On February 11, 2026, Dhaka appeared unusually quiet as law enforcement agencies set up checkpoints across major intersections ahead of the February 12 national election and referendum. Police, Rapid Action Battalion, and other forces were seen jointly patrolling key areas such as Shahbagh, Farmgate, Mirpur, Gulshan, and Uttara. Vehicle and passenger checks were intensified, leading to reduced traffic and fewer people on the streets.

Authorities said the heightened security measures aim to ensure a peaceful and fair election across 299 parliamentary constituencies. Surveillance has been increased around important installations, government offices, political party headquarters, and public gathering spots. Special teams in plain clothes are also operating alongside 24-hour patrols to maintain order.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police introduced three hotline numbers for citizens to report election-related irregularities or security concerns. Officials stated that the system was established to maintain peace and protect voters. Police reaffirmed their commitment to a neutral and credible election, maintaining a zero-tolerance policy against any form of sabotage or unrest.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has approved a proposal to pardon or reduce the sentences of more than 2,000 convicted offenders. The decision, announced on Tuesday, followed a recommendation from Judiciary Chief Gholamhossein Mohseni. A total of 2,108 individuals convicted in general and revolutionary courts, military judicial bodies, and government penal institutions will benefit from pardons, sentence reductions, or commutations.

The proposal was made in a letter from the judiciary chief to mark the 47th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution. Such clemency measures are traditionally announced during major religious and national occasions, when the judiciary chief seeks the leader’s approval for leniency toward eligible prisoners under Iranian law.

The move aligns with Iran’s customary practice of granting pardons during significant national celebrations, reflecting both symbolic and administrative aspects of the country’s judicial system.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has said he survived an assassination attempt while traveling by helicopter with his two daughters. According to Petro, the incident occurred when his aircraft was unable to land at a scheduled location on the Caribbean coast due to security threats. He stated that security forces had received information suggesting unidentified individuals might open fire on the helicopter. The president noted that the landing site had no lights and that the situation forced major changes to his travel plans.

Speaking at a cabinet meeting in Córdoba, northern Colombia, Petro explained that heavy rain and flooding had already created a humanitarian crisis in the region, but the security threat further disrupted his itinerary. He emphasized that he was trying to stay alive and could not reach the planned destination either the previous night or the following morning.

Reports indicate that Petro’s helicopter flew over open sea for several hours before safely landing at an alternative location with the assistance of the Colombian Navy. His security arrangements and travel routes were subsequently revised.

Violent anti-government protests broke out in Albania’s capital, Tirana, on Tuesday night as demonstrators demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama over corruption allegations. At least 16 people were injured in clashes with police and taken to hospitals, while 13 protesters were arrested, according to Al Jazeera. Police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse crowds outside the prime minister’s office, and protesters responded by throwing Molotov cocktails. Additional clashes were reported near the Albanian parliament building.

The unrest follows months of political tension in Albania, which began in November when prosecutors accused Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku of financial misconduct. Demonstrations have continued since then, reflecting growing dissatisfaction with the government. Protesters are calling for both Rama and Balluku to step down and have urged parliament to suspend Balluku’s immunity so she can face trial.

The ongoing protests highlight deepening political instability in Albania, with no immediate sign of resolution as opposition groups maintain pressure on the government.

Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, a 67-year-old physician and current chief of Jamaat-e-Islami, has unexpectedly become a major contender for Bangladesh’s prime ministership ahead of the February 12, 2026 national election. Once a marginal political figure, his bearded image now dominates Dhaka’s billboards as Jamaat, once banned, competes fiercely against the BNP, its former ally. The election follows the 2024 Gen-Z-led uprising that ousted former ruler Sheikh Hasina.

Public polls suggest Jamaat may achieve its best-ever result, worrying liberals and minorities. After Hasina’s fall, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus’s interim government eased restrictions, and a 2025 court ruling lifted the party’s ban. Jamaat quickly reemerged through charity and flood relief work, helping Rahman gain visibility. Analysts say he filled a leadership vacuum after the uprising, traveling nationwide and positioning Jamaat as a moral, Islamic-values-based alternative.

Rahman’s moderate image and alliance with the youth-led National Citizen Party have broadened his appeal, though his remarks limiting women’s work hours have drawn criticism. He emphasizes governance reform, anti-corruption, and equal treatment for all faiths.

