Going forward, Bangladesh needs strong commitment to economic reforms, especially in the financial and fiscal sectors, which remained under stress, said the Policy Research Institute Bangladesh (PRI) at a discussion on Monday. The PRI, in collaboration with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) of the Australian Government, organized a roundtable discussion titled “Macroeconomic Insights: An Economic Reform Agenda for the Elected Government” at the Hotel Amari, Dhaka. PRI chairman Zaidi Sattar said that the Bangladesh- Japan Economic Partnership Agreement was a historical moment and monumental achievement. Two critical gaps remain: the absence of an independent policy and regulatory reform commission, and a weak bridge between economic analysis and policy action. Australia stands ready to support Bangladesh in this next chapter of its democratic and economic journey.”

File photoDHAKA, Feb 09, 2026 (BSS) - The Election Commission has informed that, in accordance with Article 78 of the Representation of the People Order, 1972, no public meeting or procession can be held in a constituency for 48 hours before the start of polling and 48 hours after the end of polling—from 7:30am on February 10, 2026 to 4:30pm on February 14, 2026. It said that voting for the referendum and the 13th National Parliament election will begin at 7:30am on February 12, according to a PID handout issued here today.

DHAKA, Feb 9, 2026 (BSS) - The Election Commission (EC) has decided to transmit election results and related information through a secure Virtual Private Network (VPN) during the upcoming 13th national parliament election scheduled for February 12. According to the letter, results will be sent from the offices of Returning Officers and Assistant Returning Officers using VPN connections to ensure data security and uninterrupted communication. The letter also notes that -- where Returning Officer’s offices are located near District, Upazila, or Station Election Offices -- VPN connections may be established using fiber optic or Ethernet cables under BTCL’s VPN network. For areas using Cisco AnyConnect software, offices must ensure a minimum internet speed of 10 Mbps through an ISP. User IDs and passwords for the software will be provided to District Election Officers in due course.

TEHRAN, Feb 9, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Monday called on his compatriots to show "resolve" ahead of the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic revolution this week. Since the revolution, "foreign powers have always sought to restore the previous situation", Ali Khamenei said, referring to the period when Iran was under the rule of shah Reza Pahlavi and dependent on the United States. "National power is less about missiles and aircraft and more about the will and steadfastness of the people," the leader said, adding: "Show it again and frustrate the enemy."

During the same period, 23 people were hospitalized after being infected with dengue across the country. During this time, 30 dengue patients were discharged from hospitals. With this, a total of 1,135 dengue patients have been discharged from hospitals so far this year. So far this year, 1,226 people have been infected with dengue, of which 64% are male and 36% are female. In 2024, a total of 101,214 people were infected with dengue, and 575 people died from the disease.

Of these seats, BNP candidates appear to be in a strong position in 18 constituencies, while Jamaat candidates hold solid ground in 13 seats. BNP candidate Amir Ejaz Khan is considered well-positioned as there are eight Hindu candidates in the race. Jamaat candidate Krishna Nandi claims Jamaat will ensure dignity and protection for minorities if elected. In Bagerhat, multiple constituencies are witnessing three-way contests involving BNP, Jamaat, and independent candidates, notably MAH Selim, whose presence is seen as a potential vote-splitter for BNP. Jamaat candidates are actively capitalizing on this, particularly in Jashore-4 and Jashore-5, where rebel BNP candidates are in the race.

Expressing satisfaction over the peaceful election campaign across the country, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Monday said the presence of a large number of international observers coming from different countries reflects the renewed global confidence in Bangladesh’s democracy. The Chief Adviser said huge numbers of observers are coming from various countries which reflect that they got back the confidence in Bangladesh democracy. Prof Yunus expressed optimism that the upcoming national election would be a free, fair, peaceful and festive one. Such agreements, Prof Yunus said, will open many new doors for the economy and for Bangladeshi products. The Chief Adviser highlighted that, for the first time, expatriate Bangladeshis have been formally included in the political process.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Monday said that if anyone attempts to take away or interfere with the nation’s voting rights people, especially the youth, are ready to defend them. In a Facebook post, he said the people of the country want a free and fair election, a right they have earned with their blood. Election day, Shafiqur Rahman said, should be a festival of democracy, where people stand proud, take pictures and rejoice in their freedom to choose. Anyone who tries to take away or interfere with this right must know that the nation, especially its young people, is ready to defend it,” he said. Shafiqur Rahman added that the right to vote was fought for once and, if needed, it will be fought for again.

