Severe traffic congestion was reported on February 10, 2026, at the Aricha and Paturia ferry terminals in Manikganj as large crowds of people began traveling home to participate in the upcoming election festival. The rush followed a four-day government holiday, prompting thousands to leave Dhaka for northern and southern regions. Authorities struggled to manage the surge of passengers and vehicles, with long queues forming for ferries and launches.

Passengers described waiting for hours to cross the river, with many expressing both excitement about voting and frustration over increased transport fares. Some travelers complained about the absence of visible law enforcement and alleged that transport owners had formed syndicates to raise fares. Ferry and launch operators acknowledged the sudden rise in passengers but assured that the situation would normalize soon. BIWTC officials said the congestion was temporary and expected to ease within the day.

The festive atmosphere at the terminals resembled that of major holidays, reflecting strong public enthusiasm for participating in the national vote despite travel difficulties.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam announced that if mob violence occurs at any polling center during the upcoming election, the Election Commission will suspend voting not only at that center but across the entire constituency. He made the statement on Tuesday while briefing journalists about the law and order situation ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election and referendum.

The IGP said all preparations for the election are complete and no one will be able to disrupt the process. A three-tier security system has been arranged, including fixed, mobile, and striking forces. A total of 187,603 police personnel are deployed, supported by the army, navy, and Ansar. Officers who served in the previous election have been excluded from election duties to ensure neutrality. Baharul Alam expressed hope for a fair and peaceful election.

He added that 27,995 licensed firearms have been deposited, 90 percent of polling centers are under CCTV surveillance, and body-worn cameras and drones will be used in vulnerable centers.

Fisheries and Livestock Ministry Adviser Farida Akhter stated that she is not departing her position with a sense of failure, emphasizing that price control of meat and fish is beyond her authority. She made the remarks on Tuesday during a press briefing at the ministry’s conference room, noting that her 15–16 months of work should not be judged as a complete measure of performance.

Akhter explained that her ministry focused on improving production quality rather than relying on unregulated livestock fattening practices. She highlighted efforts to curb excessive fishing caused by the use of sonar, which had reduced the availability of hilsa and other fish species. According to her, the ministry successfully stopped this overfishing trend. She also mentioned that the sector received subsidies worth 100 crore taka, including electricity rebates, and that the number of beneficiaries increased from 132,000 to 1.5 million.

The adviser added that fishermen from the Sundarbans and haor regions would receive VGF support, underscoring the ministry’s continued commitment to vulnerable fishing communities.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has launched a new election website ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election. The party announced the launch three days before the vote, introducing the site as part of its campaign strategy. The website, titled “Cholo Bangladesh” and accessible at https://cholobangladesh.net/, carries the slogan “Let’s build Bangladesh together.” It urges voters to support the party’s electoral symbol and to vote “yes” in the referendum.

According to the report, the website includes the party’s election manifesto, candidate profiles, details of the 11-party alliance partners, information on allied candidates, and campaign materials. It also features photo and video galleries containing campaign-related content. The site is available in both Bangla and English versions and is designed with a visually appealing layout.

The launch marks Jamaat-e-Islami’s digital engagement effort in the final days before the election, aiming to reach voters with comprehensive campaign information and alliance details.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam announced that five people have been killed in 317 incidents of violence across Bangladesh following the announcement of the election schedule. He said a total of 27,995 licensed firearms have been deposited nationwide in preparation for the polls. The information was shared at a press conference held Tuesday morning at the Police Headquarters Media Center on Gani Road, Dhaka, to outline pre-election security measures.

The IGP stated that 157,805 police personnel will be deployed across the country during the election. Each polling center will have a static police force, supported by mobile teams and striking forces to respond to emergencies. To strengthen security, 80 percent of polling centers have been equipped with CCTV cameras, while body-worn cameras and drones will be used in high-risk areas.

Baharul Alam also mentioned that more than a thousand weapons, including those looted from police stations and civilian deposits on August 5, remain missing. Despite these challenges, he expressed optimism about successfully conducting the upcoming election.

BNP’s central election steering committee spokesperson and party chairperson’s adviser Mahadi Amin has accused Jamaat of buying votes ahead of the national election, describing it as a sign of political bankruptcy and a violation of the electoral code of conduct. Speaking at a press conference in Gulshan on Tuesday, he alleged that Jamaat was using money to lure voters, including children, even in the constituency of its party chief. He said such actions contradict the party’s proclaimed anti-corruption stance and demonstrate moral failure.

