On the eve of the national polls, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has voiced profound disillusionment regarding widespread reports of violence, voter intimidation, and financial malpractice allegedly orchestrated by its alliance partner, Jamaat-e-Islami. During a high-stakes press conference held on Wednesday night at the party’s election management office in Gulshan, senior leaders accused Jamaat of resorting to anarchy out of a desperate fear of impending electoral defeat.
A Litany of Electoral Malpractice
Nazrul Islam Khan, a member of the BNP Standing Committee and Chairman of the Election Management Committee, presented a detailed dossier of incidents reported across the country. He alleged that Jamaat-e-Islami has moved beyond the bounds of democratic competition, employing “black money” and physical force to manipulate the outcome of the 13th National Parliamentary Election.
Mr Khan cited several high-profile incidents, including the detention of the Thakurgaon District Jamaat Amir at Saidpur Airport with 7.4 million BDT in cash—a sum grossly inconsistent with his declared annual income. He further detailed instances of ballot-rigging preparations, such as the seizure of 23 pre-signed result sheets in the Jhenaidah-4 constituency and the recovery of explosives and weapons from the residences of various Jamaat officials.
Summary of Alleged Irregularities (11 February 2026)
| Region | Incident Type | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Saidpur Airport | Financial Crime | 7.4 million BDT seized from Thakurgaon District Amir. |
| Rajshahi | Brutal Violence | Tendons of a Krishak Dal leader severed. |
| Jhenaidah-4 | Result Forgery | 23 blank result sheets pre-signed by agents seized. |
| Patuakhali-1 | Voter Bribery | Multiple Jamaat activists detained with cash. |
| Mirpur/Pallabi | Judicial Action | Two polling agents sentenced; presiding officer removed. |
| Bogura/Sylhet | Trespassing | Unauthorised nighttime entry into polling centres. |
Defending the “July Mandate”
The BNP leadership emphasised that the current election is the culmination of years of struggle and the sacrifices made during the July Mass Uprising. Mr Khan urged party activists and the general public to remain vigilant, calling on them to guard polling stations in shifts to ensure that the democratic mandate is not subverted.
“We seek a free, fair, and neutral election to establish a powerful democratic government supported by the people,” Mr Khan stated. “It is deeply regrettable that while our comrades have given their lives for the restoration of voting rights, some within the alliance are attempting to create obstacles because they foresee their own lack of popular support.”
Popularity and the “Inevitable Victory”
Echoing these sentiments, Mahdee Amin, spokesperson for the Election Management Committee and Advisor to the BNP Chairman, remarked that the popularity of Tarique Rahman and the BNP has reached “unprecedented heights,” making a victory inevitable. He noted that the “unwanted activities” by Jamaat-linked elements have already met with spontaneous resistance from local citizens in various districts.
The press conference concluded with a firm directive to BNP supporters: stay at the polling centres, monitor the casting of ballots, and do not depart until the final results are officially handed over. The party reaffirmed its commitment to implementing its manifesto and the “July Covenant” to ensure the welfare of the nation.
