The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has curtailed the involvement of Bangladesh National Cadet Corps (BNCC) members in the upcoming 13th parliamentary election and referendum scheduled for February 12, 2026. Initially, the EC planned to deploy BNCC members at polling centers to assist with election duties. However, following objections from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), the EC decided to restrict their role to maintaining discipline at postal ballot counting centers and the EC Secretariat.

According to a circular signed by an EC deputy secretary on Tuesday, BNCC members will work at IT-supported postal ballot counting centers and at the Secretariat’s result collection and dissemination sections from February 11. The directive outlines six operational guidelines, including coordination with returning officers, verification of cadets’ neutrality, and pre-deployment training. The EC will cover related expenses from its budget.

The decision followed a February 1 meeting between the Chief Election Commissioner and BNP representatives. BNP leader Nazrul Islam Khan stated that involving young students in a politically sensitive process could make both the students and their institution controversial, prompting the EC to revise its earlier plan.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Detective Branch (DB) has detained Mohammad Saroware Alam, an assistant programmer at Bangabhaban, in connection with the hacking of Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman’s X account. The arrest took place early Tuesday night following a DB operation at a government quarter near Rajarbagh Police Lines. DB Chief Additional Commissioner Shafiqul Islam confirmed the detention and said Alam’s mobile phone and laptop were seized for examination.

The incident followed a viral post from the Jamaat chief’s X handle on Saturday night containing objectionable remarks about working women. The post was later removed, and Jamaat issued a statement claiming that the account had been hacked and false statements were spread in the Ameer’s name. The DB operation was launched to trace the source of the cyberattack.

Authorities are currently analyzing the seized devices to determine the extent of the hacking and any possible accomplices involved in the incident.

Nuruzzaman Badal, the secretary of Jamaat-e-Islami’s Sherpur district branch and the party’s candidate for the Sherpur-3 (Sreebardi–Jhenaigati) parliamentary seat, has passed away at the age of 51. His death occurred at around 3 a.m. on Tuesday night, according to a Facebook post by Jamaat-e-Islami confirming the news.

The post stated that Nuruzzaman Badal had been admitted to a hospital due to kidney-related illness and died while undergoing treatment. He was the officially nominated candidate of Jamaat-e-Islami for the Sherpur-3 constituency in the upcoming election.

The report did not mention further details about funeral arrangements or the party’s next steps regarding the vacant candidacy.

UK-based weekly The Economist has reported that Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairman Tarique Rahman is leading the race to become Bangladesh’s next prime minister in the upcoming general election scheduled for February 12, 2026. The magazine described him as a 60-year-old heir of a prominent political family and the top contender following the country’s first election since a ‘revolution’ 18 months earlier that ended the Awami League’s 15-year rule.

The Economist’s analysis stated that the return to democracy is expected to improve law and order, reassure investors, and repair strained relations with India. It noted that the interim government led by Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus has stabilized the economy and prepared reforms to prevent future authoritarianism, including proposals for a new upper house and a 10-year limit on the prime minister’s tenure. The report also mentioned that Rahman’s BNP is leading opinion polls.

Rahman has pledged to support investors, create jobs, train young Bangladeshis for overseas employment, dig 20,000 kilometers of canals to address water shortages, and plant 50 million trees annually. He emphasized ensuring freedom of expression, maintaining law and order, and prosecuting those responsible for the 2024 protest killings.

Dhaka Metropolitan Detective Police (DB) launched a raid in the AGB Colony area of Motijheel late Tuesday night to identify and apprehend those responsible for hacking the X account of Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman. The operation began shortly after midnight, according to DB Additional Police Commissioner Shafiqul Islam, who said further details would be shared after the raid concludes.

The move follows a social media controversy that erupted last Saturday night when a screenshot from the Jamaat chief’s X handle circulated online, containing offensive remarks about working women. The post was later removed from the account. In response, Jamaat-e-Islami issued a statement claiming that the post resulted from a cyberattack and that false statements had been spread in the name of its leader.

Authorities have yet to disclose the outcome of the ongoing operation or confirm whether any suspects have been detained in connection with the hacking incident.

Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, son of Libya’s former leader Muammar Gaddafi, has been shot dead in the western Libyan city of Zintan. The incident was confirmed on Tuesday night by Qatar-based broadcaster Al Jazeera, citing its Arabic service correspondent Ahmed Khalifa. The 53-year-old was reportedly living in Zintan for the past decade. His political adviser Abdullah Othman confirmed his death, though details about the attackers and circumstances remain unknown. Libyan authorities have yet to comment on the incident.

