Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain stated that no election is ever perfect, emphasizing that the key issue is whether an election truly reflects public opinion. He made the remarks on Thursday, February 5, during a discussion with journalists at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Hossain expressed hope that the upcoming election would be held within a week, noting that although some people remain doubtful, he sees no reason for the election not to take place.

He added that understanding public sentiment does not depend solely on numbers, as it becomes evident through broader observation. Referring to the previous four elections, he said each had reflected public opinion to some extent. Drawing a comparison with India, Hossain mentioned that even in the world’s largest democracy, elections are not flawless and face certain issues.

Responding to a question about whether foreign diplomats had exerted pressure regarding the Awami League’s participation in the election, Hossain clarified that while some diplomats had inquired about the matter, none had applied any pressure.

The Ministry of Labour and Employment has declared February 10, 2026, a general holiday for workers and employees in industrial areas across Bangladesh in view of the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. As a result, workers in factories and industries will enjoy three consecutive days off on February 10, 11, and 12. The decision was approved at a meeting of the Advisory Council held on Thursday.

According to the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing, factories implementing the February 10 holiday may later require workers to work one additional day to compensate for the leave. The decision followed a request from the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and was finalized during the council meeting.

The announcement aims to facilitate workers’ participation in the national election and referendum while allowing industrial operations to recover the lost workday afterward.

National Citizens Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam declared that Bangladesh’s government will be chosen solely by its people and that no foreign interference or dominance will be accepted. Speaking on Thursday at an election rally in Baroghopa, Kutubdia, Cox’s Bazar, organized to support the Jamaat-led 11-party alliance candidate, he asserted that Delhi’s influence over Bangladesh would no longer be tolerated.

Nahid Islam described those who adopted policies of extortion, land grabbing, and rehabilitation of fascists after August 5 as the country’s new oppressors, calling for resistance against them on February 12. He said the electoral struggle extended beyond the Cox’s Bazar-2 constituency, representing a national fight to free Bangladesh from domination, fascism, corruption, and exploitation.

Jamaat-e-Islami’s Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher emphasized the need for a free, fair, and acceptable election, urging the government and Election Commission to act impartially. Speakers urged voters to support the “scales” symbol to build a new Bangladesh, while candidate Hamidur Rahman Azad pledged fair salt prices, sustainable embankments, and improved ferry services.

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam announced that the interim government will hand over power to the newly elected administration within the shortest possible time after the results of the 13th National Parliamentary Election are declared. He stated that the process could take a maximum of three days, and the new government may assume office between February 17 and 18. The announcement was made on Thursday at a press conference held at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka, following a meeting of the Advisory Council chaired by Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus.

Shafiqul Alam explained that preparations are in place for a swift transfer of power once the election concludes. Newly elected members of parliament will take their oaths immediately after the results, and the handover process will begin promptly. He emphasized that the transition could be completed as early as February 15, 16, or by February 17–18 at the latest.

Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad dismissed rumors that the interim government would remain in power for 180 working days, calling such claims baseless and politically motivated.

Candidates of the Khagrachhari-298 parliamentary constituency have demanded that the army be deployed with magistracy powers three days before the election to ensure maximum security at 68 high-risk polling centers. The demand was made on Thursday at a press conference organized under the banner of the Khagrachhari Lawyers’ Association, where BNP candidate Abdul Wadud Bhuiyan read a written statement. Three other candidates—Mithila Roaja of Jatiya Party, Dinmoy Roaja of Ganoparishad, and Md. Nurul Islam of Insoniyat Biplob Bangladesh—were also present.

According to the statement, law enforcement and intelligence agencies have identified 121 of the 203 polling centers in Khagrachhari as risky, including 68 marked as “red” for being highly vulnerable. The candidates alleged that armed groups are intimidating voters, obstructing campaigns, and attempting to influence votes in favor of preferred candidates. They also claimed these groups disrupted past elections and are now trying to destabilize the upcoming polls.

The six-point demand includes increased mobile patrols in remote areas, strict security per polling center, community confidence-building, monitoring social media for rumors, and immediate legal action against offenders.

