Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman told Al Jazeera in an interview that if his party comes to power, the decision to implement Islamic law will rest with the parliament, not with him personally. He stated that if such a move is deemed essential for the country's development, the parliament will make that determination. Rahman emphasized that Jamaat is participating in elections under the existing national laws and will act in accordance with the people's will, not against it. Addressing a question about whether a woman could ever serve as the party’s chief, Rahman said it would not be possible. He explained that men and women have distinct roles as created by God, and these differences cannot be altered. He argued that a mother who gives birth could not simultaneously fulfill the responsibilities of the party’s top leadership, asserting that only God knows best. The interview highlights Jamaat’s stance on governance, gender roles, and its approach to aligning political decisions with public sentiment and religious principles.

A crude bomb attack took place at the official residence of the Gopalganj District and Sessions Judge on Wednesday night around 9:45 p.m., according to local reports. Unidentified assailants threw a cocktail bomb at the premises, causing a loud explosion that shook the surrounding area and spread panic among residents. Fortunately, no injuries or casualties were reported from the incident. Following the explosion, Gopalganj Superintendent of Police Md Habibullah and other senior officers visited the scene. To ensure security, army personnel were deployed, and the area was cordoned off for evidence collection. Police recovered a can-like object from inside the boundary wall and began an investigation into the attack. The superintendent stated that police and intelligence agencies are jointly working to identify and arrest those responsible. He suggested the attack might have been intended to create public fear ahead of the upcoming election. Authorities have strengthened security measures in the area to maintain law and order.

The Bangladesh Coast Guard has launched special surveillance operations in Sandwip’s coastal and island areas to ensure security ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election and Referendum 2026. At a press briefing on Thursday, Coast Guard Director General Rear Admiral Mohammad Ziaul Haque announced that 353 skilled personnel have been deployed considering Sandwip’s unique geographic position. The special deployment began on January 18 and will continue until February 14. According to the briefing, Coast Guard teams will work continuously to safeguard polling centers across the mainland, river routes, and isolated islands. Strong patrol units will operate round the clock to facilitate the safe transport of election materials and voter movement. Drone surveillance will be used in remote and sensitive areas to prevent sabotage. Rear Admiral Haque emphasized maintaining peace and order in coastal regions and ensuring a fear-free environment for voters to exercise their rights. The Coast Guard is coordinating with local administration to sustain public enthusiasm for the referendum organized by the interim government. Its intelligence wing remains alert to prevent illegal intrusion or disorder through waterways.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur has firmly denied rumors about his resignation or taking leave. Speaking at an emergency press conference at Bangladesh Bank on Thursday, January 29, 2026, he stated that he neither applied for leave nor had any intention to do so. Mansur emphasized that his work schedule keeps him busy until late at night, leaving no scope for taking leave. During the briefing, Mansur alleged that a certain group, driven by jealousy, was spreading misinformation and inciting unrest by distributing money related to Sammilita Islami Bank. He claimed that this group was deliberately running a campaign against the newly established Islamic bank. Mansur reiterated his belief in democratic practices and the right to protest but said the bank’s performance would prove its commitment to customer satisfaction. The governor’s remarks directly addressed circulating rumors and sought to reassure the public and banking sector stakeholders about the stability of Bangladesh Bank’s leadership.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has expelled 27 of its leaders from all positions, including their primary membership, for allegedly violating party decisions and engaging in activities against the organization. The announcement was made on Thursday, January 29, 2026, through a notice signed by the party’s Senior Joint Secretary General, Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi. According to the notice, the expelled individuals include leaders from Mymensingh South District’s Bhaluka Upazila BNP, Narayanganj’s Siddhirganj Thana BNP, and Sonargaon Upazila and Municipality BNP units. The party stated that the decision was taken after allegations of disobeying organizational directives and participating in activities contrary to party interests were proven against them. The expulsions reflect BNP’s internal disciplinary measures aimed at maintaining organizational unity and adherence to central directives, as stated in the official notice.

