Thirty-three inmates of Chandpur District Jail will exercise their voting rights through postal ballots in the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election and referendum. The Election Commission has arranged a special system allowing them to participate in the democratic process and vote for their preferred candidates within the designated timeframe.

According to the district administration and election office, a total of 46,436 voters have registered in Chandpur to vote by postal ballot. This group includes government officials, law enforcement members, election duty personnel, and prisoners. Jail Superintendent Mohammad Joynal Abedin Bhuiyan stated that although 650 inmates were in custody at the close of registration, only 33 applied to vote by postal ballot, including 31 men and two women.

Of the 33 applicants, 25 are voters from various constituencies within Chandpur district, while the remaining eight belong to other districts. The Election Commission’s guidelines will ensure that all eligible inmates cast their votes within the prescribed period.

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a reduction in tariffs on Indian goods following a phone conversation with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Under the new agreement, the U.S. will lower tariffs on Indian products from 25 percent to 18 percent, while India has pledged to eliminate tariffs and non-tariff barriers on American goods. Modi expressed gratitude to Trump for the decision, calling it beneficial for both nations.

Trump stated on his social media platform Truth Social that the discussion also covered the Russia–Ukraine war. He claimed Modi agreed to stop purchasing Russian oil and instead buy from the U.S. and Venezuela, leading to the removal of an additional 25 percent penalty previously imposed on India. As part of the deal, India will purchase over $500 billion worth of U.S. goods, including energy, technology, agricultural products, and coal.

The agreement follows months of trade tension after the U.S. imposed tariffs of up to 50 percent on Indian goods last August, sharply reducing Indian exports. The new deal is viewed as a major step toward easing that strain. (Sources: BBC, Reuters)

A representative of the National Citizen Party (NCP) was reportedly attacked by assailants in Debidwar upazila of Comilla. The incident occurred in Barkamata Union’s Ward No. 8, where NCP representative Mohammad Kawser Alam was allegedly stabbed and beaten by unidentified attackers, leaving him critically injured. The attack drew strong condemnation from Hasnat Abdullah, the NCP’s chief organizer for the southern region and the 11-party alliance candidate for Comilla-4 (Debidwar).

In a Facebook post at 11:45 p.m. on Monday, Abdullah denounced the assault, claiming it was part of a campaign of terror and intimidation that also included the burning of election banners earlier in the day. He vowed to pursue legal action against those responsible and expressed confidence that Debidwar residents would respond to the violence through their votes on the 12th.

Debidwar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Moniruzzaman confirmed that police visited the scene and began an investigation. He said the injured man is under treatment and that no formal complaint has yet been filed, but legal action will follow once a complaint is received.

Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) Vice President Abu Sadiq Kayem said that although the BNP’s central leadership has instructed members to support the 'Yes' vote in the upcoming referendum, many grassroots leaders and activists are instead backing the 'No' side. He made the remarks on Monday night while campaigning for the 'Yes' vote at a rally organized by the United Student Union Alliance at Shaheed Abu Sayeed Square in Rangpur city.

Kayem criticized a recent Election Commission circular that barred government officials from campaigning for the 'Yes' vote, demanding clarification on whose directive it was issued under. He accused the Commission of acting under questionable authority and called for state-led promotion of the 'Yes' campaign nationwide. Addressing BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman, Kayem expressed disappointment that some long-time opposition activists were hesitant to support the 'Yes' position.

He emphasized that the 'Yes' vote symbolizes justice, freedom, and the end of authoritarian and dynastic politics, asserting that leadership should be based on merit rather than family lineage.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has called on political opponents to engage in a competition of ideas and policies aimed at serving the nation and its people. He made the appeal on Monday at 10 p.m. through a post on his verified Facebook page, written in English, inviting rivals to join a 'battle of ideas' to determine who can better serve the citizens of Bangladesh.

In his post, Dr. Rahman emphasized the importance of debating policies, listening to the people, and formulating the best possible strategies for the country. He stated that Jamaat is demonstrating a different path of dialogue and listening through its daily activities. According to him, the people of Bangladesh have rejected violence in the past, continue to do so, and will reject it again, which he described as the way forward for the nation.

The statement reflects Jamaat-e-Islami’s attempt to position itself as a pro-dialogue political force focused on peaceful engagement and policy-based competition.

