Police in Rajbari arrested five individuals on Sunday afternoon for allegedly attempting to create disorder by chanting slogans in the district and sessions judge court premises. The arrests were made later that night during raids in different areas of Rajbari Sadar upazila. The detainees were identified as Sajjat Hossain, Parash Ali Sheikh alias Shanto, Jony Sheikh, Toufik Ahmed Tahim, and Md. Munjil Sheikh. According to police sources, the incident occurred when Rajbari District Chhatra League president Md. Shahin Sheikh, an accused in a case related to an attack on anti-discrimination student activists, appeared in court. Some of his followers reportedly chanted slogans demanding his release. Rajbari Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Ziaur Rahman stated that the youths tried to cause unrest in the court area and were arrested based on investigation findings. The five accused were sent to court on Monday following their arrest, police confirmed.

Hafiz Maulana Mahmudul Hasan, the Islami Andolan Bangladesh–nominated candidate for the Sylhet-1 parliamentary seat, stated on Monday, January 26, 2026, that his party is contesting independently due to a lack of ideological alignment with Jamaat-e-Islami. Speaking at a press briefing and candidate introduction meeting in Sylhet, he said the party is upholding Islamic ideals while running under its own symbol. Hasan highlighted that expatriates’ hard-earned assets in Sylhet have long been targeted by criminals and land grabbers. He pledged to take strict measures to protect those assets if elected and to establish a business-friendly environment free from extortion. He also promised to transform Sylhet into a safe, livable “model city” free from corruption, extortion, and terrorism. He further alleged that divisions have been created among Muslims, Hindus, Christians, Buddhists, and other communities in Sylhet, fostering fear. Hasan also claimed that expatriate remittance earners, a key force in the national economy, have been neglected and undervalued for years. Islami Andolan leaders from Sylhet city and district levels attended the event.

A mobile court in Mirsarai upazila of Chattogram fined a supporter of BNP-nominated candidate Nurul Amin for violating the electoral code of conduct ahead of the 13th National Parliament Election and Referendum 2026. The incident occurred on Monday, January 26, when officials found Mohammad Tarek campaigning with a pickup van displaying framed colored banners and festoons and using loudspeakers at Gheramara Forest Gate area of Korerhat Union. The mobile court, operating under Regulation 27(a) of the Political Parties and Candidates Conduct Rules 2025, imposed a fine of Tk 25,000 on Tarek for breaching clauses 7(b) and 7(g). All campaign materials were removed from the vehicle. Upazila Assistant Returning Officer and Executive Officer Somaiya Akter said campaigners and supporters present were made aware of the election code during the operation. According to the report, a supporter named Haque paid the fine and expressed regret, stating that the violation occurred without the candidate’s knowledge.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has expelled 21 more leaders for violating party decisions and engaging in activities deemed harmful to the organization. The expulsions were announced on Monday through five separate notices signed by BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi. Those expelled include Anwar Hossain Bulu, a member of the BNP National Executive Committee, along with several district and upazila-level leaders from Munshiganj, Tangail, and Kishoreganj. According to the official notices, all expelled individuals have been removed from their primary and all other party positions. The decision follows internal disciplinary measures aimed at maintaining organizational discipline and unity within the BNP. The notices did not provide further details about the specific actions that led to the expulsions. The expulsions reflect continued internal enforcement within the BNP as it seeks to address organizational dissent and ensure adherence to party directives.

Leaders of the Bangladesh Administrative Service Association have stated that rumors are being spread by certain groups regarding the formation of a new central executive committee. According to the association, several newspapers published misleading reports based on these rumors. In an official statement, Md. Nazrul Islam, president of the association and secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Public Works, clarified that no decision was made to form a new committee during the association’s recent meeting. The statement explained that the meeting, held on Sunday evening at the association’s headquarters, focused on issues related to members’ interests. It did not include any discussion or decision about leadership changes or committee formation. Nazrul Islam emphasized that reports in some media outlets about a new committee were incorrect and baseless. The association said the clarification was issued to protect its image and maintain transparency among members, urging the public not to be misled by unverified information.

