In the 13th National Parliament election for Comilla-11 (Chouddagram) constituency, BNP candidate Md. Kamrul Huda has declared significantly higher assets than Jamaat-e-Islami’s candidate Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher. According to affidavits submitted to the district returning officer, Kamrul Huda’s total assets amount to Tk 10.07 crore, with an annual income of Tk 80.53 lakh. His movable assets, including Tk 2.86 crore in cash, vehicles, jewelry, and furniture, exceed Tk 8.8 crore, while his wife owns assets worth Tk 1.03 crore.

Dr. Taher, Jamaat’s central Nayeb-e-Ameer, reported total assets of Tk 1.80 crore, while his wife Dr. Habiba Akter Chowdhury holds Tk 4.64 crore in assets, including property valued at around Tk 5.5 crore. Between 2011 and 2018, Dr. Taher faced 37 cases, of which 17 were withdrawn in 2024–2025, and he was acquitted or discharged from the rest. His wealth reportedly decreased from Tk 1.02 crore in 2008 to Tk 1.80 crore in 2026, which local Jamaat leaders attributed to political and business losses.

Bangladesh’s Ministry of Religious Affairs has issued new instructions regarding the management of Hajj flights for 2026, scheduled to begin on April 18. The ministry sent letters on January 11 to Hajj agency owners and three airlines responsible for transporting pilgrims, directing them to strictly follow Saudi government regulations and the ‘Hajj Package and Guideline 2026’.

According to the directive, all pilgrims under the same service company must travel to Saudi Arabia on the same flight. Each Hajj agency must send at least 20 percent of its total pilgrims during the mid-phase of pre-Hajj flights, while 30 to 50 percent must travel during the first and last phases. The ministry also clarified that no agency may issue less than 30 percent or more than 50 percent of tickets in either the first or last phase.

The ministry urged all concerned parties to take necessary measures for flight management and ticket issuance in line with the prescribed guidelines.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has completed sending postal ballots to expatriate voters ahead of the upcoming 13th parliamentary election and referendum. The EC warned that any political campaigning on ballot envelopes sent to registered voters will be treated as a punishable offense. Salim Ahmad Khan, team leader of the OCV-SDI project, confirmed the information on Sunday. The EC also urged voters registered through the Postal Vote BD app to collect their ballots personally and maintain secrecy, warning that violations could lead to National ID card blocking and legal action.

According to the EC, postal ballots were sent to expatriate voters between December 20 and January 8, and many have already received them. After election symbols are allocated on January 21, expatriates will cast their votes and return the ballots to the returning officers. Within Bangladesh, 761,141 voters registered under the in-country postal vote category, and their ballots will be sent after symbol allocation. The EC reported a total of 1,533,683 registered postal voters through the Postal Vote BD app.

The entire domestic postal voting process is expected to take about seven days, according to EC officials.

The European Union has decided to send a large election observation mission to Bangladesh for the 13th national parliamentary election. The decision was conveyed by Ivars Ijabs, chief observer of the EU Election Observation Mission and a member of the European Parliament, during a meeting in Dhaka with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus. Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam briefed reporters at the Foreign Service Academy, saying the meeting discussed election preparations, a level playing field, and the upcoming referendum.

According to the briefing, the EU views the upcoming election as historic and has not sent observers to Bangladesh during the previous 16 years of Sheikh Hasina’s rule. Ijabs noted that the last three elections were not credible but expressed optimism about the current atmosphere. Yunus assured that the election and referendum would be free, fair, and peaceful, with equal opportunity for all parties. Security measures will include CCTV and body-worn cameras at polling centers, and the army will act as a rapid response force.

The chief adviser also said official campaigning will begin on January 22, describing the EU’s observer decision as recognition of Bangladesh’s democratic progress.

The Election Commission of Bangladesh has reinstated the nomination of Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Dr. Abdul Mobin for the Chandpur-2 (Matlab North and Matlab South) parliamentary seat. The decision was made on Sunday at 11 a.m. following an appeal hearing at the Election Commission building in Agargaon. His nomination had previously been canceled during the scrutiny process due to a signature error in his affidavit.

Dr. Mobin appealed the cancellation, and after reviewing his case, the commission declared his nomination valid. Following the decision, he expressed satisfaction, stating that justice had been achieved through a lawful process. He also called on party leaders and activists to unite and engage actively in the upcoming election campaign.

