The Road Transport and Highways Division of Bangladesh has imposed a nationwide ban on motorcycle movement for 72 hours starting from midnight on February 10, 2026. The restriction, announced through a circular signed by Deputy Secretary Al-Amin Md. Nurul Islam of the BRTA Establishment Branch, is part of security measures for the 13th National Parliament Election and referendum scheduled for February 12.

According to the circular, the motorcycle ban will remain effective until midnight on February 13. Additionally, the movement of taxis, pickups, microbuses, and trucks will be restricted for 24 hours from midnight on February 11 to midnight on February 12. Exceptions apply to vehicles used by law enforcement, armed forces, administration, accredited observers, emergency services, and media, as well as those carrying medicines, newspapers, or passengers to and from airports with valid proof.

The circular also authorizes district magistrates and metropolitan police commissioners to impose or relax vehicle restrictions as needed during the election period.

A 17-second AI-generated video showing Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma shooting at images of Muslims has triggered widespread outrage in India. The video, shared last Saturday from the verified X account of the Assam unit of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), appeared to incite violence against Muslims. Following public anger and criticism from opposition politicians, the Assam BJP deleted the video. Local media reported that one of the targeted images resembled a local Congress MP, and the footage ended with the slogan 'Foreign-free Assam.'

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Annie Raja has petitioned the Supreme Court seeking action against Sarma, while the Assam Congress filed a police case in Guwahati’s Dispur station. Earlier, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen chief Asaduddin Owaisi lodged a complaint with Telangana police. BJP leader Ranjib Kumar Sharma declined to comment, saying only that the video had been deleted.

The incident comes ahead of Assam’s provincial elections due in March–April, with observers linking the video to the BJP’s ongoing anti-Muslim campaign. Sarma has recently made inflammatory remarks targeting Bengali-speaking Muslims, accusing them of crimes and demographic changes.

Ahead of the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election and referendum, authorities in Khansama upazila of Dinajpur have heightened security after identifying 44 out of 52 polling centers as risky. All centers have been brought under CCTV surveillance, and the entire upazila has been placed under strict security coverage. Law enforcement agencies cited past electoral violence, political tensions, local disputes, and geographical factors as reasons for the classification.

To maintain order, two platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh, three platoons of the army, and one platoon of Battalion Ansar have been deployed. Each polling center will have 13 Ansar members, including three armed personnel, supported by regular police patrols and intelligence monitoring. Local voters expressed both confidence and concern, noting that the extensive security measures reflect the sensitivity of the situation.

Officials stated that gatherings, processions, and suspicious activities near polling areas are being closely monitored. Reserve army teams are on standby for rapid intervention if unrest occurs, and movement of polling officials in risky centers is under special caution.

Bangladesh is set to hold its 13th National Parliamentary Election and a constitutional referendum on February 12, 2026, marking what is described as the country’s first major step toward restoring democracy after two decades of authoritarian rule. The election follows the fall of the previous government in mid-2024 and the formation of an interim administration led by Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus, who pledged to organize a free and festive vote. Fifty-one of the country’s 59 registered political parties, including the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, are participating, while the Awami League remains banned.

The Election Commission has promised a free, fair, and credible process, deploying one hundred thousand soldiers and nine hundred thousand law enforcement officers to ensure security. Voters will cast two ballots—one for parliament and another for the “July Charter” constitutional reform. The campaign period has been largely peaceful and heavily digital, with social media playing a central role. Analysts note that while the election represents a symbolic democratic milestone, its success will depend on post-election stability and the new government’s commitment to transparency and accountability.

The vote is widely viewed as a historic opportunity for citizens to reclaim their electoral rights after 15 years of manipulated elections.

A mobile court conducted by the Goaland Upazila administration in Rajbari fined a transport operator for overcharging passengers ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election and referendum. The operation took place on Tuesday, February 10, at Daulatdia ferry terminal and bus stand, led by Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate Muntasir Hasan Khan, with law enforcement personnel present. The court imposed a fine of 5,000 taka on a Poradah-bound transport company under Section 40 of the Consumer Rights Protection Act, 2009, after confirming the allegation of excessive fare collection.

During the operation, the administration arranged for the immediate refund of the excess fare to the affected passengers through the transport authority. Muntasir Hasan Khan stated that such drives would continue to prevent passenger harassment and fare manipulation during the election period, ensuring safe and smooth travel for homebound passengers.

Local passengers welcomed the initiative, expressing that regular monitoring and strict enforcement could significantly reduce fare-related harassment.

