As the possibility of introducing a bicameral legislature gains momentum, the Parliament Secretariat has begun exploring where a proposed 100-member Upper House could be accommodated inside the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban. If an Upper House is introduced, an additional 100 seats will be required. According to sources, a proposal is now under consideration to merge two adjacent galleries and renovate them to accommodate Upper House members. The tenure of the Upper House would remain valid until the final working day of the lower house. “The way the ‘Yes’ campaign has started makes it seem like one party is working much harder to secure Upper House seats than to ensure voter participation.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman on Sunday pledged to transform Dhaka into a safe and liveable city if his party comes to power, promising to improve urban safety, expand civic facilities, and address long-standing problems in the capital. Tarique Rahman formally launched his Dhaka campaign at 3:30pm through a street rally at ECB Square in Mirpur, which falls under his constituency, Dhaka-17. Introducing himself as the BNP candidate for Dhaka-17 with the party’s electoral symbol, the sheaf of paddy, Tarique Rahman said he was seeking voters’ support as a local resident. On the same day, Tarique Rahman addressed a series of street rallies in several constituencies of the capital. Referring to the BNP’s election manifesto unveiled the previous day, Tarique Rahman said the party had outlined plans to improve livelihoods.

BURIRAM, Thailand, Feb 8, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Incumbent Thai prime minister Anutin Charnvirakul said he hoped voters would trust his party after casting his ballot Sunday. "We've done everything we could, but we can't force the hearts of the public," he told reporters in Buriram, adding: "Hopefully they will trust us." Anutin's Bhumjaithai party was ranked second in opinion polls ahead of the vote but he is widely expected to retain his position in a coalition deal.

DHAKA, Feb 8, 2026 (BSS) - The interim government has recommended the withdrawal of 23,865 political harassment cases filed against leaders and activists of various political parties during the previous Awami League government, officials said. The cases were filed between January 6, 2009, and August 5, 2024, against members of several political parties and organizations, including Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Hefazat-e-Islam, and Gono Odhikar Parishad. The committees invited applications from political parties seeking withdrawal of cases they alleged were filed for political harassment. Based on petitions submitted by the affected parties, the inter-ministerial committee has so far held 39 meetings to scrutinize the cases and has recommended the withdrawal of 23,865 cases. Officials said the review process is ongoing, and more cases may be considered in the future.

The patrol said at least three people were injured and two were transported to local hospitals, but details regarding their conditions weren’t available. Additional details regarding the cause of the crash aren’t available. The crash is under investigation.

Photo: CA Press WingDHAKA, Feb 8, 2026 (BSS) - Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today stressed upholding the Liberation War spirit, saying that the new generation needs inspiration from the country’s Liberation War. Noting that this is not just one war, there will be more wars ahead, the Chief Adviser said, “The spirit of our Liberation War should remain a source of inspiration from generation to generation”. Liberation War Affairs Adviser Faruk E Azam, Bir Protik, was present at the meeting, said the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing tonight. The freedom fighters have been isolated due to ill-politics regarding the Liberation War,” he said. Noting that those who have come to power so far have twisted the Liberation War, Huda said, “After exchanging views, we recommended changing the definition.

I guess that home detention for an adult with a mere $50,000 bond ($5,000 cash post) was acceptable in this case to that sitting judge. Those families will never be made whole, but someone must be held accountable. To me, this Zeah case was simply another instance of the local, county or state governments’ routine attempts to save money at the risk of the public safety of their constituents. Don’t give another judge, either elected or appointed, the opportunity to exercise poor judgment and compromise our public safety! — George Hammerbacher, CatonsvilleAdd your voice: Respond to this piece or other Sun content by submitting your own letter.

Photo: BSSBAGERHAT, Feb 8, 2026 (BSS): The district administration has launched extensive miking operations across the city here to ensure strict enforcement of the electoral code of conduct ahead of the February 12 national parliamentary election and referendum. At the same time, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) mobile teams have intensified patrols on roads and at key locations to maintain law and order. Meanwhile, BGB patrol teams are instructing people not to gather or engage in activities that could disrupt public order. Violators of the code of conduct may face rigorous imprisonment ranging from two to seven years, along with fines. The public notice was issued by Deputy Commissioner and Returning Officer of Bagerhat, Golam Md.