According to the report, six candidates’ nominations were initially rejected in the Chandpur-2 constituency. After appeals and hearings, several were reinstated. Observers believe Dr. Mobin’s return to the race adds a new dimension to the electoral competition in the area.

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said on Sunday that social media could become the biggest challenge in the upcoming national election, warning that individuals from the former government might spread misinformation. He assured that law enforcement agencies are fully prepared to maintain order. Alam made these remarks during a briefing on current affairs at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka.

He also confirmed that the European Union (EU) will send a large observer team for the upcoming election, marking the first such mission after the EU declined to send observers to the previous three elections, which it deemed unacceptable. Alam emphasized that the interim government is not giving any political party extra advantages and that a fair level playing field currently exists.

Discussing the Chief Adviser’s meeting with the EU ambassador, Alam said the two sides also talked about a possible referendum. He added that the interim government may seek a “yes” vote and that all preparations have been made to ensure a free, peaceful, and credible election.

Islami Andolan Bangladesh’s Amir and Charmonai Pir Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim has called for a nationwide effort to secure a 'Yes' victory in the upcoming referendum on the July Charter. In a statement released to the media on Sunday, he said the thirteenth parliamentary election and the current opportunity to rebuild the nation were made possible by the July uprising, which he credited with freeing the country from fascism. He emphasized that while the previous regime was overthrown, fascist laws and culture still persist, and the July Charter was drafted to ensure their permanent removal.

Karim urged all political parties, candidates, and the government to actively build public support for the July Charter. He reiterated his earlier demand that the referendum and the national election be held separately, warning that holding them together would overshadow the Charter’s discussion. He expressed disappointment that the July Charter debate has faded from political discourse and cautioned that without strong public backing, the interim government and the election itself could face questions of legitimacy.

He also stressed that public safety remains a concern for holding a fair and festive election and called on the government to take effective measures to address it.

The Supreme Court’s Chamber Judge Court, led by Justice Md Rezaul Haque, has suspended a High Court verdict that ordered the restoration of the previous boundaries of Cumilla-1 and Cumilla-2 constituencies. The decision came on Sunday, January 11, following hearings on separate petitions filed by the Election Commission and an independent candidate challenging the earlier High Court ruling. Lawyers stated that the suspension removes any legal barriers to holding elections under the new constituency boundaries.

Earlier, on January 8, the High Court had declared parts of the Election Commission’s gazette on constituency redemarcation illegal and directed the Commission to reinstate the previous boundaries within 24 hours. The High Court’s order had sought to revert Cumilla-1 to include Daudkandi and Titas upazilas, and Cumilla-2 to include Homna and Meghna upazilas, instead of the new configuration.

The Chamber Judge’s suspension will remain effective until a leave-to-appeal petition is filed, allowing the Election Commission to proceed with elections under the new demarcation for now.

Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus announced three main areas of focus for his post-election activities during a meeting with Akie Abe, wife of late Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, at the state guesthouse Jamuna in Dhaka on Sunday, January 11, 2026. Abe is visiting Bangladesh as head of a delegation from the Encouragement of Social Contribution Foundation. The information was shared by Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumdar at a briefing at the Foreign Service Academy.

According to the briefing, Dr. Yunus said his first priority will be improving digital healthcare to expand access for women and marginalized communities, including creating a system for expatriate Bangladeshis to monitor family health information digitally. His second focus will be continuing youth development and entrepreneurship programs, while the third will involve sustaining activities related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Majumdar also stated that Dr. Yunus plans to visit Japan in the third week of March at the invitation of the Sasakawa Foundation to discuss strengthening cooperation in marine and ocean research between Bangladesh and Japan.

Iran has issued a stern warning to the United States against any form of military intervention, threatening to attack all American bases across the Middle East. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that if the U.S. takes military action against the Islamic Republic, Tehran will immediately strike Israeli and American military and naval bases in the region. He emphasized that Iran would respond instantly to any perceived threat, identifying U.S. and Israeli installations as primary targets.

The warning followed reports that U.S. President Donald Trump was preparing to express support for ongoing protests in Iran. In response, Israel has reportedly placed its forces on high alert amid fears of a potential U.S. strike on Iran. Meanwhile, Iranian security forces have been accused of using harsh measures to suppress the protests, with reports of casualties over the past two days and widespread internet disruptions across the country.

