Dr Mahdi Amin, adviser to the BNP chairman and spokesperson for the party’s Election Management Committee, has said the arrest of the Thakurgaon district Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami ameer with a large sum of money at Saidpur Airport cannot be dismissed as an isolated incident. Mahdi questioned why such a large sum was being transported despite the closure of business establishments, adding that it does not require an expert to understand the implications. He maintained that the incident at Saidpur Airport cannot be regarded as an isolated occurrence. He further alleged that attempts to collect bKash account numbers to offer financial inducements, as well as claims of “selling tickets to heaven,” have been rejected by ordinary voters. Describing the election as a symbol of safeguarding independence and sovereignty, Amin called on people across the country to join what he described as the BNP’s growing wave of popularity.

Bangladesh Air Force has deployed advanced unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to strengthen security and monitor polling stations during the 13th National Parliamentary Election and referendum. According to officials, the Air Force has taken comprehensive measures to ensure the smooth conduct of the election. A total of 3,730 Air Force personnel have been deployed across the country. In a directive, the Election Commission instructed the Air Force to provide live aerial footage of polling areas to the central monitoring cell and the office of the Chief Adviser. A total of 51 political parties are participating in the upcoming election, with 2,034 candidates contesting across the country.

The Election Inquiry and Judicial Committee has summoned Manjurul Ahsan Munshi, whose candidacy in the Comilla-4 (Debidwar) constituency was canceled over a loan default allegation, following accusations that he threatened voters. The order was issued Tuesday night by Senior Civil Judge Tafrima Tabassum of the Comilla-4 Election Inquiry and Judicial Committee. The Debidwar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) and assistant returning officer had submitted a written complaint to the committee, alleging that Munshi threatened voters. If necessary, I will burn down your homes and reduce everything to ashes.”Munshi had been the BNP candidate for the Comilla-4 seat. After his candidacy was scrapped, the BNP extended support to Gono Odhikar Parishad candidate Md A. Jasim Uddin in the Comilla-4 constituency.

Bangladesh’s Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul has said that the decision not to travel to India for the T20 World Cup 2026 was taken by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the national cricketers, shifting responsibility away from the government amid ongoing controversy over the boycott. “The ICC has said there will be no sanctions and that Bangladesh will be considered for hosting an international tournament. I salute the Bangladesh Cricket Board,” he added. However, in his fresh comments, Nazrul described the withdrawal as a decision jointly taken by the BCB and the cricketers, framing it as a voluntary sacrifice rather than a government-imposed directive. The world body later confirmed that no punitive action would be taken against the BCB.

Ahead of the national election in Bangladesh, the United Nations on Wednesday said it notes "concerns" raised by women’s groups and civil society organizations on violence and harassment of women candidates and voters, including digital violence. This applies equally to women candidates and voters, whose participation and safety are essential to inclusive democratic processes, said the UN in a statement. This includes the rights of all women and girls, including women with disabilities, women from minority communities, gender diverse people, and others who may face heightened barriers, discrimination or gender-based violence. "It is essential that all voters, including women, can participate as candidates and voters without intimidation, discrimination, online abuse or fear of reprisals," said the UN. "The United Nations remains committed to supporting the authorities to ensure the safety and rights of every individual," the statement reads.

Many candidates privately admit they cannot confidently predict victory without knowing where women and Gen-Z voters stand. Women votersIf Gen-Z represents generational change, women voters may represent structural change. With over 62 million women voters, their electoral weight is impossible to ignore. That changes the arithmetic.”Across grassroots constituencies, candidates reportedly view women voters as the most decisive swing bloc -- particularly working-class women. Whether that promise translates into broad acceptance of results may depend largely on the participation and verdict of youth and women voters.

Jamaat Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Wednesday called on the Generation Z (Gen-Z) to once again take the lead on the election day, recalling their role during the July movement. In a Facebook post in the afternoon, he wrote, “Dear Gen-Z, you are the heroes of the July revolution. Through your courage and sacrifice, a festive electoral environment has been created after a long time. Tomorrow, it is once again time for you to lead.”He urged the young voters to let the whole world know through a ‘voting revolution’ that they are the architects of a new Bangladesh.

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Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus will cast his vote at Gulshan Model School and College polling centre in the city at 10:00 am on Thursday. Prof Yunus will cast vote in the 13th Parliamentary Election and the Referendum on the July National Charter, said Chief Adviser's Press Wing this afternoon.