Aminul Haque Amin, also known as Batta Amin, president of the Tati Dal in Ukhia upazila of Cox’s Bazar, was arrested by the army on Thursday morning, February 12, 2026. The arrest followed allegations that he pushed a supporter of the scale symbol after publicly distributing money at the Paglir Bil polling center in Haldia Palong Union.

Ukhia Police Station Officer-in-Charge Nur Ahmed confirmed the incident, stating that the army detained Amin but had not handed him over to the police or provided further information. Earlier, a video circulated on social media showing Amin allegedly distributing money in support of the paddy sheaf symbol.

The report also mentioned that three supporters of the scale symbol were assaulted following an argument, though no additional details were provided about their condition or subsequent actions by authorities.

Police in Companiganj upazila of Sylhet detained three individuals on Thursday afternoon for allegedly attempting to cast fake votes. Two were arrested from Barni Government Primary School and one from Ranikhai Humayun Rashid Chowdhury High School. The arrests occurred during ongoing polling activities in the area.

According to local reports, the detainees were identified as Kawsar, son of Ismail Ali, and Fahim Ahmed, son of Sahid Ali, both residents of Barni Majhpara and reportedly supporters of the 'Sheaf of Paddy' electoral symbol. Companiganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge Shafiqul Islam confirmed the arrests, stating that the two are currently in police custody. The third individual, a minor, was released after being detained.

The incident took place amid local-level voting in Sylhet, drawing attention to election security and the enforcement of voting regulations in the region.

A detailed report published on February 12, 2026, by Jiblu Rahman revisits allegations of widespread vote rigging, intimidation, and violence during Bangladesh’s first national election held on March 7, 1973. The article claims that under Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s leadership, the ruling Awami League used state resources, administrative influence, and coercive tactics to secure an overwhelming victory. Several candidates were declared elected unopposed, and opposition parties, including Maulana Bhasani’s National Awami Party and Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, alleged systematic suppression and manipulation of results.

The report cites contemporary newspapers and political figures who described ballot box snatching, assaults on polling agents, and the use of the paramilitary Rakkhi Bahini to intimidate voters. Opposition leaders accused the government of turning the election into a farce and establishing a one-party rule. Following the election, Awami League won 293 out of 300 seats, while opposition parties faced arrests, violence, and restrictions on their activities.

The article concludes that the 1973 election marked a turning point in Bangladesh’s political history, raising questions about democratic integrity in the newly independent state.

During the 13th national parliamentary election in Bangladesh, numerous photos of stamped ballot papers appeared on Facebook even before voting concluded. The images, shared from personal profiles and pages, showed voters marking their preferred symbols inside polling booths and posting the pictures online. Some posts included political endorsements, prompting public debate over the neutrality and transparency of the election process.

The circulation of these images sparked discussions about possible irregularities in ballot management and monitoring at polling centers. Election laws require strict protection of ballot secrecy, and the Election Commission prohibits voters from carrying mobile phones within 400 yards of polling stations. The emergence of these photos raised questions about how voters managed to bring phones inside and take pictures in secret booths.

Abu Raihan Sohel, the presiding officer of center number 66 in Nilphamari-1 constituency, said he was unaware of the incident but claimed officials were vigilant to prevent mobile phones inside polling centers. He expressed confusion over how such photos were taken despite efforts to maintain fair voting.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman stated that his party would accept election results only if the voting process remains neutral, fair, and free of controversy. Speaking to journalists in Dhaka’s Gulshan on Thursday, he emphasized that any attempt to create confusion or unwanted incidents during voting would lead the BNP to reject the results. Earlier, Rahman cast his vote at Gulshan Model School and visited several areas of the capital before addressing the media.

He reiterated that the election must be peaceful and transparent, asserting that the people of Bangladesh are the true owners of the country. According to him, higher voter turnout would help prevent conspiracies and strengthen public confidence in the process. Responding to questions about isolated incidents across the country, Rahman said such actions would create negative perceptions among citizens.

Rahman also expressed hope that the Election Commission would announce results within the scheduled timeframe, noting there was no reason for delays. He described voter turnout in Dhaka as satisfactory.

