BNP leader Sultan Salahuddin Tuku has claimed that Bangladeshis were deprived of their right to vote in the 2014, 2018, and 2024 elections. Speaking in Tangail, he said the public wants a stable Bangladesh through free and fair elections—not power for power’s sake.
Tuku alleged that those who conspired over elections have become disconnected from the people and urged unity to build a democratic Bangladesh. He also warned against fascist collaborators plotting to destabilize the country, stressing the need for a people-oriented government.

A joint survey by BIGD and Voice for Reform shows that 48.5% of voters remain undecided about participating in the upcoming national election—up from 38% in the previous survey.
Findings reveal that 51% want major reforms before elections, 17% want some reforms, while 14% support elections without reforms. BNP has support from 12% of respondents, Jamaat-e-Islami 10.4%, NCP 2.8%, and Awami League 7.3%—down from 8.9%.
While 70% believe the next election will be free and fair, law and order, judicial reform, anti-corruption measures, and economic development remain top voter priorities. Respondents rated the government’s performance at 63 out of 100, down from 68 in October.

NCP leaders met with US Acting Ambassador Traci Ann Jacobson at her Gulshan-2 residence on Monday. The US Embassy’s Political Counsellor Eric Gillan also attended the meeting.
From the NCP side, Nahid Islam, Akhter Hossain, and Tasnim Jara were present. Discussions focused on Bangladesh’s current political situation, the upcoming national election, democratic processes, and international cooperation. NCP leaders emphasized the importance of political stability and inclusive elections.

India has imposed immediate restrictions on importing four types of Bangladeshi jute products through land borders: jute fabric, jute rope, rope made from jute products, and jute sacks.
The new directive from India’s Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) mandates that these items must now enter India via sea through Mumbai’s Nhava Sheva port.
Currently, less than 1% of Bangladesh’s jute exports to India go by sea, with the rest transported by land. This is not the first time India has restricted overland imports of jute products from Bangladesh.

Starting September 1, Bangladesh will roll out a nationwide free typhoid vaccination drive under the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI).
Children aged between 9 months and 15 years 11 months will receive a single-dose injectable vaccine, which offers protection for 3–7 years. Registration, which began on August 1, will continue until the campaign starts.
According to EPI Program Manager Dr. Abul Fazal, the first 10 working days will target schools, madrasas, and EPI centers, with an additional 8 days for out-of-school children or those who missed earlier doses. Children without birth certificates can register using their parents’ mobile numbers.

From January 1 to July 31 this year, at least 111 people in Bangladesh have been killed in incidents of mob violence, according to Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK).
In a statement, the rights body condemned the August 9 killing of two men in Rangpur’s Taraganj upazila, where they were beaten to death on suspicion of stealing a van.
ASK stressed that “taking the law into one’s own hands is a clear violation of the rule of law, the Constitution, and human rights” and also breaches international human rights law. The organization warned that the culture of impunity surrounding mob killings is eroding social harmony and public security, calling for strict identification and prosecution of perpetrators.

NCP leader Sarjis Alam has alleged that Fazlur Rahman, once an Awami League supporter and self-proclaimed Mujibist, has now become a “narrator and orator for the BNP” while still echoing ruling party talking points.
In a recent event, Fazlu reportedly called NCP’s central leaders, including Nahid Islam, “illegitimate,” sparking outrage within the party. Sarjis accused him of representing the “killer League’s” narrative, claiming that pro-Awami League media outlets actively promote his speeches.
“We respect senior politicians, but those like Mr. Fazlu—who show no basic decency, act as fascist collaborators, and reject the people’s uprising—must bear responsibility for public anger,” Sarjis wrote. He warned that if no action is taken against such statements, the public may believe the BNP leadership itself endorses them.

Former DUCSU VP Nurul Haque Nur has warned that without student union elections in universities this time, such polls might not occur again for three decades. Speaking at Rajshahi University, he called for ending hall-level politics while allowing healthy campus political activity through consensus among student groups.
Nur expressed doubt over the February national polls, citing deep divisions among political parties despite their claims of supporting the mass uprising. He also criticized aspects of the BNP’s PR approach, noting that while the proposal passed, dissent notes were recorded.

After a long lull, the sound of gunfire has returned to the Ghumdhum border area in Bandarban. On Sunday night, intermittent shooting inside Myanmar sparked panic in nearby Bangladeshi villages.
Locals suspect heavy clashes near two Arakan Army camps in Tumbru’s Narikel Bagan area. BGB Commander Lt. Col. S.M. Khairul Alam said the gunfire occurred about 300–330 meters inside Myanmar, possibly between the Arakan Army and ARSA or RSO rebels. No bullets crossed into Bangladesh, but BGB remains on high alert.

A new BIGD survey reveals that 80% of Bangladeshis are concerned about rising mob violence since the recent mass uprising. Concerns over women’s safety stand at 56%, nighttime travel safety at 61%, and street harassment related to clothing at 67%.
The survey also gathered public opinion on the interim government’s performance, reform expectations, and political party support ahead of the national elections.

The government has expanded its Food-Friendly Program from 5 million to 5.5 million beneficiaries, extending its duration from five to six months. Starting August 17, each family will be able to purchase 30 kg of rice per month at Tk 15 per kg, Food Adviser Ali Imam Majumder announced.
He urged transparency and integrity in implementation, calling for a thorough verification of OMS dealers, proper beneficiary selection, updated distribution lists, and timely delivery. The adviser also stressed building emergency food reserves, ensuring fair prices for farmers, stabilizing market prices, and securing food warehouses.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus received a red-carpet welcome upon arrival in Malaysia, greeted by Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. Yunus inspected a guard of honour by the 1st Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment.
On Tuesday, he will be formally welcomed at the Perdana Putra Complex before holding bilateral talks with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. His visit includes a state dinner, a public address, and receiving an honorary Doctor of Philosophy degree in Social Business from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.
The trip is expected to see the signing of several MoUs in defence, energy, strategic and international research, semiconductor capacity building, and trade promotion.

Jamaat-e-Islami has called for a peaceful protest demanding legal recognition of the “July Declaration” and “July Charter” and holding the national elections under their framework.
The rally will be held Tuesday at 5 p.m. in the Bijoynagar Panir Tank area, attended by senior Jamaat leaders, including Nayeb-e-Ameer Abdullah Mohammad Taher and Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar.
The party urged Dhaka residents and supporters to participate peacefully, stressing the goal of ensuring free, fair, and credible elections.

Police in Sunamganj have arrested mosque imam Sajidur Rahman, 40, on allegations of raping a child student. The incident reportedly took place Monday at Islampur Jame Mosque in Doarabazar upazila.
Police stated that the imam lured the child to his room under the pretext of sweeping and then assaulted her. The victim informed her family, who alerted the authorities. Preliminary investigations have confirmed the allegations, and the child has been sent for medical examination. Legal proceedings are underway.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has claimed that while the autocratic regime may have fled, it left behind devastation across all sectors of government. Speaking at Naogaon district BNP’s biennial conference, he said the BNP’s prior experience in governance positions it to steer the nation out of the crisis.
Rahman asserted that the people trust the BNP not to harm national interests, and party leaders must safeguard that trust. He acknowledged that should the BNP win the upcoming elections, the new government will face significant challenges. The conference generated visible excitement among grassroots party members after a 15-year hiatus.