The Bangladesh women's futsal team returned home this evening after winning the inaugural SAFF Women's Futsal Championship. The team arrived in Dhaka from Thailand around 6:15 p.m., where the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) prepared a grand reception to honor their achievement. The players will be taken on an open-top bus to Hatirjheel, where the official celebration will take place. This victory marks another milestone for Bangladesh's women footballers, who previously won the SAFF Football Championship twice in a row. In the futsal tournament, held in a round-robin format, Bangladesh defeated the Maldives 14–2 in the final match to become unbeaten champions among seven participating teams. Players such as Sabina, Krishna, and Sumaiyara are receiving widespread recognition for their performance. BFF Vice President Fahad Karim stated that the federation planned the reception according to the players’ preferences, ensuring they are welcomed in the way they desired after their historic South Asian success.

The High Court has dismissed a rule questioning the legality of the Chattogram Port Authority’s ongoing process to sign an operational agreement with a foreign company for managing the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT). The single bench of Justice Zafar Ahmed delivered the verdict on Thursday, confirming that there is no legal barrier to the agreement. The court found that the process followed the 2017 procurement policy and a memorandum of understanding under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework with Dubai government-backed DP World. Earlier, on July 30, the High Court had issued a rule asking why the process should not be declared beyond legal authority and why competitive public bidding should not be ensured before appointing an operator. On December 4, a split verdict was delivered by a two-member bench, prompting the Chief Justice to assign the matter to Justice Zafar Ahmed for final disposal. Following the ruling, one of the petitioners’ lawyers said an appeal has been filed with the Appellate Division seeking a stay on the majority decision that dismissed the writ petition.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has decided to issue journalist identification cards and vehicle stickers manually for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. The decision was announced on Thursday, January 29, 2026, by EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed, who said the manual process details would be shared soon. Journalists who already applied online will remain eligible, while those who did not apply online can collect their cards directly from the EC office. Earlier, the EC had invited online applications for journalist cards and vehicle stickers for election coverage, but the process faced complications. Chief Election Commissioner A M M Nasir Uddin had assured a quick resolution to the issue. Journalist leaders had also given the EC an ultimatum to resolve the matter by Sunday, February 1, prompting the commission to abandon the online system. The EC’s shift to manual issuance aims to remove procedural delays and ensure that journalists can perform their professional duties smoothly during the national election period.

The Commonwealth and the European Union, along with several other international organizations, are sending large observer missions to monitor Bangladesh’s national election on February 12 and the constitutional reform referendum scheduled for July. According to information from Dhaka, the observer teams will be extensive in size. Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey announced in London that former Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo will lead a 14-member Commonwealth observer group, supported by experts from multiple fields and a secretariat team headed by Linford Andrews. The Commonwealth stated that its mission will assess whether the election and referendum are conducted credibly, transparently, and inclusively, reporting in accordance with Bangladesh’s laws and standards. The EU confirmed that around 200 observers from its 27 member states, along with representatives from Norway, Switzerland, and Canada, will join its Election Observation Mission led by Latvian MP Ivars Ijabs. The EU mission began operations on December 29 with an 11-member core team, followed by 56 long-term observers deployed nationwide and 90 short-term observers to join before election day. Government coordinator Lamia Morshed said international confirmations are increasing daily, reflecting confidence in the interim government and the Election Commission to ensure a free and fair vote.

A group of students from Rajshahi University, led by Senate member Fahim Reza, displayed red cards to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Thursday in protest against the killing of a Jamaat leader in Sherpur, attacks on women, and what they described as nationwide anarchy. The demonstration took place around 10:30 a.m. in front of the university’s main gate along the Dhaka–Rajshahi highway, coinciding with BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman’s visit to Rajshahi for an election rally. Participants carried placards condemning killings and violence against women, with slogans criticizing BNP’s political actions. Fahim Reza compared BNP’s conduct to repeated fouls in football, saying the party was attacking opponents and women and had committed the first murder linked to the election. He alleged that BNP had already been responsible for over two hundred killings and urged the government and law enforcement to ensure a fair national election on February 12. The protest reflected growing campus-level discontent over political violence ahead of the upcoming national polls.

