The Parliament Secretariat has submitted the voter list for the reserved women’s seats of the 13th National Parliament to the Election Commission (EC). The submission was confirmed on Monday by the EC’s election management division. According to EC sources, the list of 296 voters was sent in compliance with the legal requirement to deliver it within three working days of the publication of the general election gazette. The EC will now proceed with necessary legal steps.

Under the law governing reserved women’s seats, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is expected to secure 34.66 or 35 seats, while Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami will receive 11.33 or 11 seats. Independent candidates may obtain one seat if they form an alliance, and the National Citizen Party will get one seat. Smaller parties will not receive any seats unless they form coalitions. If alliances are formed, BNP’s share could rise to 36 seats, and Jamaat’s to 13.

Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Machud stated that the EC plans to hold the reserved women’s seat election during Ramadan and complete all procedures before Eid. Elections for Sherpur-3 and Bogura-6 constituencies are scheduled after Eid.

The government has issued official notifications withdrawing three secretaries from their current positions. On Monday, the Ministry of Public Administration released three separate circulars announcing the withdrawal of Md. Kamal Uddin, Secretary of the Ministry of Religious Affairs; Md. Saifullah Panna, Secretary of the Prime Minister’s Office; and Ms. Rehana Parvin, Secretary of the Secondary and Higher Education Division. Following their withdrawal, all three officials have been attached to the Ministry of Public Administration.

The notifications were published on February 23, 2026, confirming the administrative changes. The Ministry of Public Administration handled the process through individual orders for each secretary. No further details were provided regarding the reasons for the withdrawals or their future assignments.

The reassignment places the three senior officials under the Ministry of Public Administration, indicating an internal reshuffle within the government’s top administrative structure.

Dhaka-5 Member of Parliament Mohammad Kamal Hossain declared that there will be no compromise in eliminating terrorism, extortion, and drug-related crimes. Speaking as the chief guest at a meeting with police officials on February 23, he emphasized the need for full enforcement of the law to protect citizens’ lives and property. The meeting was held at the Wari Zone DC office to discuss improving law and order.

Expressing anger over the recent killing of Laguna driver Nure Alam Khairul in Jatrabari for refusing to pay extortion money, Hossain instructed police to bring those involved to justice swiftly. He said his duty as an elected representative is to ensure safety and legal support for all residents of Dhaka-5, regardless of political affiliation or voter status.

Hossain further stated that anyone committing crimes, regardless of party identity, would face legal action. He directed police to act impartially, asserting that the law must apply equally to everyone.

The Ministry of Public Administration has issued a directive for candidates recommended under the freedom fighter quota in the 45th Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) examination. According to the ministry’s notice released on Monday, those listed in the provisional results of the 45th BCS Exam 2022 must submit their freedom fighter certificates for verification. Candidates are instructed to fill out the designated form and send the required documents either by post or directly to the relevant branch by March 2.

The final results of the 45th BCS examination were published on November 27 of the previous year, with 1,807 candidates provisionally passing and being recommended for appointment to various cadres. The ministry’s directive specifically applies to those who received recommendations through the freedom fighter quota.

The submission process aims to verify the authenticity of the quota-based recommendations before final appointments are confirmed.

Bangladesh Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed announced that all cases filed after the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, 2024, will be re-examined. Speaking at the Secretariat after a meeting with heads of agencies under his ministry, he said the directive was issued to ensure that innocent people are not victimized by opportunistic groups. The police have been instructed to scrutinize these cases and submit reports accordingly.

The minister also said that a new commission will be formed to review the BDR mutiny killings and that its recommendations will guide future judicial actions. He added that firearm licenses issued during the previous government will be verified to determine whether they were granted through proper procedures, with politically motivated licenses to be canceled. Ahmed further addressed public complaints about passport services, proposing a registration system for online application assistants to improve accountability and service quality.

He mentioned that the initiative will be piloted in Dhaka and other divisional cities before possible nationwide implementation, with a policy framework to be developed soon.

