United News of Bangladesh

Sheikh Md Sazzat Ali, Commissioner of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), on Wednesday said the police have delivered a free, fair and widely acceptable election with the highest level of sincerity and dedication. He made the remarks while addressing DMP members as the chair at the monthly crime review meeting for January 2026, held at the Bangladesh Police Auditorium in Rajarbagh of the capital. Thanking all police members, the DMP Commissioner said they performed their duties with neutrality and professionalism during the election, enabling the police to restore its lost glory. DMP issues traffic guidelines for oath-taking ceremony He directed all concerned to continue working to uphold and maintain this image of the police in the coming days. Speaking at the meeting, Additional Police Commissioner (Admin) Md Sarwar said traffic congestion intensifies before iftar during the month of Ramadan. He instructed all concerned to perform their duties properly to ease traffic congestion so that people can return home in time for iftar, and urged everyone to comply with traffic laws. Additional Police Commissioner (Crime and Operations) SN Md Nazrul Islam said several major events are approaching, including February 21 and the Amar Ekushey Book Fair. He also directed all concerned to remain alert so that incidents of theft or snatching do not occur in any way, particularly during taravih prayers in the holy month of Ramadan. No fear as voting proceeds peacefully despite rumours: DMP Commissioner At the monthly crime meeting, the DMP Commissioner also awarded officers of different ranks from various units of the DMP in several categories in recognition of their outstanding work in maintaining law and order, controlling crime and ensuring public safety in Dhaka during January.

The Election Commission will hold by-elections to two parliamentary seats – Bogura-6 and Sherpur-3— soon after Ramadan. “We don’t want any election in (the month of) Ramandan. We’ll arrange by-elections to the vacant parliamentary seats soon after the Eid-ul Fitr,” Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud told UNB on Wednesday. BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman contested the February-12 general election from two parliamentary constituencies – Bogura-6 and Dhaka-17 and he was elected from the two seats. But Tarique Rahman has left Bogura-6 seat for by-election and took oath as a member of parliament from Dhaka-17 constituency.   EC bars no party from joining election: EC Masud Besides, the EC on February 04 last cancelled the election to Sherpur-3 constituency, following the death of Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Nuruzzaman Badal. The elections to 299 out of the country’s 300 constituencies (except Sherpur-3) were held on February 12. The EC published a gazette of 297 elected MP candidates on February 12, keeping the election result of Chattogram-2 and 4 constituencies withheld in line with the court’s decisions. On Tuesday, 296 newly elected MPs took oath as Tarique Rahman who was elected from two constituencies left Bogura-6 for by-election. National election likely by year end or early 2026: EC Masud The 296 newly MPs include 208 BNP ones, 68 Jamaat MPs, seven independent MPs and six NCP MPs, two Bangladesh Khilafat Majlis MPs, one MP each of Bangladesh Jatiya Party-BJP, Ganaodhikar Parishad, Ganasamhati Andolan, Khelafat Majlish and Islami Andolan Bangladesh.

Bangladesh’s 13th parliamentary election will be remembered as a ‘role model’ in the country’s electoral history, said Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Monday. Speaking at a farewell reception at the Police Headquarters, he praised the role of law enforcement agencies in ensuring what he described as a peaceful and credible vote. “The elections have been appreciated both at home and abroad for the neutral, responsible and unique role played by the Army, Police, RAB, Ansar, BGB and Coast Guard,” he said. President Sahabuddin to administer oath to new cabinet members: Cabinet Secretary The adviser expressed gratitude to members of the security forces for their contribution to the smooth conduct of the National Election and Referendum 2026, which he said had drawn international recognition. Chowdhury also said the status of the police force had been restored ‘to a respectable level’ through collective efforts, following the challenges it faced after August 5, 2024. He urged officers to continue strengthening the professional image of the force. Addressing recruitment practices under the interim government, he said there had been no corruption in appointments to various agencies under the Ministry of Home Affairs. He described the process as transparent and rare in the country’s history. “I can assure you that at least my office did not lobby for these appointments.” Inspector General of Police Baharul Alam delivered the welcome address at the event. Among those present were Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sheikh Md Sajjat Ali, RAB (SIF) Director General AKM Shahidur Rahman and other senior officials. Earlier, the Home Adviser attended similar farewell receptions organised by the Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard, Immigration and Passport Department, and Border Guard Bangladesh.

