The Commonwealth Election Observation Mission stated that no targeted attacks or repression against minority communities were observed during Bangladesh’s 13th national parliamentary election. The team’s chair, former Ghanaian president Nana Akufo-Addo, made the remarks at a press conference held on Saturday at Hotel Intercontinental in Dhaka. He said the mission received no direct reports of minorities being attacked during the polls.

However, the observers noted that voter turnout among minority groups appeared lower in some regions, and members of various communities expressed concerns about participation. Akufo-Addo said these observations would be included in the mission’s final report. He described the election as peaceful, orderly, and transparent, calling it credible and acceptable based on their monitoring.

The observers also reported that despite one major political party, the Awami League, not participating, voting rights, candidate registration, and vote counting processes remained open to nearly all candidates, with around 2,000 individuals contesting seats. Akufo-Addo emphasized that transparency and inclusive participation are vital for Bangladesh’s democratic progress.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman has called for nationwide unity to build a safe and humane Bangladesh following his party’s decisive victory in the 13th national election. Speaking at a press conference on Saturday at Hotel Intercontinental in Dhaka, he identified restoring the rule of law, improving law and order, and reviving the economy as major challenges before forming the new government. Rahman vowed to ensure that laws function independently and promised to establish an accountable administration.

He congratulated citizens for the electoral outcome, describing it as a victory for democracy and the people of Bangladesh. Rahman urged party members to remain calm, avoid revenge, and prevent any resurgence of authoritarian forces. He also thanked the government, election officials, media, and observers for conducting a fair election and paid tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War and democratic movements.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir termed the event a historic moment, saying the nation was returning to a democratic path and calling for support to strengthen Rahman’s leadership.

Following the 13th National Parliament election, preparations are underway for the formation of a new government in Bangladesh. Cabinet Secretary Sheikh Abdur Rashid informed reporters at the Secretariat on Saturday, 14 February 2026, that the President will administer the oath to the new cabinet members as per the constitution. Around one thousand local and foreign guests are expected to be invited to the oath-taking ceremony.

According to the Cabinet Division, after the swearing-in of the newly elected members of parliament, the parliamentary party leader will be chosen, and the President will invite that leader to form the government. The leader will then submit names to the Cabinet Division, which will issue formal invitations for the oath ceremony. The event is scheduled to take place before the start of Ramadan.

Voting in the 13th National Parliament election was held on Thursday, 12 February 2026, across 299 constituencies, marking the transition toward the formation of the next government.

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman, in his first press conference after winning two-thirds of the parliamentary seats, highlighted several key challenges facing the new government. He said the country is beginning its journey amid a fragile economy, weakened constitutional and statutory institutions, and a deteriorated law and order situation left behind by what he termed fascism.

Rahman claimed that provocations were being made following the election and called on BNP leaders and activists across the country to stay calm and vigilant to prevent any untoward incidents. He warned that no illegal activities would be tolerated and emphasized that attacks by the strong against the weak, regardless of political, religious, or ideological differences, would not be accepted.

He also hinted at internal party tensions, acknowledging that misunderstandings may have arisen among party members during electoral competition. Rahman urged everyone to ensure that such disputes do not turn into acts of revenge or hostility within the party.

Dr. Md. Abdur Rahim Sarkar, the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami–nominated candidate supported by the 11-party electoral alliance, has rejected the declared results of the recently held 13th National Parliamentary Election in Gaibandha-4 (Gobindaganj) constituency. At a press conference on February 14, 2026, he alleged widespread irregularities, polling center takeovers, and vote count manipulation during the February 12 election. He demanded re-voting in five specific centers and recounting of ballots in all other centers.

According to his written statement, activists of the BNP and its affiliated organizations allegedly forced polling agents of the balance symbol out of several centers and stamped ballots for the paddy-sheaf symbol. He identified five centers where he claimed serious irregularities occurred, including ballot snatching, forced entry, and mass fake voting. He further alleged that during counting, his agents were expelled from some centers and that ballot bundles were miscounted in favor of the opposing symbol.

