Tensions are boiling over in Bangladesh ahead of the crucial February 12 elections. Overseas postal ballots have become the flashpoint, with the BNP charging rampant fraud in their distribution. The Election Commission hit back hard, denying any lapses and pointing to clean investigations of circulating video evidence.

In a detailed briefing, Commissioner Abul Fazal MD Sanaullah outlined the commission’s response. Social media buzzed with clips purportedly showing mishandling at foreign missions, but scrutiny revealed nothing amiss. ‘Our team probed videos from three sites with utmost seriousness—no irregularities detected,’ he affirmed.

Sanaullah noted that rival parties’ outcries prompted immediate action, including direct outreach to embassies worldwide. He reiterated the commission’s ironclad commitment to fair postal voting, promising rigorous oversight.

BNP’s concerns peaked on Tuesday with a formal complaint over viral footage. The party has long pushed for clearer ballot designs featuring both candidate names and symbols, a suggestion now under review.

Meanwhile, the opposition camp is splintering. IAB quit its Jamaat-led alliance, rejecting dependency politics. Eyeing a bold solo run on 268 seats, IAB rejected a proposed 253-seat pact announced amid internal discord.

These fissures, coupled with ballot disputes, amplify fears of a contentious vote. With internal BNP strife and alliance breakdowns, the path to February 12 looks increasingly fraught, testing Bangladesh’s electoral resilience.