A seven-member election observer team from Turkey met with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on February 10, 2026, at the Jamuna State Guest House in Dhaka. The meeting was described as a courtesy call between the Turkish delegation and the Chief Adviser.

The observer team, composed of members of the Turkish Parliament, was led by Mehmet Akif Yilmaz, Chairperson of the Turkish-Bangladesh Parliamentary Friendship Group. Senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Lamia Morshed, the Chief Coordinator for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the Chief Adviser’s Office, were also present during the meeting.

The visit reflects ongoing engagement between Bangladesh and Turkey in the context of election observation and parliamentary cooperation, as indicated by the composition and leadership of the Turkish delegation.

Bangladesh police have announced extensive security measures for 57 international observers from 16 countries who will monitor the upcoming national parliamentary election across Dhaka and other districts. The police chancery division, responsible for diplomatic security, is coordinating the arrangements. Inspector General of Police Baharul Alam confirmed that police escorts will accompany the observers to polling centers, with additional officers deployed in both uniform and plain clothes.

According to police sources, the largest observer team will come from Malaysia, followed by Turkey with 12 members led by former Turkish ambassador Mehmet Vakur Erkul. Observers from Pakistan, Japan, Indonesia, South Africa, the Philippines, Jordan, Georgia, Russia, Maldives, Kyrgyzstan, Sri Lanka, Uzbekistan, Iran, and a 14-member Commonwealth team are also expected. The Special Branch will verify observer information and monitor entry points to prevent unauthorized arrivals.

Police will strengthen surveillance in diplomatic zones such as Baridhara, Gulshan, and Dhanmondi, and deploy forces on rooftops near polling centers. Security will remain in place until observers leave each site, ensuring uninterrupted monitoring and safeguarding Bangladesh’s international image.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami leader Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has drawn growing attention from both domestic elites and foreign diplomats as the party emerges as one of the country’s two main political forces ahead of the upcoming parliamentary election. Once politically isolated, Rahman is now meeting openly with European, Western, and Indian diplomats. Al Jazeera reported that Jamaat’s rise in opinion polls has shifted elite perceptions, while Rahman’s calm demeanor and public appearances have strengthened his leadership image.

Rahman, a physician and three-term party chief, unveiled an ambitious election manifesto that some economists questioned for its economic feasibility. Analysts said the manifesto’s main goal was to signal political direction rather than fiscal detail. Jamaat’s new narrative seeks to present itself not merely as a religious party but as a disciplined, reform-oriented force emphasizing governance and inclusivity. The party has even nominated a Hindu candidate for the first time.

Observers note that Jamaat’s growing international engagement and its competition with the BNP mark a major transformation. Whether this shift reflects genuine reform or strategic rebranding remains a key question for Rahman’s leadership and the party’s future.

Large numbers of Dhaka residents are leaving the capital to vote in their home districts ahead of Thursday’s national election and referendum. The government has declared Tuesday a holiday for industrial workers and Wednesday for other employees to facilitate voter participation. With Friday and Saturday being regular weekends, citizens are enjoying an extended break, prompting a rush for long-distance travel by bus, train, and launch. Many who booked tickets early are traveling comfortably, while others are struggling to find seats.

On Monday, major terminals and stations in Dhaka saw heavy crowds, particularly from industrial areas where workers’ holidays had already begun. Transport operators reported that most tickets were sold in advance, leaving few options for last-minute travelers. Some bus companies have added extra trips to meet demand, while train and launch passengers faced less difficulty. Officials said the extended holidays were approved last week to ensure voters could return home easily.

The chief adviser’s press secretary stated that the decision aims to allow citizens, especially those from major cities, to vote in their local constituencies after being unable to do so in previous elections.

Severe traffic congestion was reported on February 10, 2026, at the Aricha and Paturia ferry terminals in Manikganj as large crowds of people began traveling home to participate in the upcoming election festival. The rush followed a four-day government holiday, prompting thousands to leave Dhaka for northern and southern regions. Authorities struggled to manage the surge of passengers and vehicles, with long queues forming for ferries and launches.

Passengers described waiting for hours to cross the river, with many expressing both excitement about voting and frustration over increased transport fares. Some travelers complained about the absence of visible law enforcement and alleged that transport owners had formed syndicates to raise fares. Ferry and launch operators acknowledged the sudden rise in passengers but assured that the situation would normalize soon. BIWTC officials said the congestion was temporary and expected to ease within the day.

