Dr. Zubaida Rahman, wife of the BNP chairperson, extended humanitarian support to victims of a devastating fire in Dhaka’s Bhashantek area on Saturday, February 7, 2026. The fire destroyed homes and belongings, leaving many families in severe distress. She visited the affected site to oversee relief activities and distributed essential items to help families resume daily life.

Alongside distributing relief materials, a medical camp was set up to provide healthcare services to affected women, children, and the elderly. Experienced doctors conducted health checkups and supplied necessary medicines. The initiative aimed to address both immediate needs and health concerns of the victims.

Local residents reportedly felt relief and reassurance from the coordinated assistance and medical support. The effort, joined by BNP adviser Bir Muktijoddha Abdus Salam, Dr. Farhad Halim Donar, and local party members, was described as a humanitarian example in response to the sudden disaster.

Political scientist Professor Dilara Chowdhury has alleged that a neighboring country is attempting to sabotage Bangladesh’s upcoming 13th national election. Speaking at a seminar held on Saturday afternoon at the RAOWA Club in Dhaka’s Mohakhali, organized jointly by the Retired Armed Forces Officers’ Welfare Association and the RAOWA Research and Study Forum, she claimed that the neighboring country does not want a fair election in Bangladesh and urged citizens to remain vigilant.

During her remarks, Professor Chowdhury said that a few individuals involved in the July revolution had engaged in extortion, but that did not invalidate the broader movement, which she said had the participation of marginalized communities. She criticized the country’s elite class for allegedly siphoning money abroad and called for national unity, urging voters to choose honest candidates regardless of party affiliation.

Other speakers at the event, including Lt. Col. Modachher Hossain, Lt. Col. Hasinur Rahman, and Major (Retd.) Barrister Sarwar, discussed issues such as inequality, leadership, and the need for anti-hegemony declarations from political parties, emphasizing the demand for a fair election.

BNP candidate for Moulvibazar-3 constituency, M Naser Rahman, announced that he will introduce a bill in parliament to ensure the rights of tea workers if elected. Speaking at an election rally on Friday evening at the Nach Mandir in Rajnagar Tea Garden, he said that under a BNP government, women from tea worker families would receive a family card providing essential goods worth about Tk2,500 per month. He also pledged to raise the daily wage of tea workers to Tk245, aligning with international standards.

Rahman recalled that tea workers’ daily wages had once been only Tk35, which was raised to Tk120 during the governments of former finance minister M Saifur Rahman and former prime minister Khaleda Zia. He criticized the current government for increasing wages by only Tk50 over fifteen years. Addressing the workers, he urged them to support the BNP’s symbol in the upcoming February 12 national election.

He emphasized that the BNP has always worked for tea workers and promised to continue efforts to improve their wages and benefits through legislative initiatives if elected.

BNP candidate for Dhaka-8, Mirza Abbas, has accused the Election Commission of failing to act responsibly. Speaking to journalists during a campaign event in the Shantinagar area of Dhaka on Saturday, February 7, he said that despite submitting several complaints, he has not received any response from the commission, which he described as very unfortunate.

Abbas alleged that a particular political party appears overly confident about winning the election, suggesting bias in the process. He stated that while the election is being presented as participatory, partiality is evident, which he termed as harmful. He questioned whether a false result would be used to enter parliament, calling such a scenario unacceptable.

He urged voters to overcome all conspiracies and exercise their voting rights properly on election day, emphasizing that the people alone should decide who they elect.

BNP Central Election Steering Committee spokesperson and chairman’s adviser Mahdi Amin has alleged that a political party is preparing for planned election engineering. Speaking at a press conference at the BNP’s election office in Gulshan on Saturday, he said the involvement of that party’s leaders in the production of fake voting seals in Lakshmipur is clear evidence of the plan. He further claimed that a large number of burqas and niqabs are being made to misuse religious sentiments for casting fake votes.

Amin stated that a printing press owner arrested in connection with the illegal seals confessed in court that the seals were made under the instruction of a Jamaat-e-Islami leader. He urged the Election Commission to ensure the appointment of sufficient female polling officers, especially in women’s booths, and to verify voter identities by face as per law and regulations.

He also alleged irregularities in the appointment of election observers and called on the Election Commission and the government to ensure a level playing field for a free, fair, and neutral election.

