Newly elected members of parliament and party activists gathered at the BNP chairperson’s office in Gulshan, Dhaka, on Sunday morning to greet party chairman Tarique Rahman following a sweeping electoral victory. From 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., the area in front of the office remained crowded with supporters carrying flowers. Security personnel restricted entry into the office premises, allowing only selected individuals inside.

Senior BNP leaders, including Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, arrived around 11:00 a.m., followed by several newly elected MPs such as A.B.M. Mosharraf Hossain from Patuakhali-4, Dewan Mohammad Salauddin from Dhaka-19, and A.K.M. Fazlul Haque Milon from Gazipur-5. Tarique Rahman’s motorcade reached the office at 12:20 p.m., where supporters greeted him with cheers and waves, to which he responded from inside his car.

Later, other leaders including Enamul Haque Enam from Chattogram-12, Wadud Bhuiyan from Khagrachhari, and Reza Kibria also visited the office to extend congratulations. The gathering reflected the party’s celebratory mood after its electoral success.

Commonwealth Secretary-General Sharlene Ayorkor Botchwey has congratulated BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman and his party for their victory in Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliamentary Election. She conveyed her message on Saturday through a Facebook post, praising the peaceful conduct of the election and the democratic environment maintained throughout the process.

In her post, the Secretary-General commended all citizens and institutions that contributed to ensuring a fair and peaceful electoral process. She reaffirmed the Commonwealth’s continued support for Bangladesh’s democratic progress. According to the election results, the BNP won 209 of the 297 declared seats, with its candidates leading in two more constituencies where results were pending. BNP’s allied parties secured three additional seats.

Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami won 68 seats, and other partners in the Jamaat-led 11-party alliance obtained nine seats in total.

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Adviser Asif Nazrul has stated that there is no question of his inclusion in the upcoming BNP cabinet. He made the comment on Sunday afternoon while speaking to reporters at the Secretariat. Nazrul confirmed that the oath-taking ceremony for newly elected members of parliament and the new cabinet will be held on Tuesday, February 17, at the South Plaza of the National Parliament. The MPs will take their oaths at 10 a.m., followed by the cabinet’s oath ceremony at 4 p.m.

He added that the Chief Election Commissioner is expected to administer the oath to the MPs, while the President will administer the oath to the cabinet members. The event is being arranged at the South Plaza in line with the BNP’s preference. Nazrul’s remarks came amid recent political discussions suggesting that he might join the BNP government’s cabinet.

The clarification effectively ends speculation about his possible role in the new BNP-led administration, as preparations continue for the formal swearing-in ceremonies.

Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizens Party (NCP), alleged that despite attempts at vote rigging and fraud, his opponents were defeated and are now resorting to conspiracies. He made the statement on Sunday afternoon through a Facebook post. Islam referred to an incident at the Badda Adarshanagar Vidya Niketan center, where the entry of the BNP’s Ward 38 president, Barkat, raised questions. He also claimed that live media coverage on election day showed individuals in polling agent seats mentioning BNP candidate M A Kaiyum’s name.

According to Islam, he had been leading by a significant margin from the beginning, but the gap suddenly narrowed in the final results, prompting public suspicion. He further alleged that attempts to alter results continued until 5 a.m., and that Kaiyum’s supporters tried to create fear and chaos at several centers, including during the final result announcement at Banasree Ideal School and College.

Islam stated that such manipulation and intimidation do not align with the spirit of a “new Bangladesh” and asserted that the people would respond to those who question their verdict.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh may receive the official letter authorizing the swearing-in of newly elected members of parliament today, Sunday, February 15, 2026. Election Commissioner Anwarul Islam Sarkar confirmed to reporters that all preparations for the oath ceremony have been completed. According to the Parliament Secretariat, the oath-taking ceremony will be held on Tuesday morning at the South Plaza of the National Parliament Building, where Chief Election Commissioner A.M.M. Nasir Uddin will administer the oath.

The Cabinet Division has also announced that the new cabinet will take its oath on the same day at 4 p.m., with President Md. Shahabuddin administering the ceremony. The developments follow the 13th National Parliamentary Election, in which the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) secured an absolute majority.

Under the leadership of Tarique Rahman, the BNP is set to form a government after two decades, marking a significant political transition in the country.

The United Kingdom has pledged to work closely with Bangladesh on shared priorities including economic growth, migration, climate change, and security. A spokesperson for the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said the British government hopes Bangladesh’s new administration will advance democratic, economic, and social reforms. The statement followed the country’s parliamentary election held on 12 February 2026, which the UK welcomed as a peaceful process leading to final results.