Amin cited specific clauses from the Election Commission’s 2025 Code of Conduct and the Representation of the People Order, 1972, noting that offering money or gifts to voters constitutes a punishable offense. He urged the Election Commission and returning officers to take immediate legal action. He also alleged that Jamaat candidates in Khulna-1 and other constituencies were distributing cash and that its activists had attacked BNP supporters in Comilla and Bogura.

Amin claimed that public support for BNP was at its peak and that any attempts at misinformation, violence, or financial manipulation would fail to prevent the party’s victory if a free and fair election were held.

Ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election, Dhaka witnessed a mass exodus on Tuesday as residents began leaving the capital to vote and spend time with family during the extended holiday. Major transport hubs including Gabtoli, Sayedabad, Mohakhali bus terminals, and Kamalapur railway station were overcrowded from early morning. Heavy traffic congestion was reported on key highways such as Dhaka–Mymensingh and Dhaka–Tangail, with long queues of buses, trucks, and private vehicles. Many travelers complained of being stranded for hours and paying several times the usual fare.

Passengers alleged that bus fares from Dhaka to Mymensingh, normally 200–250 taka, had surged to 500–600 taka, while some resorted to traveling by truck for 300–400 taka per person. The rush resembled the festive atmosphere of Eid, with thousands heading home simultaneously. The extended break includes public holidays on February 11 and 12 for the election and referendum, followed by the regular Friday weekend.

Highway police officials said additional forces were deployed to ease congestion and monitor fare irregularities, promising immediate legal action against transport operators found overcharging passengers.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has completed a nationwide election campaign covering 43 districts across eight divisions. The 15-day tour began on January 23 in Panchagarh and concluded on February 7 with a public rally in Sylhet. During the campaign, he addressed over fifty major rallies and several roadside meetings organized under the 11-party electoral alliance, delivering key messages ahead of the February 12 election. He traveled more than 7,000 kilometers, mostly by helicopter, and also campaigned on foot in his Dhaka-15 constituency.

Party sources said his campaign drew strong responses from both party activists and general voters. Dr. Rahman urged voters to support Jamaat and allied candidates to implement reform plans and build a just, corruption-free welfare state. He also criticized attacks on Jamaat’s female activists and pledged to ensure women’s and children’s safety, youth employment, and education reform if his alliance forms the government.

His speeches sparked wide discussion in media and social networks, with some reports allegedly misrepresenting his remarks. Following Jamaat’s protest, one media outlet later apologized for the distortion.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairman Tarique Rahman launched his campaign for the 13th parliamentary election by visiting the shrine of Hazrat Shahjalal (R.) in Sylhet. Beginning on January 22, as per the Election Commission’s schedule, he addressed 43 rallies and roadside meetings across the country over 19 days. His campaign carried the BNP’s message from cities to rural areas, urging citizens to vote for the party’s symbol, the paddy sheaf. Rahman outlined his development plans and regional commitments, promising reforms if the BNP forms the next government.

Continuing the tradition of BNP founders Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia, Rahman began his campaign in Sylhet. His wife, Dr. Zubaida Rahman, accompanied him on most of the tour. During the rallies, he pledged to restore democracy through electoral victory. His speeches included anti-corruption warnings in Chattogram, promises to make Faridpur a new division, to establish a medical college and airport in Thakurgaon, and to expand playgrounds and roads in Dhaka.

The campaign marked Rahman’s first return to his ancestral home in Bogura after years in exile, symbolizing a renewed national presence ahead of the election.

The chief observer of the European Union Election Observation Mission, Ivers Ijabss, expressed optimism that Bangladesh’s 13th national parliamentary election will be participatory and credible. Speaking at a press conference in Dhaka on Tuesday morning, he said the overall electoral environment appears positive and could mark a new chapter in the country’s democratic history. The EU mission aims to witness a credible and inclusive election, guided by shared principles of democracy, accountability, and the rule of law.

Ijabss noted that the mission has engaged with security forces, the army, and police, and believes that while some areas remain relatively high-risk, authorities have maintained control overall. He emphasized the importance of ensuring participation from all communities, particularly women and minorities, to make the election truly inclusive. Observers are already working across districts and maintaining regular contact with candidates and stakeholders, finding the general atmosphere encouraging.

The EU mission’s preliminary report will be released on February 14, with a final report expected about two months after the election, including recommendations on issues such as social media.

