BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Thursday warned voters across three northern districts that conspiracies to manipulate the February 12 national election were still underway, urging them to remain vigilant to protect their votes and ballot boxes until counting is complete. Addressing successive election rallies in Rajshahi, Naogaon and Bogura, Tarique alleged that although one political force responsible for past vote rigging had fled the country, another group—previously aligned with it—was now attempting to interfere with the electoral process from behind the scenes. “The conspiracy of one party has not ended yet. One party has fled the country, but another one is still there. They acted together in the past, and at different times they continue to act quietly,” he said at a rally at Atim Field in Naogaon. He urged voters to stay alert so that “no one can divert votes through conspiracy”, recalling alleged irregularities in past elections, including ballot stuffing and night-time voting. “Do you remember what happened in earlier elections? Sometimes empty boxes were shown, sometimes full boxes appeared like magic. You must guard the ballot boxes until the very end,” he said. Tarique specifically called on voters in Naogaon and Joypurhat to arrive at polling centres early on election day. “Offer Tahajjud prayers, perform Fajr prayers near the centres, and once voting begins, stand in line and cast your votes,” he said. He also warned against a repeat of what he described as “dummy voting” tactics. “You have seen lines that do not move, while votes are stamped inside. You must remain cautious about these tricks,” he said. Seeking votes for BNP candidates contesting with the sheaf of paddy symbol, Tarique said there had been no meaningful improvement in people’s lives over the past 16 years. “Yes, there are flyovers and tall buildings in Dhaka and a few cities. There were mega projects, but mega projects only meant mega corruption,” he said. He said BNP’s priority was to change the lives of people in villages, upazilas and district towns by ensuring education, empowering women, creating jobs for unemployed youth and guaranteeing public safety. “If people stand by us, no one can stop the change,” he said, adding that BNP’s survival despite 17 years of repression proved its grassroots support. At the Naogaon rally, Tarique announced plans to improve railway connectivity, establish cold storage facilities for agricultural produce, and provide special incentives for agro-based entrepreneurs. He said northern districts, despite producing rice and mangoes, suffer due to the lack of preservation and transport facilities. Earlier in the day, addressing a rally at Rajshahi Madrasa Ground, Tarique struck a conciliatory tone, stressing that BNP seeks peace, not conflict, and calling on the interim government to ensure a fair investigation into the recent incident in Sherpur that left one person dead. “If any unwarranted incident occurs anywhere, it is the responsibility of the interim government to conduct a proper investigation. If any BNP member is found involved, we will fully cooperate,” he said. He emphasised communal harmony, saying people of all religions want to live peacefully. “We do not want to see religion—we want to see people, we want to see Bangladeshis,” he said. Tarique said that if BNP comes to power, it would waive agricultural loans of up to Tk 10,000 including interest, introduce farmer cards for timely access to fertiliser and seeds, and begin work on the long-delayed Padma Barrage to revive agriculture in the north. He also outlined plans to restart the Barind Project, make the Rajshahi IT Park operational, establish vocational institutes, build specialised hospitals, and expand cold storage for mango farmers. “The change that took place on August 5, 2024 must now translate into change in people’s lives. That is why the February 12 election is so important,” he said. Tarique said voters would decide whether the country moves towards democracy or returns to a system centred on mega projects rather than people’s welfare. His wife, Dr Zubaida Rahman, was present at the Rajshahi rally. Thousands of party leaders and supporters attended the events as part of BNP’s campaign across the northern region.

The Election Commission (EC) on Thursday said the government employees are not allowed to campaign in favour of either ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ in the upcoming referendum. The commission has issued the directive in a letter sent to all Returning Officers across the country. “Any person employed in the service of the Republic may inform and raise awareness among the people about the referendum. But they are strictly prohibited from calling upon people in any manner to cast votes either in favour of ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ in the referendum,” said the letter. The letter signed by EC Deputy Secretary Mohammad Munir Hossain cited that relevant provisions, section 21, of the Referendum Ordinance, 2025 and, Article 86, of the Representation of the People Order (RPO), 1972. “Such activities may influence the outcome of the referendum and would be counted as a punishable offence under Section 21 of the Referendum Ordinance, 2025 and Article 86 of the RPO, 1972,” said the letter. The EC asked the returning officers to take necessary measures in accordance with the legal provisions. Earlier on Tuesday, Election Commissioner Anwarul Islam Sarker said officials assigned to perform election duties will carry out publicity about the referendum but won’t campaign for or against any side. “Our position on the referendum is that we are encouraging people to participate in it. However, those entrusted with election duty will not legally work in favour of or against any side,” he said. The Election Commissioner said returning officers, assistant returning officers and other election officials would carry out publicity related to the referendum but would not take sides. “No returning officer or assistant returning officer is campaigning for any side. Those appointed as returning officers cannot do that,” he claimed. On December 11, the Election Commission announced the schedule to hold the 13th parliament election and the referendum on the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order simultaneously on February 12 next.