According to the FCDO spokesperson, the election outcome marks an important step toward fulfilling Bangladesh’s national goals and public expectations. Earlier, the UK congratulated BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman and his party for their decisive victory, while also extending good wishes to the people of Bangladesh as they enter a new chapter. The British High Commission in Dhaka reiterated its interest in future collaboration to achieve mutual objectives in growth, migration, climate, and security.

The UK’s reaffirmed commitment signals continued engagement with Bangladesh on key bilateral and developmental issues following the recent election.

In the 13th National Parliamentary Election, 25 candidates contested across three constituencies in Madaripur, where 17 lost their security deposits for failing to secure the required number of votes. Despite close margins among the winners, most candidates received limited voter support. The results showed competitive races but a high rate of deposit forfeiture.

In Madaripur-1, with 324,289 registered voters, 56.34 percent turnout was recorded. Said Uddin Ahmed Hanjala of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish won with 64,909 votes, narrowly defeating BNP’s Nadira Akter, who received 64,528 votes. In Madaripur-2, BNP’s Jahandar Ali Mia won with 61,744 votes, while in Madaripur-3, BNP’s Anisur Rahman Khokon Talukdar secured victory with 96,188 votes. Across these constituencies, seven candidates in each of the first two and three in the third lost their deposits.

The analysis of results indicated that although the contests were competitive, a significant number of candidates failed to attract sufficient voter support, leading to a high rate of deposit forfeiture across the district.

The United States House of Representatives has passed the 'Brave Burma Act' to increase pressure on Myanmar’s military junta and strengthen support for pro-democracy movements. The bipartisan bill, introduced by Michigan Republican lawmaker Bill Huizenga in May of the previous year, was approved on Monday, according to Myanmar-based media. The bill will now move to the Senate for approval before being sent to the President for signature.

If enacted, the law will authorize the President to decide annually whether to tighten sanctions on Myanmar’s oil and gas enterprises, the Myanmar Economic Bank, and the jet fuel sector for the next seven years. It will also extend existing sanctions on state-owned entities, officials, their families, and foreign associates until December 23, 2032, with provisions for stricter enforcement.

The act would allow the appointment of a special envoy with ambassadorial rank to coordinate sanctions, arms restrictions, humanitarian aid, and diplomatic engagement. It also directs the US Executive Director at the International Monetary Fund to oppose any effort to expand Myanmar’s participation while the State Administrative Council, formed after the 2021 military coup, remains in power.

The new cabinet, including the Prime Minister, will take oath at the South Plaza of the National Parliament Building on Tuesday. Chief Election Commissioner A.M.M. Nasir Uddin will administer the oath to the newly elected members of parliament at 10 a.m., while President Md. Shahabuddin will administer the oath to the ministers at 4 p.m. The schedule was confirmed by legal adviser Asif Nazrul on Sunday afternoon.

This marks a departure from previous practice, as ministerial oath ceremonies were traditionally held at Bangabhaban’s Darbar Hall. The event follows the thirteenth national election, in which the BNP alliance secured a decisive victory, winning 212 of 297 seats. The Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party alliance won 77 seats and is set to become the main opposition in parliament for the first time.

The new government formation signals a significant political shift, with the BNP preparing to assume power after its commanding win in the national polls.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman visited Kishoreganj to pay respects at the grave of rickshaw-puller Shah Alam Bhuiyan, who had been active in election campaigning for the Dhaka-15 constituency. Bhuiyan, aged 55, died of a stroke on February 8 while traveling by boat to attend an election rally in his home area of Itna.

According to party sources, Dr. Rahman visited Bhuiyan’s village home in Itna on Sunday morning, where he offered prayers at the grave, met the bereaved family, and expressed condolences. He also announced that the party would take full responsibility for Bhuiyan’s two minor children until they reach adulthood. Senior Jamaat and Islami Chhatra Shibir leaders, along with a large number of locals, were present during the visit.

Bhuiyan had been a supporter of Jamaat-e-Islami and participated in party activities while working as a rickshaw-puller in Dhaka’s Kafrul area. He had returned to his village to assist in election campaigning before his sudden death.

Former U.S. President Barack Obama has sharply criticized the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids conducted in Minnesota, comparing them to behavior typical of authoritarian regimes. The raids, carried out over several weeks by thousands of federal agents, led to numerous arrests. The Trump administration claimed the operation targeted criminals, but it was halted earlier this week following widespread protests.

