On the eve of Bangladesh’s 13th national parliamentary election, the two main contenders, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami, held separate press conferences trading accusations. The election follows the fall of the Awami League government in the July uprising, marking a major political turning point. Analysts say this vote is crucial as it comes after three disputed elections over the past 15 years, during which voters were largely denied participation.

The political landscape has shifted since the Awami League’s ouster, with new polarization emerging. Jamaat has formed an 11-party alliance dominated by Islamist groups, while BNP has partnered with its previous movement allies. Tensions rose after large sums of money were reportedly seized from party figures, prompting both sides to accuse each other of attempts to influence the election. Security forces remain active nationwide, and the Election Commission has pledged to ensure safety.

Analysts warn that maintaining law and order and reviving the stagnant economy will be the main challenges for whichever party forms the next government.

Sarjis Alam, the northern regional organizer of the National Citizen Party (NCP) and candidate for Panchagarh-1 constituency, cast his vote on Wednesday morning at Bamonkumar Rakhaldebi Hat Adarsha High School polling center in Atwari upazila. He stood in line with general voters and was accompanied by his father Akhtaruzzaman and younger brother Shahadat Hossain Sakib. The polling center saw a notable turnout from early morning, and voting took place in a calm environment.

After voting, Sarjis told reporters that he voted for the symbol of the 11-party alliance and expressed hope for a fair and transparent election. He urged all political parties to maintain tolerance and called on election officials and law enforcement to act professionally. He also alleged that BNP activists had previously intimidated voters in the area but hoped election day would remain peaceful.

According to the presiding officer, voting at the center was proceeding peacefully with 5,969 registered voters. The district administration deployed security forces and magistrates to ensure a fair election across 286 polling centers in Panchagarh district.

Jamaat-e-Islami central Naib-e-Ameer and 11-party alliance candidate Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher cast his vote on Thursday morning at a local primary school polling center in Paschim Dekra village of Chauddagram, Comilla, after visiting his parents’ graves. The voting took place in a festive atmosphere, and voters expressed satisfaction with the administration’s arrangements.

Dr. Taher said the election was proceeding fairly so far and expressed confidence that the 11-party alliance would win by a large margin if the process continued smoothly. He recalled contesting from the same area in 2001 with the scale symbol and noted that, apart from a few isolated incidents, voting was running smoothly. He estimated that voter turnout could reach 70 percent and stated that Jamaat-e-Islami would accept any result if the election remained fair.

Reports from across the country were described as positive by Dr. Taher, who reiterated his party’s hope for victory under fair electoral conditions.

Interim government Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus cast his vote in the 13th parliamentary election on Thursday morning at Gulshan Model High School and College in Dhaka. He arrived at the polling center at 10:27 a.m. and spoke briefly with journalists after voting.

Yunus described the day as one of great joy, calling it the birthday of a new Bangladesh. He said the nation was celebrating this day as a festival, marking a complete departure from a painful past. He urged everyone to participate in the referendum and concluded his remarks by wishing all citizens 'Eid Mubarak.'

The event highlighted the Chief Adviser’s symbolic participation in the electoral process, emphasizing renewal and collective engagement in shaping the country’s future.

Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, spokesperson of the National Citizens Party (NCP) and former sports adviser to the interim government, cast his vote in the 13th national election and referendum. He voted on Thursday morning at 9:30 a.m. at the Government Laboratory School polling center under the Dhaka-10 constituency in the capital.

According to the election data, Dhaka-10 has a total of 382,184 registered voters, including 199,964 men, 182,224 women, and six third-gender voters. The constituency contains 136 polling centers. Eleven candidates are contesting in this seat, including BNP’s Rabiul Islam Robi (symbol: paddy sheaf), Jatiya Oikya Jote’s Jasim Uddin Sarkar (balance scale), Bahni Bepari (plough), Islami Andolan Bangladesh’s Abdul Awal (hand fan), Labour Party’s Abul Kalam Azad (pineapple), Amar Bangladesh Party’s Nasrin Sultana (eagle), Sangskritik Mukti Jote’s Anisur Rahman (stick), Bangladesh Republican Party’s Abu Hanif Hridoy (elephant), and Am Janatar Dal’s Abdullah Al Hussain (butterfly).

