Politics
4 supporters of Mashrafe fined for breaching electoral code
A mobile court has fined four supporters of Narail-2 constituency Awami League candidate Mashrafe Bin Mortaza for violating the election code of conduct during the campaign.
Md Anisur Rahman, executive magistrate of the mobile court, slapped the penalty on Wednesday night.
11 BNP leaders-activists arrested in Narail
He said that they conducted a drive in Hatir Bagan area of the town on Wednesday night as part of a regular duty in the two constituencies of Narail.
2 dead in motorbike-three wheeler collision in Narail
Four supporters of Mashrafe were fined Tk5,200 for putting stickers of his electoral symbol “boat” on the vehicles, Anisur said.
He said he had also warned them against repeating the offence.
Narail farmer beaten to death in barbaric attack
BNP leaders Altaf, Hafizuddin jailed in sabotage case
A court in Dhaka today sentenced former home minister and BNP’s Vice Chairman, Air Vice Marshal (retd) Altaf Hossain Chowdhury, Major (retd) Md Hafizuddin Ahmed and Major (retd) Md Hanif to jail for 21 months in a sabotage case filed with Gulshan police station in Dhaka.
Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Rajesh Chowdhury pronounced the judgement, BNP lawyer Zia Uddin Zia confirmed.
They were sentenced to three months’ imprisonment under one section of the case. In another section, they were jailed to one and a half years imprisonment and fined Tk 5,000 each; in default, they will have to suffer one month more in jail.
Read: BNP urges people to foil ‘farcical game’ in the name of polls
The court also sentenced five activists of BNP to three and a half years in jail in the same case.
They are: MA Awal Khan, Md Russel, Moinul Islam, Babul Hossain alias Babul, and Alamgir Hossain alias Raju.
Meanwhile, 11 accused were acquitted as the charges against them were not proved.
According to the case statement, the accused held an illegal rally in Mohakhali, Dhaka and obstructed police from conducting their duties on June 4, 2011.
Read: AL resorting to threats to drive up turnout after failing to get desired response for Jan 7 election: Rizvi
They also attacked policemen, vandalised and torched the vehicles.
Later on April 29, 2014, Kamrul Hasan Talukdar, sub-inspector (SI) of Gulshan police station, submitted chargesheet in the case.
The court on April 25, 2022, framed charges, initiating the trial officially.
BNP extends mass contact, leaflet distribution by 2 days till Saturday
BNP on Thursday extended the ongoing mass contact and leaflet distribution programme for another two days until Saturday to drum up public support in favour of the party’s call for boycotting the Januray-7 election and not cooperating with the Awami League government.
BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi came up with the announcement at a virtual press briefing.
"Our mass contact and leaflet distribution programme is going on across the country. This program will continue across the country on Friday and Saturday,” he said.
Read: Govt’s “desperate" bid to take voters to polling stations gets no response: Rizvi
The BNP leader called upon the leaders and activists at all levels of their party and the like-minded parties and alliances to observe the programme for two more days for mobilising public support for boycotting the upcoming one-sided election, ongoing non-cooperation movement and the one-point demand for holding the polls under a non-party neutral administration.
BNP’s like-minded parties also announced a similar programme.
Earlier on December 24, the party announced a three-day mass contact and leaflet distribution programme beginning from Tuesday. The programme was supposed to end today (Thursday).
BNP along with nearly three dozen opposition political parties have been carrying out a simultaneous movement since December 10 last year to force the current government to quit and hold the 12th parliamentary election under a non-party neutral administration.
Read: People have no interest in voting in a ‘meaningless’ election: BNP
BNP’s movement lost its momentum following clashes with law enforcers centring the party’s grand rally on October 28 as many senior leaders, including its secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, were arrested while many others went into hiding in the face of a crackdown by the law enforcers.
However, BNP and like-minded parties enforced countrywide blockades for 23 days in 12 phases and hartals for five days in four spells since October 29.
Finally, the opposition party came up with the call for a non-cooperation movement on December 20.
