The sixth death anniversary of eminent modern Bangla poet Al Mahmud is being observed on Sunday, February 15, 2026. The poet, who passed away in 2019 at the age of 82 due to pneumonia in Dhaka, is remembered for his celebrated poetry collection 'Sonali Kabin'. His works drew inspiration from the Language Movement of 1952 through the Liberation War of 1971, inspiring generations with themes of national identity and freedom.

Born on July 11, 1936, in Mollarbari of Mourail, Brahmanbaria, Al Mahmud moved to Dhaka in 1954 to pursue journalism and literary writing. After the Liberation War, he edited the daily Ganakantha and was imprisoned for a year. His literary contributions earned him numerous honors, including the Ekushey Padak, Bangla Academy Literary Award, Humayun Kabir Memorial Award, Jibanananda Memorial Award, and Jasimuddin Award.

Marking the anniversary, the organization 'Kaler Kolosh' has arranged a commemorative event at the Al Mahmud Corner of Bangla Academy at 4 p.m., where noted cultural figures and admirers will discuss his life and works, alongside recitations and musical performances.

In the 13th parliamentary election, 20 out of 33 candidates in Sylhet district lost their security deposits across six constituencies. The unofficial results were announced on Thursday night by the district’s returning officer and Deputy Commissioner Sarwar Alam. According to the Election Commission’s circular, any candidate receiving less than one-eighth, or 12.5 percent, of total votes cast forfeits their deposit.

The results show that six candidates in Sylhet-1, three in Sylhet-2, four in Sylhet-3, three in Sylhet-4, one in Sylhet-5, and three in Sylhet-6 lost their deposits. In Sylhet-1, for example, 325,000 votes were cast, and candidates needed at least 40,692 votes to retain their deposits. Similar thresholds were applied in other constituencies, with several candidates from parties such as Ganadhikar Parishad, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, and Jatiya Party failing to meet the required vote share.

The forfeiture of deposits highlights the limited electoral support for smaller parties and independent candidates in Sylhet’s six constituencies during the 13th national polls.

Seven former presidents of Islami Chhatra Shibir have been elected as members of the National Parliament. They contested the February 12 election under the banner of Jamaat-e-Islami and won by a large margin. The newly elected MPs include Jamaat’s Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr. Abdullah Muhammad Taher (Comilla-11), Central Executive Committee member Saiful Alam Khan Milon (Dhaka-12), Assistant Secretary General Maulana Rafiqul Islam Khan (Sirajganj-4), Central Executive Committee member and Dhaka South Ameer Nurul Islam Bulbul (Chapainawabganj-3), Central Working Committee member and Dhaka South Secretary Dr. Shafiqul Islam Masud (Patuakhali-2), Salahuddin Ayyubi (Gazipur-4), and Hafiz Rashedul Islam (Sherpur-1).

According to the report, nine other former Shibir presidents also participated in the election but were defeated. In total, Jamaat-e-Islami secured 68 parliamentary seats in this election. The results highlight the continued political presence of former student leaders within the party’s national leadership structure.

The election outcome strengthens Jamaat-e-Islami’s representation in parliament and underscores the influence of its former student wing leaders in shaping the party’s political direction.

Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain has called for immediate elections in all city corporations across Bangladesh. He made the appeal on Saturday afternoon while speaking to journalists after inaugurating the Spring Festival at Shaheed Wasim Smriti Park in Ambagan, Chattogram. Dr. Shahadat stated that following the July Revolution, all city mayors and councillors fled, and the interim government dissolved the corporations, appointing administrators instead. He regained his mayoral position through a court order but said the city’s 41 wards are operating without councillors, leaving residents deprived of adequate services.

According to city corporation regulations, a mayor serves for five years from the day of oath-taking, meaning Dr. Shahadat could remain in office for nearly four more years. However, he urged the new government to organize elections promptly in the interest of the public. He argued that bureaucrats currently running other city corporations cannot deliver effective services without elected representatives. Dr. Shahadat added that the recent parliamentary election proved that free and fair polls are possible and expressed confidence that upcoming local government elections would be peaceful and representative.

Khandaker Abdul Muktadir and Dr. Reza Kibria have been unofficially elected as Members of Parliament in Bangladesh’s 13th National Election held on February 12. Muktadir, the BNP chairman’s adviser and party-nominated candidate, won the Sylhet-1 constituency with 176,936 votes, defeating Jamaat’s Maulana Habibur Rahman, who received 134,983 votes. Dr. Reza Kibria, who recently joined the BNP and contested from Habiganj-1, secured 111,999 votes, while his closest rival, Maulana Md. Sirajul Islam of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish, obtained 56,132 votes.

Both Muktadir and Kibria are following in the political footsteps of their fathers. Muktadir is the son of Khandaker Abdul Malik, a BNP MP elected in 1991. Dr. Reza Kibria is the son of former finance minister and diplomat Shah AMS Kibria, who served as UN ESCAP secretary-general before joining the Awami League in 1992. Shah AMS Kibria was elected MP from Habiganj-3 in 2001 and was killed in a grenade attack at a public meeting in Habiganj on January 27, 2005.