The situation underscores escalating tensions between Tehran and Washington, with regional security on edge as both sides brace for possible confrontation.

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam stated that the interim government is not providing any political party with extra advantages ahead of the 13th National Parliament Election. He made the remarks on Sunday at a briefing on current affairs held at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka. According to him, a good level playing field currently exists for all parties.

Shafiqul Alam said the European Union will send a large observer team for the upcoming election, noting that the EU did not send observers in the past three elections as it considered them unacceptable. He identified social media as a major challenge, warning that misinformation could be spread by individuals linked to the former government. However, he assured that law and order is fully under control and that authorities are closely monitoring all incidents.

He also mentioned that the Chief Adviser discussed a referendum with the EU ambassador, indicating that the interim government may seek a “yes” vote. Preparations by the government and the Election Commission are reportedly complete to ensure a fair and peaceful election.

A seven-year-old Bangladeshi girl named Afnan was critically injured when a bullet fired from Myanmar struck her home in the Techchibridge area of Hwaikyang Union, Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar. The incident occurred amid intensified fighting between the Arakan Army and a Rohingya armed group in Myanmar’s Rakhine State. Afnan was first treated at the Kutupalong MSF hospital and later transferred to Chattogram Medical College Hospital (CMCH), where she remains in the intensive care unit. CMCH Director Brigadier General Taslim Uddin said the child was admitted around 4:30 p.m. on Sunday with a gunshot wound to the head and remains in extremely critical condition.

Earlier reports mistakenly claimed the child had died, prompting local protests and road blockades. Police later corrected the information, confirming that Afnan was alive but severely injured. Local authorities and law enforcement intervened to restore calm in the area. The child’s condition remains life-threatening, and doctors are monitoring her closely.

The cross-border incident has heightened tension in the border region, where stray gunfire from Myanmar’s internal conflict continues to pose risks to Bangladeshi civilians.

Pakistan has strongly rejected India’s comments regarding defense and other strategic cooperation between Islamabad and Dhaka. The Pakistani Foreign Ministry described the Indian statement as baseless and unwarranted, labeling it an unnecessary interference in bilateral relations. It emphasized that relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh are sovereign matters that do not require third-party consent.

India’s remarks came after its Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on January 9 that New Delhi was closely monitoring discussions between Pakistan and Bangladesh over the possible purchase of JF-17 Thunder fighter jets. The comment followed a meeting between Pakistan Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu and Bangladesh Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmud Khan, where both sides discussed defense cooperation and aircraft procurement.

According to Pakistan’s ISPR, the visit reflected efforts to transform historical ties into a long-term strategic partnership. Analysts cited in the report suggested that the meeting signals strengthening relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh amid recent diplomatic tensions between Dhaka and New Delhi.

The Dhaka Divisional Commissioner’s Office has issued a directive prohibiting the use of educational institutions for any election-related meetings, rallies, or campaign activities. The instruction, sent on Sunday, January 11, 2026, to the Director General of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (Maushi), emphasizes that no gatherings may be held in schools or colleges without prior approval from the returning officer.

The letter stated that the 13th National Parliamentary Election and a referendum are scheduled for February 12. Authorities have observed that some candidates or their supporters are organizing gatherings under the guise of seminars, receptions, or youth meetings to conduct election campaigns. It also noted that some educational institution heads have been allowing such events locally without official permission, which constitutes a clear violation of the electoral code of conduct.

The directive instructs all concerned to ensure strict compliance, preventing any unauthorized use of educational premises for political or promotional purposes during the pre-election period.

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said the European Union (EU) did not send observers to the past three national elections in Bangladesh because those polls, held during Hasina’s tenure, were deemed unacceptable. He made the remarks on Sunday during a briefing at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka, following a meeting between Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus and the EU ambassador.

Alam stated that the EU has now confirmed it will send a large observer mission for the upcoming election. He added that the current electoral environment offers a good level playing field, with no political party receiving extra privileges. He identified social media as a major challenge, warning that misinformation could be spread by members of the former government, though law enforcement agencies are fully prepared.

The press secretary also said both the government and the Election Commission believe the law and order situation remains stable. Discussions with the EU ambassador also covered the upcoming referendum, with the interim government possibly seeking a “yes” vote. Preparations are underway to ensure a fair, peaceful, and credible election.