Leaders of the Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) held a meeting on January 13, 2026, with the Chief Election Commissioner and the Election Secretary to ensure that the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) student council election, known as ShakSU, takes place as scheduled. The meeting aimed to maintain the democratic process across all campuses in Bangladesh and to prevent any delay in the student elections.

During the discussion, the DUCSU representatives emphasized the importance of preserving the democratic trend that began after the July Revolution through regular campus elections. They warned that any attempt to halt student council elections three weeks before the national polls would not be accepted by the student community. The Chief Election Commissioner assured that the election would be held on time and pledged full cooperation.

University authorities, including the SUST Vice-Chancellor, also promised support for a free, fair, and peaceful election. The participants called on all candidates and stakeholders to uphold democratic practices and contribute to a safe and democratic campus environment.

The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has issued a public warning against misinformation circulating on social media regarding the server location and IP address of the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) system. In a special notice posted Tuesday on its verified Facebook page, the commission clarified that the NEIR system was launched on January 1 under a government decision to curb illegal handset imports, prevent mobile theft, combat crimes using unauthorized devices, and ensure government revenue.

According to the BTRC, all NEIR data are securely hosted within Bangladesh using the commission’s own hardware and in full compliance with the national data protection law. The IP address used by the system was allocated by APNIC to a Bangladeshi organization, ensuring that no data or traffic leaves the country. All operational requests are processed domestically, and detailed IP route reviews have confirmed the system’s internal security.

The BTRC urged mobile users to disregard false claims and avoid spreading unverified information about the NEIR system.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has announced that it will support a 'Yes' vote if a referendum is held on upcoming elections and constitutional reforms. The statement came from Nazrul Islam Khan, a member of the BNP Standing Committee and chairman of the party’s Election Steering Committee, following a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M M Nasir Uddin at the Election Commission building in Agargaon, Dhaka, on Tuesday afternoon.

Khan said BNP has always advocated for qualitative reforms in the state and was the first to call for such changes. He added that the party has proposed increasing the number of women’s seats in the National Parliament. The meeting, which began at 4 p.m., was attended by a four-member BNP delegation led by Khan, including Ismail Jobiullah, Mohammad Zakaria, and Ruhul Quddus Kajol. The CEC, other election commissioners, and the Election Commission secretary were also present.

The BNP’s stance signals its readiness to engage positively in discussions on constitutional reform and electoral processes if a referendum is organized.

The Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) has issued a directive prohibiting the use of any educational institution for meetings, gatherings, or election campaigns related to the upcoming national parliamentary election and referendum. The order, released on Tuesday by the DSHE’s General Administration Branch, instructs all educational institutions to strictly comply with this rule.

According to the directive, the instruction follows a memorandum from the offices of the Dhaka Divisional Commissioner and the Returning Officer. It notes that some candidates or their representatives have been organizing voter gatherings under the guise of seminars or youth assemblies, often using school or college premises without proper authorization. The DSHE emphasized that such actions violate the electoral code of conduct.

To ensure compliance, the order has been circulated to all government and private colleges, secondary schools, teachers’ training colleges, and education officials at the upazila and district levels, directing them not to permit any political activities without the Returning Officer’s approval.

A Dhaka court has ordered the seizure of 297 houses and 30 apartments owned abroad by former land minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury, along with the freezing of his one million dollar investment in the United States. The order was issued on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, by Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Sabbir Foyez. The Anti-Corruption Commission’s (ACC) public relations officer Tanjir Ahmed confirmed the details, specifying that the properties are located in the United States, Thailand, Malaysia, Dubai, Cambodia, Vietnam, India, and the Philippines.

The order followed a petition filed by ACC Deputy Director Mashiur Rahman seeking to seize the properties and freeze the funds. On the same day, the court also accepted a separate Criminal Investigation Department (CID) petition to freeze 46,463,455 shares held by Saifuzzaman and six others. The former minister, an Awami League leader and businessman, has been living in the United Kingdom since the fall of the Awami League government.

Multiple cases have been filed by the ACC and CID against Saifuzzaman on allegations of money laundering and corruption, and the court has imposed a travel ban on him.

Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizens Party (NCP), stated that the mass uprising would fail if the ‘No’ vote passes in the upcoming referendum. He made the remarks on Tuesday while inaugurating a campaign caravan aimed at promoting the referendum. Islam urged citizens to vote ‘Yes’, saying that even if they do not support his party, they should still vote in favor of the referendum.

