Bangladesh election: BNP accuses Jamaat-e-Islami of trying to buy votes hours before polling

Hours before polling, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party on Wednesday (February 11, 2026) accused the largest Islamist Party Jamaat-E-Islami (JEI) of attempting to sabotage the election process by using money power.

The accusation was made after a JEI leader was caught with nearly Taka 74 lakh in Saidpur airport in north Bangladesh amid social media reports that several such Jamaat leaders have been recorded distributing cash among voters.

JEI has countered the accusation and said the incident was a “staged drama” by law enforcement agencies.

“At a time when all banks, financial institutions, business transactions and activities are closed to prevent illegal financial dealings in the election, naturally, questions are arising everywhere – from what source did the top leader of Jamaat in one district obtain this vast amount of money, for what purpose, to whom was it intended for, and why was he traveling from Dhaka to Thakurgaon on the eve of election,” said Mahdi Amin, Spokesperson of BNP’s Election Steering Committee alleging that there have been reports of Jamaat leaders distributing cash in multiple other constituencies including Dhaka-15 where the JEI’s Ameer Shafiqur Rahman is contesting election.

BNP and Jamaat, who were coalition partners during 2001-’06, are pitted against each other in the absence of the Awami League whose activities remain banned.

Over the past several days the two parties have clashed on multiple occasions and on Tuesday in Bogura, a BNP leader was injured after he was attacked by Jamaat supporters. Mr. Amin accused JEI of collecting bKash financial transfer numbers and Voter IDs of citizens and planning to hand over cash to voters. “The Saidpur Airport incident cannot be viewed as an isolated event,” said Mr. Amin. He further said that “a particular party” is accumulating “domestic weapons” and intimidating voters.

Bangladesh is observing a four-day public holiday during which banks are not operating.

In an indirect swipe at JEI, Mr. Amin further said a “certain political party” is referring to the women of Bangladesh in “disrespectful and obscene terms” and trying to limit working hours for women adding “This election presents a wonderful opportunity to protest against this injustice.”

Jamaat-e-Islami held a press conference soon after the incident was reported from Saidpur and said that concerted attempts were being made to project the party in negative light ahead of Thursday’s (February 12, 2026) polling.

Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair, Assistant Secretary General of JEI and head of its media team said the Jamaat leader Belal Uddin Pradhan had received a ‘no objection certificate’ from the Hazrat Shah Jalal International Airport’s security wing in Dhaka before flying out to Saidpur and accused the local security establishment of disregarding the clearance given in Dhaka airport.

“He has clearly stated that he travels for his business. Banks are closed, and he needs to conduct certain transactions. That is why he had some cash with him, which is very normal. A person can carry cash for business, family needs, or other purposes,” said Mr. Zubair warning the law enforcement agencies to stay neutral.