The Election Commission (EC) will conduct hearings from August 24 to 27 on 1,760 claims and objections regarding constituency boundary revisions ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election. Hearings will cover all major regions, including Comilla, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Faridpur, and Sylhet. The EC previously published a draft delimitation for 300 constituencies on July 30, proposing adjustments in 83 constituencies. Following the hearings, the commission will review the claims and finalize the constituency boundaries.

The government has formed a nine-member committee to review applications from retired military officers who faced deprivation, injustice, or persecution between 2009 and August 2024 under the Awami League government. Chaired by Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Abdul Hafiz, the committee will assess applications, set submission deadlines, and provide formal recommendations within two months. The Armed Forces Division will offer secretarial support, and retired committee members will receive honorariums from the Defence Ministry. The order is effective immediately.

U.S. President Donald Trump said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky could end the war with Russia immediately if he wished. Speaking ahead of their meeting in Washington, Trump also dismissed Ukraine’s NATO membership prospects and recalled Crimea’s 2014 annexation under the Obama administration. Writing on Truth Social, he emphasized that “some things never change.” Trump added that the White House meeting with Zelensky would be significant, with numerous European and NATO leaders expected to join the discussions.

The United States is closely watching India-Pakistan relations every day, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Sunday. He warned that ceasefires are fragile and hard to sustain, noting parallels with the Russia-Ukraine war. Rubio and President Trump both claimed Washington helped avert a possible nuclear clash, though India denied any external role. Pakistan, however, credits Trump’s intervention and has deepened engagement with the US. Washington now seeks to balance ties with both neighbors while valuing India’s strategic importance due to its ties with Russia.

Umama Fatema, former spokesperson of the anti-discrimination student movement, has formed an independent panel for the DUCSU elections. On Monday, she submitted her nomination forms and announced that the panel will be revealed tomorrow. The lineup is expected to include Fatema for Vice President, former DU Journalists’ Association President Al Sadi Bhuiya for General Secretary, and current association president Mohiuddin Mujahid Mahi for Assistant General Secretary. The panel aims to prioritize student-friendly policies.

Jahid Ahsan, Central Secretary of the Bangladesh Democratic Student Parliament, announced that the organization will contest the upcoming DUCSU elections under the “Anti-Discrimination Student Panel.” The allocation of candidates to specific posts has not yet been finalized. Present during the announcement were the organization’s Central Convener Abu Baker Majumdar, DU branch convener Abdul Kader, and other leaders.

Ashraful Haque, Executive President of Bangladesh Nazame Islam Party, criticized the PR (proportional representation) voting system as incompatible with Islamic principles. He argued that Islam mandates selecting qualified and virtuous individuals for governance, rather than voting for parties or symbols. Haque further accused proponents of PR elections—including some Islamic parties—of supporting foreign agendas and weakening state authority. He warned that candidates pushing for PR elections would face disqualification in a fair and transparent electoral process.

Leaders and activists of the Leftist Democratic Student Alliance have collected nomination forms to participate in the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) elections. Sheikh Tasnim Afroze Imi has taken the nomination for the Vice President post, while Meghmala Bose will contest for General Secretary. Zabiur Ahmed Zubel has collected the form for Assistant General Secretary.

Bose also raised a six-point demand list, including the immediate publication and expulsion of all students involved in harassment during the Awami League’s tenure, cancellation of all harassers’ candidacies, removal of “Blue Team” teachers from hall provost positions, clear enforcement of rules for political activities and campaigning in halls, suspension of exams at least fifteen days before the election, provision of additional transport on voting days, improvement of polling centers, strict action against online disinformation, and formulation of a clear plan to manage mob situations. The full panel announcement is expected on Tuesday.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has said that a free and fair election will not be possible under an administration loyal to the Awami League.

Speaking after paying tribute at the grave of former President Ziaur Rahman, Rizvi declared, “An impartial and credible election will be held in February, but for that to happen, Awami League cadres must be removed from the administration.”

