In ongoing discussions led by the National Consensus Commission, most political parties have expressed support for electing the President through an electoral college system.

Jamaat-e-Islami leader Abdullah Mohammad Taher proposed a bicameral parliament with 500 total electoral votes, including 100 reserved seats for women. Nurul Haque Nur noted that some parties are pushing to include union councils, potentially raising the total electorate to over 70,000.

As per a presidential order issued Thursday, Asad Alam Siam, a 15th batch BCS (Foreign Affairs) officer, has been appointed as Bangladesh’s new Foreign Secretary. He becomes the 28th person to hold the position and will serve until further notice.

Siam previously served as Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Vienna and as Ambassador to the Philippines.

The Nationalist Citizens’ Party (NCP) has issued a stern warning against those spreading defamatory, sexually harassing, and false propaganda against its joint convener, Dr. Tajnuva Jabin.

In an official statement, the NCP said such attacks are not isolated incidents but part of a pattern targeting female leaders of the party. “These smear campaigns violate the spirit of the July uprising and its values,” the statement read. The NCP vowed legal action against all online and offline actors involved in continued abuse and defamation.

Veteran actress and BNP leader Rina Khan has accused the government of persecuting her family due to her political affiliation. Speaking at the BNP central office, she said, “My son left for Germany in 2009, and yet there’s now a case and arrest warrant against him—simply because I am a BNP activist.”

She claimed her younger son was also harassed and that she herself couldn't stay at home due to constant police pressure. Rina Khan, a vice president of the Jatiyatabadi cultural wing JASAS, expressed gratitude to party leaders, including Salahuddin Ahmed, for their support.

Dr. Shamsul Alam, former State Minister for Planning, was arrested early Thursday morning from the Mohammadpur area of Dhaka. DB Joint Commissioner Nasirul Islam confirmed the arrest, stating that Alam is currently being held at the Minto Road DB office and will be presented in court later today.

Appointed under the technocrat quota in July 2021, Dr. Alam had previously served as a member of the General Economics Division of the Planning Commission and was a recipient of the prestigious Ekushey Padak in economics.

Two members of the Detective Branch (DB) of police were shot during an anti-drug operation opposite the Central Police Hospital in Dhaka. The injured are ASI Atik Hasan and Constable Sujon from the Lalbagh DB unit. According to police, the incident occurred when officers tried to stop a vehicle based on a tip-off. The drug traffickers inside the car opened fire, injuring the two officers. Police have since arrested three suspects and seized a private car in connection with the attack.

BNP leader Md. Mustafa Zaman has issued a firm directive: no BNP membership forms should reach individuals affiliated with the Awami League. “Those who have previously been involved with the Awami League will not be eligible to renew their BNP memberships,” he said.

Zaman stressed the importance of prioritizing loyalty, stating, “We will value those who stood by the party during times of crisis.” He also expressed hope that acting BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman will return to Bangladesh soon and lead the movement to restore a people’s government.

BNP leader Emran Saleh Prince stated during a workers' conference that recent political meetings in London have brought hope to the nation, although they disappointed parties like Jamaat and the NCP, who previously benefitted without participating in elections. “The era of gaining power without facing the people is ending,” he said, adding that sustainable democracy and national stability can only come through elections. He called on BNP activists to align with public expectations and prepare for the upcoming political challenges.

Abdur Rahim Jewel, controversially named chief coordinator of NCP's Cumilla district unit, has denied accepting any such role, stating his continued loyalty to BNP over the past 35 years. He claims the appointment was made without his consent in an attempt to tarnish his political reputation and block his progress within BNP. Following his statement, the NCP removed the committee announcement from its official page. In response, NCP leader Hafsa Jahan insisted the appointment was discussed beforehand and accused Jewel of backtracking.

BNP leader Aminul Haque has urged party organizers to remain vigilant during the member renewal process, ensuring that no individual affiliated with the ruling Awami League is allowed to join the BNP. Speaking at an event in Turag, he emphasized that loyal and tested party workers must be prioritized. "BNP does not tolerate wrongdoing, and those who tarnish the party’s reputation will have no place here," he said.

The Nationalist Citizens' Platform (NCP) has announced a 31-member coordination committee for Cumilla district, appointing Abdur Rahim Jewel as its chief coordinator. Jewel is a former BNP leader who previously served as the president of the Laksam College unit of the student wing Chhatra Dal and held positions in the Jubo Dal and Krishak Dal. NCP central leader Hafsa Jahan confirmed Jewel’s active involvement in the NCP, stating there is “nothing wrong” with his appointment.

BNP leader Ishraq Hossain has said that despite the resumption of services, the party has no intention of withdrawing its protest. Speaking at Nagar Bhaban, he criticized certain media outlets and government advisors for misrepresenting the situation. “The city corporation’s advisor claims legal complications still exist, but the Supreme Court has already settled this issue. Continuing to say otherwise is ignorance at its peak,” he said. Ishraq affirmed that the symbolic “lock” on the city building gate will remain in place and appealed for intervention to allow him to take his mayoral oath.

Mufti Syed Muhammad Fayzul Karim, Senior Deputy Amir of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, revealed during a public gathering in Tangail that discussions are underway with other Islamic parties to form an electoral alliance for the 2026 national parliamentary election.

“If these talks are successful, Islami Andolan Bangladesh will participate in the election as a united front,” he stated. “We are committed to this path, but if the negotiations do not yield results, we will assess the situation and decide accordingly.”

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has returned home after undergoing medical examinations at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. She left the hospital at 11:17 PM on Wednesday for her residence in Gulshan, confirmed BNP media cell member Shayrul Kabir Khan. Khaleda Zia had arrived at the hospital at 7:47 PM for routine health check-ups.

After 17 long years, a special seminar commemorating the 44th martyrdom anniversary of the Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman was organized on Thursday at Dhaka University by the BNP-supported teachers’ organization, Sada Dal.

The event was chaired by Professor Dr. Morshed Hasan Khan, convener of Dhaka University’s Sada Dal. BNP leader Professor Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan attended as the chief guest, while Ruhul Kabir Rizvi was present as a special guest. During the seminar, Professor Dr. Mohammad Siddiqur Rahman Khan, Dean of the Faculty of Arts at Dhaka University, presented a detailed paper on the topic.