The voting process in Dhaka-10 reflects active participation from multiple political alliances and independent candidates, highlighting a competitive electoral environment.

Former chief coordinator of Kushtia Jubo Dal, Abdul Majed, was taken into police custody on Thursday morning from the Khajanagar area. The incident occurred around 10:30 a.m., according to local reports. Kushtia District Commissioner and Returning Officer Iqbal Hossain confirmed the detention, stating that Majed was taken into custody based on information suggesting he might attempt to intimidate voters and influence the election process.

The report indicates that the action was preventive in nature, linked to concerns over possible voter intimidation during the ongoing election period. Authorities have not released further details about the duration or conditions of Majed’s custody. The development comes amid heightened election-related activities and security measures in Kushtia and other districts.

No additional information was provided about any charges or subsequent legal proceedings following the detention.

At the Nakhalpara Government Primary School polling center, senior reporter Gazi Shahnewaz of the newspaper Amar Desh was obstructed by police and Ansar members when attempting to enter on February 12, 2026. Despite identifying himself as a journalist, officers delayed him under the pretext of verifying his credentials, citing instructions from the presiding officer. When questioned, the presiding officer, Khalid, denied any obstruction, claiming the journalist was visible on camera. The Election Commission secretary, when informed, said he had not observed any problems at polling centers.

The Nakhalpara school housed two polling centers with a total of 5,590 registered voters. Within two and a half hours, only 200 and 250 votes were cast respectively, reflecting an 8 percent turnout. Voter turnout was visibly low, with no long queues observed. A 77-year-old voter expressed satisfaction with the voting environment, noting that many voters cast their ballots early after morning prayers.

In addition to entry restrictions, the journalist was also prevented from live-streaming voters outside the polling room, allegedly under presiding officer orders, though the officer denied issuing such instructions.

Voter turnout in Anwara upazila of Chattogram increased as the day progressed on February 12, 2026. In the morning, attendance was relatively low, but by 10 a.m. long queues of female voters were observed at Bilpur Government Primary School. Polling officer Md. Yunus reported that 600 votes had been cast in the first two and a half hours across seven booths at the center.

Earlier, at 8:30 a.m., 130 votes were recorded within the first hour at Singra Government Primary School, while a similar situation was seen at Anwara Government High School around 9 a.m. A 60-year-old voter named Nurunnabi expressed joy after casting his vote at Bilpur, saying he was happy to vote again after 17 years and offered thanks in prayer.

The report highlights that voter participation, particularly among women, increased steadily across multiple polling centers in Anwara as the day advanced.

Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman cast his vote in the 13th national parliamentary election on Thursday morning at Adamjee Cantonment College polling center. Speaking to journalists after voting around 10:15 a.m., he urged citizens to go to polling centers and vote without fear, describing the day as highly significant for the nation.

General Waker-Uz-Zaman also addressed members of the media, acknowledging their role in informing the public about the country’s situation. He said that by reporting on the election, journalists were helping to reassure citizens and encourage them to participate in the voting process.

The event highlighted the army chief’s call for peaceful and confident voter participation as the nation carried out its 13th parliamentary election.

Two presiding officers from separate polling centers in Faridpur were withdrawn on Wednesday night following allegations that they allowed unlawful entry into the centers. The officers are Al Amin from the Hitoyshi High School center under Faridpur-3 constituency and Zahidul Islam from the Ashapur Madrasa center under Faridpur-1 constituency. The district returning officer took the decision after the allegations surfaced.

Faridpur’s Additional District Magistrate, Mintu Biswas, confirmed the action, stating that both officers were removed for enabling unauthorized access to the polling centers. New presiding officers were immediately appointed to replace them to ensure the continuity of election activities.

The incident highlights administrative measures taken to address alleged irregularities during the election process in Faridpur, as authorities moved swiftly to maintain order and transparency at the polling stations.

Interim government Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus cast his vote in Bangladesh’s 13th parliamentary election and national referendum on Thursday morning. He exercised his voting right at 10 a.m. at the Gulshan Model School and College center in Dhaka.

