Election Commission (EC) Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed has said the commission will respect the High Court’s rulings regarding 18 writ petitions filed over constituency boundary disputes.

Although EC law states that such disputes are non-justiciable, Ahmed acknowledged citizens’ right to file writs as part of their fundamental rights. “We trust the court and will wait for its directives,” he added.

The secretary also discussed plans for expatriate voters, who will receive ballots by post without candidate names, only election symbols. Ballots must then be mailed back via the nearest post office. Similar provisions will apply to professionals unable to vote in person due to duty.

He further noted that citizens turning 18 by October 31 will be added to the voter list, and a European Union delegation will visit Bangladesh on September 22 to discuss election matters.

Explosive revelations have emerged linking Ilias Kanchan’s Janata Party to financial backing from a foreign intelligence agent.

Case investigator Akter Morshed disclosed that Enayet Karim Chowdhury, who arrived in Bangladesh under the guise of an intelligence operative, aimed to dismantle the current government and establish a national or caretaker administration. Enayet reportedly provided BDT 350,000 monthly to fund Janata Party, with the rest arranged by Kanchan himself.

Morshed further revealed that Enayet held secret meetings with senior officials, influential political leaders, and business figures. Enayet’s paid associate, Ghulam Mostafa Azad—who claimed to be linked with the CIA—has also been arrested and remanded. Interrogations revealed ties with at least two DIGs, along with a massive BDT 150 crore deal to shield a powerful secretary from an ACC case.

Chief Adviser will travel to New York on September 22 to attend the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). This year, four prominent political leaders have been invited to join his delegation.

They are BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Tarique Rahman’s international affairs advisor Humayun Kabir, Jamaat-e-Islami’s Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher, and NCP’s member-secretary Akhtar Hossain.

Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam emphasized that the inclusion of opposition leaders underlines the significance of this year’s UN session. He also highlighted that the interim government has already approved reforms to two key election laws, with 24 out of 77 major reforms fully implemented and 14 partially enforced.

The Advisory Council has given final approval to the Election Commission Secretariat (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025 and the Election Officers (Special Provisions) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025.

The reforms, initiated by the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division, aim to enhance the efficiency of the Election Commission’s operations. Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam confirmed the government’s decision to approve the proposed legal amendments.

A delegation of prominent Bangladeshi Islamic scholars, led by Maulana Mamunul Haque, has embarked on an official visit to Afghanistan at the invitation of the Afghan government.

According to Khelafat Majlish, the delegation will hold meetings with the Chief Justice, senior ministers, top clerics, and high-ranking officials of the Islamic Emirate. They are also expected to assess firsthand the situation surrounding human rights and women’s rights—issues that have drawn sharp criticism from the West.

Key agenda items include strengthening ties between scholars of both nations, enhancing diplomatic relations, and boosting cooperation in trade, health, and education. The delegation will also visit earthquake-affected regions.

Other members of the delegation include Hefazat-e-Islam’s Naib-e-Ameer Maulana Abdul Hamid, along with Maulana Abdul Awal, Maulana Abdul Haque, Maulana Habibullah Mahmud Qasemi, Maulana Monir Hossain Qasemi, and Maulana Mahbubur Rahman.

Veteran politician Fazlur Rahman has declared that a new political party aligned with the spirit of the Liberation War is set to emerge, comparing its rise to that of Imran Khan’s movement in Pakistan.

Addressing supporters, Fazlu said, “There will be 300 candidates under this party if it contests elections. If BNP continues to suspend or expel me, I have no choice but to either quit politics or take a different path.”

He recalled his long-standing role as BNP’s convenor and district president in Kishoreganj, even enduring violent attacks for the party. Expressing frustration over his suspension, Fazlu challenged BNP’s stance, stating that if excluded, he may form a new platform with massive support from expatriates.

Jamuna TV journalist Ayub Khan Sarkar was assaulted while covering a violent clash between two factions of BNP in the remote char area of Alokbali, Narsingdi. The attack took place at Narsingdi Sadar Hospital on Thursday afternoon, where he is now under treatment.

Additional Superintendent of Police Jewel Rana confirmed that three individuals have been detained in connection with the attack.