  Dhaka, Feb 15 (UNB) - Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) on Sunday said Bangladesh’s Election Day confidence gains will be sustained only if post-election governance focuses on a transitional justice process towards reconciliation grounded with rule-based accountability. ANFREL in its interim assessment also mentioned enforceable political and campaign finance oversight, clear complaint mechanisms, and reforms that reduce incentives for patronage, coercion, and recurring political upheaval. The governance context remains central to long-term confidence, said the Asia’s Bangkok-based first regional network of civil society organisations focused on elections and election monitoring. Bangladesh’s 2026 parliamentary elections and referendum took place in a transition context shaped by the July 2024 youth-led uprising and amidst heightened public scrutiny of state institutions. Against that backdrop, ANFREL observed an Election Day environment that was generally peaceful, orderly, and safe in the areas covered. This was a product of the Bangladesh Election Commission’s visible operational planning and its coordination with security forces, including risk-based deployments and the use of transparency measures such as centralized monitoring and technology-enabled oversight. These efforts helped stabilise polling operations and contributed to public confidence in the conduct of voting on Election Day. It said the suspension of the former ruling party Awami League continued to shape perceptions of inclusiveness and political competition, while the referendum result strengthened expectations for credible follow-through on reform commitments under the July Charter. The presence of both domestic and international observers was widely regarded by stakeholders as an important confidence-building measure and a safeguard for electoral transparency. However, observer organisations were required to secure both accreditations from the Bangladesh Election Commission and prior operational clearance for funded activities. Observer identification cards were issued only shortly before polling, preventing systematic observation of voter registration, campaigning, and dispute resolution processes. As a result, observation focused mainly on Election Day processes, with limited opportunity for transparency measures across earlier phases of the electoral cycle. Establishing timely accreditation, recognizing long-term and short-term observation, and enabling monitoring across the pre-election, Election Day, and post-election phases would strengthen public oversight, deter violations, and reinforce confidence in future elections, said the organisation.

Election Commissioner Anwarul Islam Sarkar on Sunday said the 13th parliamentary election and referendum were conducted more successfully than expected. “We feel more successful than expected. Overall, we are satisfied with the election. We are satisfied with the percentage, the vote management, and all of your cooperation,” he said while talking to reporters in the city’s Nirbachan Bhaban. About the Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party electoral alliance’s demand for a recount of votes in 32 constituencies, Anwar said the election teams working in the field carried out the preparation of results with utmost efficiency and professionalism. Election schedule to be announced in early Dec: Election Commissioner Anwarul Islam He said a large number of drones and helicopters were deployed, while body-worn cameras and closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras were installed at almost every polling centre. “In such a situation, everything was as clear as a mirror. From here, we made our best effort to monitor which information was correct and which was false.” The Election Commission said whenever any incident came to their notice, they tried to address the matter and resolve it. Asked whether the Commission would accept the demand for a recount, he said the claims would require proper examination. “The law has given them the opportunity to place any election-related complaint before the High Court.” 