The much-anticipated election and referendum began at 7:30 a.m. and will continue uninterrupted until 4:30 p.m. across 42,958 polling centers in 299 constituencies. Voting in the Sherpur-3 constituency has been postponed due to the death of a Jamaat-e-Islami candidate. The election is expected to establish an elected government, marking a key step in Bangladesh’s transition toward democracy.

According to the report, citizens are voting freely for the first time in one and a half decades, choosing the country’s leadership for the next five years. Alongside the parliamentary election, voters are also participating in a referendum on state reforms taking place on the same day.

Voting for the 13th National Parliament election and referendum began in Chuadanga on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at 7:30 a.m. The process is taking place in a festive environment across 354 polling centers in the district’s two constituencies. Among these, 57 centers have been identified as highly important, 67 as less important, and 228 as general. Candidates from the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and Islami Andolon are contesting in both constituencies.

According to the Chuadanga District Election Office, there are a total of 913,549 registered voters, including 492,191 men and 501,347 women, along with 10,538 postal voters. In Chuadanga-1, BNP’s Md. Sharifuzzaman Sharif, Jamaat’s Advocate Masud Parvez Russell, and Islami Andolon’s Md. Zohurul Islam Aziz are competing. In Chuadanga-2, BNP’s Mahmud Hasan Khan Babu, Jamaat’s Md. Ruhul Amin, and Islami Andolon’s Md. Hasanuzzaman are in the race.

Voting began smoothly, with candidates casting their ballots early in the morning at their respective centers, reflecting an orderly and celebratory start to the election day.

Voters turned out in large numbers at polling centers across Dhaka University on Thursday morning as voting began for the 13th National Parliament Election and referendum. From 8 a.m., voters were seen standing in orderly lines to cast their ballots in a peaceful atmosphere. A total of ten polling centers were set up across the campus, including at the ULAB School near Mohsin Hall, the Faculty of Fine Arts, Curzon Hall, Udayan School, and the Annex Building.

Voters expressed satisfaction with the security arrangements, noting the presence of law enforcement officers maintaining order outside each center. Many described the environment as calm and well-organized. Dhaka University Chhatra Dal’s senior joint secretary Nasiruddin Shawon cast his vote early at the Annex Building center, expressing happiness at being able to vote after a long time and hoping for a fair and peaceful election day.

Several voters, including young and female participants, described the day as festive and democratic, highlighting their renewed confidence in the voting process after years without such participation.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman cast his vote on Thursday morning at the Gulshan Model High School and College polling center, located within the Dhaka-17 parliamentary constituency. He was accompanied by his wife, Dr. Zubaida Rahman, and their daughter, Barrister Zaima Rahman, who also voted at the same center. Additionally, Arafat Rahman Koko’s wife, Syeda Shamila Rahman Sithi, and her two daughters, Jafia Rahman and Jashia, were scheduled to vote at the same location.

According to the report, Tarique Rahman is contesting against several candidates, including Jamaat’s S.M. Khaliduzzaman, Jatiya Party’s Atik Ahmed, and Islami Andolan’s Mohammad Ullah. Initially, eleven candidates were expected to compete in the constituency, but four of them withdrew from the race the previous day, declaring their support for Tarique Rahman.

The Dhaka-17 constituency has a total of 333,777 registered voters, comprising 174,709 men, 159,060 women, and eight third-gender voters.

West Indies defeated England by 30 runs in their T20 World Cup Group C match at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Wednesday. Sherfane Rutherford’s unbeaten 76 off 42 balls, featuring seven sixes, powered the West Indies to a total of 196-6. Gudakesh Motie then led the bowling effort with figures of 3-33 as England were dismissed for 166 in 19 overs. The victory marked West Indies’ second consecutive win in the tournament, placing them at the top of Group C, while England slipped to third behind Scotland after their first defeat.

Rutherford and Jason Holder added 61 runs for the fifth wicket, with Holder contributing 33 off 17 balls. Earlier, Shimron Hetmyer and Roston Chase steadied the innings after both openers fell early. For England, Adil Rashid impressed with 2-16 from four overs, but their batting faltered against West Indies’ spinners. England captain Harry Brook admitted disappointment, noting that the pitch conditions did not favor their chase as expected.

Rutherford credited his preparation and clear mindset for his performance, adding that the team’s bowlers executed their plans effectively to secure the win.