The Election Commission (EC) has set specific time limits for the use of microphones and sound-amplifying devices during the campaign period for Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliamentary Election. Campaigning began just after midnight on Wednesday, January 21, and will continue until 7:30 a.m. on February 10. According to the EC, microphones or other sound-enhancing devices may only be used between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. in any electoral area.

The EC further stated that no candidate, political party, or their representatives may use more than three microphones or loudspeakers simultaneously at a single public meeting. However, this restriction does not apply to general campaign announcements. Additionally, the sound level of microphones or amplifying devices used in election campaigns must not exceed 60 decibels.

This election marks the first time that campaigning has begun without the use of posters, signaling a shift in campaign practices as the country moves toward the February 10 polling day.

RAB-7 has arrested two suspects in connection with the killing of RAB Deputy Assistant Director Abdul Motaleb and the vandalism of government property in Jungle Salimpur, Sitakunda, Chattogram. The arrests took place on Thursday afternoon in two separate operations in different parts of Chattogram city. The detainees were identified as Md. Yunus Ali Hawlader, 62, from Patuakhali’s Mirzaganj, and Khandaker Zahid Hossain, 39, from Noakhali’s Hatiya. They have been handed over to Sitakunda police.

According to RAB, the incident occurred on January 19 when armed assailants attacked RAB members during an operation to capture terrorists in Jungle Salimpur. Around four to five hundred attackers, mobilized through loudspeakers, assaulted the officers with local weapons, injuring four members. Abdul Motaleb was declared dead at Chattogram CMH, while three others remain hospitalized.

Following the attack, RAB-7 filed a case naming 29 individuals and 150–200 unidentified suspects. Intelligence surveillance and shadow investigations were launched to locate the fugitives, leading to Thursday’s arrests.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman announced that if his party wins the upcoming election, Bangladesh will be governed based on the Prophet’s principles of justice. He made the statement on Thursday afternoon while addressing a large public rally at the Alia Madrasa field in Sylhet. Rahman emphasized that the country’s interests are his top political priority, declaring “Bangladesh first,” and criticized the ruling party for what he described as subservience to foreign powers over the past fifteen years.

During his speech, Rahman accused the current government of widespread corruption and mismanagement, alleging that billions were looted in the name of development. He also pledged to create employment opportunities for youth both domestically and abroad to reduce unemployment. Addressing religious sentiments, he questioned the legitimacy of campaign promises made by rivals, calling for unity against what he termed falsehood and injustice.

Rahman further criticized past elections under the Awami League government, claiming that ballot boxes were seized and citizens’ voting rights were denied through manipulated polls over the last fifteen to sixteen years.

Afghan business representatives and leading Bangladeshi pharmaceutical manufacturers have reached a direct agreement to import medicines from Bangladesh to Afghanistan. The understanding was finalized during a visit to Dhaka by a delegation led by Afghanistan’s Deputy Minister of Commerce and Industry, Maulvi Ahmadullah Zahid. According to a statement from the Afghan ministry, the delegation visited two major Bangladeshi drug producers, Beximco Pharmaceuticals Limited and Renata PLC.

The statement described these companies as among Bangladesh’s top pharmaceutical exporters, currently supplying medicines to around 50 countries. During the visit, Deputy Minister Zahid invited Bangladeshi investors to establish pharmaceutical production facilities in Afghanistan, asserting that the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan fully supports industrial and manufacturing sectors and ensures all necessary facilities for investment.

Additionally, Dr. Naimullah Ayubi, Director General of the Department of Medicine and Health Product Regulation under Afghanistan’s Ministry of Public Health, said Bangladeshi manufacturers would receive full cooperation under existing policies. The agreement marks a step toward strengthening bilateral trade in pharmaceuticals between the two countries.

Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman visited the Chattogram area ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliament Election and referendum. During the visit, he met with senior military officials, divisional administration, and law enforcement representatives to discuss election security, law and order, and inter-agency coordination. A meeting was held at the Chattogram Circuit House on Thursday morning to review overall preparations and security plans for conducting the election and referendum peacefully, neutrally, and credibly.

In the meeting, the Army Chief emphasized professionalism, discipline, and neutrality in performing duties. He highlighted the importance of coordinated and effective roles among all relevant institutions to maintain law and order during the election period. He also instructed personnel to act with patience and a citizen-friendly attitude. The Army will remain active to ensure a fair election.

After the meeting, the Army Chief visited the Dampara Army Camp in Chattogram, reviewed the current law and order situation, and interacted with army members deployed under “In Aid to the Civil Power.” His schedule also included observing other key activities in the Chattogram area.

