Asaduzzaman Fuad, a leader of the AB Party, has declared that no national election will be accepted without the implementation of the July Charter.

He proposed a referendum or a constituent assembly election if necessary, insisting that the sacrifices of students in the July Movement must not be wasted.

Fuad accused major political parties, including the BNP, of failing to grasp the youth’s aspirations during the JUCSU elections. “Traditional politics, extortion, and muscle power have been defeated. If mainstream parties fail to understand this generational demand, they will pay a heavy price in the future,” he warned.

He also criticized selective constitutional arguments from opposition parties, asking why they remained silent when at least 50 constitutional provisions had already been violated.

BNP leader Shamsuzzaman Dudu has stressed that elections are the only path to democratic progress, warning against attempts to derail the upcoming polls.

“Some groups are inventing excuses to block the election. But democracy has no alternative to elections. If elections are delayed, authoritarian forces will take advantage,” he said.

Dudu urged BNP supporters to remain united, declaring that the decisive moment for Bangladesh’s democracy will come in February 2026. He also insisted that only the Zia family can safeguard the country’s future.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has demanded the resignation of two student representatives from the advisory council of the interim government before the election schedule is announced, citing concerns over impartiality.

He accused the Awami League of fueling unrest and said the growing political crisis could plunge the nation into deep uncertainty. “The Awami League has a history of terrorism. Sheikh Hasina’s attempts to derail the election are nothing new. But this time, the people will resist, and her party will be wiped out,” he warned.

Fakhrul also criticized Hasina’s recent remarks in India, calling them harmful to the Awami League’s credibility. “If she had instead admitted past mistakes and promoted capable leaders to lead politics forward, the country would have been better off,” he added.

Tanvir Bari Hamim, who contested for the position of General Secretary in the JUCSU election and secured 5,283 votes, has admitted his fault in a heated exchange with Assistant Proctor Shehrin Amin Monami on election day.

Speaking on a YouTube talk show Face the People alongside Monami, Hamim said, “At the time, she was acting as an administrator, and I spoke to her in that capacity. But she is also my teacher. As a student, I should not have spoken in that manner. I have always felt sorry for it.”

He clarified that allegations of bias were directed at the overall election process, not specifically at Monami. He further pledged organizational action if any activist with proven affiliation was found spreading falsehoods against her.

BNP leader AZM Zahid Hossain has strongly criticized the JUCSU election, claiming that an election which draws controversy should never be held.

Speaking after paying tribute at the grave of former president Ziaur Rahman, he said, “It is not just Chhatra Dal; the boycott by other panels also signals deeper issues behind this election.”

Zahid described the election as a “mockery” designed to rehabilitate autocracy. He alleged that conspiracies are underway to push Bangladesh backward and obstruct democracy.

“Exiled autocrats and anti-national forces are working together to derail the democratic journey. I call upon the election organizers to refrain from creating further division,” he added.

BNP leader Rumeen Farhana has sharply criticized the recent JUCSU elections, citing reports of vote-rigging, ballot stuffing, and administrative failures.

“Throughout the day, discussions revolved around irregularities. Panels from Chhatra Dal and Shibir held press conferences, and three teachers boycotted the election. The same allegations kept surfacing,” Rumeen said.

She pointed to discrepancies such as excess ballot papers. “One hall had 299 registered voters, yet 400 ballot papers were supplied. Officials admitted 10–20% more ballots were printed. Even the promised photo-based voter list was never prepared,” she noted.

Farhana emphasized that dissatisfaction was not limited to one student panel: “It’s not just Chhatra Dal. Other panels also believe this election lacked transparency and that the administration failed its duty.”

According to her, BNP’s decision to reject the election results rests on clear grounds: “Whether people see it as valid reasoning or an excuse is ultimately up to public judgment.”

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman and Islami Chhatra Shibir President Zahidul Islam have expressed deep sorrow at the sudden death of Jahangirnagar University Assistant Professor Jannatul Ferdous Moumita.

The assistant professor of the Department of Fine Arts passed away unexpectedly during the vote-counting process at the university.

In a Facebook post, the Jamaat chief prayed for the departed soul and conveyed condolences to her grieving family. “May Allah forgive her, grant her a place in paradise, and give strength to her loved ones to endure this loss,” he wrote.

The Shibir president echoed similar sentiments, praying for her forgiveness and offering sympathy to her family, colleagues, and students.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police have arrested 12 activists of the banned Awami League and its affiliated organizations on charges of preparing for an unauthorized “flash rally.”

The arrests were made Thursday in the city’s Darussalam area.

Those detained include Al Amin (32), Akkas Mia (52), Sohag Majhi (38), Nesar Mia (48), Yusuf Ali (48), Faruk Hossain (47), Mokbul Mridha (54), Manik Mia (38), Md. Shahin (50), Md. Nayeem (25), Emdadul Haque (37), and Abdul Alim (22).