In Rajshahi-3 (Paba-Mohonpur) constituency, the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami candidates exchanged greetings following the 13th parliamentary election. The event took place on Saturday at noon at the residence of Jamaat candidate Professor Abul Kalam Azad in Adariapara, Horogram Union, where he congratulated BNP’s winning candidate Advocate Shafiqul Haque Milon with flowers. Both leaders shared sweets and engaged in a brief, cordial discussion, marking a gesture of democratic goodwill after a competitive election.

Local political figures described the exchange as a positive example of political harmony and a reflection of evolving democratic culture in the region. They expressed hope that mutual respect and cooperation would open new avenues for sustainable development in Rajshahi-3. Professor Azad pledged full cooperation for the constituency’s progress, while Milon emphasized working together for public welfare despite political differences.

According to the official results, Milon won with 176,318 votes under the BNP’s symbol, while Azad received 137,927 votes under Jamaat’s symbol. Observers viewed the gesture as a message of unity and constructive politics in post-election Bangladesh.

Nineteen candidates in six parliamentary constituencies of Barishal lost their deposits in Bangladesh’s 13th parliamentary election, according to results announced late Thursday night by Barishal District Returning Officer and Deputy Commissioner Khairul Alam Suman. Under Election Commission rules, a candidate must secure at least one-eighth (12.5%) of total votes to retain the deposit; otherwise, the Tk 50,000 deposit is forfeited to the state treasury. The forfeited deposits from these 19 candidates will amount to Tk 950,000.

In Barishal-1, two of five candidates lost deposits; in Barishal-2, six of eight; in Barishal-3, three of six; in Barishal-4, two of five; in Barishal-5, three of six; and in Barishal-6, three of six. The affected candidates represented parties including the Jatiya Party, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, JASAD, Ganadhikar Parishad, NPP, Bangladesh Muslim League, and others.

The results highlight the limited electoral performance of several smaller political parties and independent contenders across Barishal’s constituencies, with their combined forfeited deposits contributing to the national treasury.

Hundreds of candidates across Bangladesh lost their election deposits in the 13th national parliamentary elections held nationwide. Reports from multiple districts, including Sirajganj, Dinajpur, Rajshahi, Gazipur, Cumilla, Tangail, and others, confirmed that many contestants failed to secure the minimum required votes to retain their deposits. In Sirajganj alone, 27 out of 39 candidates lost their deposits, while in Cumilla, 57 out of 83 candidates faced the same outcome. According to election officials, candidates who failed to obtain one-eighth of the total valid votes in their constituencies forfeited their deposits.

District correspondents reported similar results in Dinajpur, Gaibandha, Pirojpur, Barguna, and other regions. Notably, several prominent figures, including a five-time MP from the Jatiya Party, also lost their deposits. The forfeitures affected candidates from various political parties such as the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, Jatiya Party, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, and several independent contenders.

The widespread loss of deposits highlights the competitive nature of the election and the uneven distribution of voter support across constituencies, as confirmed by returning officers in multiple districts.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman is scheduled to visit Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman and National Citizens Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam at their residences in Dhaka on Sunday. The visits, set for 7 p.m. in Bashundhara Residential Area and 8 p.m. on Bailey Road respectively, are described as courtesy meetings following the BNP’s victory in the 13th parliamentary election. According to BNP Media Wing member Shamsuddin Didar, the meetings aim to convey a message of positive politics.

On Saturday, Tarique Rahman called for unity and cooperation in governing the country during a press conference. The 13th parliamentary election was held on February 12 across 299 constituencies, where the BNP secured 209 seats. Results for two constituencies, Chattogram-2 and Chattogram-4, remain pending due to legal complications. Jamaat-e-Islami won 68 seats, while the NCP gained six.

The meetings are expected to reinforce post-election political cooperation among parties that performed strongly in the recent polls, according to the information provided.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) suffered defeats in two of its long-held strongholds, Rajshahi-1 (Tanore-Godagari) and Rajshahi-4 (Bagmara), while failing to secure expected vote margins in four other constituencies, according to results reported on February 15, 2026. Jamaat-e-Islami candidates Mujibur Rahman and Dr. Abdul Bari Sardar won the two lost seats, receiving 171,786 and 118,248 votes respectively. BNP candidates won in Rajshahi-2, 3, 5, and 6 but with lower-than-anticipated margins, prompting concern among local leaders.

Grassroots BNP leaders attributed the poor performance to weak organizational coordination, internal factionalism, and inadequate central guidance during the campaign. Several local leaders admitted that many workers were inactive on election day, reducing voter turnout in BNP’s favor. Political observers described the results as a major setback for the party in a region historically considered its base.

Analysts Anwar Hossain and Taufiq Ahmed said the outcome signals that BNP can no longer rely solely on traditional vote banks. They warned that without rapid organizational reform and stronger grassroots engagement, similar results could follow in future elections.

