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.

For the third consecutive day, locals in Faridpur have blocked major highways protesting the inclusion of Algi and Hamirdi unions under Constituency-2 instead of Constituency-4.

The blockade has disrupted traffic on key routes including Dhaka-Khulna, Dhaka-Barishal, and Jashore-Bhanga-Barishal highways. Protesters set up blockades at eight different points, halting transport across 21 districts.

Yesterday, demonstrators had staged a similar blockade from morning until evening before lifting it.

Consensus Commission Vice-President Dr. Ali Riaz has said Bangladesh’s future trajectory hinges on the success of the ongoing reform process, which requires cooperation from all stakeholders.

Speaking on Thursday, he confirmed that the commission has been holding dialogues with political parties regarding the implementation of the “July National Charter 2025.” He emphasized that the commission will not impose decisions but will base them on consensus.

Dr. Riaz noted that while there were some dissenting opinions, most political parties reached broad agreement. The commission has also consulted experts to refine recommendations.

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.

Bangladesh’s national football team, stranded in Nepal amid political unrest, is set to return home today, according to the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF).

Following a Gen-Z–led uprising in Nepal that sparked curfews and violent protests, the players, including captain Jamal Bhuyan, were confined to their hotel.

Bangladesh Embassy officials and the army coordinated to ensure the team’s safe departure once Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan Airport reopened. Despite uncertainty, players kept up fitness routines. Midfielder Sohel Rana said, “The situation is calmer now. We’re staying in touch with our families, and BFF is working hard to bring us home.”

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.

The Jatiya Sangsad (JAKSU) elections began Thursday morning at 9 am and will continue until 5 pm. Ballot boxes and materials were delivered to polling centers earlier, with polling agents assuming their responsibilities.
This year’s election has 11,843 registered voters. Ten candidates are vying for the vice president’s post, though Amartya Roy’s candidacy remains disputed. Nine are contesting for general secretary, while AGS positions include 10 male and six female candidates. Multiple candidates are competing for the remaining 21 posts. Security measures have been tightened to ensure smooth voting.

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.

Kurigram Deputy Commissioner (DC) Mosammat Sultana Parvin has been suspended following allegations of abuse of power in a case involving the midnight sentencing of a journalist by a mobile court.
The suspension came after a court rejected her bail plea and sent her to jail on September 8. The controversy dates back to March 2019, when local journalist Ariful Islam was detained from his home at midnight and sentenced to one year in prison by a mobile court. Authorities later claimed to have found liquor and cannabis in his house, though his family alleged he was targeted for reporting against the DC.

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.”

Government secondary school teachers across Bangladesh have put forward a five-point charter of demands, with the establishment of a separate Directorate of Secondary Education topping the list.

The demands include:

Creation of an independent Directorate of Secondary Education.

Upgrading the entry-level grade of assistant teachers to 9th grade with a four-tier promotion scale.

Preservation of administrative and financial authority for regional deputy directors, ensuring autonomy and dignity of all secondary offices.

Immediate recruitment and promotion to fill vacant posts in schools and inspection branches.

Clearance of pending selection-grade and time-scale approvals.

Teachers say these reforms are vital for strengthening secondary education in the country.