Citizens for Good Governance (Sujon) has assessed Bangladesh’s 13th national parliamentary election as overall transparent, manipulation-free, and credible. The organization made the observation at a press conference held on February 25, 2026, at the National Press Club, noting that the February 12 election was largely stable, with no major violence or widespread fraud reported. However, Sujon called for serious examination of certain irregularities and limitations observed during vote counting and result announcements in specific constituencies.

Sujon’s central committee member Ekram Hossain stated that while the election day environment was peaceful and marked by cordial gestures between winning and losing candidates, disputes over the Constitutional Reform Council’s oath-taking and the 11-party alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami boycotting the cabinet oath have created new political uncertainty. He also mentioned delays in counting in some competitive constituencies and allegations of tampering and premature signing of result sheets.

Sujon’s secretary Badiul Alam Majumdar said most parties accepted the results, which is positive for democratic continuity, but emphasized that unresolved disputes and legal ambiguities surrounding the “July Charter” could heighten political sensitivity.

Three leaders from the Chittagong University (CU) unit of Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir have been appointed to the organization’s 2026 central committee. The appointments were made during the first general session of the central executive council held on Tuesday at Al Falah Auditorium in Dhaka. The new central leaders took their oath administered by Shibir’s central president, Nurul Islam Saddam.

According to the announcement, former CU unit president and current Dhaka University MPhil student Saidul Islam has been named literary secretary in the 30-member editorial committee. He previously served as human resource management secretary. Mohammad Ibrahim, who led the CU unit during the first half of 2025, has been appointed education secretary, continuing from his previous term in the same role. Ibrahim Hossain Rony, the current CU unit president and Chittagong University Central Students’ Union vice president, has become a member of the central executive council.

The appointments highlight the continued representation of Chittagong University leaders in the national leadership structure of Islami Chhatra Shibir.

Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General and former MP Mia Golam Porwar has accused President Md. Shahabuddin of violating his constitutional oath by making misleading and sensitive remarks in a recent interview published in a national daily. In a statement sent to the media on Wednesday, Porwar expressed deep concern that the President’s comments had created new controversy and uncertainty in the nation.

Porwar stated that the President’s position is the highest constitutional office in the country, and every statement or action from him carries great significance. He alleged that by disclosing internal and confidential state matters publicly, the President breached his oath and failed to protect state secrets, leading to public confusion and concern. Porwar emphasized that responsible figures must maintain transparency, accountability, and constitutional propriety in governance.

He urged the President to remain respectful of the constitution and law, to speak with restraint, and to act cautiously to preserve the dignity and stability of the state.

Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General and former MP Professor Mia Golam Porwar has called for ensuring justice for those involved in the 2009 Pilkhana massacre, describing the incident as a conspiracy against Bangladesh’s independence and sovereignty. He made the remarks on Wednesday at a discussion organized by Jamaat-e-Islami Dhaka South, marking the anniversary of the February 25, 2009 BDR mutiny that resulted in the killing of army officers.

Porwar said the tears and grief of the families of the martyrs remain a curse for the nation and urged that the perpetrators be brought under the law without further delay. He also demanded the release and compensation of BDR members allegedly wrongfully convicted in connection with the case. Jamaat Assistant Secretary General and MP Maulana Rafiqul Islam Khan claimed that the silence of the then prime minister and army chief indicated their involvement in the killings.

Speakers at the event further demanded justice for all killings under the Awami League’s 15-year rule and expressed readiness to cooperate with the government for public welfare while warning of street action if the government acts against the people.

Member of Parliament Abdul Hannan Masud from Noakhali-6 (Hatiya) constituency was attacked on Wednesday afternoon while visiting areas affected by post-election violence. The incident occurred around 1 p.m. at Prokolpo Bazar in Chanandi Union of Hatiya upazila. According to local sources, Masud came to inspect the situation and meet residents when a group of assailants attacked him. Following the attack, clashes broke out between his supporters and the attackers, prompting the MP to take position on the road.

Masud stated that the assault was led by a known local criminal named Belal Majhi, who allegedly injured him and others. He declared he would not leave the site until Belal Majhi was arrested, claiming the same person had attacked former MP Fazlul Azim in 2018. Attempts to contact Belal Majhi were unsuccessful.