A severe traffic jam developed on Tuesday morning at the Chandra intersection of the Dhaka-Tangail Highway in Kaliakair, Gazipur. The congestion was triggered by a surge of homebound travelers taking advantage of a four-day holiday declared ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election. Long lines of buses, trucks, private cars, and motorcycles stretched across the area, resembling the heavy traffic typically seen during Eid holidays.

Local sources said the government declared the holiday to facilitate travel for voters and families returning to their hometowns. Some travelers were heading home to cast their votes, while others were visiting relatives. Passengers complained that several transport operators were charging inflated fares, with ticket prices rising from the usual 200 taka to as high as 500 taka.

Kona Bari Naojor Highway Police Officer-in-Charge Saugat Hossain stated that highway and traffic police were jointly working to ease the congestion. He added that extra police had been deployed to maintain normal traffic flow and that legal action would be taken against transport companies found overcharging passengers.

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 in Bangladesh begins the trial today of Sheikh Hasina’s adviser Salman F Rahman and former law minister Anisul Huq, both sentenced to death for crimes against humanity committed during the July Revolution. The three-member judicial panel, chaired by Justice Golam Mortuza Majumdar, will open proceedings with the prosecution’s introductory statement, followed by the recording of the first witness testimony.

On January 12, the tribunal rejected the defendants’ petitions for discharge and formally framed charges against them. The prosecution has brought five charges, including allegations that under their instigation and assistance, law enforcement and armed Awami League cadres killed and injured thousands of students and civilians in Rangpur and Dhaka between July and August 2024. The charges also include joint criminal enterprise and superior command responsibility.

Anisul Huq is additionally accused of filing 286 cases against 450,000 protesters, while Salman F Rahman allegedly met Sheikh Hasina with business leaders to support violent suppression of demonstrators. The tribunal’s proceedings mark a significant step in addressing alleged atrocities linked to the July Revolution.

Thousands of garment workers in Gazipur began traveling to their hometowns after receiving a four-day holiday to cast their votes. Almost all factories in the area granted leave, leading to a surge of travelers on the Dhaka–Tangail and Dhaka–Mymensingh highways. On the night before February 10, traffic congestion stretched nearly 10 kilometers in areas such as Chandra, Safipur, and Baripara. Although traffic eased later in the day, large numbers of workers continued their journeys home to vote.

Many workers reported long waits for transport and complained that vehicle operators were charging extra fares. The situation caused significant hardship for homebound passengers, most of whom said they were registered voters in their local areas. Traffic police stationed along the highways confirmed that industrial workers were heading north through Chandra, causing the traffic pressure. Authorities said they were working to keep the highways functional and ensure safe travel for the workers.

The movement of such a large number of workers highlights the logistical challenges during national voting periods in industrial regions like Gazipur.

Official campaigning for Bangladesh’s upcoming parliamentary election and national referendum concluded at 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, in accordance with electoral rules prohibiting campaigning within 48 hours of voting. The final day of campaigning on Monday saw large rallies and processions across the country, with major political leaders including BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman addressing multiple gatherings in Dhaka and other regions. Voting will take place on Thursday, February 12, from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. across 299 constituencies.

According to the Election Commission, 127.7 million voters are eligible to cast ballots, including 64.8 million men, 62.8 million women, and 1,220 third-gender voters. A total of 51 political parties and 2,033 candidates, including 275 independents, are contesting. The BNP fielded the highest number of candidates at 291. Around 800,000 officials and 900,000 security personnel will be deployed, alongside 35,000 domestic and 350 international observers.

The Election Commission has already distributed all necessary materials to returning officers nationwide. The Sherpur-3 constituency election was canceled following a candidate’s death, with a new schedule to be announced later.

The Bangladesh Election Commission (EC) has launched a mobile application named ‘Smart Election Management BD’ ahead of the 13th parliamentary election scheduled for February 12, 2026. The app, available on Google Play Store and Apple App Store, allows voters to access detailed information about their polling centers by entering their national ID number and date of birth. Users can view the name, number, and location of their designated polling centers, along with geo-location, building photos, distance, and maps.

According to the EC, the initiative aims to reduce voter harassment and make election-related information more accessible. The app also provides data on registered political parties, candidate affidavits, election guidelines, and results. It is expected to particularly assist urban voters and new voters who often face confusion about their polling centers due to frequent changes between local and national elections.

The 13th parliamentary election will be held on February 12 from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and the new app is intended to ensure smoother voter participation on election day.