Eight firearms looted from the Hatikumrul Highway Police Station in Sirajganj during the nationwide anti-discrimination student movement remain unrecovered. The attack occurred on August 4, 2024, when protesters vandalized and set fire to the station, seizing weapons and ammunition. More than a year and a half later, police have yet to locate the missing arms, which include four Chinese rifles, two pistols, two gas guns, and over 150 rounds of ammunition. A case under the Explosives Act has been filed at Solonga Police Station.

Sirajganj police officials said operations and intelligence surveillance have continued since the incident. However, both the Officer-in-Charge Ismail Hossain and Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime) Hafizur Rahman admitted that the exact number of looted weapons remains uncertain. Local political leaders expressed concern that failure to recover the arms before the upcoming 13th parliamentary election could heighten the risk of violence.

Residents of Hatikumrul voiced fears that unresolved security issues might discourage voter turnout. Civil groups warned that delays in recovering the weapons pose a broader threat to district security and urged stronger law enforcement and intelligence measures before the election.

In Rangpur, just hours before the start of parliamentary and referendum voting, leaders of the 11-party alliance have alleged widespread irregularities and use of black money by rival candidates. They claimed that despite the official end of campaigning, candidates continued distributing cash, saris, and lungis to voters. The alliance particularly accused Jatiya Party candidates of openly hosting feasts and handing out money, while the administration allegedly remained silent. A total of 43 candidates are contesting across six constituencies in Rangpur.

The alliance also accused BNP candidates of violating the electoral code by keeping colorful banners and posters displayed in public areas. Complaints were reportedly filed with authorities, but no action was taken. In several constituencies, including Rangpur-1 through Rangpur-6, specific candidates from BNP and Jatiya Party were named in allegations of bribery and intimidation. The 11-party leaders said the Election Commission had failed to ensure a level playing field.

Rangpur’s returning officer and district commissioner Enamul Ahsan denied any bias, stating that law enforcement and executive magistrates were active in the field and that any verified complaint would be addressed immediately.

With just one day left before Bangladesh’s 13th parliamentary election and referendum, Gopalganj district remains calm and free of violence despite early concerns. The election will be held nationwide on Thursday morning. Local authorities, including the district returning officer and law enforcement agencies, have held meetings with candidates to ensure order. So far, no untoward incidents have been reported since campaigning began on January 22, and officials expect a fair and peaceful vote if the situation remains stable.

The district administration has implemented extensive security measures, recalling past unrest from July 2025. Around 1,400 police officers, along with army and RAB personnel, will be deployed, and all polling centers will have CCTV and body cameras. Gopalganj has 1.092 million registered voters across 397 polling centers, of which 385 are marked as vulnerable. Thirty candidates from multiple parties, including BNP, the 11-party alliance, and independent contenders, are competing across three constituencies.

Despite the calm, uncertainty persists over voter turnout as some banned local leaders have urged boycotts on social media, creating unease among residents.

Voting for Bangladesh’s 13th national parliamentary election is set to begin tomorrow, with Bogura emerging as a key battleground. Across its seven constituencies, a fierce contest is anticipated mainly between the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami. Analysts and voters suggest that beyond party symbols, issues such as development, price control, employment, and local leadership credibility will determine outcomes. BNP supporters aim to secure all seven seats for party chairman Tarique Rahman, while Jamaat leaders expect to win at least two.

Bogura has 2.98 million registered voters across 12 upazilas and 11 municipalities, with 34 candidates from nine parties contesting. Political observers note that although Bogura is traditionally seen as a BNP stronghold, the party faces tough competition in six constituencies. Local issues vary by area, including river erosion, fair crop prices, infrastructure, and youth employment. A few controversies have surfaced, including allegations of ID card misuse and one candidate’s withdrawal citing unfair conditions.

Analysts predict a close race, with BNP possibly losing one or two seats due to its split from Jamaat. Voter enthusiasm remains high, with expectations for fair elections and development-focused leadership.

A joint forces drill was held in Brahmanbaria to ensure security at polling centers and prevent untoward incidents during the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. The exercise took place on Tuesday afternoon at the Suhilpur Union Parishad field under the leadership of Brigadier General Mehedi Hasan Chowdhury. Members of the army, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), police, and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) participated in the operation.

The drill simulated a potential violent situation at a polling center where a group of attackers attempted to seize control and create panic among voters while taking the presiding officer hostage. Security forces, including the army and BGB, responded swiftly, using armored vehicles to regain control and restore order. A military helicopter was also deployed to evacuate injured personnel as part of the exercise.

According to the district returning officer’s office, Brahmanbaria has 805 polling centers across six constituencies, of which 574 have been identified as vulnerable.

