A total of 45 vehicles have been prepared and lined up at the Secretariat for newly appointed cabinet members. The vehicles were arranged on Tuesday morning in front of Building No. 1 of the Secretariat. According to the Cabinet Division, the Government Transport Department was instructed to ensure the required number of vehicles were ready for use.

In line with that directive, 47 vehicles have been initially prepared for ministers. Officials explained that under VVIP protocol, a few extra vehicles are always kept ready to ensure immediate replacement in case any vehicle becomes unusable or faces an accident. The arrangement aims to maintain uninterrupted transport support for cabinet members.

The preparation reflects standard administrative practice for ensuring smooth logistical support during the formation of a new cabinet, as indicated by the Cabinet Division sources.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has announced a protest rally and gathering in Dhaka today, citing dissatisfaction with the prevailing national situation and instability. The event is scheduled for 3 p.m. at the north gate of the National Mosque Baitul Mukarram, organized by the Dhaka Metropolitan South unit of the party. The announcement was confirmed by Abdus Sattar Suman, assistant publicity secretary of the unit.

The protest comes amid uncertainty surrounding the oath-taking of newly elected members of the National Parliament. According to the report, Jamaat-e-Islami and an eleven-party alliance held a similar demonstration at the same location on Monday. The party’s latest call for protest reflects its continued opposition to the current political and social conditions.

The timing of the demonstration, coinciding with parliamentary developments, indicates Jamaat’s intent to maintain pressure on political authorities during a period of national uncertainty.

Ehsanul Haque Milon, Member of Parliament for Chandpur-1 and former state minister for education, has been invited to take oath as a minister in the new BNP government. Milon confirmed the invitation to the media on Tuesday morning, and the cabinet swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for the afternoon at the South Plaza of the National Parliament building.

Earlier in the morning, at 10:40 a.m., newly elected BNP members of the 13th National Parliament took their oaths in the parliament’s oath room, administered by Chief Election Commissioner A. M. M. Nasir Uddin. However, BNP lawmakers did not take oath as members of the Constitutional Reform Council. Milon won the Chandpur-1 (Kachua) constituency under the BNP’s “sheaf of paddy” symbol.

Following the BNP’s landslide victory in the 13th parliamentary election, party chairman Tarique Rahman is set to take oath as the new prime minister later in the day.

Bangladesh’s recently concluded 13th parliamentary election has drawn attention for the absence of post-election violence against religious minorities, a recurring issue since 1991. Reports indicate that no major incidents or propaganda campaigns targeting minorities have surfaced this time, marking a significant departure from previous elections. The BNP-led alliance achieved a landslide victory, while Jamaat-e-Islami emerged as a strong opposition force.

In earlier elections, particularly under Sheikh Hasina’s rule, widespread attacks on minority homes, businesses, and temples were documented by rights groups. The 2014, 2018, and 2024 elections saw hundreds of violent incidents, including arson and assaults, often leaving minority communities in fear. Transparency International Bangladesh had warned before the latest election about potential risks of violence and religious influence, but those fears did not materialize.

Analysts cited the absence of the Awami League as a key factor behind the peaceful outcome, suggesting that previous propaganda and political exploitation of minority issues were absent this time. The election’s calm conduct has been described as unprecedented in the country’s electoral history.

BNP lawmakers have not taken the oath as members of the Constitutional Reform Council, according to a report published on February 17, 2026. The party stated that a decision on the matter will be made after the parliamentary session begins. Before taking their oath as MPs, BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed reiterated the party’s stance near the Parliament complex on Tuesday morning.

Salahuddin Ahmed explained that the Chief Election Commissioner holds the constitutional authority to administer the oath to members of the 13th Parliament. However, he noted that it has not yet been determined who will administer the oath to members of the Constitutional Reform Council. He added that constitutional amendments and related matters must be settled before such an oath can take place.

He further clarified that if the Speaker or Deputy Speaker is unavailable or unable to perform the duty, the Chief Election Commissioner may administer the oath. The BNP maintains that the issue will be reconsidered once the parliamentary session is underway.

The trial of seven accused, including suspended Awami League general secretary and former minister Obaidul Quader, begins today in connection with alleged crimes against humanity committed during the July uprising killings. The proceedings are being held at Tribunal-2, chaired by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, with two other judges, retired district judge Md Manjurul Basid and district judge Nur Mohammad Shahriar Kabir. The tribunal is scheduled to hear opening statements and record the first witness testimony.

