Bangladesh Election 2026 Live Updates: BNP Chief Tarique Rahman, Jamaat-e-Islami President Shafiqur Rahman Cast Votes

Bangladesh’s interim chief Muhammad Yunus acknowledged Thursday’s election, the first for the explanation that lethal 2024 uprising, marked the end of a “nightmare” and the launch of a fresh chapter for the nation. Talking after casting his vote in Dhaka, the 85-year-aged Nobel Peace Prize winner described the day as one of freedom and renewal for the nation.

Yunus, who will step down once a fresh authorities is formed, acknowledged the vote symbolised hope after months of turmoil and uncertainty. “That is a day of freedom,” he acknowledged as quoted by AFP. “By this, now we absorb ended the nightmare and begun a fresh dream,” he advised newshounds.

Based fully fully on Bangladesh’s On a regular basis Superstar document, honest Dhaka-9 candidate Tasnim Jara alleged that her polling brokers were obstructed at several vote casting centres on polling day. She claimed many were denied entry or forced out on what she described as “baseless and fabricated” grounds, questioning the conduct of vote casting.

Chief Adviser of the interim authorities of Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus, cast his vote for the Thirteenth Parliamentary elections, at a polling centre in Dhaka.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman acknowledged making certain the safety and security of females might perchance well well be a key priority if his event wins the election. Talking to newshounds open air a polling build of residing in Gulshan, Dhaka, he referred to incidents of violence reported the earlier night and acknowledged law enforcement companies had acted to lift the anguish below abet an eye fixed on.

Rahman entreated voters to flip out in mammoth numbers, saying that public participation would defeat any conspiracy. He stressed out that restoring law and relate across the nation might perchance well well be central to the BNP’s plans. “We can earn certain every person feels safe in Bangladesh,” he acknowledged, alongside with, “We can now now not leave females within the support of. Our priority will be to earn certain the safety and security of females.”

After casting his vote, Jamaat-e-Islami chief Shafiqur Rahman called the election a “turning point” for Bangladesh. The election comes 18 months after Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year rule ended following scholar-led protests in July 2024 and the formation of an interim authorities led by Muhammad Yunus.

Tarique Rahman, chief of the Bangladesh Nationalist Occasion, who emerges as a number one contender for prime minister, casts his pollin the regular election.

Amid reports of violence across Bangladesh, the authorities deployed virtually 9.58 lakh security personnel and expanded surveillance for the vote. Over 90 per cent of 42,779 polling centres are below CCTV peek. Drones and body-aged cameras are being worn for the first time. Officials acknowledged the measures will support doc polling and support law enforcement if required.

Jamaat chief Shafiqur Rehman casts vote within the continuing Bangladesh elections.

A chain of incidents tied to election-related violence, intimidation, and irregularities absorb unfolded across Bangladesh in most modern days, highlighting the anxious ambiance surrounding the polls.

In Barisal’s Babuganj upazila, the military detained two men identified as BNP activists, Humayun Gazi and Enayet Kazi, within the course of a routine patrol. Authorities recovered 102,000 taka in cash and election slips from their possession. The military acknowledged that it’s working professionally and neutrally to keep peace and steadiness within the course of the election duration.

In diversified areas, violence struck Bogura, where Milon Mia, president of the Dhunat Govt Stage College unit of the BNP’s scholar hover, became stabbed conclude to a polling center.

In Khulna-5 constituency, allegations of voter intimidation emerged. Local Jamaat chief Dr. Nitya Ranjan Roy reportedly threatened Hindu voters, warning them in opposition to supporting rival parties.

Meanwhile, in Extinct Dhaka, Jamaat chief Md. Habib became arrested for allegedly distributing cash to voters. A mobile court sentenced him to two days in detention center.

Authorities additionally seized 15 lakh taka from a automobile belonging to a Krishak Dal chief in Lakshmipur, while in Thakurgaon-3, two Jatiya Occasion leaders were fined 15,000 taka for distributing cash in make a choice on of their event symbol.

In Shariatpur’s Naria upazila, joint forces detained a local Jamaat chief with 7.5 lakh taka and a notebook computer, in response to reports.

Polling in Bangladesh started amid tight security after a anxious night of arrests, cash seizures and scattered unrest. Jamaat’s Thakurgaon chief became detained with 7.4 million taka at Saidpur airport.

Jamaat called it staged, while the BNP alleged vote-purchasing for. Jamaat’s chief entreated supporters to keep alert in opposition to rumours.

Tarique Rahman, normally recognized as Tarique Zia, is the acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Occasion and son of Khaleda Zia and Ziaur Rahman. He returned to Bangladesh in December 2025 after 17 years in exile. Now the BNP’s top ministerial candidate for the February 12 election, he is projected as a steadiness resolve. Polls narrate the BNP alliance main with 33–35 per cent make stronger. Alternatively, he faces challenges from an Islamist alliance and lingering criticism over past corruption allegations.

The Bangladesh Awami League has raised serious questions about the conduct of the continuing elections, alleging irregularities at polling stations in Dhaka.

In a post on X, the Awami League claimed that pollpapers were being stamped without voters discover at a polling centre in Ward 43 of Dhaka-6, located at Jubilee College and College. The event alleged that the centre became taken over in attain and that pollboxes were being stuffed “below the conceal of darkness”.

Considerations Over Transparency

The Awami League acknowledged there became “no transparency” and accused the administration of final restful while such incidents allegedly took build of residing. It claimed that polling stations were being occupied sooner than vote casting started and described the anguish as “overnight votes” without public presence.

Warning Over Democratic Job

The event warned that if this kind of pattern spreads across the nation, it might maybe perchance perchance well well elevate serious concerns about the credibility of the electoral direction of, calling it a menace to democracy.

Overnight Ballots, Empty Polling Stations — Is This an Election or a Takeover?

No voters. No transparency. No democracy.

In Ward 43 of Dhaka-6, the Jubilee College and College polling centre became reportedly occupied in attain. Whereas electorate live absent, pollpapers are… pic.twitter.com/p0N1a58lcI

— Bangladesh Awami League (@albd1971) February 11, 2026