ATM Azharul Islam, central Naib-e-Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami and 11-party alliance candidate for Rangpur-2 (Badarganj–Taraganj), declared that India’s dominance over Bangladesh will no longer continue. Speaking as chief guest at an election rally on Saturday evening at Mondolerhat High School field in Ramnathpur Union, he accused India of exploiting Bangladesh since 1971 under the guise of assistance and never acting as a true friend.

He alleged that India prioritizes its own interests and supports a group in Bangladesh that follows Indian directives. Azharul Islam criticized a rival party for corruption, money laundering, and bank looting, claiming it seeks power again under Indian influence. He vowed that if the 11-party alliance comes to power, corrupt individuals, extortionists, and money launderers will face legal action. On foreign relations, he said the alliance would maintain friendly ties with neighbors but not at the cost of national interests, pledging to secure Bangladesh’s fair share of Teesta River water.

He urged voters, especially women, to reject those he accused of corruption and abuse, calling for support for the 11-party alliance to build a corruption-free nation.

Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam announced that around 900,000 members of law enforcement agencies will be deployed across the country for the 13th National Parliamentary Election. He said 25,700 body-worn cameras will be distributed to nearly 43,000 polling centers to strengthen security monitoring. The announcement came during a press briefing on Saturday evening.

According to the press secretary, 108,885 members of the armed forces, 37,453 from the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), over 3,000 Coast Guard members, and 567,866 Ansar personnel will begin duties from Sunday. From February 11, 157,000 police officers and a specified number of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) members will take up election duties across 299 constituencies. He also reported that 422,960 postal ballots have already arrived in Bangladesh, with 94 percent of overseas postal voters being men.

The briefing further stated that about 400 foreign observers, 50,000 domestic observers, and 120 foreign journalists will monitor the election. The Election Security App has been fully activated to help officials oversee law and order during the polls.

Bangladesh Television (BTV) has announced that four political party leaders will deliver televised speeches ahead of the 13th national parliamentary election. Starting Sunday, February 8, 2026, the state broadcaster will air these addresses as part of newly introduced reforms following the July uprising. According to BTV sources, Bangladesh Khilafat Majlis chief Mamunul Haque will speak from 6–7 p.m., followed by National Citizen Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam from 7–8 p.m. The next day, February 9, Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman will speak from 6–7 p.m., and BNP chairman Tarique Rahman from 7–8 p.m.

A BTV official said no other parties have yet requested broadcast slots, but additional applications will be considered if received. This marks the first time in about fifteen years that party leaders are being allowed to address the nation through the state broadcaster. The last such opportunity was during the army-backed caretaker government in 2008, while the previous three national elections did not feature similar broadcasts.

The initiative reflects policy changes in state media operations introduced after the July uprising, signaling a shift toward broader political inclusion in election coverage.

The Education Rights Parliament has expressed deep concern over the government's move to rapidly approve the proposed Education Act 2026. In a statement signed by its convener Professor Niaz Asadullah, the organization said that enacting such a significant law during the interim government's limited tenure, without public engagement, stakeholder consultation, or national consensus, would be inappropriate.

According to the statement, the draft law largely reiterates existing education structures and lacks clear direction for future-oriented reforms, structural changes, and quality improvements. The group also pointed out definitional ambiguities, unclear governance frameworks, and insufficient implementation guidelines that could lead to administrative and policy complications. It argued that essential policy matters should be defined by law rather than left to regulations.

The Education Rights Parliament recommended deferring the approval of the Education Act 2026 until a newly elected government takes office, allowing for inclusive participation and broad-based dialogue to produce a strong and sustainable education law. The statement emphasized that meaningful education reform requires time, dialogue, and consensus for the benefit of the state and future generations.

Allegations of irregularities have surfaced in the appointment of presiding officers for the 13th National Parliament election and referendum in Bakerganj, Barishal. Indrajit Das, the current legal affairs secretary of Bakerganj municipal Awami League and an assistant professor at Ragunathpur M A Malek Degree College, has reportedly been assigned as a presiding officer. The appointment has sparked criticism as several Awami League leaders, activists, and their family members were also reportedly given election duties.

Indrajit Das was seen attending a training session for presiding officers at the Upazila auditorium on Friday afternoon. His name appeared on the official training list signed by Assistant Returning Officer and Upazila Nirbahi Officer Rumana Afroze. Attempts to reach Das for comment were unsuccessful as he did not answer phone calls. Rumana Afroze stated that if any complaint is proven against him, he would be relieved of his duties.

