Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, spokesperson and head of the election steering committee of the National Citizens Party (NCP), alleged that weapons were being stockpiled in several areas ahead of the election and urged joint forces to conduct operations by Wednesday night. He made the call during a press conference at the party’s temporary central office in Dhaka’s Banglamotor on Wednesday night.

Bhuiyan accused the media of being dominated by the BNP and acting in a one-sided and irresponsible manner. He claimed that under the guise of money recovery drives, personal freedoms were being violated, citing incidents where political leaders were harassed for carrying small amounts of money. He also criticized what he described as widespread extortion over the past 17 months and questioned whether keeping a laptop at home could now be considered a crime.

The NCP spokesperson further alleged bias among election officials and law enforcement, as well as attacks on NCP and alliance candidates. He called on all responsible institutions to ensure a level playing field until the election concludes.

A Jamaat-e-Islami activist was sentenced to two days in jail after being caught with cash in Dhaka’s Sutrapur area. The incident occurred when Habibur Rahman, aged 63, was apprehended with 6,000 taka in cash. The summary trial was conducted on the spot by Arifur Rahman, Special Metropolitan Magistrate of the Lalbagh Division. The information was confirmed in a press release signed by Muhammad Talebur Rahman, Deputy Commissioner of DMP’s Media and Public Relations Division, on Wednesday night.

According to the press release, authorities seized 12 envelopes from the detainee, each containing 500 taka, totaling 6,000 taka. The confiscated money has been forfeited to the state. The arrest and sentencing took place as part of ongoing law enforcement activities in the capital.

The report did not specify the reason behind the possession of the cash or any further legal proceedings beyond the two-day sentence.

Law enforcement officials in Lakshmipur recovered 1.5 million taka from a vehicle used by Badrul Alam Shyamal, a district Krishak Dal leader and cousin of BNP candidate Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie. The vehicle, displaying campaign posters for Annie, was stopped at a security checkpoint in the Jhumur area around 8 p.m. on Wednesday. After verification, authorities released Shyamal along with the money.

District and Sessions Judge Taherina Akter Nowrin, a member of the election investigation and judicial committee, confirmed the incident but did not provide further details. According to witnesses and the election monitoring team, Shyamal was traveling in a campaign vehicle when the money was discovered. He was taken to the court, where the judge instructed him to show cause within half an hour before releasing him.

Additional Superintendent of Police Mohammad Rezaul Haque stated that the money was verified as part of the election fund with valid documentation, and therefore no fine or penalty was imposed.

Army personnel recovered Tk 1.5 million from the campaign vehicle of Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie, the BNP candidate for Lakshmipur-3 (Sadar) constituency, and detained his personal assistant Badrul Alam Shyamal. The incident was confirmed to journalists on Wednesday night by Executive Magistrate and Election Inquiry Committee member Tahmina Akter Nowrin.

Following the incident, Annie released a video statement through the BNP Media Cell’s Facebook page, explaining that the seized money was intended for center-based fees related to election activities. He said the authorities had already verified the matter and released the funds through the court. Annie described the news reports about the seizure as misleading and alleged that they were aimed at damaging his public image.

Annie urged people not to be confused by the reports and strongly protested what he called deliberate attempts to tarnish his reputation.

A delegation of Turkish parliamentarians and the Turkish ambassador to Bangladesh held a courtesy meeting with BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at the BNP chairperson’s political office in Gulshan, Dhaka. The meeting was confirmed by BNP Media Cell member Shayrul Kabir Khan.

From the BNP side, Tarique Rahman, Joint Secretary General Humayun Kabir, and Chairperson’s Adviser Enamul Haque Chowdhury attended the meeting. The Turkish election observation team included Mehmet Akif Yilmaz (MP), Adem Yildirim, H.E. M. Osman Mestan, Burhan Kayaturk, Ahmet Ozturk, Ayse Sibol Ezi, Sait Demir, Mehmet Ozkan, Ali Fazil Kasap, and Mehmet Vakur Erkul.

The report described the meeting as a courtesy visit between the Turkish delegation and the BNP leadership, but no further details about the discussions or outcomes were provided.

