Former chief coordinator of Kushtia Jubo Dal, Abdul Majed, was taken into police custody on Thursday morning from the Khajanagar area. The incident occurred around 10:30 a.m., according to local reports. Kushtia District Commissioner and Returning Officer Iqbal Hossain confirmed the detention, stating that Majed was taken into custody based on information suggesting he might attempt to intimidate voters and influence the election process. The report indicates that the action was preventive in nature, linked to concerns over possible voter intimidation during the ongoing election period. Authorities have not released further details about the duration or conditions of Majed’s custody. The development comes amid heightened election-related activities and security measures in Kushtia and other districts. No additional information was provided about any charges or subsequent legal proceedings following the detention.

At the Nakhalpara Government Primary School polling center, senior reporter Gazi Shahnewaz of the newspaper Amar Desh was obstructed by police and Ansar members when attempting to enter on February 12, 2026. Despite identifying himself as a journalist, officers delayed him under the pretext of verifying his credentials, citing instructions from the presiding officer. When questioned, the presiding officer, Khalid, denied any obstruction, claiming the journalist was visible on camera. The Election Commission secretary, when informed, said he had not observed any problems at polling centers. The Nakhalpara school housed two polling centers with a total of 5,590 registered voters. Within two and a half hours, only 200 and 250 votes were cast respectively, reflecting an 8 percent turnout. Voter turnout was visibly low, with no long queues observed. A 77-year-old voter expressed satisfaction with the voting environment, noting that many voters cast their ballots early after morning prayers. In addition to entry restrictions, the journalist was also prevented from live-streaming voters outside the polling room, allegedly under presiding officer orders, though the officer denied issuing such instructions.

Voter turnout in Anwara upazila of Chattogram increased as the day progressed on February 12, 2026. In the morning, attendance was relatively low, but by 10 a.m. long queues of female voters were observed at Bilpur Government Primary School. Polling officer Md. Yunus reported that 600 votes had been cast in the first two and a half hours across seven booths at the center. Earlier, at 8:30 a.m., 130 votes were recorded within the first hour at Singra Government Primary School, while a similar situation was seen at Anwara Government High School around 9 a.m. A 60-year-old voter named Nurunnabi expressed joy after casting his vote at Bilpur, saying he was happy to vote again after 17 years and offered thanks in prayer. The report highlights that voter participation, particularly among women, increased steadily across multiple polling centers in Anwara as the day advanced.

Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman cast his vote in the 13th national parliamentary election on Thursday morning at Adamjee Cantonment College polling center. Speaking to journalists after voting around 10:15 a.m., he urged citizens to go to polling centers and vote without fear, describing the day as highly significant for the nation. General Waker-Uz-Zaman also addressed members of the media, acknowledging their role in informing the public about the country’s situation. He said that by reporting on the election, journalists were helping to reassure citizens and encourage them to participate in the voting process. The event highlighted the army chief’s call for peaceful and confident voter participation as the nation carried out its 13th parliamentary election.

Two presiding officers from separate polling centers in Faridpur were withdrawn on Wednesday night following allegations that they allowed unlawful entry into the centers. The officers are Al Amin from the Hitoyshi High School center under Faridpur-3 constituency and Zahidul Islam from the Ashapur Madrasa center under Faridpur-1 constituency. The district returning officer took the decision after the allegations surfaced. Faridpur’s Additional District Magistrate, Mintu Biswas, confirmed the action, stating that both officers were removed for enabling unauthorized access to the polling centers. New presiding officers were immediately appointed to replace them to ensure the continuity of election activities. The incident highlights administrative measures taken to address alleged irregularities during the election process in Faridpur, as authorities moved swiftly to maintain order and transparency at the polling stations.