BNP urges people to foil ‘farcical game’ in the name of polls
BNP leader Nazrul Islam Khan on Thursday urged the country’s people to come forward in unison to foil the Awami League government’s efforts to stage a ‘game’ in the name of election.
"We appeal to the people of the country to boycott the upcoming polls since you have no scope to choose the candidates of your choice,” he said while distributing leaflets in front of the Jatiya Press Club.
BNP announces 3-day mass contact, leaflet distribution programme from Tuesday
The BNP senior leader said the election slated for January 7 is just an evil attempt to extend the term of an illegal, corrupt, and looter regime. “You (people) say 'no' to them (govt). You stand against them and foil this game in the name of election.”
Nazrul, a BNP standing committee member, said the government which snatched people’s all rights is staging a farcical game in the name of a dummy election and democracy.
“There is no opportunity for the country’s people to express their opinions in this election boycotting by the opposition parties. There is no importance and scope to cast votes in the election which lacks any anti-government candidate. That is why the people of the country will boycott this election to protect their democratic rights,” he observed.
People have no interest in voting in a ‘meaningless’ election: BNP
The BNP leader once again urged the country’s people to join the ongoing movement for the restoration of democracy and win the fight for free, fair, and impartial elections under a non-partisan government.
"Let's win the struggle for democracy and establish a Bangladesh that will be our Bangladesh, the Bangladesh of the people," he said.
On the last day of their party’s three-day mass contact programme, Nazrul along with some leaders and workers of Jatiyatabadi Muktijoddha Dal distributed leaflets, containing the BNP’s call for boycotting the election, among the pedestrians in front of the Jatiya Press Club.
Don't be part of dummy election meant to extend AL's illegal power: BNP
Leaders of BNP and like-minded opposition parties also distributed leaflets in different areas of the city to drum up public support for boycotting the unilateral national election.
Asked about his reaction to Awami League’s election manifesto, Nazrul said the ruling party announced its manifesto on Wednesday as part of a game in the name of the election. “There are many tall talks in it. But yesterday (Wednesday) Dhaka city topped the list of cities across the world with the worst air quality. This is how they have become the role model of development.
Sajeeb Wazed questions US stance on BNP's involvement in violence before polls
Referring to two Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (BNP’s student front) activists arrested with a “huge cache of explosives” in Dhaka, Sajeeb Wazed raised a question over the stance of the US embassy in Dhaka, and asked when the US State Department will “sanction BNP”.
Md Nayon and Md Alamin, both Chhatra Dal activists, were involved in making and supplying petrol bombs and improvised bombs and had been acting at the directives of local BNP and Jubo Dal leaders, according to media reports.
“So when is @usembassydhaka going to recommend @StateDept sanction BNP as a terrorist organization? Or are they going to be hypocrites like they usually are,” Sajeeb Wazed, known for his role in developing Bangladesh’s digital landscape and chairperson of Center for Research and Information (CRI), tweeted from his verified X account.
Read: Sajeeb Wazed’s role in shaping technological aspects and strategies of AL’s manifesto
The tweet generated a heated discussion on social media and some netizens were seen posting news links with visuals from CCTV footages showing leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies carrying out vandalism and setting buses on fire.
As the US State Department imposed visa restrictions, the role of US came under the scanner with reports of a key Jamaat-e-Islami leader meeting a US diplomat ahead of October 28 rallies.
Jamaat has vowed to enforce Sharia law in the country.
At a recent US State Department briefing, a reporter highlighted a tragic incident in Bangladesh where arsonists attacked a Dhaka-bound express train, resulting in the death of four individuals, including a woman and her three-year-old child, and asked for the administration’s stance.
The State Department spokesperson responded that he was “not familiar with that specific incident.”
Cumilla presiding officer show-caused for campaigning in favour of AL candidate Mustafa Kamal
A presiding officer in Cumilla has been served with a show cause notice for campaigning for the Awami League-nominated candidate for Cumilla-10 constituency AHM Mustafa Kamal, in the upcoming 12th Parliamentary Election.