In an interview on Saturday, Obama described the conduct of federal officials as reckless, deeply concerning, and dangerous, citing two fatal shootings during the operation. He praised the organized resistance of ordinary citizens, saying their peaceful protests and use of truth and cameras represented hope for the nation. According to him, continued civic resistance, even in harsh winter conditions, signals the possibility of overcoming the current situation.

Trump administration immigration official Tom Homan announced the suspension of the Minnesota raids on Thursday after they sparked major demonstrations and national outrage. In the same interview, Obama also criticized the lack of civility in U.S. political discourse and responded to controversial social media posts by Trump about him and the former First Lady.

In the 13th National Parliamentary Election, five candidates in the Chattogram-1 (Mirsarai) constituency forfeited their security deposits after failing to secure the required share of votes. A total of seven candidates contested in this seat. BNP candidate Nurul Amin, running with the paddy sheaf symbol, won with 127,645 votes, while his closest rival, Jamaat-e-Islami’s Advocate Shaifur Rahman, received 81,227 votes.

According to election rules, any candidate receiving less than one-eighth of the total votes cast loses their deposit. In this constituency, 219,416 votes were cast, setting the threshold at 27,427 votes. The candidates who failed to meet this mark include Advocate Ferdous Ahmad Chowdhury of Islami Andolan Bangladesh (2,064 votes), Syed Shahadat Hossain of Jatiya Party (1,631 votes), Rezaul Karim of Insoniyat Biplob Bangladesh (758 votes), Advocate Zulfiqar Bulbul Chowdhury of Muslim League (266 votes), and Advocate A.K.M. Abu Yusuf of BSD (252 votes).

Mirsarai Upazila Executive Officer and Assistant Returning Officer Somaiya Akter confirmed that the deposits were forfeited due to the candidates receiving less than one-eighth of the total votes.

Nasiruddin Patwari, chief coordinator of the National Citizens Party (NCP) and candidate of the 11-party alliance, has submitted an application to the Chief Election Commissioner requesting suspension of the oath-taking of Mirza Abbas, the declared winner in Dhaka-8 constituency. The application, written on Saturday and submitted to the Election Commission on Sunday by NCP leader Kazi Fakhrul Islam, cites evidence of alleged vote rigging, irregularities, and unlawful influence during the election.

In his petition, Patwari detailed 11 points of alleged irregularities across 12 polling centers. He accused Mirza Abbas, the candidate of the BNP’s “sheaf of paddy” symbol, along with his associates, agents, and family members, of engaging in vote manipulation, exerting undue influence, withholding results, and counting invalid ballots. Patwari also claimed that presiding and returning officers were involved in these irregularities, which he said led to Abbas being declared the winner instead of himself.

Patwari urged the Election Commission to investigate the alleged misconduct and take action according to law and regulations.

Six candidates in the Nilphamari-4 constituency are set to lose their deposits following the results of the 13th National Parliamentary Election. According to the returning officer’s office, nine candidates, including both party-nominated and independent contenders, participated in the election. The results, declared on Thursday, confirmed that six of them failed to secure one-eighth of the total valid votes, as required by the Election Commission’s rules.

The official results show that a total of 297,254 votes were cast, of which 290,197 were valid and 7,057 were invalid. Abdul Muntakim of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami won the seat with 126,222 votes, defeating BNP’s Abdul Gafur Sarkar, who received 82,086 votes, and former MP Siddikul Alam of Jatiya Party, who got 67,557 votes. Each candidate had deposited Tk 50,000 with the Election Commission as a mandatory election deposit.

The six candidates losing their deposits include representatives from Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Bangladesh Socialist Party (Marxist), Bangladesh National Party, and three independents, all of whom failed to meet the required vote threshold.

Exiled Iranian crown prince Reza Pahlavi announced at the Munich Security Conference that he is ready to lead Iran toward a secular and democratic future. He called on the United States to take active steps to support political change in Iran. Addressing nearly two hundred thousand supporters, Pahlavi pledged to guide the country toward transparent and democratic elections.

During the rally, participants chanted slogans supporting the former monarchy and waved green, white, and red flags featuring the lion and sun emblem, symbolizing the deposed royal regime. A 62-year-old protester described Iran’s current government as a dead system. Pahlavi also urged Iranians at home and abroad to continue protests, instructing them to chant from their homes and rooftops at 8 p.m. local time on Saturday and Sunday.

Parallel demonstrations took place from Los Angeles to Washington’s National Park and in Toronto, where protesters demanded immediate action from the US president. Meanwhile, the United States has deployed a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East to increase military pressure on Tehran.