The Bangladesh Army uncovered a plot to falsely implicate a journalist during a raid in Cox’s Bazar’s Jhilonja Union early Tuesday, January 10. Acting on intelligence, a special team from the 9 Bengal Regiment under Cox’s Bazar Sadar Army Camp recovered two homemade firearms and two cartridges from near a house in the Dakshin Dikcul area. The weapons were immediately taken into army custody, and one suspect, Maruf Hasan Tahsin, was detained.

According to army sources, investigation revealed that Tahsin and another individual, Azhufa Begum, had planted the weapons to frame local journalist Farhad in a false case stemming from a long-standing personal dispute. Tahsin reportedly admitted involvement during initial questioning and was handed over to police for legal action, while proceedings against Azhufa Begum are ongoing.

Local sources said the journalist had faced harassment and threats for nearly two years over a land dispute. The army stated that the operation not only exposed a serious conspiracy but also prevented potential deterioration of law and order in the area.

As parliamentary election fervor spreads across Bangladesh, the nomadic Bede community living along the coastal rivers of Indurkani in Pirojpur finds itself once again courted by candidates but left without lasting change. Bede families living temporarily on boats in the Kacha and Baleshwar rivers say politicians visit them during campaigns with promises of education, healthcare, and security, but disappear once the elections end. Despite being registered voters, many Bedes cannot cast their ballots because they travel across the country for work and are often far from their home constituencies on election day.

Members of the community express frustration that successive governments and representatives have failed to improve their living conditions. Mirajul from Sunamganj says they have no homes and live entirely on boats, while Sardar Chattar Molla from Bikrampur notes the difficulty of educating children without access to civic facilities. Achia Begum, an elderly Bede woman, says she longs for healthcare and safety in her later years. According to the Department of Social Services, Bangladesh has about 6.3 million nomadic people, including over 800,000 Bedes.

Currently, two Bede fleets from Bikrampur and Sunamganj are stationed near the Shaheed Fazlul Haque Moni Bridge in Indurkani.

A serious road accident occurred on Tuesday evening on the Dhaka-Aricha Highway in Shibaloy, Manikganj, when a covered van and a Selfie Paribahan bus collided head-on near the Falsatia Bridge. At least ten people were injured, including the van driver who was critically hurt. Police, army, and fire service personnel quickly arrived at the scene and rescued the injured, sending them to a hospital for treatment. Authorities said legal procedures are underway regarding the incident.

According to initial reports, the covered van lost control while overtaking another vehicle at high speed, leading to the collision. Local passengers and residents alleged that Selfie Paribahan buses have become a source of fear on this route due to reckless driving and unskilled drivers, resulting in frequent accidents. The accident occurred amid increased travel as many people were leaving Dhaka for their hometowns during a holiday period and ahead of the 13th national parliamentary election.

Witnesses and transport observers warned that competition among Selfie bus drivers to make more trips between Dhaka and rural areas is causing excessive speeding, raising the risk of further accidents.

Ahead of Bangladesh’s 13th parliamentary election and national referendum, a four-day public holiday has prompted a massive exodus from Dhaka and industrial areas. Since Tuesday morning, heavy traffic congestion has been reported at Paturia and Aricha ferry terminals, as well as along the Dhaka–Tangail highway, where a 32-kilometer tailback has caused severe delays. Authorities are struggling to manage the surge in passengers and vehicles, with scenes reminiscent of the Eid travel rush.

Local correspondents report that many factories have declared three consecutive days off, allowing workers to return to their hometowns to vote and visit families. The sudden increase in travelers has led to overcrowded ferries and buses, with some transport operators accused of charging inflated fares. Passengers expressed frustration over the high costs and long waits, while police confirmed that additional forces have been deployed to ease congestion and prevent passenger harassment.

Officials from the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation and transport owners expressed optimism that the situation would normalize later in the day as traffic flow improves.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) avoided a major financial setback after Pakistan withdrew its decision to boycott the upcoming match against India. Following a meeting between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and ICC officials in Lahore, the Pakistan government granted permission for the national team to play. The high-profile encounter will now proceed as scheduled on February 15 in Colombo, ending uncertainty surrounding one of cricket’s most lucrative fixtures.

According to the report, the ICC earns its largest revenues from India-Pakistan matches. Had Pakistan maintained its boycott, the organization faced an estimated loss of $174 million, equivalent to about 1,985 crore Bangladeshi taka, from broadcasting, gate receipts, and sponsorships. The decision to participate came after appeals from the Bangladesh Cricket Board, Sri Lanka Cricket, and the Emirates Cricket Board urging Pakistan to reconsider.

With the match confirmed, the ICC has averted a major financial crisis and ensured that one of the sport’s most anticipated rivalries will continue as planned.