A fire broke out at the election office of Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Maulana Md. Borhan Uddin in the Noakhali-3 Begumganj constituency late Friday night. The incident occurred in Dineshganj area of Rasulpur Union’s Ward No. 2 under Begumganj upazila. No casualties were reported, but furniture and a campaign autorickshaw were burned in the blaze.

According to local Jamaat sources, unidentified miscreants set fire to the office and fled the scene. The candidate, Maulana Borhan Uddin, condemned the attack, calling it a cowardly act intended to disrupt the democratic environment and spread fear among voters. He demanded a proper investigation and exemplary punishment for those responsible.

Begumganj Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md. Shamsuzzaman said police visited the site after receiving the report and that an investigation is underway to identify those involved and take legal action.

Bangladesh is set to hold its parliamentary election on February 12, 2026, following the 2024 downfall of former autocrat Sheikh Hasina. The vote will coincide with a referendum on the July Charter. The two main contenders for the 300 parliamentary seats are the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), leading a 10-party alliance, and Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh (JIB), heading an 11-party coalition that includes the National Citizen Party (NCP). The Awami League remains banned from political activity. Other participants include Islami Andolan Bangladesh and the Jatiya Party, both running independently.

BNP, led by Tarique Rahman, son of late Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, has re-emerged as a major force since his return from exile in December 2025. Rahman has pledged inclusive governance and infrastructure development. Academic observers note the party’s renewed organization and growing public engagement. In contrast, Jamaat, led by Shafiqur Rahman, has sought to expand its base and counter concerns over its Islamist agenda by fielding a Hindu candidate for the first time.

Interim leader Dr. Muhammad Yunus and Army Chief General Waker-uz-Zaman are seen as key figures ensuring stability during the polls, while exiled Hasina continues to criticize the process from India.

AB Party Chairman Mujibur Rahman Manju has alleged that recent police actions against Inquilab Mancha activists indicate a conspiracy surrounding the upcoming election. Speaking on Saturday morning in Feni, he condemned what he described as a brutal police attack on students and civilians during a protest demanding justice for the killing of Osman Hadi. The event took place after a bicycle rally organized by the Feni city branch of Islami Chhatra Shibir in support of Manju, the 11-party alliance candidate for the Feni-2 constituency.

Manju criticized the police for failing to protect Osman Hadi or apprehend his killers, accusing them instead of targeting innocent people. He said the behavior of law enforcement reflected anger and violent tendencies, suggesting the incident might have been intentional. According to him, such actions could be part of a broader attempt to send a political message ahead of the national election.

He further warned that the visible bias of the administration and police could signal deeper unrest, hinting at the possibility of a major upheaval if such trends continue.

Allegations have emerged that BNP activists obstructed the election campaign of the 11-party ‘Oikyo Boddho Bangladesh’ alliance, which includes Jamaat and NCP, in Dhaka-18 constituency. The incidents reportedly occurred on Friday across several areas, including Khilkhet’s Ward 48, where campaign leaflets were forcibly taken away after Jumma prayers. Local BNP leader Murad Kazi and his associates allegedly seized leaflets distributed in support of the Shapla Koli symbol and threatened campaigners with consequences if they went to polling centers on February 12.

The NCP claimed that alliance workers were intimidated during the campaign, with threats of assault if they continued campaigning in the area. A campaign rickshaw with loudspeakers was also reportedly taken away by BNP activists in the Borua Bazar area. Female members of the alliance were allegedly subjected to verbal abuse while campaigning for the Shapla Koli symbol.

Ariful Islam, the alliance’s candidate for Dhaka-18, condemned the incidents, calling them attempts to derail a fair election and demanded justice against those responsible.

A fire broke out early Saturday, February 7, 2026, at the election campaign office of Maulana Borhan Uddin, the 11-party alliance candidate for the Noakhali-3 constituency, located at Dineshganj Bazar in Rasulpur Union of Begumganj upazila, Noakhali. The blaze destroyed several chairs, tables, and an autorickshaw before local residents managed to bring it under control.

According to local sources, the office had been set up for campaign activities ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliament election and referendum. Leaders of the Bangladesh Shramik Kalyan Unit’s Rasulpur Union branch, who oversaw the office, alleged that the fire was an act of sabotage driven by political vengeance. They demanded that those responsible be identified and brought to justice.

Begumganj Model Police Station’s investigation officer Habibur Rahman said police, fire service personnel, and an executive magistrate visited the site. Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire and will take necessary action following the inquiry.

