The army-led joint forces have taken strict measures to prevent the use of Rohingyas in acts of sabotage or violence during the upcoming national parliamentary election in Cox’s Bazar and southern Chattogram. Lieutenant Colonel Tanvir Ahmed of the Ramu 10 Infantry Division shared the information at a media briefing held on Tuesday, January 10, at the Cox’s Bazar Cultural Centre. He said the forces are focusing on restricting Rohingya movement outside camps, repairing barbed-wire fences, setting up checkpoints, and conducting special patrols to avert any unwanted incidents.

Tanvir Ahmed added that army striking forces will be deployed at remote polling centers in four constituencies of Cox’s Bazar. In case of irregularities or conflicts inside or outside polling centers, the army will coordinate with police, RAB, and BGB to take direct control of the situation. He assured that voters will be able to cast their votes without fear.

Earlier, Lieutenant Colonel Sutfa Zaman reported that between February 3 and 9, joint forces conducted 46 operations in Cox’s Bazar and southern Chattogram, seizing firearms, sharp weapons, and drugs, and detaining 1,149 Rohingyas living illegally outside camps.

With just one day left before the national election, former MP Mujibur Rahman Nixon Chowdhury, currently absconding, released a 10-minute-7-second video message on social media targeting BNP candidate Shahidul Islam Babul in the Faridpur-4 constituency. The video was uploaded on February 10 at 3:39 p.m. from a Facebook account named Shafiqul Islam Azad. The timing of the post, coming amid heightened campaign activity, drew immediate public attention and mixed reactions.

In the video, Nixon Chowdhury, identifying himself as a nephew of Hasina, claimed that the “illegal Yunus government” had filed 72 cases against him to keep him away from his supporters. He accused Babul of using false cases and police harassment to intimidate and recruit his followers. Chowdhury urged Babul to focus only on his party’s votes. The video was widely shared by his supporters after publication.

Political analysts and voters expressed concern that such a message, released at the final stage of the campaign, could disrupt the fair electoral environment. No response from BNP candidate Shahidul Islam Babul was reported.

A Chhatra Dal leader from Bhabaniganj municipality in Bagmara upazila, Rajshahi, has been expelled for violating organizational discipline. The expelled leader, Mustafizur Rahman (Milon), also known as Milon Parvez, was removed from the organization following a decision announced on Monday in a press release signed by Central Chhatra Dal Office Secretary Md. Jahangir Alam. The statement said the expulsion was based on specific allegations of breaching party discipline.

Earlier that night, a post appeared on Mustafizur Rahman’s Facebook account containing a photo from an election rally of a Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami candidate, accompanied by a message expressing support for that candidate. About three hours after the post was made, Chhatra Dal announced his expulsion.

Mustafizur Rahman claimed that someone else had used his Facebook name to make the post and denied any direct involvement in the matter.

Two parliamentary candidates in Fatikchhari, Chattogram, withdrew from the election at the last moment, each extending support to rival party nominees. On Tuesday, February 10, Ganadhikar Parishad candidate Rabiul Hasan Tanzim, who was contesting with the truck symbol, announced his withdrawal at a press conference and declared support for BNP candidate Sarwar Alamgir. Tanzim said his decision followed a political understanding between Ganadhikar Parishad and the BNP.

Separately, on Monday night, independent candidate Advocate Ahmad Kabir Karim, who was running with the football symbol, announced his withdrawal in favor of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami nominee Principal Nurul Amin. Karim stated that he stepped aside voluntarily for the greater interest and urged his supporters to vote for the balance scale symbol.

The withdrawals came just before the election, reshaping the local contest in Fatikchhari as both candidates aligned themselves with major opposition parties.

United States President Donald Trump has warned Iran of potential military action if Tehran fails to meet Washington’s demands on nuclear enrichment and ballistic missiles. In an interview with Israel’s Channel 12 published Tuesday, Trump said, “Either we reach a deal, or we’ll have to do something very tough.” His comments came as Iran’s security chief Ali Larijani met Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said to discuss recent US-Iran talks. The US has also warned its commercial ships to avoid Iranian waters amid a growing military buildup that includes the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, with reports suggesting a second carrier may be deployed.

Trump’s renewed threats follow his administration’s three demands: ending uranium enrichment, cutting ties with regional proxies, and limiting missile stockpiles. Since returning to office in January 2025, he has reinstated a “maximum pressure” campaign involving sanctions and military posturing. The escalation coincides with widespread anti-government protests in Iran, which were met with a violent crackdown that reportedly killed thousands. Analysts note that US military action could align with long-standing US and Israeli goals of curbing Iran’s military power, though its impact on Iran’s internal unrest remains uncertain.

