Barrister Farzana Sharmin Putul, aged 41, has made history as the first female and youngest member of parliament elected from Natore-1 (Lalpur-Bagatipara) in the 13th National Parliamentary Election. She is also the only female winner from the Rajshahi division in this election. The official results were announced on Thursday night by Natore’s Deputy Commissioner and Returning Officer Asma Shahin. Running under the BNP’s ‘paddy sheaf’ symbol, Putul secured 102,726 votes, defeating her closest rival Abul Kalam Azad, who received 89,431 votes.

Putul is the daughter of the late Fazlur Rahman Patal, former state minister for youth and sports under the BNP government, who was elected four times from the same constituency in 1991, 1996, and 2001. The BNP had lost the seat in 2008 and had no representative there for 18 years. Following her victory, Putul expressed gratitude to Almighty Allah and dedicated the win to the people of Lalpur-Bagatipara, also thanking her party workers for their tireless efforts.

Her victory marks the BNP’s return to the Natore-1 seat after nearly two decades, signaling renewed political presence in the region.

Dr. A.Z.M. Zahid Hossain, newly elected Member of Parliament from Dinajpur-6 and a standing committee member of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), said that the events of July 2024 should serve as an inspiration to prevent the rise of an authoritarian government. He made the remarks on Friday, February 13, 2026, while speaking to journalists at his home in Motihara, Nawabganj, after exchanging greetings with party activists.

Zahid Hossain stated that he prays Bangladesh never again witnesses scenes like those seen during the final moments of dictatorship. He recalled that over the past 18 years, many BNP activists had been killed in movements, more than 800 had disappeared, and that the brutal killings during July and August represented one of the darkest chapters in the country’s history. He expressed gratitude to the people of Dinajpur-6 and the nation for trusting BNP’s commitment to public service.

His comments reflect a call for democratic governance and a rejection of authoritarian tendencies as the new parliamentary term begins.

BNP Standing Committee member and newly elected MP from Cox’s Bazar-1, Salahuddin Ahmed, said on Friday, February 13, that the people of Bangladesh will have to wait only a short while to see the composition of the new cabinet. Speaking to journalists, he described the recent national election as a milestone in the country’s history, noting that the world had closely observed the fair and neutral process. He praised voters for not only casting their ballots but also guarding polling centers to protect democracy.

Ahmed added that the return of BNP leader Tarique Rahman had sparked a popular wave, showing that citizens are eager for change. He stated that constitutional reforms promised in the party’s election manifesto and its “31-point” plan would be implemented. He also referred to the “July National Charter” as a political consensus document that would be followed in full.

Regarding Sheikh Hasina, Ahmed said that since investigations and specific allegations against her and the Awami League are ongoing, steps will begin to bring her back under the existing extradition treaty with India for trial.

The United States is expanding its military presence in the Middle East as tensions with Iran escalate. Under President Donald Trump’s directive, the USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s largest aircraft carrier, is being deployed to the region alongside the already stationed USS Abraham Lincoln and its guided missile destroyers in the Arabian Sea. The deployment, first reported by The New York Times, comes as the Red Sea and surrounding areas experience heightened instability.

Gulf Arab states have warned that new attacks could trigger a wider conflict, especially as the region still reels from the recent Israel-Hamas fighting in Gaza. President Trump recently cautioned Iran that failure to reach a new nuclear deal would have “very painful” consequences. Following indirect talks in Oman, he said a deal is sought within a month and discussed Iran’s missile program and its support for Hamas and Hezbollah with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Iran faces both domestic and international crises, including deadly protests last month and ongoing sanctions. The USS Ford’s crew, at sea since June 2025, may see their deployment extended, though the White House has not commented.

Saiful Alam Khan Milon, the Jamaat-e-Islami candidate, has won the Dhaka-12 constituency in Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliamentary Election. The result was officially announced by Dhaka Divisional Commissioner and Returning Officer Sharaf Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury at around 8:15 a.m. on Friday. Milon, contesting with the scale symbol, secured 53,773 votes.

His closest rival, Saiful Haque of the Bangladesh Revolutionary Workers Party representing the BNP alliance, received 30,963 votes. Independent candidate Saiful Alam Nirab, who contested under the football symbol and is a former convener of BNP’s Dhaka North unit, obtained 29,869 votes. The total number of registered voters in Dhaka-12 was 333,318, of which 124,712 cast their ballots. A total of 2,444 votes were declared invalid.

