Politics
Equal opportunities will be ensured for all candidates: EC Ahsan Habib
Election Commissioner Brig Gen (retd) Md Ahsan Habib Khan has said that equal opportunities will be ensured for all candidates in the upcoming 12th parliamentary election.
He was talking to journalists after attending a view-exchange meeting at the Khulna District Shilpakala Academy Auditorium on the election code of conduct and other issues ahead of the national polls on Thursday.
Read: EC is doing everything needed to hold fair election: Commissioner Rashida
Briefing reporters after the meeting, the election commissioner said, “The purpose of today's view-exchange meeting was to assure the candidates participating in the election with security and equal opportunities during the election.”
Election Commission authorities and law enforcers have assured the candidates in front of everyone that all candidates will be treated equally and that there will be no partiality, he said.
“It is my hope that the 12th national election will be held in a fair, free, neutral, and festive atmosphere. We'll create a conducive environment and provide security so that all voters can come to the polling centres and cast their votes to whomever they want," he added.
Additional Divisional Commissioner (general) of Khulna Saroj Kumar Nath presided over the meeting.
Read: EC appoints 23 judicial magistrates to check poll-related irregularities
Khulna Metropolitan Police Commissioner Md Mozammel Haque, Range DIG Md Moinul Haque, senior officials of BGB and Coast Guard, returning officers of Khulna, Satkhira, and Bagerhat districts, assistant returning officers, law enforcement agencies, election-related officials, and candidates were present at the meeting.
Independent candidate’s supporter ‘hacked’ while pasting posters in Faridpur
A supporter of AK Azad, independent candidate for Faridpur-3 constituency was allegedly hacked by miscreants on Thursday while he was pasting posters at Umedia Bazar in Faridpur Sadar upazila as part of the electoral campaign ahead of the 12th parliamentary election.
The injured man was identified as Aziz Sheikh, 30, a resident of the area.
According to witnesses, four to five miscreants attacked Aziz Sheikh while he was pasting posters of AK Azad's “Eagle” symbol at Umedia Bazar.
They allegedly threatened Aziz, saying they wouldn't allow any posters for the “Eagle” symbol there, and physically assaulted him.
Int’l organizations, foreign govts shouldn’t rely solely on BNP’s accounts to reach a conclusion, political observers say
Aziz was admitted to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical College Hospital in Faridpur.
Relatives of Aziz sought justice for the attackers.
Kotwali police station Officer-in-Charge Shahidul Islam said, "I haven't received any information about this yet. Once I do, I'll provide you with the details."
Police have been sent to the area, he said.
PM used terrorists' language in Sylhet: BNP
BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Thursday said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina threatened the opposition using the language of terrorists when she kicked off her campaign for the January 7 election in Sylhet a day before.
Terming the upcoming elections lopsided and dummy, Rizvi said that the people would not go to polling stations despite “threats” by the prime minister.
Read: BNP leader dies at Naogaon hospital after falling sick in jail
"The way the prime minister spoke in Sylhet after starting the campaign of the dummy election is the language of terrorists. She issued threats in the language of terrorists. Despite her such threats, people won’t go to the polling stations on January 7 and won’t cast their votes,” he said.
The BNP leader made the comments while distributing leaflets with the party's call to the people to boycott the upcoming elections in the capital’s Elephant and Bailey Road areas.
He questioned the premier as to why she is not arranging the national election under a non-party neutral government if she has so much courage.
“You don’t do it as you know very well that you will lose your security money if the people get a scope to exercise their right to vote,” he said.
Rizvi said there is nothing to brag about a dummy election, which the government is going to hold under its supervision using the state machinery.
Read: BNP says Tejgaon train burning a planned act of sabotage, demands judicial probe
"The country’s people have already turned down the election of distributing and sharing seats on January 7. No one will go to the centres except them (ruling party followers),” he observed.
The BNP leader called upon the people from all walks of life to get united and boycott the election. “We urge people not to go to the voting centres on January 7 and to ask others to do the same.”
He said the regime of Sheikh Hasina is trying to hang onto power by holding a one-sided election as per its blueprint. “They have been staying in power by using the state apparatus.”
Rizvi said the January 7 election will not be acceptable both at home and abroad as the country’s people and foreigners are watching how the government is holding a lopsided election by fielding dummy candidates after snatching the voting rights of people.
He said those who have taken part in the election as dummy candidates out of their greed to get undue benefits and facilities from the government standing against the hopes and aspirations of the people will be identified as traitors and collaborators.
Read: BNP-led opposition set to enforce daylong hartal Tuesday
Rizvi along with some BNP leaders and workers first distributed leaflets in the Elephant Road area around 8:30am and later in the Bailey Road area among the pedestrians, shopkeepers and employees, rickshaw pullers, bus and auto-rickshaw drivers urging them to boycott the upcoming national election.
On Wednesday, the BNP announced a "non-cooperation movement" against the government and urged the people of the country to boycott the January 7 election.
The party also announced to conduct mass campaigns among people on December 21, 22 and 23 to boycott the unilateral election and gain public support for the non-cooperation movement.
EC is doing everything needed to hold fair election: Commissioner Rashida
Election Commissioner Rashida Sultana said on Thursday that the Election Commission (EC) has been doing everything needed to hold a free, fair and neutral election.
Any party can peacefully ask voters not to go to polling stations: EC Alamgir
“Directives were given to the election officials concerned so that expectation of people get fulfilled and they can cast their votes without any hindrance,” she said.
Commissioner Rashida made the remarks while talking to journalists during a meeting with candidates, election officers and law enforcers at the conference room of Natore deputy commissioner.
