Bangladesh began voting in its long-awaited 13th National Parliament election and a constitutional referendum on February 12, 2026. Polling runs from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. across 42,958 centers in 299 constituencies, with the Sherpur-3 seat postponed due to a candidate’s death. The Election Commission has deployed one hundred thousand soldiers and nine hundred thousand security personnel to ensure a peaceful process. The vote marks the first competitive election in 15 years, following the fall of the previous authoritarian regime in mid-2024 and the formation of an interim government led by Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus.

The election is being held alongside a referendum on the “July Charter,” a proposed constitutional reform. Fifty-one of fifty-nine registered political parties, including BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, are participating, while the Awami League is banned. The interim government and the Election Commission have pledged a free and fair vote. Analysts describe the event as a historic test of Bangladesh’s democratic transition after two decades of political repression.

Observers note that the success of this election will depend on its neutrality and the stability of the post-election government.

As Bangladesh prepares for its first free and fair election in 17 years, women’s rights activists are voicing alarm over the growing influence of Jamaat e-Islami, an Islamist party once banned under Sheikh Hasina’s rule. The election, scheduled for Thursday following Hasina’s ouster in a deadly student-led uprising in August 2024, has been hailed as a democratic milestone. Yet many women who led the revolution now fear that the resurgence of conservative Islamist politics could erode hard-won freedoms and representation.

Jamaat e-Islami, previously persecuted and outlawed, has re-emerged as a major contender alongside the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Despite campaigning on reform and anti-corruption, the party has fielded no female candidates, and its leader’s remarks rejecting female leadership and denying marital rape have drawn sharp criticism. The National Citizen Party, formed by student leaders of the uprising, deepened frustration by joining Jamaat’s alliance while nominating only two women.

Analysts say Jamaat’s popularity among young, first-time voters reflects disillusionment with the old political elite. However, women’s groups warn that the party’s proposed policies—such as cutting women’s working hours—could reverse decades of progress toward gender equality.

Arab Barghouti, son of imprisoned Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouti, has called on the British government to prioritize his father’s release as part of efforts to renew Palestinian democracy. Speaking at a meeting in London, he warned that the UK’s recent recognition of a Palestinian state would amount to false hope unless backed by diplomatic action to secure his father’s freedom. He argued that Marwan Barghouti, despite being jailed since 2003, remains a unifying figure capable of advancing a peaceful two-state solution and democratic reform.

A cross-party group of UK MPs has been campaigning for Barghouti’s release, describing him as a potential bridge toward peace and a legitimate successor to Mahmoud Abbas. The Foreign Office, however, has declined to support the calls, limiting its stance to endorsing Red Cross access to Palestinian prisoners. Barghouti’s 2003 trial, which resulted in multiple life sentences, was criticized by an Inter-Parliamentary Union inquiry for failing to meet fairness standards.

Arab Barghouti said his father has been held in solitary confinement and assaulted since October, urging the UK to act in defense of international law and to help enable genuine Palestinian political renewal.

Tarique Rahman, returning to Bangladesh after 17 years in exile, has pledged to end entrenched corruption and lead the country on a new path as voting began in the first free and fair elections in nearly two decades. Speaking before polls opened on Thursday, the 60-year-old Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader promised a “top down, no tolerance” approach to graft if his party wins power. Polls suggest the BNP is poised for a sizeable majority over the Islamist Jamaat e-Islami, potentially returning the party to government after 20 years.

The election follows the ouster of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina in a student-led uprising in mid-2024 that left about 1,400 people dead, according to the UN. Since August 2024, an interim administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has overseen preparations for the vote. More than 900,000 security personnel were deployed to ensure calm as 127 million registered voters cast ballots in what analysts called the country’s first credible election in 17 years.

Analysts noted that a fair, peaceful election could mark a turning point for Bangladesh’s democracy, though the resurgence of Islamist parties poses challenges for secular governance and stability.

Bangladesh is holding its 13th parliamentary election and a national referendum on Thursday, marking the first time in the country’s history that both votes are being conducted on the same day. The Election Commission has completed all preparations, with ballot papers and materials distributed to 42,779 polling centers across 299 constituencies. A total of 2,028 candidates from 50 political parties and independents are contesting, while over 127 million citizens are eligible to vote. Voting runs from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with separate ballots for parliamentary and referendum votes.

The election follows the July Revolution and the fall of the previous government in 2024, leading to an interim administration under Dr. Muhammad Yunus. The Chief Election Commissioner urged voters to exercise their rights without fear, while Dr. Yunus called for unity and peaceful participation. Although the atmosphere is expected to be festive, intelligence reports warn of possible violence in some areas. Law enforcement deployment exceeds 900,000 personnel, and nearly 45,000 domestic and foreign observers are monitoring the polls.

Postal ballots have been introduced for the first time, allowing expatriates, officials, and prisoners to vote remotely. Results will be counted immediately after polls close and announced by presiding officers at each center.