Zainal Abedin Shishir, the Joint Member Secretary of the National Citizen Party (NCP), has reported receiving a death threat through WhatsApp from a foreign phone number. The threat message warned that he would be shot before the upcoming election and that no one could save him. Shishir disclosed the incident on Monday evening through a post on his verified Facebook account, where he shared details of the threatening message.

In his Facebook post, Shishir stated that he had been repeatedly threatened both online and offline from the same number. He questioned whether he would be the next to be martyred after a colleague named Hadi and expressed his determination to continue fighting against oppression. He also wrote that the struggle against fascism and neo-fascism would continue, emphasizing that he and his associates would not stop their activism.

The report did not mention any official response or investigation regarding the threat, leaving the next steps in the matter unclear.

Senior Vice President of the Jatiyatabadi Central Volunteer Team, Yasin Ali, said that betraying the blood of the July fighters would not be tolerated by God. He made the remarks on Monday, February 2, during a rally in Ramganj, Lakshmipur, organized by the Upazila and Municipal Volunteer Team in support of BNP’s paddy-sheaf symbol candidate, Md. Shahadat Hossain Selim.

Yasin Ali accused the current government, led by Sheikh Hasina, of being fascist and claimed that many July fighters sacrificed their lives to save the country from such rule. He urged young voters, especially first-time voters, to cast their ballots for the paddy-sheaf symbol to save the nation. He also alleged that another faction of the Awami League was waiting to seize power.

Ali called on supporters to go to polling centers early on February 12 and remain until vote counting was complete. The event was chaired by Emran Hossain and attended by several central-level Volunteer Team leaders.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman declared that his party would remain faithful to the ideals of the July martyrs, pledging not to betray their sacrifices. Speaking as the chief guest at an election alliance rally of eleven parties held on Monday, February 2, at Padua ACM High School field in Lohagara upazila, he said the martyrs gave their lives for the nation and urged followers to continue on a clean political path rather than a corrupt one.

Dr. Rahman emphasized that those who accepted the events of the 24th were the true successors of the 26th, warning that those who did not would face a “red card.” He expressed confidence that the people of Bangladesh would make the right decision on the 12th and praised the youth for their leadership in past movements.

He further stated that the youth who fought and sacrificed would build the future of Bangladesh. Rejecting the idea of unemployment allowances, he promised to provide education, training, and dignified work opportunities for young men and women.

A political dispute erupted in Madhupur Union of Badarganj upazila, Rangpur, on Sunday night when a BNP election rally for the ‘Dhaner Shish’ candidate Md. Ali Sarkar was abruptly taken over by an Awami League leader. According to reports, Upazila BNP General Secretary and former JASAD leader Professor Azizul Haque removed Union BNP President Moksedul Haque from the chair and appointed Ward Awami League President Motka Enamul as the new chair of the meeting. In protest, BNP leaders and activists left the stage.

Local BNP supporters said the incident created tension in the area and could reduce votes for the BNP candidate. Moksedul Haque stated that he was elected by grassroots members and usually presides over all union-level meetings. He criticized the move to replace him with an Awami League leader, calling it damaging to the party’s image. Local BNP activists also warned that rehabilitating Awami League figures could alienate loyal supporters.

Professor Azizul Haque acknowledged the incident, saying party members were upset but that such issues occur in many places and would be resolved soon. He claimed the decision followed instructions from higher authorities and reflected the candidate’s strategy for the election.

Rajshahi University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Saleh Hasan Nakib announced that he will vote 'Yes' in the upcoming national referendum, describing it as a moral duty and a repayment of a 'blood debt' to those who sacrificed their lives during the July revolution. He made the remarks on February 2, 2026, while presiding over a discussion meeting on referendum awareness at the university’s Senate Building.

The Vice-Chancellor said that citizens had been deprived of voting rights for the past 16 years and that the referendum represents a turning point for the nation. He emphasized that the greatest change begins in people’s minds and warned against the return of unrestrained power practices. Referring to tensions surrounding the vote scheduled for the 12th, he said some groups want to restore the old system, but such efforts will fail because the fear that once gripped young people and ordinary citizens has disappeared.

He added that voting 'Yes' is not merely an expression of opinion but a tribute to the sacrifices of the youth and a symbol of national transformation.

Samomilito Islami Bank PLC held its fourth board meeting on Monday at the City Center in Motijheel, Dhaka. The meeting was chaired by the bank’s chairman, Mohammad Ayub Mia, PhD, and attended by members of the board of directors. The executive director in charge of the Bank Resolution Department of Bangladesh Bank also participated in the session.

