Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has called on citizens to overcome fear and hesitation and cast their votes for honest, qualified, and patriotic candidates. He made the appeal on Thursday morning through a post on his verified Facebook account, encouraging voters to participate in the election in a festive atmosphere and to protect their sacred trust through responsible voting. The appeal came as Bangladesh began its much-anticipated 13th National Parliamentary Election and a concurrent referendum on state reforms. Voting is taking place from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. across 299 constituencies at 42,958 polling centers, with the Sherpur-3 seat postponed due to the death of a Jamaat candidate. The election is expected to establish a democratically elected government, marking a significant step toward democratic transition. According to the report, citizens are voting freely for the first time in about one and a half decades, choosing the country's leadership for the next five years. The process also includes a referendum on proposed state reforms.

Voting has begun in Cox’s Bazar, the country’s only seaside city, on Thursday, January 12, starting at 7:30 a.m. The district returning officer and deputy commissioner Md. A. Mannan confirmed that polling is taking place simultaneously in 598 centers across nine upazilas, with 1,849,357 registered voters expected to cast their ballots. A member of BNP’s National Standing Committee voted at the GMC Institute in Pekua. According to official sources, voting is being conducted in 3,689 rooms with 12,251 polling officials on duty. The district administration has deployed extensive security measures due to the district’s sensitive nature, which includes border and coastal areas as well as Rohingya camps. A total of 13,499 law enforcement personnel are on duty, including members of the army, BGB, navy, air force, coast guard, RAB, Ansar battalion, and police. Additionally, 7,774 Ansar and VDP members are stationed at polling centers, with 13 assigned per center. Officials reported that 34 executive magistrates and 9 judicial magistrates are overseeing the process, while 4,503 presiding and assistant presiding officers and 7,748 polling officers are managing the voting operations.

Bangladesh’s 13th national parliamentary election and referendum are being held in a festive atmosphere, with voting taking place uninterrupted from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. across 42,958 polling centers in 299 constituencies. The event has drawn significant attention from international media outlets, which have described it as a major political milestone for the country. Qatar-based Al Jazeera reported that voting began under tight security and noted that this is the first election since the fall of Sheikh Hasina. The BBC described it as the first election after the Gen-Z protests that led to Hasina’s downfall, calling it highly significant for Bangladesh. Reuters termed the election “historic,” while India’s NDTV and Times of India emphasized its importance for national democracy. NDTV also cited local observers predicting a BNP victory and strong performance by Jamaat. Pakistan’s Geo TV referred to the vote as a historic event following the 2024 uprising. The widespread international coverage underscores global interest in Bangladesh’s political transition and the outcome of this landmark election.

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.

A group of Hindu extremists attacked the Bangladesh stall at the World Cultural Festival held at MIT World Peace University in Pune, India, on Tuesday, according to multiple diplomatic sources cited by Amar Desh. The attackers, identified as members of the Bajrang Dal, destroyed the stall and set fire to the Bangladeshi national flag while chanting anti-Bangladesh slogans. The incident occurred after several individuals had earlier questioned Bangladeshi students about their legal status in India and demanded the removal of their flag. The stall had been set up by twelve Bangladeshi students from Savitribai Phule Pune University to represent their country at the international event. Although no students were physically harmed, they reportedly fled to safety amid growing fear. The attack has caused widespread anxiety among Bangladeshi and other foreign students attending the festival. The report also linked the incident to a broader pattern of anti-Bangladesh activities allegedly supported by the Indian government following the ouster of Sheikh Hasina, including threats against Bangladeshi diplomats and actions against Bangladeshi athletes.

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.