Formal charges were framed on January 22, and the tribunal set February 17 for the trial’s opening. All accused are absconding, including Awami League joint general secretary A F M Bahauddin Nasim, former state minister for information Mohammad Ali Arafat, Jubo League president Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash, general secretary Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil, Chhatra League president Saddam Hossain, and general secretary Sheikh Wali Asif Enan. The prosecution previously detailed individual responsibilities, while defense lawyers denied involvement and sought dismissal of charges.

Law enforcement failed to locate the accused after arrest warrants were issued, leading the tribunal to appoint state defense lawyers and publish notices in newspapers. The formal complaint was filed on December 18 last year.

Members of Parliament from the Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party alliance have insisted on taking two oaths—one as MPs and another as members of the Constitutional Reform Council—before assuming office. They have declared that they will not take the parliamentary oath unless both are administered. The issue has created procedural complications within the parliament building, where representatives from the BNP, Jamaat, and the outgoing government are holding discussions to resolve the impasse. The swearing-in of Jamaat MPs is scheduled for noon.

BNP MPs, led by Tarique Rahman, took their parliamentary oath earlier at 10:40 a.m. but did not take the oath for the Constitutional Reform Council. Jamaat MPs, including Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, are currently present in the parliament building awaiting a decision. The situation has drawn attention as the new parliamentary session faces delays due to the dispute over the dual oath demand.

If the issue remains unresolved, the start of parliamentary activities could be further delayed, depending on the outcome of ongoing discussions among the political groups involved.

BNP’s newly elected members of the 13th National Parliament took their oaths on Tuesday morning at the Parliament Building, administered by Chief Election Commissioner A M M Nasir Uddin. Following the ceremony, the party held a parliamentary meeting where Tarique Rahman was elected as the parliamentary party leader. The BNP members did not take oath as members of the Constitutional Reform Council.

Later in the day, at 4 p.m., the cabinet is scheduled to take oath at the South Plaza of the Parliament Building. After the party’s landslide victory in the February 12 election, BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman is set to be sworn in as the new Prime Minister. This marks the party’s return to power for the sixth time after nearly two decades without democratic governance. Tarique Rahman, who previously played a key role in BNP’s 2001 victory, is credited as the architect of this electoral success.

BNP won 209 parliamentary seats, though one seat was vacated following Rahman’s resignation from Bogura-6, and two others remain pending due to court cases. The party may include allied MPs as state ministers in the new cabinet.

Newly elected members of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) took their oaths on Tuesday morning at the parliament building’s oath room, administered by Chief Election Commissioner A M M Nasir Uddin. The ceremony followed the party’s landslide victory in the 13th national parliamentary election. However, BNP lawmakers did not take oath as members of the Constitutional Reform Council. Later in the day, at 4 p.m., the cabinet will be sworn in at the South Plaza of the parliament, where BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman is set to take oath as the new Prime Minister.

The BNP is returning to power for the sixth time after nearly two decades of what the report described as a democracy-free period. The February 12 election saw the party win two-thirds of the seats, marking a historic victory. Tarique Rahman, son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, is credited as the architect of this electoral success, echoing his role in the 2001 landslide. A total of 209 BNP MPs were elected, though one seat was vacated and two others remain pending due to legal issues.

BNP’s parliamentary meeting is expected to finalize leadership roles, including deputy leader, chief whip, and six whips, while coalition partners may be invited to join the cabinet as state ministers.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which won the 13th National Parliamentary Election, has called a parliamentary party meeting following the oath-taking ceremony of newly elected members of parliament. The meeting is scheduled to be held at 11:30 a.m. in the Parliament Building, according to BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed, who announced the plan on Tuesday morning.

Ahmed stated that the meeting will elect the leader of the parliamentary party. As the leader of the majority party, BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman is set to become the Prime Minister. The announcement follows the completion of the 13th National Election and referendum held on February 12, with the Election Commission publishing the gazette of 297 winners out of 299 constituencies the following day.

The meeting marks the first formal gathering of BNP’s parliamentary team after the election, signaling the beginning of the party’s organizational activities in the new parliament.

BNP has decided that its elected Members of Parliament will not take oath as members of the Constitutional Reform Council at this stage. The party will reconsider the matter after the parliamentary session begins. The announcement was made on Tuesday morning near the Parliament complex by BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed, who outlined the party’s official position.

