Photo: BSSDHAKA, Feb 12, 2026 (BSS) - The voting in 13th National Parliament Election and the Referendum concluded peacefully at 4:30 pm today. Earlier, voting began at 7:30 am across 42,779 polling centres in 299 constituencies nationwide. Top leaders of different political parties contesting in the polls cast their votes at their respective polling centers this morning. They include 69 returning officers, 598 assistant returning officers, 42,779 presiding officers, 247,482 assistant presiding officers and 4,95,964 polling officers. The number of policemen on poll duty is 187,603, while RAB personnel number 9,349.

The Election Commission reported that 32.88% of votes had been cast across 32,000 polling centres nationwide by 12 noon during the 13th National Parliament Election. EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said voting was continuing in all centres despite isolated incidents in different parts of the country. “So far, voting has not been suspended in any polling centre. Voting in the 13th National Parliament Election began at 7:30am on Thursday, with polling underway across 299 constituencies amid tight security and high public anticipation. The voting will continue uninterrupted until 4:30pm at 42,659 polling stations nationwide.

By Md Aynal HaqueRAJSHAHI, Feb 12, 2026 (BSS) - Voting began at 7:30 am today in six constituencies of Rajshahi district and will continue until 4:30 pm. The total number of voters stands at 2,269,499, including 1,121,557 male voters, 1,147,914 female voters and 28 third-gender voters. Rajshahi-1 (Godagari and Tanore upazilas) has 464,704 voters - 230,884 male, 233,817 female and three third-gender voters - across 159 polling centres. Rajshahi-2 (Rajshahi City Corporation) has 364,330 voters - 174,465 male, 189,857 female and eight third-gender voters - with 115 polling centres. Rajshahi-3 (Paba and Mohanpur upazilas) has 420,839 voters - 208,690 male, 212,143 female and six third-gender voters - across 131 polling centres.

The Colonial Theatre, located in downtown Laconia, is the host of numerous entertainment events throughout the year. (Gabriel Perry/The Laconia Daily Sun photo)

Cizeron, 31, and 33-year-old Laurence Fournier Beaudry snatched gold ahead of reigning world champions Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the United States. Visibly anxious as he left the ice, Cizeron commented: "it wasn't 100 percent perfect". But ultimately, Cizeron's competitive drive and desire to perform proved stronger, and he teamed up with close friend Fournier Beaudry in early 2025. - 'Raise the bar' -During the period without a dance partner Cizeron, who studied at art school and is rarely without his sketchbook, never stopped pursuing his artistic interests. The duo had competed for Denmark, Sorensen's country of birth, before switching to Canada when Fournier Beaudry was unable to obtain Danish citizenship ahead of the 2018 Olympics.

NARSINGDI, Feb 12, 2026 (BSS) - Voting is underway peacefully at 663 centres across five constituencies in Narsingdi, with long queues of voters seen at different polling stations since morning. A festive atmosphere has been prevailing as voter turnout continues to rise as the day progresses. BNP-nominated candidate Khairul Kabir Khokon, contesting with the sheaf of paddy symbol, and Md. Ibrahim Bhuiyan, contesting with the scales symbol, cast their votes at the centre. Khokon expressed satisfaction over the polling environment and voiced optimism about his victory, while Bhuiyan said voters were exercising their rights in a festive mood and expressed hope for success.

Information and Broadcasting Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan casted her vote at Ideal School and College on Central Road in Dhanmondi here this noon. Photo: PIDDHAKA, Feb 12, 2026 (BSS) - Information and Broadcasting Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan today said despite challenges and useless debates, people are exercising their voting rights spontaneously. “People are voting spontaneously today,” she told journalists after casting her vote at Ideal School and College on Central Road in Dhanmondi here this noon. People have truly been empowered.”About polls propaganda, Syeda Rizwana said, “Until yesterday, I heard what the election will be like? but the Election Commission.”“So, as soon as the gazette notification is made, the oath is taken, we will immediately hand over the responsibility,” the information adviser mentioned.

AMST 2001: “The First American University,” ranked No. According to Earle, the course centers around Cornell’s history, which is a valuable tool to assess current institutional challenges. Elizabeth Chow Seating for AMST 2001: "The First American University" spills into aisles and staircases due to its popularity. The class takes its name from educational historian Frederick Rudolph’s description of Cornell as the “first American university.” Rudolph emphasized Cornell's diversity of programs and students. Earle highlighted that the “first American university” also echoes Cornell’s motto, “Any person, any study,” which he said captures the versatility of Cornell’s curriculum.

Across cities, towns, and villages, voters of all ages and backgrounds are undoubtedly approaching this election with cautious optimism. This election is not merely about selecting a governing body for the next term. It is also, through the referendum component, a direct expression of public opinion on the future direction of reforms. Ultimately, elections are not only about power, but also about trust: Trust that votes will be counted honestly, that institutions will function impartially, and that leaders will remember the promises they have made in pursuit of the position. This is an opportunity to reaffirm that the election is truly an ethical and fair process that determines the country’s course.

We are fighting for a place in the new global economy," EU chief Ursula von der Leyen told industry chiefs Wednesday. Macron also renewed a call for joint EU debt -- a divisive idea among European capitals -- as the "only way" to compete with China and the United States. The European Commission president will be promoting a host of solutions at Thursday's talks -- including a French-backed "Buy European" push, "simplifying" EU rules and striking more deals to diversify trading partners. Draghi's report will not be the only report leaders will be leaning on. Von der Leyen backed the call for public buyers to favour European firms, and said the EU executive would propose a law on European preference this month.