59.44 percent votes cast in national election:EC About the gazette publication, he said EC officials worked day and night to prepare the gazette of the newly elected members of parliament, adding that it was published in due time.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) secured 49.97 percent, while Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami gained 31.76 percent of total votes cast in the 13th parliamentary election held on February 12 last. Besides, National Citizen Party-NCP obtained 3.05percent votes, Islami Andolan Bangladesh pocketed 2.70 percent votes, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish gained 2.09 percent and Jatiya Party got only 0.89percent, according to the statistics of the Election Commission. In the election, 274 independent contestants bagged 5.79 percent votes. A total of 77,695,023 votes (out of 127 million voters) were cast in the 299 constituencies (except Sherpur-3) in the referendum and the national election held on Thursday last. But the EC released unofficial election results of 297 constituencies on Friday last and kept the result of Chattogram-2 and 4 withheld in line with the court orders. In the election, BNP secured 209 parliamentary seats, while Jamaat won in 68 seats, NCP in six constituencies, independent candidates in seven constituencies, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish in two, Islami Andolan Bangladesh (IAB) in one, Bangladesh Jatiya Party-BJP (led by Andaleeve Rahman Partho) in one, Ganaodhikar Parishad in one, Ganasamhati Andolan in one and Khelafat Majlish in one parliamentary seat. BNP candidates contested the polls from 290 seats, while Jamaat in 227 seats, IAB in 257 seats, Jatiya Party in 199 seats, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish in 34 seats and NCP in 32 seats in the February-12 elections held in 299 out of 300 constituencies as the election in Sherpur-3 was earlier cancelled following the death of a contesting candidate. A total of 50 political parties out of 59 registered ones participated in the election, but only five parties – BNP, Jamaat, NCP, IAB and Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish-- secured at least one percent votes. We recognise overall election outcome: Jamaat Ameer   The other participant parties include Amar Bangladesh (AB) Party (gained 0.28pc of total votes, it had 30 candidates), Aamjanatar Dal (0.01pc votes, 15 candidates), Insaniat Biplab Bangladesh (0.03pc votes, 42 candidates), Islami Front Bangladesh (0.08pc votes, 20 candidates), Islami Oikyajote (0.00pc votes, two candidates), Khelafat Majlish (0.76pc votes, 20 candidates), Ganaodhikar Parishad (0.33pc votes, 94 candidates), Ganatantri Party (0.00pc, 1 candidate), Ganafront (0.00pc, 5 candidates), Gonoforum (0.01pc, 20 candidates), Ganasamhati Andolan (0.14pc, 17 candidates), Zaker Party (0.02pc, five candidates), Jagpa (0.00pc, one candidate ), Jatiya Party-JP (0.04pc, 10 candidates), JSD (0.04pc, 28 candidates), NDM (0.00pc, eight candidates),  Janatar Dal (0.05pc, 20 candidates), Jamiyate Ulamaye Islam Bangladesh (0.47pc, four candidates), NPP (0.01pc, 22 candidates), Nagorik Oikya (0.01pc, 11 candidates),  Bangladesh Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal-Jasod (0.02pc, 15 candidates), Bangladesh Islami Front (0.45pc, 25 candidates), Bangladesh Congress (0.01pc, 19 candidates), Bangladesh Kalyan Party (0.0pc, two candidates), Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan (0.01pc, seven candidates), Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish (2.09pc, 34 candidates), Bangladesh Jatiya Party (0.00pc, six candidates), Bangladesh Jatiya Party-BJP (0.14pc, two candidates), Bangladesh Development Party (0.17pc votes, two candidates) and Bangladesh NAP (0.01pc, one candidate). The remaining participant parties are BNF (0.00pc, eight candidates), Bangladesh Nezame Islam Party (0.04pc, three candidates), Bangladesh Minority Janata Party-BMJP (0.01pc, eight candidates), Bangladesh Muslim League (0.01pc, 17 candidates), Bangladesh Muslim League-BML (0.00pc, three candidates), Bangladesh Republican Party-BRP (0.02pc, 14 candidates), Bangladesh Labour Party (0.01pc votes, 17 candidates), Bangladesh Supreme Party (0.04pc, 18 candidates), Bangladesh Samaodhikar Party-BEP (0.00pc, one candidate), Muktijot (0.01pc, 20 