Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairman Tarique Rahman expressed gratitude to supporters who gathered outside his Gulshan residence in Dhaka on Friday, February 13, 2026. Before attending Friday prayers, he stopped his car to meet the crowd, thanked them for their love and support, and asked for their prayers. Many in the crowd said they wanted to join him in building a new Bangladesh.

The gathering followed the 13th National Parliamentary Election and referendum held the previous day, in which the BNP won more than two-thirds of the seats, positioning the party to form the next government after nearly two decades. According to party decisions, Tarique Rahman, who won both Dhaka-17 and Bogura-6 constituencies, is set to become the next Prime Minister of Bangladesh.

After meeting supporters, Tarique Rahman performed Friday prayers at the Bangladesh Navy Headquarters Mosque in Dhaka.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir stated that maintaining law and order, curbing corruption, and revitalizing the economy will be the main challenges for the next government. He made the remarks on Friday afternoon while speaking to journalists outside the domestic terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport after returning to Dhaka from his constituency in Thakurgaon. Fakhrul emphasized that ensuring justice will also be a crucial task for the incoming administration.

He noted that the BNP won 209 out of 299 seats in the 13th national parliamentary election and will form the next government under the leadership of party chairman Tarique Rahman. Reflecting on the election results, Fakhrul described his feelings as both joyous and sorrowful, expressing regret that the late party chairperson Khaleda Zia could not witness the victory. He praised the election as festive, transparent, and the result of a mass uprising.

Responding to a question about the absence of the Awami League in the election, Fakhrul said the Election Commission had already banned the party’s activities and that further decisions would emerge from the political context.

The Election Commission has unofficially announced final results for 297 constituencies in Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliamentary Election. According to the report, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) secured 209 seats, while Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami won 68 seats and the NCP obtained six. Following the vote, attention has turned to the formation of a new cabinet.

The government has indicated that the new cabinet could be formed by February 18. Newly elected members of parliament are expected to take their oaths on February 16, after which the process of forming the new government will begin. Within two days of the oath-taking, the cabinet is expected to be sworn in.

BNP, having won the highest number of seats, will lead the new government, with its chairman Tarique Rahman set to become the parliamentary leader and prime minister. Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, as the second-largest party, is expected to serve as the main opposition in the new parliament.

Violent clashes erupted in Jagannathpur area of Durlabhpur Union under Shibganj upazila, Chapainawabganj, following the announcement of local election results. The incidents occurred on Thursday evening and Friday morning, involving attacks, vandalism, and arson at two houses. At least three to four people were injured in the two rounds of violence, which stemmed from disputes between supporters of the BNP and Jamaat over vote counts.

According to local sources, the BNP had traditionally received more votes in the Jagannathpur and Piyalimari polling centers. In the latest election, BNP secured about 1,400 votes while Jamaat received around 1,000. Tensions flared after Jamaat supporters celebrated their results, prompting allegations that some BNP activists threw stones, leading to clashes. Police and administration intervened to restore order, but renewed violence broke out the next morning, targeting the homes of Babar Ali and his cousin Sadikul Islam.

Police reported that dissatisfaction over narrow vote margins triggered the attacks. Law enforcement and Border Guard Bangladesh have been deployed under an executive magistrate’s supervision, and the situation is now under control.

At least 13 people were injured in three separate incidents of post-election violence in Jhenaidah on Friday, according to local reports. The clashes occurred in Kaliganj and Sadar upazilas, where supporters of different electoral symbols and an independent candidate confronted each other. An independent candidate’s campaign office in Kaliganj town was attacked and vandalized, leaving three BNP leaders injured, one of whom was later transferred to Jashore General Hospital.

In another incident in the Naldanga Union of Jhenaidah Sadar, supporters of the ‘paddy sheaf’ and ‘cup-plate’ symbols clashed, injuring five people, one critically. Additional violence was reported in Khadashuni village, where a supporter of the ‘cup-plate’ symbol was allegedly attacked. Earlier in the morning, three more people were injured in a confrontation between ‘paddy sheaf’ and independent supporters in Khalkula village of Kaliganj.