BNP candidate Sarwar Jamal Nizam for Chattogram-13 (Anwara–Karnaphuli) constituency has publicly appealed for an end to extortion activities until February 12. He made the request on Friday night during the inauguration of his election office at Chatari Choumuhani Bazar in Anwara upazila. A 55-second video of his speech later circulated on social media, sparking widespread discussion and criticism.

In the video, Nizam is heard describing Chatari as the economic center of Anwara and alleging ongoing extortion, anarchy, and terrorism in the area. He urged those involved to refrain from such activities until the 12th and warned that anyone attempting to tarnish the BNP’s image would not be spared. Attempts to reach Nizam by phone for further comment were unsuccessful.

Following the video’s spread, local political circles began debating his remarks. Some viewed them as an expression of concern over the election environment, while others criticized the statement.

The Uttarbangha Indigenous Forum held a press conference at the Chapainawabganj District Press Club on Saturday, demanding special security measures for indigenous and religious minority voters in the upcoming election. The organization presented a five-point demand, calling for effective steps to ensure safety and fair voting rights for these communities.

In a written statement, Forum General Secretary Provat Tudu said indigenous and minority groups across the country have long faced discrimination, fear, and violence, which intensify during elections. He noted that many are threatened or prevented from voting, describing such acts as violations of human rights and the constitution. Rajshahi city branch president Sumi Murmu urged the state, including the army, police, and law enforcement agencies, to take preventive measures against pre- and post-election violence and called on the Election Commission to act impartially and investigate intimidation complaints promptly.

Indigenous leaders reported that around 80,000 voters in three constituencies of Chapainawabganj feel insecure ahead of the polls and demanded increased patrols in indigenous areas.

Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus said that the country’s electoral culture has changed and that ensuring a perfect vote is now the biggest challenge. He made the remarks on Saturday night during a high-level meeting on election matters at the state guesthouse Jamuna, which he chaired. After the meeting, his Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam briefed reporters, saying the Chief Adviser expressed satisfaction with the overall election environment and noted nationwide enthusiasm and civility among participants.

Dr. Yunus stated that the upcoming election would be festive and memorable, with women participating joyfully. The Press Secretary added that the Chief Adviser tested body-worn cameras in five remote areas and that any issues would be reported through an Election Security App to the Election Commission and relevant offices. Around 900,000 law enforcement personnel will be deployed, including 108,000 armed forces members already in place. A 333 hotline is being launched for election-related matters.

Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumdar announced that permission for 10,000 election observers from the NGO “Pasha” had been revoked. Officials also assured that journalists face no security risks during the election.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has completed the distribution of parliamentary election ballots to returning officers across 299 constituencies. The process concluded on Saturday, with the final district set to receive its ballots on Sunday morning. Returning officers have acknowledged receipt and are authorized to begin constituency-level distribution from Sunday, following official instructions from the EC. The ballots were printed after final symbols were allocated to candidates on January 21.

According to EC officials, this election marks the first time expatriate Bangladeshis can vote through postal ballots alongside government officials, prisoners, and election staff. Over 1.53 million voters registered through the postal voting app, and more than 309,000 have already cast their votes. The remaining 126.2 million voters will vote in person using printed ballots distributed to local election offices.

Field-level distribution to assistant returning officers will begin Sunday, and polling officials are scheduled to collect ballots and materials on February 11. Voting will take place nationwide on February 12 from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Asif Mahmud, head of the National Citizens Party (NCP) election management committee, has criticized Tarique Rahman’s recent remarks to Reuters suggesting that Sheikh Hasina’s children could return to politics if the people desired. He made the comments on Saturday during a press conference at the NCP central office.

Mahmud argued that if the public had wanted Sheikh Hasina’s children to reenter politics, there would have been no need for an uprising or the loss of 2,400 lives. He said the people did not want the BAKSAL system in 1975 and claimed that bringing Sheikh Hasina back into politics was a mistake by Ziaur Rahman, a decision that cost both Zia and Khaleda Zia for decades. He accused some political leaders of being blinded by power and said Tarique Rahman was repeating the same mistake.

Mahmud also alleged that the BNP had taken an anti-people stance by opposing the July Charter and lacking any concept of proportional representation in its manifesto. He further accused the Election Commission of issuing show-cause notices to NCP candidates over minor issues.