The Election Commission has issued letters to 50 registered political parties requesting submission of their annual income and expenditure reports. However, the banned Awami League was excluded from this directive.

According to regulations, parties must submit the previous year's financials by July 31. Failure to submit for three consecutive years may lead to deregistration. Additionally, new applicants for party registration have been given a 15-day window to submit required documents.

The National Democratic Movement (NDM) has proposed key electoral reforms during a meeting with the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC). Among their demands: holding general elections by February, redrawing parliamentary boundaries within two months, capping campaign expenditures at Tk 4 million, and amending the Representation of the People Order (RPO) to prevent banned Awami League leaders from contesting elections under disguise.

NDM Chairman Bobby Hajjaj emphasized that a clause should be added to ensure disqualified AL leaders cannot circumvent the ban. On the same day, Bangladesh Amjanagon Party met with the CEC and expressed hope for a festive and participatory election.

Amid ongoing internal strife and uncertainty over its future direction, the central committee of Jatiya Party has announced an emergency press conference. It will be held on Tuesday, July 8 at 12:00 PM at the Baridhara residence of Co-Chairman Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud.

Top leaders including Barrister Mahmud and ABM Ruhul Amin Hawlader are expected to speak. Media representatives, press club units, and diplomatic correspondents have been invited to attend.

The al-Qaeda-linked group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) is intensifying attacks across West Africa, especially in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. Despite military coups in these countries, JNIM has expanded control, imposing strict Sharia law and increasing violence. The group finances operations through livestock theft, taxation, and smuggling. Efforts by regional and international forces have so far failed to contain JNIM’s growth, raising fears of long-term instability and insecurity in the Sahel region.

During a leaflet distribution, roadshow, and public outreach event on Monday afternoon at Nayapara Bazaar, Narayanganj, BNP nomination hopeful for Narayanganj-3, Al Mujahid Mallik, stated that if the 31-point state reform agenda announced by BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman is implemented, it will ensure democracy, good governance, and human rights in Bangladesh. He promised widespread development and peace under BNP rule, citing the party’s previous tenure as a period of significant progress. He emphasized BNP’s commitment to development politics.

Rabiu Islam Noyon, Secretary of the Dhaka Metropolitan South Jubo Dal, served dinner to over 300 students at the Arpara Islamia Fazlul Ulum Qawmiya Orphanage in Shalikha, Magura. After the Isha prayer, he shared the meal with local BNP leaders and the students. The madrasa’s founder and the orphans expressed their gratitude for his generosity. Noyon also prayed for the health of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and for the soul of the martyred President Ziaur Rahman.

BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed announced that the party has reversed its decades-old stance against local-level courts. The BNP now supports the proposal to expand the judiciary to the Upazila level. He noted that this policy shift comes in response to discussions around safeguarding human rights during states of emergency. Although BNP supports the expansion proposal in principle, it has recommended revisions and called for consultations with the High Court.

BNP leaders and activists in Chuadanga’s Darsana area besieged the police station demanding the release of student league activist Manik, arrested in a land dispute case. After staging a protest march and occupying the police station on Saturday night, Manik was released following negotiations with the Officer-in-Charge. Sub-Inspector Anuj Kumar has been suspended and sent to the police lines. Despite viral videos of the siege, police stated no one forcibly entered the station, describing the incident as a peaceful resolution. A divisional committee has been formed to investigate the matter.

A Dhaka court has ordered the freezing of 400 million taka in four bank accounts belonging to Hamidul Haque, former Director General of the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI). The order was issued by Senior Special Judge Zakir Hossain Galib following a request from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), which cited concerns that Hamidul and his associates might withdraw or transfer the funds. Earlier, the court also imposed a travel ban on Hamidul and his wife.

After two decades of delays, the 20-bed Aliarhat Hospital in Shibganj Upazila, Bogura, is finally set to open. The hospital, constructed in 2005 at a cost of 43.2 million taka, was inspected by the Health Secretary Saidur Rahman, who assured proper healthcare services upon opening. Locals, including former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia’s assignment officer, expressed hope and happiness after years of petitions and protests demanding the hospital’s operation.

Foyez Ahmad Tayyab, chief adviser to Bangladesh’s Post, Telecommunications, and IT Ministry, claims he is under attack by vested-interest mafias due to efforts to reform telecom licensing. He highlighted outdated license structures leading to corruption and revenue loss, and announced the draft Telecom Network and Licensing Reform Policy-2025 to modernize and deregulate the sector. Tayyab criticized previous governments for enabling cartel operations causing billions in revenue loss, and emphasized that ongoing reforms aim to protect SMEs and ensure transparency in telecom services.

Akhtar Hossain, Member-Secretary of the National Consensus Commission (NCP), alleged that the government is attempting to push reform responsibilities to the future parliament. He stated that the mandate for reforms rests with the current government and that political representatives within the commission hold decision-making authority. Opposing the tendency to treat the July Declaration as a mere document, he stressed the need to hold a people’s council election independently of parliament for implementing fundamental political reforms.

During a July rally in Borai Gram, Natore, DB police arrested Khorshed Alam (40), an Awami League activist, for issuing threats on Facebook against NCP leader Hasnat Abdullah. Following a threatening comment on the NCP’s ‘Borai Gram Voice’ Facebook page, Khorshed Alam was detained from his residence Sunday night. Using technology, police identified the culprit behind the threatening post, which read, “Hasnat just got beaten somewhere nearby, let’s see what we can do in Bonpara.” The Borai Gram police chief confirmed the arrest.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has called for Israel and the United States to be held accountable for attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities, warning of regional and global consequences if ignored. Speaking at the BRICS summit in Brazil, Araqchi condemned the strikes as violations of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and UN Security Council Resolution 2231. The BRICS nations expressed support for Iran and condemned the attacks as breaches of international law. Recent conflict between Israel and Iran led to significant casualties on both sides before a US-mediated ceasefire.

Nahid Islam, convener of the National Coordination Platform (NCP), criticized the current constitution for dividing Bangladesh and failing to establish an inclusive state. Speaking at a public meeting in Sirajganj, he urged the drafting of a new democratic constitution that incorporates the Liberation War, the mass uprising, and the aspirations of the people from 1947. He emphasized that elections cannot be held without judicial reform and that the July declaration should be enshrined in the constitution to ensure the security of martyrs’ families. Highlighting the importance of Sirajganj’s weaving industry, he called for its global recognition and appealed for impartial administration that does not serve any political party.