A large number of female voters, particularly young women, were seen participating enthusiastically in the Dhaka-9 parliamentary constituency election held on February 12, 2026. At the Madinabagh National School center, voter Sammi Akhter, aged 23, said she came to vote with her mother and younger sister, marking their family’s first voting experience. Presiding officer Mehedi Hasan reported that by 1 p.m., 712 out of 2,282 registered voters had cast their ballots, representing about 27 percent turnout. Lines of new young voters were notably long across all four booths at the center.

At another women’s polling center, Madinabagh Kindergarten, a similarly strong presence of female voters was recorded, with around 600 of 2,684 votes cast by midday. The main contenders in this constituency are BNP candidate Habibur Rashid Habib, National Citizen Party’s Mohammad Javed Mia, and independent candidate Tasmin Jara, a former NCP leader whose symbol is a football.

Dhaka-9 comprises wards 1–7 and 71–75 of Dhaka South City Corporation, covering Sabujbagh, Khilgaon, Mugda, and Maniknagar areas. The constituency has 469,360 registered voters, including 231,682 women, across 169 polling centers, with a total of 12 candidates contesting.

During the 13th National Parliamentary Election, Zahara Nafisa, a student of North South University, remembered Shaheed Osman Hadi while casting her vote at the Mirza Abbas Mohila College center in Dhaka-8. She said Osman Hadi was courageous and spoke boldly for truth and justice, adding that his presence would have made the election more joyful. Nafisa also expressed appreciation for Nasiruddin Patowary, noting his bravery in speaking the truth and urging the young generation to follow Hadi’s path.

Addressing the issue of Jamaat-e-Islami’s alleged misogyny, Nafisa stated that she did not consider the party to be anti-women, suggesting that their statements were often misunderstood due to poor presentation. She said she had developed trust in them and hoped future governments would govern the country responsibly.

According to official data, Dhaka-8 constituency has 266,497 voters, including 145,845 men, 120,651 women, and one third-gender voter. A total of 8,982 expatriates registered to vote via the ‘Postal Vote BD’ app.

Police in Kalapara, Patuakhali detained three individuals on Thursday over two separate election-related allegations. Two people were arrested for attempting to cast fake votes at Khepupara Nesaruddin Kamil Madrasa polling center around 9:30 a.m., while another was detained for taking photographs inside a secret voting booth at the Islambpur Dakhil Madrasa center in Kuakata.

Assistant Returning Officer and Kalapara Upazila Nirbahi Officer Kawsar Hamid confirmed that the detainees would be handed over to a judicial magistrate for legal proceedings. They are currently in police custody. Election officials stated that strict security measures were implemented at all polling centers to ensure a fair and peaceful voting process.

Authorities emphasized that the actions were part of broader efforts to maintain order and transparency during the election in the region.

At least 15 people were killed when a ferry sank in the Nile River in northern Sudan, according to a statement released Wednesday by the Sudan Doctors Network. The ferry was carrying 27 passengers, including women, children, and elderly people, when it went down between the areas of Taiba al-Khawad and Deim al-Kar near Shendi. Six people were rescued alive, while search operations continue for the missing passengers.

The Sudan Doctors Network attributed the accident to weaknesses in river transport and a lack of basic safety measures. The group also highlighted the absence of local authorities and civil defense teams during the initial response, saying that the delay worsened the scale of the disaster.

The organization urged relevant authorities to take urgent action by deploying specialized rescue teams and providing search and recovery equipment to support ongoing operations.

A crude bomb explosion occurred at the Reshma International School polling center in Gopalganj municipality on Thursday morning, injuring two Ansar members and a teenage girl. The blast took place around 9:15 a.m., causing minor injuries to the victims. The injured were identified as Ansar members Md. Jamal Molla and Sukanta Majumder, and 13-year-old Amena Khanam. Local officials, including the assistant commissioner (land) Babli Shabnam, arrived at the scene shortly after the incident.

Witnesses reported a loud explosion and smoke inside the center, suggesting that an explosive device was thrown from outside to create panic among voters. Presiding officer Zahirul Islam confirmed the incident, stating that voting had been proceeding peacefully before the explosion occurred at the main gate. Despite the blast, polling activities continued normally.

The report also noted that similar crude bomb explosions had taken place at around ten polling centers in Gopalganj and nearby Tungipara the previous evening, raising concerns about attempts to disrupt the election process.

