Election campaigns in Sylhet have drawn attention for their peaceful atmosphere and candidate tolerance, despite the absence of traditional posters, rallies, and feasts. As of early February 2026, two-thirds of the official campaign period has passed without any reports of violence or conflict. Returning Officer and District Commissioner Sarwar Alam confirmed that all 33 candidates across six constituencies are campaigning freely, while law enforcement and border guards remain on high alert to ensure a fair election.

Police Commissioner Abdul Quddus described the overall law and order situation as stable, with only minor local incidents reported. Shahjalal University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Sarwar Uddin Chowdhury expressed optimism about high voter turnout, noting the positive environment. The district has 2.9 million registered voters, and many residents are preparing to return to their villages to cast ballots.

Although some citizens miss the festive atmosphere of past elections, the conflict-free campaigns and strong administrative oversight have led local observers to describe Sylhet’s polls as a potential model for fair and peaceful elections in Bangladesh.

At an election campaign rally held Wednesday night at the Bypass intersection in Rajapur upazila, Jhalakathi, Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) Vice President Sadiq Kayem expressed support for Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Dr. Fayzul Haque in the Jhalakathi-1 (Rajapur-Kathalia) constituency. Kayem stated that if Jamaat came to power, justice and fairness would be established in the country, emphasizing that the party practices politics based on ideals rather than power.

He urged followers to build a new Bangladesh inspired by the sacrifices of Shaheed Osman Hadi and Shaheed Abu Saeed. Kayem also warned that anti-national and hegemonic forces were conspiring again and called for vigilance. He described Dr. Fayzul Haque as a successor to Osman Hadi’s ideals and said his victory could help establish a justice-based society.

Local leaders and supporters of Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Chhatra Shibir attended the event, which was part of the ongoing campaign for the Jhalakathi-1 constituency.

At least ten people were injured in a clash between activists of the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami in Monpura upazila of Bhola on Friday morning. The incident occurred in Ward 3 of Uttar Sakuchia Union during election campaigning. Police and naval personnel arrived at the scene and brought the situation under control after about one and a half hours. Several of the injured were admitted to Monpura Upazila Health Complex.

Witnesses said the clash began when Jamaat supporters went for campaign activities near the house of a local BNP leader, prompting objections from BNP activists. The altercation escalated into violence, injuring a local journalist and members of both groups. Jamaat’s union secretary Abdur Rahim claimed six of their workers were hurt, three seriously, while BNP’s joint general secretary Abdur Rahim Farazi said both sides engaged in scuffles during campaigning.

Monpura police officer-in-charge Sheikh Farid Uddin stated that no written complaint had been filed yet, but legal action would follow if one is received.

Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir celebrated its 49th founding anniversary in Shahjahanpur upazila of Bogura with a bicycle rally and a brief assembly on Friday morning. The rally began at 10:30 a.m. from Majhira Bazar and moved through various roads along the Dhaka–Bogura highway before concluding with a gathering. The event was chaired by Abu Sayem, president of the Shahjahanpur town branch, and attended by a large number of members and students.

Bogura district east branch office secretary Tawfiqul Islam Taki attended as chief guest, while Baytul secretary Talibul Habib and publication secretary Rakibul Islam Robin were special guests. In his address, Taki emphasized the importance of student organizations in fostering morally and ideologically sound generations. Jamaat-e-Islami’s nominated candidate for Bogura-7, Golam Rabbani, also spoke, urging unity to build a generation inspired by ethics, education, and patriotism.

Speakers highlighted Shibir’s ongoing efforts to promote ideal education, social responsibility, and positive leadership among youth, calling on students to contribute to national welfare through discipline and human values.

Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh’s Amir Allama Shah Muhibullah Babunagari has declared that voting for Jamaat-e-Islami is religiously forbidden, calling it 'haram' and 'not permissible in any way.' He made the statement on Thursday night at a religious event marking the completion of Bukhari Sharif at Kazi’s Hat Boro Madrasa in Fatikchhari, Chattogram. During the same event, Babunagari announced a 'jihad' against Jamaat-e-Islami and publicly endorsed BNP’s paddy-sheaf symbol candidate, Md. Sarwar Alamgir, for the Chattogram-2 (Fatikchhari) constituency.