Salahuddin explained that the Chief Election Commissioner holds the constitutional authority to administer oaths to newly elected MPs of the 13th Parliament. However, it has not yet been determined who will administer the oath for members of the Constitutional Reform Council. He further stated that constitutional mandates exist for both the national parliamentary and presidential elections, and the Election Commission is constitutionally responsible for the parliamentary process.

He added that if the Speaker or Deputy Speaker is unavailable or unable to perform the duty, the Chief Election Commissioner may serve as an alternative to administer the oath. Salahuddin noted that the oath for the Constitutional Reform Council can only proceed after certain constitutional amendments and related matters are finalized.

In the 13th national election, the Jatiya Party faced a sweeping defeat in its traditional stronghold of Rangpur, losing deposits in all five constituencies where it fielded candidates. The party’s nomination for Rangpur-1 was canceled due to dual citizenship, leaving it to contest in Rangpur-2 through Rangpur-6. Despite extensive campaigning, all candidates, including party chairman GM Quader in Rangpur-3, failed to secure sufficient votes to retain their deposits.

In Rangpur-2, former MP Anisul Islam Mandal received 33,930 votes, while GM Quader obtained 43,790 votes out of 500,000 in Rangpur-3. Other candidates—Mahbubur Rahman in Rangpur-4, Fakhruzzaman Jahangir in Rangpur-5, and Nur Alam Jadu Mia in Rangpur-6—also lost their deposits, with the latter receiving only 1,200 votes. A presidium member admitted they had expected support from Awami League voters but were shocked by the poor results.

Student leader Ahmed Al Saba Osmani commented that Rangpur voters rejected the Jatiya Party for aligning with the Awami League, declaring the party politically finished in the region.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman was on his way to the National Parliament building on Tuesday morning to take his oath as a newly elected Member of Parliament. He left his residence in Gulshan around 9:45 a.m. for the ceremony. The oath-taking is being conducted by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M M Nasir Uddin at the Parliament Secretariat’s oath-taking chamber, beginning at 10 a.m. on February 17, 2026.

According to a letter signed by Election Commission Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed and sent to the Secretary of the National Parliament Secretariat on Monday, the CEC will administer the oath to the members elected to the 13th National Parliament and the members of the Constitution Reform Council. The BNP parliamentary party also scheduled a meeting at 11:30 a.m. following the ceremony.

BNP MPs, under the leadership of Tarique Rahman, took their oaths, though the party’s MPs did not participate in the Constitution Reform Council’s oath-taking process.

The BNP-backed Lawyers’ Welfare Council panel won 10 out of 15 posts, including president and general secretary, in the Feni District Lawyers’ Association election held on February 16, 2026. The results were announced around 12:30 a.m. on February 17 by election commissioner and association president Nurul Amin Khan along with general secretary Mir Mosharraf Hossain Manik. Jamaat-backed Lawyers’ Sampriti Parishad secured four posts, while one position went to an independent candidate.

Voting took place in a festive atmosphere at the association building from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with 326 of 346 eligible lawyers casting their votes. A total of 32 candidates contested for 15 posts in the one-year committee. This was the first time BNP and Jamaat participated in the election under separate panels since the association’s founding in 1984.

The Awami League panel did not participate for the second consecutive term. The election, originally scheduled for January 17, was postponed due to national elections and later rescheduled to February 16 following an extraordinary general meeting of members.

After the 13th parliamentary election, discussions have intensified within Bangladesh’s police administration over who will be appointed the next Inspector General of Police (IGP). Although current IGP Baharul Alam dismissed rumors of his resignation, his contract runs until November 21, 2026. A police headquarters official indicated that a new IGP may be appointed once the newly elected political government assumes office.

According to the report, three senior officers are leading the race: RAB Director General AKM Shahidur Rahman, Armed Police Battalion chief Ali Hossain Fakir, and Chattogram Metropolitan Police Commissioner Additional IGP Hasib Aziz. Meanwhile, Railway Police chief Barrister Zillur Rahman is being discussed as a possible candidate for the RAB Director General post. Sources said several officers have been lobbying actively, meeting political figures and presenting their credentials.

Officials noted that the next IGP is expected to be a professional, honest, and controversy-free officer. Many previously sidelined or forcibly retired officers are seeking contract-based reappointments and await evaluation by the new government.