Voting began in Comilla on Thursday morning in a festive atmosphere, with polling starting at 7:30 a.m. Reports from multiple centers, including Haripur Adarsha High School and Kharataiya Government Primary School in Burichang upazila, showed long queues of voters. Candidates from major parties, including BNP’s Jasim Uddin and Jamaat’s Advocate Mobarak Hossain, cast their votes shortly after polling began in Comilla-5 constituency.

Officials at several centers described voter turnout as encouraging, noting particularly strong participation by women and first-time young voters. Security was tight, with police, RAB, and Ansar personnel maintaining close watch. Special arrangements were made to assist elderly voters, ensuring smooth participation for all.

Across Comilla’s 11 constituencies, election officials, candidates, and voters alike described the day’s polling as festive and orderly, reflecting widespread enthusiasm and civic engagement in the region.

Sarjis Alam, the chief organizer of the National Citizens Party (NCP) in northern Bangladesh and the 11-party alliance candidate for Panchagarh-1, went live on Facebook late Wednesday night to denounce what he called fake journalists in the district. During the live session, held around 2:30 a.m., he expressed anger over alleged unethical journalism and demanded relief from those he described as politically motivated individuals posing as reporters. Jamaat-e-Islami district leader Maulana Iqbal Hossain was seen with him during the broadcast.

Earlier that night, Sarjis posted on Facebook claiming that BNP activists had extorted 20,000 taka from the NCP’s municipal secretary, Aminur Rahman Rilu, after issuing threats. Following the post, Sarjis and Iqbal Hossain visited Rilu’s home, where local BNP supporters gathered and accused Sarjis of bringing bags of money. The situation escalated until the Upazila Nirbahi Officer Fahmida Sultana and Additional Superintendent of Police Shaimi Imtiaz arrived with additional forces to restore order.

The incident highlights rising political tension in Panchagarh ahead of local elections, with allegations of intimidation and misinformation spreading online.

Authorities have intensified security across Sylhet Division ahead of the 13th parliamentary election and referendum to ensure a free, fair, and peaceful voting process. Joint forces comprising police, army, RAB, BGB, navy, coast guard, and Ansar have been deployed. Surveillance will include dog squads, drones, and CCTV cameras, while police officers will use body-worn cameras for the first time to enable live monitoring from control rooms.

A total of 2,881 polling centers have been set up in the division, with 1,126 identified as vulnerable. Special security plans have been adopted for constituencies with higher risk. In Sylhet district, 217 centers are marked vulnerable, while 95 of 294 urban centers are labeled highly vulnerable. Sunamganj has 451 vulnerable centers, including 157 in remote haor areas where helicopter support is planned. Habiganj and Moulvibazar districts have also implemented extensive deployments and rapid-response teams.

Each general center will have two police and 13 Ansar members, while vulnerable centers will have up to four police and 15 Ansar. Mobile and striking forces remain on standby to prevent unrest and ensure uninterrupted voting.

Two election officials were detained in Lakshmipur after leaving their assigned polling center at night to dine at the home of a local Jamaat leader. The detained individuals, Assistant Presiding Officer M A Osmani and Polling Officer Md Iqbal Hossain, were responsible for the Nalthogi Madinatul Ulum Islamia Madrasa polling center under the Lakshmipur-3 (Sadar) constituency. They were arrested on Wednesday night, February 11, and are currently in police custody at Chandraganj Police Station.

According to district police sources, the two officials went to the Jamaat leader’s house for dinner, leaving their election duties unattended. Acting on a tip-off, Executive Magistrate Cathoai Pru Marma detained them. Additional Superintendent of Police (Administration and Finance) Hossain Mohammad Raihan Kazemi confirmed the arrests on Thursday morning, stating that the officials face allegations of negligence in duty.

The incident occurred amid ongoing election activities in the district, raising questions about adherence to official responsibilities during polling operations.

Voting for Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliament election and referendum began in Feni on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at 7:30 a.m. and will continue until 4:30 p.m. The process is being conducted in a festive and competitive environment, with authorities working to ensure a free, fair, and neutral election across the district.

According to official sources, Feni district comprises six upazilas and 42 unions, forming three parliamentary constituencies. A total of 26 candidates, including 25 from 17 political parties and one independent contender, are competing. The district has 1.33 million registered voters, and polling is taking place at 428 centers. To maintain order and transparency, seven judicial magistrates and nineteen executive magistrates are deployed throughout the district.

Additionally, around 5,500 Ansar members, over 500 police personnel, and a large number of army, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) members are on duty to ensure smooth election operations.

Authorities in Rajshahi Division have implemented extensive security measures across 39 parliamentary constituencies ahead of the upcoming national election and referendum. At a press conference held on Wednesday at the divisional commissioner’s office, Commissioner Dr. A N M Bazlur Rashid announced that all preparations have been completed to ensure free, fair, and peaceful voting. He said the administration, law enforcement agencies, and related organizations are working in coordination to allow voters to cast their ballots safely and without fear.