His remarks quickly stirred widespread discussion in local political circles and on social media. While some users supported his statement, most online comments criticized the language and the mixing of religious messages with politics. Several observers described the remarks as potentially provocative for the election environment, and local political actors speculated that the statement could alter the electoral dynamics in the constituency.

As of publication, Jamaat-e-Islami and other concerned parties had not issued any immediate response to Babunagari’s comments.

Police dispersed a demonstration by Inkilab Moncho activists on Friday during their campaign demanding justice for the killing of Shahid Sharif Osman Hadi. Several members of the group were injured in the incident. Later that night, the organization released a video on its Facebook page where member secretary Abdullah Al Jaber described the events and accused police of using excessive force against peaceful protesters near Dr. Yunus’s residence.

In the video, Jaber alleged that police assaulted female activists and ignored orders from senior officers to avoid violence. He claimed that the attack was intended to disrupt the upcoming national election scheduled for the 12th. The group demanded that the interim government send a letter to the United Nations by February 8 requesting an independent investigation into Hadi’s killing under UN supervision. Jaber also alleged that some police officers removed nameplates and wore masks during the assault.

Inkilab Moncho called for identifying and prosecuting those responsible for the attack and warned that failure to act could further destabilize the country’s law and order situation.

According to the Department of Prisons, only about seven percent of inmates across Bangladesh are participating in the national election and referendum through postal ballots. Out of approximately 85,000 prisoners nationwide, 5,960 have been approved to vote by post. Assistant Inspector General of Prisons Jannatul Farhad confirmed the information on Friday, noting that inmates from 71 of the country’s 75 prisons registered for postal voting, while four newly established prisons currently have no inmates.

Prison authorities reported that 6,313 prisoners initially registered for postal voting, but after verification and procedural complexities, 5,960 registrations were approved. By Thursday, 3,647 votes had been collected and sent to the respective centers, with the remaining ballots still being processed. The registration process is conducted online, requiring inmates to access candidate lists from their home constituencies, which takes additional time.

Officials added that many prisoners lack national identity cards or show little interest in voting, contributing to the low participation rate. The prison population has risen sharply since the July uprising, with about 85,000 inmates now held in facilities designed for 43,000.

Election Commissioner Md. Anwarul Islam Sarkar announced that all preparations for Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliamentary Election and referendum, scheduled for February 12, have been completed. He stated that only voter participation remains, as ballot distribution to remaining constituencies will be finalized within the next few days. The commission reported that ballots have already reached 116 constituencies and will reach all others by February 7.

Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed of the Election Commission Secretariat explained that some ballots had to be reprinted after court rulings reinstated several candidates, causing minor delays. He expressed confidence that all ballots would arrive on time. To ensure security, the highest-ever number of law enforcement personnel in Bangladesh’s electoral history has been deployed, with the army active for seven days, Ansar for eight days, and police already on duty.

Additionally, 1,050 executive magistrates and judicial magistrates will be stationed from February 8 to 14 to oversee mobile courts and election-related duties.

Inqilab Mancha has alleged that members of the Awami League infiltrated their protest demanding justice for the killing of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi. The group claimed that during their gathering at Shahbagh on Friday night, individuals linked to the Awami League mixed with the general public and attempted to divert the situation. The allegations were made through two separate Facebook posts at 8:09 p.m. and 9:13 p.m.

In the later post, Inqilab Mancha stated that the 'League has become active' and accused them of trying to derail both the demand for justice and the upcoming election. The group urged supporters to move to safe locations. Earlier, in the first post, it reaffirmed that the election would be held on the 12th as planned and would not be allowed to be disrupted.

The report indicates that Inqilab Mancha remains firm on holding the election as scheduled while warning of attempts to destabilize the movement and the electoral process.

The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) Chief Observer Ivars Ijabs said the upcoming February 12 national election in Bangladesh is expected to be free, fair, peaceful, and transparent, leading to the formation of a new parliament. Speaking at a press briefing at the Sylhet Press Club on Friday evening, he expressed optimism that the historic election would strengthen democracy and help Bangladesh emerge as a dynamic state.

Ijabs emphasized that the EU EOM operates under three technical principles—independence, impartiality, and non-interference—and will observe the electoral process but not certify the results. He noted that the election belongs solely to the people of Bangladesh. The mission will assess the overall environment for political and civic participation, including that of women, youth, and vulnerable groups, as well as monitor media and social media to evaluate voter access to information.

