The Election Commission (EC) has clarified that former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, along with her family members whose National ID cards have been blocked, will not be allowed to vote.

Those affected include her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, daughter Saima Wazed Putul, sister Rehana Siddiq, nieces Tulip Rizwana Siddiq and Azmima Siddiq, and nephew Radwan Siddiq Bobby. Tarique Ahmed Siddiq, Hasina’s brother-in-law, is also on the list.

Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed explained that the restrictions apply only to those with suspended NIDs, not to expatriates abroad due to cases or other reasons.

For the first time, the EC is introducing IT-supported postal ballots to facilitate expatriate voting. A new registration app called “Postal Ballot BD” is being rolled out for this purpose.

Army Chief General Waker-uz-Zaman has met with an EU delegation led by Ambassador Michael Miller.

The courtesy call at Army Headquarters included discussions on strengthening military cooperation between Bangladesh and the EU, as well as exploring opportunities for developing Bangladesh’s defense industry with European support.

Ambassador Miller praised the army’s significant contribution to maintaining law and order in the current national context.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has urged people of all faiths to remain vigilant during the upcoming Durga Puja celebrations to thwart any attempt at communal violence.

He warned that vested groups sometimes exploit festivals to incite unrest by sowing mistrust and division for political gain.

“Any conspiracy, provocation, or sabotage must be defeated,” Fakhrul said, calling on BNP leaders, activists, and like-minded parties to act as guardians of peace and coexistence during the festivities.

He also directed BNP activists to function as watchful sentinels at puja mandaps to ensure safety and harmony.

Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus has assured that the upcoming national election in February will be free, fair, transparent, and celebratory.

He made the statement during a meeting with a European Parliament delegation led by MEP Munir Satouri.

Yunus highlighted the revival of student union elections in several universities after decades, noting the surge of enthusiasm among young people. “Many will be voting for the first time in over 15 years, and they will turn out in record numbers,” he said.

The hour-long meeting also touched on government reforms, Bangladesh’s development journey, democratic transformation, and the Rohingya crisis. European lawmakers described the election as a “turning point” for Bangladesh, with one Dutch MEP remarking that the country is “one of the few where things seem to be moving in the right direction.”

Dr. Yunus expressed gratitude for the EU’s continued support and called for enhanced aid for the 1 million-plus Rohingya refugees hosted in Bangladesh.

A Dhaka court has issued a travel ban on former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 38 others in connection with a murder case during the mass uprising.

The case alleges that during protests in Vatara, Hasina’s directives led to clashes that caused the death of Mohammad Jahangir, a participant in the movement.

The investigating officer, SI Nazmul Amin of Vatara Police Station, requested the ban, citing fears the accused might flee abroad.

Notable figures named include Obaidul Quader, Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, Kazi Rakib Uddin, KM Nurul Huda, and Habibul Awal, among others.

The case accuses ruling party leaders and financiers of supplying weapons and orchestrating attacks on protesters, resulting in Jahangir’s fatal injuries.

Planning Adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud has announced major reforms in public procurement, ensuring greater opportunities for new contractors.

Under the new rules, 30% of all government tender work must be allocated to new contractors. Previously, powerful groups repeatedly secured contracts through collusion, but this practice is being phased out.

Mahmud explained that bids will no longer be judged solely on experience. Instead, a contractor’s past performance, business dealings, and financial integrity—including loan defaults or corruption—will be scrutinized.

“This marks a quiet revolution in government procurement,” he said, describing it as one of the administration’s landmark reforms.

He added that steps are underway to resolve land acquisition bottlenecks in project implementation and to prioritize the use of state-owned (khas) land to protect agricultural fields. A committee has already been formed to identify and manage khas land across the country.

Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus will leave for New York on September 21 to attend the 80th UN General Assembly. He will be accompanied by four political representatives: BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Humayun Kabir, Jamaat-e-Islami’s Naib-e-Ameer Dr. Abdullah Muhammad Taher, and NCP leader Akhtar Hossain.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain confirmed that for the first time, the UN Secretary-General will chair a high-level meeting on the Rohingya crisis during the session.

Dr. Yunus is scheduled to deliver his address to the UNGA on September 26. On the sidelines, he will also hold meetings with the UN Secretary-General, the prime ministers of Pakistan and Finland, and heads of several international organizations.

New York police have made security preparations in case of protests during his visit.

BNP leader Rumin Farhana has warned that Jamaat-e-Islami poses a unique political threat in Bangladesh, saying:

“If Jamaat identifies someone as an enemy, the way they attack—no other party in Bangladesh does that.”

