DHAKA, Jan 28, 2026 (BSS) - Three individuals have been arrested and sentenced to jail for illegally entering the Bangladesh Secretariat using forged entry passes, amid tightened security measures ahead of the upcoming national election. According to a press release issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the arrests were made as part of strict enforcement of security protocols at the Bangladesh Secretariat, the central administrative hub of the country, which remains under constant surveillance. On January 25, 2026, a monitoring team of the ministry detained two individuals while they were attempting to enter the Secretariat without proper authorization. Subsequent investigation revealed that they had gained access by forging the signature of an official of the Secretariat Security Branch, in clear violation of government directives. During interrogation, both individuals confessed to the offence. One of the detainees, Md Alif Sharif, was found to be directly involved in producing forged entry passes and had previously assisted several people in unlawfully entering the Secretariat.  Following a summary trial conducted by a mobile court, he was sentenced to one month's imprisonment. The other detainee, Md Ashiq, was sentenced to seven days' imprisonment. Based on intelligence information and statements obtained during interrogation, Md Didarul Alam, an employee of the Ministry of Science and Technology, was later identified as being involved in the same illegal activity.  He was also tried by a mobile court and sentenced to one month in jail. The Ministry of Home Affairs said monitoring of unauthorized vehicle entry into the Secretariat is also underway.  Vehicles without valid or updated stickers are being denied access, and such enforcement drives will continue on a regular basis to ensure overall security at the Bangladesh Secretariat.  

RAJSHAHI, Jan 27, 2026 (BSS)- Ahead of the forthcoming 13th National  Parliamentary Election and Referendum 2026, a manifesto-reading programme of  the contesting candidates was held at the Binodpur School field today. The administrations of Charghat and Bagha upazilas jointly organized the  event this afternoon with Assistant Returning Officer and Bagha Upazila  Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Shammi Akhter in the chair.   The programme featured the manifesto readings of the contesting candidates of  Rajshahi-6 constituency: BNP-nominated candidate Abu Saeed Chand (Sheaf of  Paddy), Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami-nominated candidate Principal Nazmul Haque  (The scales), Jatiya Party candidate Iqbal Hossain (Plow), and Islami Andolon  Bangladesh candidate Abdus Salam Suruj (Hand Fan). A total of four candidates are contesting in this constituency, and all four  read out their manifestos from the same stage.   During the event, the candidates pledged to take effective measures for the  preservation and maintenance of mangoes, the main cash crop of Charghat and  Bagha upazilas, along with preventing river erosion, stopping terrorism and  extortion, ensuring a drug-free society, addressing unemployment, and  guaranteeing healthcare services for people of all levels in Charghat and  Bagha. They also pledged to conduct election campaigns in accordance with the  Election Commission's code of conduct.   Among others present at the manifesto-reading programme were Assistant  Returning Officer and Charghat Upazila Nirbahi Officer Jannatul Ferdous,  Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate Rahatul Karim Mizan,  Officer-in-Charge of Charghat Police Station Helal Uddin, Officer-in-Charge  of Bagha Police Station Serajul Islam, and others.   Speakers expressed their expectations and commitments to ensure a free, fair,  neutral, and peaceful election. Rajshahi-6 constituency comprises Charghat and Bagha upazilas. The total number of voters in this constituency is 304,275-- 151,687 are  female and 152,588 are male voters.