A divisional rally of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) began at the Government Rajendra College field in Faridpur on Wednesday. BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman appeared on the stage around 3 p.m. after attending a previous rally in Barishal. The event formally started at 12:30 p.m. with a recitation from the Quran.

The rally is being presided over by district BNP convener Syed Modarres Ali Isha, while district BNP member secretary A.K. Kibria Swapon is conducting the proceedings. Senior BNP leaders, including Faridpur divisional organizing secretary Shama Obaid, are also present on the stage. The gathering marks part of the BNP’s ongoing divisional programs across the country.

The event underscores the party’s continued regional mobilization efforts, with senior leadership visibly participating in divisional-level activities.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Amir Dr. Shafiqur Rahman will deliver a national address on February 9 at 9 p.m. as part of the party’s election campaign. The party has sought permission from the Election Commission to broadcast the speech through Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar. The announcement was made in a press release issued by Jamaat’s Central Publicity and Media Department head, Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair.

According to the press release, the 13th National Parliamentary Election and a referendum on the July Charter are scheduled for February 12. Jamaat-e-Islami described itself as a responsible political organization committed to fulfilling the expectations and aspirations of the people. The party expressed hope that the Chief Election Commissioner would take necessary steps to approve the broadcast of the speech at the scheduled time.

The request for permission was formally submitted to the Chief Election Commissioner on Tuesday, and the party expects a positive response before the planned broadcast date.

BNP National Standing Committee member and Cox’s Bazar-1 (Chakaria-Pekua) candidate Salahuddin Ahmed said the party has pledged full media freedom in its 31-point program and election manifesto. He announced that a separate media reform commission has already been formed, and BNP will review its recommendations to take necessary measures. Ahmed made these remarks on Wednesday at a ‘Meet the Press with Youth Salahuddin’ event organized by the Salahuddin Ahmed Media Cell at a community center in Chakaria.

He emphasized that countries ensuring media freedom have stronger democratic structures. In an era of rapid global information exchange, he urged journalists to act responsibly to uphold the nation’s dignity. Ahmed highlighted the crucial role of the media in strengthening Bangladesh’s democratic system.

The event was attended by local BNP leaders, including Chakaria Upazila BNP president Enamul Haque, general secretary M Mobarak Ali, and representatives from journalist associations in Cox’s Bazar.

In Daulatkhan upazila of Bhola, local units of the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami held separate press conferences following a clash linked to election activities. The BNP’s political coordinator, Akbar Hossain, stated that the incident began in Medua Union when Jamaat activists, allegedly outsiders, used motorcycles and sticks wrapped with the national flag during campaigning. He claimed that a dispute over disrespecting the flag led to an attack by Jamaat supporters, injuring four local residents who are now receiving treatment at Bhola Sadar and Daulatkhan hospitals.

Hossain accused Jamaat activists of attempting to disrupt the peaceful election environment and alleged that the lack of action by the assistant returning officer contributed to the unrest. In a counter press conference, Jamaat’s upazila amir, Maulana Hasan Tarek Hawlader, accused BNP activists of violently obstructing their peaceful campaign. He said several Jamaat members were injured and hospitalized, describing the attack as a deliberate attempt to intimidate voters and undermine electoral fairness.

Jamaat leaders demanded an impartial investigation and legal action against those responsible, urging election authorities to ensure a fair and peaceful process.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Tarique Rahman has pledged to build the Barishal-Bhola bridge if his party forms the next government. Speaking at an election rally at Bell’s Park in Barishal city, he also promised to upgrade Sher-e-Bangla Medical College and initiate the establishment of a medical college in Bhola. Rahman outlined BNP’s plans for the southern region, covering infrastructure, health, education, agriculture, employment, and social security.

He identified river erosion as the most severe problem in the Barishal division, calling for embankment construction to protect affected communities. Rahman recalled BNP’s past contributions, including the 1993 declaration of Barishal as a division and rural electrification under President Ziaur Rahman. He criticized prolonged authoritarian rule for halting development and worsening conditions in roads, schools, and healthcare facilities.