Plainclothes Iranian security forces have rounded up thousands of people in a campaign of mass arrests and intimidation to deter further protests after crushing the bloodiest unrest since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, sources told Reuters. Modest protests that began last month in Tehran's Grand Bazaar over economic hardship unleashed long-suppressed wider grievances and swiftly escalated into the gravest existential threat to Iran's Shi'ite theocracy in nearly five decades, with protesters commonly calling for ruling clerics to step down. Authorities cut internet access and stifled the unrest with overwhelming force that killed thousands, according to rights groups. Tehran blames "armed terrorists" linked to Israel and the United States for the violence. Within days, plainclothes security forces launched a campaign of widespread arrests accompanied by an intensified street presence based around checkpoints, according to five activists who spoke on condition of anonymity from inside Iran. They said detainees had been placed in secret lockups. "They are arresting everyone," one of the activists said. "No one knows where they are being taken or where they are being held. With these arrests and threats, they are trying to inject fear into society." Similar accounts were given to Reuters by lawyers, medics, witnesses and two Iranian officials speaking on condition of anonymity to avoid retribution by security services. They said the roundups appeared aimed at preventing any serious revival of protests by spreading fear just as the clerical establishment faces rising external pressure. Uncertainty over the possibility of military action against the Islamic Republic has lingered since US President Donald Trump said last week that an "armada" was heading toward the country but that he hoped he would not have to use it. On Wednesday, however, he doubled down on his threats by demanding Iran negotiate curbs on its nuclear programme, warning that any future US attack would be "far worse" than one day of airstrikes last June on three nuclear sites. Multiple Western and Middle Eastern sources told Reuters this week that Trump is weighing options against Iran that include targeted strikes on security forces and leaders to inspire protesters, although Israeli and Arab officials said air power alone would not topple the clerical rulers. ROUNDED UP FOR PROTESTS IN PREVIOUS YEARS One of the activists said security forces were detaining not only people accused of involvement in the latest unrest but also those arrested during protests in previous years, "even if they had not participated this time, plus members of their families". The latest death toll compiled by the US-based HRANA rights group stands at 6,373 - 5,993 protesters, 214 security personnel, 113 under-18s and 53 bystanders. Arrests stand at 42,486, according to HRANA. Judiciary officials have warned that “those committing sabotage, burning public property and involved in armed clashes with security forces” could face death sentences. UNOFFICIAL DETENTION CENTRES, THOUSANDS OF ARRESTS Two Iranian officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed to Reuters that thousands of arrests had been carried out in the past few days. They said many detainees were being held in unofficial detention sites, "including warehouses and other improvised locations", and the judiciary was acting quickly to process cases. Iranian authorities declined to comment publicly on the number of arrests, or say where the unrest-related detainees were held. Authorities said on Jan 21 that 3,117 were killed in the unrest, including 2,427 civilians and security personnel. Amnesty International reported on Jan 23 that "sweeping arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances, bans on gatherings and attacks to silence families of victims mark the suffocating militarisation imposed in Iran by the Islamic Republic’s authorities in the aftermath of protest massacres". Arrests are continuing across the sprawling country, from small towns to the capital, witnesses and activists said. "They arrested my brother and my cousin a few days ago,” said a resident of northwestern Iran who asked not to be named. "They stormed our home in plainclothes, searched the entire house, and took all the laptops and mobile phones. They warned us that if we make this public, they will arrest all of us." FAMILIES FRANTIC OVER MISSING YOUNG PEOPLE More than 60 percent of Iran's 92 million people are under the age of 30. Although the latest protests were snuffed out by the security forces, clerical rulers will eventually risk more demonstrations if the heavy repression persists, according to rights activists. Three Iranian lawyers told Reuters that dozens of families had approached them in recent days seeking help for relatives who had been detained. "Many families are coming to us asking for legal assistance for their detained children,” one lawyer said. "Some of those arrested are under 18 - boys and girls." Human rights groups have long said Iranian security organs use informal detention sites during periods of serious unrest, holding detainees without access to lawyers or family members for extended periods. Five doctors told Reuters that protesters wounded during protests had been removed from hospitals by security forces and dozens of doctors had been summoned by authorities or warned against helping injured demonstrators. Prison authorities denied holding wounded protesters. "They have arrested many doctors and nurses who helped wounded protesters...They are arresting everyone," said one of the doctors. Families of five detainees told Reuters the lack of information about their whereabouts itself had become a form of punishment. "We don’t know where they are, whether they are still alive, or when we’ll see them,” said an Iranian man whose daughter was arrested. "They took my child as if they were arresting a terrorist. My child protested because all young people (just) want to have a better life. My child is a young person who only took part in protests."