Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has directed all landlords to provide tenants with conditional access keys to building roofs and main gates to enhance safety. The directive was announced by DNCC Administrator Mohammad Ejaz at a press conference held at the corporation’s Gulshan headquarters on Tuesday. The measure, issued under the authority of the House Rent Control Act of 1991, follows a rise in fire, earthquake, and other disaster-related incidents in residential buildings. The DNCC guidelines also require landlords to ensure uninterrupted utility services, daily waste collection, and overall habitability of rented properties. Tenants must pay rent by the 10th of each month, and landlords are obligated to issue written receipts for every payment. Both parties are encouraged to cooperate on household greenery initiatives and to resolve disputes through ward-level associations of landlords and tenants. If local resolution fails, disputes should be referred to the regional executive officer of the city corporation. DNCC emphasized that these measures aim to strengthen tenant rights and improve residential safety standards across the city.

Final arguments are underway in the war crimes tribunal concerning the killing and burning of six activists in Ashulia, Savar, during the July uprising. The hearing took place on Tuesday before a three-member tribunal led by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury. Defense lawyer Mirajul Alam, representing former DB Inspector Md. Arafat Hossain, argued that his client had no weapon and did not kill anyone. The tribunal responded that burning bodies does not require weapons. During the session, prosecutors questioned whether the defense was challenging the legitimacy of the July movement. The prosecution had earlier filed a report accusing 16 individuals, including former MP Muhammad Saiful Islam, of crimes against humanity related to the incident. Eight of the accused, including several former police officials, are currently in custody. According to the investigation report, on August 5 of the previous year, police allegedly shot five people dead and seriously injured another near Ashulia Police Station before burning all six in a police vehicle. The tribunal proceedings are nearing conclusion, with both sides presenting their final arguments before a verdict is expected.

Jamaat-e-Islami’s central assistant secretary Advocate Muazzam Hossain Helal has withdrawn his nomination for the upcoming national election in Barishal-5 (Sadar and City) constituency. The withdrawal was made on Tuesday at 2 p.m. at the office of the Barishal Deputy Commissioner and Returning Officer, where Helal formally submitted his application to Assistant Returning Officer and Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Sufal Chandra Goldar. He simultaneously announced his support for Islami Andolan Bangladesh’s candidate and Nayeb-e-Ameer Mufti Syed Muhammad Faizul Karim. Speaking to journalists after the withdrawal, Helal said he acted under the directive of Jamaat’s Ameer and the party’s central decision, citing the greater interest of the country and its people. He stated that Jamaat leaders and supporters in Barishal-5 would now work collectively for Faizul Karim, campaigning for the “hand fan” symbol and striving to ensure his victory. The move signals a tactical alignment between Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Andolan Bangladesh in the Barishal-5 constituency ahead of the national polls.

Police in Debidwar, Cumilla recovered the hanging body of a college student from a beauty parlor on Tuesday. The deceased, identified as Nadia Akter, was employed as a beautician at the Women’s Persona Parlor located near the Upazila Gate area. She was the daughter of Shafiqul Islam from Dholahas village and a first-year student at Jafarganj Mir Abdul Gafur College. According to police, they arrived at the scene after receiving information and found Nadia’s body hanging inside the parlor. While initial observations suggest suicide, authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of death. Debidwar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Moniruzzaman stated that an unnatural death case has been filed in connection with the incident. The body has been sent to Cumilla Medical College Hospital morgue for autopsy as part of the ongoing investigation.

Sharmin S. Morshed, Advisor to the Ministry of Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs, stated that her government supports holding a referendum for the welfare of the people. She emphasized that citizens will have the opportunity to vote 'no' as well. She made these remarks on Tuesday afternoon in Jhenaidah, following a meeting organized by the district administration to encourage participation in the upcoming referendum and national election. During the meeting, attended by the Deputy Commissioner Abdullah Al Masud, Superintendent of Police Mahfuz Afzal, and representatives from various sectors, Sharmin reiterated that the referendum is not a neutral process and that her stance is firmly in favor of 'yes'. She argued that reform is impossible without a referendum and recalled that after the 2024 uprising, people demanded a new Bangladesh built on humane and just values. Sharmin added that some groups fail to understand the purpose of the referendum. She said that to end authoritarianism, abductions, and killings, the country’s infrastructure must be fundamentally changed, and public consent through a referendum is essential.