Interim government Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus cast his vote in Bangladesh’s 13th parliamentary election and national referendum on Thursday morning. He exercised his voting right at 10 a.m. at the Gulshan Model School and College center in Dhaka. The much-anticipated election and referendum began at 7:30 a.m. and will continue uninterrupted until 4:30 p.m. across 42,958 polling centers in 299 constituencies. Voting in the Sherpur-3 constituency has been postponed due to the death of a Jamaat-e-Islami candidate. The election is expected to establish an elected government, marking a key step in Bangladesh’s transition toward democracy. According to the report, citizens are voting freely for the first time in one and a half decades, choosing the country’s leadership for the next five years. Alongside the parliamentary election, voters are also participating in a referendum on state reforms taking place on the same day.

Voting for the 13th National Parliament election and referendum began in Chuadanga on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at 7:30 a.m. The process is taking place in a festive environment across 354 polling centers in the district’s two constituencies. Among these, 57 centers have been identified as highly important, 67 as less important, and 228 as general. Candidates from the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and Islami Andolon are contesting in both constituencies. According to the Chuadanga District Election Office, there are a total of 913,549 registered voters, including 492,191 men and 501,347 women, along with 10,538 postal voters. In Chuadanga-1, BNP’s Md. Sharifuzzaman Sharif, Jamaat’s Advocate Masud Parvez Russell, and Islami Andolon’s Md. Zohurul Islam Aziz are competing. In Chuadanga-2, BNP’s Mahmud Hasan Khan Babu, Jamaat’s Md. Ruhul Amin, and Islami Andolon’s Md. Hasanuzzaman are in the race. Voting began smoothly, with candidates casting their ballots early in the morning at their respective centers, reflecting an orderly and celebratory start to the election day.

Voters turned out in large numbers at polling centers across Dhaka University on Thursday morning as voting began for the 13th National Parliament Election and referendum. From 8 a.m., voters were seen standing in orderly lines to cast their ballots in a peaceful atmosphere. A total of ten polling centers were set up across the campus, including at the ULAB School near Mohsin Hall, the Faculty of Fine Arts, Curzon Hall, Udayan School, and the Annex Building. Voters expressed satisfaction with the security arrangements, noting the presence of law enforcement officers maintaining order outside each center. Many described the environment as calm and well-organized. Dhaka University Chhatra Dal’s senior joint secretary Nasiruddin Shawon cast his vote early at the Annex Building center, expressing happiness at being able to vote after a long time and hoping for a fair and peaceful election day. Several voters, including young and female participants, described the day as festive and democratic, highlighting their renewed confidence in the voting process after years without such participation.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman cast his vote on Thursday morning at the Gulshan Model High School and College polling center, located within the Dhaka-17 parliamentary constituency. He was accompanied by his wife, Dr. Zubaida Rahman, and their daughter, Barrister Zaima Rahman, who also voted at the same center. Additionally, Arafat Rahman Koko’s wife, Syeda Shamila Rahman Sithi, and her two daughters, Jafia Rahman and Jashia, were scheduled to vote at the same location. According to the report, Tarique Rahman is contesting against several candidates, including Jamaat’s S.M. Khaliduzzaman, Jatiya Party’s Atik Ahmed, and Islami Andolan’s Mohammad Ullah. Initially, eleven candidates were expected to compete in the constituency, but four of them withdrew from the race the previous day, declaring their support for Tarique Rahman. The Dhaka-17 constituency has a total of 333,777 registered voters, comprising 174,709 men, 159,060 women, and eight third-gender voters.

West Indies defeated England by 30 runs in their T20 World Cup Group C match at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Wednesday. Sherfane Rutherford’s unbeaten 76 off 42 balls, featuring seven sixes, powered the West Indies to a total of 196-6. Gudakesh Motie then led the bowling effort with figures of 3-33 as England were dismissed for 166 in 19 overs. The victory marked West Indies’ second consecutive win in the tournament, placing them at the top of Group C, while England slipped to third behind Scotland after their first defeat. Rutherford and Jason Holder added 61 runs for the fifth wicket, with Holder contributing 33 off 17 balls. Earlier, Shimron Hetmyer and Roston Chase steadied the innings after both openers fell early. For England, Adil Rashid impressed with 2-16 from four overs, but their batting faltered against West Indies’ spinners. England captain Harry Brook admitted disappointment, noting that the pitch conditions did not favor their chase as expected. Rutherford credited his preparation and clear mindset for his performance, adding that the team’s bowlers executed their plans effectively to secure the win.