Police confirmed that legal proceedings are underway against the detainees and others involved in planning the rally.

The Jahangirnagar University Teachers and Students Unity Forum (Bagchas) have described the JUCSU and hall union elections as “flawed” but has decided to accept the results to safeguard democratic practice and balance of power on campus.

Bagchas leaders announced the decision at 2 AM Friday. GS candidate Abu Touhid said, “The fact that the election happened at all is a positive step. Thousands of students voted despite adverse conditions, and we salute them. For that reason, we will not boycott the results.”

However, VP candidate Arifuzzaman Ujjal criticized the election commission for poor preparation, citing nomination disputes, ballot mismanagement, lack of transparency in drug test results, and security lapses. He alleged that some ballot papers lacked permanent ink, allowing tampering.

Both Shibir- and Chhatra Dal-backed panels were also accused of repeatedly violating the electoral code of conduct.

Vote counting is underway in the Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (JUCSU) election, with results expected Friday.

Overnight, more than 500 supporters of Islami Chhatra Shibir gathered outside the university gates, closely monitoring developments. One supporter said, “If Shibir performs well here after winning DUCSU, it will have nationwide implications. We are here out of enthusiasm and will leave once results are announced.”

Around 2 AM, Jamaat-e-Islami’s Dhaka-19 MP candidate, Maulana Afzal Hossain, also briefly appeared at the main gate before leaving on a motorbike, though his associates remained.

University proctor Dr. A.K.M. Rashidul Alam said he was unaware of the gathering but had instructed the security team to look into the matter.

A delegation from the National Committee for the People (NCP) has arrived in Tokyo, Japan, where they were warmly greeted with flowers by members of the Bangladeshi diaspora.

The delegation, which departed Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport yesterday afternoon, landed at Narita International Airport at 6:30 AM local time Friday. Members include Sarjis Alam, Nasiruddin Patwary, and Mahbub Alam.

During their visit, the team will attend community events in Tokyo and Osaka, meet NCP supporters, and hold discussions with Bangladesh’s ambassador to Japan regarding expatriate challenges and opportunities.

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has expressed concern over the sweeping victory of Islami Chhatra Shibir in the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) election. His remarks drew a sharp response from Meghmallar Basu, a GS candidate in the same election.

In an open letter, Basu wrote, “Mr. Tharoor, despite massive state interference, Islamist extremism, and financial muscle power, I still secured nearly 5,000 votes. That makes me a legitimate representative of Dhaka University’s progressive students. While your analysis that people are disillusioned with mainstream parties’ corruption is true, you fail to see that your words inadvertently serve as propaganda for Jamaat.”

He continued, “Why is Shibir’s victory ‘alarming’ to you? Weren’t you the same person who stoked right-wing propaganda during the Sabarimala issue in Kerala, just to weaken the CPI(M)? Before advising a neighboring country, first defeat Hindutva fascists in India’s own national elections. We will fight Islamist fascism in Bangladesh ourselves.”

Earlier, Tharoor had described Shibir’s win as “a warning sign for the future, reflecting public frustration with both Awami League and BNP, pushing voters toward Jamaat not for its religious agenda, but because it has not yet been tainted by corruption and misrule.”

Akhtar Hossain, Member Secretary of the National Committee for the People (NCP), has been acquitted of a long-pending case filed under the Special Powers Act.

The case stemmed from April 13, 2021, when Hossain was distributing iftar items to the underprivileged in Dhaka University during Ramadan. Police detained him and filed charges at Shahbagh Police Station. Later, while he was in prison, another case was brought against him over a peaceful protest against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Dhaka.

Speaking after the acquittal, Hossain said, “The previous government weaponized false cases against hundreds of thousands of citizens, myself included. While the interim government has withdrawn some of these politically motivated charges, one case against me remains ongoing. I demand that all false cases against anyone be withdrawn immediately.”

BNP Vice Chairman Altaf Hossain Chowdhury claimed during a speech at Dumki Upazila Auditorium that although Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has fled, her remnants remain and are conspiring with India to disrupt Bangladesh’s elections. Altaf urged party members to unite under the leadership of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman to ensure a fair election, citing the ideals of Ziaur Rahman as guiding principles.

Members of the newly elected DU panel visited former DU VP Nurul Haque Nur in hospital, breaking into tears while praying for his recovery. GOB leader Shakil Uzzaman confirmed the visit, which included newly elected DU VP Sadiq Qayem, GS SM Farhad, and AGS Mohiuddin. The panel expressed condolences and wished Nur a speedy recovery. Previously, Nurul Haque Nur had congratulated all students who participated in the DU and hall elections and thanked the university administration for a lively, participatory election process.