Nerve-wracking moments: BNP, Jamaat race to redefine future
The BNP is confident of victory, with activists energised and constituency-level preparations and agent appointments complete. Jamaat is focused on a peaceful vote and high turnout, coordinating with constituency managers to ensure voters can cast ballots freely and fairly
Bangladeshis will cast their ballots on 12 February in what promises to be one of the country's most consequential elections. Although campaigns ended early today (10 February), the two main contenders – the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami – remained active, making final preparations for the tense polling period.
The BNP is confident of victory, with activists energised and constituency-level preparations and agent appointments complete. Jamaat is focused on a peaceful vote and high turnout, coordinating with constituency managers to ensure voters can cast ballots freely and fairly.
The 13th national election is pivotal for the nation and both parties. It is the first vote under a neutral administration since 2008 and the final chapter of the July uprising that toppled the Sheikh Hasina regime at the cost of around 1,400 lives.
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Elections in 2014, 2018, and 2024 faced widespread criticism for unfairness. With a ban on the ousted Awami League, the political landscape is unpredictable, intensifying campaigning and strategic manoeuvres.
Thursday's polls also include a referendum on the July Charter, testing the interim government, led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, on its long-standing efforts to build consensus on key reforms.
Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus urged political parties to accept the result win or lose in a televised address today evening. "I sincerely urge all rival candidates – whatever the election results may be – to rise above personal or party interests and give priority to the greater national interest," he said.
Voting will be held from 7:30am to 4:30pm on Thursday across 299 constituencies. The BNP has fielded the most candidates, with 291 contesting under the paddy sheaf symbol, while Jamaat has nominated 229 candidates under the Daripalla (scale) symbol.
Tarique overseeing organisational work from office
Following the formal end of campaigning, BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman was stationed at his Gulshan office today, communicating with leaders and candidates nationwide to monitor the situation, gathering reports from constituencies, and speaking with foreign journalists.
He is also overseeing party organisational work from the office.
At a press briefing today afternoon, BNP Media Cell member Atikur Rahman Ruman said, "From early morning, the chairman has been in touch with candidates nationwide. He has also called and spoken with party workers to assess the overall environment and ensure strong preparations."
Tarique will cast his vote at Gulshan Model High School and College in Dhaka-17, BNP Media Cell member Shairul Kabir Khan informed.
BNP confident of victory
Formal campaigning ended at dawn today, barring public rallies, but the BNP remained active, particularly on social media, while leaders and activists displayed high optimism, confident of victory.
Leaders said voter response has been overwhelmingly positive, noting that a participatory voting environment has been restored after years. Constituency-level preparations and agent appointments have been completed, and candidates expect voters to freely select their preferred representatives.
Mahdi Amin, BNP election committee spokesperson, said, "In a free, fair, and credible election, our victory is assured. Opponents are attempting to create confusion to offset this advantage."
On clashes between BNP and rebel candidates, he added, "Where necessary, the party has already taken organisational action. Any isolated violence will be addressed by law enforcement. Anyone found guilty, regardless of party, will face consequences."
Mohammad Harun-or-Rashid, BNP candidate for Rajbari-2, said, "In 17 years of electoral history, the cultural essence of voting had been lost. We have restored it. Voters now have full freedom to express their opinion. We are leaving no margin for error and await the final decision."
Meanwhile, BNP Standing Committee member and Election Management Committee chairman Nazrul Islam Khan met Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin at the EC Secretariat today.
After the meeting, he urged all officials to perform their duties diligently and stressed that ensuring a free and fair vote is the EC's primary responsibility.
Nazrul highlighted reports of unethical activities ahead of the polls, including voter bribery, and said the commission had been urged to act. He also referred to counterfeit ballot papers and the seizure of printing equipment, questioning why law enforcement had not noticed earlier.
On fears of electoral disruption, he said no major problems had arisen and expressed hope none would occur. "Since all participating parties want a fair vote, we expect a decisive outcome," he said.
On risks of violence and attacks, he said threats are often politically exaggerated and must be countered through law, social awareness, and preventive measures.
Shafiqur overseeing election preparations
Jamaat Ameer Shafiqur Rahman today was active from the early morning until 7am. He performed Fajr prayer at Baba Huzur Mosque in Dhaka-15's East Manipur constituency.
He then devoted the remaining campaigning hours permitted to outreach efforts.
At 11am, he held a courtesy meeting with a high-level delegation led by Evers Izabs, chief observer of the European Union election observation mission and member of the European Parliament.
The party said Shafiqur will cast his vote at the 60-foot Manipur Boys High School.
Several leaders of Jamaat's election management committee said that after completing his early morning campaigning, the ameer returned to the party's central office in Moghbazar. He then met the EU delegation and spent the rest of the day at the central office.
Throughout the day, Shafiqur monitored reports of attacks on party workers nationwide and oversaw election preparations and coordination. In the evening, he met with top leaders of the 11-party alliance.
In the evening, top leaders of the 11-party electoral alliance led by Jamaat held a meeting. After the meeting, Shafiqur told reporters that the alliance is fully prepared to provide all possible support to the Election Commission and administration to ensure a free, fair, and credible election.
He said their primary goal is to safeguard citizens' voting rights and aspirations. "As part of this preparation, the alliance urges voters to attend polling centres fearlessly and do not leave until results are announced."
He also called on the public to remain vigilant to prevent any malicious forces from spreading unrest or misinformation and disrupting the electoral process.
Jamaat focusing on high turnout
Jamaat is focusing on ensuring a peaceful vote and high turnout. Its election management committee is coordinating with constituency managers to guarantee voters can cast ballots freely and fairly.
Senior leaders said they remain in constant contact with managers, reporting any administrative lapses or Election Commission negligence to higher authorities. Party workers are instructed to stay vigilant during counting to prevent disruptions by rivals.
Central executive committee member Md Mobarak Hossain said campaign activities have ended, with the focus now on deploying polling agents. "Becoming a polling agent involves formalities, which we are completing. Agents are also being prepared in constituencies held by allied parties," he said.
He added that the party is communicating its key message: ensuring all voters, including four lakh young voters, can vote freely, with the Election Commission alert and law and order maintained.
Jamaat is coordinating operations from its central office, where over 50 teams, led by former Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir leaders, manage campaigns and internal coordination.
Another election committee member said polling agents have been instructed not to leave their centres until the end, while voters are urged to respect counting integrity and return home peacefully.
Hafizur Rahman, election management committee member, said, "Our priority is internal polling-centre preparation, especially managing agents. Voters should reach centres early, exercise their rights, and maintain presence to ensure others can vote freely."
