DUCSU central member candidate Sajib Hossain has alleged that his vote was not recorded properly.
“I want to know where my vote went,” Sajib told reporters, explaining that although he cast his ballot for a GS candidate at Curzon Hall, the candidate’s result showed zero votes.

He demanded clarification and justification if his vote was canceled.

Another candidate, Rakib Hossain Gazi, also complained of irregularities, accusing the election commission of giving preferential treatment to certain groups and ignoring rules on distributing candidate slips. Both said they would file written complaints with the university administration.

Bangladesh’s Central Intelligence Cell (CIC) of the National Board of Revenue has seized locker No. 128 belonging to Sheikh Hasina at Pubali Bank’s Motijheel branch.

CIC Director General Ahsan Habib confirmed that investigators found the locker registered under Hasina’s name at the Sena Kalyan Bhaban branch. One key was in Hasina’s possession while the other remained with the bank. Revenue officials sealed the locker earlier today.

Additionally, investigators froze fixed deposits worth Tk 1.2 million under Hasina’s name and Tk 4.4 million jointly held with her sister Sheikh Rehana. Officials believe the locker may contain sensitive documents, valuables, and jewelry.

Prominent filmmaker and advisor Mostofa Sarwar Farooki posted on social media following the DUCSU polls, writing:
“Do you know who lost today’s DUCSU election? The ‘Killer Hasina League’—the very group that destroyed elections in Bangladesh and handed over the country to others.”

He added that the real victory lay in Bangladesh’s renewed journey toward democracy, declaring:
“The winners are not candidates or parties. The winner is Bangladesh’s path to democracy—and the students of Dhaka University who united at the end of the day chanting, ‘We demand justice for Killer Hasina!’”

BNP leader Salauddin Ahmed has congratulated the winners of the DUCSU elections, acknowledging it as part of democratic tradition.
“Since elections were held after a long time, some irregularities did occur,” he noted.

On the impact of student politics on national elections, Ahmed said: “Many DUCSU leaders elected under major party banners later reached parliament. However, independent winners have not yet made it to the national stage.”

He also criticized media outlets for labeling candidates under the Sadiq Kayem–SM Farhad panel as “Shibir’s panel,” calling the reports misleading.

Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a strong condemnation of Israel’s recent military strikes on Qatar.

“This attack is a blatant violation of Qatar’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as international law and the UN Charter,” the ministry said in a statement.

Bangladesh reaffirmed its unwavering solidarity with Qatar’s government and people, describing the strikes as illegal and unjustified. The statement further called on the international community—especially the United Nations—to ensure accountability and uphold respect for global laws and norms.

BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami have instructed their student fronts—Chhatra Dal and Chhatra Shibir—not to engage in clashes over the results of the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) election.

The directive came after government officials reached out to both parties’ leadership, warning that any unrest would be met with strict action by law enforcement agencies.

BNP leader Salauddin Ahmed confirmed, “We assured the government that Chhatra Dal will not engage in violence or disorder. We have informed our leaders accordingly.”
A Jamaat leader similarly stated that no outsiders would enter the university premises and instructed members to remain vigilant.

Sources revealed that three government advisors, the chief advisor’s special assistant, and the Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner also spoke with BNP and Jamaat leaders to ease tensions.

BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman has expressed firm support for Qatar following Israeli airstrikes in Doha.
“We stand in strong solidarity with the people of Qatar and its Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani,” Rahman said in a statement.

He urged international stakeholders to take urgent measures against Israel’s military aggression and ensure accountability for violating international laws and norms. Rahman also emphasized the need for an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages, and a united stance to protect humanity.

In Bagerhat, an all-party coalition committee has launched a 48-hour strike, demanding the restoration of the district’s four parliamentary seats.

From Wednesday morning, protesters set up blockades, burning tires at multiple points, effectively halting long-route bus services on 16 major routes, cutting off road connections to 21 districts.

The committee argues that the EC’s decision to cut one seat ignores Bagerhat’s geographic, demographic, and economic importance, which includes the Mongla Port, EPZ-industrial zone, and two UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Locals in Faridpur’s Bhanga upazila blocked major highways again on Wednesday, protesting the exclusion of Algi and Hamirdi unions from the Faridpur-4 constituency.

Demonstrators staged sit-ins at eight key points of the Dhaka-Khulna and Dhaka-Barishal highways, halting transport to 21 districts.

They demanded that the Election Commission reverse its decision to merge the unions with Faridpur-2, warning of continued protests until their demand is met.

Newly elected VP Sadiq Kayem dedicated his victory to the students of Dhaka University, saying:
“There is no winner or loser here—only the July generation and DU students have triumphed. I will safeguard this mandate with full responsibility, not as VP but as a brother.”

Kayem promised to:

Build DU into a complete academic institution

Ensure a safe campus for women

Unite students of all ideologies for progress

He called on all candidates to act as advisors, stressing that the fight for democracy that began with the July Movement would continue from Dhaka University.

Political commentator Hasnat Abdullah expressed concern over the excessive influence of political parties in the DUCSU election.

He wrote:
“DUCSU has become less about student mandates and more about a game of national party extensions. This sets a negative precedent.”

Hasnat warned that such practices could erode democracy and called on all parties to respect voters’ decisions. He emphasized building a culture where defeat is accepted as part of democratic growth and urged political actors to prioritize people’s aspirations over party interests.

Policy advisor Sharmin S. Murshid highlighted the urgent need to value women’s unpaid labor, stressing that women spend 7.3 times more hours on unpaid work than men, according to BBS data (2021).

“Women are desperate for equality, yet their contributions remain invisible,” she said. Murshid called for:

An inter-ministerial coordination framework to formally recognize unpaid work

Gender-sensitive planning in fiscal, labor, and social protection policies

Encouraging private sector involvement in dignified caregiving jobs and gender-friendly workplaces

Alignment with international labor standards in care-related regulations

The Bangladesh Embassy in Qatar has urged citizens to avoid going outdoors unless absolutely necessary amid the tense regional situation.

In an official statement, the embassy also requested expatriates to refrain from sharing or posting videos of Israeli attacks on social media, citing Qatari laws.

For emergencies, Bangladeshis have been asked to contact the hotline +974 33662000 or email mission.doha@mofa.gov.bd
.

The Election Commission has officially announced the DUCSU election results, confirming Sadiq Kayem as VP, S.M. Farhad as GS, and Mohiuddin Khan as AGS.

The final tally reflected earlier hall-level results, cementing decisive victories for the Shibir-backed panel in key positions.

Independent candidate Umama Fatema rejected the election results, declaring:
“Boycott! Boycott! I am rejecting this DUCSU election. It was a shamelessly rigged process. After August 5, the Dhaka University administration has delivered yet another disgrace to the nation under Shibir’s influence.”

In a separate social media post, she compared the election to “a circus.”

BNP-backed VP candidate Abidul Islam Abid and GS candidate Hamim also rejected the results, citing fraud, manipulation, and machine errors.