Claim
Recently, a news video from the mainstream media outlet ‘Channel 24’ has been circulated on the social media platform TikTok with the claim that ‘the 13th National Parliament Election on February 12 has been cancelled.’
See the post being circulated with this claim here.
Fact
Tracing the source of the viral video leads to the original news video published on January 13 on the ‘Channel 24’ YouTube channel, titled ‘Directive Not to Hold Any Elections Until 12th February’.
The Election Commission (EC) has mandated a halt to all elections for professional and other organisations across the country until after February 12, 2026. This directive, reported by Channel 24 news, aims to safeguard the integrity of the 13th National Parliament Election and the related referendum by preventing any potential influence or confusion during this period.
Elections for a wide range of organisations, including educational institutions, transport groups, journalists, traders, cooperative societies, and trade unions, have been suspended and must be rescheduled to take place after February 12, 2026. Additionally, multiple mainstream media outlets have published reports. on this matter.
However, no mention of any announcement cancelling the upcoming 13th National Parliament Election has been found anywhere. Notably, during a meeting.
On the evening of January 13th, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus made an unambiguous declaration at Jamuna State Guest House during a meeting with two former senior US diplomats, Albert Gambis and Morse Tan. He firmly stated that the national election would proceed precisely as scheduled on February 12th, with absolutely no change to the date. Furthermore, the accompanying referendum would take place simultaneously. He emphasised that the election and referendum were definite and would not be subject to any postponement or doubt.
Therefore, the claim that the 13th National Parliament Election on 12th February has been cancelled is false.
Our Sources
Channel 24
Kaler Kantho
Prothom Alo