Jamaat-e-Islami presented a comprehensive set of policy plans at a policy summit held on Tuesday at the InterContinental Hotel in Dhaka. The party outlined its vision for governance if it wins the upcoming 13th parliamentary election. Jamaat Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman delivered the keynote address, emphasizing a framework for a 'new and prosperous Bangladesh.' Diplomats, academics, business leaders, and professionals attended the event, where experts discussed the proposed policy papers. The plans include zero tolerance against corruption, gradual reduction of tax to 19 percent and VAT to 10 percent, and the introduction of a smart social security card integrating NID, TIN, health, and social services. The party pledged not to raise utility charges for three years, reopen closed factories through public-private partnerships, and provide interest-free loans to small farmers. Education proposals include interest-free loans for graduates and students, establishment of the world’s largest women’s university, and merit-based recruitment. Health initiatives promise free care for children under five and seniors over sixty, and specialized hospitals in all 64 districts. The roadmap also features youth and ICT development programs, including a new ministry for skilled manpower, 10 million youth trained in five years, and a ‘Vision 2040’ plan to create 2 million ICT jobs by 2030.

Independent candidate Barrister M. Sarwar Hossain has withdrawn his candidacy for the Dhaka-17 constituency, citing loyalty to nationalist ideals and respect for party leadership. The Supreme Court lawyer made the announcement on Tuesday, January 20, the final day for withdrawal, after BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman was nominated for the same seat. Sarwar’s nomination had initially been rejected by the Election Commission during the preliminary screening but was later reinstated through appeal. Despite winning the legal battle to retain his candidacy, he chose to step aside out of respect for his party chief. Speaking to journalists, Sarwar said he had long been involved in politics under the leadership of Begum Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman and had even faced imprisonment for the cause. Expressing optimism about the country’s political future, Sarwar stated that Tarique Rahman would work toward building a corruption-free, justice-based society, emphasizing good governance and a strong foreign policy to bring qualitative change to national politics.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has not nominated any female candidates for the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election. The party’s Nayebe Ameer, Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher, stated that although Jamaat itself has no direct female nominees this time, its political alliance includes women candidates. He made the remarks on Tuesday while speaking to journalists during a policy summit at a hotel in Dhaka. Taher explained that an earlier consensus commission discussed reforms, including a proposal to ensure 5 to 15 percent female participation in direct elections. Jamaat-e-Islami agreed with that decision and will nominate women if such a measure becomes law. On campaign strategy, he said the party would use online tools within legal limits but focus mainly on direct, person-to-person voter contact. He added that Jamaat is fully prepared for the election and intends to include capable individuals from across Bangladesh in governance if it comes to power. The comments reflect Jamaat’s current stance on women’s political participation and its approach to election campaigning under existing regulations.

A total of 373,398 expatriate voters across various countries have received postal ballots to participate in Bangladesh’s upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election and referendum, according to the Election Commission (EC). Among them, 196,625 voters have already scanned their QR codes. The EC stated that these registered overseas voters will be able to cast their votes and send them back to Bangladesh after the allocation of election symbols on January 21. Salim Ahmad Khan, team leader of the ‘OCV-SDI’ project on expatriate voter registration, confirmed that 5,126 ballots were returned to Bangladesh due to incorrect addresses or voters not being found at their listed locations. Earlier, the EC had completed sending postal ballots to 767,028 expatriate voters in 121 countries. According to EC data, a total of 1,533,683 voters, both domestic and overseas, have registered through the ‘Postal Vote BD’ app. Election officials noted that after symbol allocation, expatriates must send their completed ballots by mail to the respective returning officers’ offices in Bangladesh.

The Dhaka Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board has released the final schedule for the 2026 Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and equivalent examinations. According to the announcement published on January 20, the nationwide exams will begin on April 21 and continue until May 20. The schedule was made available through the board’s website and various media outlets. Alongside the schedule, the board issued 14 mandatory instructions for all examinees. The directives include arriving at the exam hall 30 minutes before the start, following the time mentioned on the question paper, and completing multiple-choice and creative sections consecutively without breaks. Students must collect admit cards at least seven days before the exam and correctly fill in their OMR forms without folding them. The use of board-approved calculators is allowed, but mobile phones are prohibited except for the center secretary. Practical exams will be held at respective centers, and re-scrutiny applications must be submitted online within seven days of result publication. The board emphasized that students must pass separately in theoretical, multiple-choice, and practical parts, and institutions are responsible for timely distribution of admit cards and submission of continuous assessment marks.