The festive atmosphere at the terminals resembled that of major holidays, reflecting strong public enthusiasm for participating in the national vote despite travel difficulties.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam announced that if mob violence occurs at any polling center during the upcoming election, the Election Commission will suspend voting not only at that center but across the entire constituency. He made the statement on Tuesday while briefing journalists about the law and order situation ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election and referendum.

The IGP said all preparations for the election are complete and no one will be able to disrupt the process. A three-tier security system has been arranged, including fixed, mobile, and striking forces. A total of 187,603 police personnel are deployed, supported by the army, navy, and Ansar. Officers who served in the previous election have been excluded from election duties to ensure neutrality. Baharul Alam expressed hope for a fair and peaceful election.

He added that 27,995 licensed firearms have been deposited, 90 percent of polling centers are under CCTV surveillance, and body-worn cameras and drones will be used in vulnerable centers.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has launched a new election website ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election. The party announced the launch three days before the vote, introducing the site as part of its campaign strategy. The website, titled “Cholo Bangladesh” and accessible at https://cholobangladesh.net/, carries the slogan “Let’s build Bangladesh together.” It urges voters to support the party’s electoral symbol and to vote “yes” in the referendum.

According to the report, the website includes the party’s election manifesto, candidate profiles, details of the 11-party alliance partners, information on allied candidates, and campaign materials. It also features photo and video galleries containing campaign-related content. The site is available in both Bangla and English versions and is designed with a visually appealing layout.

The launch marks Jamaat-e-Islami’s digital engagement effort in the final days before the election, aiming to reach voters with comprehensive campaign information and alliance details.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam announced that five people have been killed in 317 incidents of violence across Bangladesh following the announcement of the election schedule. He said a total of 27,995 licensed firearms have been deposited nationwide in preparation for the polls. The information was shared at a press conference held Tuesday morning at the Police Headquarters Media Center on Gani Road, Dhaka, to outline pre-election security measures.

The IGP stated that 157,805 police personnel will be deployed across the country during the election. Each polling center will have a static police force, supported by mobile teams and striking forces to respond to emergencies. To strengthen security, 80 percent of polling centers have been equipped with CCTV cameras, while body-worn cameras and drones will be used in high-risk areas.

Baharul Alam also mentioned that more than a thousand weapons, including those looted from police stations and civilian deposits on August 5, remain missing. Despite these challenges, he expressed optimism about successfully conducting the upcoming election.

BNP’s central election steering committee spokesperson and party chairperson’s adviser Mahadi Amin has accused Jamaat of buying votes ahead of the national election, describing it as a sign of political bankruptcy and a violation of the electoral code of conduct. Speaking at a press conference in Gulshan on Tuesday, he alleged that Jamaat was using money to lure voters, including children, even in the constituency of its party chief. He said such actions contradict the party’s proclaimed anti-corruption stance and demonstrate moral failure.

Amin cited specific clauses from the Election Commission’s 2025 Code of Conduct and the Representation of the People Order, 1972, noting that offering money or gifts to voters constitutes a punishable offense. He urged the Election Commission and returning officers to take immediate legal action. He also alleged that Jamaat candidates in Khulna-1 and other constituencies were distributing cash and that its activists had attacked BNP supporters in Comilla and Bogura.

Amin claimed that public support for BNP was at its peak and that any attempts at misinformation, violence, or financial manipulation would fail to prevent the party’s victory if a free and fair election were held.

Ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election, Dhaka witnessed a mass exodus on Tuesday as residents began leaving the capital to vote and spend time with family during the extended holiday. Major transport hubs including Gabtoli, Sayedabad, Mohakhali bus terminals, and Kamalapur railway station were overcrowded from early morning. Heavy traffic congestion was reported on key highways such as Dhaka–Mymensingh and Dhaka–Tangail, with long queues of buses, trucks, and private vehicles. Many travelers complained of being stranded for hours and paying several times the usual fare.

Passengers alleged that bus fares from Dhaka to Mymensingh, normally 200–250 taka, had surged to 500–600 taka, while some resorted to traveling by truck for 300–400 taka per person. The rush resembled the festive atmosphere of Eid, with thousands heading home simultaneously. The extended break includes public holidays on February 11 and 12 for the election and referendum, followed by the regular Friday weekend.

Highway police officials said additional forces were deployed to ease congestion and monitor fare irregularities, promising immediate legal action against transport operators found overcharging passengers.

Iran’s government tightened its stance on Monday, launching a nationwide wave of arrests following recent protests. At the same time, Tehran indicated that it remains open to diplomatic engagement with the United States over its nuclear program, according to AFP. Among those detained was Javad Emam, spokesperson for the main reformist coalition, as authorities moved against several political figures and activists.

