BNP Standing Committee member and Cox’s Bazar-1 (Chakaria-Pekua) constituency candidate Salahuddin Ahmed said that the people of Bangladesh have been unable to exercise their voting rights freely for the past 16–17 years. Speaking at a rally on Sunday evening at Sakurpara Station in Pekua, he expressed hope that the upcoming election would mark a new beginning for the country, leading to the establishment of a strong democracy where citizens’ rights are ensured and no one will have to shed blood for democratic freedoms.

During the event, Ahmed thanked supporters for their participation in the BNP’s mass procession and urged them to attend the final campaign rally scheduled for Monday at the Chakaria municipal bus terminal. He expressed confidence that the BNP’s symbol, the paddy sheaf, would achieve a record victory both locally and nationwide.

The rally was attended by former MP and Ahmed’s wife Advocate Hasina Ahmed, their son Saeed Ibrahim Ahmed, and several local BNP and affiliate leaders, reflecting strong organizational presence in the constituency.

The Bangladesh Election Commission (EC) has announced that 1,000 drones will be deployed across the country to monitor the upcoming parliamentary election from the air. The initiative aims to prevent electoral violence and ensure strict surveillance in remote and sensitive areas, including the Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar, the hill tracts, and border regions from Teknaf to Feni. Election Commissioner Brigadier General (Retd.) Abul Fazl Mohammad Sanaullah said the drones, operated with technical support from the Air Force, will function like satellites, transmitting real-time video and data to the EC’s central coordination cell in Dhaka.

According to EC sources, 21 law enforcement and intelligence agencies, including DGFI, NSI, RAB, and BGB, will be active on the ground to respond immediately to any detected sabotage, armed activity, or secret operations. A specialized e-monitoring app will coordinate the entire process. The drones will also track the movement of candidates’ supporters and voters in remote areas and help prevent external influence in Rohingya-populated zones.

Political analysts described the large-scale drone use as a major technological milestone in Bangladesh’s electoral history, expected to enhance voter confidence and a sense of security.

Police in Boalmari upazila of Faridpur recovered 40 live rounds of ammunition found abandoned in the Kaliyand area on Sunday evening between 7:30 and 8:00 p.m. According to police sources, Manik Sheikh, a 50-year-old tea stall owner near Kaliyand Qaumi Madrasa, noticed two suspicious packets placed on a stool in front of his shop. After returning from evening prayers, he found the packets still there and informed Boalmari Police Station.

Sub-inspector Sharif Abdur Rashid arrived at the scene and seized the packets through official procedure. Upon opening them, police discovered two boxes marked with the Bangladesh Army logo and labeled “7.62×39 mm Ball Ammo,” containing a total of 40 rounds. The ammunition was taken to the police station for safekeeping.

Officer-in-Charge Anwar Hossain stated that the bullets were found abandoned and that an investigation is underway to identify those involved. Legal procedures are in progress.

Sarjis Alam, the chief organizer of the National Citizens Party (NCP) for the northern region and the 11-party alliance candidate for Panchagarh-1 constituency, called on journalists to remain neutral and uphold professionalism. He made the remarks on Sunday night during a discussion with journalists at the Panchagarh Press Club hall. Alam said that while journalists may have personal political preferences, they must act as mirrors of the district, state, and society when reporting.

He emphasized the importance of fair coverage during the upcoming election, which was only three days away, urging journalists to expose any attempts by political parties or individuals to influence the vote or violate election laws. Alam also pledged that if elected, he would work in parliament to establish a salary structure and ensure financial and social security for media professionals.

The meeting was chaired by Panchagarh Press Club President Mosharraf Hossain and conducted by General Secretary Sarkar Haydar, with several local political and professional figures in attendance.

The article argues that India must revise its Bangladesh policy and abandon its strategic dominance approach if it seeks a sustainable partnership with Dhaka. It notes that Bangladesh’s February 12 national election offers New Delhi a genuine opportunity to rebuild relations on the basis of mutual respect and sovereignty. The piece stresses that India’s past support for Sheikh Hasina’s government went beyond normal diplomacy, leading to resentment among Bangladeshis who viewed India as an interfering actor rather than a partner.

The commentary highlights that India’s attempt to apply a Bhutan-style model of limited autonomy to Bangladesh was a strategic miscalculation, given Bangladesh’s large population, global economic integration, and diplomatic reach. It calls for India to respect Bangladesh’s internal political process, stop allowing exiled Awami League figures to operate politically from Indian soil, and accept the election outcome regardless of which party wins.

The article concludes that adopting an ASEAN-style framework of non-interference and equality could help India rebuild trust. It also identifies unresolved issues such as Teesta River water sharing as key tests of India’s sincerity in reshaping bilateral relations.