Hatiya Police Station Officer-in-Charge Saiful Alam confirmed his presence at the scene and said police were working to maintain law and order as tensions remained high in the area.

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo has launched a hotline and website in his electoral area to combat extortion, terrorism, and irregularities. According to his official Facebook post on Tuesday, the initiative has already received 167 complaints through the website and numerous phone calls within five days of launch.

In the same post, the minister urged citizens to avoid calling the hotline unless absolutely necessary and to submit complaints through the website instead. He emphasized that every complaint would be addressed seriously and that the volume of responses reflected a public desire for change.

Earlier, in a Facebook status posted late Thursday night, the minister announced the hotline number 017300-04844 and the website, calling on residents to help keep his constituency free from extortion, terrorism, and all forms of irregularities.

Joint forces arrested Sadiqur Rahman Lincoln, president of the Barisal District Lawyers’ Association, on Wednesday around 12:30 p.m. from a room on the third floor of the association’s annex building. Following the arrest, BNP-affiliated lawyers and association leaders staged protests in the court premises demanding his immediate release.

Earlier, on Monday, BNP-aligned lawyers had announced a boycott of court proceedings at the Barisal Chief Metropolitan and Additional Chief Metropolitan Courts in protest against the granting of bail to an Awami League leader. On Tuesday, they entered the courtroom, damaged benches, chairs, tables, and documents, and forced the judge to leave the bench amid chaos. Some participating lawyers were reportedly assaulted during the incident.

Leaders of the association condemned the arrest as a violation of legal norms, while the Nationalist Lawyers’ Forum threatened tougher programs if Lincoln was not released. The assistant public prosecutor of the Barisal District Judge Court also stated that lawyers would continue boycotting court activities until Lincoln’s release.

Sheikh Md. Sajjat Ali has resigned from his position as Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), citing family reasons. He signed his resignation letter at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, and sent it to the Police Headquarters.

Sajjat Ali was appointed as DMP Commissioner on November 21, 2024, by the interim government as part of a restructuring process of the police force following a student-led uprising. His appointment was on a two-year contractual basis after the end of his regular service term. Before this role, he served as an Additional Inspector General of Police and is a member of the 1984 batch of the BCS Police Cadre.

The report did not mention who will succeed him or any official response from the authorities regarding his resignation.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Israel for two days starting Wednesday, a trip expected to reinforce what both governments describe as a “special relationship.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the visit will strengthen economic, diplomatic, and security cooperation. Modi is expected to address Israel’s parliament, attend a technology and innovation event in Jerusalem, and visit the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum, but he will not travel to the occupied West Bank or Gaza.

The visit comes as India continues to support Israel diplomatically and militarily, even amid ongoing genocide allegations in The Hague. Under Modi’s leadership, India’s defense ties with Israel have expanded sharply, with a 175 percent rise in arms imports between 2015 and 2019. The two countries have also signed a bilateral investment treaty and are exploring joint projects in missile defense, drones, and laser-based systems.

According to Netanyahu’s office, cooperation will also expand in high-tech, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing. While no new defense deal is expected, a memorandum of understanding may be signed to deepen strategic collaboration.

State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Ishraq Hossain announced that the Prime Minister has directed officials to ensure no one is excluded from the list of July uprising fighters on political grounds. He made the statement on Wednesday after an inter-ministerial meeting on liberation war affairs held at the Secretariat.

Hossain explained that in previous periods, many July fighters were left out of the official list due to their association with the BNP, which deprived them of government assistance. The Prime Minister has now instructed that those excluded be added to the list promptly. He also said the Prime Minister has inquired about the treatment of those injured in the July uprising and the rehabilitation of families of those who were killed.

The meeting also discussed rehabilitation measures for those injured in the July uprising, according to the state minister.

The High Court is set to hear a writ petition today seeking suspension of activities under the July National Charter 2025. Senior Supreme Court lawyer Mohammad Shishir Monir confirmed the hearing schedule through a social media post, stating that the case will be heard at Court No. 14 between 11:00 and 11:30 a.m. The petition was filed by Supreme Court lawyer Yunus Ali Akand on February 18, requesting a stay on the charter’s implementation.