Election Commissioner Brigadier General Abul Fazl Md. Sanaullah announced that mobile banking transactions will be closely monitored during Bangladesh’s upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election to prevent vote buying and selling. He made the statement on Monday at a meeting with the law and order cell and vigilance and observation teams held at the Chandpur Deputy Commissioner’s conference room. From February 8, assistant returning officers have been instructed to take immediate action if any unusual transactions occur at mobile banking agents during specific times. Sanaullah emphasized that there will be no government pressure in the election process and that transparency, neutrality, and firmness must guide election management. He said six committees of the Election Commission are working at the field level with authority to conduct investigations and judicial activities. On the topic of the referendum, he urged officials to encourage voter participation, noting that citizens will express their choice for the future of Bangladesh through “yes” or “no” votes. The meeting was organized by the district administration and chaired by Deputy Commissioner and Returning Officer Md. Nazmul Islam Sarkar, with officials from various departments present.

Bangladeshi actor and producer Ananta Jalil has announced his departure from the film industry due to a severe downturn in his garment business. Once operating a factory in Savar with around 12,000 workers, Jalil now manages only about 4,000 employees. He said the business situation has become so difficult that he cannot focus on acting or complete his pending film projects. Jalil emphasized that he has always prioritized business over cinema and will not return to acting until his business recovers. Jalil also confirmed that his wife and co-star, actress Barsha, will no longer appear in films. This decision has cast uncertainty over their ongoing productions, including “Netri: The Leader,” “Operation Jackpot,” and “Chita,” which have yet to finish shooting. Jalil, who entered the film industry in 2008, stated that he and Barsha have always worked together and will only return to cinema jointly if conditions improve. He added that his focus now is on overcoming the current business crisis, suggesting that any future film work will depend on better times ahead.

The government has approved a policy decision to provide a 20 percent rebate on electricity bills for marginal fish farms, hatcheries, and livestock and poultry farms. The initiative aims to reduce production costs in these sectors. To implement the rebate, the Finance Division has decided to allocate a subsidy of Tk 100 crore. The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock announced the decision in a press release issued on Monday. According to the release, the rebate is part of the government’s existing electricity rebate policy, which currently covers 16 sectors to promote agricultural production, export of agricultural goods, and the growth of agro-based industries. In continuation of this policy, four additional sectors have now been included under the rebate scheme: animal and poultry feed manufacturing, fish feed production, poultry industry, and dairy processing industry. The dairy processing category includes pasteurized milk, powdered milk, ice cream, condensed milk, sweets, cheese, ghee, butter, chocolate, and yogurt. The ministry expects the rebate to significantly ease electricity expenses for farmers and entrepreneurs in these sectors.

The interim government of Bangladesh has decided to establish the country’s first Free Trade Zone and Defense Industrial Zone, according to Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashiq Bin Harun. The announcement was made on Monday at a press briefing at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka. The Free Trade Zone will be set up on 600 acres of land in Anwara, Chattogram, while the Defense Industrial Zone will occupy 850 acres in Mirsarai. The decision was approved at the fourth meeting of the governing board of the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA), chaired by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus. Harun stated that the Mirsarai site was previously designated for an Indian Economic Zone under a government-to-government framework, which has now been dropped. He added that countries maintaining good relations with Bangladesh have shown interest in the new project, and details will be disclosed once agreements progress further. The Defense Industrial Zone will be located within the National Special Economic Zone (NSEZ) in Mirsarai, marking a significant policy shift in Bangladesh’s industrial development strategy.

Saudi Arabia has informed Bangladesh that pilgrims whose accommodation is not arranged by their agencies within the set deadline will not be allowed to perform Hajj. The directive was conveyed through a letter sent to 30 lead agencies, prompting Bangladesh’s Ministry of Religious Affairs to instruct them to finalize all housing arrangements in Makkah and Madinah by January 28. According to the ministry, Bangladeshi pilgrims will travel through both government and private channels, with 73,935 private pilgrims managed by the 30 lead agencies. The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has repeatedly urged completion of housing contracts, expressing dissatisfaction with the slow progress. During a virtual meeting on January 23, the Saudi ministry’s director general described the current pace of accommodation arrangements for Bangladeshi pilgrims as disappointing and reiterated that any pilgrim without confirmed housing by the deadline will be barred from performing Hajj.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman announced that the party aims to ensure dignified employment for every capable man and woman in the country. Speaking as the chief guest at an election rally in Kushtia on Monday at noon, he said the initiative would particularly empower the youth to contribute to national development through their energy and skills. Rahman emphasized that Jamaat does not want unemployment to persist in the country and seeks to eliminate it through productive work opportunities. He also called for reforms in the education system to build a skilled and humane nation, making education more employment-oriented. He added that the party envisions a Bangladesh where citizens can proudly identify themselves as Bangladeshis. The Jamaat chief further stated that the party would establish justice equally for all, ensuring the same legal standards for the president, workers, and even the poor. The rally was presided over by Kushtia district Jamaat’s acting Ameer Abdul Gafur and attended by several central and regional leaders from Jamaat and allied organizations.