On the eve of the national election, several individuals were detained across Bangladesh for carrying large sums of money, including 7.4 million taka seized from Thakurgaon Jamaat leader Belal Uddin at Saidpur Airport and 1.5 million taka recovered from BNP candidate Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie’s campaign vehicle in Lakshmipur. These incidents sparked public curiosity about the legal limit for carrying cash during the election period.

A media report had earlier quoted Election Commission Secretary Akhtar Ahmed as saying there was no limit on carrying money if its source and use were legitimate, even up to 50 million taka. However, Ahmed later denied making such a statement, clarifying that he had neither the authority nor the capacity to comment on financial matters. In response to the confusion, Bangladesh Bank Executive Director and spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan stated that there is no fixed limit on carrying cash under normal circumstances, but any specific restrictions during elections would depend on directives from the Election Commission.

The clarification aims to address public uncertainty over financial regulations during the election period.

The Chinese Embassy in Dhaka has described recent comments by US Ambassador Brent Christensen about China as deliberate and misleading. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the embassy’s spokesperson said the ambassador again targeted China-Bangladesh relations, oversimplifying and misrepresenting them. The spokesperson added that such remarks were driven by hidden motives.

The embassy emphasized that China and Bangladesh maintain mutual respect and support, citing their friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation as a model example. It stated that China is a trusted partner of South Asian countries and that its cooperation promotes peace, stability, development, and revitalization in the region. According to the embassy, these relationships are welcomed and supported by local people.

The statement further asserted that China’s relations with Bangladesh and other South Asian nations are not directed against any third party and will not be influenced by external forces. It warned that any attempt to interfere with or obstruct these relationships would fail. The remarks followed the US ambassador’s earlier statement to Reuters expressing concern over China’s growing influence in South Asia.

The army recovered Tk 1.5 million from the campaign vehicle of BNP candidate Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anee in Lakshmipur-3 (Sadar) constituency. His personal assistant, Badrul Alam Shyamal, was detained during the operation. The incident occurred on Wednesday evening at Jhumur Gol Chattar in the district town. Executive Magistrate and member of the Election Investigation and Inquiry Committee, Tahmina Akter Nowrin, confirmed the matter to journalists that night.

According to the administration, the seized car was being used as Anee’s campaign vehicle, and Shyamal, who is Anee’s cousin, was in possession of the money. The army detained him along with the car and the cash. The Election Investigation and Judicial Committee issued a show-cause notice to the detainee within half an hour of the seizure.

Authorities have not disclosed further details about the source or intended use of the money, and no additional statements from the candidate or his party were included in the report.

Dr. Tasnim Jara, a former leader of the Nationalist Citizen Party (NCP), is contesting as an independent candidate in the Dhaka-9 constituency for the 13th National Election. On Wednesday, she posted on her verified Facebook page advising voters not to cast their ballots for individuals who threaten or offer money in exchange for votes. She emphasized that no one can know whom a voter supports inside the booth and urged citizens to reject those who attempt to influence them through fear or financial incentives.

Tasnim Jara is running under the football symbol, while her main opponent in the constituency is BNP-nominated candidate Habibur Rashid Habib. Her message highlights concerns about voter intimidation and vote-buying practices ahead of the election. The post reflects her appeal for ethical voting behavior and resistance to coercion or corruption in the electoral process.

The statement comes amid heightened political activity in Dhaka-9 as candidates intensify their campaigns before the upcoming national polls.

US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen said Washington will work with whichever leader the people of Bangladesh elect in the upcoming national election. In an interview with Reuters, he also expressed concern about China’s growing influence in South Asia and indicated that the US plans to offer defense equipment alternatives to the next Bangladeshi government. The 13th national election is scheduled for February 12, with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami as the main contenders.

The report noted that China has recently signed a defense agreement with Bangladesh, including plans to build a drone factory near the Indian border and discussions on purchasing JF-17 Thunder fighter jets jointly produced with Pakistan. China’s foreign ministry stated that the partnership is not directed against any third party and warned against external interference. Christensen added that the Trump administration seeks positive Bangladesh-India relations, which have been strained since former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s ouster in 2024.

He emphasized trade diplomacy as a US priority and urged Bangladesh’s next government to ensure an investment-friendly environment. The ambassador also reaffirmed continued US humanitarian support for Rohingya refugees, calling for greater international participation amid funding shortages.

