PANCHAGARH, Feb 2, 2026 (BSS) - National Citizen Party (NCP) Election Management Committee Chairman Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan today called on voters to go to polling centres after performing Fajr prayers to ensure a safe and peaceful voting environment in the upcoming election. "Going to the polling centres after Fajr prayers is necessary to ensure security in this election. Casting one's own vote is not enough; we must also ensure the safety of ordinary people, especially our mothers and sisters, so that they can vote freely," he said. "If you endure hardship for one day, you will be able to live safely and peacefully for the next five years," he told a roadside rally of the NCP at Satmero High School field in Goaljhora Bazar of Satmero Union under Panchagarh Sadar upazila, in support of Sarjis Alam, the 11-party alliance candidate for the Panchagarh-1 constituency. Asif Mahmud, former adviser to the interim government, said the country's "number one constituency deserves a number one candidate," adding that although MPs and ministers had been elected from the seat in the past, they had failed to work for the people of the area.  "Sarjis Alam has worked for the development of tourism and roads here even without being an MP. If you elect him, he will work with greater responsibility," he said. Criticising dynastic politics, he said that for the last 54 years, sons of ward commissioners became commissioners, sons of chairmen became chairman, and sons of MPs and ministers became MPs and ministers. "We want your sons to become chairmen, commissioners, MPs and ministers one day," he said. Asif Mahmud also pledged an end to extortion and lack of services, saying that voting for the 'Shapla Kali' symbol would ensure that no one would need to pay bribes to do business in Panchagarh and no one would die due to lack of treatment. "We want to build a Bangladesh based on justice and fairness," he said, adding that voters had been deprived of their right to vote in the last three elections. Addressing the rally, Sarjis Alam, the 11-party alliance candidate for Panchagarh-1, urged voters to reject those involved in filing false cases, extortion, terrorism and violence against women. "Check the records and do not vote for those involved in such misdeeds. If our own leaders or activists commit such acts, then do not vote for us either," he said. "A good leader must be able to control his party activists. If he cannot, he can never be a good leader," Sarjis Alam said.  Addressing members of the Hindu community, he said activists of the 11-party alliance had guarded temples and puja mandaps, while activists of a major party had allegedly occupied ponds used for idol immersion and seized lands and business establishments. "Reject these grabbers," he said. Speaking on healthcare and development promises, Sarjis Alam, also the NCP chief organiser of the northern region, alleged that Jamaat, NCP and other parties had contributed funds to open the new building of the sadar hospital, but a major party had not contributed anything. He further alleged that despite assurances of plans for the country, incidents of violence continued, calling on senior leaders to restrain their activists. "We have not come to be rulers and exploiters; we have come to serve the people," he said. Panchagarh district Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Professor Maulana Iqbal Hossain said the alliance formed was not meant to lose. "We will not send rapists, murderers, extortionists, land grabbers or perpetrators of violence against women to parliament," he said.  "We will work together to ensure Sarjis Alam's victory in Panchagarh-1, Insha'Allah." He added that measures would be taken to guard villages ahead of polling day to prevent vote rigging. NCP Joint Member Secretary and Election Management Committee Secretary Monira Sharmin, Jatiya Jubo Shakt Shakti Convener and NCP Election Committee Chief Coordinator Advocate Tarikul Islam, former Panchagarh district Shibir president Zulfikar Ali, Bangladesh Labour Party Panchagarh district Convener Md Ferdous Alam, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Panchagarh district President Mir Morshed Tuhin and NCP central leader Sadiya Farzana Dina were also present on the occasion.  

RANGPUR, Feb 2, 2026 (BSS) - Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) Vice President Abu Shadik Kayem today urged all to vote 'Yes' in the February 12 Referendum to prevent future state leaders from becoming fascist. "In this independent Bangladesh, dynasty will no longer exist. No one can become the Prime Minister for than two terms. We will block path for all becoming fascist again, InshaAllah," said Shadik Kayem. He said, "We have seen the last 54 years of rule. It won't happen again that the son of a king will become a king. Leaders will be created on the basis of merit and ability and whose words are reflected in the deeds. And for this, we all require to make 'Yes' victorious in the referendum." He made the remarks while addressing a public gathering in favour of the 'Yes' vote organized by the United Students' Congress at Shaheed Abu Sayeed Square at the gate of Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur (BRUR) tonight. Shadik Kayem said that since the beginning of the election wave, 11 parties including Jamaat-e-Islami and NCP have been campaigning for the 'Yes' vote. "If we hold the spirit of July Uprising, Abu Sayeed and dream a new Bangladesh, we have to make it clear that we are in favour of 'Yes'," he said. He explained 'Yes' means freedom, justice, trial of the murder of Shaheed Osman Hadi and returning power to the citizen. The DUCSU VP added, "Insha Allah, we will cast our first vote in 'Yes'. The second vote will be in favor of justice. We have to elect the right representative to determine what Bangladesh will be like in the future." He also said that the Election Commission was formed in the pretext of July Uprising and the Chief Election Commissioner was appointed embarking on the blood of July martyrs and injured. Yet they are now saying that no government employee or official will be able to campaign in favour of yes in the referendum. "We also want to say that this kind of civility will not continue in this independent Bangladesh. On whose orders are you giving such instructions? It must be made clear to us," he said.  Student representatives of DUCSU, JUCSU, CUCSU, RUCSU and JUCSU spoke at the rally, among others.