Bhutan Biswas, a leader of the Boalkhali Hindu Parishad, stated that the claim Hindus would be unsafe if Jamaat-e-Islami came to power is entirely false. He made the remarks on Monday at a restaurant in Chattogram city during the election manifesto announcement of Jamaat candidate Dr. Abu Naser for the Chattogram-8 constituency. Biswas described Jamaat as a friend and companion in times of need, asserting that Hindus would remain safe under its leadership.

The event was attended by several local figures, including families of July martyrs, Boalkhali Hindu Parishad leaders, and academics. Ruby Akter, mother of martyr Omar Bin Nurul Absar, said Dr. Naser’s decision to contest again came after public demand, expressing hope that he would fulfill local development needs such as the Kalurghat Bridge. Other speakers, including Hindu leaders Pankaj Shil and Sujan Bhattacharya, praised Dr. Naser as a humane and inclusive leader.

Participants voiced confidence that Dr. Naser’s leadership would ensure equal respect for all communities in the constituency.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M M Nasir Uddin will deliver a televised address to the nation on Wednesday, February 11, 2026. According to an official message from the Election Commission (EC) issued on Tuesday, February 10, the speech will be recorded at 6 p.m. on Bangladesh Television (BTV). The EC confirmed that preparations for the recording were completed on Tuesday evening.

The announcement marks the CEC’s second national address in recent months. His previous address to the nation took place on December 11 of the previous year, during which he announced the election schedule. The upcoming speech follows that precedent, though the Election Commission has not disclosed the specific topics to be covered.

The timing of the address suggests it may relate to ongoing electoral developments, but no further details were provided in the EC’s statement.

Rabeya Islam Shampa, wife of martyred Sharif Osman Hadi, met Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday at the state guesthouse Jamuna. During the meeting, she declined a job offer from the Chief Adviser. Shampa later shared details of the encounter on Facebook, explaining that Yunus had invited her and her son, Firnas, to hand over documents related to his earlier promises for Firnas’s welfare.

In her post, Shampa said she asked Yunus whether he would make every effort to ensure justice for her late husband. She stated that without such assurance, her son would not accept any support. Yunus reportedly assured her that he would pursue justice for Hadi through all possible means, including under United Nations supervision, and expressed regret over alleged attacks on her colleagues.

Shampa added that she told Yunus she would secure employment through her own merit and thanked him for his concern for Firnas. She said Yunus promised full international support for investigating Hadi’s killing, after which she left the meeting.

Nasiruddin Patowary, the candidate of the 11-party alliance in Dhaka-8 constituency, is leading by 16 percentage points over his rival BNP candidate Mirza Abbas, according to a pre-election public opinion survey. The survey results, released on February 10, 2026, by the research organization Sochchar, covered 13 parliamentary constituencies and were published on the group’s official Facebook page.

Sochchar stated that the findings reflect ‘revealed votes’ or expressed opinions of respondents, showing which candidates are currently ahead. However, the organization cautioned that a significant portion of voters remain undecided, meaning the final election results could shift substantially. The survey also showed varying leads for BNP and Jamaat candidates in other constituencies, including Chattogram-10, Cumilla-9, Cumilla-10, and Gaibandha-2.

According to Sochchar, the survey is not a final forecast. The decisions of undecided voters and last-minute political dynamics are expected to play a decisive role in determining the ultimate election outcomes.

Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmad Khan clarified on February 10, 2026, that he has not resigned from his post, contrary to reports in several media outlets. Speaking at a special press conference at the Abdul Matin Chowdhury Virtual Classroom on the university campus, he said he only expressed a desire to step down after the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election, but not immediately. He emphasized that he does not want to create any administrative vacuum and is willing to continue if the government and relevant authorities deem it necessary.

Professor Khan explained that he took charge in August 2024 during a critical period when academic activities were halted and the administrative structure was dysfunctional. He said the university has since regained stability, with improvements in democratic processes, student representation, and international rankings. He also mentioned ongoing infrastructure projects worth Tk 2,841 crore aimed at addressing housing and research facility shortages.