The Pay Commission led by Zakir Ahmed Khan will submit its report on new salary and allowance recommendations for government employees to Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus at the state guesthouse Jamuna on Wednesday at 5 p.m. Economic Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed confirmed the submission to the media. According to the report, the commission has proposed partial implementation of the new pay structure from January 1, 2026, with full implementation from July 1, 2026, marking the start of the 2026–27 fiscal year. Sources indicate that the current minimum salary of Tk 8,250 may more than double, while the maximum salary could rise from Tk 78,000 to over Tk 120,000. The commission has recommended setting the ratio between the highest and lowest salaries at 1:8. The revised 2025–26 budget has already increased operating expenses by Tk 22,000 crore to accommodate partial implementation. Full implementation of the proposed structure is expected to require an additional Tk 70,000–80,000 crore. The commission, formed on July 27 last year with 21 members, was tasked with submitting its report within six months and has suggested higher increases for lower-grade employees.

Faruk-e-Azam, Adviser on Liberation War Affairs and Disaster Management, stated that a victory for the 'Yes' vote in the upcoming referendum would bring fundamental changes to the state structure and secure citizens' rights and freedoms. He made the remarks on Tuesday at a courtyard meeting in Fapor Pashchimpara of Bogura Sadar, organized to raise voter awareness ahead of the referendum and the 13th national parliamentary election. The adviser emphasized that the interim government is temporary and neutral, with no political affiliation, and will leave after the election. He explained that if the 'Yes' vote wins, the prime minister’s tenure will be limited to ten years, the judiciary will become fully independent, and new courts will be established at divisional and upazila levels. He also said key constitutional bodies like the Public Service Commission and Anti-Corruption Commission would be formed through consensus with the opposition. Faruk-e-Azam added that although the current government cannot implement the referendum’s outcome, any constitutional changes approved by the people would automatically take effect in the future. The event was attended by local officials, civil society representatives, and students.

The National Implementation Committee on Administrative Reorganization approved the final structure and responsibilities of the newly formed Revenue Policy and Revenue Management Departments, officially dissolving the National Board of Revenue (NBR). The approval was granted on Tuesday during the committee’s meeting, confirming the administrative framework for the two new departments. According to the decision, the specific duties of the Revenue Policy and Revenue Management Departments have been defined. The meeting also outlined the types of officials to be appointed to these departments and the process for staff deployment. The session was attended by six government advisers, including those from the Finance and Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs ministries, along with the Cabinet Secretary, Principal Secretary, and 14 secretaries or senior secretaries. In total, the committee approved 11 proposals related to administrative reorganization, marking a significant step in restructuring Bangladesh’s revenue administration system.

The Election Commission of Bangladesh has directed the Ministry of Home Affairs to ensure security for Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami chief Shafiqur Rahman and six other party candidates until the election. A separate directive was also issued for BNP candidate Mojibur Rahman in Gazipur-1 constituency. The decision followed formal applications submitted to the commission, which were approved and forwarded to the ministry the next day. The six other Jamaat candidates named in the directive are Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher, Mujibur Rahman, ATM Azharul Islam, Secretary General Professor Mia Golam Porwar, Assistant Secretary General Hamidur Rahman Azad, and Rafiqul Islam Khan. Election Commissioner Abdur Rahman Mashud confirmed that the letters were sent to the ministry after Jamaat’s request. According to commission sources, security measures have been strengthened across all districts to ensure peaceful and uninterrupted election campaigns. Analysts believe the commission’s decision will help maintain a stable electoral environment.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has accused certain political groups of threatening to obstruct the upcoming national election despite having minimal public backing. He made the remarks on Tuesday at a discussion organized by the BNP at the Diploma Engineering Institution auditorium in Kakrail, Dhaka, marking the 90th birth anniversary of late President Ziaur Rahman. Fakhrul said that with only 23 days left before the election, some parties were loudly declaring they would not allow the polls to take place, even though they lacked significant voter support. He emphasized that the BNP is eager to participate in the election and will accept the people’s verdict, whether in favor or against the party. Fakhrul also criticized those who, according to him, once denied Bangladesh’s existence and committed atrocities during the Liberation War. He stated that the country has reached its current position through great sacrifice and now faces an opportunity to restore democratic rights. Addressing reform issues, Fakhrul said the BNP had proposed a 31-point reform plan two years before the government’s current campaign, asserting that reform initiatives originated from the BNP.