The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has issued ten urgent directives to all public and private hospitals across Bangladesh ahead of the national parliamentary election scheduled for February 12, 2026. The order, signed by Dr. Abu Hossain Md. Moinul Ahsan, Director (Hospitals and Clinics), requires hospitals to maintain 24-hour control rooms during the election period and to remain on special alert and preparedness from February 10 to 15. According to the directives, medical teams must be formed at every administrative level—six in each city corporation, four at the divisional level, three at the district level, two at the upazila level, and one at the union level. Hospitals have been instructed to ensure continuous ambulance readiness, deploy additional emergency staff if needed, and keep key facilities such as emergency, laboratory, dialysis, CT scan, and MRI centers open. Heads of institutions must remain present at their workplaces or assign a qualified substitute with full contact details reported to the DGHS. Private hospitals and clinics have also been directed to keep emergency departments operational with doctors on duty and to provide initial treatment and counseling before referring any patient.

Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus has directed Bangladesh’s armed forces to remain on maximum alert to ensure a free, fair, and credible 13th National Parliamentary Election and referendum scheduled for February 12. He issued the directive on Monday during a meeting with senior military officials at the Army Headquarters, according to a statement from the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing. Yunus emphasized that the armed forces’ professionalism, neutrality, and responsibility are crucial to maintaining public confidence and ensuring a peaceful and festive electoral atmosphere. He described the upcoming vote as a decisive moment for Bangladesh’s democratic future, particularly for young and long-disfranchised voters. Yunus urged the military leadership to ensure all field-level decisions are lawful, restrained, and responsible, warning that even minor deviations could undermine public trust. He also paid tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War and the July–August student uprising, acknowledging the armed forces’ role in maintaining stability. Yunus further noted that the interim government has prioritized strengthening the armed forces’ capacity, including establishing domestic arms production and signing defense cooperation memoranda with several countries.

Election Commission (EC) Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed stated that a level playing field exists in the ongoing election process, allowing candidates to campaign freely. Speaking to reporters on Monday at the EC headquarters in Dhaka, he advised that complaints about code of conduct violations should be filed directly with the Electoral Inquiry and Adjudication Committees or returning officers for quicker action, rather than through the central EC office. Ahmed also briefed journalists about a recent meeting between the EC and foreign diplomats, where 41 ambassadors and mission heads were informed about the upcoming February 12 parliamentary election and referendum. The diplomats were particularly interested in security arrangements and command structures. The EC detailed the deployment of police, army, navy, air force, RAB, and Ansar personnel, noting that 25,000 to 30,000 police body-worn cameras will be used at polling centers. He added that vote counting is expected to take three to four hours per center, though counting for expatriate ballots may take longer due to separate ballot formats and centralized scanning procedures.

The Election Commission of Bangladesh announced that nearly 56,000 domestic and foreign observers will monitor the upcoming national parliamentary election and referendum. According to the commission’s approval, the observers will be present at polling centers on election day to oversee field-level activities. Md. Asadul Haque, Assistant Director of the EC’s Public Relations Department, stated that 55,454 observers from 81 domestic organizations and around 500 international observers will participate. Voting will take place continuously from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on February 12, when voters will cast their ballots for both the parliamentary election and the referendum. The commission said both local and international observers will closely monitor the voting environment, law and order situation, and voter participation. EC officials noted that the presence of observers will help ensure transparency and credibility in the election process. Observers will prepare reports on conditions inside and outside polling centers and submit them to the commission afterward. According to the Election Commission, the inclusion of foreign representatives is expected to enhance international confidence in Bangladesh’s electoral process.