File photo. DHAKA, Jan 29, 2026 (BSS) - The Election Commission (EC) has issued a clarification regarding the use of banners in connection with the 13th national parliamentary election scheduled to be held on February 12. According to the EC's directive, banners measuring no more than 10 feet by 4 feet can be used. EC has sent a letter to the returning officers in this regard.
The MoU was signed to expand cooperation in information technology and e-governance, said an official handout adding this agreement advances the partnership that began last year when The Gambia adopted Bangladesh's MyGov platform. Abdur Rofiq, Abdullah Al Fahim, Head of Program Management along with other senior officials of the a2i Programme were present as Bangladesh representatives. The Gambian delegation was led by Patheh Jah, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Service. The delegation included senior officials from the Office of the President, Ministry of Public Service, Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, National Records Service, Gambia ICT Agency, Accountant General's Department, Central Bank of The Gambia, and the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, among others. He added that both countries deserve praise for moving toward the development of solutions suited to delivering citizen-friendly public services.
Health and Family Welfare Adviser Nurjahan Begum. File photoDHAKA Jan 29, 2026 (BSS) - Health and Family Welfare Adviser Nurjahan Begum has called upon private organizations, particularly NGOs, to increase their activities in the health sector alongside the government to ensure health services reach marginalized communities. "NGOs are already involved in areas such as maternal and child health, non-communicable diseases, elderly health care, and control of tobacco and tobacco product use. I hope NGOs would continue to work alongside the government to ensure health services reach marginalized communities," she said. Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter and Chief Adviser's Special Assistant for Health and Family Welfare Ministry Professor Dr. Md.
The half-day meeting was organized by ADD International as part of its community-based mental health and suicide prevention initiatives. Speakers noted that suicide remains a major public health concern in Bangladesh, particularly among adolescents and young adults. The highest suicide mortality rate, 28 per 100,000, was recorded among those aged 18–24. Professor Kamal UA Chowdhury of the University of Dhaka said Bangladesh has adequate policies and technical capacity on suicide prevention, but community-level implementation remains weak. The meeting also discussed Section 7.13 of the National Mental Health Policy 2022, which calls for a national suicide prevention strategy involving all stakeholders.
As a result, income tax returns for the 2025-26 tax year can now be filed until Feb 28. This is the third time the deadline has been extended by the tax collecting body. It was then extended to Dec 31 and then to Jan 31.In the current tax year, filing returns online has been made mandatory. Authorised representatives of taxpayers can also file e-returns online this year. In addition, those who are unable to file returns online have been asked to apply to the concerned tax commissioner by Feb 15.
Patricia Jean Cochran, 84 of Fort Smith passed away Monday, January 26, 2026 in a local hospital. She was retired owner/operator of Fianna Hills Liquor Store in Fort Smith. She was preceded in death by her husband Clifford LeRoy Cochran Sr.; her parents Harold and Evelyn (Greenleaf) Stull. She is survived by her two daughters, Caren King and husband William of Van Buren, Cheryl Ray of Van Buren; two sons, Clifford LeRoy Cochran Jr and wife Dora of Fort Smith, Brian Adams and wife Stacy of Leesburgh, Ohio; one sister, Terry Allen and husband John of La Quinta, California; six grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Cremation arrangement is under the direction of Ocker Funeral Home in Van Buren.
Photo: BSSDHAKA, Jan 29, 2026 (BSS) - Dr. Jeff Keshen, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Regina, Canada, today called on Dhaka University (DU) Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan at the DU Vice Chancellor's office. He was accompanied by Associate Vice-President Haroon Chaudhry and Associate Professor Dr. Muhammad Asadullah of the University of Regina, according to a DU press release. During the meeting, the two sides discussed strengthening ongoing joint education and research programs and expanding collaboration in areas including international relations, political science, agriculture, business, engineering, physics, chemistry, social work, criminology, and psychology. The discussion also focused on exchanging academic resources, publications, faculty, students, and researchers between the two universities, the release added. The two universities had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 2023 to launch joint education and research programs.
Afran Nisho has been named Best Actor at this year’s National Film Awards, while Aynun Nahar Putul has won Best Actress. “Saatao” has been awarded the honour of Best Film. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting announced the National Film Awards for 2023 on Thursday night, publishing a gazette listing winners across 28 categories, recognising 30 films, artistes and technicians. Alongside winning Best Film, Saatao director Khandaker Suman has also received the Best Director award. This year’s Lifetime Achievement Award will be conferred jointly on late filmmaker Tareque Masud and late cinematographer-director Abdul Latif Bachchu.