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul stated that either a person nominated by the President or the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) will administer the oath to members elected in the upcoming 13th National Parliament. He made the clarification on Thursday, February 5, during a briefing with journalists at the Secretariat.

Nazrul explained that there are two options under the current arrangement. Former Speaker or Deputy Speaker cannot administer the oath. If the oath must be taken within three days of the election results being announced, the President will nominate a person on the advice of the Chief Adviser to conduct the ceremony. He added that the current Chief Justice could be such a nominee if willing. If the oath cannot be administered within three days for any reason, the CEC will then perform the duty.

The 13th National Parliament election and referendum are scheduled to be held on February 12, according to the adviser’s statement.

National Citizens Party convener Nahid Islam declared that no conspiracy from Delhi would be accepted in Bangladesh’s political affairs. Speaking at an election rally in Kutubdia, Cox’s Bazar, on Thursday, he said the people of Bangladesh alone would decide who forms the government. He called for unity to free the country from terrorism, fascism, and domination, urging voters to support the balance-scale symbol in the upcoming election.

The rally was organized in support of Jamaat-e-Islami candidate and assistant secretary general Dr. A.H.M. Hamidur Rahman Azad. Jamaat’s central Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher, attending as chief guest, described the February 12 election as a milestone for building a new Bangladesh. He pledged to eliminate corruption, establish democracy, and ensure citizens’ rights if his coalition came to power.

Taher highlighted Kutubdia and Maheshkhali’s economic and geographic importance, comparing their potential to Singapore’s development model. He said if elected, Hamidur Rahman Azad could become a full minister under an eleven-party alliance government.

Daksu Vice President Sadiq Kayem alleged that a major political party and its leader were conducting politics in Bangladesh under India’s prescription. He made the remarks on Thursday afternoon at Shahbagh’s Shaheed Hadi Chattar while addressing a public gathering organized by the United Student Council in support of the ‘Yes’ vote in the upcoming referendum. Kayem said that true politics in Bangladesh requires opposing Indian dominance and accused Jatiya Party leader GM Quader of acting as an Indian agent for supporting the ‘No’ vote.

Other student leaders, including representatives from Jaksu, Joksu, and Chaksu, also spoke at the event, expressing support for the ‘Yes’ campaign and denouncing corruption, fascism, and political violence. They urged the interim government not to obstruct those campaigning for the ‘Yes’ vote and called for justice against those attacking women during political activities.

Speakers warned against election engineering and urged citizens to resist any attempt to seize power undemocratically, emphasizing that students and the public would support whichever party wins in a fair election.

Bangladesh’s outgoing foreign affairs adviser Md. Touhid Hossain said he does not personally accept responsibility for the recent difficulties Bangladeshis face in obtaining foreign visas. Speaking at a media briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday, he stated that the problem stems from systemic and national shortcomings rather than individual or ministerial failures. He argued that widespread document fraud has damaged Bangladesh’s credibility abroad, making it harder for citizens to secure visas or admissions.

Hossain explained that visa and admission decisions depend on the authenticity of submitted documents, and Bangladesh’s reputation for falsification has undermined trust. He warned that unless the country addresses internal irregularities, the situation could worsen. He also acknowledged that relations between Bangladesh and India had stagnated during the interim government’s tenure, noting that both nations prioritized their own interests.

Expressing optimism, Hossain said he believes the next government will be able to improve bilateral relations with India. He also dismissed concerns that agreements signed by the interim government would burden its successor, saying they were intended to facilitate future work.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) will announce its election manifesto for the 13th National Parliament election on Friday. BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman is scheduled to formally unveil the manifesto at 3:30 p.m. in the ballroom of Hotel Sonargaon in Dhaka. The announcement was confirmed by BNP media cell member Shayrul Kabir Khan. The event will be presided over by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and conducted by Standing Committee member and Election Steering Committee Chairman Nazrul Islam Khan.

