Journalists will be allowed to use mobile phones inside polling centers during the upcoming 13th National Parliament election and referendum in Bangladesh. The decision was confirmed after a meeting between the Election Commission’s Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed and Kazi Zebel, president of the Reporters Forum for Election and Democracy (RFED), at the Election Commission building in Agargaon on Monday.

Kazi Zebel said the Election Commission assured that the restriction on mobile phone use would not apply to journalists, recognizing the importance of mobile phones in their professional duties. The assurance came after RFED expressed concerns that such restrictions could hinder transparency and press freedom. The Commission also promised to issue an official notification soon.

Earlier, on Sunday, the Election Commission had issued a circular prohibiting anyone, including voters, from carrying mobile phones within 400 yards of polling centers, a move that drew protests from several journalist organizations.

The Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) held a meeting with the Election Commission (EC) on February 9, 2026, representing four crore young voters who regained their voting rights after sixteen years. After the meeting, DUCSU Vice President and student leader Sadiq Kayem declared that the successors of the July Revolution would not allow any form of election engineering or backdoor power grabs in Bangladesh.

Kayem criticized the EC’s recent directive banning mobile phone use within 400 yards of polling centers, calling it authoritarian and undemocratic. He said the decision would hinder public participation and noted that the commission assured them the order would be withdrawn and replaced. He also expressed concern over excluding the Bangladesh National Cadet Corps (BNCC) from election duties, describing the force as professional and disciplined, and said the EC promised to reconsider the issue.

Kayem further questioned the administration’s role in attacks and threats against candidates, especially women, urging law enforcement to act responsibly to ensure a free, fair, and participatory election where democracy ultimately prevails.

Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam of the International Crimes Tribunal stated that the ongoing trial over the July killings will not be affected by any change in government. Speaking to reporters at the tribunal premises on Monday, he emphasized that the trial is a responsibility of the state and not linked to political transitions. He assured that even if a new political government takes office, the judicial process will continue.

Tajul Islam described the July killings as crimes committed against the people of Bangladesh, asserting that the state is obligated to ensure justice. He expressed optimism that an elected government would provide better support to the tribunal, possibly by increasing the number of tribunals to overcome existing limitations. He reiterated that all political parties and citizens are united in their commitment to justice for the atrocities, including killings, torture, and enforced disappearances during July and August.

He further noted that those who come to power in the future are also citizens of Bangladesh and remain bound by the national pledge to complete the trials, leaving no scope for political influence over the judicial process.

Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, Assistant Secretary General of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and head of its central publicity and media department, has called for the immediate withdrawal of the Election Commission’s decision to ban voters from carrying mobile phones within 400 yards of polling centers. In a statement to the media on Monday, he described the decision as unjust and urged the Commission to reverse it without delay.

Zubair argued that the restriction, imposed ahead of the upcoming national parliamentary election and referendum, undermines voters’ freedom and security rather than protecting them. He stated that the measure amounts to unnecessary control over citizens and called on the Election Commission to reconsider its stance.

He further warned that if the decision is not withdrawn, Jamaat-e-Islami, along with the public, would surround the Election Commission office to compel the withdrawal of what he termed an unfair decision.

Hasnat Abdullah, the NCP’s chief organizer for the southern region and a candidate representing an 11-party alliance in Cumilla-4 (Debidwar), has alleged that the Election Commission’s decision to ban mobile phones at polling centers is part of a conspiracy to steal votes. He made the remarks on Tuesday at an election rally held at Bhaisherkot Eidgah field in Debidwar upazila.

During his speech, Hasnat argued that prohibiting mobile phones on election day would prevent citizen journalists from exposing irregularities. He said that in July, only a few media outlets were allowed to report freely, while mobile journalists played a key role in delivering real news to the public. He demanded that the Election Commission withdraw the mobile ban to ensure transparency and free news coverage.

The rally was conducted by expatriate Masud Parvez Sohag and attended by local leaders from NCP and Jamaat, including Jahangir Alam, Saiful Islam Shahid, and Professor Shahidul Islam.

