Press Secretary Mohammad Shafiqul Alam clarified that the meeting on June 26 between Chief Election Commissioner A M M Nasir Uddin and Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus was purely courteous and held without any special purpose. He reiterated the government’s commitment to conducting credible and participatory elections.

Shafiqul Alam also noted that fundamental reforms within the Election Commission have already begun. Major ministries have undergone restructuring to improve transparency, and ongoing discussions are taking place with political parties to reform the political, electoral, judicial, police, and other administrative sectors.

Highlighting government progress, he mentioned that anti-corruption efforts include reviewing asset declarations of government officials by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to prevent fraud and malpractice.

Rezaul Karim, Amir of Islami Andolan, stated that there is growing public expectation for unity among Islamist groups. “From the beginning, I have advocated for bringing all Islamist votes into one ballot box,” he said. He also noted that not only Islamic parties but several patriotic political groups might join this unified ballot box system in the upcoming elections, InshaAllah.

The Chormonai Pir reflected on the July coup’s primary aim to save the country from dictatorship and criticized those undermining fundamental reforms as betraying the July movement. He stressed that unless there is consensus on key issues such as the Proportional Representation (PR) system in both houses of parliament and state principles, a referendum may be necessary. He further emphasized the importance of justice in the political process.

On Saturday evening, Tarek Rahman contacted Masud Kamal from London to inquire about his health. Expressing his sympathy for the ailing leader, Tarek also discussed the current political situation in the country and shared his thoughts on future prospects during the call. Additionally, he spoke with Masud Kamal’s wife, journalist Shakila Sultana Swati.

Starlink plans to connect through Indian telecom Bharti Airtel at the Petrapole border, linking Bangladesh’s Fiber@Home data center to Equinix in Oman. This arrangement, approved by Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission, supports Starlink’s data transmission service. Experts question the reliance on Indian infrastructure over Bangladesh’s own. The government explains that current submarine cables lack landing rights in Oman, but hopes to establish direct connection by 2026 via the new SMW-6 cable. This move marks a significant milestone in Bangladesh’s digital progress.

NCP leader Hasnat Abdullah emphasized that just as the public is demanding elections by February, they should also demand justice and reform. “Without reform, elections will not yield fruitful outcomes,” he stated. Abdullah stressed that he does not believe in politics driven by revenge. “If someone throws a stone at me, I will respond by offering flowers and embrace them,” he added.

Speaking from Debidwar, he recalled past incidents where religious leaders’ beards were forcibly pulled and microphones were shut down during gatherings. He pointed out the high costs involved in becoming Members of Parliament, highlighting that those who sacrificed their lives on the streets did not aspire to become MPs but sought genuine reform for the country.

Hasnat Abdullah reaffirmed NCP’s commitment to non-violent politics and vowed never to compromise or bow to injustice.

At a Dhaka conference, water experts from several countries urged the Bangladesh government to reveal the environmental damage caused by upstream water withdrawals from 54 shared rivers. They warned of recurring floods, river drying, and severe ecological disruption impacting agriculture, biodiversity, and livelihoods. The sudden release of water from India's Tripura was cited as a recent disaster. Experts called for a multilateral body to manage transboundary rivers, stressing the need to prioritize nature over political boundaries and protect downstream communities.

Bangladesh's garment sector is facing daily transaction disruptions worth Tk 2,600 crore due to a prolonged work stoppage by National Board of Revenue (NBR) staff. BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan warned that smaller factories risk bankruptcy, threatening worker livelihoods and industry stability. Business leaders criticized the unprecedented NBR shutdown, urging swift resolution to prevent long-term economic harm. While they oppose the call to remove the NBR chairman, they stressed that halting revenue operations endangers the entire economy.

In a joint operation led by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, around 6.90 acres of forest land worth Tk 35 crore were reclaimed in Gazipur Sadar Upazila. A total of 205 illegal structures in the Bokran Monipur area were demolished. The operation involved the army, RAB, BGB, local administration, forest department, and police. Authorities emphasized that similar drives will continue under the government’s zero-tolerance policy against forest encroachment and to protect biodiversity and wildlife.