In Chattogram, 112 candidates across 16 constituencies are in the final stretch of campaigning for Bangladesh’s 13th parliamentary election scheduled for February 12. Despite multiple parties and independents contesting, the main competition is between the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami, both part of an 11-party alliance. In two constituencies, BNP faces additional challenges from rebel candidates. Jamaat has also left three seats for alliance partners, while smaller parties such as Islami Andolon Bangladesh, Gano Adhikar Parishad, and Ganosamhati Andolon are also active.

The contests are particularly tight in 13 constituencies, including Mirsharai, Fatikchhari, Sandwip, Sitakunda, Hathazari, Rauzan, Rangunia, Chandgaon-Boalkhali, Kotwali-Bakalia, Halishahar-Pahartali, Bandar-Patenga, Patiya, and Anwara-Karnaphuli. Each seat features six to nine candidates, but BNP and Jamaat nominees dominate the field. Local dynamics, candidate reputations, and internal party divisions are shaping the electoral landscape.

Observers note that voter sentiment, new voter registrations, and alliance coordination could determine outcomes in several constituencies, where both BNP and Jamaat remain optimistic about their chances.

Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizens Party (NCP) and candidate of the 11-party alliance for Dhaka-11, delivered a televised address on Sunday evening urging citizens to vote early in the February 12 election. He said the alliance aims to restore democracy, protect voting rights, and establish justice. Islam pledged that no one would be able to take away people’s voting rights and called the election a continuation of the July uprising. He emphasized that the coalition’s goal is to build a new Bangladesh free from corruption, inequality, and dominance.

In his speech, Islam outlined the NCP’s vision for a reformed and fair state, highlighting plans for economic justice, environmental protection, and balanced foreign policy. He said the alliance’s 30 candidates are contesting under the ‘Shapla Kali’ symbol nationwide. He also promised to restructure the defense and police systems, ensure fair trials for past abuses, and strengthen local governance. Islam urged voters to support the alliance to achieve a “Bangladesh of change and justice.”

He added that a fair election on February 12 is essential to sustain the achievements of the August 5 revolution and to realize the dream of a reformed, independent Bangladesh.

The Election Commission of Bangladesh has announced that female voters must show their faces at polling centers during the upcoming 13th parliamentary election to verify their identities. The commission stated that this measure is necessary to prevent fraudulent voting and that no exceptions will be made. To ensure privacy, female polling officers and female Ansar members will be appointed at all centers so that veiled women can reveal their faces only to female officials.

Election Commissioner Anwarul Islam Sarkar explained that matching a voter’s face with the photo on the voter list is a mandatory part of the voting procedure. If a voter refuses to show her face, she will not receive a ballot paper. However, women who decline to unveil in the absence of female officers cannot be forced to vote, and no legal action will be taken against them. Legal experts and Islamic scholars noted that showing one’s face for identification is permissible under both law and religion, but the state and the commission must ensure women’s privacy.

The commission confirmed that the election will use paper ballots, eliminating biometric verification options available in electronic voting machines. Identity will therefore be confirmed solely by matching faces with voter list photos.

Thousands of people joined an election rally of BNP Standing Committee member and Cox’s Bazar-1 (Chakaria-Pekua) candidate Salahuddin Ahmed in Pekua on Sunday afternoon. The rally began at 4 p.m. from Alhaj Kabir Ahmed Chowdhury Market and proceeded along Banoja Road before concluding with a street meeting at Sakurpara Station in the evening. Supporters from seven unions arrived by bus, truck, and on foot, filling the Pekua town center with chants and slogans in support of Salahuddin and the BNP’s ‘sheaf of paddy’ symbol.

Participants carried placards and images of party leaders Tarique Rahman and Salahuddin Ahmed, while some danced and sang to seek votes. Salahuddin, standing in an open jeep, waved to the crowd and later addressed the gathering, thanking supporters for their enthusiasm and urging them to vote for the BNP symbol on February 12. He also announced that the party’s final campaign rally would be held at the Chakaria bus terminal on Monday afternoon.

Local observers described the event as one of the largest political gatherings in Pekua’s history.

Ahead of Bangladesh’s 13th parliamentary election, intelligence sources have revealed alarming plans to sabotage the voting process by attacking storage sites containing ballot papers and other election materials. The reported scheme involves nighttime assaults using explosives and petrol bombs to destroy ballots and disrupt polling. Following these reports, the Election Commission and law enforcement agencies have issued nationwide alerts, with two security agencies recommending immediate preventive measures to the government and the commission.

According to the Election Commission, ballot papers began moving from district offices to upazila-level storage on February 8, where they are being kept in temporary storerooms that could be vulnerable to attack. Security agencies claim a banned organization has instructed its field operatives to execute violent actions, including bombings and armed assaults, to create fear and undermine voter confidence. Intelligence reports also mention plans to spread false information online to destabilize the situation.