He added that he intends to return to his original position as a Grade-1 Professor in the Department of Development Studies once his deputation ends and has requested the government to allow this transition.

Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan announced that he has not yet formally resigned but intends to step down after the 13th National Parliamentary Election. Speaking at an emergency press conference on February 10 at the Abdul Matin Chowdhury Virtual Classroom, he said he would continue his duties until the new government assumes office and appoints a successor. He plans to write to the President and Chancellor seeking permission to return to his department.

Professor Khan explained that he took office in August 2024 during a crisis when academic and administrative activities were nearly paralyzed. His initial goal was to restore stability and resume academic operations. Over the past year and a half, he said the university has recovered, with democratic processes reinstated, hall councils functioning, and student rights institutionalized. He also cited improvements in international rankings, research output, and foreign student enrollment.

He added that a Tk 2,841 crore development project is underway to address infrastructure shortages and that he wishes to return to his teaching role after his deputation ends.

Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s Bhumjaithai Party has secured a decisive victory in the country’s recent general election, winning around 190 seats and moving toward forming a coalition government. The result defied most pre-election surveys that had predicted a lead for the reformist People’s Party. The outcome delivered a major setback to young reformists who had hoped to build on earlier momentum.

The mixed electoral system played a key role in shaping the result. Thai voters cast two ballots—one for local candidates and another for party lists. Although the People’s Party received about 10 million votes nationwide, surpassing Bhumjaithai’s 6 million in the party-list count, only 20 percent of the 500 parliamentary seats are allocated from party lists. The remaining 80 percent are decided through direct local contests, where Bhumjaithai’s long-standing local networks and influential figures proved decisive.

Anutin’s strategy of recruiting experienced politicians and consolidating conservative voters through nationalist and pro-monarchy positions strengthened his party’s dominance, marking an unexpected turn in Thailand’s political landscape.

The head of the European Union Election Observation Mission, Ivars Ijabs, said the atmosphere ahead of Bangladesh’s upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election is very positive. He made the remarks on Tuesday morning during a press conference, noting that observers are already deployed across the country. According to him, around 60 long-term EU observers have been in Bangladesh since early January, while short-term observers began their fieldwork today.

Ijabs stated that observers from all 27 EU member states, as well as from partner countries Norway, Switzerland, and Canada, are participating in the mission. He described the observers as highly professional and experienced. The mission has engaged with candidates and local authorities in various regions, and most of them expressed that this election could mark a new chapter in Bangladesh’s history.

While emphasizing the overall optimism, Ijabs acknowledged that there are still some issues that require discussion. However, he reiterated that the general environment remains hopeful and constructive.

The Election Commission of Bangladesh has revised its earlier directive banning mobile phones at polling centers. A new notification issued on Tuesday allows limited exceptions for specific officials during the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election and referendum scheduled for February 12. According to the circular, only the presiding officer, the police officer in charge of the center, and two designated Ansar members using the 'Election Security 2026' application may carry mobile phones within 400 yards of a polling center.

The revision follows widespread criticism after the commission imposed a blanket ban on mobile phones at polling centers on Sunday night. The updated order clarifies that no one other than the listed officials will be permitted to bring phones within the restricted area. The Election Commission has instructed relevant authorities to take necessary measures in line with the new decision.

The notification aims to balance election security with operational needs as the country prepares for the February 12 polls and referendum.

Law enforcement agencies have identified more than 40 percent of the 42,000 polling centers across Bangladesh as risky ahead of the 13th national parliamentary election and referendum scheduled for February 12, 2026. According to police data submitted to the Election Commission, Dhaka’s two city corporation areas have the highest concentration of such centers, with 1,614 of 2,131 polling stations marked as risky. The assessment was based on past incidents of violence and the geographic positioning of centers.

The Dhaka divisional commissioner’s office confirmed that additional forces and CCTV cameras will be deployed at risky centers. Nationwide, over 100,000 armed forces members will assist police in maintaining election security. A total of 157,000 police officers, supported by 30,000 additional personnel, will be on duty, with 25,000 body-worn cameras in use. Outside metropolitan areas, three to four armed police officers will guard each risky center, while inside cities, four armed officers will be assigned per center.