On February 11, 2026, the Bangladesh Election Commission confirmed that voters can obtain information about their polling centers, voter serial numbers, and voter slips through four official channels. These include the Election Commission’s website, the Smart Election Management BD mobile app, SMS, and the hotline number 105. By calling 105 and pressing 9 to speak with an operator, voters can provide their national ID number and date of birth to receive their polling center name and voter number.

The commission stated that the same information can be accessed online or through the mobile app using the national ID number and date of birth. A voter slip is a paper document containing the voter’s name, number, and polling center details. The announcement comes on the eve of the national vote, as many citizens seek last-minute guidance on how to confirm their voting information.

The Election Commission’s initiative aims to ensure that all eligible voters can easily verify their details and participate in the upcoming election without confusion or delay.

Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, spokesperson of Jamaat-e-Islami, said on Wednesday evening that his party would not leave the election field under any circumstances. After meeting Election Commission Secretary Akhtar Ahmed, he told reporters that Jamaat, along with the people, would resist terrorism and ensure a fair, peaceful, and acceptable election. He also sought cooperation from journalists to achieve this goal.

Zubair alleged that a planned smear campaign was being carried out to question the election by targeting Jamaat and its leaders. He referred to the detention of the party’s Thakurgaon district amir with 7.4 million taka at Saidpur Airport, a threatening remark by a political leader in Cumilla-4 constituency, and irregularities in body-worn camera distribution. He claimed the detained leader carried the money for business purposes due to bank closure and demanded action against the police officers involved.

Zubair further said that threats of violence and unequal camera allocation raised concerns about fairness. He called for clarification on whether these actions were coincidental or intentional.

Election Commission (EC) Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed stated on Wednesday evening in Agargaon, Dhaka, that he was misquoted by a media outlet regarding a financial issue linked to the arrest of a Jamaat leader in Thakurgaon. He clarified that he never said there was no problem carrying large sums of money and emphasized that he had neither the authority nor the right to make such a statement. Ahmed described the misquotation as unfortunate and urged journalists not to spread misinformation during a sensitive pre-election period.

He explained that his original comment concerned the process of determining the source, amount, and purpose of intercepted funds, which he said was the responsibility of the relevant authorities. Ahmed expressed anger over the misrepresentation and called for an end to misinformation practices. He also mentioned that a delegation from Jamaat-e-Islami and the 11-party alliance had met him to discuss problems faced by their polling agents, and he advised them to report issues to the Electoral Inquiry Committee, returning officers, and local police.

Ahmed concluded by urging all parties to work together to ensure a fair and well-conducted election.

Islami Andolan Bangladesh has accused several political parties of carrying out violent activities similar to those seen in the past. The allegation was made at an emergency press conference on Wednesday evening, where the party claimed that its leaders and activists had been attacked in multiple districts including Rupganj in Dhaka, Barishal, Jhalakathi, and Barguna.

The party specifically mentioned the BNP and Jamaat, alleging that their actions were creating concern over the overall election environment. Islami Andolan also claimed that false propaganda was being spread against its candidates in different areas.

According to the press conference, Islami Andolan Bangladesh has candidates contesting in all 258 constituencies and intends to remain in the race until the results are announced.

The World Bank has approved $370 million in financing to improve sanitation and solid waste management services in Dhaka and surrounding areas. The decision was made at the organization’s executive board meeting in Washington, D.C. The funding will support the 'Metro Dhaka Water Security and Resilience' program, aimed at reducing water pollution, restoring rivers and canals, and strengthening the capacity of local and national institutions.

According to the World Bank, the initiative will provide improved sanitation for about 550,000 people and better waste management for another 500,000, prioritizing pollution-prone and underserved areas. The program will engage both public and private sectors, focusing on industrial waste treatment, water reuse, and awareness campaigns to prevent dumping and direct discharge into drainage networks. It will also establish digital real-time pollution monitoring and create an integrated restoration plan for Dhaka’s four main rivers.

The first phase will cover selected areas in Dhaka and Narayanganj, enhancing waste collection coverage and supporting communities near major rivers and canals. The project is part of Bangladesh’s broader water security and long-term environmental planning.