In response, authorities have strengthened security at warehouses and transport routes, increased surveillance, and deployed armed escorts. The Election Commission has emphasized that ensuring a safe and uninterrupted voting environment remains its top priority.

Internal pressure within the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has intensified ahead of the 13th parliamentary election as 92 rebel candidates are contesting in 79 constituencies, defying party directives. Around 30 of these candidates are described as strong and locally popular, raising concerns that the rebellion could divide the party’s vote base and challenge its electoral allies. BNP leaders, however, maintain that the situation will not affect the overall election outcome.

Senior BNP figures such as Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and Ruhul Kabir Rizvi have acknowledged internal conflicts, with some rebels being expelled and local committees dissolved. Despite repeated warnings from the central leadership, many local activists continue to support the independent contenders, causing divisions within local party units. The rebels include former MPs and long-time local leaders with established voter networks.

The rebellion has also placed BNP’s alliance partners under pressure in several constituencies, including Dhaka-12, Patuakhali-3, and Brahmanbaria-2, where rebel BNP candidates are competing against coalition nominees. This internal rift poses a significant challenge for BNP’s electoral strategy and unity.

Mahmudur Rahman Manna, president of Nagorik Oikya and candidate for both Bogura-2 and Dhaka-18 constituencies, has withdrawn from the Dhaka-18 parliamentary race. He announced his decision on Sunday night through a Facebook post, stating that he is currently in Bogura.

In his post, Manna explained that he had initially decided to contest from both constituencies due to special circumstances. However, he found it financially unfeasible to manage an election campaign in Dhaka-18, which he described as a vast constituency encompassing seven and a half police stations and about 650,000 voters. He said the scale of the area made election management extremely expensive.

Manna expressed regret that his decision might disappoint some supporters and apologized to all concerned. He will continue his campaign in Bogura-2, while stepping back from Dhaka-18 due to practical and financial considerations.

The Election Commission (EC) has issued special vehicle guidelines for candidates and their election agents on the polling day of the 13th National Parliamentary Election and referendum. The directive, sent to returning officers on Sunday, aims to maintain an orderly and peaceful environment during voting. Each candidate and their agent will be allowed one small vehicle such as a jeep, car, microbus, or CNG-run autorickshaw, carrying no more than five people including the driver and any assigned gunman.

In remote areas where small vehicles cannot operate, candidates and agents may each use up to two motorcycles, with a maximum of two riders per motorcycle. In river-surrounded areas, one boat per candidate or agent is permitted, carrying up to five people including the driver. All vehicles must display an approved sticker issued by the returning officer, and identity cards must be obtained for all passengers except the candidate, agent, and gunman.

No person other than the candidate or election agent will be allowed to enter polling centers under any circumstances, according to the EC directive.

Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus emphasized that the new generation must draw inspiration from Bangladesh’s Liberation War to understand the nation’s origins and sacrifices. He made the remarks on Sunday evening during a meeting at the state guesthouse Jamuna with members of the National Freedom Fighters Council, the Bangladesh Freedom Fighters Welfare Trust, and the Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangsad. Yunus said his government’s priority after taking office was to identify genuine freedom fighters and expose impostors, ensuring that the institutions representing them regain integrity.

Adviser to the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs Faruk I Azam stated that previous governments had misused the spirit of the Liberation War, creating inequality and depriving real veterans. Freedom fighters attending the meeting expressed gratitude to Yunus for reforms, the upcoming referendum, and efforts to restore their dignity. They said the July Charter would strengthen accountability and protect sovereignty. Several participants pledged personal support for the referendum’s “yes” campaign.

Yunus added that the government was nearing elections and that constitutional reforms born from the mass uprising were crucial to prevent political stagnation and ensure lasting national progress.

Mojibur Rahman Monju, Chairman of the Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party), will deliver a televised national address on Monday at 5 p.m. The speech will be broadcast simultaneously on Bangladesh Television (BTV) and Bangladesh Betar. The announcement comes in the lead-up to the 13th National Parliamentary Election, with the address expected to outline the party’s stance on the current political situation, democracy, and the restoration of voting rights.

According to party sources, Monju will present specific proposals for state reform and highlight the AB Party’s commitments to improving the lives of middle-class and ordinary citizens. The address is described as a key moment for the party to clarify its vision for good governance and national development.

AB Party policymakers believe the speech will add a new dimension to Bangladesh’s electoral politics and serve as a milestone roadmap toward building a prosperous nation. The party has urged the public to tune in to the live broadcast on BTV and Bangladesh Betar at the scheduled time.