Rahman also announced plans for agricultural and fisheries support, including cold storage facilities, agricultural cards, and loan waivers for small farmers. He emphasized youth employment through training centers and local industries, as well as expanded rural healthcare and women’s empowerment initiatives.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has accused Jamaat-e-Islami of deceiving people in the name of Islam. Speaking at an election rally on Wednesday at Kismat Daulatpur Dakhil Madrasa and Eidgah ground in Thakurgaon Sadar, he said Jamaat was misleading women by claiming that voting for its symbol would lead to paradise, which he called a false belief. Citing the Pir of Charmonai, he stated that Jamaat-e-Islami is not an Islamic party.

Addressing supporters, Fakhrul said the BNP believes in work and action rather than mere criticism. He urged political opponents not to spread falsehoods. Outlining BNP’s election promises, he said that if elected, the party would promote agro-based industries, provide technical training for youth, and create one crore jobs within one and a half years. He also pledged family and farmer cards, loan waivers up to Tk 10,000 for farmers, and government responsibility for women’s NGO loan installments.

Fakhrul criticized another party for making derogatory remarks about women, saying those who cannot respect women cannot lead the country.

A local Awami League leader in Patiya, Chattogram, has drawn controversy after appearing to campaign for a BNP candidate ahead of the upcoming parliamentary election. On Monday, Shafiul Alam Badsha, the finance secretary of the Dhalghat Union Awami League and a businessman, was seen alongside BNP’s paddy-sheaf symbol candidate Enamul Haque Enam during electioneering. The incident went viral on social media, triggering widespread criticism.

Badsha, known locally as a close associate of former Awami League MP Shamsul Haque Chowdhury, had previously contested union council elections under the Awami League government. His participation in BNP’s campaign without formally joining the party has fueled debate online. Several BNP leaders also criticized the development, warning that opportunistic newcomers could disrupt internal party discipline and marginalize long-time activists.

When contacted, Shafiul Alam Badsha told the newspaper that he is a businessman who must maintain relations with everyone. He ended the call when asked about the social media backlash.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman is scheduled to visit Habiganj on February 7 to attend an election rally organized by the district unit of the party. The rally will be held at Habiganj Newfield ground, where he will deliver a speech as the chief guest at 10 a.m. The event is expected to begin at 8:30 a.m., according to district Jamaat Ameer Kazi Mawlana Mukhlisur Rahman, who confirmed the schedule.

The district Jamaat has completed all preparations for the gathering, anticipating a large turnout. The rally will be presided over by district Jamaat Ameer Mawlana Mukhlisur Rahman and will include participation from the party’s alliance candidates contesting in the four parliamentary constituencies of the district, along with leaders and activists of allied parties.

District Jamaat Secretary Kazi Mohsin Ahmed stated that applications have been submitted to the district returning officer and the superintendent of police seeking venue allocation and necessary security arrangements to ensure the success of the event.

Joint forces arrested three individuals, including a commander of the Rohingya armed group ARSA, in two separate operations in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar, on Wednesday. The detainees were identified as ARSA commander Zahid Hossain alias Lalu, 38, and two alleged drug traffickers, Mizan, 35, and Rakib, 18. Authorities recovered local and foreign weapons, ammunition, and narcotics during the raids.

According to military sources, an army team from Ukhiya Army Camp conducted a raid in Palongkhali Union’s Nolbonia area based on intelligence, detaining two yaba traders and seizing drug paraphernalia, local liquor, and illegal weapons used in robbery and smuggling. In a separate morning operation, ARSA commander Lalu was captured from a tea shop inside Kutupalong Camp-1 (West), where a pistol and two rounds of ammunition were found on him.

Officials stated that legal action has been taken against the detainees. Sources said Lalu had long been involved in abduction, extortion, and arms trade within the Rohingya camps, and was accused of links to multiple killings under former ARSA leader Ataullah Jununi.

Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Kazi Mohsin Ahmad has called on voters in Habiganj-3 (Sadar, Lakhai, Shayestaganj) to elect the scale symbol to make the district free from corruption and terrorism. He made the remarks on Tuesday afternoon while addressing a street rally at Motaleb Chattar after launching a mass contact campaign from Eidgah Point in Habiganj town.

During his speech, Kazi Mohsin said the people of the country now want change and are uniting against looting, partisanship, and misrule. He added that if Jamaat comes to power, Bangladesh will become a welfare state where justice will prevail. The event was attended by district Jamaat Ameer Mawlana Mukhlisur Rahman, newly joined member Chowdhury Ashraful Bari Noman, Islami Chhatra Shibir executive council member Muhibur Rahman, and Habiganj municipal Jamaat Ameer Atikul Islam Sohag.

