BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman concluded his election campaign for the 13th National Parliamentary Election late Monday night by visiting the graves of his parents former president Ziaur Rahman and former prime minister Khaleda Zia after a full day of consecutive public rallies in the capital.

From morning until evening, Tarique took part in a series of BNP-organised election rallies at key locations across Dhaka.

As the final programme of the day, he joined an election rally at Lalbagh Balur Math (former Azad Field) in the Dhaka-7 constituency at around 6pm.

After completing the rally, Tarique went to the mausoleum of Ziaur Rahman at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar at around 11pm. Standing beside the graves of his father and mother, he offered Fateha and prayed to Almighty Allah, raising his hands in supplication. He then stood silently for some time in front of the graves.

Senior BNP leaders, along with local party leaders and activists, were present during the visit.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman today (9 February) concluded a nationwide campaign, bringing to a close the Jamaat-led 11-party alliance’s field operations ahead of the 13th national election and the referendum on state reforms.

Over a 20-day campaign, Shafiqur addressed more than 60 rallies across all divisions, emerging as the alliance’s principal campaign figure. His speeches framed the election as a critical juncture for systemic reform and welfare-oriented governance, referring to the vision of a “New Bangladesh”.

The campaign was formally launched on 22 January from his Dhaka constituency, followed by a countrywide tour beginning in Panchagarh and covering northern, central, and southern districts – before officially ending at 7:30am on 10 February.

At rallies, he introduced alliance candidates, distributed party symbols, and urged voters to end the concentration of political power among elites.

Several rallies drew large crowds. Analysts say Jamaat has remained organisationally active at the grassroots despite political setbacks in recent years and is now positioning itself as a competitive force.

They also consider recent victories by its student wing, Chhatra Shibir, in several university student union elections as indicative of organisational strength.

A notable feature of the campaign was Shafiqur’s clear endorsement of a ‘Yes’ vote in the referendum on state reforms. While some parties avoided taking a position, he described the referendum as central to restructuring the political system.

Speaking in Barishal, he said the referendum vote would reflect public opinion on the proposed reforms and their linkage to recent protest movements.

Amid concerns over Jamaat’s stance on women’s rights, party leaders highlighted commitments to women’s security and workforce participation.

At a rally in Dinajpur, Shafiqur said ensuring safety at home and in workplaces would be a priority and that opportunities would be created for women based on their skills.

On economic policy, Jamaat proposed a technology-driven agricultural transformation focused on northern districts, including implementation of the Teesta Master Plan and the establishment of food-processing hubs.

Shafiqur also outlined plans for tax reform, job creation through SMEs and high-tech industries, and rejected unemployment stipends in favour of employment-based support.

The party’s manifesto, unveiled on 4 February, pledges to raise education spending to 5% of GDP, reform higher education through employment-linked curricula, and introduce universal healthcare through a Health Card and insurance system.

It also proposes a Truth and Healing Commission to address past human rights violations.

With campaigning concluded and the silence period underway, attention now turns to whether the alliance’s extensive outreach and reform agenda will translate into electoral support.

Mobile phones are banned in polling stations across South Asia, with authorities citing the need to maintain ballot secrecy, prevent voter coercion, and ensure overall security during elections.

The rules vary by country, reflecting both security concerns and the desire to regulate voter conduct.

Afghanistan
Mobile phones have been strictly prohibited inside polling centers during past democratic elections, including in 2014, said Freedom House. Authorities said the restrictions were intended to ensure security and prevent technology from being used to coordinate attacks or intimidate voters. 

In September 2025, the Taliban’s supreme leader issued orders to restrict smartphone use and internet connectivity nationwide. While formal “elections” are currently suspended, any localized voting or shura (consultative) processes are governed by the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, which often ban camera phones in sensitive areas to prevent “visual vice” and maintain security, said the Strait Times.

Bangladesh
Voters are not allowed to enter polling centers, or remain within a 400-yard radius, with mobile phones during upcoming elections. The Election Commission said the measure is intended to regulate conduct during the referendum and national parliamentary elections. Only presiding officers and authorized security personnel using a dedicated “Election Security 2026” application are exempt.

Bhutan
Phones are prohibited inside the voting compartment but may be allowed elsewhere in the polling station. The rule is intended to protect voting secrecy, with voters strictly forbidden from photographing their marked ballot papers, according to the Election Commission of Bhutan.

India
Mobile phones are banned inside polling station rooms, and in some areas such as Pune and Maval, the restriction extends to a 100-meter radius. Election officials cited multiple reasons for the ban, including the enforcement of Rule 49M of the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, which ensures voting secrecy, and to prevent voters from taking videos of themselves voting and sharing them on social media. For the 2025 Bihar polls, the Election Commission introduced mobile deposit facilities—pigeonhole boxes or jute bags—outside the polling room for voters who bring phones.

Maldives
Restrictions apply within polling booth areas to prevent voters from photographing marked ballot papers. Authorities said this measure is aimed at reducing electoral fraud, specifically to prevent voters from proving how they voted in cases of vote-buying or coercion, says the Election Commission of Maldives.

Nepal
Mobile phones are prohibited at polling stations on Election Day. The Nepal Election Commission categorizes phones as “prohibited goods,” along with matchboxes, lighters, and cameras, to ensure compliance with election laws and instructions from officials.

Pakistan
Voters, election agents, and polling agents are not allowed to carry mobile phones inside polling stations during polling hours. The Chief Election Commissioner issued the restriction to ensure smooth and peaceful polling.

Sri Lanka
Mobile phones are banned in both polling and counting centers. Authorities have urged voters to leave phones at home to prevent complications and maintain regulated conduct for voters, agents, and monitors during the preferential voting process.

Across the region, the bans reflect the need to safeguard democratic processes. Election authorities emphasize that the measures are intended to maintain secrecy, security, and the orderly conduct of voting rather than limit personal freedoms.