A press conference was held in Chapainawabganj demanding the arrest of Abdul Bashed Bacchu, managing director of Joyita Consumer Co-operative Society Limited, who allegedly fled after embezzling Tk 5 crore from around 200 customers. The event took place on Thursday afternoon at an office in the district town, organized by affected families seeking justice and the return of their money.

Executive member Abdullah Al Masum read a written statement, claiming Bacchu had long collected deposits from locals while running the NGO. After the death of Masum’s sister in 2022, Bacchu allegedly absconded with all the funds, halting the organization’s operations. Masum stated that his family had no involvement in financial transactions despite being listed on the executive committee.

Masum further alleged that several officials of the NGO secretly withdrew customer funds and filed 12 false cases against his family. The victims urged authorities to arrest Bacchu, recover the embezzled money, and conduct a fair investigation to ensure that innocent people are not harassed.

Israeli media reported that the country’s once-profitable agricultural export industry is facing a severe crisis as international opposition to Israel’s ongoing military actions in Gaza begins to affect trade. Orders for Israeli lemons and mangoes from Europe and Asia have nearly stopped, leaving farmers fearing a total collapse of this key economic sector. Some farmers, including orchard managers and former military officials, said they are operating at a loss since the war began.

According to reports from Kan 11 and Middle East Monitor, many farmers acknowledge that the main reason for the export decline is global outrage over Israel’s actions in Gaza, despite citing supply disruptions and Red Sea blockades. Some farmers have refused to sell produce to Gaza’s Palestinian market, even at the cost of heavy financial losses, citing ideological opposition to Hamas. The Citrus Growers Organization confirmed that no containers have been exported since the war started.

The crisis has left hundreds of tons of fruit rotting in northern Israel and forced producers to rely on local markets. Analysts noted that this agricultural decline reflects a broader economic downturn, with Israel’s overall economic activity dropping 26 percent in late 2023.

Barrister Rumin Farhana, an independent candidate from Brahmanbaria-2 constituency, has lodged serious allegations against the administration and police ahead of the upcoming national election. On Thursday, she submitted a written response to the Election Commission in Dhaka and spoke to journalists, claiming that her campaign workers were attacked, beaten, and their homes set on fire, yet no cases had been filed.

Farhana stated that she was forced to leave her constituency and come to Dhaka because she felt the authorities were not maintaining neutrality. She warned that if the administration failed to remain impartial, the situation could resemble previous controversial elections. In addition to notifying the Election Commission, she said she would meet with European Union observers to present her concerns.

Despite the alleged attacks, Farhana affirmed that she would not withdraw from the race and would continue campaigning until the end. She called on all political parties to ensure a fair election and vowed to resist any attempt to manipulate the process.

A Dhaka court has granted a six-day remand for Md. Rubel Ahmed, a close associate of Faisal Karim Masud, the prime accused in the murder of Inqilab Moncho spokesperson Shahid Sharif Osman Hadi. The order was issued on Thursday, January 22, 2026, by Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Jashita Islam. Rubel was arrested from his residence in Keraniganj the previous night. The Criminal Investigation Department’s Assistant Superintendent of Police Abdul Kadir Bhuiyan had sought a ten-day remand, while Assistant Public Prosecutor Jamal Uddin Margin supported the request. No defense lawyer was present during the hearing.

Hadi was shot on December 12 in Dhaka’s Paltan area while traveling after Friday prayers and later died on December 18 in Singapore while undergoing treatment. The case, initially filed as an attempted murder, was later converted into a murder case. On January 6, police submitted a charge sheet naming 17 accused, including former ward councilor Taizul Islam Chowdhury Bappi and Faisal Karim Masud.

Following dissatisfaction with the charge sheet, Inqilab Moncho’s member secretary Abdullah Al Jaber filed a petition for further investigation, which the court approved, directing the CID to submit a new report by January 25.

National Citizen Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam announced that eliminating mafia-led extortion networks across Dhaka-8 is the first agenda of the party’s candidate, Nasiruddin Patwari. He made the statement on Thursday during an election campaign event in front of the National Press Club. Nahid Islam also said that ensuring justice for the killing of Shaheed Osman Hadi, which occurred in the same constituency, is another major priority for Nasiruddin.