Speaking on Jamaat’s organizational strength, she described it as “highly disciplined, much like the military,” stressing that its supporters unquestioningly follow party commands without considering right or wrong.

She noted that politics now has two battlefields—the traditional ground and the digital space, where Jamaat unleashes particularly harsh rhetoric against perceived opponents.

Rumin recalled her past criticisms of Jamaat in Parliament, adding:
“Once they decide a group or individual poses a political threat, Jamaat will crush them without hesitation.”

Bangladesh and India have joined six countries in Zapad-2025, a large-scale military exercise hosted by Russia and Belarus.

India’s Ministry of Defence confirmed that it has deployed 65 soldiers to the five-day drill, which involves around 100,000 troops. The exercises showcased nuclear-capable bombers and warships, underscoring their strategic weight amid heightened NATO-Russia tensions following the downing of a Russian drone over Poland last week.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, donning military attire, announced: “Today we are conducting the final phase of the Zapad-2025 strategic exercise.”

Apart from Bangladesh and India, Iran, Burkina Faso, Congo, and Mali also sent military representatives. Analysts suggest Washington may risk losing India—its key Asian ally and long-standing counterbalance to China—to Moscow’s growing defense influence. Notably, India had also taken part in Russian military exercises prior to the Ukraine war.

China has extended an invitation to Bangladesh to participate in its Global Governance Initiative, aimed at building a fairer and more balanced international order.

Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen conveyed the invitation during a meeting with Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam. According to the Chinese Embassy, the talks covered Bangladesh-China relations, direct cooperation, the global governance initiative, as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest.

The initiative, launched by President Xi Jinping, seeks to provide a “Chinese solution” to the challenges facing global governance. Ambassador Yao highlighted the steady progress in bilateral ties, saying cooperation between the two countries continues seamlessly and their friendship has deepened.

Welcoming the proposal, Foreign Secretary Siam praised the initiative, describing it as a timely move by Xi Jinping to address pressing global challenges.

BNP leader Amir Khasru Mahmud has said that any political party seeking to claim ground democratically must contest elections and win the people’s mandate.
He criticized Jamaat-e-Islami for announcing programs instead of preparing for elections, suggesting that their reluctance stems from a lack of electoral confidence.
Khasru further argued that groups undermining the Consensus Commission talks are disrespecting democratic processes, adding: “The people will decide the future of those who attempt to destabilize the nation.”

Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam has assured that this year’s Durga Puja celebrations will be even more festive than last year’s, with round-the-clock security at all mandaps.
During a visit to Dhaka’s Ramna Kali Temple, Jahangir said the interim government had taken all necessary measures to ensure peaceful and joyous festivities, stressing that law and order remain stable.
He warned against misinformation campaigns claiming mass migration of Hindus and temple demolitions, urging vigilance against communal incitement. Hindu Buddhist Christian Welfare Trust Secretary-General S.N. Tarun Dey also appealed to journalists to help counter false propaganda.

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) has approved 13 development projects with a combined cost of Tk 8,333 crore, chaired by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus.
Of the funding, Tk 4,437 crore will come from government resources, Tk 1,225 crore from project loans, and Tk 2,670 crore from agency funds.
Key projects include the third revision of the Information Apa women’s empowerment program, modernization of research labs and infrastructure at Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology (DUET), drilling initiatives under the Ministry of Power and Energy, and the construction of multi-story housing for government employees in Mirpur’s Paikpara.

BNP leader Ishraq Hossain has claimed that adopting a Proportional Representation (PR) system could allow parties allied with the ruling Awami League to manipulate votes and undermine Bangladesh’s independence.
He alleged that separatist groups in Bangladesh, some backed by India, might use the PR system to push for partition in Parliament. Ishraq warned: “Both pro-India separatists and international powers could exploit this system, threatening Bangladesh’s sovereignty.”
Declaring that the people will resist any such attempts, he added: “We will give our lives for this country, but we will not hand it over to collaborators—whether of 1971 or 2024.”

Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam has called on journalists covering the economy and business sectors to ask difficult and uncomfortable questions—stressing that doing so is not just a right but a responsibility.
He cautioned reporters not to be intimidated by economists with prestigious Western degrees, warning that selective use of statistics often leads to misleading claims about employment, poverty, and economic performance.
“To truly hold them accountable,” Alam wrote, “you must see the bigger picture—beyond exports, imports, inflation, reserves, or current account deficits. Look also at crime data, labor unrest, and cross-sector impacts. Only then can you expose hollow claims.”