Mustafa Kamal is the current lawmaker from the constituency and also the finance minister of the country.
Kushtia-3: Mahbubul Alam Hanif, his cousin served show-cause notices
Senior Assistant Judge Rajib Kumar Dev, chairman of the Election Search Committee of Cumilla-10 (Sadar South, Lalmai, and Nangalkot) constituency, served the show-cause notice on Wednesday to the accused, Md Abdul Halim.
Abdul Halim is a lecturer at Lalmai Upazila Principal Abul Kalam Majumder Women's College. He was directed to appear before the Election Search Committee on December 29 and reply to the notice.
Sitakunda upazila chairman served show-cause notice for using govt vehicle during electioneering
When contacted, the accused college teacher refused to comment on the matter.
The notice said that according to information published in the media (social media) on Tuesday, Abdul Halim was seen campaigning with boat leaflets along with Kamal’s daughter and brother on Monday at Hazat Khola Bazar of Bhulin Uttar Union of Lalmai and asked people to vote for the boat symbol.
Polls Code Violation: AL Ctg-3 candidate served show-cause notice for second time
The notice also stated that Abdul Halim's actions were contrary to a free and fair election environment.
Rajshahi-4 constituency: Attack by AL-backed candidate’s supporters leaves 7 opponents hurt
At least seven supporters of an independent candidate for Rajshahi-4 seat Enamul Haque were injured in an attack allegedly by the supporters of Awami League (AL)-nominated candidate Abul Kalam Azad in Sreepur union of Bagmara upazila of Rajshahi district on Wednesday.
The attack was made within just two days after both the feuding groups gave undertaking to the district’s returning officer and superintendent of police that they would not get locked into clash centring the national parliamentary elections scheduled to be held January 7 next.
Ctg-11 independent candidate’s election camp set on fire
Three of the injured identified as current parliament member and also independent candidate Enamul’s former personal secretary Jillur Rahman, Sreepur union AL’s organising secretary Bajlur Rahman and party activist Alamgir Hossain were admitted to Upazila Health Complex while the rest were released after giving first aid.
Jillur said that some 20 to 25 supporters of the AL-backed candidate riding on motorbikes came to Sreepur Government Primary School on Wednesday noon and attacked them with sticks, rods and other locally-made weapons when they were conducting campaigns by distributing leaflets among voters.
Don't be part of dummy election meant to extend AL's illegal power: BNP
The attack left seven supporters including him injured, Jillur said.
Moreover, three mobile phone sets were snatched away from them when they were trying to call police, according to him.
He alleged that police came to the spot around one hour after the incident though it takes five minutes to reach there from the police station.
Govt’s “desperate" bid to take voters to polling stations gets no response: Rizvi
Confirming the incident, Bagmara police station’s inspector (investigation) Soheb Khan said they sent force to the spot after being informed.
Some people were injured in the attack by the AL supporters, he said, adding that legal actions will be taken once complaints are lodged.
Earlier on Tuesday, three supporters of the independent candidate were injured in an attack by the ruling party’s fellows.
Govt’s “desperate" bid to take voters to polling stations gets no response: Rizvi
BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Wednesday said though the government has become “desperate" to take voters to polling stations it is "not getting any response from people.
Talking to reporters while distributing leaflets in the city’s Shantinagar area, he also claimed that people are 'quickly fleeing an area where they see ruling party candidates conduct electioneering.
"People are not responding to the dummy and farcical election which is being organised by the illegal government and the subservient Election Commission in the country. The ruling party has become desperate to get people to the polling stations. They are going from house to house and issuing various threats,” the BNP leader said.
Read: People have no interest in voting in a ‘meaningless’ election: BNP
As part of their party’s three-day programme, Rizvi along with some BNP leaders and workers distributed leaflets among the pedestrians urging them to boycott the national election billed for January 7.
He said the government is trying to make the entire country a hell by forcing people to take part in the one-sided election.