Thousands of pro-Palestine demonstrators rallied across Australia on Monday to oppose the visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog, who faces accusations of inciting genocide against Palestinians. In Sydney, police used pepper spray and clashed with protesters as Herzog began his four-day trip by laying a wreath at Bondi Beach to honor victims of last year’s mass shooting. Authorities warned that participants in a planned march from Sydney Town Hall to the New South Wales Parliament risk arrest, as the area was declared protected during the visit. A Sydney court rejected a legal challenge against the protest restrictions filed by the Palestine Action Group.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese urged Australians to respect the solemn nature of Herzog’s visit, describing it as one made in goodwill. Herzog said he came to express solidarity and friendship, while alleging that the protests sought to delegitimize Israel’s right to exist. Amnesty International Australia and the Jewish Council of Australia criticized the visit, citing Herzog’s alleged role in inciting genocide and calling for accountability. Herzog is scheduled to visit Melbourne and Canberra before returning to Israel on Thursday.

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 of Bangladesh has begun the trial of Salman F Rahman, adviser to the executed Sheikh Hasina, and former law minister Anisul Huq. Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam stated that the prosecution possesses conclusive evidence proving their involvement in decisions to suppress the July revolution through curfews and lethal force. The tribunal, chaired by Justice Golam Mortuza Majumdar, heard the opening statement on February 10, 2026, marking the formal start of proceedings. The first witness testimony is scheduled for February 22.

The prosecution has brought five charges against the two accused, including joint criminal enterprise and superior command responsibility. The allegations involve incitement, conspiracy, and assistance in mass killings and injuries of students and civilians in Rangpur and several areas of Dhaka between July and August 2024. A total of 22 witnesses are expected to testify, supported by video, documentary, and live evidence.

The tribunal had earlier framed formal charges on January 12, 2026. The prosecution claims both accused played direct roles in encouraging and facilitating violent crackdowns on protesters during the July revolution.

The Ministry of Public Administration has established a control room to coordinate with field administration during the upcoming 2026 parliamentary election and referendum. According to an office order issued by the ministry’s Administration-1 branch on Tuesday night, the control room will operate from February 10 to February 14, between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. each day. The facility is located in Building No. 1, Room No. 1802, and can be reached via telephone number +8802226641118.

The order stated that the control room was set up to take necessary measures based on complaints and information received from field-level administration concerning the election and referendum. A total of 35 officials and employees from the ministry will perform duties on a roster basis to ensure continuous coordination and response.

The initiative aims to strengthen communication between the central ministry and local administrative units during the election period, ensuring timely action on field reports and maintaining administrative efficiency.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has expressed dissatisfaction over what it described as unequal allocation of body cameras for law enforcement officers at polling centers and inadequate installation of CCTV cameras. At a press briefing held Tuesday afternoon at the party’s central office in Moghbazar, Assistant Secretary General and head of the central publicity and media department Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair demanded sufficient body cameras and CCTV coverage at every polling station to ensure fair, neutral, and violence-free elections.

Zubair alleged that some centers received over 100 body cameras while others got only 5 to 10, claiming the disparity appeared to favor certain political groups. He said the Election Commission had not provided clear information on how many of the 18,000 to 20,000 CCTV cameras mentioned were actually installed. He warned that the shortage of surveillance equipment could allow violence and hinder documentation of incidents.

He also reported threats against Jamaat polling agents and alleged a smear campaign involving fake photo cards and leaflets. Zubair urged the Election Commission and law enforcement to investigate these incidents and take immediate action against those responsible.

In Cumilla, the atmosphere ahead of the upcoming election has taken on a festive tone, with thousands of residents traveling back to their home districts to cast their votes. Bus stands, railway stations, and highways have become crowded as people, driven by both family ties and civic duty, make their way home despite high travel costs. Many describe the experience as emotionally fulfilling, treating the act of voting as a celebration akin to Eid.

Workers from the Cumilla Export Processing Zone are among those returning home, saying that years of work pressure often kept them from voting, but this time they are determined to participate. Passengers like Jewel Rana and Ayesha Akter expressed joy at being able to vote again after many years, describing it as a deeply personal and patriotic duty. Railway stations are packed, with trains filled to capacity and even passengers riding on rooftops.

