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.

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.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police have arrested 12 activists of the banned Awami League and its affiliated organizations on charges of preparing for an unauthorized “flash rally.” The arrests were made Thursday in the city’s Darussalam area. Those detained include Al Amin (32), Akkas Mia (52), Sohag Majhi (38), Nesar Mia (48), Yusuf Ali (48), Faruk Hossain (47), Mokbul Mridha (54), Manik Mia (38), Md. Shahin (50), Md. Nayeem (25), Emdadul Haque (37), and Abdul Alim (22). Police confirmed that legal proceedings are underway against the detainees and others involved in planning the rally.

The Jahangirnagar University Teachers and Students Unity Forum (Bagchas) have described the JUCSU and hall union elections as “flawed” but has decided to accept the results to safeguard democratic practice and balance of power on campus. Bagchas leaders announced the decision at 2 AM Friday. GS candidate Abu Touhid said, “The fact that the election happened at all is a positive step. Thousands of students voted despite adverse conditions, and we salute them. For that reason, we will not boycott the results.” However, VP candidate Arifuzzaman Ujjal criticized the election commission for poor preparation, citing nomination disputes, ballot mismanagement, lack of transparency in drug test results, and security lapses. He alleged that some ballot papers lacked permanent ink, allowing tampering. Both Shibir- and Chhatra Dal-backed panels were also accused of repeatedly violating the electoral code of conduct.

A tragic incident struck the Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (JUCSU) and hall elections as Assistant Professor Jannatul Ferdous of the Fine Arts Department collapsed and died while on polling duty Friday morning. She was rushed to Enam Medical Hospital after falling suddenly ill at the university senate building but could not be saved. Ferdous, a respected academic, had completed her MFA (2018) and BFA (2016) at Jahangirnagar University before joining as a lecturer in Fine Arts.

Vote counting is underway in the Jahangirnagar University Central Students’ Union (JUCSU) election, with results expected Friday. Overnight, more than 500 supporters of Islami Chhatra Shibir gathered outside the university gates, closely monitoring developments. One supporter said, “If Shibir performs well here after winning DUCSU, it will have nationwide implications. We are here out of enthusiasm and will leave once results are announced.” Around 2 AM, Jamaat-e-Islami’s Dhaka-19 MP candidate, Maulana Afzal Hossain, also briefly appeared at the main gate before leaving on a motorbike, though his associates remained. University proctor Dr. A.K.M. Rashidul Alam said he was unaware of the gathering but had instructed the security team to look into the matter.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally advanced a contentious plan to expand settlements in the occupied West Bank, effectively undermining the possibility of a future Palestinian state. On Thursday, Netanyahu signed an agreement paving the way for construction of 3,400 new settlement units, a move that would sever East Jerusalem from large portions of the West Bank while linking existing Israeli settlements. “We are fulfilling our promise—there will be no Palestinian state. This land is ours,” Netanyahu declared, vowing to double the population of the planned settlement area. International observers warn the move could deepen Israel’s isolation, especially as several Western nations have recently announced plans to recognize Palestine at the UN General Assembly.