EC secretary: Mobile phones allowed inside polling stationsThe Election Commission (EC) has clarified confusion over the use of mobile phones at polling stations ahead of the upcoming elections. EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said voters, candidates, and agents are allowed to bring mobile phones into polling stations and can take photographs. However, mobile phones will not be permitted inside voting booths, and no photos may be taken there. It was primarily a miscommunication,” Akhtar said at a press conference Monday at the EC office in Agargaon, Dhaka. Some restrictions on mobile use will apply, which we are now clarifying.”Highlighting international attention on the elections, the EC senior secretary said a total of 540 foreign observers and journalists will be present.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Monday said the country would undergo a fundamental transformation and misgovernance would not return if the "Yes" vote prevails in the referendum slated for February 12. The Chief Adviser told senior secretaries and secretaries at his office in Tejgaon. The Chief Adviser said the election, along with the referendum, would bring an unprecedented change to Bangladesh's political structure. Expressing optimism, the Chief Adviser said the election would be better than any held previously in the country. Later, the Chief Adviser posed for photographs with senior secretaries and secretaries of the government.

Shafiqul Alam, press secretary to the chief adviser, on Monday called “18 months of media freedom” under the caretaker government the “biggest reform” in the sector. Speaking to journalists at a briefing at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital, Shafiqul said the media was completely free for 18 months, with no restrictions on reporting or commentary. “The biggest reform in the media was scrapping provisions in the digital and cyber security laws that had been used to silence voices. The press secretary also highlighted that no media house was forced to close despite pressures. “Many outlets that had been shut during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure were reopened, and all were able to operate normally.”He added that all speech-related cases under the Digital Security Act had been withdrawn.

The country's gross foreign exchange reserves have increased further and reached $34.06 billion. Earlier, on January 15, it stood at $32.32 billion and on January 8, it stood at $32.44 billion. The biggest contribution to the increase in reserves was made by remittances sent by expatriates. The country's foreign exchange reserves reached their highest level in the country's history at $48 billion in August 2021. The dollar exchange rate has remained stable at around Tk122.

Based on the opinions of around 41,500 respondents, the survey indicates that the BNP-led alliance could win approximately 208 seats in the election. In addition, the Jatiya Party is projected to win three seats, other parties four seats, and independent candidates 17 seats. The survey found that BNP enjoys particularly strong support among women voters, with 71.1% expressing support for the party. Based on the survey results, the BNP-led alliance is projected to secure the highest number of seats, with approximately 208 seats. The Jamaat-led alliance may win 46 seats, while the Jatiya Party is projected to secure three seats, other parties four seats, and independent candidates 17 seats.

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman yesterday said the upcoming national election on February 12 would be an opportunity to uphold the people’s rights and urged voters to place their trust in candidates carrying the “Sheaf of Paddy” symbol. “February 12 will be a day to uphold the rights of the people. On that day, you should entrust responsibility to the candidates of the Sheaf of Paddy. On minority rights, Tarique said people of all religions would be safe in Bangladesh. Concluding his address, Tarique called on voters to support the Sheaf of Paddy symbol.

The survey projected that the Jamaat-led alliance is leading in 105 parliamentary constituencies, while the BNP-led alliance is ahead in 101. The BNP-led alliance enjoyed the support of 44.1% of voters, while 43.9% back the Jamaat-led alliance. Male voters leaned toward the BNP-led alliance, while female voters slightly favored the Jamaat-led alliance. Urban voters tended to support the BNP-led alliance, whereas the Jamaat-led alliance held a slight advantage in rural areas. Among young voters aged 18–29, 51% backed the Jamaat-led alliance compared with 38% for the BNP-led alliance.