The vote-counting process in the JUCSU election has been temporarily suspended as returning officers debate whether to proceed manually or with Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) scanning. An emergency meeting is underway, and the decision will be announced afterward. Until then, counting in three remaining halls is on hold. Many students and candidates have expressed frustration over the delays. Although OMR counting was initially planned, objections from several panels — including the Chhatra Dal — led to a shift to manual counting. Nearly 20 hours after polls closed, the commission has yet to finish tallying votes.

Tanvir Bari Hamim, who contested for the position of General Secretary in the JUCSU election and secured 5,283 votes, has admitted his fault in a heated exchange with Assistant Proctor Shehrin Amin Monami on election day. Speaking on a YouTube talk show Face the People alongside Monami, Hamim said, “At the time, she was acting as an administrator, and I spoke to her in that capacity. But she is also my teacher. As a student, I should not have spoken in that manner. I have always felt sorry for it.” He clarified that allegations of bias were directed at the overall election process, not specifically at Monami. He further pledged organizational action if any activist with proven affiliation was found spreading falsehoods against her.

The funeral prayer of Jannatul Ferdous, a teacher who died suddenly while serving as a polling officer in the JUCSU and hall council elections, was held after Jumma prayers at the university’s central playground. Proctor AKM Rashidul Alam explained that vote counting could not be completed overnight due to exhaustion and the absence of polling agents. On Friday morning, while heading with colleagues to count votes at the Senate Hall, Ferdous collapsed at the entrance and passed away. She was an Assistant Professor in the Department of Fine Arts. Her untimely death has cast a pall of grief over the university’s teachers and students.

The Bangladesh Coast Guard rescued nine fishermen who were being held hostage by the notorious Ranga gang in the Sundarbans. During the operation, two members of the gang were arrested along with weapons and ammunition. The detainees were identified as Nasir Molla (31) and Mintu Sardar (40). According to officials, they had long supported the Ranga gang in robbery operations by supplying arms, ammunition, and provisions. The rescue mission was launched early Friday after intelligence reports indicated fishermen were being held captive in the Adachgi area. Witnesses said the fishermen were abducted on Thursday night while fishing and crabbing, after arriving in the forest on September 3. The gang had demanded ransom before Coast Guard intervention forced them to flee.

Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam has affirmed that the upcoming national election will take place by February 15, dismissing speculation of a delay. “Differences are natural when multiple parties exist. Otherwise, why would separate parties form? But the election will definitely be held by February 15,” he said while visiting the village home of poet Farrukh Ahmed. Alam emphasized that attempts to disrupt the election would not succeed. “This is a foundational election. It will set the course for future polls and guide Bangladesh’s political journey forward,” he quoted the Chief Advisor as saying earlier. He expressed optimism that the 13th National Parliamentary Election will be held in a peaceful, fair, and festive atmosphere. Pointing to the recently concluded DUCSU polls as an encouraging sign, he said security will be ensured with the deployment of nearly 800,000 members of police, BGB, and Ansar.

Sheikh Bashiruddin, Trade Advisor, has acknowledged Bangladesh’s progress in the ready-made garment (RMG) sector but cautioned that the country lags behind in overall competitiveness. Speaking at the Belt and Road Initiative in Bangladesh Exhibition, he noted that Chinese investment in Bangladesh has surged by 300 percent. “We must identify our weaknesses and advance through knowledge-sharing. By utilizing China’s expertise in production and packaging, we can expand our opportunities,” he said. He further highlighted road safety concerns, stating that annual fatalities from road accidents in Bangladesh remain alarming. “Improving road infrastructure and transport management is a necessity,” he stressed. Bashiruddin also revealed that a U.S. government delegation will arrive in Dhaka on Sunday to discuss tariff issues, focusing on how to restructure tariff frameworks for trade efficiency.

BNP leader AZM Zahid Hossain has strongly criticized the JUCSU election, claiming that an election which draws controversy should never be held. Speaking after paying tribute at the grave of former president Ziaur Rahman, he said, “It is not just Chhatra Dal; the boycott by other panels also signals deeper issues behind this election.” Zahid described the election as a “mockery” designed to rehabilitate autocracy. He alleged that conspiracies are underway to push Bangladesh backward and obstruct democracy. “Exiled autocrats and anti-national forces are working together to derail the democratic journey. I call upon the election organizers to refrain from creating further division,” he added.