Police said they were investigating the incidents and had deployed forces to the affected areas. They pledged to identify and take legal action against those involved.

The central executive council meeting of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami is currently underway at the party’s central office under the chairmanship of Ameer Shafiqur Rahman. According to the report, a press conference is expected to be held following the meeting.

Earlier on Friday morning, the party’s Moghbazar office in Dhaka appeared largely empty, with few leaders or activists present. However, the situation began to change after noon as both journalists and party members started arriving in greater numbers, creating a more active environment around the office.

The meeting marks a significant internal gathering for the party, though the agenda and discussion points have not been disclosed. The upcoming press conference is expected to provide further details on the outcomes of the session.

Mohammad Aminul Haque, a rival candidate in the 13th National Parliamentary Election, has demanded suspension of the results for Dhaka-16 constituency, citing widespread irregularities, corruption, and vote rigging. On Friday, he submitted a written petition to the Returning Officer at the Election Commission Secretariat, calling for an investigation and re-voting in disputed centers.

In his petition, Haque alleged serious violations of the Representation of the People Order (RPO) 1972 and the electoral code of conduct during the February 12 election. He claimed to possess video evidence of money distribution by an opposing candidate on the eve of the vote and said polling agents were intimidated and expelled from centers. According to him, result sheets were prepared without agents’ signatures in over 40 centers, and in some cases, signatures were taken before vote counting. He also alleged that voters were obstructed from entering centers and that pre-stamped ballot books were found before polling began.

Haque further stated that discrepancies existed between announced results and those provided by presiding officers and postal votes. Having received no remedy from the Assistant Returning Officer, he invoked section 91A of the RPO, seeking suspension of results and formation of a high-level investigation committee.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leaders extended floral greetings to party chairman Tarique Rahman following the party’s sweeping victory in the general election. The event took place at Rahman’s office, where Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, along with Standing Committee members Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Salahuddin Ahmed, and other senior leaders, congratulated him. The celebration marked what party officials described as the beginning of a new political chapter in the country.

During the gathering, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir stated that the victory represented not only a party success but also a triumph for the people, reflecting their support for democracy and development after a long struggle. He expressed hope that under Tarique Rahman’s leadership, Bangladesh would enter a new era of progress.

Accepting the floral greetings, Tarique Rahman thanked party members and citizens, pledging to fulfill public expectations by building a democratic, prosperous, and equitable Bangladesh.

The United Kingdom’s High Court has ruled that the government’s decision to designate the activist group Palestine Action as a terrorist organization was unlawful. The ruling, delivered in London after several months of legal proceedings, came in response to a judicial review petition filed by the group’s co-founder Huda Ammori. Justice Victoria Sharp stated that the government’s ban represented a serious interference with freedom of expression and assembly, and therefore lacked legal justification.

The British government had imposed the ban in July 2025 under anti-terrorism legislation, making membership, public support, or display of the group’s symbols a criminal offense punishable by up to 14 years in prison. Following the ban, hundreds of people across the UK were arrested and charged under terrorism laws. The government justified the prohibition by citing an incident in which activists allegedly caused £7 million in damage at a southern England airbase during protests over the Gaza conflict.

The High Court’s decision removes the terrorist label from Palestine Action and has reignited political and legal debate over the government’s handling of protest movements related to the Gaza war.

Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, spokesperson of the National Citizen Party (NCP), has alleged that leaders and activists of the NCP and its 11-party alliance have come under attack in various parts of Bangladesh. According to his statement, the attackers are not only targeting political leaders but also threatening their homes and family members.

In a Facebook post, Asif wrote that assaults are taking place nationwide against NCP and alliance members, leaving their families under threat. He urged those who have won to control their supporters, warning that if the beginning of democratic transition is marked by persecution of opposition voices, it would be a matter of shame for the country.

