Interim government Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has sent a congratulatory message to Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP), for the party’s success in the 13th National Parliamentary Election. In his message issued on Saturday, Yunus praised the NCP’s courage, determination, and confidence under Nahid’s leadership, calling their participation a significant chapter in Bangladesh’s democratic history. The NCP, a new political party formed a year ago after the 2024 student-people uprising, contested 30 seats, winning six and performing strongly in several others.

Yunus recalled Nahid Islam’s leadership during the 2024 movement and expressed gratitude for the sacrifices of his fellow activists. He also reflected on working with Nahid in the advisory council, noting his competence, integrity, and policy understanding. Yunus emphasized that democracy thrives when new voices and ideas emerge, and said the NCP’s early success shows public trust, especially among youth, in principled politics.

He urged the NCP to uphold ideals and values as it transitions from activism to mainstream politics and to use its parliamentary representation to strengthen democratic institutions responsibly.

U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to issue a new voting law through executive order if Congress fails to pass legislation mandating photo identification for voters. He indicated that such an order could be enacted before the upcoming midterm elections in November. Trump made the remarks on Friday and reiterated on his social media platform Truth Social that voter ID would be required regardless of congressional approval.

The report notes that many U.S. states already require photo ID to vote, but not all. Trump and his supporters claim that the absence of such requirements has led to widespread voter fraud, though no evidence supports this claim. His proposed “Save America” election reform bill has passed the Republican-controlled House of Representatives but faces slim chances in the Senate, where Republicans lack a strong majority. The bill also seeks to require proof of citizenship during voter registration.

Critics argue that these measures could disenfranchise millions of voters who lack passports or birth certificates. Legal experts suggest any executive order on national voter ID could face court challenges, as U.S. states hold broad constitutional authority over election administration.

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced plans to visit Venezuela, revealing the decision while speaking to reporters on Friday en route from the White House to Fort Bragg in North Carolina. The announcement comes more than a month after Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores were taken away. Trump said he intends to meet with Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodríguez, with whom he claims to have a very good relationship.

Trump stated that under Rodríguez’s leadership, the United States is working closely with Venezuela in oil extraction and marketing. He described current U.S.-Venezuela relations as “ten out of ten.” When asked whether Washington recognizes Rodríguez’s government, Trump confirmed that the United States has already done so and maintains regular communication with her administration.

The planned visit signals a continuation of U.S. engagement with Venezuela’s interim leadership following recent political changes in the country.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has reclaimed the Comilla-5 (Burichang and Brahmanpara) parliamentary seat after 26 years, defeating the Jamaat-e-Islami candidate in the 13th national election. BNP candidate Jasim Uddin, contesting under the paddy sheaf symbol, secured 134,616 votes, while his nearest rival, Jamaat’s Advocate Mobarak Hossain, received 124,447 votes. The unofficial results were compiled from 142 polling centers across the two upazilas.

According to the same results, a total of nine other candidates also contested in this constituency. In Comilla district’s 11 constituencies, BNP won eight seats, Jamaat one, the National Congress Party (NCP) one, and an independent candidate secured one seat.

The victory marks a significant political comeback for BNP in the region, ending a long absence from representation in Comilla-5 since its last win 26 years ago.

Interim government Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus has congratulated Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman for achieving a respectable outcome in the 13th National Parliamentary Election. In a message issued on Saturday, Yunus thanked Rahman for his leadership in ensuring active participation, strong competition, and a calm acceptance of the election results. He praised Rahman’s political etiquette, restraint, and calls for peaceful behavior among party workers, noting their contribution to maintaining national stability.

Yunus also expressed gratitude for Jamaat’s constructive support, advice, and cooperation during the interim government’s tenure. He emphasized that Bangladesh is at a critical juncture facing challenges and opportunities in global economics, technological transformation, climate change, human resource development, and social justice. He called for responsible and principled roles from both government and opposition to strengthen democracy.

The Chief Adviser expressed hope that under Rahman’s leadership, Jamaat would act as a constructive and responsible opposition in parliament, fostering positive political culture and accountability. He also wished Rahman good health and continued contribution to national unity.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has strongly condemned incidents of violence across Bangladesh targeting citizens with differing political positions following the recent election. In a verified Facebook post on Saturday, he expressed solidarity with victims and vowed that politics of fear, repression, or terrorism would not be allowed to return to the country.