Repeated calls to Barishal District Returning Officer and Deputy Commissioner Md Khairul Alam Sumon went unanswered, leaving the issue unresolved.

BNP Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas, contesting from Dhaka-8, hosted his electoral rival Meghna Alam, a model and Gonodhikar Parishad candidate, for tea at his Shahjahanpur residence on Saturday afternoon. Meghna, who is contesting under the truck symbol, attended the courtesy meeting and shared photos of their conversation at the same table.

In her social media post, Meghna wrote that she and her Gonodhikar Parishad team accepted Abbas’s tea invitation and enjoyed kacchi biryani. She emphasized that her politics stands for mutual respect and national unity rather than vengeance, and urged voters to support her in Dhaka-8. Later, she posted a video showing herself petting a goat at Abbas’s home, captioning it with a message about kindness to living beings.

The meeting reflected a gesture of political civility between two rivals in the Dhaka-8 constituency ahead of the election, highlighting a rare moment of cordiality in the campaign atmosphere.

Ballot papers featuring candidate names and symbols for the upcoming 13th National Parliament Election and referendum will be distributed in Gazipur district from Sunday, February 8. The announcement was made on Saturday, February 7, by Gazipur Deputy Commissioner and Returning Officer Mohammad Alam Hossain. He instructed assistant returning officers to collect election materials in person or through authorized representatives with official seals, ensuring proper security arrangements with police presence.

The 13th National Parliament Election and referendum are scheduled for February 12. Candidates are currently engaged in campaign activities, which will continue until February 10. The distribution of ballots marks a key step in the final phase of election preparations in Gazipur.

According to the report, the government has expressed satisfaction with overall election readiness, and additional security measures, including body-worn cameras at polling centers, are being implemented to ensure transparency and safety during the voting process.

Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Hafiz Abdul Muntakim for Nilphamari-4 constituency engaged directly with members of the Gen-Z generation in Syedpur on Saturday, February 6. The event, titled “Moving Forward with Youth, Syedpur Will See Success,” was organized by Islami Chhatri Sangstha’s Syedpur city branch. Young participants raised questions about his vision for Bangladesh, traffic congestion in Syedpur, post-election communication with citizens, and justice for Osman Hadi’s killing.

In response, Muntakim said he aims to build a corruption-free and terrorism-free Bangladesh with a fully technology-based education system. Addressing the traffic issue, he promised effective measures, including permanent shops for street vendors in alternative locations. He also pledged regular public engagement and accountability sessions every six months with Gen-Z representatives. On the question of Osman Hadi’s murder, he vowed to demand justice in his first parliamentary speech if elected.

The meeting was attended by NCP central organizer Abu Sayeed Leon, Nilphamari Jamaat office secretary Abdul Kadim, Syedpur Jamaat leader Shafiqul Islam, city secretary Wazed Ali, and leaders of women’s and student wings.

Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Mashud stated that there will be no election engineering in the upcoming 13th National Parliament election and referendum. Speaking to journalists on Saturday, February 7, at Rangpur Circuit House after a views-exchange meeting, he said the environment is supportive for a fair election. He emphasized that returning officers, assistant returning officers, 1.8 million election officials, and law enforcement agencies including police, BGB, army, and Ansar are committed to ensuring a good election.

Mashud added that the Election Commission is under no pressure regarding the current national situation but called for cooperation to make the election easy and acceptable. He said the Commission opposes any movement against the election process and urged citizens to act responsibly to maintain a peaceful environment. He noted that the political climate and voting culture have improved, with major party leaders following the Commission’s guidance by removing posters and canceling tours.

He also condemned all forms of violence and specifically denounced the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi, instructing law enforcement to conduct a proper investigation and bring the culprit to justice.

Dhaka South BNP convener and Feni-1 constituency candidate Munshi Rafiqul Alam Majnu has called for ensuring the victory of the 'Sheaf of Paddy' symbol to uphold the honor of Khaleda Zia. He made the remarks on Saturday, February 6, at an election rally organized by Parshuram Upazila and Municipal BNP, where he was the chief guest.

Majnu said he would complete the unfinished tasks left by Khaleda Zia and rebuild Feni-1 under the leadership of BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman. He pledged to transform the area into a developed region and to take a firm stance against terrorism and extortion, warning that those involved in such activities would not be allowed in the party. He also urged people not to believe those who misuse religion.

Majnu added that, if elected, he aims to establish a society based on Islamic values where all religions can be practiced freely. He promised to build mini stadiums in three upazilas, reopen the Feni-Belonia railway, improve agriculture through canal excavation, and enhance health and education sectors.

