In a historic move, Bangladeshi expatriates will be able to cast their votes in the upcoming national elections for the first time, Chief Election Commissioner A M M Nasir Uddin announced.

Only registered voters holding national ID cards will be eligible, and ballots will be cast via postal voting. To facilitate the process, a new app titled Postal Ballot BD is being developed. Speaking in Toronto at a program with Bangladeshi expatriates, the CEC inaugurated voter registration and NID distribution for overseas Bangladeshis, while urging them to participate actively in the electoral process.

Gono Odhikar Parishad (GOP) leader Hasan Al Mamun has accused the government of delaying both the arrest of those who attacked former DUCSU VP Nurul Haque Nuru and his much-needed treatment abroad.

Speaking outside Dhaka Medical College Hospital on Thursday, Mamun said Nuru had sustained internal injuries to his nose and brain that required advanced overseas treatment. While expressing satisfaction with DMCH doctors, he insisted long-term care abroad was essential. Mamun alleged that the government was deliberately stalling the arrest of army personnel involved in the attack.

The Chhatra Dal-backed panel has alleged that ballot papers for the JUCSU elections were supplied by a company linked to Jamaat-e-Islami, raising concerns of vote rigging. VP candidate Sheikh Sadi Hasan claimed the Election Commission bypassed standard procurement rules to source ballots and OMR machines from an obscure Jamaat-affiliated firm.

Amid mounting pressure from teachers and students, the Commission scrapped OMR-based counting and switched to manual counting. Still, Sadi said their demand for ballots from a neutral source was ignored. He further warned that Jamaat-Shibir activists had been spotted near campus, leaving general students fearful.

Nahid Islam, convener of the Nationalist Chhatra Parishad (NCP), congratulated the newly elected DUCSU leaders, calling the election “a positive stride for democratic practice.”

He said the participatory and competitive polls allowed students to choose their representatives freely and expressed hope that DUCSU will become a true platform for student aspirations.

Nahid urged the new leadership to foster a democratic, academic, and violence-free environment at Dhaka University. He also extended best wishes to candidates who contested but did not win, stressing that healthy competition strengthens future leadership.

He further called for regular student union elections across all universities and colleges.

Voting at Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall was briefly suspended for an hour during the Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (JUCSU) elections following an unexpected situation. The suspension came at around 11:30 AM on Thursday, when opposition-backed VP candidate Sheikh Sadi Hasan entered the women’s dormitory without prior permission, sparking controversy.

Authorities halted the voting process but later resumed it around 12:30 PM. Sadi claimed he entered the hall with a teacher’s permission. Earlier in the morning, both Sadi and Islami Chhatra Shibir-backed VP candidate Arif Ullah Adib had cast their votes at Mir Mosharraf Hossain Hall. While casting his vote, Sadi accused the administration of providing undue advantage to a rival student group and even alleged the printing of extra ballot papers to favor certain candidates. Adib, however, expressed faith in the general student body.

Hafizur Rahman Sohan, central vice-president of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), was detained Thursday morning during Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (JUCSU) elections.

Sohan, a former English department student (2006–07 session), was found in a room of Rabindranath Tagore Hall. He claimed he had arrived the previous night and stayed due to illness, though without permission.

Hall Provost Prof. Shafiqul Islam said former students residing in halls during elections violates conduct rules, and Sohan was handed over to the university’s proctorial team. Proctor Prof. A.K.M. Rashidul Alam confirmed disciplinary action would follow.

Leaders of a Shibir-backed student coalition contesting the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) elections paid tribute to martyrs of Bangladesh’s Liberation War at Rayerbazar on Thursday.

The leaders said their panel’s journey officially begins with prayers at the mass grave site, pledging to uphold the aspirations of the martyrs of 1971 and 2024. Newly elected VP Sadiq Kayem vowed to incorporate students’ opinions in fulfilling manifesto pledges, while GS S.M. Farhad said their work would honor the sacrifices of the martyrs.

Farhad also accused Indian media of spreading “false propaganda” on the hijab issue for political agendas.

BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman has expressed deep shock and condemnation over the shooting death of U.S. conservative political figure Charlie Kirk.

In a statement, Rahman described the killing as “barbaric,” adding that “a democratic society should never tolerate violence against individuals for their political beliefs or activism.” He stressed that religion, ideology, or differing viewpoints cannot justify such a heinous act.

