The Bangladesh Army held a meeting with journalists in Barishal on Sunday morning ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election. The discussion took place at the LGED office conference room, where Major Saikat, commander of the Barishal Fishery Training Camp, said the army has been working since July 20, 2024, to safeguard national sovereignty and maintain internal order. Acting under the Election Commission and government directives, the army is assisting civil administration and other forces to ensure law and order, secure polling centers, and support a peaceful and credible election.

Major Saikat emphasized that the Bangladesh Army is performing its duties with neutrality and professionalism, without favoring or opposing any political party. He stated that the army’s sole objective is to uphold the constitution and guarantee citizens’ safety so that everyone can exercise their voting rights freely. He also noted that the overall law and order situation in Barishal city remains calm and under control.

The army remains in constant coordination with local administration, police, and other agencies, maintaining readiness to support a peaceful election process.

Colonel (Retd.) Oli Ahmed, Bir Muktijoddha, chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and top leader of the 11-party alliance, alleged that bank looters now dominate the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Speaking on Sunday at an election rally in support of Maulana Zahirul Islam, the alliance and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami–endorsed candidate for Chattogram-16 (Banshkhali), he said he left BNP due to such activities. The rally was held at Banshkhali Adarsha High School field, chaired by Upazila Jamaat chief Maulana Mohammad Ismail.

Oli Ahmed urged voters to boycott extortionists, corrupt individuals, and looters in the upcoming election and instead elect honest, competent, and patriotic candidates from the 11-party alliance. Former MP Shahjahan Chowdhury, Jamaat’s candidate for Chattogram-15 (Satkania–Lohagara), expressed confidence that Zahirul Islam would win and praised his leadership qualities. He also commented on the alliance between Jamaat and other Islamic leaders.

Several other Jamaat leaders, including city and district representatives, addressed the gathering, which was attended by a large number of party and student activists.

Bin Yamin Molla, the central president of the Student Rights Council and the Gana Adhikar-endorsed truck symbol candidate, has withdrawn from the Kurigram-1 constituency race to support the Jamaat-e-Islami candidate representing an 11-party alliance. The announcement came on Sunday, February 8, at 4:30 p.m. during a 12-party election rally at the DM Football Field in Nageshwari, Kurigram. Molla said his decision aimed to ensure the victory of the balance-scale symbol candidate. Jamaat leaders welcomed him with a floral garland at the event.

Explaining his decision, Molla stated that he supported Jamaat out of respect for Islam and to rid the region of corruption and extortion. He also claimed to have endured imprisonment and rejected alleged offers of money and political favors from the government. Jamaat candidate Professor Anwarul Islam expressed confidence that Molla’s support would secure their victory, pledging to build a coalition based on justice and fairness.

Several local alliance leaders, including district and upazila Jamaat figures and NCP representatives, also addressed the rally, emphasizing unity among the 12-party coalition.

BNP Vice Chairman Abdul Awal Mintu stated that the upcoming election on February 12 will determine Bangladesh’s future direction, whether toward economic prosperity or unrest. Speaking at an election rally for the Feni-03 constituency at Ataturk High School field in Daganbhuiyan on February 8, he said that if the BNP comes to power and Tarique Rahman becomes prime minister, the country will move toward development for all, regardless of political affiliation.

Mintu urged supporters to go to polling centers after Tahajjud and Fajr prayers, remain vigilant to protect voting rights, and prevent any manipulation. He pledged that if voters give BNP a chance by voting for the party’s symbol, the “sheaf of paddy,” he would dedicate the rest of his life to serving the people and ensuring progress in infrastructure, education, and healthcare.

The rally was chaired by Daganbhuiyan Upazila BNP convener Akbar Hossain and attended by several BNP leaders, including Shahena Akter Shanu, Abdul Latif Jony, Gazi Habibullah Manik, Noim Ullah Barat, and Salauddin Mamun.

Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP) and candidate of the 11-party alliance for Dhaka-11, delivered a televised address on Sunday evening urging citizens to vote early on February 12. He called on voters to protect their rights and participate in what he described as a continuation of the July uprising. Islam pledged that no one would be able to take away the people’s voting rights and promised a new Bangladesh after the election.

In his speech, Islam outlined the alliance’s reform agenda, including building a corruption-free, equitable, and independent state. He said the NCP’s ‘Shapla Koli’ symbol would represent 30 candidates nationwide and asked voters to support the alliance for change. He emphasized justice for victims of past violence, restructuring of the police and judiciary, and economic reforms to recover looted assets. Islam also proposed environmental taxes, a blue economy centered on the Bay of Bengal, and a modern defense system with mandatory youth training.