The announcement marks Jamaat’s victory in this key Dhaka constituency, reflecting voter turnout and competition among major opposition and independent candidates.

Several heads of state have congratulated Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairman Tarique Rahman following his party’s landslide victory in the 13th national parliamentary election held on 12 February 2026. According to unofficial results announced by the Election Commission, the BNP won 209 seats, while Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami secured 68 seats. With more than two-thirds of the seats, the BNP is preparing to form the next government.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Tarique Rahman on 13 February to convey his congratulations, reaffirming India’s commitment to peace and prosperity between the two neighboring nations. Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also extended their congratulations, emphasizing democratic partnership and mutual progress. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim described the victory as a triumph of democracy, while the Chinese Embassy in Dhaka congratulated the people of Bangladesh for a successful election and BNP for leading the results. Maldivian President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu also congratulated Rahman and expressed hope for stronger bilateral ties.

The series of congratulatory messages from regional leaders highlights growing international attention to Bangladesh’s political transition following the BNP’s decisive win.

Islami Andolan Bangladesh’s Amir and Charmonai Pir Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim issued a statement on Friday congratulating the winners and all those involved in the country’s 13th national parliamentary election, which was held on Thursday. He described the election as largely fair and beautiful despite some irregularities and disorder, and extended his gratitude to the interim government, the Election Commission, and election officials.

In his message, the Charmonai Pir congratulated all victorious candidates and political parties, urging them to uphold the promises made to the people. He called on them to remain accountable to public expectations and to honor the sacrifices made during the July mass uprising, when citizens gave their lives for their aspirations.

The statement reflected a tone of cautious optimism about the election process and emphasized moral responsibility among political leaders following the results.

Jamaat-e-Islami–backed candidate Md. Enayet Ullah has demanded suspension of the Dhaka-7 (198) constituency results and a recount, alleging serious irregularities and manipulation in the vote counting process following the 13th National Parliamentary Election and referendum. He made the demand at a press conference held Friday evening at the Jamaat-e-Islami central office in Dhaka. Earlier, on Thursday, he submitted a written complaint to the returning officer and divisional commissioner’s office in Segunbagicha, Dhaka.

At the press conference, Enayet Ullah claimed that bundles of ballots for the “paddy sheaf” symbol were counted as full despite missing papers, while polling agents for his “scales” symbol were allegedly intimidated and expelled before result sheets were prepared. He further alleged that agents’ objections were ignored, original result copies were withheld, and unnecessary delays were made during counting to manipulate results. Written objections were reportedly filed the previous night with the returning officer’s office.

Enayet Ullah stated that these irregularities prevented the true reflection of voters’ verdict and insisted that a recount would reveal the actual vote count and expose the alleged misconduct.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has shown clear dominance in the parliamentary election results for Mymensingh’s 11 constituencies, winning eight seats. The Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami-led alliance secured two seats, while an independent candidate defeated a heavyweight BNP contender in one constituency. The results were officially handed over to the winners on Friday morning by District Returning Officer Mohammad Saifur Rahman.

According to the constituency-wise results, BNP candidates won in Mymensingh-3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11. The Jamaat alliance triumphed in Mymensingh-2 and 6, while independent candidate Salman Omar Rubel won in Mymensingh-1, defeating BNP’s Syed Emran Saleh Prince by 6,339 votes. Voter turnout across constituencies ranged between 51% and 62%.

Despite BNP’s majority, the strong performances by the Jamaat alliance and an independent candidate have added multidimensional competition to the district’s political landscape. The victories in Mymensingh-1, 2, and 6 suggest emerging new political equations in the region.

The Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), student wing of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), organized a special doa and milad mahfil at Dhaka University on Friday, February 13, 2026. The event, held after the Juma prayer at the university’s central mosque, was arranged to celebrate BNP’s victory in the 13th National Parliamentary Election and to pray for the salvation of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia’s departed soul.

Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmad Khan, Open University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. A.B.M. Obaidul Islam, DU Treasurer Professor M. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, and several senior academics and BNP-affiliated leaders attended. Professor Khan described the day as one of great joy for Bangladesh, noting that the election had been peaceful and free of conflict. JCD President Rakibul Islam Rakib urged members to maintain patience and coexistence to uphold a democratic environment.