Nasiruddin Patwari, a senior leader of the Nationalist Citizen Party (NCP), has issued a public apology for a congratulatory message he sent to 71 TV, acknowledging that it has hurt the sentiments of many patriotic citizens.

“I sincerely apologize to the people of Bangladesh for the message I gave congratulating 71 TV,” Patwari wrote in a statement. “It was never my intention to offend anyone, especially those who deeply value our nation's history and struggle.”

He further stated, “I have always stood, and will continue to stand, with those who fight against fascism and injustice. I fully respect the feelings of the people and reaffirm my unwavering commitment to their struggle.”

Patwari faced widespread criticism after sharing a message mentioning that "many senior journalists from 71 TV joined us in July," which sparked backlash due to the channel’s perceived political stance.

The Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party) has declared that state reform and reconstruction will be their central issues for voters in the upcoming election. Party Chairman Mojibur Rahman Manju stated that rebuilding the nation beyond political consensus is impossible without recognizing the sacrifices of thousands of martyrs who toppled an authoritarian regime.

He acknowledged that although all parties agree on Article 70 of the Constitution, significant disagreements remain regarding the Prime Minister’s tenure and powers, presidential elections, and appointments to constitutional institutions. These issues have yet to reach political consensus, and intense disputes continue over institutional appointments.

Considering these challenges, Manju urged for a political approach that addresses these realities. Meanwhile, former founding convener Solaiman Chowdhury called on party nomination hopefuls to strengthen the grassroots organization in preparation for the election.

Bangladesh experiences around 3.36 million lightning strikes annually, causing approximately 350 deaths each year, according to RIMES meteorologist Khan Mohammad Golam Rabbani. At a seminar marking International Lightning Safety Day, he highlighted rising lightning incidents—up by 10% recently—and identified Sunamganj, Netrokona, and Sylhet as high-risk districts. April and May are peak months. Disaster management officials aim to expand the Cyclone Preparedness Programme into a full disaster response agency. Safety guidelines during lightning and recommendations for public awareness were also shared at the event.

As part of a central program by the BNP-affiliated Krishak Dal, over 500 farmers in Monohardi, Narsingdi received free seeds and fertilizer. The initiative, directed by acting BNP chairman Tarique Rahman, took place at Arjunchor High School field. Leaders emphasized supporting farmers to strengthen the economy, following the vision of former President Ziaur Rahman. Each farmer received 20 kg of fertilizer and 5 kg of high-yield seeds. Local BNP and affiliated leaders were present during the distribution ceremony.

BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed remarked that while political parties may wish for proportional representation (PR) elections from their respective positions, there has been no consensus on the PR system within Bangladesh’s context. “Based on our past discussions with the Reform Commission, we have found no agreement on implementing PR elections here. It is not applicable to this country,” he said.

Salahuddin emphasized, “The people of Bangladesh are united, and all democracy-loving citizens have struggled not just for local government elections but for broader democratic reforms.” Addressing the Reform Advisor, he humorously suggested, “You might as well write a poem: ‘O Reform, how long will you talk and dine without taking action?’”

He further added that everyone must be willing to accept the National Consensus Commission’s proposals. “If the intent is genuine, consensus can be achieved. We are in dialogue and moving closer to what benefits the nation,” he concluded. He also highlighted that reform is not a rigid manual but an ongoing transformative process.

A violent clash erupted between BNP and Gazipur Metropolitan Volunteer Group members over a jute business dispute in Tongi, Gazipur, turning the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway into a battleground. The incident involved chases, fights, and cocktail bomb explosions near Saturn Garments, leaving at least 10 people injured, including bystanders. The highway was temporarily closed due to panic and smoke. Law enforcement restored order after two hours. This conflict follows a similar violent episode in May, with both sides blaming each other for the unrest.

At Jahangirnagar University, three Awami League-aligned Senate members—two professors and one faculty dean—left the annual Senate meeting following strong protests from students. The students opposed the presence of members accused of supporting attacks on students and anti-uprising stances in July. Chanting anti-fascist slogans, the students demanded their removal, forcing the members to exit under university supervision. Student groups vowed to block any fascist collaborators from future meetings and hold them accountable for their actions.