According to party sources, the manifesto emphasizes BNP’s previously declared 31-point agenda, the July Charter, and the aspirations of young voters. It will highlight citizen-focused services such as family cards, health cards, and farmer cards. The document is also expected to include commitments to restore democracy, ensure judicial independence, decentralize administration, protect human rights, and strengthen anti-corruption frameworks. Economic and foreign policy directions will also be outlined.

The event is expected to be attended by prominent citizens, ambassadors, high commissioners, and representatives from international organizations and diplomatic missions in Dhaka.

The European Union Election Observation Mission has called for a level playing field in Bangladesh’s upcoming 13th national parliamentary election, scheduled for February 12. Chief Observer Ivars Ijabs made the remarks on February 5 after meeting Chief Election Commissioner A M M Nasir Uddin at the Election Commission building in Agargaon, Dhaka. He emphasized that the mission was not there to give advice but to observe the process, expressing hope for a free, fair, and impartial election.

Ijabs said the EU team had already deployed observers across various parts of the country and that more would arrive before election day. Discussions with the Election Commission focused on election challenges and ensuring fairness in the electoral field. The EU mission is currently monitoring the electoral environment in all 300 constituencies.

The Chief Observer noted satisfaction with the Election Commission’s activities and reiterated the EU’s commitment to observing the process to help ensure transparency and credibility in the upcoming vote.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman announced that female students will be able to study up to the master’s level at government expense. He said no mother’s child will be left out of education, and the state will take responsibility for children whose families cannot afford schooling. He made these remarks on February 5 at a public rally of the 11-party electoral alliance in Naogaon’s A.Team field ahead of the 13th national parliamentary election.

Dr. Rahman outlined a vision for an inclusive and equitable Bangladesh, emphasizing education, agricultural development, and regional infrastructure. He proposed establishing a medical college and agricultural research university in Naogaon, developing storage facilities for crops, and promoting fruit processing industries. He also called for preserving archaeological sites like Kusumba Mosque and Paharpur Buddhist Monastery to boost tourism.

He criticized past governments for corruption and neglect of citizens, pledging to recover misappropriated public funds and invest them in underdeveloped regions. Rahman urged unity across religious communities and reaffirmed his commitment to justice, women’s dignity, and youth empowerment through education and vocational training.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has stated that if his party is entrusted with governing Bangladesh, their administration will remain accountable to the people. In a verified Facebook post on Thursday, he said elected representatives and senior government officials would regularly face the public to ensure transparency and responsibility.

Dr. Rahman emphasized that past governments in the country had ruled without accountability, making key decisions behind closed doors and concealing corruption. He pledged that under a Jamaat-led government, ministers, members of parliament, and senior officials would be required to publicly disclose their assets and answer directly to citizens for their decisions.

He further announced that the government would operate through a transparent and digital record system, allowing citizens to monitor official work, expenditures, and services in real time. According to him, this approach would permanently end the culture of secrecy in governance.

Popular Islamic scholar Dr. Mizanur Rahman Azhari has shared his views on the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election and referendum, scheduled for February 12. In a Facebook post on February 5, he encouraged young voters to cast their first votes in favor of justice and fairness.

According to the official election schedule, campaigning by contesting candidates began on January 22 and will continue until 48 hours before polling starts. The Election Commission has announced that voting will take place uninterrupted from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on February 12, using transparent ballot boxes and paper ballots.

Chief Election Commissioner A.M.M. Nasir Uddin had earlier announced the election schedule in a national address on December 11. The post by Azhari adds a social and moral dimension to the public discourse ahead of the national vote.

The Bangladesh government has announced new working hours for all government, semi-government, autonomous, and semi-autonomous institutions during the upcoming Ramadan. Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam disclosed the schedule at a briefing held on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka. Offices will operate from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with a 15-minute break for Zuhr prayers from 1:15 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

According to the announcement, banks, insurance companies, the Supreme Court, and other autonomous bodies will have the flexibility to set their own schedules based on operational convenience. The decision aims to adjust working hours in line with the fasting period observed by employees during the holy month.

The revised hours will apply throughout Ramadan, after which regular office timings are expected to resume as usual.