Incidents of violence have erupted across Bangladesh following the national election, with reports of attacks on homes, families, and businesses of Jamaat-e-Islami and 11-party alliance members. Jamaat has alleged that activists of the BNP, the party poised to form the next government after a sweeping victory, are responsible for at least 21 violent incidents on election night. The violence has caused widespread concern among grassroots supporters and voters linked to the alliance.

Jamaat Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman strongly condemned the attacks and urged party members to stand by affected families, collect evidence, and maintain a peaceful stance. He called on law enforcement to conduct impartial investigations and bring perpetrators to justice. The 11-party alliance held a meeting condemning the violence and warning of tougher decisions if attacks continue. A nationwide protest march has been announced for Monday afternoon from Baitul Mukarram North Gate in Dhaka.

According to Jamaat’s verified social media posts, incidents occurred in multiple districts including Feni, Dinajpur, Khulna, and Comilla, involving arson, beatings, and vandalism allegedly by BNP activists.

Five candidates in the Dinajpur-6 constituency, covering Nawabganj, Birampur, Hakimpur, and Ghoraghat, lost their deposits in the 13th National Parliament Election and Referendum 2026. The information was confirmed by the district returning officer’s office. On Thursday night, February 12, after counting votes from 199 centers, Dinajpur Deputy Commissioner and Returning Officer Rafiqul Islam announced the unofficial results.

According to the returning office, the constituency had 410,612 registered voters, of whom 407,277 cast their ballots, with 401,188 valid votes recorded. Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) candidate Dr. A.Z.M. Zahid Hossain won with 205,118 votes, while his nearest rival, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Anwarul Islam, received 190,703 votes.

Under Election Commission rules, five candidates forfeited their deposits for failing to secure one-eighth of the total votes cast. They include independent candidates Md. Abdullah (418 votes, football symbol) and Shahnawaz Firoz Shuvo Shah (152 votes, horse symbol), BASAD’s Abdul Hakim (449 votes, ladder symbol), Jatiya Party’s Rezaul Haque (2,689 votes, plough symbol), and Islami Andolan Bangladesh’s Nur Alam Siddique (1,659 votes, hand fan symbol).

In the 13th parliamentary election, all candidates of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, led by the Charmonai Pir, lost their deposits in the Chattogram region. The party fielded candidates in 20 of the 23 constituencies but failed to secure the required one-eighth of total votes in any seat, as stipulated by the Election Commission. Most constituencies saw main contests between BNP and Jamaat candidates, while Islami Front and Khilafat Majlis outperformed Islami Andolan in several areas.

Vote data show Islami Andolan’s candidates received very low support across northern, southern, and metropolitan Chattogram, as well as in Cox’s Bazar and the Chittagong Hill Tracts. The highest vote count for the party in the region was 5,145 in Chattogram-3, far below the winning BNP candidate’s 72,579. In Chattogram-10, the party’s city leader Md. Jannatul Islam secured only 3,880 votes out of 492,442 registered voters.

Political analysts noted that the results raise questions about the party’s future strategy. Md. Jannatul Islam said people are power-hungry and do not understand Sharia, but expressed hope for future progress.

Khandaker Abu Ashfaq, the BNP candidate from Dhaka-1 (Dohar and Nawabganj), received the highest number of votes among all BNP winners in Dhaka district during the recently concluded 13th National Parliamentary Election. According to the official results, the constituency had 545,145 registered voters, with 299,523 votes cast. Ashfaq secured 172,402 votes, drawing significant attention and prompting local residents to express their desire to see him appointed as a minister in the newly formed government.

Local leaders and residents said Dohar and Nawabganj need experienced and visionary leadership for development. They described Ashfaq as a capable and dedicated politician who has long been active in strengthening local organizations and participating in social and development activities. Party members believe that if given a ministerial role, he could play an effective part in improving infrastructure, employment, education, and healthcare in the area.

Supporters expect that fulfilling his electoral pledges would accelerate the region’s overall development.

Police in Hatiya, Noakhali, have stated that no incident of rape occurred involving a mother of three in Chanandi Union. Assistant Police Superintendent Nurul Anwar confirmed this on Saturday night, February 14, after visiting the woman’s home and speaking with local residents. The statement followed allegations made the previous night that the woman had been raped and assaulted in her home over a dispute related to voting for the Shapla Koli symbol.

According to Additional Superintendent of Police (Administration and Finance) Abu Tayeb Md Arif Hossain, an additional police officer was sent to investigate after the complaint surfaced on social media. He said local inquiries found no evidence of rape, though a physical altercation had occurred in the Ashrayan Project area. The accused individual was reportedly hospitalized two hours before the alleged incident. Police said they would take further action if a written complaint was filed.

The local BNP unit formally protested, calling the allegations baseless and politically motivated. Former BNP president Alauddin Roni urged a fair investigation to uncover the truth. The alleged victim could not be reached for comment.