Tejgaon Division Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Jewel Rana has warned that anyone attempting to tamper with or snatch ballot boxes during the upcoming election will face severe consequences. Speaking at a security briefing on Tuesday, he said law enforcement agencies will maintain the strictest stance to ensure order during voting. He emphasized that the army, police, Rapid Action Battalion, Border Guard Bangladesh, and Ansar will all be on duty with modern weapons to deter any attempt to disrupt the election.

Rana made the remarks after a joint foot patrol drill by the army, RAB, and police in Mohammadpur, saying that a secure environment has been created to instill fear among potential troublemakers. He added that preemptive action has already been taken based on intelligence reports. Earlier, Inspector General of Police Baharul Alam announced that advanced technology, including CCTV cameras at 90 percent of polling centers, body-worn cameras for officers at high-risk locations, and drones for area monitoring, will be used to prevent fraud and violence.

Police headquarters stated that 187,603 officers have been deployed nationwide in three security tiers to ensure voter safety and a peaceful election environment.

The Bangladesh Police Headquarters has issued a strict code of conduct for law enforcement officers ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election and referendum scheduled for Thursday. The directive lists 22 specific activities that police officers must avoid while on election duty. Violations of these rules will result in departmental and disciplinary actions, according to police headquarters sources.

The instructions prohibit officers from showing favoritism toward any political party, candidate, or supporter, and from expressing personal political opinions or posting political content on social media. Officers are also barred from using force unless absolutely necessary, accepting food or gifts from candidates or supporters, or engaging in unprofessional behavior such as taking photos with candidates. They are instructed not to enter polling booths without the presiding officer’s permission or influence voters in any way.

Additionally, police officers are forbidden from using mobile phones or sharing election-related information during duty. They must avoid unnecessary gatherings, personal conversations, or making predictions about election results, ensuring neutrality and professionalism throughout the polling process.

The 13th National Parliamentary Election and referendum are set to begin on Thursday across Bangladesh. Advisers of the interim government will exercise their voting rights in their respective constituencies in Dhaka and other regions at different times of the day. Law Adviser Asif Nazrul will vote early at the University Laboratory School and College in Dhaka-8, while Economic Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed will cast his vote at Gulshan Model High School and College at noon. Information Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan will vote between 10:00 and 10:30 a.m. at Adarsha College on Central Road.

Other advisers will also vote at various centers, including Muhammad Faozul Kabir Khan at Gulshan Model School and College, Sheikh Bashiruddin at Dhanmondi Kamrunnesa Government Girls’ High School, and Brigadier General (Retd.) M Sakhawat Hossain in Mohakhali’s DOHS area. Some advisers, such as Dr. A.F.M. Khalid Hossain, will not vote due to being away from their constituencies.

The election marks a key step toward forming a new government, with advisers participating alongside citizens in what is described as a significant national voting event.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has claimed that certain groups are spreading misinformation in the country as the nation prepares for a fair, neutral, and acceptable election. In a verified Facebook post on Wednesday, he said that these groups are attempting to mislead voters out of fear of Jamaat’s popularity and public support. He urged people not to pay attention to such propaganda.

Addressing voters, Dr. Rahman emphasized that voting is both a right and a sacred duty, calling on citizens to cast their ballots for their preferred candidates and symbols. He expressed hope that the entire nation expects responsible participation in the electoral process and prayed for divine assistance.

Earlier on Wednesday afternoon, police detained Thakurgaon district Jamaat Ameer Belal Uddin at Syedpur Airport in Nilphamari, alleging he was carrying 5 million taka. The report did not provide further details about the incident or any official response.

A total of 481,185 postal ballots sent by expatriate voters registered through the 'Postal Vote BD' app have arrived in Bangladesh for the 13th National Parliament Election and referendum. The information was confirmed on Wednesday by Salim Ahmad Khan, team leader of the OCV-SDI project, which oversees expatriate voter registration.

According to Khan, as of 9:15 a.m. Wednesday, 766,862 ballots had been sent to expatriate voters through the app. Among them, 528,579 voters received their ballots, and 515,619 have already cast their votes. Additionally, 507,327 expatriate voters submitted their ballots to postal authorities in their respective countries, and returning officers have so far received 444,436 of those ballots.

The Election Commission has also begun sending postal ballots to domestic voters registered under the ICPV system. So far, 760,898 registered voters within the country have been sent their ballots.