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No ideology should be imposedBring down corruption, cronyism and nepotism-Towheed Feroze is a former journalist! Well, the eyes of the world are on Bangladesh, with almost all international news bulletins containing at least one reference to the forthcoming elections.Most people feel that at this moment, the key task for the authority is to ensure national election, referred to as landmark-polls, is held free of manipulation, violence and underhand tactics.The elections held under the previous regime were not without controversy, and the general feeling is back to back contentious elections, without credibility, was one of the grievances fuelling the July-Aug movement.Interestingly, during the 2009 elections, which was held in a non-contentious atmosphere, I was with the bdnews24.com and vividly remember the poll time euphoria followed by an overwhelming feeling of optimism.How that invigorated sentiment gradually turned into bitterness is known to us all so won’t get into that.However, with the youth emerging as a major driving social force in Bangladesh, the days ahead will definitely be shaped by the aspirations and visions of the young.It may sound odd but at 54, Bangladesh is now looking to the future with the eyes of the young.Party allegiance aside, most young voters harbour the desire to see some key changes which will not ensure a Eutopia but will put the country on the trajectory of democratic principles.Speaking to several young voters, got an idea about what they want to see in the coming days.Unsurprisingly, the most important thing mentioned was the right to disagree and openly express one’s opinion.With demons of a totalitarian government still lurking, each and every young person has stressed the need to have an environment where a doctrine is not injected into the national psyche.“In the past, we saw a concerted campaign to erase most ideologies in favour of one particular one,” said Angshuman Chowdhury, adding: “such indoctrination is usually counter productive as we saw during the 2024 July Aug uprising. Historical figures who would have retained the general veneration came tumbling down because of the relentless cult of personality campaign.”Abdullah Al Bake, a journalist, agrees with Angshuman, saying that instead of the deification of a person, more emphasis should be given to replicating the work of that individual in real life.“The mistake most parties in power have made is that instead of choosing a set of illustrious people to set as examples, they decided to lionise only one, resulting in entrenched resentment among the masses.”No leader will be forgotten if that person had done something significant, observes, Asha Islam, a university student.Respect cannot be imposed and foisting a cult has never had a favourable ending, she warns.Arpita, a DU business faculty student feels that instead of trying to present a saint like persona of someone, any leader needs to be accepted as a human being, with virtues and, definitely, some vices.In our country, the tendency is to make someone a prophet – something which will never be welcomed by us, adds Arpita.“We will happily look up to someone who is human and not a demi god.”Among most young, the issue of corruption in all spheres of life is a scourge which needs to be tackled with a realistic approach.Saying we will eradicate corrupt practices is easy, platitudes do no cost much, but let’s be realistic, making public services free of venal culture should be the goal, maintains, Ikhtishar Ahmed, a sportsman.When we talk about corruption, we usually mean illicit or underhand financial dealings, but the word corruption also involves moral degradation involving nepotism, cronyism and favouritism, Ikhtishar feels.Agreeing with him, Abdulla Al Bake, a journalist, says: “in the days ahead, we need to see a country where favouritism and nepotism are sidelined to give chance to skilled people.”Beyond all the lofty rhetoric in the past, we saw, party or political allegiance becoming the only criterion for selecting person (s) for public service posts, deplored Bake, saying: “this means without a political label, skills become futile and meaningless.”Echoing Bake’s sentiment, Shahnoor Karim, a former journalist, feels that in the days ahead, the government in place needs to set an example by selecting people for responsible posts based on talent, skills and capability.“All over the world, ‘jobs for the boys’ culture will remain and we cannot change that, but what we can do is to start the process of including merit-based recruitment in all sectors.It’s the demand for the recognition of merit rather than providing jobs based on quota which triggered the seismic events in 2024, recalls Fahmida Akhter, a social worker.“We all know there will be appointments based on party allegiance but if the new government wants to show they mean to act on their pledges of reform then for the first time they need to set aside some key posts where people will be chosen

Talking to reporters after visiting the Arambagh High School and College polling centre in the morning, Nasiruddin said the situation remained peaceful. 09:50amBNP Chairman Tarique Rahman cast his vote at Gulshan Model High School and College in Dhaka during the 13th national parliamentary election on Thursday morning. 09:00amBangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman cast his vote in the 13th National Parliament Election and the referendum on Thursday morning. 07:40amBNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir casts his vote at Thakurgaon Government Girls’ High School on Thursday morning at 7:40am. Stay with us as we bring you the latest updates from today’s national election.

Chief Observer of the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) to Bangladesh, Ivars Ijabs, on Thursday said it is really a big day for Bangladesh’s democracy as they began observing the country’s twin elections —national election and referendum—across the country. "I think this really a big day for Bangladesh’s democracy," he told reporters at Siddheswari Girls' College at New Bailey Road after observing the opening of the vote casting. They deployed 90 short-term observers (STOs) to observe the election day proceedings in all 64 administrative districts of the country. The short-term observers will observe opening of polling centres, voting, closing, as well as counting of the ballots and the tabulation of results. “The short-term observers will be present in cities, towns and villages in almost every constituency.

National Citizens Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam casts his vote at AKM Rahmatullah University College. He addressed the media after casting his vote at 8:05am on Thursday. Nahid said he had cast his first-ever vote at the same centre, then known as Rahmatullah Degree College. Now we have the chance to establish democracy through our voting rights, to advance the reform process by voting ‘Yes’ in the referendum, and to take Bangladesh forward by supporting the 11-party alliance,” he added. Voting in the 13th National Parliament Election began at 7:30am on Thursday, with polling underway across 299 constituencies amid tight security and high public anticipation.