The BNP leader said there is no enthusiasm among the voters anywhere in the country for the upcoming election.
“You won’t see any discussion in any area on voting among people. When they (AL leaders) conduct election campaigns in support of boat in any area, people quickly try to run away from there. The common people say it is not a vote, it is a drama of distribution of 300 seats," he observed.
Read: Unidentified youth attempted to enter Khaleda Zia’s hospital cabin, says Rizvi
Rizvi said the government has spread panic among people all over the country by issuing various threats to force them to go to the polling stations on January 7.
“But we would like to tell the government that there is no point of issuing such threats like terrorists as people will not go to vote in dummy elections,” he said.
Apart from Rizvi, many other BNP leaders and the leaders of different opposition parties also conducted mass campaigns and distributed leaflets in different areas of the city to drum up public support for their call to boycott the election and not to cooperate with the Awami League government.
Ctg-11 independent candidate’s election camp set on fire
Chattogram-11 (Bandar-Patenga) constituency’s independent candidate Ziaul Haque Sumon’s election camp was set on fire early Wednesday.
The incident happened at the election camp set up beside the house of Abdul Mabud Sawdagar of Ward-39 in the city.
5 injured as AL supporters attack Faridpur-3 independent candidate’s office
Eyewitnesses said they suddenly saw Sumon's election camp on fire around 4:00 am on Wednesday. The fire burned the south and east sides of the camp. However, no one knows who started the fire, as there was no one around the spot at the time.
“Neither I believe in violence nor do I advocate violence. I have become an independent candidate by capitalising on the love of the people of the area. I always tell my workers to avoid violence. I hope the administration will take legal action after a proper investigation into today's incident,” said Sumon.
Chattogram-4: ‘Health official’ running as independent candidate breaching electoral code of conduct
EPZ Police Station Inspector (investigation) Zamal Uddin said, “The fence on both sides of the election camp was burned in the fire. The independent candidates' supporters have accused the boat symbol supporters for the incident."
Rajshahi-4 independent candidate alleges attack by opponents
“The police did not find anyone on the spot. We are investigating who set the camp on fire, added the inspector.
The independent candidate did not file a case over the incident.
HC orders IGP to inform whereabouts of 2 BNP leaders missing in Bogura
The High Court (HC) on Wednesday ordered the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to inform the whereabouts of two missing BNP leaders on January 4.
The court issued a rule seeking explanation as to why the inaction by the authorities concerned to produce the BNP leaders before the court won’t be declared illegal.
The IGP was asked to submit a report on the update of the missing BNP leaders on January 4. They went missing on December 14.
Read: Election campaign: 11 Laxmipur AL leaders relieved of posts
An HC bench of Justice Abu Taher Md Saifur Rahman and Justice Md Bashir Ullah passed the order after hearing two separate petitions filed by the missing leaders’ families.
Senior lawyer AJ Mohammad Ali accompanied by Barrister Kaisar Kamal and Ruhul Quddus Kajal stood for the victims in the court.
The missing BNP leaders are Anwar Hossain, assistant office secretary of Kahaloo upazila unit and Delwar Hossain, general secretary of Birkedar union of the same upazila.
Earlier on Tuesday, lawyer Kaisar Kalam, on behalf of the families, submitted a writ petition with the HC.
The IGP, Detective Branch (DB), the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Kahaloo police station were made respondents to the petitions while a hearing was scheduled to be held on Wednesday.
Read: Mashrafe urges voters to cast vote on January 7
The families’ members alleged that some people posing as members of the DB picked up Anwar on his way to attend an event at Bangladesh Rural Development Board at 5 pm on December 14.
Later, he was taken to the district’s Dupchanchia Upazila and asked to call Delwar from his mobile phone. Responding to the call he went there and both of them remained missing since then.
Though the families communicated with law enforcers and filed two general diaries, no progress was noticed in this connection before the submission of the petitions.
Finally, they submitted the writ petitions with the HC on Tuesday, seeking intervention.