The clash, which erupted at dawn on Thursday, left BNP activist Idan Mia (62) dead from gunshot wounds and injured at least five others. The deceased was a resident of Muradnagar village in Alokbali Union.

Nasimul Gani, Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, has embarked on a six-day official visit to Pakistan. He left Dhaka for Islamabad on Wednesday afternoon.

The visit, scheduled to continue until September 26, is aimed at signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two countries. Discussions will focus on easing visa processes for diplomatic and official passport holders, facilitating government visits, and enhancing cultural and educational exchanges.

He is accompanied by Md. Mahbubur Rahman, Deputy Secretary of Police-1 at the Home Ministry, Additional IGP Md. Rezaul Karim, and DIG Md. Jannatul Hasan.

To facilitate travel for students appearing in the 47th BCS examinations tomorrow, Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University has arranged a special bus service.

On Friday, buses will depart from the university campus starting at 7:30 AM for Mymensingh city. After the exams, students will be brought back to campus. Transport administrator Prof. Dr. Ahmed Shakil Hasmi said the buses will head towards Mymensingh Town Hall exam center and stop at designated points along the way for students to board.

As the exam day coincides with Friday prayers, buses will halt near mosques for students to offer prayers before resuming their journey. The initiative has been warmly welcomed by students.

The Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) has announced its panel for the upcoming Chittagong University Central Students’ Union (CUCSU) elections. Sajjad Hossain Hridoy has been nominated as the candidate for Vice President (VP), while Shafayat Hossain will contest for General Secretary (GS).

The panel was declared by JCD’s central general secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir. The 26-member team includes Ayubur Rahman Taufiq for Assistant General Secretary (AGS), Azharul Islam Dipshnab for Sports Secretary, Joy Barua as Assistant Sports Secretary, and Md. Mozammel Haque Hridoy as Literature, Culture, and Publication Secretary, among others.

Other notable nominations include Nuzhat Jahan as Women’s Affairs Secretary, Md. Wazayer Hossain for Science and Technology Secretary, and Shahriar Limon for Liberation War and Democratic Movement Secretary. In addition, five candidates will contest for member positions.

BNP standing committee member Abdul Moin Khan stated that mutual trust and respect among political parties are essential for successful reform.

He cautioned against rigid, traditional approaches, warning that clinging to them could lead to disasters like the events of August 5. Moin urged open-minded dialogue, alongside greater use of technology for national security, energy, food supply, media, and social platforms.

On elections, he noted: “All parties agree on one thing—elections must be fair. Whoever the people vote for, they should win. There should be no dispute about this.”

BNP leader Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury declared that the party is committed to political stability, warning that any attempt to destabilize the country will incur “political compensation.”

Speaking after visiting injured leader Nurul Haque Nur, Khasru said the absence of an elected government has removed accountability, as seen in Nur’s case. He added that while differences in political demands are natural, all parties must ultimately engage with the people.

Continuing his testimony in the crimes against humanity case, July uprising leader Nahid Islam directly accused Sheikh Hasina, the former home minister, and top law enforcement officials of bearing responsibility for the July killings.

Nahid told the tribunal that the Hasina administration pressured detained leaders to call off protests and suppressed media coverage from July 16 onward. He demanded exemplary punishment for those responsible.

Badiul Alam Majumdar, secretary of civil society group SUJAN, stressed that corruption must be eliminated from politics and elections if Bangladesh’s democratic process is to be restored.

He noted that despite adequate legal frameworks, corruption tainted the past three elections. “If corruption persists in the coming election, democracy cannot be strengthened,” he warned, adding that unethical practices in politics threaten state stability.

In a high-profile crimes against humanity case, political leader Nahid Islam appeared for a second day of testimony against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and two others.

Nahid, the final witness for the prosecution, earlier described alleged repression of students during the July uprising. On Thursday, he continued detailing events before the tribunal, which had heard his hour-and-a-half-long testimony the previous day.

Meanwhile, the tribunal is set to deliver a ruling today on whether charges will be framed against former Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Habibur Rahman and four others in a separate murder case.