Iran has reaffirmed that its missile program is non-negotiable, a stance that could complicate ongoing diplomatic efforts with the United States. Ali Shamkhani, an adviser to Iran’s supreme leader, made the declaration on Wednesday during an event marking the 47th anniversary of the Islamic revolution. His comments came after mediated talks between Iranian and US officials in Oman last week failed to produce a breakthrough. Tehran insists discussions should focus solely on nuclear issues, while Washington seeks to include Iran’s ballistic missile program and regional alliances.

US President Donald Trump has sent mixed messages about the negotiations, describing the first round as “very good” but also warning of possible military action if Iran does not meet US demands. Trump has also suggested deploying a second aircraft carrier toward Iran. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reiterated that Iran’s nuclear program is peaceful and that the country will not yield to “excessive demands.”

Iranian officials, including Ali Larijani, have continued regional consultations, meeting Qatar’s emir to discuss the talks. Both sides remain in contact about a potential second round, though no date has been set.

The United States House of Representatives voted on Wednesday to pass a bill reversing President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canada, marking a rare bipartisan challenge to his administration. The measure passed 219–211, with several Republicans joining Democrats to end Trump’s use of emergency powers to impose the tariffs. The vote comes as the US enters its midterm election season, with all House seats up for contest.

Democrats urged Republicans to prioritize lowering costs for American families over loyalty to Trump, while the former president warned that any Republican supporting the bill would face electoral consequences. Trump defended the tariffs, accusing Canada of exploiting the United States in trade. Despite the House approval, the bill faces a likely veto from Trump even if it passes the Senate, where similar measures have already been approved.

Public opinion polls show widespread disapproval of Trump’s tariffs, which many voters blame for higher prices. The Supreme Court is also reviewing the legality of the tariffs after lower-court defeats for the administration, adding further uncertainty to the policy’s future.

Voters in Bangladesh will go to the polls on February 12 for the country’s first parliamentary elections since former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted following a deadly crackdown on student-led protests in 2024. The Election Commission of Bangladesh said voting will take place across 42,761 polling centres in 64 districts for 300 parliamentary constituencies. More than 127 million registered voters, including 15 million overseas workers voting by post for the first time, are eligible to participate. A referendum on the July National Charter 2025, outlining constitutional and legal reforms, will be held alongside the election.

The election marks a major political turning point after Hasina’s Awami League was banned from politics. The centre-right Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by Tarique Rahman, heads a 10-party coalition, while the Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami (JIB) leads an 11-party alliance that includes the National Citizen Party formed by 2024 protest leaders. Analysts say the vote will test the strength of Islamist parties, the influence of young voters, and the future of the Awami League’s political exclusion.

Experts describe the election as one of the most consequential in Bangladesh’s history, with its outcome expected to shape the nation’s political direction and foreign relations for years to come.

Bangladesh has intensified security measures ahead of its 13th general election, the first since the 2024 uprising that ended Sheikh Hasina’s rule and sent her into exile. More than 157,000 police officers, 100,000 soldiers, and thousands of other personnel have been deployed nationwide to secure Thursday’s vote, in which nearly 127 million citizens are eligible to participate. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by Tarique Rahman, is leading the race, facing an 11-party coalition headed by Jamaat-e-Islami and joined by the newly formed National Citizen Party. A referendum on political reforms, including term limits and checks on executive power, will also be held alongside the election.

Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Muhammad Sanaullah said cameras have been installed in over 90 percent of constituencies, while police chief Baharul Alam reported that more than half of the 42,000 polling stations are considered vulnerable to violence. Rights groups have documented extensive political clashes since 2024, and Transparency International Bangladesh has warned of law-and-order risks. Interim leader Muhammad Yunus has declared a three-day public holiday and urged citizens to vote, calling the election a chance to restore democracy after years of restricted political space.

Public enthusiasm is high, with many first-time voters returning to their home districts despite transport shortages. The Yunus-led administration has pledged a fair and peaceful vote, viewing the election as a turning point for Bangladesh’s democratic future.

Nahid Islam, a 27-year-old former student leader who helped lead Bangladesh’s 2024 youth uprising, is contesting the February 12 election as head of the National Citizen Party (NCP). The NCP emerged from the anti-Hasina protests that toppled the previous government and now seeks to position itself as a centrist alternative to the country’s entrenched political dynasties. However, its decision to join an 11-party alliance dominated by Jamaat-e-Islami has divided supporters and raised questions about whether the movement’s reformist spirit can survive electoral compromise.

The alliance grants Jamaat 222 of 300 constituencies, while the NCP fields 30 candidates, including Islam in Dhaka-11. Islam defends the partnership as a pragmatic electoral arrangement to overcome the NCP’s organizational weakness, arguing it broadens the coalition beyond Islamist politics. Critics, including academics and activists, counter that the deal risks co-opting the NCP and lending Jamaat undue legitimacy, especially given its controversial stance on women’s and minority rights. Surveys suggest a close race between the BNP and the Jamaat-led bloc, with the NCP holding a small but potentially decisive share of votes.

