DHAKA, Feb 4, 2026 (BSS) - BNP standing committee member Mirza Abbas today said people from all walks of life regardless of their religious identity should come forward to build a beautiful and peaceful Bangladesh. "In Bangladesh, there are no minorities or majorities. All are equal citizens with equal rights," said Mirza Abbas, also the BNP nominated candidate for Dhaka-8 constituency. He made the remarks while exchanging views with members of the Christian community at St. Mary's Cathedral in Kakrail of the city. He later carried out door-to-door campaign in the Kakrail area. Mirza Abbas said that the time for election campaigning is very limited, noting that campaigning within just 21 days is a first-time experience in his long political career. He added that in the past he had not received any complaints from the Christian community. He assured them that if they ever need support in the future and remember him, he will stand by them. Mirza Abbas further said that although St. Mary's Cathedral and several other religious institutions were not previously included in his constituency, recent boundary delimitation has brought them under the Dhaka-8 constituency. He said that although people of different religions live in Bangladesh, the Christian community is comparatively small in number. However, the Christian community in the country lives a peaceful and harmonious life and has no conflict with others.  He thanked the leaders of the Christian community for their role in maintaining peaceful coexistence. Mirza Abbas said that they should not underestimate themselves thinking their number of votes is small. Even a single vote is extremely important and can inspire others to cast their votes. He called upon people of all communities including the Christians, Hindus, Buddhists and others to vote in his favor and requested them to encourage their acquaintances to participate in voting as well. Expressing gratitude to the organizers for inviting him to the programme, Mirza Abbas expressed hope that he would emerge victorious with the combined votes of Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist and Christian communities of the Dhaka-8 constituency.  

KHULNA, Feb 4, 2026 (BSS) - Female voters are emerging as a decisive factor in the upcoming national election in Khulna's six parliamentary constituencies, although the only female candidate in the region has struggled to mount strong competition against male contenders. Among the 37 male candidates contesting the six seats, Jatiya Party nominee Shamim Ara Parveen is the lone female candidate, running from Khulna-5 (Dumuria-Phultala).  Election Commission data show a total of 2,101,335 registered voters across Khulna's constituencies, including 1,054,874 women and 1,046,432 men, giving female voters a slight majority of 8,442.  BNP has fielded candidates in all six constituencies, Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Andolan Bangladesh in five each, Jatiya Party in four, CPB in three, and Khelafat Majlis in one. Several smaller parties and independents are contesting single seats. The proposed 'Family Card' initiative by BNP has sparked widespread discussion and received positive responses from rural women, potentially influencing electoral calculations. While many women voters remain cautious about revealing their choices, the BNP's promises to introduce a 'Family Card' alongside ‘Farmer’s Card’ have generated noticeable interest, particularly in rural households.  Sonia Begum, a widow from Sabuj Palli in Batiyaghata, said she currently receives an old-age allowance and believes the family card would be highly beneficial. A cancer patient, she added that she intends to vote in the hope of receiving the card. Sazib Bhuiyan, a former worker of Khulishpur Jute Mill and voter from Khulna-3, said his family has been struggling since the mill's closure. "Now we are hearing promises to reopen the mill and provide family cards. That is why I will go to the polling centre," he said. Women voters from Khulna-2, 4, and 5 constituencies also told BSS that the family card issue remains a priority for them, although they did not disclose which party they would vote for. BNP leader and Khulna-2 MP Nazrul Islam Manju said party chairman Tarique Rahman has prioritized women's employment in the campaign.  "Alongside the family card, issues like women's dignity, education, and development of healthcare and agriculture sectors are being highlighted," he said, expressing confidence that a large section of women voters would support BNP candidates.