Bangladesh is set to hold its parliamentary election on February 12, 2026, following the 2024 downfall of former autocrat Sheikh Hasina. The vote will coincide with a referendum on the July Charter. The two main contenders for the 300 parliamentary seats are the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), leading a 10-party alliance, and Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh (JIB), heading an 11-party coalition that includes the National Citizen Party (NCP). The Awami League remains banned from political activity. Other participants include Islami Andolan Bangladesh and the Jatiya Party, both running independently.

BNP, led by Tarique Rahman, son of late Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, has re-emerged as a major force since his return from exile in December 2025. Rahman has pledged inclusive governance and infrastructure development. Academic observers note the party’s renewed organization and growing public engagement. In contrast, Jamaat, led by Shafiqur Rahman, has sought to expand its base and counter concerns over its Islamist agenda by fielding a Hindu candidate for the first time.

Interim leader Dr. Muhammad Yunus and Army Chief General Waker-uz-Zaman are seen as key figures ensuring stability during the polls, while exiled Hasina continues to criticize the process from India.

AB Party Chairman Mujibur Rahman Manju has alleged that recent police actions against Inquilab Mancha activists indicate a conspiracy surrounding the upcoming election. Speaking on Saturday morning in Feni, he condemned what he described as a brutal police attack on students and civilians during a protest demanding justice for the killing of Osman Hadi. The event took place after a bicycle rally organized by the Feni city branch of Islami Chhatra Shibir in support of Manju, the 11-party alliance candidate for the Feni-2 constituency.

Manju criticized the police for failing to protect Osman Hadi or apprehend his killers, accusing them instead of targeting innocent people. He said the behavior of law enforcement reflected anger and violent tendencies, suggesting the incident might have been intentional. According to him, such actions could be part of a broader attempt to send a political message ahead of the national election.

He further warned that the visible bias of the administration and police could signal deeper unrest, hinting at the possibility of a major upheaval if such trends continue.

Allegations have emerged that BNP activists obstructed the election campaign of the 11-party ‘Oikyo Boddho Bangladesh’ alliance, which includes Jamaat and NCP, in Dhaka-18 constituency. The incidents reportedly occurred on Friday across several areas, including Khilkhet’s Ward 48, where campaign leaflets were forcibly taken away after Jumma prayers. Local BNP leader Murad Kazi and his associates allegedly seized leaflets distributed in support of the Shapla Koli symbol and threatened campaigners with consequences if they went to polling centers on February 12.

The NCP claimed that alliance workers were intimidated during the campaign, with threats of assault if they continued campaigning in the area. A campaign rickshaw with loudspeakers was also reportedly taken away by BNP activists in the Borua Bazar area. Female members of the alliance were allegedly subjected to verbal abuse while campaigning for the Shapla Koli symbol.

Ariful Islam, the alliance’s candidate for Dhaka-18, condemned the incidents, calling them attempts to derail a fair election and demanded justice against those responsible.

A fire broke out early Saturday, February 7, 2026, at the election campaign office of Maulana Borhan Uddin, the 11-party alliance candidate for the Noakhali-3 constituency, located at Dineshganj Bazar in Rasulpur Union of Begumganj upazila, Noakhali. The blaze destroyed several chairs, tables, and an autorickshaw before local residents managed to bring it under control.

According to local sources, the office had been set up for campaign activities ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliament election and referendum. Leaders of the Bangladesh Shramik Kalyan Unit’s Rasulpur Union branch, who oversaw the office, alleged that the fire was an act of sabotage driven by political vengeance. They demanded that those responsible be identified and brought to justice.

Begumganj Model Police Station’s investigation officer Habibur Rahman said police, fire service personnel, and an executive magistrate visited the site. Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire and will take necessary action following the inquiry.

BNP candidate Sarwar Jamal Nizam for Chattogram-13 (Anwara–Karnaphuli) constituency has publicly appealed for an end to extortion activities until February 12. He made the request on Friday night during the inauguration of his election office at Chatari Choumuhani Bazar in Anwara upazila. A 55-second video of his speech later circulated on social media, sparking widespread discussion and criticism.

In the video, Nizam is heard describing Chatari as the economic center of Anwara and alleging ongoing extortion, anarchy, and terrorism in the area. He urged those involved to refrain from such activities until the 12th and warned that anyone attempting to tarnish the BNP’s image would not be spared. Attempts to reach Nizam by phone for further comment were unsuccessful.