Muhammad Tajul Islam, the outgoing Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal, stated that it is natural for an elected government to appoint its preferred individuals to various state positions. He made the remarks on Monday, February 23, 2026, while speaking to journalists at the tribunal premises. Earlier that morning, the new BNP government relieved him of his duties and appointed Supreme Court lawyer Aminul Islam as the new Chief Prosecutor.

Tajul Islam, a leader of the Amar Bangladesh (AB) Party, had been serving as Chief Prosecutor in the tribunal reconstituted to try crimes against humanity committed during the July uprising. Responding to his removal, he welcomed his successor and expressed good wishes for the completion of unfinished tasks. He recalled that when he took office, the tribunal’s main building was abandoned and operations were being conducted from a tin shed amid disarray left by the previous prosecution team.

He explained that the government initially indicated continuity but later signaled its intention to replace him. He said he was told the change would occur through a natural process rather than resignation to avoid sending a wrong message.

Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis has demanded the cancellation of results and a neutral investigation into alleged irregularities in the 13th national parliamentary election held on February 12. The party made the call at a press conference at its central office in Paltan, Dhaka, where Secretary General Jalaluddin Ahmad claimed that agents of party leader Mamunul Haque were forcibly removed from polling centers in Dhaka-13 constituency. He also alleged that veiled and general voters were intimidated and that Mamunul Haque was confined at a center and forced to leave with army assistance.

The press conference further alleged widespread irregularities and vote rigging across constituencies nationwide. The party presented six specific demands, including the formation of a commission to investigate election misconduct. Jalaluddin Ahmad also accused the newly elected MP and current State Minister for Education, Babu Hajjaj, of threatening legal action against Khelafat Majlis activists and claimed post-election attacks on their members in Dhaka-13.

Party leaders urged an end to attacks and threats against their activists and warned of strict programs if their demands remain unaddressed.

The Parbatya Chattogram Chukti Bastobayan Andolon has called for the withdrawal of the non-hill state minister from the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs and redistribution of the portfolio. In a joint statement sent to the media on Monday, the group’s joint coordinators, human rights activist Zakir Hossain and Professor Dr. Khairul Islam Chowdhury, congratulated the newly elected BNP-led government and party chairman Tarique Rahman following the 13th national parliamentary election.

The statement expressed hope that under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s leadership, the new democratic journey of Bangladesh would prioritize full implementation of the 1997 Chittagong Hill Tracts Accord, along with the protection of ethnic and religious minority rights and the human rights of marginalized communities. The leaders argued that appointing a non-hill state minister alongside a hill full minister contradicts the spirit of the 1997 accord.

They recalled that the BNP government initiated dialogue with the Jana Sanghati Samiti in the 1990s, leading to the 1997 accord, and later played a responsible role in its implementation. The group urged correction of decisions inconsistent with the accord to realize the BNP’s “rainbow nation” vision.

A video from Tonk Sawai Madhopur in Rajasthan has gone viral showing BJP leader and former MP Sukhbir Singh Jaunpuria refusing to give blankets to Muslim women during a distribution event. The footage shows him asking a woman’s name and then denying her a blanket after learning she was Muslim. He was heard saying that those who insult Prime Minister Modi have no right to receive blankets.

The video also shows several people confronting Jaunpuria, protesting that the women had waited for hours only to be turned away. Jaunpuria responded that he did not want to argue and left the scene, later claiming the blankets were distributed from his personal initiative without any government funds.

Congress MP Harish Chandra Meena, who currently represents Tonk-Sawai Madhopur, shared the video and strongly condemned the former MP’s behavior, warning that such attitudes could damage India’s social fabric. He questioned whether the Prime Minister had instructed party members to deny aid to those who did not support the ruling party.

Rafiqul Alam Majnu, Member of Parliament for Feni-1 and convener of Dhaka South BNP, visited the home of Runa Akter Munni, a 32-year-old woman from Paglir Kul village in Chithlia Union, Parshuram upazila, on Monday, February 23, 2026. Runa was reportedly divorced by her husband after she voted for the paddy sheaf symbol during the February 12 national election instead of the scales symbol he preferred. Majnu, accompanied by local BNP leaders, expressed solidarity with Runa and her two children, offering them financial assistance on behalf of the BNP.