He criticized a particular group for campaigning for the ‘No’ vote, arguing that supporting ‘Yes’ was the responsibility of all political parties. According to him, a victory for the ‘No’ side would bring an authoritarian force to power. He described the referendum as a vote that could shape Bangladesh’s next 50 years and called on voters to act consciously. Islam also mentioned that question leaks in recruitment exams had occurred under the current government and warned that a failed ‘Yes’ vote would return the country to its previous system.

NCP spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan announced that nationwide campaigning for the referendum had begun and would continue until the election. The party recently restructured its election management committee ahead of the 13th national parliamentary election.

The Bangladesh Restaurant Owners Association has urged the government to address six major problems affecting the restaurant sector, including a severe gas crisis and rising inflation. The call came during a press conference held at the Dhaka Reporters Unity on Tuesday, where association leaders, including President Osman Gani and General Secretary Imran Hasan, highlighted the growing difficulties faced by restaurant owners across the country.

Speakers alleged that private syndicates have created an artificial shortage of LPG gas, forcing restaurants to buy cylinders at inflated prices, while Petrobangla and government advisers remain inactive. They also complained about extortion and threats from individuals posing as labor union representatives, which they said are worsening the situation. The association demanded immediate measures to stabilize fuel supply, control commodity prices, and stop unethical practices in the sector.

The association further called on political parties to include a dedicated plan for protecting the restaurant industry in their election manifestos, emphasizing that the sector employs around three million people and indirectly supports about twenty million more.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has withdrawn the expulsion orders of five leaders who were previously removed for alleged breaches of party discipline. The announcement was made on Tuesday through a statement issued by the party’s Senior Joint Secretary General, Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi. According to the statement, the decision was taken following applications from the expelled members, and their primary memberships have been reinstated effective January 13.

The five reinstated leaders are Md. Abu Taher Siddiqui from Bagharpara upazila in Jashore, Syed Md. Sohel Chairman (SM Ataul Mostafa Sohel) from Madhabpur upazila in Habiganj, Khorshed Alam from Chattogram city BNP, Syed Sajjad Morshed from Nasirnagar upazila in Brahmanbaria, and Mosha. Parul Nahar from Hakimpur upazila in Dinajpur. They had earlier been expelled for activities deemed contrary to the party’s policies and ideals.

The statement also noted that BNP has previously reinstated other leaders and activists who were expelled at different times, indicating a continuation of internal reconciliation efforts within the party.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh approved 53 candidacies on the fourth day of appeal hearings related to the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. The hearings took place on Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the EC auditorium in Agargaon, Dhaka, with the Chief Election Commissioner, four other commissioners, and the EC secretary present. A total of 70 appeals were heard during the day, of which 53 were approved and 17 were rejected. Among the rejected appeals, two sought to cancel the candidacy of valid candidates but were dismissed.

In the first session of the day, 36 appeals were resolved, with 29 approved and 12 rejected. In the second session, 24 appeals were approved and 5 rejected. The process is part of the EC’s review of returning officers’ earlier decisions regarding candidate eligibility for the national election.

The hearings are continuing as part of the EC’s effort to finalize the list of eligible candidates ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election.

The Bangladesh government has reduced import duties on mobile phones to keep prices within consumers’ purchasing power. The National Board of Revenue (NBR) issued a notification on Tuesday announcing that the existing 25 percent duty on imported mobile phones has been lowered to 10 percent, while the total import tax burden has been reduced by 60 percent. The move is expected to significantly lower the prices of both imported and locally assembled phones in the market.

To ensure local assemblers are not disadvantaged, the government also reduced import duties on components used by domestic mobile phone assembly firms. A separate notification cut the duty on imported assembly materials from 10 percent to 5 percent, representing a 50 percent reduction. According to NBR estimates, the price of imported phones costing over 30,000 taka will drop by about 5,500 taka, while locally assembled phones in the same price range will decrease by around 1,500 taka.

The NBR stated that the duty cuts will help keep mobile phones affordable and make digital services more accessible to citizens across the country.

The Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) and the Directorate of Madrasa Education in Bangladesh have instructed all public and private schools, colleges, and madrasas to conduct extensive awareness campaigns about the upcoming national referendum, scheduled to take place on the same day as the thirteenth parliamentary election next month. According to the state news agency BSS, all education offices under both directorates have been directed to comply with these instructions.