BNP candidate for Dhaka-9 constituency, Habibur Rashid Habib, has called on voters to go to polling centers on February 12, emphasizing that the election was achieved through great sacrifice. Speaking at a campaign courtyard meeting organized by residents of South Goran Chapra Mosque area under Khilgaon Police Station, he said that every citizen has a duty to participate in the democratic process. Habib warned that conspiracies were ongoing around the election and that low voter turnout could embolden those seeking to destabilize Bangladesh. He urged citizens to vote regardless of political preference, describing participation as the truest way to honor the martyrs. Sharing his personal experiences, he said he had faced numerous false cases, imprisonment, and assassination attempts, but remained committed to building a democratic future for the country. Addressing local issues, Habib highlighted long-standing problems in Dhaka-9, including gas shortages, waterlogging, poor roads, lack of playgrounds, and community facilities. He pledged to work with residents to solve these problems and called for unity to build a safe, humane, and democratic Bangladesh based on Islamic values.

The Workers Party has announced a two-day strike protesting the lease of Chittagong port’s New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to a foreign company. The strike will halt all operations on Saturday and suspend administrative activities on Sunday. The announcement came Thursday through separate press conferences by the Workers Party and the Sramik Karmachari Oikya Parishad (SKOP), which expressed support for the protest. Earlier in the day, the High Court declared the process of appointing a foreign operator at the NCT terminal legal. Following the ruling, port branch leaders and activists of the Workers Party held a protest march and later a press conference in Agrabad. They warned that handing over the terminal to a foreign operator would endanger national security, cause job losses for Bangladeshi workers, and result in significant foreign currency outflow. SKOP leaders, speaking at the Chittagong Press Club, urged the interim government to withdraw from the leasing decision and warned of tougher action, including a complete shutdown of the port, if the decision is not reversed.

BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury stated that individuals and groups attempting to create confusion or doubt about the election process are gradually losing connection with the public. He made the remarks on Thursday during an election campaign in South Agrabad and nearby areas of Chattogram city. Chowdhury urged citizens to vote for the BNP’s symbol, the paddy sheaf, on February 12 to build a better Bangladesh. He said the people of Bangladesh are united in favor of democracy and elections, and that pro-democracy nations around the world are cooperating with Bangladesh’s electoral process. Chowdhury claimed that the widespread enthusiasm for the BNP and its symbol reflects the people’s trust in the party. He added that the BNP aims to establish a culture of peace, tolerance, stability, and mutual respect in national politics. Local BNP leaders and activists, including Metropolitan BNP Member Secretary Nazimur Rahman, were present during the campaign event.

Fifteen passengers were injured when a Mamun Express bus lost control and overturned on the Dhaka-Rangpur Highway at Pantapara in Gobindaganj, Gaibandha, on Thursday morning. The accident occurred near the Hamko Battery showroom at the southern bus stand area of the municipal town. Witnesses said the Kurigram-bound bus from Chattogram lost control in front of a sand mound near Uttara Flour Mills and overturned, trapping passengers inside. Highway police and fire service personnel rushed to the scene after receiving the report and rescued the injured passengers, sending them to the Upazila Health Complex for treatment. Gobindaganj Fire Service Station Officer Masud Rana said initial observations suggest the bus may have lost control due to excessive speed or the driver falling asleep, though an investigation is underway. Gobindaganj Highway Police Officer-in-Charge Mozzafar Hossain confirmed the incident, noting that traffic on the highway was briefly disrupted but returned to normal after the rescue operation.

The government has dismissed as baseless the social media claims that the interim administration will remain in power for six more months if the upcoming February 12 referendum results in a majority of ‘yes’ votes. In a statement posted Thursday night on the verified Facebook page of the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing Facts, it said misleading information is being spread online regarding the referendum. The statement clarified that a photo card circulating on Facebook, allegedly from Independent Television, misrepresented comments by Professor Ali Riaz, vice-chairman of the National Consensus Commission. According to the government, Riaz never said the current interim government would act as a constitutional assembly for 180 days. Instead, he stated that elected members of parliament would perform dual roles—forming the government and serving as members of a constitutional reform council. Citing the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order 2025, the statement explained that if the referendum passes, the next parliament will have a dual function for 180 working days to complete constitutional reforms. The government reiterated that the order contains no provision for extending the interim government’s tenure.