Rejecting the idea of a Proportional Representation (PR) system, he argued that the people are not prepared for such a process and questioned the motives of those who advocate for it.

Turning to the upcoming Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) polls, Rizvi expressed hope that all voices and groups would be fairly represented. He added that student representation in universities is essential to ensure a healthy and constructive academic environment.

A Dhaka court has sent Krishak Dal General Secretary Shahidul Islam Babul to prison after convicting him in a 2017 case involving obstruction of government duty and illegal assembly.

Babul surrendered to the court and sought bail pending appeal, but the court ordered him into custody.

The case stems from October 31, 2017, when BNP activists staged protests during Khaleda Zia’s return from Cox’s Bazar, blocking VIP Road in Paltan and clashing with police.

Babul was sentenced to 2.5 years’ imprisonment with fines in one charge, and an additional one year with fines under another, with default imprisonment in case of non-payment.

The Student Rights Council has announced its “Daksu for Change” panel for the upcoming Dhaka University Central Students’ Union election.

The panel nominates Bin Yamin Molla, the organization’s central president, as Vice President (VP) candidate and Sabina Yasmin as General Secretary (GS).

Other key candidates include Rakibul Islam for Assistant GS, Shakil Khan for Science & Technology Secretary, and Ashik Hridoy Ahmed for Liberation War & Democratic Movements Secretary. The panel also includes several young activists as general members.

Islami Chhatra Shibir has unveiled its 28-member panel for the upcoming Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) election.

The panel will be led by VP candidate Sadiq Kayem and GS candidate SM Forhad. Announcing the lineup at a press briefing, Nurul Islam Saddam confirmed nominees for key posts, including Nurul Islam Sabbir for Literature and Culture Secretary, Arman Hossain for Sports Secretary, and Asif Abdullah for Student Transport Secretary.

The panel also includes female candidates from Inqilab Mancha, such as Fatima Tasnim Juma, and visually impaired activist Khan Jasim, who lost an eye during the July clashes, as International Secretary.

Two Jamaat-affiliated leaders in Pirojpur’s Nesarabad have reportedly received threatening letters sent by post, demanding they quit politics and pay extortion money. Both victims have lodged separate written complaints with the local police station.

On Saturday, Jamaat labor leader Md. Abdur Rahman received a registered letter warning him to withdraw from Jamaat politics and demanding Tk 50,000 as extortion. The envelope listed the sender as “Md. Kabir Mia” of Kamarakathi village in Nesarabad.

Earlier, Jamaat’s religious leader Shariful Islam also received a similar threat letter, allegedly sent by “Md. Zahid Sikder,” a resident of Swarupkathi municipality.

Police said the mobile numbers mentioned in the letters were tracked and found to be registered in Chattogram. “We are actively investigating the matter,” a police official confirmed.

Ganosamhati Andolon leader Zonayed Saki has accused the ruling party of plundering national wealth, resulting in the collapse of countless mills and factories and the loss of livelihoods for millions.

Speaking at a rally organized by the Setabganj Sugar Mill Reopening Committee, Saki said:
“The fascist government’s sole policy was looting. That looting has shut down industries, destroyed employment opportunities, and left people destitute. Backed by the fallen Awami regime, S. Alam Group has swallowed the country’s resources.”

He demanded the immediate release of allocated funds and urgent renovations to restart the Setabganj and Shyampur sugar mills, as well as the restoration of four other closed sugar mills in the next phase. “Those entrusted with these mills are not reviving industries—they are destroying them,” he added.

BNP leader Hasan Uddin Sarkar has urged the party to distinguish between opportunists and loyal activists, stressing that only those who remain steadfast during adversity are the party’s “true workers.”

Speaking at a campaign strategy meeting with Gacha Thana BNP and affiliated organizations for the Gazipur-6 constituency, Sarkar said:
“Some maintained cozy relations with Awami League and enjoyed benefits, while others faced persecution, cases, and attacks for standing firm. The latter are our real strength, and they must be valued accordingly.”