Security preparations mark the first time armed forces are formally integrated with law enforcement for election duties, reflecting heightened caution over potential unrest.

Popular Islamic scholar Maulana Mizanur Rahman Azhari has called on citizens to vote 'Yes' in the upcoming national referendum aimed at implementing the 'July Charter' for a balanced and accountable state. He made the appeal on Tuesday, February 10, through a post on his verified Facebook page, encouraging people to support the initiative under the slogan 'Say YES for Future Bangladesh.'

The referendum will be held nationwide on Thursday, February 12, alongside the national parliamentary elections. Under the supervision of the Election Commission, voters will cast their ballots on two separate papers—one for the parliamentary election and another for the state reform referendum. The 'July Charter' was drafted in response to demands for state reform following the July uprising.

Analysts cited in the report suggest that public endorsements from influential figures like Azhari could positively influence voter participation in the referendum, which has become a major focus of political activity across the country.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam has said that approximately 24,000 polling centers across Bangladesh have been identified as risky ahead of the upcoming election. Speaking at a press conference at the Police Headquarters Media Center on Tuesday, he stated that 8,770 centers are considered highly risky and 16,000 moderately risky. He noted that these classifications are preliminary and somewhat arbitrary, but the police plan to cover these centers with body cameras.

The IGP emphasized that this election will be the most secure in the country’s history. He detailed that security measures have been arranged at three levels—center-based, mobile, and striking forces—to ensure order during the polls. According to him, the scale of security deployment means no one will be able to disrupt the election process, though isolated crimes could still occur.

The announcement comes as election preparations near completion, with ballot papers already distributed to all 299 constituencies, according to the Election Commission secretary.

Khulna Range Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Md. Rezaul Haque stated that any police member who supports or opposes a candidate during the election will bear personal responsibility for their actions, not the department. He made the remarks in Narail while briefing journalists about police measures to maintain law and order and overall security during the election period. The briefing was held on Tuesday morning at the conference room of the Superintendent of Police in Narail.

Rezaul Haque emphasized that the government’s role in the February 12 election would remain completely neutral. He said the police have no envy, support, or opposition toward any contesting side and are committed to ensuring peace and security. The DIG reiterated that the police’s only goal is to conduct a fair and peaceful election, remaining above all forms of bias.

He urged that if any police member takes a partisan stance, it should be treated as an individual act and not attributed to the department. He also called on the media to cooperate by providing information on any partisan behavior to help ensure a fair election.

Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan has offered to step down from his position. He made the announcement at an emergency press conference held on Tuesday at 3 p.m. in the Abdul Matin Chowdhury Virtual Classroom near the Vice-Chancellor’s office. Khan stated that he had taken charge during a critical period and had tried his best to fulfill his responsibilities. He expressed his wish to resign so that the newly elected political government could form its administration freely. However, he said he was willing to continue temporarily if stakeholders and the elected government deemed it necessary to maintain administrative continuity.

Khan clarified that he has not yet submitted a formal resignation letter and will remain in office until the elected government assumes power, pledging full cooperation with the incoming administration. He was appointed as acting Vice-Chancellor on August 27, 2024, following the resignation of former Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Maksud Kamal after the fall of the Awami League government earlier that month. His appointment was made under Article 11(2) of the Dhaka University Order, 1973, with approval from the President and University Chancellor.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh announced that more than 730,000 postal ballots from both domestic and overseas voters have reached returning officers ahead of the 13th parliamentary election. The information was released in an EC statement on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. According to the notice, a total of 766,862 ballot papers were sent abroad to enable expatriates to vote, of which 471,957 were returned after being cast. So far, 419,918 of these have reached the returning officers, while the rest are still being processed.

Within the country, 760,898 postal ballots were distributed among government employees, prisoners, and voters unable to attend polling centers. Of these, 310,154 completed ballots have been returned to the respective returning officers. The EC stated that the collection process for postal ballots remains ongoing.

Only ballots received by 4:30 p.m. on February 12 will be included in the final count, after which the official vote tallying process will begin, according to the EC announcement.