Daksu Vice President Sadiq Kayem has called for the immediate withdrawal of the Election Commission’s directive banning mobile phones within 400 yards of polling centers. Speaking on Monday at a campaign event in Gulshan-2 for Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Dr. S.M. Khaliduzzaman in the Dhaka-17 constituency, Kayem described the decision as undemocratic and alleged that certain groups were attempting to regain power through manipulation. The event was attended by Khaliduzzaman, Islami Chhatra Shibir president Nurul Islam Saddam, and other party activists.

Kayem claimed that the growing public support for the “scales” symbol had triggered conspiracies by opposing forces. He urged young voters to remain vigilant and resist any attempts to subvert the electoral process. He further asserted that the Dhaka-17 constituency would remain secure under Khaliduzzaman’s leadership and encouraged voters to elect leaders who stay connected with the people.

Kayem expressed confidence that the youth-driven momentum seen in universities would translate into victory for the “scales” symbol in the February 12 election.

Jamaat-e-Islami’s Amir announced that Allama Mamunul Haque would be made a minister if he wins in the upcoming national parliamentary election. The declaration was made on Monday afternoon during an election rally in Mohammadpur, where the party leader said residents of the constituency would gain a respected minister if Haque is victorious.

During the rally, the Jamaat chief stated that his party aims to establish a just and fair Bangladesh if it comes to power. He emphasized that their vision includes eliminating corruption and extortion from the country.

The announcement was presented as part of Jamaat’s broader campaign message ahead of the national election, highlighting promises of justice and integrity in governance.

Bangladesh is preparing for a national election on February 12, with opposition parties showing unprecedented street presence after years of suppression under ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by Tarique Rahman, is contesting 292 of 300 parliamentary seats and is seen as the frontrunner. However, the Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami, once banned, is emerging as a strong challenger, allied with the youth-led National Change Party (NCP). Polls cited by Reuters suggest Jamaat could achieve its best-ever electoral performance, though it may not form a government alone.

Analysts say a clear verdict could restore political stability in the country of 175 million and reshape regional dynamics involving China and India. Since Hasina’s departure to New Delhi, China’s influence in Bangladesh has reportedly grown, while India is seeking closer ties with the BNP. Jamaat’s alliance partners have voiced concern over Indian dominance and held meetings with Chinese diplomats, though they deny foreign bias.

Observers note that voters are prioritizing corruption and economic issues over religious identity, with younger generations expected to play a decisive role in the outcome.

A pre-election public opinion survey by the International Institute of Law and Diplomacy (IILD) has projected that the Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party alliance will win 105 parliamentary seats, while the BNP-led alliance will secure 101 seats in Bangladesh’s upcoming 13th national election. The survey results were released on Monday morning at a press event held at the Fars Hotel in Purana Paltan, Dhaka. It also indicated that 19 seats may go to other parties, with intense competition expected in 75 constituencies.

According to the IILD survey, the BNP-led alliance is slightly ahead in total votes with 44.1 percent support, compared to 43.9 percent for the Jamaat-led coalition—a margin of just 0.2 percent. The poll covered all 300 constituencies and included responses from 63,615 voters of various ages, professions, and genders, with 57.59 percent male and 42.41 percent female participants. Among respondents, 92.9 percent said they intend to vote in the election.

The survey found that male voters favored the BNP alliance, while female voters leaned toward the Jamaat alliance. Seats with more than a 10 percent vote gap were classified as secure wins, and those with less than a 10 percent gap as highly competitive.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman has called on voters to support the party’s Sheaf of Paddy symbol to rebuild Bangladesh. Speaking at an election rally in Banani, Dhaka, on Monday afternoon, he sought votes for the BNP candidate in Dhaka-17 constituency. Rahman outlined detailed plans for national reconstruction through economic empowerment and employment for women, farmers, youth, and religious leaders.

He emphasized his family’s deep personal and spiritual ties to the area, noting that both he and his brother grew up there and that BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia spent much of her life in the same locality. Rahman said the party’s election manifesto reflects the people’s expectations and includes specific programs to improve living standards if BNP forms the next government.