According to a survey by the International Institute of Law and Diplomacy (IILD), the 'Yes' vote is projected to win the upcoming referendum scheduled for February 12 with 89.6 percent of the votes. The findings were announced on February 9 at Fars Hotel and Resort in Dhaka by IILD Executive Director Shafiul Alam Shaheen. The survey covered all 300 parliamentary constituencies and included responses from 63,615 voters, of whom 57.59 percent were men and 42.41 percent women.

The results show that 92.9 percent of respondents expressed interest in voting in the 13th National Parliamentary Election, while 4.4 percent said they would not vote and 2.7 percent remained undecided. Among those aware of the referendum, 89.6 percent said they would vote 'Yes' and 9.1 percent 'No'. However, 25.2 percent of surveyed voters reported being unaware of the referendum.

The survey suggests strong public support for the 'Yes' option ahead of the February 12 referendum, reflecting high voter engagement and awareness levels across the country.

A total of 153 officers of the Bangladesh Police have been promoted from sub-inspector to inspector ranks ahead of the upcoming national election. The promotions were approved through three separate circulars signed by Inspector General of Police Baharul Alam on Sunday, though the decision was made public later. According to the circulars, 100 unarmed sub-inspectors, 47 armed sub-inspectors, and 6 police sergeants were elevated to inspector positions in their respective categories.

The announcement comes just days before the 13th National Parliamentary Election and referendum, scheduled for February 12. The timing places the promotions within a sensitive pre-election period, as law enforcement agencies prepare for nationwide deployment and security duties.

The source did not specify the criteria for selection or the distribution of the newly promoted officers across regions, but the move formally expands the inspector-level leadership within the Bangladesh Police ahead of the national vote.

Suraiya Akter Jahan, Additional Secretary of the Local Government Division, has been appointed as the new administrator of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC). The appointment was formalized through a notification signed on Monday morning by Mahbuba Irene, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives. The decision follows the removal of Mohammad Ejaz from the position of DNCC administrator.

According to the notification issued by the City Corporation-1 branch of the ministry, the appointment was made under Section 25A(1) of the Local Government (City Corporation) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2024. Suraiya Akter Jahan will exercise the powers and perform the duties of the mayor until further notice. She will carry out this role as an additional responsibility alongside her current position in the Local Government Division.

Mohammad Ejaz, Chairman of the River and Delta Research Center, had been serving as DNCC administrator since February 12 of the previous year, before being replaced by the new appointment.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced an agreement with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on a new trade deal that would reduce tariffs on Indian goods from 25 percent to 18 percent. The preliminary draft of the India-U.S. trade understanding has sparked intense debate across India, with opposition parties raising concerns over its terms and potential impact.

The Indian National Congress and left-wing parties have strongly criticized the deal, arguing that it offers no real benefit to India. Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera described it as a surrender to the Trump administration, warning that India could become a dumping ground for American products, harming farmers and small industries. He also objected to the inclusion of a U.S. monitoring mechanism on India’s oil imports, particularly regarding Russian crude.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh echoed these concerns, noting that the U.S. could reimpose the 25 percent tariff if India resumed direct or indirect oil imports from Russia. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) also labeled the agreement as detrimental to the interests of workers, farmers, and the general public.

Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed of the Election Commission Secretariat announced on Monday that the commission will withdraw its restriction preventing journalists from entering polling centers with mobile phones. The assurance came amid widespread criticism following a directive issued the previous night that prohibited mobile phones within 400 yards of polling centers during the 13th National Parliamentary Election and referendum scheduled for February 12, 2026.

The earlier directive, signed by Senior Assistant Secretary Md. Shahidul Islam of the Election Management and Coordination-1 branch, allowed only presiding officers, police in charge, and two designated Ansar members using the “Election Security 2026” app to carry mobile phones inside polling centers. The instruction had been circulated to divisional commissioners, regional election officers, and all deputy commissioners and returning officers.