In his statement, Dr. Rahman said that a nation which has just exercised its democratic rights must not tolerate intimidation or revenge politics. He referenced the spirit of the July Revolution, emphasizing that the people of Bangladesh would not revert to an era of fear. He urged law enforcement agencies to conduct impartial investigations, bring perpetrators to justice, and ensure that all incidents are properly documented.

Dr. Rahman also called on elected MPs, candidates, and local leaders to visit affected families, collect evidence, and share verified information with authorities and the media. He reminded the incoming government that the public mandate is a conditional trust requiring equal protection and rule of law for all citizens.

In the 13th National Parliamentary Election, three candidates in Rangpur-1 constituency, covering Gangachara and City Corporation wards 1–9, lost their security deposits after failing to secure the required share of votes. The unofficial results were announced late Thursday night by District Commissioner and Returning Officer Mohammad Enamul Ahsan at his office hall. According to the Returning Officer’s office, the constituency had 375,227 registered voters, with 228,457 votes cast, representing a turnout of 60.89 percent. Of these, 223,144 were valid and 5,313 were invalid.

Under election rules, candidates must obtain at least 12.5 percent of valid votes to retain their deposits, which in this case required 27,893 votes. Ahsanul Arefin of the Socialist Party (Marxist) received 882 votes, ATM Golam Mostafa of Islami Andolan Bangladesh received 5,224 votes, and Md. Anas of Islamic Front Bangladesh received 1,103 votes, all below the threshold.

Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Md. Raihan Siraji won the seat with 147,245 votes, defeating BNP’s Md. Mokarram Hossain Sujon, who received 69,131 votes. The official gazette confirming Siraji’s victory marked the formal completion of the Rangpur-1 election process.

In the 13th national parliamentary election, 21 out of 29 candidates across four constituencies in Lakshmipur lost their security deposits. According to the Election Commission’s circular, candidates who failed to secure at least one-eighth of the total votes cast in their constituencies forfeited their deposits. The information was confirmed after verifying the official results signed by District Returning Officer and Deputy Commissioner S M Mehedi Hasan.

Among the notable candidates who lost their deposits were Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal’s senior vice-president Tania Rob from Lakshmipur-4, Islami Andolan’s Maulana Khaled Saifullah, Jatiya Party’s district president Mahmudur Rahman Mahmud from Lakshmipur-1, and Islami Andolan’s district vice-president Zakir Hossain Patwary. In Lakshmipur-1, BNP’s Shahadat Hossain Selim won with 86,811 votes, while in Lakshmipur-2, BNP’s Abul Khair Bhuiyan secured 146,321 votes. BNP’s Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie and ABM Ashraf Uddin Nizan won in Lakshmipur-3 and Lakshmipur-4 respectively.

The Election Commission rule specifies that any candidate receiving less than one-eighth of the total votes cast in their constituency will have their deposit forfeited.

Leaders of Tehreek-e-Tahafuz-e-Ain-e-Pakistan began a sit-in protest on Friday demanding that Imran Khan, founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, be transferred to a hospital for proper medical care. They announced the protest would continue until Khan is moved to Shifa International Hospital for eye treatment. The demonstration started after Friday prayers outside the Parliament building in Islamabad.

Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, Mahmood Khan Achakzai, and Barrister Gohar Ali Khan led the sit-in, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohel Afridi and other PTI leaders held a separate protest at the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House. Police were deployed at both locations to maintain order. Senate opposition leader Nasir Abbas told reporters that the protest would continue until their demand is met.

Imran Khan is currently imprisoned in Adiala Jail, where opposition leaders claim he has only 15 percent vision remaining in his right eye and accuse authorities of neglecting his medical treatment.

BNP-nominated candidates have won all three parliamentary constituencies in Manikganj by significant margins, according to official results published on February 14, 2026. In Manikganj-1, BNP’s S.A. Jinnah Kabir secured 137,773 votes, defeating independent candidate Tozammel Haque Toza, who received 77,818 votes. Jamaat-e-Islami’s Abu Bakar Siddique came third with 71,310 votes. In Manikganj-2, BNP’s Moinul Islam Khan Shanto won with 175,776 votes, while Mohammad Salauddin of the Khelafat Majlis alliance finished second with 81,531 votes. In Manikganj-3, BNP’s Afroza Khanam Rita triumphed with 167,345 votes, ahead of Mohammad Saidnur of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, who received 64,242 votes.

The report notes that celebrations broke out among BNP supporters across the district following the sweeping victories. Several independent and smaller party candidates, including those from Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, and Jatiya Party, also contested but trailed far behind the BNP nominees.