Administrators from five banks currently undergoing merger processes with Samomilito Islami Bank were present at the meeting upon the board’s invitation. The gathering marked a continuation of the bank’s ongoing coordination with regulatory authorities and merging institutions.

The meeting reflected the bank’s efforts to advance its merger process and strengthen institutional collaboration under the supervision of Bangladesh Bank.

The Chattogram Port Protection Struggle Council has declared a 24-hour work stoppage starting at 8 a.m. Tuesday to protest the government’s decision to lease the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to a foreign company. The announcement was made Monday afternoon at the port building premises by the council’s coordinator and nationalist labor leader Md. Humayun Kabir.

According to Kabir, port workers and employees have been demonstrating for the past three days against what they describe as a conspiracy to hand over the port to foreign control. He said participation in the protests has been growing, disrupting import deliveries, container handling, and the movement of cargo vehicles inside the port. Kabir accused the government of ignoring the port’s interests and instead transferring leaders involved in the movement, which has further angered workers.

The council demanded an immediate halt to the process of appointing a foreign operator at NCT and the cancellation of transfer orders for protesting workers. Kabir warned that if these demands are not met, more severe programs will follow.

Industry leaders and policymakers have called for coordinated efforts to strengthen Bangladesh’s light engineering sector to make it more export-oriented and globally competitive. The call came at the opening of the three-day Bangladesh Light Engineering Expo 2026, organized by the Bangladesh Engineering Industry Owners Association (BAISHIMAS) in Dhaka on February 2. Speakers emphasized the need for capacity building, technological advancement, and policy support as the country prepares to graduate from Least Developed Country (LDC) status in November 2026, which will gradually reduce duty-free export benefits.

EC4J Project Director Md. Abdur Rahim Khan said Bangladesh has yet to fully capitalize on global opportunities in light engineering despite its growing importance in export structures. He stressed enhancing government implementation capacity and private sector innovation. World Bank specialist Hosna Ferdous Sumi highlighted quality compliance, production efficiency, and cost reduction as key challenges, while BAISHIMAS President Abdur Razzak noted the sector’s 3% GDP contribution and potential to reach USD 12.56 billion in exports by 2030 with proper policy and investment.

Speakers also underscored the need for technology transfer, research support, and easier financing to accelerate industrial diversification and domestic market growth.

BNP Vice Chairman and former minister Barkat Ullah Bulu has called Jamaat-e-Islami a group of hypocrites and urged people to boycott them. He made the remarks on Monday, February 2, 2026, while addressing an election rally at Eklashpur Bazar field in Begumganj, Noakhali, as the BNP candidate for the Noakhali-3 constituency. Bulu accused Jamaat of killing three million people during the 1971 Liberation War and alleged that the group continues to threaten BNP supporters.

During the rally, which was presided over by former Eklashpur Union BNP president Golam Mohiuddin Tipu, several BNP leaders including Mahabub Alamgir Alo, Shamima Barkat Lucky, Kamakhya Chandra Das, and Mahfuzul Haque Abed were present. Bulu further claimed that Jamaat had historically opposed both Pakistan’s and Bangladesh’s independence and exploited the public for financial gain.

He credited Bangladesh’s development to former President Ziaur Rahman and Begum Khaleda Zia, citing their contributions to overseas employment and remittance growth. Bulu urged voters to bring BNP to power through a “ballot revolution” on February 12.

Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim, Amir of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, stated that Bangladesh cannot be properly governed by corrupt individuals. Speaking on February 2, 2026, at a rally in Cumilla-09 (Laksam–Monoharganj), he said the nation’s founding goals of equality, human dignity, and social justice had been undermined by those who led the state after independence. He alleged that crimes such as murder, abduction, and rape have increased, and that illicit money transfers abroad have created areas like ‘Begumpara’.

He added that after the mass uprising, there had been hopes for a just state, but political allies preferred to continue under the existing system instead of establishing governance based on Sharia law. As a result, Islami Andolan Bangladesh is contesting the election independently under the ‘hand fan’ symbol. Candidate Selim Mahmud, who presided over the rally, called voting a sacred trust and urged voters to support Islam against extortionists and tender manipulators.

Mahmud pledged to work as a servant of the people, promising to make Laksam a district, Monoharganj a municipality, and Natherpetua a police station if elected.