Bangladesh is preparing for a highly anticipated parliamentary election, the first since the July uprising that toppled the previous government. The vote, expected to be held after nearly a decade and a half, is being described as a major test of the nation’s democratic renewal. Citizens across age groups are showing strong enthusiasm for what is being framed as a potentially free and fair election, distinct in structure and process from the country’s previous twelve parliamentary polls. The article notes that this election marks a shift from the long-standing power rivalry between the Awami League and the BNP. Following the fall of the Hasina government, the BNP’s main challenger is now Jamaat-e-Islami, a former ally experiencing a dramatic resurgence. The piece attributes Jamaat’s rise to generational change, shifting political narratives, and regional factors, including discontent over India’s Hindu nationalist politics and Bangladesh’s past alignment with New Delhi. The author concludes that whichever party wins must heed the lessons of the July uprising: no government can survive without public support. The election, therefore, is viewed as a decisive opportunity for genuine popular victory.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman has called on democracy-loving citizens to exercise their voting rights in a festive and peaceful environment. In a verified Facebook post on Thursday morning, before heading to the polling center, he urged everyone to vote for the candidates they consider suitable and to ensure their state rights and ownership through participation in the election. Rahman encouraged voters to come to the polling centers, cast their votes, and entrust responsibilities to the elected representatives, who he said would begin serving the people from the next day. He also stated that the party would ensure that every candidate elected under the BNP’s ‘sheaf of paddy’ symbol fulfills their duties properly. Expressing optimism, he said that with spontaneous public participation and affection, a free and fair election would secure BNP’s victory. Concluding his message, Rahman called for unity in building the nation, protecting citizens’ rights and freedoms, and upholding Bangladesh’s sovereignty and dignity.

A polling officer died while on duty during voting in Sarail upazila of Brahmanbaria district on February 12, 2026. The deceased was identified as Md. Mujahidul Islam, a teacher at the Panishwar Union Islamic Foundation. He was serving as a polling officer at the 51st polling center located in the District Council Auditorium of Sarail when he suddenly fell ill. Colleagues immediately took him to the Sarail Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared him dead after necessary examinations. The sudden death of Mujahidul Islam cast a shadow of grief among his colleagues, election officials, and local residents. The report stated that the exact cause of death was not immediately known. Authorities and election staff in the area were reportedly shocked by the incident, which occurred amid ongoing voting activities in the upazila.

Former office secretary of Khulna Metropolitan BNP, Mohibuzzaman Kachi, died of a heart attack while casting his vote at the Khulna Alia Madrasa polling center on Thursday morning. The incident occurred around 8:30 a.m., according to local reports. The report stated that Kachi was participating in the voting process when he suddenly suffered a cardiac arrest. He was a known figure within the Khulna Metropolitan BNP, having previously served as the party’s office secretary. The event took place during ongoing voting activities in the area. No further details were provided regarding medical assistance or official statements following his death.

Reports from Chattogram-4 (Sitakunda–Pahartali–Akbarshah partial) constituency indicate that voting in the 13th national parliamentary election is proceeding slowly at several polling centers. Despite cold weather, voters began lining up from 6 a.m., but by 9 a.m. many had yet to cast their ballots. Election officials were struggling to manage the heavy turnout. At Sitakunda Islamia Fazil Madrasa center, long lines of male and female voters were seen, with women and young voters most prominent. Voting began at 7:30 a.m., but only about fifty people had voted in the first hours. Local BNP and Jamaat leaders said that while voter turnout was high, the process was very slow. Similar complaints came from Barabkunda School and College, Sonaichhari High School, and Ghoramara Government Primary School. Voters expressed satisfaction at being able to vote peacefully after being unable to do so in the past three elections. Law enforcement remained on alert outside centers. Presiding officer Touhidul Hasan stated that voting was peaceful and slow due to measures ensuring transparency and preventing fraud, but the pace was expected to improve later in the day.