He offered condolences and prayers for Kirk’s family and loved ones. Meanwhile, U.S. President Joe Biden also expressed grief over the killing.

On Thursday morning, the Consensus Commission initiated discussions with all major political parties regarding the implementation of the July Charter.
Representatives from BNP, Jamaat, NCP, and several other parties attended. The dialogue is expected to cover issues such as ensuring free and fair elections and protecting democratic values.
The final version of the July Charter had not specified methods for its implementation, prompting the commission to hold consultations with 30 parties and alliances.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has accused the BJP government of economically depriving Bengal and humiliating Bengali-speaking migrant workers in other states by branding them “Bangladeshis.”
Speaking at a public rally, Banerjee said, “No one will be criminalized for their language. If speaking Bengali makes one a Bangladeshi, we will never accept that.” She added that even Adivasi women are facing NRC-related harassment.
She claimed the Centre has withheld funds for 100-day employment schemes, education, road repairs, and flood control. “We don’t need Delhi’s mercy,” she said. “Bengal will rise on its own.” Taking a dig at Prime Minister Modi, she added, “Those who divide by caste can never be true leaders. Bengal will never become Gujarat. As long as I live, I will say Joy Bangla.”

Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal has accused Jahangirnagar University (JU) Shibir president Mohibur Rahman of violating electoral rules ahead of the long-awaited Jatiya Sangsad (JUCSU) elections.
According to the complaint, Mohibur entered Kazi Nazrul Islam Hall at dawn under the pretext of visiting the guestroom and then stayed inside a room for over an hour. The matter was reported to the returning officer. Chhatra Dal alleged the university administration might be giving “unfair advantages” to one side. The JUCSU and hall union polls are being held today for the first time in 33 years.

Sixteen years after the tragic Pilkhana massacre, the BDR Welfare Council claims the true masterminds remain unpunished while hundreds of innocent border guards continue to languish in prison.

Council president Md. Faizul Alam said:
“The blame was solely put on BDR members, yet various reports have revealed the involvement of others. We demand a fair investigation and capital punishment for the actual perpetrators.”

He noted that 18 special courts had dismissed 18,519 BDR members, with 350 still imprisoned. “Some have been granted bail, but many are denied under invisible pressure. If justice is not ensured, we will resume protests,” he warned.

Faizul further alleged that senior officials had suspiciously held a meeting at Pilkhana on February 22, just before the massacre:
“This clearly shows complicity. Innocent members whose careers and lives were destroyed must be reinstated with full benefits, and the guiltless must be granted bail immediately.”

A closed-door diplomatic gathering took place in Dhaka as BNP standing committee member Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan hosted a dinner at his residence in Gulshan on Wednesday night.

According to the BNP media cell, the event was attended by the ambassadors of France, Sweden, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, and Japan, along with the High Commissioners of Australia and Bhutan. Representatives from UNDP and the World Bank were also present.

The dinner is being widely viewed as part of BNP’s ongoing outreach to the international community amid Bangladesh’s shifting political landscape.

GOP leader Rashed Khan extended congratulations to the winners of the recent Daksu election while calling for a renewed commitment to democratic principles.

Speaking to reporters, Rashed said:
“We urge the newly elected leaders to uphold democracy and remain true to the values of the Liberation War. The notorious ‘guest room culture’ must never return to the Dhaka University campus.”

He criticized the ruling party’s influence on academic politics:
“During the Awami League era, teachers’ politics took a dangerous turn. Many became involved in corruption and patronized student organizations. We must restore integrity to teachers’ politics and ensure transparency in the recruitment of vice-chancellors and faculty members.”

Rashed also emphasized that losing candidates were not truly defeated:
“They played an important role in the mass movement. If they continue to stand by students and engage with them, they will do well in the future. It is the responsibility of all to build a beautiful campus together.”

NCP leader Sarjis Alam hailed Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor for successfully overseeing a transparent Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (Daksu) election.

In a social media post, he wrote:
“Honorable Vice-Chancellor, congratulations. Standing tall against all obstacles, you have gifted Bangladesh a transparent Daksu election. For this, the nation will remain grateful to you and your team. Please do not be disheartened by the behavior of a handful of misguided individuals.”

He further added, “You are held in deep respect by all of us. At a time when post-uprising Bangladesh was in instability, you admirably fulfilled sensitive responsibilities at Dhaka University. Your leadership deserves recognition. I wish you good health and long life.”