Alam Shimul, currently held at Keraniganj Central Jail, is running with the ‘football’ symbol and faces four cases. Gono Odhikar Parishad nominee Kabir Mia, detained in Kashimpur Jail and facing seven cases, is contesting with the ‘truck’ symbol. Both regained candidacy after High Court rulings overturned earlier disqualifications, creating a rare “prison versus field” electoral scenario.

Family members of both candidates said supporters will campaign on their behalf if bail is not granted before the polls. Local voters are reportedly intrigued by this unusual contest, which analysts say has added a new dimension to the constituency’s political dynamics. The returning officer, Md. Arif-uz-Zaman, confirmed that all nomination matters are being reviewed according to law and court directives.

Under election law, individuals not yet convicted with at least two years’ imprisonment remain eligible to contest, allowing both candidates to legally stay in the race.

Uttara West Thana Ameer Mazharul Islam has stated that the Shapla Koli symbol represents the Dhoripalla in Dhaka-18 constituency. He made the remarks on Friday while presiding over a rally and mass contact program organized by Jamaat-e-Islami’s Ward 51 unit in support of Ariful Islam Adib, the Dhaka-18 candidate nominated by a ten-party alliance and senior joint convener of the NCP.

During his speech, Mazharul Islam urged voters to cast their ballots for Adib under the Shapla Koli symbol to ensure victory, emphasizing that the symbol embodies justice and unity. He also called on supporters to vote “yes” in the upcoming referendum. Ariful Islam Adib, speaking as the chief guest, echoed the call, urging voters to support Shapla Koli and the “yes” vote for the establishment of justice.

The event was attended by several Jamaat leaders, including Turag Central Thana Ameer Gazi Monir Hossain, Nayebe Ameer Kamrul Hasan, Uttara West Thana Secretary Firoz Alam, and Turag Central Thana Secretary Muhibullah Bacchu.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman announced plans to turn North Bengal into the capital of the agricultural industry during an election campaign rally organized by the ten-party alliance at the Panchagarh Sugar Mill field on Friday. He said the party aims to reopen closed sugar mills and shift the national slogan from “Teknaf to Tetulia” to “Tetulia to Teknaf.” Rahman emphasized that the alliance does not rely on membership cards but on the people’s support.

In his address, Rahman stated that North Bengal had been deliberately kept poor since Bangladesh’s independence and vowed to create employment opportunities in the region. He criticized the drying up of four rivers and questioned the government’s responsibility. He also pledged to establish 64 medical colleges across the country and recover Tk 28,000 crore allegedly laundered abroad. Rahman further promised to curb corruption, extortion, and money laundering if given the chance to govern.

The rally was part of the ten-party alliance’s election campaign, where Rahman called for unity and urged voters to bring change through the upcoming election scheduled for January 12.

NCP’s northern regional coordinator Sargis Alam has called for a boycott of occupiers, extortionists, and drug traders in the upcoming election. Speaking at a campaign rally organized by the 10-party alliance at the Panchagarh Sugar Mill field on Friday, he urged people to reject those who publicly oppose drugs by day but profit from drug sales at night. He announced that the boycott should take place on February 12.

Alam stated that the 2026 election would determine whether the country moves forward or returns to corruption and extortion. Referring to the 2024 mass uprising, he said that one stage of struggle had already been completed and emphasized the need to build an extortion-free Bangladesh. During his speech, he led slogans calling for justice, equality, and people’s power.

He also urged voters to ensure the victory of the 10-party alliance as a step toward creating a new Bangladesh, linking the election outcome to the nation’s direction and moral integrity.

The High Court has directed the allocation of an election symbol to independent candidate Zakir Hossain Pradhania in the Chandpur-5 (Hajiganj-Shahrasti) constituency. His nomination had previously been canceled during scrutiny due to insufficient attachment of one percent of the voter list. Following the cancellation, Pradhania filed a writ petition with the High Court seeking reinstatement of his nomination.

After hearing the writ petition on Thursday, the High Court bench annulled the earlier cancellation order and instructed the district returning officer to allocate an election symbol to Pradhania. The independent candidate confirmed the court’s directive himself.

With this decision, all nominations in the Chandpur-5 constituency have been declared valid, and a total of seven candidates will now contest in the upcoming election.