Syed Mufti Faizul Karim, the Islami Andolan candidate for Barishal-5 constituency, cast his vote on Thursday morning at Rupatali Government Secondary School in Barishal city. After voting, he expressed concern about possible irregularities but said that so far the process was proceeding smoothly. He urged journalists, the administration, and all concerned to remain vigilant to ensure a peaceful election. He also called on voters to support his party’s electoral symbol, the hand fan.

According to local election data, 36 candidates are contesting across six parliamentary constituencies in Barishal’s ten upazilas. There are 833 polling centers, including 255 marked as highly important and 236 as important. Security arrangements include around 1,500 army personnel, 2,667 police officers, 14 platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh, 60 navy members with one vessel, 150 Coast Guard members, and 10,829 Ansar members deployed across the region.

Barishal’s six constituencies have a total of 2,284,978 registered voters, including 1,126,738 women, 1,158,220 men, and 20 third-gender voters.

Independent parliamentary candidate Barrister Rumin Farhana has expressed complete confidence in her victory in the 13th National Parliamentary Election for the Brahmanbaria-2 constituency, which includes parts of Sarail, Ashuganj, and Bijoynagar. She made the remarks on Thursday morning after casting her vote in her local area.

Speaking to reporters, Rumin Farhana alleged that eight polling centers in Ashuganj were highly vulnerable and claimed to have received reports of attempts to manipulate ballots there. She said she had informed the army, police, and district commissioner about these centers. She also stated that two of her workers from Noagaon Union were detained without reason the previous night, and she had spoken to the district commissioner about the matter. Farhana further alleged that efforts to stamp ballots were ongoing in several places, particularly in Ashuganj.

A former BNP leader now running independently with the ‘Duck’ symbol, Rumin Farhana responded to a question about possible future cooperation with BNP by saying, “Let’s see, I have to win first.”

Bangladesh’s much-discussed national election and referendum are underway, drawing enthusiastic participation from first-time voters. At the Haji Salimullah School polling center in Shyampur, Dhaka-4 constituency, young voters Md. Zahidul Islam, Md. Rifat Ahmed, and Md. Shahriar Islam cast their first-ever votes on Thursday. They told Amader Desh that they were delighted to vote for the first time in a peaceful environment, noting the absence of previous disorder or coercion. Zahidul Islam recalled the July uprising, saying they had taken part in that movement and now felt proud to vote in both the referendum and parliamentary election.

According to the report, 50 registered political parties are participating in this election, with the main contest between the BNP and Jamaat. A total of 127,711,793 citizens are eligible to vote, including 64,825,361 men, 62,885,200 women, and 1,232 third-gender voters.

The peaceful voting experience and high youth enthusiasm suggest a renewed sense of civic engagement in this historic election, as reflected in the voices of first-time voters.

A joint force detained Syed Alam, president of the BNP’s Kachhapia Union unit in Ramu upazila of Cox’s Bazar, on Thursday morning for allegedly trying to influence voters and commit vote rigging at the Gorjonia Faizul Ulum Kamil Madrasa polling center. The arrest took place around 10 a.m., and he was later handed over to Ramu police. The incident occurred during the ongoing voting for the 13th National Parliamentary Election, which began at 7:30 a.m. the same day.

Ramu Police Station Officer-in-Charge Monir Hossain confirmed the detention, stating that although the joint force initially held Syed Alam on suspicion, instructions were later given to release him. Local sources claimed that Alam had been pressuring election officials to favor the BNP’s electoral symbol, the paddy sheaf, before being detained by the army.

The report did not mention any further legal action or official comment from the Election Commission regarding the incident.

On the eve of Bangladesh’s 13th national parliamentary election, the two main contenders, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami, held separate press conferences trading accusations. The election follows the fall of the Awami League government in the July uprising, marking a major political turning point. Analysts say this vote is crucial as it comes after three disputed elections over the past 15 years, during which voters were largely denied participation.

The political landscape has shifted since the Awami League’s ouster, with new polarization emerging. Jamaat has formed an 11-party alliance dominated by Islamist groups, while BNP has partnered with its previous movement allies. Tensions rose after large sums of money were reportedly seized from party figures, prompting both sides to accuse each other of attempts to influence the election. Security forces remain active nationwide, and the Election Commission has pledged to ensure safety.

Analysts warn that maintaining law and order and reviving the stagnant economy will be the main challenges for whichever party forms the next government.