Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Md. Sanaullah reiterated that no biased directives would come from the Commission. He noted that one of the root causes of July’s uprising was the collapse of the electoral system, and stressed the need to move away from “sham elections.”
Sanaullah called for greater grassroots awareness to protect democratic integrity. Echoing previous concerns, EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed again pointed out that AI misuse and ensuring expatriate voting remain the biggest challenges for the upcoming election.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M M Nasir Uddin assured that the Election Commission will not issue instructions favoring any side and will operate strictly in line with the law.
He emphasized that the Commission is determined to hold a historic and credible election in February, despite visible and invisible challenges. Commissioner Anwarul Islam added, “The backbone of the Commission remains strong. We will conduct the vote with utmost professionalism.”
Election Commission Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said the upcoming polls would be more challenging than any in the past, particularly in preventing AI misuse and facilitating voting for expatriates.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir expressed satisfaction with Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus’s address at the UN General Assembly.
Fakhrul highlighted that Yunus gave a “clear and powerful” message about holding national elections in February 2026, removing all doubts. “We are convinced the election will take place. For the first time, opposition parties were brought into the government’s international narrative, showcasing national unity,” Fakhrul said. He added that BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman fully supported this inclusive effort.

Controversy erupted at the mausoleum of former President Ziaur Rahman when Dr. Sabrina, accused of having links with the Awami League, faced protests from BNP’s student wing, Chhatra Dal. A video circulating on social media shows activists confronting her, demanding she leave the premises.
Sabrina insisted she had never raised slogans in favor of Sheikh Hasina, rejecting the allegations. However, Chhatra Dal leaders argued she was not authorized to attend. Despite initially refusing to leave, Sabrina eventually departed the site by car, saying, “Zia’s shrine belongs to everyone.”

Authorities in Ladakh have tightened security after the arrest of renowned environmental activist and educator Sonam Wangchuk under India’s National Security Act. Wangchuk, who was leading a hunger strike demanding full statehood for Ladakh, was detained on Friday.
Heavy security measures were imposed across Leh and adjoining areas this morning. The protest movement, largely led by the youth, has drawn comparisons to political uprisings in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Nepal. Tensions escalated last Wednesday when clashes left four people dead and at least 50 injured.

The Khagrachhari district administration has enforced Section 144 in Sadar and municipal areas to maintain law and order. Earlier in the day, Jumma students and locals blockaded major roads, demanding justice and punishment for perpetrators of sexual violence in the hills.
The blockade left nearly 3,000 tourists stranded in Sajek and Khagrachhari. The army later attempted to safely escort tourists out of the troubled areas. Protesters also staged demonstrations by burning tires and picketing at Chengi Bridge, Chengi Square, and Mahajan Para.

Economist Dr. Debapriya Bhattacharya criticized the interim government for not establishing a Human Rights Commission, calling it a major setback. He said that since July, Bangladesh has witnessed growing insecurity and violations of human rights, making the need for such a commission more urgent than ever.
He pointed out that there has been no Human Rights Commission for the past year, and previous commissions lacked authority and effectiveness. Other speakers added that workers’ rights remain absent in the commission’s agenda, while divisions between hill and plain communities have been deepened. They called for greater clarity in the commission’s recruitment and standard-setting processes.

BNP leader Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury has declared that the era of conventional politics in Bangladesh is over. Speaking at the prize distribution ceremony of the Zia Swimming Carnival, he emphasized that the July uprising has brought about a psychological shift among the people—something future politics must embrace.
He stressed that just as democracy is needed in politics and economics, sports too should be democratized to ensure equal opportunities for all. Khosru further said, “Public expectations from politics are changing. The people want to see BNP as a truly ideological and principled political party.”

Jamaat-e-Islami Amir Shafiqur Rahman pledged that if his party comes to power, citizens will not need to protest in the streets to have their demands met. He promised that within five years, even if a “bullet train of development” cannot be achieved, an “express train of development” will be delivered. He criticized past governments for failing to create opportunities for the youth and vowed to rebuild Bangladesh with public cooperation. Rahman also condemned the current education system, arguing that policymakers send their children abroad while ordinary students suffer in a flawed system.

Fire Service and Civil Defence officer Khondokar Jannatul Naeem (37) has died from injuries sustained in last week’s devastating chemical factory fire in Tongi. He passed away Saturday morning while undergoing treatment at the National Burn Institute. Naeem had suffered 42% burns on his body while battling the fire on September 22. With his death, the toll from the incident has risen to three.

Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay has expressed interest in signing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Bangladesh and linking the economic zones of both countries. In a meeting with Chief Adviser Dr. Yunus on Friday, Tobgay proposed connecting Bhutan’s “Gelephu Mindfulness City” with the special economic zone allocated for Bhutanese investors in Kurigram. He also highlighted opportunities in hydropower exports, pharmaceuticals, fiber-optic connectivity, and religious tourism. Chief Adviser Yunus welcomed the proposal and invited Tobgay to visit Bangladesh, which he plans to do before the upcoming national elections in February.

AFM Solaiman Chowdhury, founder and former convener of AB Party, has resigned from all party posts and announced his return to Jamaat-e-Islami. He expressed disappointment, stating that AB Party, launched in May 2020 with the vision of equality, dignity, and justice, has become Dhaka-centric and strayed from its founding ideals. Chowdhury said he has already held initial discussions with Jamaat’s leadership and was warmly welcomed back.

Violence broke out in front of the UN headquarters in New York when two leaders affiliated with Awami League and its banned student wing were assaulted. The injured, Z.I. Russell and Hridoy Khan, were hospitalized with injuries. Police arrested Riaz Rahman, a U.S.-based BNP activist, in connection with the attack. Video footage shows Russell alleging that BNP and Jamaat activists attacked him, while opposing voices claimed it was a response to “Awami League terrorism.” Another Awami League leader was also reportedly targeted later the same day.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed growing international criticism of Israel as “mere posturing” during his UN address. He claimed many leaders who publicly condemn Israel privately express gratitude, acknowledging that Israeli intelligence has helped prevent terrorist attacks in their capitals and saved countless lives. His comments come amid a surge in calls for Palestinian state recognition and demands for a ceasefire.

Gaza’s Health Ministry reported on Friday that 60 Palestinians were killed and 142 injured in Israeli airstrikes within the past 24 hours, with 30 fatalities in Gaza City alone. Many remain trapped under rubble as locals struggle to conduct rescue operations without adequate equipment. Reports also allege that Israeli forces targeted ambulances. Despite global calls for a ceasefire at the UN, Israel has escalated its offensive. To date, 65,549 Palestinians have been killed and 167,518 injured in Israeli attacks.