According to the petition, the July National Charter 2025 has been challenged on grounds of being inconsistent with the Constitution. The petitioner sought a rule asking why the charter should not be declared unconstitutional and requested that its activities remain suspended until the rule is resolved. The High Court is expected to hold further hearings on the matter next week.

The July National Charter 2025 was signed on October 17, 2024, by the interim government formed after the August 5, 2024, mass uprising that led to the departure of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The charter serves as a political document outlining consensus-based reforms across various sectors of the state.

Independent candidate Dr. Tasnim Jara has announced that she will return donations made to her election campaign fund for the 13th National Parliamentary Election. She made the announcement on Tuesday night, February 24, 2026, through a verified post on her Facebook page. In the post, she expressed gratitude to supporters who had contributed and provided links to online forms for refund requests. Donors who contributed via bank or mobile payment platforms were instructed to fill out specific forms, with the submission deadline set for March 10, 2026.

Dr. Jara clarified that even those who lost their deposit slips could apply for refunds, which would be processed after additional verification. She thanked her supporters for their trust and affection. In the recently held Dhaka-9 constituency election, Dr. Tasnim Jara secured 44,684 votes, finishing third. The seat was won by Habibur Rashid of the “Dhaner Shish” symbol with 111,212 votes, while Javed Mia Rasin of the “Shapla Koli” symbol came second with 53,460 votes.

The refund initiative marks a rare gesture of transparency following the conclusion of the Dhaka-9 election contest.

Newly elected Member of Parliament for Madaripur-1 (Shibchar), Pirzada Said Uddin Ahmad Hanzala, has warned that any transport worker or owner demanding extra fares or engaging in extortion from passengers will face strict legal action. During a visit on Tuesday to the Patchar roundabout bus station along the Dhaka–Bhanga Expressway, he instructed that anyone caught overcharging should be detained immediately and reported to him. He emphasized that ensuring passenger safety and comfort in public transport is a government priority.

Hanzala spoke directly with passengers, transport staff, and labor leaders during his inspection of the Patchar passenger shelter. He advised drivers not to stop vehicles randomly on the highway for boarding or dropping passengers. The MP also directed the local administration to increase regular monitoring to reduce public suffering at stations.

Administrative officials, police from Shibchar Police Station, and Highway Police were present during the inspection. Hanzala reaffirmed that no extortionist or violator would be spared if found harassing passengers or charging beyond the approved fare list.

Bangladesh Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has announced that no new investigation commission will be formed regarding the Pilkhana massacre. He stated that the government will focus on implementing the recommendations made by the existing independent commission and ensuring justice for the victims. The minister made these remarks on Wednesday morning after attending the National Martyrs’ Day for Soldiers ceremony at Banani Military Cemetery.

Ahmed assured the families of the victims that justice would be served so that such incidents do not recur. He described the massacre as an attempt to weaken the army and said only those who do not believe in the country’s independence and sovereignty could commit such acts. He also noted that the event is one of the most brutal killings in the world.

Earlier, on February 23, the minister had said that the 2009 BDR massacre would be reviewed thoroughly following the commission’s recommendations, aligning with the government’s election manifesto commitment to uphold justice.

Islami Andolan Bangladesh’s Amir and Charmonai Pir, Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim, has called for an impartial and objective investigation into the 2009 Pilkhana killings in Dhaka. In a statement to the media on Wednesday, he said that 57 army officers and a total of 74 people were brutally murdered on February 25, 2009, describing it as one of the most tragic events in history. He noted that such an incident, involving the deaths of army officers in a nation’s capital, is extremely rare.

According to the statement, no neutral or objective investigation has yet been conducted into the massacre. The identities and motives of those involved remain unclear. Islami Andolan Bangladesh urged that after so many years, further delay is unacceptable and that a fair investigation must be carried out swiftly to bring the real perpetrators to justice.

Mufti Rezaul Karim also prayed for the souls of the slain army officers and soldiers and expressed sympathy for their bereaved families.