He concluded by urging youth participation and asserting that a fair election on February 12 was essential to uphold the gains of the August 5 revolution and ensure lasting democratic reform.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said the country must move forward under the leadership of Tarique Rahman. He described the current election as a political decision and a struggle to restore democracy. Fakhrul made these remarks on Sunday while addressing an election rally in Debiganj upazila, organized in support of BNP candidate Farhad Hossain Azad for the Panchagarh-2 constituency.

During his speech, Fakhrul alleged that a certain political party was conspiring to disrupt the election. He urged people not to trust those who, according to him, do not believe in Bangladesh’s independence. Fakhrul outlined several pledges, including family cards for households, agricultural cards for farmers, waiving Tk 10,000 in agricultural loans, and providing jobs for one crore educated unemployed youth. He handed the BNP’s paddy sheaf symbol to Azad and called on voters to support him.

Fakhrul also claimed that the election was taking place at a critical time for the nation and emphasized forming a creative and peaceful government through victory at the polls.

Bangladesh and China have signed a framework agreement for a project titled 'Procurement of Four New Ships,' valued at 1.67 billion RMB (approximately Tk 2,486.31 crore). The agreement was signed on Sunday by Md. Shahriar Kader Siddiky, Secretary of the Economic Relations Division (ERD) on behalf of Bangladesh, and Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen on behalf of China. Under the framework, China will provide a concessional loan at 2 percent interest for 20 years, including a five-year grace period.

According to an ERD press release, a loan agreement between the ERD and the Export-Import Bank of China will be signed soon under this framework. The project will enable the Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC) to purchase four new vessels, including two crude oil mother tankers and two mother bulk carriers.

The new ships are expected to enhance BSC’s capacity to transport crude oil and essential goods, contributing to Bangladesh’s long-term energy security and accelerating national development, according to the report.

The funeral and burial of Huzaifa Afnan, a child from Teknaf’s Hwaikyang Union who died after being injured by gunfire from Myanmar’s Arakan Army, were completed on Sunday, February 8, 2026. The funeral took place at the family graveyard in the Lambabil Techchibridge area of Cox’s Bazar’s Teknaf upazila. Local residents, along with political figures including former MP Shahjahan Chowdhury and Jamaat leader Maulana Nur Ahmad Anwari, attended the prayer service.

Huzaifa had been under treatment for 27 days after being critically wounded in the head by a bullet fired from Myanmar’s Rakhine State on January 11. He was initially treated at an MSF hospital, later transferred to Chittagong Medical College Hospital, and finally to the National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital in Dhaka, where he died on February 7.

After the funeral prayers, local residents and political leaders urged stronger border surveillance and patrols to prevent further loss of innocent lives in the border area.

Analysts say Bangladesh’s national election, scheduled for February 12 under Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus’s interim government, could redefine South Asia’s geopolitical balance. The vote follows the August 2024 student-led uprising that ended former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s authoritarian rule. Dhaka’s anger over India granting asylum to Hasina has reportedly pushed Bangladesh closer to China and Pakistan.

Experts note that while Bangladesh maintained strong trade and defense ties with China during Hasina’s tenure, India had long been its main strategic partner. That balance now appears to be shifting. Yunus’s first state visit was to China, and a new defense pact signed in January includes plans for a drone production facility near India’s border. Despite tensions, economic ties with India remain stable, with only one bilateral agreement canceled.

Regional analysts suggest Bangladesh’s growing alignment with China does not necessarily mean hostility toward India. They argue Dhaka may continue pragmatic engagement with both powers while normalizing relations with Pakistan, as evidenced by the recent resumption of direct flights after more than a decade.

Bangladesh Bank has announced temporary restrictions on mobile financial services (MFS) and internet banking to prevent misuse of funds ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election. The restrictions will be in effect from midnight on Sunday until 11:59 p.m. on February 12, covering a total of four days. During this period, customers of MFS providers such as bKash, Rocket, and Nagad will be allowed to send a maximum of 1,000 taka per transaction and up to 10,000 taka per day. Person-to-person transfers through internet banking and bank apps will remain suspended.

According to the central bank’s directive, the decision aims to curb potential abuse of MFS and interbank fund transfer (IBFT) systems under the National Payment Switch Bangladesh during the election period. Merchant payments and utility bill transactions will continue as usual, but other MFS services will be temporarily unavailable. Each MFS provider must establish an emergency response cell to handle complaints and monitor all transactions closely.

The directive also instructs MFS providers and banks to cooperate with the Election Commission and law enforcement agencies as needed during the restricted period.