Separate circulars from the two directorates specify that all educational institutions must display banners and festoons featuring the referendum logo in prominent locations and use the logo on all official communications and correspondence. The madrasa directive also calls for disseminating the message through parent meetings, students, notice boards, and social media. The move follows guidance from the Cabinet Division.

The referendum aims to seek public opinion on the fundamental reform proposals outlined in the July National Charter 2025, marking a significant step in the country’s ongoing state reform process.

Bangladesh has introduced the 'Moon Alert' or Missing Urgent Notification System, the country's first national emergency alert mechanism for rescuing missing children. The initiative, launched jointly by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and Amber Alert for Bangladesh, includes a toll-free helpline number 13219. The system was inaugurated at the CID headquarters in Malibagh by Additional IGP and CID chief Md. Shibgat Ullah, aiming to strengthen law enforcement operations and ensure public participation in child rescue efforts.

The Moon Alert system was developed under the leadership of the CID’s Missing Children Cell with technical support from the Zero Missing Children platform. It draws on international experience from the Amber Alert model, which began in the United States in 1996 and is now active in over 30 countries. Verified alerts will be disseminated through official web portals, mobile apps, media outlets, social media, digital billboards, and SMS broadcasting to mobilize public assistance while prioritizing child safety and privacy.

Authorities expressed confidence that the Moon Alert will establish a state-led, technology-driven framework for child protection and justice in Bangladesh.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Cyber Unit has arrested eight members of an online fraud ring, including five Chinese nationals, during a weeklong operation in the city’s Bashundhara and Uttara areas. The arrests were announced on Tuesday at a press briefing at the DMP Media Center by DC (Cyber North) Hasan Mohammad Naser Rikabdar. Police seized over 51,000 SIM cards, several VOIP gateway devices, mobile phones, laptops, and other digital equipment used in cybercrime.

According to the DMP, the suspects used Telegram, WhatsApp, and other social media platforms to lure victims with fake job offers, investment schemes, and low-cost product advertisements. The money collected from victims was allegedly converted into cryptocurrency and transferred abroad through VOIP gateway machines. The arrested individuals include Chen Ling Feng, Zeng Kong, Zeng Changqiang, Wen Jian Qiu, Huang Zheng Jiang, Md Zakaria, Niaz Masum, and Kamrul Hasan alias Hasan Joy.

Police said the passports and visa status of the Chinese nationals are being verified, and digital devices seized from them contained Chinese software applications. Legal proceedings are underway against all detainees.

The Election Commission (EC) has declared the nomination paper of Jamaat-e-Islami’s candidate Colonel (Retd.) Mohammad Abdul Haque valid for the Dhaka-2 constituency. The decision came on Tuesday, the fourth day of appeal hearings held at the EC building. Abdul Haque’s nomination had earlier been rejected on January 3 by the Dhaka district administration and returning officer Rezaul Karim during the scrutiny process.

According to the report, Abdul Haque is the president of the Retired Armed Forces Officers Welfare Association (RAOWA). The Dhaka-2 constituency has 419,215 registered voters. Three candidates submitted nomination papers for this seat: BNP’s Amanullah Aman, Jamaat’s Abdul Haque, and Islami Andolan Bangladesh’s Maulana Zahirul Islam. The EC previously validated the nominations of Amanullah Aman and one other candidate.

With the EC’s latest decision, Abdul Haque will now be able to contest the upcoming election in Dhaka-2 alongside the other approved candidates.

Brahmanbaria Municipality has launched a cleanup campaign to restore and beautify the city’s historic Town Canal, aiming to free it from pollution and illegal occupation. The initiative began on Tuesday morning with an inauguration by Deputy Commissioner Sharmin Akter Jahan, who inspected several points of the canal and instructed municipal authorities to expedite waste removal. Municipal Administrator Md. Shariful Islam, Executive Engineer Md. Kawsar Ahmed, and City Planner Jannatul Ferdous Ara were present during the event.

According to officials, the canal—once a vital waterway for drainage and trade—is now severely polluted and encroached upon due to negligence and public unawareness. The municipality plans to construct walkways, plant trees along both banks, and install lighting to make the canal aesthetically pleasing. Strict monitoring will be enforced to prevent indiscriminate waste dumping.

Deputy Commissioner Sharmin Akter Jahan said the city is overwhelmed with garbage and that previous restoration attempts had failed. A coordinated plan has now been adopted involving local residents, environmentalists, and community leaders to ensure sustainable restoration of the five-kilometer canal connecting the Titas River at both ends.