Following the video’s spread, local political circles began debating his remarks. Some viewed them as an expression of concern over the election environment, while others criticized the statement.

The Uttarbangha Indigenous Forum held a press conference at the Chapainawabganj District Press Club on Saturday, demanding special security measures for indigenous and religious minority voters in the upcoming election. The organization presented a five-point demand, calling for effective steps to ensure safety and fair voting rights for these communities.

In a written statement, Forum General Secretary Provat Tudu said indigenous and minority groups across the country have long faced discrimination, fear, and violence, which intensify during elections. He noted that many are threatened or prevented from voting, describing such acts as violations of human rights and the constitution. Rajshahi city branch president Sumi Murmu urged the state, including the army, police, and law enforcement agencies, to take preventive measures against pre- and post-election violence and called on the Election Commission to act impartially and investigate intimidation complaints promptly.

Indigenous leaders reported that around 80,000 voters in three constituencies of Chapainawabganj feel insecure ahead of the polls and demanded increased patrols in indigenous areas.

Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus said that the country’s electoral culture has changed and that ensuring a perfect vote is now the biggest challenge. He made the remarks on Saturday night during a high-level meeting on election matters at the state guesthouse Jamuna, which he chaired. After the meeting, his Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam briefed reporters, saying the Chief Adviser expressed satisfaction with the overall election environment and noted nationwide enthusiasm and civility among participants.

Dr. Yunus stated that the upcoming election would be festive and memorable, with women participating joyfully. The Press Secretary added that the Chief Adviser tested body-worn cameras in five remote areas and that any issues would be reported through an Election Security App to the Election Commission and relevant offices. Around 900,000 law enforcement personnel will be deployed, including 108,000 armed forces members already in place. A 333 hotline is being launched for election-related matters.

Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumdar announced that permission for 10,000 election observers from the NGO “Pasha” had been revoked. Officials also assured that journalists face no security risks during the election.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has completed the distribution of parliamentary election ballots to returning officers across 299 constituencies. The process concluded on Saturday, with the final district set to receive its ballots on Sunday morning. Returning officers have acknowledged receipt and are authorized to begin constituency-level distribution from Sunday, following official instructions from the EC. The ballots were printed after final symbols were allocated to candidates on January 21.

According to EC officials, this election marks the first time expatriate Bangladeshis can vote through postal ballots alongside government officials, prisoners, and election staff. Over 1.53 million voters registered through the postal voting app, and more than 309,000 have already cast their votes. The remaining 126.2 million voters will vote in person using printed ballots distributed to local election offices.

Field-level distribution to assistant returning officers will begin Sunday, and polling officials are scheduled to collect ballots and materials on February 11. Voting will take place nationwide on February 12 from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Asif Mahmud, head of the National Citizens Party (NCP) election management committee, has criticized Tarique Rahman’s recent remarks to Reuters suggesting that Sheikh Hasina’s children could return to politics if the people desired. He made the comments on Saturday during a press conference at the NCP central office.

Mahmud argued that if the public had wanted Sheikh Hasina’s children to reenter politics, there would have been no need for an uprising or the loss of 2,400 lives. He said the people did not want the BAKSAL system in 1975 and claimed that bringing Sheikh Hasina back into politics was a mistake by Ziaur Rahman, a decision that cost both Zia and Khaleda Zia for decades. He accused some political leaders of being blinded by power and said Tarique Rahman was repeating the same mistake.

Mahmud also alleged that the BNP had taken an anti-people stance by opposing the July Charter and lacking any concept of proportional representation in its manifesto. He further accused the Election Commission of issuing show-cause notices to NCP candidates over minor issues.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman announced that his party aims to enhance farmers’ financial well-being and create employment for the unemployed through agro-based industrialization. Speaking as the chief guest at an election rally on Saturday at Birampur Government College field in Dinajpur, he said BNP’s politics goes beyond raw agricultural production and focuses on ensuring fair prices for farmers. He pledged to establish processing centers, storage facilities, and export-oriented industries in the region to reduce waste and boost exports.

Rahman highlighted Dinajpur’s fertile soil and hardworking people, emphasizing the potential of its renowned Kataribhog rice and lychees in global markets. He criticized the previous government for neglecting farmers and increasing production costs without ensuring fair returns. He promised that a BNP government would prioritize agriculture and protect farmers’ rights.