Saif al-Islam Gaddafi never held an official government position but was considered the second most influential figure in Libya between 2000 and 2011, after his father. Muammar Gaddafi was killed in 2011, ending his decades-long rule. Saif was imprisoned in Zintan that same year and released in 2017.

The lack of official statements leaves questions about the motive and perpetrators of the killing, as Libya continues to face political instability and fragmented authority.

The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has announced that users must cancel the registration of their mobile phones before transferring or selling them. The directive follows the full implementation of the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) system, which became fully operational on January 1. According to a notice from BTRC’s Spectrum Division, the NEIR aims to ensure transparency and security in mobile phone management across the country.

BTRC stated that all active mobile phones on the national network have been automatically registered under the NEIR system. The initiative is designed to curb the use of illegal and stolen mobile devices. The commission further clarified that deregistration is also required when changing SIM cards or transferring a registered phone to another user. The process requires the last four digits of the national ID or passport number used during SIM purchase.

For more information, users are advised to visit neir.btrc.gov.bd, call the BTRC helpline at 100, or seek assistance from customer care centers of mobile operators.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has reported that the X (formerly Twitter) account of its Secretary General, Mia Golam Porwar, was hacked just days after the party chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman’s account was compromised. The hackers allegedly posted objectionable content from Porwar’s account, which was later deleted by the party’s social media team. The incident was disclosed at an emergency press conference held at Jamaat’s central office on Tuesday night, where the party announced plans to take legal action.

At the briefing, Jamaat’s central election committee member Engineer Sirajul Islam claimed that the earlier hacking of the party chief’s account had originated from an email linked to Bangabhaban, suggesting possible wider access to multiple devices. He urged the government to investigate the extent of the hackers’ control and warned that such cyberattacks could be used for data theft and conspiracies. Jamaat leaders condemned the attacks, describing them as part of a broader plot against the party.

Assistant Secretary General Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair also issued a statement condemning the hacking and called on authorities to identify and act against those responsible.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami announced that its Secretary General, Mia Golam Porwar’s X (formerly Twitter) account was hacked on Tuesday night. After the breach, offensive content was posted from his account, which was later deleted by the party’s social media team. Jamaat leaders said legal action would be taken soon. The incident was disclosed at an emergency press conference held at the party’s central office.

Engineer Sirajul Islam, a member of Jamaat’s central election committee, said the attack might be connected to a previous hacking of the party chief’s X account, allegedly carried out using an email from Bangabhaban. He urged the government to investigate the extent of the hackers’ control over devices and systems. Jamaat’s Assistant Secretary General and media chief, Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, condemned the hacking and described it as part of a broader conspiracy targeting party leaders.

The party reiterated its earlier claim that a government email address had been misused in a phishing attempt that compromised the Jamaat chief’s account, calling for accountability and stronger cyber protections.

The National Citizens Party (NCP) has alleged that unethical 'election engineering' activities are underway ahead of Bangladesh’s upcoming 13th national election. At a press conference held Tuesday evening at the party’s temporary central office in Dhaka’s Banglamotor, NCP leaders claimed that the Election Commission has lost its neutrality and that state institutions, including the police and administration, are working to favor one political party. They also accused authorities of appointing presiding officers based on political ideology, warning that such actions could render the election fraudulent.

The NCP further alleged that its candidates and workers from the 11-party alliance are facing widespread violence and obstruction during campaigning. The party cited incidents of attacks, arson, and intimidation in several districts, including Comilla, Narsingdi, and Narayanganj. It also accused the BNP of engaging in both violence and vote-buying, claiming that a mobile court recently sentenced six individuals for distributing money in Mymensingh-11. The NCP called for impartial action from the Election Commission and administration to ensure a free and fair election.

The party warned that without immediate corrective measures, the election’s credibility could be questioned even before polling begins.

Online and multimedia-based news platform Asia Post has officially begun its operations in Dhaka. The inauguration took place on Sunday, February 1, at 3 p.m. at the outlet’s headquarters through a modest prayer ceremony attended by around one hundred officials, journalists, staff, and invited guests. The event included prayers and well-wishes for the organization’s future journey and was held in the studio room of the headquarters.