Bangladesh’s Election Commission (EC), led by Nasir Uddin, is preparing to conduct the 13th parliamentary election and a national referendum on the same day, marking the first such occurrence in the country’s history. The commission, formed on November 24, 2024, after the fall of the Awami League government, has had no prior experience in organizing elections. Despite this, it is tasked with managing two large-scale voting events simultaneously.

The report explains that under the Representation of the People Order (RPO), voters who find that someone else has already cast their ballot can still vote through a ‘tendered vote’. This ballot is kept separately and not counted. Additionally, if a polling agent challenges a voter’s identity, the voter can submit a deposit and cast a ‘challenged vote’, which will be counted if validated. The article also outlines the roles and appointment procedures for election and polling agents, emphasizing the requirement for national identification for polling agents.

The EC’s limited practical experience, having only conducted a small mock voting exercise, raises questions about its readiness to manage the upcoming large-scale electoral process.

Bangladesh will witness a historic event on February 12 as the 13th parliamentary election and a national referendum on the July National Charter will be held on the same day. The Election Commission (EC) has clarified that every voter must receive two ballots—one for the parliamentary election and one for the referendum. Voters may choose to mark only one ballot, but both must be placed in the ballot box. Any unmarked ballot will be counted as invalid during the tally.

According to the EC, voting will take place continuously from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with the time extended by one hour due to the dual voting process. The parliamentary ballot will be black and white, while the referendum ballot will be pink. More than 42,000 polling centers across the country will conduct the voting. Both ballots will be deposited in the same transparent ballot box and later separated and counted individually in the presence of polling agents.

This marks Bangladesh’s third referendum since 1991 and the first time both a national election and referendum are being held on the same day, presenting a new experience for election officials.

An opinion piece by Sardar Farid Ahmad, published on February 11, 2026, argues that the upcoming referendum in Bangladesh represents a decisive moment for the nation’s political and moral direction. The author frames the vote as a choice between ‘Yes,’ symbolizing reform and a new democratic order, and ‘No,’ which he associates with authoritarian continuity, fear, and moral bankruptcy. He contends that neutrality or silence in this referendum equates to supporting oppression and rejecting the sacrifices of those who fought for change.

The article contrasts ‘No’ as a return to past dominance, corruption, and dependence, while ‘Yes’ is portrayed as a commitment to institutional reform, judicial independence, free media, and national self-determination. Citing political theorists such as Hannah Arendt, Robert Dahl, and Juan Linz, the author links the referendum to broader questions of accountability and sovereignty. He emphasizes the role of youth voters, describing them as a transformative force unwilling to accept authoritarianism or external influence.

The piece concludes that the referendum is not merely a political exercise but a moral test of Bangladesh’s readiness to embrace reform and reject fear-based politics.

US President Donald Trump warned that the United States would take a tough path if no agreement is reached with Iran. In an interview with Israel’s Channel 12 on Tuesday, he said that either a deal will be made or the US will have to take very tough action as before. Trump also mentioned the possibility of a second round of talks next week.

The warning comes as tensions between Washington and Tehran remain high over Iran’s nuclear program and its recent crackdown on protests. Tehran has maintained that it will only discuss its nuclear program and will not give up its right to enrich uranium. Reports from Axios and Channel 12 indicated that Trump is considering sending a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East, quoting him as saying that one fleet is already heading there and another may follow.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Saturday that he hopes talks with the United States will resume soon while reaffirming Tehran’s red lines and warning against any US attack.

In Cox’s Bazar, traditionally a stronghold for both the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, the upcoming election has taken a new turn as the two parties contest separately. Historically, their joint candidates dominated all four constituencies, but this time the balance has shifted. Voters now expect BNP to win two seats and Jamaat two, though both parties claim victory in all four. Jamaat’s leader has already visited the district twice, while BNP’s chairperson canceled a planned trip.

In Cox’s Bazar-1, BNP’s Salahuddin Ahmed faces a strong challenge from Jamaat’s Abdullah Al Faruk. In Cox’s Bazar-2, Jamaat’s AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad is seen as the frontrunner against BNP’s Alamgir Muhammad Mahfuz Ullah Farid. The BNP’s Lutfor Rahman Kajol leads in Cox’s Bazar-3, while in Cox’s Bazar-4, BNP’s Shahjahan Chowdhury faces pressure from Jamaat’s Nur Ahmed Anwari, a popular local chairman.

Observers note that internal divisions within BNP and Jamaat’s growing grassroots organization could make the contests highly competitive across the district.