The rally marked part of Jamaat’s campaign efforts in the Habiganj-3 constituency ahead of upcoming political activities in the region.

More than 472,000 expatriate voters have completed voting through the 'Postal Vote BD' mobile application, according to Salim Ahmad Khan, team leader of the OCV-SDI project. As of 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, 766,862 ballots had been sent to expatriates, of which 524,869 were received and 472,410 votes were cast. Additionally, 431,748 expatriate voters submitted their ballots to local post offices or mailboxes, and returning officers have so far received 41,178 of those ballots.

The Election Commission has also begun sending postal ballots to domestic voters registered under the ICPV system. A total of 662,191 ballots have been dispatched across the country. By 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, 170,989 domestic voters had received their ballots, 131,691 had completed voting, and 104,165 had submitted their ballots to post offices or mailboxes.

Salim Ahmad Khan added that a total of 1,533,684 voters, both at home and abroad, registered through the 'Postal Vote BD' app to participate in the 13th National Parliamentary Election and referendum via postal ballots.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has urged all officials and employees engaged in the upcoming 13th National Parliament election and referendum to remain alert against fraudulent groups. In a press release issued on Wednesday, the EC advised them not to respond to suspicious phone calls. The warning follows reports that a fraud ring has been contacting election officials, claiming to arrange payment of election honorariums and attempting to collect their mobile financial service numbers.

According to the EC, all officials assigned to polling centers will receive their election honorariums through presiding officers after the completion of voting, in accordance with official procedures. The commission clarified that no individual or organization is authorized to contact officials for this purpose. It emphasized that any such phone calls are fraudulent and should be ignored.

The EC’s advisory aims to prevent financial deception and ensure the integrity of administrative processes during the national election and referendum period.

BNP candidate Shahjahan Chowdhury from Cox’s Bazar-4 (Ukhiya-Teknaf) constituency has said that those who vote for Jamaat-e-Islami will not be able to enter heaven. He made the remark during a recent street meeting in Baharchhara Union of Teknaf upazila. A video clip of his statement has circulated on social media, prompting widespread discussion and criticism.

In his speech, Chowdhury accused Jamaat-e-Islami of opposing both the creation of Pakistan and Bangladesh, claiming that the party’s politics have always gone in the wrong direction. He contrasted Jamaat’s approach with the BNP’s pledge to introduce regular monthly allowances for ordinary citizens if it comes to power. He urged voters not to be misled by Jamaat, emphasizing that only sincere worship accepted by God can lead to paradise.

The remarks have drawn attention online and stirred debate over the use of religious references in political campaigning in the constituency.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman’s adviser Mahdi Amin has said that the party is committed to ensuring freedom of speech, human rights, and the rule of law for all in future Bangladesh. Speaking at a meeting with the Reporters Forum for Election and Democracy in Gulshan, Dhaka, he called on journalists to work together against electoral irregularities, manipulation, and engineering. He stated that if BNP assumes state responsibility, it will guarantee maximum press freedom and full protection and rights for journalists, as in previous BNP governments.

Mahdi Amin described the upcoming February 12 election as crucial, linking it to a 16-year struggle against what he termed a “passive arm” system. He criticized the 2014, 2018, and 2024 elections as processes that deprived citizens of voting rights and extended partisan control over state institutions. He praised journalists for exposing electoral irregularities despite restrictions on the media.

He expressed hope that journalists would maintain neutrality in the coming election and reaffirmed that a future BNP government would ensure press freedom and freedom of expression for all citizens.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman declared that the future of Bangladesh will be determined by the people’s votes, warning that any party that disregards the public will make life unbearable. He made these remarks on Wednesday afternoon at an election rally held at Bell’s Park in Barishal, marking his first visit to the city in two decades.

During his speech, Rahman alleged that a certain party was printing fake ballot papers and collecting mobile payment numbers from innocent women. He described the emergence of new oppressors linked to secret organizations and urged BNP leaders to stay close to the people over the next five years. Rahman also recalled initiatives taken during former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia’s tenure to promote women’s education, noting that BNP had made education free for girls up to the intermediate level.

He pledged that if BNP returns to power, women’s employment and dignity will receive top priority. Rahman arrived in Barishal by helicopter from Dhaka before addressing the large gathering at the historic Bell’s Park field.