Local law enforcement, including the Cumilla Highway Police, reported that they are maintaining heightened vigilance to ensure a peaceful and orderly election environment, with no untoward incidents reported so far.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has expelled its National Executive Committee member Engineer Manjurul Ahsan Munshi from all party positions, including primary membership, for making statements and engaging in activities deemed contrary to the party’s policy, ideals, and organizational discipline. The decision was announced on the night of February 10, 2026, through a press release signed by BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.

Earlier, during a campaign event for the truck symbol, Munshi made remarks warning voters against supporting other parties if BNP came to power, threatening severe consequences. He also stated that he had never been insulted by voters in the past and had always won by a large margin, but this time he would take revenge if humiliated. His comments were considered inconsistent with party principles and prompted disciplinary action.

The expulsion underscores BNP’s effort to maintain internal discipline and uphold its organizational code of conduct ahead of upcoming political activities.

A professor at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) has been accused of using his official university email to urge colleagues to vote for the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) symbol, the paddy sheaf, ahead of the 13th national parliamentary election. The accused, Dr. Rezwan Ahmed Shawon, is a mathematics professor and director of the university’s Computer and Information Center, as well as the organizational secretary of the SUST branch of the University Teachers Association of Bangladesh (UTAB). According to university sources, on February 7 he sent an email from the university domain using UTAB letterhead, calling for votes in favor of BNP.

Sources alleged that the professor misused access to institutional data under the Computer and Information Center, which holds information on all teachers, students, and staff. University regulations prohibit teachers from promoting political opinions or affiliating with political organizations. Several faculty members described the act as a clear violation of university law and ethics, urging authorities to investigate.

Vice-Chancellor (acting) Professor Sajedul Karim said he was unaware of the incident but confirmed that the university would investigate and take legal action if any law was breached.

Shops in Sylhet will remain closed only on Thursday, February 12, the day of the national parliamentary election, according to a decision confirmed by local business leaders. Abdur Rahman Ripon, president of the Sylhet Metropolitan Business Unity Welfare Council and member secretary of the Bangladesh Shop Owners Association’s Sylhet district branch, stated that rumors about a two-day closure are incorrect.

Ripon explained that some unidentified individuals have been spreading misinformation suggesting shops would remain closed for two days, which has caused confusion among traders and the public. He clarified that the Bangladesh Shop Owners Association has not made any such decision. The central committee allows regional branches to decide independently whether to open or close shops based on local convenience.

The Sylhet district branch has therefore decided that all shops in the city will close only on election day, February 12, to facilitate the voting process and maintain order during the national election.

The Cabinet Division on Tuesday published the asset statements of the chief adviser, all current advisers, and equivalent-ranking individuals of the interim government, along with their spouses. According to the disclosure, Farida Akhter, adviser to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, possesses the lowest amount of assets among the current advisers. Her total assets increased from Tk 8.13 million on June 30, 2024, to Tk 10.22 million on June 30, 2025. Her husband’s assets rose from Tk 10.65 million to Tk 11.02 million during the same period.

The circular was issued in line with a previous notification from October 1, 2024, requiring the publication of asset details for June 30, 2024, and June 30, 2025. The report also noted that former Information Adviser Mahfuz Alam, who resigned on December 10, held the least assets overall, with his wealth increasing from Tk 0.42 million to Tk 1.28 million.

The disclosure forms part of the interim government’s transparency measures, ensuring public access to financial information of senior officials and their spouses.

Serious concerns have emerged in Sandwip, Chattogram, over the reliability of CCTV cameras installed at polling centers to ensure election security. Reports reveal that the cameras, set up at a cost of several crores of taka, lack both power backup and offline storage, rendering them useless during power outages. This has raised fears about potential vote manipulation and transparency issues.

Local residents and security analysts have criticized the setup as fragile and ineffective, describing it as a “digital deception.” Security analyst Rimon Al Fahad called the move a severe administrative failure, warning that cameras without backup in a power-prone area like Sandwip could aid criminal activity. However, Assistant Returning Officer and UNO Mongchingnu Marma assured that uninterrupted power supply would be maintained on election day, guaranteeing full camera functionality.

Members of the monitoring team, speaking anonymously, contradicted the official assurance, citing lack of UPS and budget constraints. Several candidates expressed anger after learning they were not informed about the issue, with some threatening to reject results from centers where cameras fail. The effectiveness of power and CCTV systems on election day remains under close watch.