candidates), Communist Party of Bangladesh-CPB (0.08pc, 63 candidates), Bangladesher Biplabi Workers Party (0.04pc, seven candidates), Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (Marxist) (0.02pc, 33 candidates), Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal- Basod (0.05pc, 36 candidates) and LDP (0.35pc votes and 13 candidates). The parliamentary election was held alongside a referendum on the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order 2025. In the referendum, there was a separate question among three questions to seek public mandate for the formation of a 100-member Upper House based on Proportional Representation (PR). President Sahabuddin to administer oath to new cabinet members: Cabinet Secretary Among the parties, Jamiyate Ulamaye Islam (with 0.47pc votes), Ganaodhikar Parishad (0.33pc), Ganasamhati Andolan (014pc), BJP (0.14pc), Biplabi Workers Party (0.04pc) and NDM (0.00pc) are components of the BNP-led electoral alliance. On the other hand, AB Party (with 0.28 pc votes), Khelafat Majlish (0.76 pc votes), NCP (3.05 pc votes), Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish (2.09pc votes), Bangladesh Development Party (0.17pc votes), Labour Party (0.01pc votes) and LDP (0.35 pc votes) are the components of the Jamaat-led electoral coalition. Overall, the BNP-led alliance obtained 51.09pc of the votes, the Jamaat-led electoral coalition gained 38.52 percent in the election. If the proposed 100-member Upper House is ultimately formed on a PR basis, the BNP-led alliance would be entitled to 51 seats, while the Jamaat-led alliance would receive 39 seats, the EC data indicated.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) secured 209 parliamentary seats, while Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami won 68, as the Election Commission disclosed the statistics of the unofficial election result of 297 constituencies on Friday afternoon. Besides, National Citizen Party-NCP settled victory in six constituencies, independent candidates in seven constituencies, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish in two, Islami Andolan Bangladesh in one, Bangladesh Jatiya Party-BJP (led by Andaleeve Rahman Partho) in one, Ganaodhikar Parishad in one, Ganasamhati Andolan in one and Khelafat Majlish in one parliamentary seat. 59.44 percent votes cast in national election:EC EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed revealed the statistics at a press briefing in the city’s Nirbachan Bhaban. He said the average voter turnout is 59.44 percent (297 constituencies) in the parliamentary election, while the average voter turnout is 60.26 percent (299 constituencies) in the referendum, The EC Secretary said the unofficial result of Chattogram-2 and 4 constituencies has been kept pending (following the court’s decision). The elections to Sherpur-3 was earlier cancelled following the death of a Jamaat candidate. About the referendum, he said 4,80,74,429 voters (68.05 percent of total casting votes) voted for ‘Yes’ option in the referendum ballots, while 2,25,65,627 voters (31.95 percent) for ‘No’ option to decide the fate of the implementation of the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Order 2025. All eyes on Tarique Rahman as BNP set to form government

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has also congratulated Tarique Rahman on "leading the BNP to a resounding victory" in the elections. "I look forward to working closely with the new Bangladesh leadership to further strengthen our historic, brotherly multifaceted bilateral relations and advance our shared goals of peace, stability, and development in South Asia and beyond," he wrote on X. Bangladesh and Pakistan developed closer ties following Sheikh Hasina’s fall. Modi congratulates Tarique Rahman on BNP’s decisive poll victory At the end of last month, a commercial flight operated from Dhaka to Karachi, marking the first direct connection between the two nations in 14 years. Several months earlier, Pakistan’s foreign minister visited Dhaka for the first time in 13 years. Besides, senior military officials from both countries held bilateral meetings on security cooperation, and trade between them grew by 27% in 2024-25, reports BBC.