According to the commissioner, intelligence surveillance, patrols, and checkpoints have been intensified, and a core committee is active at the divisional level. A total of 218 executive magistrates and 39 judicial magistrates will be on duty, supported by 104,066 security personnel. The deployment includes 10,000 army members, 4,123 from the Border Guard Bangladesh, 13,796 from the Rajshahi Range Police, 2,405 from the Metropolitan Police, 1,006 from the Rapid Action Battalion, and 72,736 Ansar members. Additionally, 5,266 polling centers will have CCTV coverage, and 2,318 body-worn cameras will be used.

Out of 5,287 polling centers in the division, 1,767 have been identified as critical and will receive additional security arrangements, the administration confirmed.

Brigadier General Muhammad Romeo Nawreen Khan, commander of the Bangladesh Army, stated that the army will act firmly against anyone attempting to obstruct the electoral process. Speaking on Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. in Barishal during a military capability demonstration exercise, he emphasized that the army performs its assigned duties with complete neutrality and professionalism. Ensuring voter safety and maintaining a peaceful environment for fair elections remain the army’s main objectives.

Khan explained that the army’s 7th Infantry Division has been deployed across all districts of the Barishal Division, as well as in Madaripur and Bagerhat, alongside other law enforcement agencies to ensure free and impartial elections and referendums. He added that reserve forces could be airlifted by helicopter if necessary, and that the army is always ready to conduct such operations nationwide. He urged citizens to vote freely to advance the country’s democratic progress.

The exercise, supervised by the 7th Infantry Division, simulated emergency responses and coordination during elections and referendums. Senior officials from the Barishal Division, district administration, and law enforcement agencies attended the event.

The Chattogram administration has completed extensive preparations for a festive parliamentary election scheduled for Thursday, marking the first competitive vote in 17 years. Election materials have been delivered to all 1,965 polling centers across 16 constituencies, with law enforcement maintaining a strong presence in streets and neighborhoods. Candidates are finalizing their campaigns, using social media for communication due to restrictions on public rallies. Voters are showing enthusiasm, with large crowds traveling from the city to their home areas to cast ballots.

According to election officials, 1,965 presiding officers, 12,595 assistant presiding officers, and 29,165 polling officers will serve during the vote. Security forces, including police, RAB, BGB, Ansar, Navy, and Coast Guard, will be deployed, with police using body-worn cameras. BNP leader Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury described the administration’s role as satisfactory but urged vigilance to maintain public trust. Jamaat-e-Islami’s Shahjahan Chowdhury said their coalition has reached voters with development plans and expects strong support.

Returning Officer Dr. Mohammad Zia Uddin stated that preparations began in August 2024 and assured voters of a peaceful and fair election, emphasizing strict measures against any disruption.

Bangladesh’s national parliamentary election and referendum are being held on Thursday, with voting scheduled from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The atmosphere has been described as festive, drawing attention from both general voters and political observers eager to see where top party leaders will cast their ballots. According to party sources, BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman will vote at Gulshan Model High School and College, while Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman will vote at Manipur Boys High School in the capital. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir will vote in Thakurgaon, and Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar in Khulna.

Other leaders from the NCP, Islami Andolon, and the 11-party alliance will also vote in their respective constituencies, including Dhaka, Rangpur, Barishal, and Habiganj. Senior BNP and Jamaat leaders have announced their polling centers across the country, from Comilla to Cox’s Bazar. The report notes that voter enthusiasm had declined in previous years but appears revived this time amid a nationwide election-day atmosphere.

The day’s voting is expected to proceed through the afternoon, with major political figures participating in person at their designated polling centers.

Bangladesh began voting in its long-awaited 13th National Parliament election and a constitutional referendum on February 12, 2026. Polling runs from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. across 42,958 centers in 299 constituencies, with the Sherpur-3 seat postponed due to a candidate’s death. The Election Commission has deployed one hundred thousand soldiers and nine hundred thousand security personnel to ensure a peaceful process. The vote marks the first competitive election in 15 years, following the fall of the previous authoritarian regime in mid-2024 and the formation of an interim government led by Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus.

The election is being held alongside a referendum on the “July Charter,” a proposed constitutional reform. Fifty-one of fifty-nine registered political parties, including BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, are participating, while the Awami League is banned. The interim government and the Election Commission have pledged a free and fair vote. Analysts describe the event as a historic test of Bangladesh’s democratic transition after two decades of political repression.

Observers note that the success of this election will depend on its neutrality and the stability of the post-election government.

As Bangladesh prepares for its first free and fair election in 17 years, women’s rights activists are voicing alarm over the growing influence of Jamaat e-Islami, an Islamist party once banned under Sheikh Hasina’s rule. The election, scheduled for Thursday following Hasina’s ouster in a deadly student-led uprising in August 2024, has been hailed as a democratic milestone. Yet many women who led the revolution now fear that the resurgence of conservative Islamist politics could erode hard-won freedoms and representation.