DHAKA, Feb 8, 2026 (BSS) - Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) seized smuggled goods worth over Tk 131.97 crore during extensive anti-smuggling operations across border areas and other parts of the country in January. The total value of the recovered goods was estimated at Tk 131,97,91,000, the release added. During the same period, BGB also recovered a significant cache of weapons. In addition, 278 individuals were detained for illegal border crossings, including 114 Bangladeshi nationals, five Indian citizens, and 159 Myanmar nationals. BGB officials said the force remains committed to strengthening border security and continuing its crackdown on smuggling, narcotics trafficking, illegal weapons, and unauthorized border crossings.

Vote thieves now in Delhi, those attempting now will face same fate: AsifPhoto: BSSPIROJPUR, Feb 8, 2026 (BSS) - National Citizen Party (NCP) spokesperson Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan today said those who had seized polling centres, deprived people of their voting rights and came to power through vote rigging in the past have already faced consequences, saying that they are now staying in Delhi. "Those who snatched away your and my voting rights, captured polling centres and came to power by stealing votes -- we have seen what has happened to them. Asif further warned that anyone attempting once again to capture polling centres or prevent people who have long been deprived of voting rights from casting their ballots would face the same fate. Following the rally, Asif Mahmud handed over the 'Shapla Koli' election symbol to Dr. Shamim Hamedy, the 11-party alliance and NCP candidate for the Pirojpur-3 constituency. Chaired by Mathbaria Upazila Jamaat Ameer Jalil Sharif, it was also addressed by NCP Joint Chief Organiser Dr. Mahmuda Mitu, NCP candidate for Pirojpur-3 Shamim Hamedy and Jamaat-e-Islami candidate for Pirojpur-2 Shameem Sayedee.

EC issues guidelines on use of vehicles by candidates, agents on polling dayDHAKA, Feb 8, 2026 (BSS) - The Election Commission (EC) has issued directives regarding the use of vehicles by contesting candidates and their election agents on polling day for the referendum and the 13th National Parliamentary Election scheduled to be held on February 12. Each vehicle may carry a maximum of five persons, including the driver, who must hold a valid driving licence. Each motorcycle may carry no more than two persons, including the licensed driver. The EC also stated that candidates or election agents must obtain identity cards from the Returning Officer by applying for permission for persons accompanying them in the vehicle, excluding the candidate, election agent and gunman. The directive further noted that no person other than the candidate and the election agent will be allowed to enter the polling centre premises.

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DHAKA, Feb 08, 2026 (BSS) – A court here today imposed a travel ban on former additional director of the National Security Intelligence (NSI) Azizur Rahman and his wife Amatussami, over graft charges. Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Sabbir Faiz passed the order, accepting a petition filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). The petition of the anti-graft body stated that Azizur Rahman is under investigation for abuse of power, money laundering, and acquiring assets beyond known income in his and his wife’s names. “During the inquiry, it was learned that he and his wife, Amatussami, may flee the country. Therefore, barring their foreign travel is essential to ensure a proper investigation,” it added.

Bangladesh’s July 2024 uprising constituted a “decisive rupture” in the country’s contemporary political order, reshaping power relations while opening an uncertain transition marked by reform pressures, elite bargaining, and rising public anxiety, according to a new governance study unveiled on Sunday. Titled “Rupture, Reform, and Reimagining Democracy: Navigating the Agony of Transition,” the session shared key insights from the State of Governance Research Project 2024–2025, which examines Bangladesh’s political trajectory following the July uprising. According to the report, what began as student-led demands for quota reform rapidly escalated into a nationwide political movement that ultimately dismantled the long-entrenched ruling order. Islamist political forces, particularly Jamaat-e-Islami, have transitioned from being “political pawns” within the old order to independent and consequential actors, the study finds. Meanwhile, the Awami League and the Jatiya Party have become “political pariahs” in the new order, while left-wing politics remains further marginalized.

DHAKA, Feb 8, 2026 (BSS) - To ensure the dissemination of accurate, reliable and verified information for citizens ahead of the referendum and the 13th national parliamentary election, a special election information service has been launched through the national helpline 333 with the support of the Election Commission, under the initiative of the a2i programme. Citizens can access the service free of cost by calling 333 from any mobile operator across the country and pressing 9, an official release said on February 4 last. Through this platform, voters will receive essential information and assistance on voting rules and procedures, polling centre locations, National Identity Card (NID)-related issues, the election code of conduct, voting procedures for expatriate voters and special facilities available for persons with disabilities, senior citizens and women voters. In addition, any urgent election-related messages, complaints, alerts or suggestions from any constituency can be reported through the 'Election Bondhu Hotline' 333, where prompt action will be taken as necessary. Officials said the National Helpline 333 information service is expected to play an effective role in preventing misinformation, rumours and confusion related to the election, and will contribute to ensuring a transparent, peaceful and participatory electoral process.