Nine students of Chittagong University (CU) have been on an indefinite hunger strike demanding the resignation of the proctorial body along with six other demands. By Friday 2 PM, the strike had entered its 50th hour. So far, three students have been hospitalized due to illness, while the remaining six continue their protest with saline support. On Thursday, the university administration urged the protesters to call off the strike and sit for talks on Sunday, but the students rejected the request. Their demands include: Publishing the full list of injured students in recent clashes and ensuring their medical treatment. Immediate arrangement of proper temporary housing and retrieval of belongings for displaced students. Guaranteeing safety for identified at-risk students. Bringing the real perpetrators to justice while stopping harassment of innocent locals. Forming a joint coordination committee with representatives from all sides, meeting at least once every three months. Publishing and implementing the syndicate’s resolutions and a roadmap for a safe campus. Public apology and resignation of the proctorial body for failing in its responsibilities.

BNP leader Rumeen Farhana has sharply criticized the recent JUCSU elections, citing reports of vote-rigging, ballot stuffing, and administrative failures. “Throughout the day, discussions revolved around irregularities. Panels from Chhatra Dal and Shibir held press conferences, and three teachers boycotted the election. The same allegations kept surfacing,” Rumeen said. She pointed to discrepancies such as excess ballot papers. “One hall had 299 registered voters, yet 400 ballot papers were supplied. Officials admitted 10–20% more ballots were printed. Even the promised photo-based voter list was never prepared,” she noted. Farhana emphasized that dissatisfaction was not limited to one student panel: “It’s not just Chhatra Dal. Other panels also believe this election lacked transparency and that the administration failed its duty.” According to her, BNP’s decision to reject the election results rests on clear grounds: “Whether people see it as valid reasoning or an excuse is ultimately up to public judgment.”

Md. Robiul Islam, a first-year Accounting and Information Systems student, claimed his vote was stolen during the JUCSU and hall union elections. “I waited 20 minutes in line to cast my first-ever vote, only to find out it had already been cast by someone else,” Robiul said. Polling officer Md. Zakir Hossain confirmed that CCTV footage revealed another individual had voted using a fake ID card. “When Robiul arrived with his original ID, we verified the authenticity. The matter has been reported to the central election commission,” he added.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman and Islami Chhatra Shibir President Zahidul Islam have expressed deep sorrow at the sudden death of Jahangirnagar University Assistant Professor Jannatul Ferdous Moumita. The assistant professor of the Department of Fine Arts passed away unexpectedly during the vote-counting process at the university. In a Facebook post, the Jamaat chief prayed for the departed soul and conveyed condolences to her grieving family. “May Allah forgive her, grant her a place in paradise, and give strength to her loved ones to endure this loss,” he wrote. The Shibir president echoed similar sentiments, praying for her forgiveness and offering sympathy to her family, colleagues, and students.

Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury, senior judge of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, has been appointed Acting Chief Justice in the absence of Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refaat Ahmed, who is abroad on an official tour. According to a Ministry of Law notification, Justice Chowdhury will serve as Acting Chief Justice from September 9 to September 22—or until Justice Ahmed resumes his duties—during his visit to Brazil and Qatar.

The Election Commission has confirmed that counting of votes in the Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (JUCSU) election is progressing. Seventeen hours after polling ended, results from 17 out of 21 residential halls have been finalized. The university has 11 male halls and 10 female halls. With four halls left, officials expect the counting to conclude by midday. Once the hall-level results are declared, the central union vote count will begin. Due to manual counting, the process is taking longer than anticipated. Authorities estimate that the final results of the JUCSU election will likely be available in the evening. Polling took place yesterday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Although the Election Commission initially planned to use OMR technology for counting, objections raised by several student panels, including Chhatra Dal, led to the process being conducted manually.

The All-Party United Committee has unveiled a new program demanding the reinstatement of four parliamentary seats in Bagerhat. Following a two-day strike that ended Thursday evening, the committee announced a series of demonstrations beginning Sunday. On Friday, imams will raise awareness during Jummah prayers. On Sunday, activists will stage sit-ins outside government offices and courts at district and upazila levels. From Monday to Wednesday, a dawn-to-dusk strike will be enforced. Educational institutions will remain closed, but exemptions will apply between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. daily. Emergency services, law enforcement vehicles, two-wheelers, fresh produce markets, grocery shops, hospitals, pharmacies, ambulances, and essential goods will remain outside the strike’s scope.

Doha witnessed a solemn funeral on Thursday for the victims of an Israeli airstrike, with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in attendance. Among the six victims, five were Palestinians, whose bodies were draped in Palestinian flags. The sixth was a member of Qatar’s armed forces, honored with the national flag. The deceased were laid to rest at the Mesaimeer cemetery. The September 9 Israeli airstrike targeted senior Hamas leaders, all of whom survived. However, among the dead was the son of Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya. Reports suggest the strike was aimed at assassinating Khalil and his associates.