Participants expressed gratitude for the people’s overwhelming support for democracy and nationalism, praying for the nation’s peace, prosperity, and welfare.

China has congratulated the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its chairman Tarique Rahman for securing an absolute majority in the 13th national parliamentary election. The Chinese Embassy in Dhaka issued the message on its official Facebook page on Friday, also extending congratulations to the people of Bangladesh for the successful and peaceful completion of the election.

According to the Election Commission results, voting took place across 299 constituencies on Thursday, with the BNP winning 210 seats, ensuring its path to form the next government. Following the announcement, world leaders including India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the United States government sent congratulatory messages to Tarique Rahman and the BNP. The Chinese message came as part of this wave of international responses.

China stated that it looks forward to working with Bangladesh’s new government and hopes to open a new chapter in China-Bangladesh relations.

The much-anticipated India-Pakistan T20 World Cup match, set for February 15 at Colombo’s Premadasa Stadium, faces new uncertainty due to weather concerns. According to a Geo TV report, there is a 65 percent chance of rain on Sunday evening, with thunderstorms expected around 6 p.m. local time. The match is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m., and officials fear that rain could disrupt play.

Under ICC T20 regulations, both teams must play at least five overs each for a result to be declared. If overs are reduced, the DLS method will determine the outcome. As this is a group-stage match, no reserve day has been allocated, meaning that if the game is abandoned, both sides will share points.

Earlier, the fixture itself had been in doubt after Pakistan initially boycotted the match in protest over Bangladesh’s absence from the World Cup. The Pakistan Cricket Board reversed its decision on February 9 following a meeting in Lahore with ICC representatives and Bangladesh Cricket Board president Aminul Islam Bulbul, ending more than a week of uncertainty.

The Press Wing of the Chief Adviser has announced a press briefing to be held on Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Foreign Service Academy on Bailey Road in Dhaka. The announcement was made on Friday evening by Faiz Ahmed, Senior Assistant Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser. Professor Ali Riaz, Special Assistant to Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, will brief the media during the session.

According to the information provided, the thirteenth national parliamentary election and referendum were completed on Thursday in a fair manner. The BNP-led alliance secured victory in more than two-thirds of the constituencies. The press briefing is expected to address matters related to the swearing-in of newly elected members and the transfer of power by the interim government.

Media representatives have been invited to attend the briefing, which is likely to provide official updates on the post-election transition process.

Sarjis Alam, the defeated candidate of the 11-party alliance and chief organizer of the National Citizen Party (NCP) for northern Bangladesh, alleged that BNP activists carried out attacks and vandalism in Mirgarh of Panchagarh. In a verified Facebook post on Friday evening, he claimed that shops were being vandalized, homes attacked, and threats of violence were being issued. Earlier that day, he posted another message alleging that BNP activists had attacked NCP members and their properties in more than 30 locations across the Panchagarh-1 constituency.

Alam questioned whether the BNP still intended to continue what he described as a politics of vengeance. He stated that his party aimed to bring change to the old political culture and urged those involved in the attacks to correct their behavior. He reminded that power is not permanent and called for learning from past experiences.

The allegations highlight ongoing political tension in the Panchagarh-1 constituency following the election, though no response from BNP was mentioned in the source.

Kagojbari has signed a memorandum of understanding with Medico Bio in Dhaka’s Dhanmondi to provide laptops to 21 rural and underprivileged schools across Bangladesh. The initiative, announced in connection with International Mother Language Day, aims to ensure that no student is deprived of healthcare due to technological limitations. Through these laptops, over two thousand students will receive free consultations from Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council–registered and government-approved specialist doctors throughout the year.

Organizers stated that the project seeks to bring quality healthcare to grassroots students while strengthening digital infrastructure in rural education. Each school will have a teacher representative to coordinate digital appointments and consultations. The laptops are expected to support both telemedicine and digital learning, fostering long-term technological engagement among students.

Kagojbari has also announced a Guinness World Record education material donation campaign, aiming to distribute free learning supplies to about 450,000 students in 1,500 schools within 12 hours, setting a new global record for Bangladesh.