According to Ijabs, the EU EOM will issue a preliminary statement and hold a press conference in Dhaka on February 14, followed by a final report with recommendations about two months later.

Leaders and activists of Inqilab Manch reoccupied Dhaka’s Shahbagh intersection late Friday night after enduring police sound grenades and tear gas for two hours. Earlier in the evening, police had dispersed the group and taken control of the area around 7 p.m., but by 8:45 p.m. the protesters regained their position. The group has been demonstrating since Thursday near the Intercontinental Hotel, demanding a United Nations-led investigation into the killing of Hadi.

Police had earlier used sound grenades and tear gas to remove the protesters from the hotel area, prompting Inqilab Manch to block Shahbagh in protest. Independent MP candidate for Dhaka-18, Mohiuddin Roni, was injured during the confrontation and is receiving hospital treatment, according to his associate Obaidur Rahman Sohan. In a Facebook post Friday night, Inqilab Manch reaffirmed that the election scheduled for the 12th would proceed and warned against attempts to derail it.

Another post from the group alleged that ruling party activists were blending with the public to divert the situation and urged supporters to move to safe locations.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has invited BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman to join a direct public discussion on the upcoming national election. The invitation was made on Friday evening through a post on Dr. Rahman’s verified Facebook page, where he emphasized the importance of free and fair elections as the foundation of legitimacy and public trust.

In his post, Dr. Rahman stated that political engagement should be civil and non-confrontational, particularly after the July revolution, and called for both leaders to appear before the media and the public to present their respective manifestos. He proposed that such a discussion would allow citizens to evaluate their visions and make informed decisions about the country’s future governance.

Dr. Rahman concluded by urging for a new chapter in Bangladesh’s politics, one that honors the will of the people and upholds transparency and accountability in leadership.

Nahid Islam has declared that there will be no compromise in seeking justice for the murder of Sharif Osman Hadi, the convener of Inqilab Moncho. In a Facebook post on Friday evening, he condemned a police attack on the group’s peaceful program demanding a UN-led investigation into Hadi’s killing. Several activists were reportedly injured in the incident, which Nahid described as an act of unprofessional conduct by law enforcement. He urged the government to accept the legitimate demands of Inqilab Moncho and take action against those responsible for the attack.

Nahid also shared a video of his speech from an election rally held earlier in the day in Savar’s Dhaka-19 constituency. In his remarks, he reiterated that failure to ensure justice for Hadi and to arrest the killers would be recorded as a major failure of the interim government. He called on the authorities to respect Hadi’s family and take effective steps to deliver justice without delay.

The interim government of Bangladesh announced that it will send a formal letter to the United Nations on Sunday regarding a possible UN-led investigation into the killing of Shahid Sharif Osman Hadi. In a statement issued Friday evening, the government said law enforcement did not use firearms while dispersing protests demanding justice for Hadi’s murder near the state guesthouse Jamuna. Twenty-three people were injured, but none suffered gunshot wounds, according to medical officials.

Authorities stated that gatherings around the Jamuna area remain prohibited to ensure public order and the safety of the Chief Adviser. Police reportedly used sound grenades and water cannons to control the situation after protesters attempted to breach barricades. The government rejected allegations of excessive force and reaffirmed its commitment to a lawful and transparent investigation process.

The statement also urged citizens to remain calm and responsible ahead of the upcoming national election, which the government described as a historic milestone for Bangladesh’s democratic progress. It emphasized the importance of a peaceful, participatory, and credible electoral process.

National Citizen Party (NCP) spokesperson and election committee chairman Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan has strongly condemned a police attack on members of Inquilab Moncho. In a verified Facebook post on Friday, February 6, 2026, he described the incident as 'disgraceful' and questioned whether demanding justice for Shaheed Hadi’s killing was a crime.

According to a Facebook post by Inquilab Moncho, its member secretary Abdullah Al Jaber was shot during the police action at a program organized to demand justice for the killing of spokesperson Shaheed Sharif Osman Bin Hadi. The group also claimed that its leaders Juma and Shanta were injured. Inquilab Moncho leaders have been staging a sit-in in front of Jamuna since Thursday to press their demand for justice. The incident has drawn condemnation from Jamaat, NCP, and several others.

The repeated condemnations highlight growing political tension surrounding the demand for accountability in Hadi’s killing, with multiple parties publicly denouncing the police response.