In the latest development on Thursday, the Sherpur upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) and the officer-in-charge (OC) of the local police station were withdrawn following the incident, officials confirmed. BNP calls violence ‘unwarranted’On Thursday, BNP Election Steering Committee spokesperson Mahdi Amin described the Sherpur violence as “unwarranted” and called for a quick, impartial investigation. Speaking at a press conference at the BNP Election Office in Gulshan, he questioned how the situation escalated and whether it could have been avoided. He alleged that Jamaat leaders occupied all the chairs at the venue despite seat allocations made by the administration and ignored repeated requests to de-escalate. Mahdi also said more than 40 BNP leaders and activists were injured, several critically.
Election Commission (EC) officials said the previous parliamentary election in 2024, which did not include a referendum, cost Tk2,276 crore. “We initially received funds only for the national election,” EC Additional Secretary KM Ali Nawaz told Dhaka Tribune. Election management and logistics will cost Tk1,200 crore, while Tk515 crore has been allocated as honorariums for election officials. Officials noted that election costs have risen steadily over time due to increased security needs, expanded logistics and rising prices. The 11th parliamentary election in 2018 cost Tk700 crore, compared with Tk265 crore in 2014 and Tk165 crore in 2008.
For this purpose, the elected members will take a separate oath and complete the reform process within 180 days." Rather, he stated that the elected members of parliament would carry out this responsibility. In other words, the elected representatives will function as the government, not the interim government, the statement explained. According to the Article 7 of the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order, 2025-7. According to the Order, once constitutional reform is completed within 180 working days from the start of the parliamentary session, the Constitutional Reform Council will be dissolved.
Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan speaks at city hotel workshop on updating Bangladesh’s Red List of fauna. Photo : PIDDHAKA, Jan 29, 2026 (BSS) - Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan today said the objective of updating Bangladesh's red list of fauna is to gradually increase the number of species classified as endangered. The workshop was held under "Updating the Red List of Fauna of Bangladesh", being implemented by the Forest Department with technical support from International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Bangladesh. Syeda Rizwana said the government is establishing a wildlife conservation wing in the country, but that alone is not sufficient. Detailed technical discussions were held across nine taxonomic groups, focusing on the scope, methodology, coordination framework and timeline of Red List assessments.
The 50th Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) preliminary (MCQ-type) examination will be held on Friday from 10 am to 12 noon at 21 centers in Khulna metropolitan area. To ensure the smooth and peaceful conduct of the examination, Khulna Metropolitan Police (KMP), exercising powers under Sections 29 and 30 of the Khulna Metropolitan Police Ordinance, 1985, has imposed restrictions from 7:00 am on the exam day until the end of the test, reports BSS. According to a public notice signed by KMP Commissioner Md Zulfikar Ali Haider, the assembly of five or more persons, processions, and roaming within a 200-yard radius of the examination centers will be prohibited. Carrying weapons, knives, sticks, explosives or similar items will also be banned in the examination areas. Legal action will be taken against anyone violating the order, added the notice.
Republic employees barred from campaigning for 'Yes' or 'No' in referendum: ECFile photoDHAKA, Jan 29, 2026 (BSS) - The Election Commission (EC) has said employees of the republic are not permitted to campaign in favor of either 'Yes' or 'No' in the upcoming referendum scheduled for February 12. However, the EC clarified that government employees may engage in activities to inform the public and raise awareness about the referendum, provided they remain neutral and do not advocate for any particular outcome. In this regard, the Election Commission has issued a directive to all returning officers. According to the letter, any attempt by republic employees to influence the outcome of the referendum would be considered a punishable offense under Section 21 of the Referendum Ordinance, 2025, and Article 86 of the Representation of the People Order, 1972.
Bangladesh's non-resident High Commissioner to Lesotho, Shah Ahmed Shafi. File photoDHAKA, Jan 29, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh's non-resident High Commissioner to Lesotho, Shah Ahmed Shafi, today formally presented his Letters of Credence to King Letsie III, reaffirming Dhaka's commitment to strengthening bilateral relations. High Commissioner Shafi, based in Pretoria, presented the credentials to Lesetho King Letsie III at a formal ceremony held at the Royal Palace in Maseru, according to a message received here. During the meetings, the discussions focused on enhancing bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Lesotho, expanding trade and commercial cooperation, and exploring other areas of mutual interest. King Letsie III welcomed the initiative and conveyed his consent to send a high-level business delegation to Bangladesh in the first quarter of the year, said the release.