A total of 47 BNP-led alliance candidates and 20 Jamaat-led coalition contestants have been elected in 71 constituencies, according to results announced by the Election Commission till 8:40am on Friday. The EC also said one candidate each from Gono Odhikar Parishad, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish and  an independent candidate secured victory in the constituencies where results were declared. Voting in the national election and the referendum was held simultaneously in 299 out of 300 constituencies on Thursday in a festive and largely peaceful atmosphere. EC's official announcements see BNP take lead in 15 seats, Jamaat in 4 BNP candidates have secured victories in a majority of the announced constituencies while Jamaat-e-Islami and a few other parties also won several seats in different parts of the country. BNP’s Salahuddin Ahmed secured a commanding victory in Cox’s Bazar-1 with 222,019 votes defeating Jamaat’s Abdullah Al Faruk. In Bandarban, BNP candidate Saching Pru won with 141,455 votes, defeating NCP candidate Abu Sayed Md Sujauddin. In Panchagarh-1, BNP candidate Muhammad Naushad Jamir won with 176,169 votes, defeating NCP candidate Sarjis Alam who secured 168,049 votes. In Panchagarh-2, BNP’s Farhad Hossain Azad bagged 174,650 votes outpacing Jamaat candidate Shafiul Alam who received 128,862 votes. Jamaat candidate Abdul Montakim won Nilphamari-4 with 126,222 votes against BNP’s Abdul Gafur Sarkar who got 82,086. In Joypurhat-1, Jamaat’s Fazlur Rahman Sayeed secured 165,192 votes while BNP’s Masud Rana Prodhan polled 155,309. BNP, however, clinched Joypurhat-2 as Abdul Bari received 158,065 votes compared to Jamaat’s SM Rashedul Alam with 92,517. BNP on cusp of historic win: 'Celebrate with prayers, not processions,' says Tarique BNP swept all seven seats in Bogura. In Bogura-1, Kazi Rafiqul Islam secured 171,440 votes, while in Bogura-2 Mir Shahe Alam got 145,024. Abdul Muhith Talukder won Bogura-3 with 127,406 votes, Mossarraf Hossain secured Bogura-4 with 155,339, Golam Mohammad Siraj bagged 248,841 in Bogura-5, Tarique Rahman received 216,284 in Bogura-6 and Morshed Milton won Bogura-7 with 264,212 votes. Jamaat candidates finished runners-up in all these seats. Jamaat won all three seats in Chapainawabganj. Keramat Ali won Chapainawabganj-1 with 206,893 votes, Mizanur Rahman secured Chapainawabganj-2 with 171,227 and Nurul Islam clinched Chapainawabganj-3 with 189,640 votes. In Naogaon, BNP won four of six seats. Mostafizur Rahman won Naogaon-1 with 173,864 votes, Fazle Huda secured Naogaon-3 with 166,889, Ekramul Bari Tipu won Naogaon-4 with 133,924, Jahidul Islam Dhalu clinched Naogaon-5 with 129,385 and Sheikh Md Rezaul Islam won Naogaon-6 with 108,866. Jamaat’s Enamul Haque won Naogaon-2 with 141,526 votes. The other winning and defeating candidates are(with the number of votes they secured) : Rajshahi-2: BNP candidate Mizanur Rahman Minu (128,546) and Jamaat candidate Mohammad Jahangir (100,370) Rajshahi-3: BNP candidate Shafikul Haque Milon (176,318) and Jamaat candidate Abul Kalam Azad (137,927) Rajshahi-4: Jamaat candidate Abdul Bari Sardar (115,226) and BNP candidate DMD Ziaur Rahman (109,461) Rajshahi-5: BNP candidate Nazrul Islam (153,425) and Jamaat candidate Monjur Rahman (73,445) Rajshahi-6: BNP candidate Abu Sayeed Chad (148,672) and Jamaat candidate Nazmul Haque (92,965) Natore-1: BNP candidate Farzana Sharmin (102,726) and Jamaat candidate Abul Kalam Azad (90,568) Natore-2: BNP candidate Ruhul Kuddus Talukder Dulu (162,841) and Jamaat