The NCP leader stated that Bangladesh is holding a national election after 16 years, during which citizens were deprived of their voting rights. He emphasized that nearly one thousand martyrs sacrificed their lives to restore this right, and urged voters to support reform by voting “yes” in the upcoming election. The NCP is participating nationwide as part of a ten-party electoral alliance, fielding 30 candidates under the “Shapla Kali” symbol.

Nasiruddin Patwari urged all political parties to honor the martyrs by supporting the “yes” vote and vowed to build a new Bangladesh free from impunity, corruption, and extortion, ensuring safety for all citizens and businesses.

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has revealed that two candidates in the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election still hold British citizenship despite 21 others declaring the renunciation of their foreign nationality. The anti-corruption watchdog stated that the names of the two candidates were not disclosed but would be reported to the relevant authorities. TIB also found that one candidate failed to declare a property worth £1.4 million in the UK, purchased in 2013 under the name of a declared dependent.

At a press conference held at TIB’s headquarters in Dhanmondi, Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman said that many affidavits submitted by candidates lacked transparency. He noted that 21 candidates earn income from foreign sources, 25 have movable assets or investments abroad, and 17 declared ownership of immovable property outside Bangladesh. TIB’s data shows that 87 percent of candidates are party-nominated, 13 percent are independent, and 48 percent are businessmen.

The organization highlighted that the intertwining of money, business, and religion in politics has created a hostage-like situation, undermining healthy political practices.

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 has granted the prosecution an additional two weeks to submit the investigation report against former Inspector General of Police (IGP) AKM Shahidul Haque and six others in a case over the killing of nine youths in Mirpur’s Jahazbari, Dhaka. The tribunal set February 3 as the new date for filing the report. The order was issued by Justice Md Mohitul Haque Enam Chowdhury’s single bench following a hearing on Thursday, where prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim sought more time citing progress in the investigation.

The case involves allegations that a staged militant operation at Jahazbari led to the deaths of nine young men, an incident now being treated as a crime against humanity. On the same day, former IGP Shahidul Haque and three other former police officials, including ex-DMP Commissioner Asaduzzaman Mia and former Mirpur Division Deputy Commissioner Jasim Uddin Molla, were produced before the tribunal.

The tribunal’s decision allows the prosecution additional time to complete its investigation before submitting the formal report for further legal proceedings.

The International Crimes Tribunal-2 has ordered the start of the trial against two top leaders of the banned organization Chhatra League, President Saddam Hossain and General Secretary Sheikh Wali Asif Inan, on charges of crimes against humanity committed during the July Revolution. The three-member panel, led by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, rejected the defendants’ plea for discharge and formally framed charges against them. The tribunal also ordered trials for five other accused, including former Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader and several senior political figures.

Prosecutors Mizanul Islam and Gazi M.H. Tamim argued on January 18 that the accused bore individual responsibility for inciting and directing killings of protesters during July and August. Defense lawyers Lokman Hawlader and Ishrat Jahan denied any involvement, citing lack of evidence and seeking acquittal. The tribunal set January 22 for the order after hearing both sides.

The accused failed to appear on January 8 despite being ordered to surrender. Authorities later appointed state defense lawyers and issued public notices after unsuccessful arrest attempts in late December.

Youth and Sports Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul announced that Bangladesh will not participate in the upcoming World Cup in India, citing no improvement in the security situation there. The decision was reaffirmed during a meeting held today at a five-star hotel in Dhaka with national cricketers to finalize Bangladesh’s stance on the tournament.

According to the report, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Aminul Islam Bulbul had requested additional time at an ICC meeting yesterday to convey the country’s final decision. Following that, the BCB held a joint discussion with government representatives and players. After the meeting, Dr. Nazrul confirmed that the government remains firm on its earlier position not to send the team to India due to security concerns.

The adviser emphasized that the government’s stance remains unchanged, and Bangladesh is not in favor of traveling to India under the current circumstances.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman, speaking at an election rally in Moulvibazar on Thursday, called on the interim government’s head and advisers to increase the protocol and security for certain unnamed political figures. Without mentioning any party by name, he said that if they required protocol, it should be made three times higher than what BNP receives. He argued that these individuals were misleading the public, and as people were becoming aware of it, there was a risk of public anger against them.

Rahman stated that his appeal was made on behalf of BNP and millions of supporters to ensure safety and avoid any untoward incidents. He recalled the role of some groups during the 1971 Liberation War, saying that people were now re-examining their actions from that period. He emphasized that history could not be erased and that the public had already seen their stance against the country.

He reiterated that as these individuals sought government protection, the interim administration should provide them with triple the protocol and security currently afforded to BNP leaders.