Dr. Sarkar stated that despite submitting written and verbal complaints to election officials, no action was taken. He urged the Election Commission to suspend the announced results and declare revised outcomes after re-voting and recounting.

Cabinet Secretary Sheikh Abdur Rashid announced that President Md. Shahabuddin will administer the oath to the new cabinet members in accordance with the constitution. He made the statement on Saturday, February 14, 2026, while speaking to journalists at the Secretariat. The Cabinet Division has completed preparations for the upcoming swearing-in ceremony.

When asked who would conduct the oath, Sheikh Abdur Rashid confirmed that, as per the constitution, the President is responsible for administering it. He also mentioned that around one thousand guests will be invited to attend the ceremony. The preparations indicate that the event will be held with formal arrangements under the supervision of the Cabinet Division.

The announcement clarifies the constitutional process for the formation of the new cabinet and signals that the administrative groundwork for the ceremony is nearly complete.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman said that convincing the people was the party’s main form of political engineering and that they had succeeded in doing so. He made the remarks on Saturday, February 14, at a press conference in a Dhaka hotel while responding to a question from Khaled Muhyiddin, editor of Dainik Thikana. The event was held to share BNP’s reaction to the recent election.

Rahman congratulated Jamaat, NCP, Islami Andolon Bangladesh, and other political parties that participated in the election, saying their ideas and perspectives were important to BNP. He stated that the party was beginning its work from an economy and state structure weakened by fascism and pledged unity to prevent any anti-democratic forces from returning. He expressed confidence that contributions from both government and opposition would help establish democracy in the country, emphasizing national unity despite differences in opinion.

Thanking the interim government for ensuring a neutral election, Rahman reaffirmed BNP’s commitment to implementing every pledge made in the July Charter, including those marked with notes of dissent.

US Congress member Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez stated that Israel was able to carry out genocide in Gaza because of American military assistance. She made the remarks on Friday during the Munich Security Conference, calling the idea of unconditional support meaningless. Ocasio-Cortez said she believed thousands of women and children had been killed in Gaza, deaths she described as entirely avoidable.

Responding to a question from a journalist of the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, Ocasio-Cortez said the Democratic nominee in the next US election should reconsider providing military aid to Israel. She emphasized that the issue was not only about the presidential race but also about the United States’ obligation to follow its own laws.

She added that under US law, when serious human rights violations are observed, assistance should be conditional. The remarks were reported by The Guardian and highlighted growing debate over the legality and morality of US support for Israel.

Newly elected members of parliament will take oaths for two roles—one as members of the National Parliament and another as members of the Constitutional Reform Council. The announcement was made by Ali Riaz, special assistant to the Chief Adviser, during a briefing at the Foreign Service Academy on Saturday. The oath-taking ceremony is scheduled for February 17.

Ali Riaz stated that the public has given a clear mandate in favor of reforms, describing it as recognition of the July Charter and a reflection of people’s desire to end sixteen years of irregularities. He emphasized that with sincerity and commitment from political parties, the implementation of the July Charter is achievable.

He further noted that more people participated in the referendum than in the parliamentary election, indicating strong public support for reform. According to him, most citizens do not wish to return to the old system, and political parties must now work together to advance the reform agenda as pledged.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman declared, “From today we are all free,” during a post-election press conference held on Saturday at Hotel Intercontinental in Dhaka. He expressed gratitude to the people of Bangladesh for the party’s electoral victory and described it as a triumph for the nation and its citizens. Rahman also extended sincere thanks to the political parties that participated in the election, including Jamaat-e-Islami, NCP, Islami Andolon, and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam.

In his remarks, Rahman acknowledged the fragile economic condition and weak law and order situation in the country, emphasizing the need to begin addressing these challenges immediately. He called for cooperation from all sectors to move the country forward. The press conference was attended by senior BNP leaders including Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, standing committee members, vice chairmen, and advisers.