Voting is set to take place from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on February 12, 2026. The Election Commission’s assurance suggests a possible revision of the earlier decision before polling day.

Judges Naima Haider and Mamunur Rahman have resigned from their positions after being barred from judicial duties following the 2024 mass uprising. The announcement was made on Tuesday by Supreme Court Public Relations Officer Shafiqul Islam. Justice Mamunur Rahman submitted his resignation via email from Canada, while Justice Naima Haider handed in a handwritten resignation letter.

According to the report, both judges had previously faced allegations of corruption and politically biased verdicts during the tenure of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. It was reported that the Supreme Judicial Council had found the allegations against them to be proven.

Their resignations mark a significant development in the judiciary, which has faced scrutiny over allegations of misconduct and political influence in recent years.

NCP convener Nahid Islam has warned Bangladesh’s Election Commission (EC) of severe consequences if any bias occurs during the February 12 election. Speaking at an 11-party campaign rally in Dhaka’s Mohammadpur on Monday, he said the current commission could face a worse outcome than the one during the Hasina era if it engages in partiality. He also cautioned that any attempt to manipulate votes, blackout media, or restrict public access to information laws would not be accepted.

Nahid Islam, who is contesting from Dhaka-11 under the 11-party alliance, criticized the EC’s directive banning mobile phones within 400 yards of polling centers. He questioned the origin of this rule and accused the commission of acting under hidden influence. He demanded the rule be withdrawn by Monday evening, warning that otherwise the EC would be besieged on Tuesday, February 10.

The remarks reflect growing tension between opposition candidates and the Election Commission ahead of the national polls, with disputes centering on transparency and voter rights.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has issued an ultimatum to the Election Commission, demanding the withdrawal of the mobile phone ban within 400 yards of polling centers by Monday evening. Speaking during an election campaign in Dhaka’s Mohammadpur area, he warned that a strong movement would be launched if the restriction was not lifted. The ban was imposed ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election and referendum.

Dr. Rahman criticized the Election Commission’s directive, referring to past restrictions on internet access during protests. He also pledged to curb drug and arms trade in Mohammadpur if his party came to power, and said Jamaat would form a government for the people, not a partisan one. He accused some government officials of favoring certain candidates and warned against such actions.

The Election Commission had earlier announced that only presiding officers and designated security personnel would be allowed to carry mobile phones within 400 yards of polling centers on election day.

Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP) and a candidate of the Jamaat-led 10-party alliance, has warned that the Election Commission (EC) will be besieged if it does not withdraw its ban on carrying mobile phones within 400 yards of polling centers. He issued the warning on Monday during an election rally at Mohammadpur Eidgah ground in Dhaka, ahead of the 13th national parliamentary election and referendum scheduled for February 12. The EC had issued the directive a day earlier.

According to the EC’s instruction, only presiding officers, police in-charge, Ansar personnel, and two Ansar members using the “Election Security 2026” app are allowed to carry phones inside the restricted area. Nahid Islam criticized the directive, calling for its withdrawal by Monday evening, and warned of severe consequences if the EC acted with bias.

He also accused private media outlets of favoring a particular party by selectively airing election advertisements and warned that any attempt to seize polling centers would be resisted with force.

Former Army Chief General Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan has called for the immediate dissolution of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI). He made the remarks on Monday while testifying before International Crimes Tribunal-1 in a case concerning enforced disappearances and killings against Ziaul Ahsan. Bhuiyan stated that if RAB cannot be dissolved, military officers should be withdrawn from the force and returned to the army.

In his testimony, Bhuiyan said DGFI had lost its legitimacy after fostering what he described as a culture of misconduct. He recounted that during his tenure, he faced pressure from the government, including phone calls from the prime minister, to assign army officers to RAB, which he resisted due to a shortage of officers. He described his time in service as painful because of RAB’s activities and said he now had the opportunity to complete what he could not do earlier.

Bhuiyan emphasized that acknowledging corruption within the army would not diminish its honor but would instead strengthen its integrity and reputation by ensuring accountability.