He also mentioned plans for equitable water distribution under the Teesta Master Plan and long-term agricultural and environmental protection. Rahman urged unity to build a democratic, agriculture-friendly, and development-oriented Bangladesh ahead of the February 12 national election.

Independent candidate and BNP dissident Taiful Islam Tipu has alleged that minority voters in the Natore-1 (Lalpur-Bagatipara) constituency are being threatened and intimidated ahead of the upcoming national election. Speaking at a press conference on Saturday at his campaign office in Walia, Lalpur, Tipu claimed that a group is deliberately trying to influence the election by scaring minority voters and discouraging them from going to polling centers.

He further alleged that his campaign activities have been repeatedly obstructed, citing a recent clash in Kachua area where 13 of his supporters were reportedly injured. Tipu accused his rivals of using firearms to create panic and claimed that one of his workers named Khalil was detained. Calling on the administration and Election Commission, he urged immediate legal action to ensure the safety of minority voters and prevent violence.

To ensure a free and fair election, Tipu presented six proposals, including arresting those threatening minority voters, recovering illegal weapons, setting up law enforcement camps in risky areas, and stopping arbitrary arrests of innocent people and political activists.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman alleged that a political party is intimidating and misleading people to prevent them from voting freely. He made the remarks on Saturday during an election rally in Nilphamari district, emphasizing that any wrongdoing against voters would face legal action.

Rahman said that those who once deprived Bangladeshis of their right to vote and freedom of speech have fled the country, but one of their associates remains active domestically. He accused these groups of taking on different forms before and after the country’s independence and of now being involved in conspiracies in various places.

His comments come as part of the BNP’s campaign efforts, where he reiterated the party’s stance on protecting voters’ rights and ensuring accountability for any intimidation or manipulation during the election process.

Popular Islamic scholar Mizanur Rahman Azhari has questioned the police’s aggressive behavior following an alleged attack on Inquilab Mancha activists. In a Facebook post on Saturday, February 7, 2026, he referred to a video showing police beating students and asked why such excessive force was used. The incident reportedly occurred on Friday, February 6, during a protest by Inquilab Mancha members.

Azhari criticized the police for what he described as unnecessary brutality, saying the situation could have been handled with restraint. He recalled that a police officer had previously been praised for dispersing a crowd without violence. Expressing disappointment, he said it was shameful and painful that students seeking justice were subjected to such treatment. He urged members of uniformed forces to act with greater professionalism, restraint, and humanity.

Azhari also condemned the police’s behavior at the protest, calling it aggressive and excessive, and expressed hope for more responsible conduct from law enforcement in the future.

AFM Reza Faez Mia, the general secretary of Bhanga municipal Awami League and former mayor of Bhanga municipality in Faridpur, announced his decision to join the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Friday night. The announcement came during an election courtyard meeting at BNP candidate Shahidul Islam Khan Babul’s ancestral home in Nurpur, where Reza Faez Mia urged voters to support the BNP’s paddy symbol.

According to the report, Reza Faez Mia, who resides in the United States and is known as a cousin-in-law of Sheikh Hasina, had been the subject of speculation regarding his political shift for some time. On Friday night, he joined the meeting via video call and exchanged greetings with the BNP candidate and local leaders.

During the call, his remarks were broadcast over loudspeakers by Upazila BNP president Alhaj Khondkar Iqbal Hossain Selim. Reza Faez Mia pledged his support for Shahidul Islam Khan Babul and called on all attendees to vote for the BNP candidate.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman has claimed that attempts were made to tarnish his character because of his strong stance in favor of women. He made the remarks on Saturday afternoon while addressing an election rally at Sylhet Government Alia Madrasa field ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election. Rahman said his social media account had been hacked and alleged that those responsible had been caught, yet continued to speak against him.

During his speech, Rahman reiterated his commitment to ensuring voting rights for expatriate Bangladeshis, arguing that their contributions through remittances make them deserving of full electoral participation. He criticized those who questioned the need for expatriates to vote, emphasizing their economic importance to the nation.

Earlier the same day, Rahman also addressed election rallies in Habiganj’s New Field and Moulvibazar’s Kulaura, continuing his campaign activities ahead of the upcoming election.