candidate Yunus Ali (130,066) Natore-3: BNP candidate Anwarul Islam (119,768) and independent candidate Daudar Mahmud (66,492)  Sirajganj-2: BNP candidate Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku (177,578) and Jamaat candidate Jahidul Islam (138,797) Sirajganj-3: BNP candidate Aynul Haque (174,430) and Bangladesh Khelataf Majlish candidate Abdur Rauf Sarkar (116,802) Sirajganj-4: Jamaat candidate Rafiqul Islam Khan (161,872) and BNP candidate Akbar Ali (161,278) Sirajganj-5: BNP candidate Amirul Islam Khan (134,989) and Jamaat candidate Ali Alam (106,805) Sirajganj-6: BNP candidate MA Muhith (171,508) and NCP candidate SM Saif Mustafiz (103,884)  Pabna-1: Jamaat candidate Nazibur Rahman (129,974) and BNP candidate Shamsur Rahman (104,245) Pabna-2: BNP candidate AKM Selim Reza Habib (215,406) and Jamaat Candidate Hesab Uddin (77,242)  Pabna-3: Jamaat candidate Ali Asgar (147,475) and BNP candidate Hasan Jafir Tuhin (144,206) Pabna-4: Jamaat candidate Abu Taleb Mondal (137,675) and BNP candidate Habibur Rahman(133,874 ) Pabna-5: BNP candidate Samsur Rahman Shimul Biswas (181,925) and Jamaat Candidate Iqbal Hossain (164,994) Meherpur-1: Jamaat candidate Tajuddin Khan (123,271) and BNP candidate Masud Arun (105,441) Meherpur-2: Jamaat candidate Nazmul Huda (96,306) and BNP candidate Amzad Hossain(85,988 ) Kushtia-4: Jamaat candidate Afzal Hossain (148,201) and BNP candidate Syed Mehedi Ahmed Rumi (139,603 ) Jashore-4: Jamaat candidate Golam Rasul (176,912) and BNP candidate Matiyar Rahman Farazi(131,917 ) Jashore-6: Jamaat candidate Mokhtar Ali (92,234) and BNP candidate Abul Hossain Azad (80,141) Magura-2: BNP candidate Nitai Ray Chowdhury (147,896) and Jamaat candidate Mostarsher Billah (117,018) Narail-2: Jamaat candidate Ataur Rahman (118,142), Independent Candidate Monirul Islam (78,457) and BNP candidate AZM Fariduzzaman (45,463) Patuakhali-1: BNP candidate Altaf Hossain Chowdhury (152,087) and Islami Andolan candidate Firoz Alam (58,161) Patuakhali-2: Jamaat candidate Shafiqul Islam Masud (100,750) and BNP candidate Shahidul Alam Talukder (72,676) Patuakhali-3: Ganaodhikar Parishad candidate Nurul Haque Nur (97,323) and Independent candidate Hasan Al Mamun (81,361) Patuakhali-4: BNP candidate ABM Mosharraf Hossain (124,013) and Islami Andolan candidate Mostafizur Rahman (70,127) Tangail-7: BNP candidate Abul Kalam Azad Siddiqui (141,253) and Jamaat candidate Abdullah Ebne Abul Hossain (71,040) Tangail-8: BNP candidate Ahmed Azam Khan (1,14,217), Independent candidate Salauddin Alamgir (77,130) and Jamaat Candidate Shafiqul Alam (55,709) Sherpur-2: BNP candidate Fahim Chowdhury (118,472) and Jamaat candidate Golam Kibria (108,335) Tarique Rahman wins both Dhaka-17, Bogura-6 seats

BNP candidate Md Shariful Alam won by a massive margin after securing 185,813 votes in all 142 polling centres In Kishoreganj-6 (Bhairab-Kuliarchar) constituency, according to unofficial results.  His nearest rival, 11-party alliance candidate Maulana Ataullah Amin contesting with the ‘Rickshaw’ symbol, received 42,555 votes. Shariful Alam won the seat by a margin of 143,258 votes. Meanwhile, in Kishoreganj-4 (Itna-Mithamain-Austagram), BNP candidate Advocate Fazlur Rahman emerged victorious with 132,553 votes in all 150 polling centres. BNP’s Asaduzzaman unofficially wins Jhenaidah-1 by huge margin His closest competitor, Jamaat candidate Rokun Reza Sheikh, secured 55,646 votes. Election officials confirmed that the results were final as counting in all centres of the two constituencies has been completed.