Rahman announced initiatives such as introducing “Family Cards” for homemakers, “Agriculture Cards” for farmers, and large-scale employment programs for youth through IT and technical training. He also pledged to recruit 100,000 health workers nationwide and ensure fair opportunities for all citizens regardless of religion or background.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Md. Sajjat Ali announced that 37 polling centers in the capital have been identified as risky ahead of the upcoming election and referendum. He made the statement on Monday at a press conference held at the DMP Media Center on Minto Road, outlining the security measures being implemented for the event. Each of the risky centers will have seven police officers on duty and will be equipped with body cameras.

According to the commissioner, there are 1,614 important polling centers across Dhaka, each to be guarded by four police officers, while 517 general centers will have three officers each. A total of 25,000 DMP members have received election-related training. To handle any potential situation, the DMP will also deploy its Special Reserve Force, Bomb Disposal Unit, and Dog Squad.

Additional Police Commissioners Sarwar and S.M. Nazrul Islam were present at the briefing, which focused on ensuring a secure and orderly voting process in the city.

A notice from the Election Commission (EC) banning mobile phones at polling centers during the 13th National Parliamentary Election and referendum has sparked widespread dissatisfaction among political activists and voters. The directive, which reportedly restricts carrying phones within 400 yards of polling stations, has drawn criticism from multiple political groups.

Leaders of the 11-party alliance led by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami announced plans to formally lodge a complaint with the EC. Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair described the decision as unacceptable and questioned whether it aimed to benefit specific groups. He argued that voters need phones for personal safety and documentation of irregularities. NCP spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan and media secretary Yasir Arafat also criticized the restriction, calling it unreasonable and counterproductive.

The alliance leaders are scheduled to visit the EC later in the day to discuss the issue and demand withdrawal of the ban, which they say undermines transparency and voter rights.

Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman attended an election rally of Maulana Mamunul Haque, the candidate of an eleven-party alliance and the Amir of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, in Dhaka-13 constituency. The rally began at 8:30 a.m. on Monday at the Mohammadpur Central Eidgah ground, with the Jamaat leader arriving around 11:30 a.m.

According to organizers, the event was arranged to present the political context, development vision, and future plans for the Dhaka-13 constituency ahead of the upcoming election. The rally featured Dr. Shafiqur Rahman as the chief guest and Md. Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizens Party (NCP), as the special guest. Central leaders from the eleven-party alliance were also in attendance.

The gathering highlighted the alliance’s coordinated campaign efforts in Dhaka-13, signaling cooperation among Islamist and allied political groups in the run-up to the election.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has issued a directive prohibiting the use of mobile phones within 400 yards of polling centers during the upcoming 13th National Parliament election and referendum on February 12, 2026. The order, signed by Senior Assistant Secretary Md. Shahidul Islam, allows only presiding officers, police in charge, and two designated Ansar members using the 'Nirbachon Surakkha 2026' app to carry mobile phones inside polling centers. The circular has been sent to divisional commissioners, regional election officers, and all deputy commissioners and returning officers for implementation.

In response, Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman issued a warning through his verified Facebook account on Monday, asserting that the nation’s voting rights were earned through struggle and would be defended if necessary. He emphasized that citizens desire a free and fair election where they can vote and celebrate without fear, describing election day as a festival of democracy.

The EC’s restriction and the Jamaat leader’s statement come just days before the scheduled polling, underscoring heightened political sensitivity around election security and voter freedom.

BNP Standing Committee member and Cox’s Bazar-1 (Chakaria-Pekua) constituency candidate Salahuddin Ahmed said that the people of Bangladesh have been unable to exercise their voting rights freely for the past 16–17 years. Speaking at a rally on Sunday evening at Sakurpara Station in Pekua, he expressed hope that the upcoming election would mark a new beginning for the country, leading to the establishment of a strong democracy where citizens’ rights are ensured and no one will have to shed blood for democratic freedoms.

During the event, Ahmed thanked supporters for their participation in the BNP’s mass procession and urged them to attend the final campaign rally scheduled for Monday at the Chakaria municipal bus terminal. He expressed confidence that the BNP’s symbol, the paddy sheaf, would achieve a record victory both locally and nationwide.

The rally was attended by former MP and Ahmed’s wife Advocate Hasina Ahmed, their son Saeed Ibrahim Ahmed, and several local BNP and affiliate leaders, reflecting strong organizational presence in the constituency.

Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari has said that India has now become a threat to global peace. He made the remarks on Sunday in a statement delivered in Islamabad, expressing gratitude to the international community for showing solidarity after a recent terrorist attack in Pakistan.

Zardari noted that messages of sympathy and support from world leaders, governments, and international organizations have given courage and strength to the people of Pakistan and families affected by terrorism. He emphasized that these gestures demonstrate that the fight against terrorism and its violent ideologies is a global struggle. Reiterating Pakistan’s long-standing position, he said no single country can combat terrorism alone.

The president alleged that some neighboring countries are involved in terrorist activities, providing direct financial and technical support to groups operating against Pakistan. He warned that history shows when terrorist groups are given shelter or impunity beyond national borders, innocent civilians around the world ultimately suffer the consequences.

Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari has accused several neighboring countries of carrying out terrorism against Pakistan. In a statement issued on Sunday, he alleged that some of these countries are directly financing and providing technical support to groups operating against Pakistan. Zardari emphasized that terrorism cannot be fought single-handedly and expressed gratitude to world leaders who showed solidarity after a recent terrorist attack in Islamabad that killed at least 33 people.

He stated that history shows when terrorist groups are given shelter, support, or impunity beyond national borders, innocent civilians around the world ultimately suffer the consequences. Zardari further claimed that some neighboring countries have become complicit by allowing such groups to operate against Pakistan, while others are providing them with financial, technical, and military assistance.

The Pakistani president also sharply criticized the Afghan Taliban administration, accusing Kabul of allowing terrorist groups to launch attacks inside Pakistan targeting security personnel and civilians.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing growing political pressure following the release of documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Amid the controversy, Starmer’s close aide and senior adviser Morgan McSweeney has resigned, according to Al Jazeera. The U.S. Department of Justice recently released hundreds of thousands of new Epstein-related documents, which revealed details of Lord Peter Benjamin Mandelson’s close ties with Epstein, sparking intense debate and criticism in British politics.

In response, Lord Mandelson was removed from his post as the UK ambassador to Washington and later resigned from the Labour Party. Al Jazeera reported that McSweeney accepted responsibility for recommending Mandelson’s appointment and described it as a mistake that damaged public trust in the government and politics. He said he had personally advised the prime minister on the appointment and took full responsibility for that advice.

Earlier, Prime Minister Starmer publicly apologized for appointing Mandelson as ambassador. The British government also announced that all information related to the appointment would be made public and referred sensitive documents to a bipartisan security committee for review.

Thailand’s interim Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s Bhumjaithai Party has won the country’s general election, according to preliminary vote counts released on February 9, 2026. Early results show the party leading with a significant margin, securing an estimated 194 of the 500 parliamentary seats. The People’s Party is projected to come second with 116 seats. Following the announcement, Anutin said the victory belongs to the people of Thailand.

The election was called in December after Anutin’s coalition government collapsed just three months into his interim tenure. Despite no party expected to achieve an outright majority, Anutin’s position in power now appears almost certain. The leader of the People’s Party, Nathaphong Ruengpaniyaut, stated that his party is prepared to serve in opposition if Anutin forms the next government.

Thailand’s election outcomes are often unpredictable, and this year’s results have again defied expectations, reinforcing Anutin’s political standing amid a fragmented parliamentary landscape.

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian has called on the United States to show respect as both countries prepare for another round of nuclear negotiations next week following mediated discussions in Oman. Pezeshkian described the indirect talks as a step forward and reaffirmed that Iran’s stance is rooted in rights under the Non-Proliferation Treaty. Tehran’s leadership emphasized sovereignty and independence, rejecting US military buildup in the region while expressing willingness for nuclear-only dialogue.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reiterated that Iran will not abandon nuclear enrichment for civilian purposes, even under threat of military action, and said he informed US envoys, as well as China and Russia, of the Muscat discussions. Iran’s top military commander warned that any attack on the country could ignite a regional conflict, though he stressed that Tehran does not seek war. The statements come ahead of the anniversary of the 1979 revolution, when nationwide demonstrations are planned.

Meanwhile, Iran continues to face domestic unrest, with protests over economic hardship and alleged state violence. Conflicting casualty figures persist, and human rights groups accuse security forces of mass killings, while authorities blame foreign interference and deny widespread arrests of medical workers.