Analysts say the NCP’s future hinges on whether it can maintain independence after the election or become absorbed by its larger ally.

Bangladesh is holding its first national election since the 2024 uprising that led to the removal of former leader Sheikh Hasina. The vote marks a significant political moment for the country as citizens return to the polls following the upheaval that reshaped its leadership.

The election follows a period of political transition triggered by the 2024 uprising, which ended Hasina’s rule. It represents an important test of stability and governance in the post-uprising era, as Bangladesh seeks to establish a new political direction after the leadership change.

The outcome of this election is expected to determine the country’s next phase of governance and could influence how Bangladesh rebuilds its institutions after the 2024 political turmoil.

Nahid Islam, a 27-year-old former student leader who rose to prominence during Bangladesh’s 2024 anti-quota protests, is contesting the February 12 national election as head of the National Citizen Party (NCP). The NCP emerged from the youth-led uprising that toppled Sheikh Hasina’s government and briefly saw Islam serve as an adviser in Muhammad Yunus’s interim cabinet. The party, positioning itself as a centrist alternative, now faces scrutiny for joining an alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami, a group still controversial for its stance during the 1971 war.

The alliance has caused internal divisions within the NCP, with several liberal and female leaders resigning, accusing the party of abandoning its founding ideals. Islam defends the partnership as a pragmatic electoral move, citing shared goals of reform and anti-corruption. Under the deal, NCP will contest 30 of 300 seats, while Jamaat fields 222. Polls suggest a tight race between the BNP and the Jamaat-led bloc, with smaller parties like NCP potentially playing a decisive role.

Analysts note that the election will test whether the NCP’s revolutionary appeal can survive electoral realities and whether its alliance strengthens or undermines its identity.

A local BNP leader named Jasim Uddin, 45, was seriously injured in an alleged attack in Channandi Union of Hatiya upazila, Noakhali, on Wednesday night. According to the victim, supporters of Abdul Hannan Masud, the candidate of the 11-party alliance, carried out the assault at Shiuli Ekram Bazar. Police said Jasim, a former organizational secretary of ward no. 3 BNP, was rescued by naval patrol members and sent to the district hospital for treatment.

BNP sources claimed that the attack was led by NCP leader Didar Hossain and his associates, who used sharp weapons. Hatiya BNP’s election chief, Sif Mohammad Alauddin, accused Masud’s supporters of trying to disrupt the election environment and intimidate voters ahead of the upcoming national polls. He alleged that such violence was an attempt to halt the growing support for the BNP symbol.

Police and naval forces visited the scene, and the situation was later reported as stable. The Hatiya police officer-in-charge stated that legal action would follow after investigation.

The Bangladesh Coast Guard detained a local BNP volunteer leader in Patuakhali’s Kalapara upazila on Wednesday night, February 11, with Tk 5 million in cash. The arrest took place near Khepupara Girls’ Secondary School around 10 p.m. The detainee, Md Kajol Mridha, is the joint convener of the Kalapara municipal unit of the BNP’s volunteer wing and a member of the election management committee for the BNP candidate in Patuakhali-4 constituency, ABM Mosharraf Hossain.

According to Coast Guard sources, the recovered money was allegedly being distributed to influence voters. Legal procedures are underway following the seizure. Officials present at the scene included the assistant commissioner (land) Yasin Sadiq, a senior judicial magistrate’s representative, NSI personnel, the officer-in-charge of Kalapara police station, and members of the Detective Branch. Attempts to contact the BNP candidate by phone were unsuccessful as his number was found switched off.

Kalapara Upazila Nirbahi Officer Kawsar Hamid stated that the operation was conducted based on a tip-off, and the cash was recovered in the presence of Executive Magistrate Md Mahidul Hasan.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has accused Jamaat-e-Islami of engaging in widespread violence, vote center occupation, vote rigging, and illegal money distribution ahead of the national election. At a press conference held Wednesday night at the BNP Election Steering Committee office in Gulshan, BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan described these actions as deeply disappointing and urged party members and citizens to guard polling centers and ensure fair voting.

Nazrul Islam Khan presented multiple incidents from across the country, including arrests of Jamaat leaders with large sums of money, allegations of bribing voters, attempts to seize polling stations, and acts of intimidation and violence. He emphasized BNP’s demand for a free, fair, and neutral election and reaffirmed the party’s commitment to restoring democratic rights and implementing its declared political pledges.

BNP spokesperson Mahdi Amin added that despite reports of misconduct, public enthusiasm for voting remains high, expressing confidence in BNP’s victory and calling for continued vigilance against electoral irregularities.