The event was conducted by BNP Media Cell Convener Dr. Moudud Ahmed Pavel, with several senior party figures present, reflecting the leadership’s unified stance following the election outcome.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman has called on all party leaders and activists across Bangladesh to play a responsible role in nation building. He made the appeal on Saturday afternoon at a press conference held at the Intercontinental Hotel in Shahbagh, Dhaka. This was his first press conference after winning the national election. Rahman emphasized that peace and law and order must be maintained at any cost, warning that no form of disorder would be tolerated.

Addressing political parties, Rahman said that despite differences in opinion and approach, everyone is united for the sake of the country. He paid tribute to all martyrs who died in democratic movements from 1971 to the 2024 mass uprising. Rahman also noted that 51 political parties participated in the election, including all major national parties.

The press conference was attended by senior BNP leaders including Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, standing committee members, and other key figures. The event was conducted by BNP Media Cell Convener Dr. Moudud Ahmed Pavel.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader Tarique Rahman has led his party to a landslide victory in the national election, marking his first direct participation in politics after returning from 17 years of self-imposed exile in London. The election comes just over two years after Sheikh Hasina’s controversial win, which was widely criticized for alleged vote-rigging. Rahman’s rise follows the death of his mother, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, who led the BNP for four decades.

BNP leaders have pledged to restore democracy and rebuild institutions weakened over the past decade. Political scientist Nabeen Murshid noted that Rahman’s lack of prior governing experience may work in his favor as citizens seek change. The political shift follows the 2024 “July Uprising,” when young protesters helped oust Hasina. Interim leader Dr. Muhammad Yunus’s tenure has since seen unrest, leaving the new government to stabilize law and order, revive the economy, and create jobs.

Sociologist Samina Luthfa observed that most parties lack governing experience and criticized the low representation of women, with only about 4% female candidates. She urged swift action to ensure competent women fill reserved parliamentary seats.

Following its landslide victory in the general election, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has announced plans to invite Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the upcoming oath-taking ceremony of its chairman, Tareq Rahman. According to a report by India Today cited in the source, preparations are underway to invite regional heads of state, and Modi is expected to be among the invitees. The report notes that if the invitation is formally sent and accepted, Modi’s presence in Dhaka would mark a significant milestone in India-Bangladesh relations under the new political leadership.

The BNP has not yet made any official announcement confirming the date of the ceremony or the attendance of foreign leaders. The report adds that the party is working to restore India-Bangladesh relations following recent regional tensions.

Earlier, Prime Minister Modi congratulated Tareq Rahman on his election victory and spoke with him by phone. In a post on social media platform X, Modi expressed his pleasure at the conversation and reaffirmed India’s commitment to peace, progress, and prosperity for both nations.

BNP Chairperson and Bangladesh’s next Prime Minister Tarique Rahman stated that all citizens must work together to ensure the country does not become a subservient state. He made the remarks on Saturday, February 14, during a post-election press conference following the recently concluded national polls.

During the briefing, Rahman expressed gratitude to all political parties for contributing to what he described as a fair and impartial election. He also urged his party’s leaders and activists to maintain restraint in their behavior in the aftermath of the election.

Rahman remembered former three-time Prime Minister and BNP’s former Chairperson Khaleda Zia, praying for the forgiveness of her soul. His comments marked his first major statement after the election, emphasizing unity and responsible conduct as the country transitions to a new government.

Cabinet Secretary Dr. Sheikh Abdur Rashid said that newly elected members of the National Parliament are expected to take their oath within three or at most four days. Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat on Saturday, he explained that the official gazette for the elected members has already been published, and according to law, the oath-taking must occur within three days from the start of the next working day. He indicated that the ceremony could take place by February 17.

Dr. Rashid added that preparations for the oath-taking are complete, but arrangements are also in place if it is delayed beyond the initial three days. The ceremony will be held at Bangabhaban, where about one thousand guests, including distinguished individuals, are expected to attend. He confirmed that, as per the constitution, the President will administer the oath to the members of the Cabinet.

Following the oath, participating political parties will select their parliamentary leaders. The leader of the majority members will inform the President, who will then appoint that person as Prime Minister according to constitutional procedure.