Asia Post Limited’s Chairman Moshahed Hasan, Editor Palash Mahmud, and senior department heads including Ishaq Ahmed Chowdhury, Shakil Faruk, Shamsuzzaman Shams, A.H. Murad, Sajjad Hossain, and Zubair Ahmed were present. Head of News Shakil Faruk said the post–August 5 period has brought new challenges and opportunities for journalism in Bangladesh, and Asia Post aims to harness those opportunities through quality journalism. Editor Palash Mahmud stated that the initiative was launched to ensure independent and responsible media operations.

Chairman Moshahed Hasan expressed the goal of making Asia Post one of the country’s leading media organizations and creating an environment where employees can thrive professionally and personally.

Inkilab Monch has demanded an international investigation under United Nations supervision into the killing of Shaheed Osman Hadi, alleging state negligence and non-cooperation in the ongoing inquiry. The group announced its position at a press conference held on Tuesday, February 3, at Dhaka University’s Madhur Canteen. Member Secretary Abdullah Al Jaber urged Interim Government Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus to send a formal request to the UN within 24 hours for such an investigation.

Jaber claimed that the domestic investigation process is being used to shield the real perpetrators, noting that despite 53 days since the shooting and 47 days since Hadi’s death, no suspects have been identified. He also alleged that key information is being withheld from him as the case’s complainant and expressed concern about possible forgery of his signature. Drawing a parallel with the Rafik Hariri assassination case, he argued that only a UN-led inquiry could ensure justice.

The organization also raised issues regarding the upcoming 13th national election, calling for body cameras for security forces at vulnerable polling centers and measures against the use of illegal money and muscle power.

Former Pakistani Prime Minister and imprisoned PTI leader Imran Khan has undergone eye surgery and is gradually recovering, according to party chairman Barrister Gohar Khan. The update, shared on Tuesday, was based on information from Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi. The operation took place last week at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences after Khan experienced severe eye pain. Doctors had warned that without treatment, there was a risk of losing his eyesight.

Gohar Khan disclosed the details after family members were allowed to meet Imran Khan in prison, where only Bushra Bibi was present during the visit. He stated that no political discussions took place at that time. Gohar also alleged irregularities in the prison’s meeting policies, arguing that there is no written restriction on political discussions and that all parties should be treated equally under the law.

He described the authorities’ refusal to allow him to meet the PTI founder as regrettable and urged that prison visits should not be politicized. Imran Khan has also sent a message for his party and legal team, which Gohar Khan will deliver.

A Dhaka court has postponed the submission date for the further investigation report in the murder case of Inquilab Moncho convener Sharif Osman Hadi for the fifth time. The new date has been set for February 9 after the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) failed to submit the report on Tuesday. Metropolitan Magistrate Md. Sefatullah made the decision, confirmed by court prosecution officer SI Ruknuzzaman. CID’s Assistant Superintendent of Police Abdur Kadir Bhuiyan, the current investigating officer, could not present the report.

Earlier, on January 6, the Detective Branch (DB) police had filed a charge sheet against 17 accused. However, the plaintiff, Abdullah Al Jaber, member secretary of Inquilab Moncho, expressed dissatisfaction with the DB investigation and filed a petition of objection on January 15. Following this, the court ordered the CID to conduct a further investigation.

Sharif Osman Hadi, known for his role in the July uprising, had announced his candidacy as an independent for the Dhaka-8 constituency in the upcoming 13th parliamentary election. He was shot by motorcycle-borne assailants during campaigning on December 12 and later died in Singapore on December 18. Five of the accused, including prime suspect Faisal Karim Masud, remain absconding.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs of Bangladesh has completed the housing arrangements for all Hajj pilgrims in Saudi Arabia, overcoming earlier concerns about delays. According to the Saudi roadmap, the housing process was required to be completed by February 1, 2026. Mohammad Shafiuzzaman Bhuiyan, Deputy Secretary of the Hajj Wing, confirmed on February 3 that the task was successfully finished within the deadline.

Earlier, progress in renting houses for private Hajj pilgrims in Makkah and Madinah had been slow, prompting repeated reminders from the ministry to lead agencies. As of January 27, half of the private pilgrims’ accommodations were still pending, raising doubts about their participation. The ministry had warned that agencies failing to meet the deadline would be held responsible, which could affect their future operations.

The Hajj is scheduled to take place on May 26, 2026, depending on moon sighting, with flights beginning on April 18. A total of 78,500 Bangladeshi pilgrims will perform Hajj this year under both government and private management.