Jamaat e-Islami, previously persecuted and outlawed, has re-emerged as a major contender alongside the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Despite campaigning on reform and anti-corruption, the party has fielded no female candidates, and its leader’s remarks rejecting female leadership and denying marital rape have drawn sharp criticism. The National Citizen Party, formed by student leaders of the uprising, deepened frustration by joining Jamaat’s alliance while nominating only two women.

Analysts say Jamaat’s popularity among young, first-time voters reflects disillusionment with the old political elite. However, women’s groups warn that the party’s proposed policies—such as cutting women’s working hours—could reverse decades of progress toward gender equality.

Tarique Rahman, returning to Bangladesh after 17 years in exile, has pledged to end entrenched corruption and lead the country on a new path as voting began in the first free and fair elections in nearly two decades. Speaking before polls opened on Thursday, the 60-year-old Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader promised a “top down, no tolerance” approach to graft if his party wins power. Polls suggest the BNP is poised for a sizeable majority over the Islamist Jamaat e-Islami, potentially returning the party to government after 20 years.

The election follows the ouster of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina in a student-led uprising in mid-2024 that left about 1,400 people dead, according to the UN. Since August 2024, an interim administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has overseen preparations for the vote. More than 900,000 security personnel were deployed to ensure calm as 127 million registered voters cast ballots in what analysts called the country’s first credible election in 17 years.

Analysts noted that a fair, peaceful election could mark a turning point for Bangladesh’s democracy, though the resurgence of Islamist parties poses challenges for secular governance and stability.

Bangladesh is holding its 13th parliamentary election and a national referendum on Thursday, marking the first time in the country’s history that both votes are being conducted on the same day. The Election Commission has completed all preparations, with ballot papers and materials distributed to 42,779 polling centers across 299 constituencies. A total of 2,028 candidates from 50 political parties and independents are contesting, while over 127 million citizens are eligible to vote. Voting runs from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with separate ballots for parliamentary and referendum votes.

The election follows the July Revolution and the fall of the previous government in 2024, leading to an interim administration under Dr. Muhammad Yunus. The Chief Election Commissioner urged voters to exercise their rights without fear, while Dr. Yunus called for unity and peaceful participation. Although the atmosphere is expected to be festive, intelligence reports warn of possible violence in some areas. Law enforcement deployment exceeds 900,000 personnel, and nearly 45,000 domestic and foreign observers are monitoring the polls.

Postal ballots have been introduced for the first time, allowing expatriates, officials, and prisoners to vote remotely. Results will be counted immediately after polls close and announced by presiding officers at each center.

Voters in Bangladesh will go to the polls on February 12 for the country’s first parliamentary elections since former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted following a deadly crackdown on student-led protests in 2024. The Election Commission of Bangladesh said voting will take place across 42,761 polling centres in 64 districts for 300 parliamentary constituencies. More than 127 million registered voters, including 15 million overseas workers voting by post for the first time, are eligible to participate. A referendum on the July National Charter 2025, outlining constitutional and legal reforms, will be held alongside the election.

The election marks a major political turning point after Hasina’s Awami League was banned from politics. The centre-right Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by Tarique Rahman, heads a 10-party coalition, while the Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami (JIB) leads an 11-party alliance that includes the National Citizen Party formed by 2024 protest leaders. Analysts say the vote will test the strength of Islamist parties, the influence of young voters, and the future of the Awami League’s political exclusion.

Experts describe the election as one of the most consequential in Bangladesh’s history, with its outcome expected to shape the nation’s political direction and foreign relations for years to come.

Bangladesh has intensified security measures ahead of its 13th general election, the first since the 2024 uprising that ended Sheikh Hasina’s rule and sent her into exile. More than 157,000 police officers, 100,000 soldiers, and thousands of other personnel have been deployed nationwide to secure Thursday’s vote, in which nearly 127 million citizens are eligible to participate. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by Tarique Rahman, is leading the race, facing an 11-party coalition headed by Jamaat-e-Islami and joined by the newly formed National Citizen Party. A referendum on political reforms, including term limits and checks on executive power, will also be held alongside the election.

Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Muhammad Sanaullah said cameras have been installed in over 90 percent of constituencies, while police chief Baharul Alam reported that more than half of the 42,000 polling stations are considered vulnerable to violence. Rights groups have documented extensive political clashes since 2024, and Transparency International Bangladesh has warned of law-and-order risks. Interim leader Muhammad Yunus has declared a three-day public holiday and urged citizens to vote, calling the election a chance to restore democracy after years of restricted political space.

Public enthusiasm is high, with many first-time voters returning to their home districts despite transport shortages. The Yunus-led administration has pledged a fair and peaceful vote, viewing the election as a turning point for Bangladesh’s democratic future.