Majnu stated that he came under the instruction of BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman after learning of the incident. He condemned the divorce as an act of social injustice, saying that voting is a constitutional right and that punishing someone for their political choice violates human rights. He pledged legal and social support for Runa and emphasized that no one should face persecution for their voting preference.

The visit drew attention to the alleged political and social repercussions faced by individuals for exercising their voting rights in Parshuram.

Bangladesh Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed announced that the appointment of Superintendents of Police (SPs) and Officers-in-Charge (OCs) will no longer be made through a lottery system. Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat on Monday after a meeting with heads of departments under the Home Ministry, he said future postings will be based on merit and professional competence.

The minister explained that during the tenure of the interim government before the election, SPs and OCs were appointed through a lottery process. He criticized the method, saying it failed to ensure effective service delivery and lacked transparency. According to him, the responsibilities of large and small districts differ, requiring consideration of experience, skill, and suitability, which were not properly followed under the previous system.

Salahuddin Ahmed added that government appointments should not be handled in such a manner. He instructed that only those deemed competent and qualified by the relevant departments will be appointed according to established standards.

Ferdous Ahmed Chowdhury Tushar, president of Bahubal Upazila BNP in Habiganj, received temporary bail on Sunday, February 23, after being arrested for allegedly using abusive language toward Bahubal Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Saiful Islam over the phone. He was presented before the Bahubal Amli Court at 11:30 a.m., where Magistrate Tanzina Rahman Tanin granted bail at 1:15 p.m. following arguments between the prosecution and defense.

According to court sources, the bail will remain effective until the police report is submitted. Earlier that day, at around 12:30 p.m., detectives detained Tushar from his residence in the Shayestanagar area of Habiganj town. The arrest followed the circulation of an audio clip on social media on Saturday afternoon, in which he allegedly directed offensive remarks toward the police officer, sparking public discussion and criticism.

Law enforcement authorities initiated an investigation into the viral audio before detaining Tushar. The case remains under review pending the police report.

Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman stated that the country does not want any foreign interference in its internal affairs. Speaking to journalists on Monday after meetings with ambassadors from various countries at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he emphasized that Bangladesh will safeguard its independence and sovereignty while maintaining friendly and mutually beneficial relations with all nations.

Rahman explained that discussions with Bangladesh’s ambassadors abroad had begun the previous day to outline the government’s foreign policy framework. He said the government aims to build mutually advantageous partnerships with every country and has already met with ambassadors from Saudi Arabia, China, India, Pakistan, the United States, and the European Union. According to him, these diplomats expressed strong confidence in the government and a desire to work closely with Bangladesh.

The minister reiterated that Bangladesh’s guiding principle is “Bangladesh First,” prioritizing national dignity, mutual interests, and non-interference in others’ internal matters.

European Union Ambassador to Bangladesh Michael Miller has called for the implementation of reform initiatives by the country’s interim government. He made the appeal on Monday following a meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaid Islam.

During the meeting, Miller and other EU envoys discussed how to advance cooperation with the new government in areas including development, trade, investment, migration, humanitarian issues, and security. Miller described Bangladesh as an important partner of the European Union and emphasized the need for continued collaboration across these sectors.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, the EU ambassador expressed hope that the new government would take steps to implement the discussed reform agenda, signaling the EU’s interest in maintaining constructive engagement with Bangladesh’s transitional administration.

Ishraq Hossain has announced his intention to contest in the upcoming Dhaka South City Corporation mayoral election. The announcement came on Monday through a verified Facebook post, where he stated his plan to run for the position. This declaration follows his recent success in the 13th National Parliamentary Election held on February 12, 2026.

Ishraq Hossain was elected as a Member of Parliament from Dhaka-6 constituency for the first time and has since been appointed as the State Minister for the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs in the new cabinet. His decision to run for the city corporation election marks a continuation of his growing political engagement following his parliamentary debut.

The announcement positions Ishraq as a notable young politician expanding his political footprint from national to local governance, though further details about his campaign or party endorsement were not mentioned in the source.