The arrests coincided with ongoing discussions between Iranian and U.S. officials in Oman, which both sides described as positive. Days earlier, a court extended the prison term of Nobel Peace Prize-winning activist Narges Mohammadi, and on Monday, authorities detained Hossein Karubi, son of opposition leader Mehdi Karubi. The government has labeled the protests as “riots,” alleging foreign provocation by Israel and the United States.

Observers view the current unrest as one of the most serious challenges to Iran’s leadership since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Tehran appears to be pursuing a dual strategy—cracking down on dissent while exploring potential diplomatic openings with Washington.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has completed a nationwide election campaign covering 43 districts across eight divisions. The 15-day tour began on January 23 in Panchagarh and concluded on February 7 with a public rally in Sylhet. During the campaign, he addressed over fifty major rallies and several roadside meetings organized under the 11-party electoral alliance, delivering key messages ahead of the February 12 election. He traveled more than 7,000 kilometers, mostly by helicopter, and also campaigned on foot in his Dhaka-15 constituency.

Party sources said his campaign drew strong responses from both party activists and general voters. Dr. Rahman urged voters to support Jamaat and allied candidates to implement reform plans and build a just, corruption-free welfare state. He also criticized attacks on Jamaat’s female activists and pledged to ensure women’s and children’s safety, youth employment, and education reform if his alliance forms the government.

His speeches sparked wide discussion in media and social networks, with some reports allegedly misrepresenting his remarks. Following Jamaat’s protest, one media outlet later apologized for the distortion.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairman Tarique Rahman launched his campaign for the 13th parliamentary election by visiting the shrine of Hazrat Shahjalal (R.) in Sylhet. Beginning on January 22, as per the Election Commission’s schedule, he addressed 43 rallies and roadside meetings across the country over 19 days. His campaign carried the BNP’s message from cities to rural areas, urging citizens to vote for the party’s symbol, the paddy sheaf. Rahman outlined his development plans and regional commitments, promising reforms if the BNP forms the next government.

Continuing the tradition of BNP founders Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia, Rahman began his campaign in Sylhet. His wife, Dr. Zubaida Rahman, accompanied him on most of the tour. During the rallies, he pledged to restore democracy through electoral victory. His speeches included anti-corruption warnings in Chattogram, promises to make Faridpur a new division, to establish a medical college and airport in Thakurgaon, and to expand playgrounds and roads in Dhaka.

The campaign marked Rahman’s first return to his ancestral home in Bogura after years in exile, symbolizing a renewed national presence ahead of the election.

The chief observer of the European Union Election Observation Mission, Ivers Ijabss, expressed optimism that Bangladesh’s 13th national parliamentary election will be participatory and credible. Speaking at a press conference in Dhaka on Tuesday morning, he said the overall electoral environment appears positive and could mark a new chapter in the country’s democratic history. The EU mission aims to witness a credible and inclusive election, guided by shared principles of democracy, accountability, and the rule of law.

Ijabss noted that the mission has engaged with security forces, the army, and police, and believes that while some areas remain relatively high-risk, authorities have maintained control overall. He emphasized the importance of ensuring participation from all communities, particularly women and minorities, to make the election truly inclusive. Observers are already working across districts and maintaining regular contact with candidates and stakeholders, finding the general atmosphere encouraging.

The EU mission’s preliminary report will be released on February 14, with a final report expected about two months after the election, including recommendations on issues such as social media.

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 in Bangladesh begins the trial today of Sheikh Hasina’s adviser Salman F Rahman and former law minister Anisul Huq, both sentenced to death for crimes against humanity committed during the July Revolution. The three-member judicial panel, chaired by Justice Golam Mortuza Majumdar, will open proceedings with the prosecution’s introductory statement, followed by the recording of the first witness testimony.

On January 12, the tribunal rejected the defendants’ petitions for discharge and formally framed charges against them. The prosecution has brought five charges, including allegations that under their instigation and assistance, law enforcement and armed Awami League cadres killed and injured thousands of students and civilians in Rangpur and Dhaka between July and August 2024. The charges also include joint criminal enterprise and superior command responsibility.

Anisul Huq is additionally accused of filing 286 cases against 450,000 protesters, while Salman F Rahman allegedly met Sheikh Hasina with business leaders to support violent suppression of demonstrators. The tribunal’s proceedings mark a significant step in addressing alleged atrocities linked to the July Revolution.