The political platform July Oikya announced a nationwide 'India Out' campaign from a rally titled 'Rally for Bangladesh' held at the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka on Saturday afternoon. The group accused India of sheltering those involved in the killing of Shaheed Osman Hadi, interfering in Bangladesh’s election and sports systems, and conspiring against the country’s sovereignty ahead of the upcoming 13th national election. Following the rally, participants marched to Shaheed Osman Hadi Square.

Speakers alleged that India has been weakening Bangladesh through indirect means for decades, citing trade restrictions, water-sharing disputes, and border issues. They also claimed Indian influence led to Bangladesh’s exclusion from the ICC T20 World Cup and criticized the government for failing to arrest Osman Hadi’s killers. The rally demanded an international investigation under the United Nations into Hadi’s murder, expressing distrust in domestic agencies.

Participants vowed to resist any foreign interference in Bangladesh’s internal affairs and called on citizens to join the anti-hegemony movement, chanting slogans such as 'India Out' and 'Boycott India'.

Three people were shot and at least ten others injured during a violent clash between supporters of an independent candidate and those of the BNP’s paddy-sheaf symbol in Mollakandi Union, Munshiganj Sadar upazila, on Saturday noon. The incident occurred in Beherkandi and Munshikandi areas when both groups exchanged gunfire and exploded crude bombs, spreading panic in the locality. The injured, including Lijan Sarkar, Monir Hossain Sarkar, and Fahim Dewan, were taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

According to local accounts, the violence erupted when supporters of independent candidate Md. Mohiuddin, represented by the football symbol, went to Munshikandi to campaign and were obstructed by followers of BNP leader and paddy-sheaf candidate Kamruzzaman Ratan. Assistant Returning Officer and UNO Masudur Rahman said army, BGB, and police personnel were patrolling the area and that the situation was now calm. Police officials stated that the two groups had a prior rivalry over local dominance.

Authorities have deployed additional forces and pledged to identify and take action against those involved in the violence.

Three leaders of the Boalmari upazila unit of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in Faridpur have been removed from their organizational positions for violating party discipline. The decision was announced in a notice signed by Faridpur district BNP convener Syed Modarres Ali Isha and member secretary A.K.M. Kibria Swapon, issued late Friday night. The expelled leaders are Boalmari BNP vice-president Shamsuddin Mia Jhunu, former organizational secretary Mojibur Rahman Babu, and Boalmari Matsyajibi Dal president Bishwajit Rajbanshi. The decision took effect on February 6.

According to the notice, the disciplinary allegations were reviewed before the leaders were relieved of their posts. The district BNP also instructed party members to refrain from maintaining any organizational contact with the expelled individuals to preserve internal discipline. District BNP member secretary A.K.M. Kibria Swapon confirmed that the action was taken based on the allegations.

The announcement underscores the party’s emphasis on maintaining internal discipline and organizational order within its local units in Faridpur.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has introduced four methods to help voters easily access their polling center and voter number information ahead of the upcoming referendum and the 13th National Parliamentary Election. The announcement was made on Saturday, February 7, 2026, by EC Director (Public Relations) Md. Ruhul Amin Mallik through an official notice.

According to the notice, voters can obtain their polling information using the Smart Election Management BD mobile app, the EC website (ecs.gov.bd), a hotline service, or SMS. The app allows users to search by national ID number and date of birth, while the website provides a similar search option along with Google Maps directions. Voters can also call the toll-free hotline 105 between 6 a.m. and midnight or send an SMS with the format “PC NID” to 105 to receive their polling details.

The EC stated that these digital and telecommunication-based services aim to ensure quick and accurate access to polling information for all registered voters nationwide.

A United States-based research organization, Sochchar, has forecast a close contest between BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman and Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Dr. Khaliduzzaman in the Dhaka-17 constituency. The findings were released on Saturday in Dhaka’s Karwan Bazar by Sochchar President Dr. Shabbir Ahmad during the presentation of a survey titled “Election Survey: Constituencies of the Four Major Political Party Leaders.”

According to the survey, 35 percent of voters in Dhaka-17 intend to vote for Tarique Rahman, while 32 percent favor Dr. Khaliduzzaman. About 15.1 percent of respondents declined to disclose their choice, 10.7 percent remain undecided, 3.7 percent plan to support other candidates, and 3.5 percent said they would not vote. The survey was conducted among 515 randomly selected voters, including 269 men and 246 women.

The results suggest a highly competitive race in the constituency, with a significant portion of voters still undecided or unwilling to reveal their preferences.