Hasnat Abdullah, the chief organizer of the southern region of the Nationalist Citizens Party (NCP), warned that those attempting to steal votes or use illicit money in the upcoming election would find no place to hide. He made the remarks on Sunday afternoon at a rally organized by the 11-party electoral alliance at Shahjadpur Government College field in Sirajganj.

Abdullah said the forthcoming 13th National Parliament election would determine the future direction of Bangladesh, shaping the nation’s administrative structure, police behavior, and judicial system for the next century. He criticized past elections, alleging that money had to be allocated for police officials, including SPs, OCs, SIs, and constables, before and during voting.

The rally also featured speeches by Jamaat-e-Islami central assistant secretary Maulana Rafiqul Islam Khan and NCP candidate for Sirajganj-6, Saif Mustafiz, as part of the alliance’s campaign activities.

Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim, Amir of Islami Andolan Bangladesh and Pir of Charmonai, presented his party’s vision and commitments for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election in a televised address on Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar on Sunday evening. He proposed replacing existing governance principles with new ones rooted in Islamic values, describing Shariah as a comprehensive system encompassing faith, culture, and law. He said implementing Islamic principles in state governance would lead Bangladesh toward prosperity.

Rezaul Karim outlined the party’s manifesto, divided into five sections, emphasizing adherence to Islamic principles in governance, democratic power transfer, protection of minority rights, good governance, transparency, anti-corruption measures, and women’s rights. He also pledged reforms including balanced power distribution, efficient administration, expanded revenue, and a self-reliant defense system. Citing Islamic teachings on voting, he urged citizens to vote responsibly, warning that supporting unethical candidates could bear moral consequences.

Concluding his address, the Charmonai Pir called on youth to cast their first votes for Islam and change, and urged public officials to act above fear or temptation in service of the nation.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman stated that an honest, competent, and dedicated person would become the next president if his party came to power. He made the remarks on Sunday evening during a press briefing in his Dhaka-15 constituency while responding to a question about who would be the next president under a Jamaat government. The event took place after he offered Maghrib prayers at Baitus Salat Jame Mosque in the Kafrul area and began a public outreach campaign.

During the campaign, Dr. Rahman interacted with local residents, listened to their concerns, and discussed issues such as civic services, commodity prices, employment, and security. The gathering drew enthusiastic crowds who greeted him and pledged support for the party’s electoral symbol. He sought prayers and votes from the public.

Dr. Rahman emphasized that the people of Bangladesh have long awaited justice, good governance, and the establishment of rights. He said leadership selection would prioritize honesty and merit, adding that national leadership is a trust that must be given to sincere and capable individuals.

Ganosanghati Andolon has announced its manifesto ahead of Bangladesh’s 13th parliamentary election, pledging to establish a truly democratic state system, ensure fair distribution of resources, and guarantee the rights of working people. The manifesto was unveiled on Sunday at the party’s central office in Hatirpool, Dhaka, by its executive coordinator Abul Hasan Rubel.

The manifesto emphasizes democratic governance through the elimination of corruption and the establishment of good governance. It outlines commitments to protect workers, farmers, and marginalized groups, and to end discrimination based on race, religion, class, or gender. The party also prioritizes transforming the economy by formalizing the informal sector, creating new employment, and promoting agricultural development while safeguarding farmers’ interests.

Additional pledges include universal healthcare, women’s empowerment, environmental protection, recognition of ethnic diversity, and the participation of youth and expatriates in national development. The manifesto presents itself as a roadmap for rebuilding Bangladesh in line with the spirit of equality and justice envisioned during the Liberation War.

Former Bangladesh Army Chief General Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan testified before International Crimes Tribunal-1, alleging that officers sent from the army to the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) returned as professional killers. He made the statement on Sunday before a two-member judicial panel led by Justice Md. Golam Mortuza Mojumdar, during testimony against Ziaul Ahsan in a case involving the disappearance and killing of over a hundred people.

In his deposition, Bhuiyan said he was deeply disturbed that professional officers from the army were turning into killers after serving in RAB. He introduced interviews for officers before and after postings to RAB, DGFI, and BGB, and tried to motivate them by emphasizing that killing was a grave sin. He also recounted that after hearing horrifying accounts of killings from returning officers, he became concerned about the army’s future and appealed to the Prime Minister to bring army officers back from RAB. The Prime Minister reportedly acknowledged RAB was worse than the former Rakkhi Bahini but took no further action.

Bhuiyan added that he encouraged officers to contact him directly if ordered to join any killing mission, promising honorable reinstatement in the army.