The allegations highlight growing concerns about political violence and intimidation following recent political developments, though no official response or investigation details were mentioned in the source.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Tarique Rahman on his election victory. Modi also spoke with Rahman over the phone to convey his greetings. The Indian leader shared the news in a post on social media platform X on Friday, expressing that he was delighted to speak with the BNP chairperson.

In his post, Modi stated that he would continue to support and extend best wishes for Rahman’s efforts to fulfill the aspirations of the people of Bangladesh. He emphasized that India and Bangladesh share deep historical and cultural ties. Modi reaffirmed India’s ongoing commitment to peace, progress, and prosperity for both nations and their peoples.

The message highlighted India’s intention to maintain strong bilateral relations with Bangladesh following the election outcome, underscoring mutual respect and cooperation between the neighboring countries.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Dr. Khaliduzzaman has expressed gratitude to voters of Dhaka-17 constituency after the election in which he contested against BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman. In a Facebook post on Friday, February 13, 2026, he thanked voters for their support and affection, saying that although the results did not meet expectations, the trust shown toward him and his organization was his greatest achievement.

Dr. Khaliduzzaman stated that the narrow vote margins in many areas reflected a public desire for change and principled politics. He praised his party’s dedicated workers for their hard work and sacrifices, emphasizing that their efforts would not go in vain. He urged supporters to remain organized, skilled, and committed to serving people, adding that faith and perseverance would bring success.

Concluding his message, he congratulated the winning candidate, noting that victory brings the responsibility of fulfilling promises. He pledged constructive criticism and positive engagement for the public interest, affirming his continued commitment to the people and to politics based on truth and justice.

Independent candidate Tasnim Jara has congratulated the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) for its victory in the 13th National Parliamentary Election. Contesting from Dhaka-9 constituency, she also personally thanked her rival and winning BNP candidate Habibur Rashid Habib through a verified Facebook post, mentioning that she had called him the previous night to convey her congratulations.

According to unofficial results, Jara, a former NCP leader, received 44,684 votes under the football symbol, while Habib secured 111,212 votes with the paddy sheaf symbol, a margin of 66,528 votes. Jara finished third in the constituency. In her post, she expressed gratitude to Professor Yunus and the Election Commission for organizing what she described as a credible election amid a complex national situation.

Jara also clarified that she would not return to the United Kingdom, emphasizing her commitment to Bangladesh and her goal of contributing to a long-term transformation of the country’s political culture.

BNP Standing Committee member and Election Steering Committee Chairman Nazrul Islam Khan said on Friday that the people have entrusted the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its leader Tarique Rahman with the responsibility for the country’s welfare for the next five years. Speaking at a press conference, he stated that the BNP secured more than two-thirds of the parliamentary seats, and many allied candidates also achieved victory.

When asked about his satisfaction with the election, Khan replied that being one hundred percent satisfied is difficult but expressed moderate satisfaction. He explained that unlike previous elections, this one saw no major loss of life, damage to property, or state assets. However, he noted that the culture of voter participation had not fully returned and expressed hope that public interest in voting would increase in the coming days.

Khan’s remarks highlighted both the party’s electoral success and its intention to rebuild voter engagement following years of declining turnout.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman arrived at the party’s central office in Moghbazar around 12:30 p.m. on Friday but did not speak to journalists. The office, once crowded with leaders and activists during Thursday’s election day, appeared deserted when he visited. Only a few party workers and reporters were seen at the site, according to a BBC correspondent.

During the election, Jamaat leaders had repeatedly claimed they were preparing to form the government. However, it is now clear that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) secured a majority and will form the next government. Despite failing to achieve its goal of governing, Jamaat is expected to win more seats in this election than in any previous one.

Party sources indicated that Jamaat leaders will hold a meeting after Friday prayers to discuss the outcome and announce their official reaction.