The results mark a complete BNP victory in Manikganj, with each of its candidates winning by wide margins over their nearest rivals.

Two victorious BNP candidates in Chattogram have earned widespread praise after visiting the homes of their defeated Jamaat-e-Islami rivals to exchange greetings. On Friday afternoon, BNP Chairman’s adviser and Chattogram-4 winner Aslam Chowdhury visited Jamaat candidate Anwar Siddique Chowdhury in Abdullahghat, while Chattogram-2 (Mirsarai) winner Nurul Amin Chairman visited Jamaat candidate Advocate Saifur Rahman. Supporters from both parties expressed enthusiasm as the leaders shared sweets and cordial moments.

Observers described the gesture as a rare display of political harmony following a competitive and transparent national election. They noted that the friendly exchanges reflected a hopeful shift toward unity and cooperation, rather than hostility or division. Both Jamaat candidates expressed willingness to work with their BNP counterparts for the welfare of local residents, emphasizing reconciliation and joint development efforts.

The initiative has gone viral on social media, where many users hailed it as a symbolic return of democratic civility in Bangladesh’s political culture after years of polarization.

Bangladesh’s Election Commission has published the official gazette of results for the 13th National Parliament election, confirming a landslide victory for the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) alliance with 212 seats, while the Jamaat alliance won 77. Out of 300 constituencies, results for 297 have been released, with two Chattogram seats pending court decisions and one Sherpur seat postponed due to a candidate’s death. Following the results, attention has turned to the swearing-in of newly elected members, expected by February 16 or 17.

Questions have arisen over who will administer the oath, as the constitution assigns this duty to the Speaker or Deputy Speaker, but both positions are currently vacant following recent political upheaval. According to Article 148, if the designated officials cannot conduct the oath, the President may nominate someone to do so, or failing that, the Chief Election Commissioner must administer it within three days. Once sworn in, the President will invite the majority party to form the new government, appointing its leader as Prime Minister.

The oath-taking will mark the formal transfer of power, as per constitutional provisions, completing the transition to a new government.

The spring festival, marking the first day of Falgun, was celebrated at Shaheed Wasim Akram Park in Chattogram’s Pahartali area on Saturday morning. Organized by the cultural group Bodhon, the event featured performances by children and adolescents including dance, songs, rhymes, and poetry recitations. As the day progressed, crowds of young men and women in colorful attire filled the park, creating a festive atmosphere. Chattogram City Corporation Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain attended the event at 10 a.m. and remarked that the celebration coincided with a new era for Bangladesh as the nation prepared for a new government.

Ahead of the festival, flower shops in Cheragi Pahar became busy from Friday night, with traders preparing bouquets and garlands from flowers arriving from across the country. Roses, tuberoses, marigolds, and other seasonal blooms saw high demand as people purchased them for loved ones. The organizers announced that the festival would conclude before noon.

This year, the venue was shifted from the traditional CRB Shirish Tala to Shaheed Wasim Akram Park, where Bodhon’s arrangements kept the city’s residents engaged throughout the morning.

The Pakistan government is planning to transfer former Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan from Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail to a new prison in Islamabad within the next two months, according to The Express Tribune. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced the plan during a police passing-out ceremony in Islamabad, stating that the new facility will be completed within two months and will include full medical services.

Imran Khan has been held at Adiala Jail since September 2023. The federal government recently assured the Supreme Court that Khan would be allowed to consult an eye specialist again amid growing concerns over his deteriorating eyesight. He will also be permitted to speak by phone with his sons, Qasim and Suleiman, while in custody.

Advocate Salman Safdar, serving as amicus curiae, met Khan in Adiala Jail and later submitted a seven-page report on his health, quoting Khan as saying that despite treatment, he retains only 15 percent vision in his right eye.

Bangladesh’s 13th national parliamentary election was held on February 12, with voting conducted in 299 of 300 constituencies. Out of 59 registered political parties, 51 participated in the election. According to results published for 297 constituencies so far, 42 parties failed to win any seats, while candidates from only nine parties secured representation in parliament.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) won 209 seats, Jamaat-e-Islami secured 68, and the National Citizens Party (NCP) won six. Additionally, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Gano Adhikar Parishad, Bangladesh National Party-BJP, Ganosamhati Andolan, and Khelafat Majlish each won one seat, while Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish won two. Many parties that fielded candidates in over a hundred constituencies ended up without any victories.

Political analysts cited polarization around major parties, alliance-based campaigning, and strategic voting as key reasons smaller and newer parties failed to achieve desired results.