EC appoints 23 judicial magistrates to check poll-related irregularities
Seeking cooperation from all to hold a fair election, she said provision of punishment was kept if voters are threatened.
Chaired by Natore Deputy Commissioner and also returning officer Abu Naser Bhuiyan, candidates of Natore’s four constituencies, Deputy Inspector General of Rajshahi Range Anisur Rahman, Additional Divisional Commissioner Jasim Uddin and regional election officer Delowar Hossain, among others, were present at the meeting.
Independent candidate Shamsul Haque Chowdhury's supporters attacked in Ctg
Supporters of a ruling party candidate allegedly attacked and vandalised vehicles of independent candidate Shamsul Haque Chowdhury on Wednesday.
The incident happened during a political gathering in the Sharepara area at Kashiyais Union in Patiya upazila of Chattogram on Wednesday evening.
Shamsul Haque Chowdhury is an MP from the Awami League, but he did not get a party ticket this time to contest from the ruling party. He serves as a whip in Parliament.
Six vehicles, including the independent candidate’s personal vehicle, were reportedly vandalised, and the tires of the vehicles were slashed.
Eyewitnesses said that Samsul Haque Chowdhury, after concluding a political rally, went to the house of a leader. During his absence, the attack was allegedly carried out by supporters of the AL-nominated candidate Motaherul Islam under the leadership of a local UP chairman.
Approximately 20 to 25 supporters and activists of Samshul were reportedly injured in the attack.
Nazmul Karim Chowdhury Sharun, son of Whip Shamsul, said: “During the campaign in Kashiyais, 50 to 60 armed men led by local UP chairman Abul Kashem attacked our motorcade. I am preparing to file a written complaint in this regard.”
Nezam Uddin, officer-in-charge of Patiya Police Station, said, “Police went to the spot after being informed about the attack. Legal action will be taken after an investigation.”
‘Competitive politics will vanish through next JS election’
Former Election Commissioner M Sakhawat Hossain said on Wednesday that competitive politics in the country will vanish after the 12th parliamentary election.
'Competitive politics will no longer exist in the country. Liberal democracy should be forgotten,” he told a discussion meeting in the city on Wednesday.
Also read: CGS hosts dialogue on confronting misinformation in Bangladesh
The discussion titled ‘Bangladesh at the Crossroads--Election, Economy and External Relations’ was organised by the Centre for Governance Studies (CGS).
"Some people want to say, it is participatory only if the people participate. So why do we question dictators? Participatory means the participation of the parties that can challenge and make the election competitive,” he said.
"Whichever party has assumed power, they have corrupted the system, While 5 percent of votes are being cast, it is being shown as 15 percent. No matter whether the rate of voting is credible or not,” he added.
He also expressed doubts about whether 20 to 25 percent voter turnout will happen in the upcoming election.
Also read: CGS webinar on Budget 2021-2022: Business friendly or lacks transparency ?
Sakhawat termed the 12th parliamentary election as a process of “finding out an opposition party” adding that 26 parties are participating in the elections, no one can name 13 of them.
After sharing seats with the allies, 240 seats are guaranteed for the ruling party, he said.
Sakhawat feels that “a new definition” of participatory elections is being created through the next election.
Former Cabinet Secretary Ali Imam Majumder said that the election result has lost its appeal.
“The question has been raised if the opposition party which participates in the election will be elected without the help of the ruling party,” he said.
He feared that radical forces could rise in absence of a strong political opposition.
Former Governor of the Bangladesh Bank (BB) Dr Salehuddin Ahmed said that all the regulatory bodies have lost their authority, resulting in corruption.
He said the economy will be on the right track while politics runs in the right direction.
Economist Ahsan H Mansur said that the government is giving some indexes of the economy, which do not match with real pictures.
Referring to the GDP percentage, he said that the GDP figures do not match with the employment, tax-GDP, and revenue collection statistics, he said
Banks are losing the ability to help the government and the private sector as huge looting occurred in the banking sector in the last few years, said Mansur.
NewAge editor Nurul Kabir said there is no chance for the government party to lose in the next election.
He said, “The first step to establish democracy is a fair election. This step could not be taken over the last 52 years. Unscrupulous businessmen, unscrupulous politicians, and bureaucrats have formed a cycle. There is no way out without breaking this cycle.”
Kabir thinks that the government is going to hold a one-party election against the wishes of the people.
Prof Rashed Al-Mahmud Titumir, Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya, Dr Abdul Mazid, former foreign secretary Touhid Hossain, Advocate ZI Khan Panna, Faruk Faisal of Ain-O-Salish Kendra, among others, spoke at the function.
CGS Chairman Manzoor Ahmed Chowdhury presided over the event. CGS executive director Zillur Rahman moderated the event.
Any party can peacefully ask voters not to go to polling stations: EC Alamgir
Election Commissioner Md Alamgir on Wednesday said any political party has the right to ask the voters to refrain from going to the polling stations, but it would have to be done peacefully without creating any provocation and anarchy.
“If any political party doesn’t want to participate in the election, it is their wish. They may not join as part of their political strategy. They can ask voters not to go to polling stations. There is no problem here. But it will have to be told peacefully,” he said.
Also read: 12th parliamentary election will be competitive and fair, says CEC
The commissioner made this remark while replying to a question from reporters at his office in the city’s Agargaon area.
Alamgir, however, said any type of provocation, sabotage and anarchy can’t be carried out while going to ask the voters not to go to the polling stations.
He said it is a democratic country where anyone has the right not to participate in the polls as the person has the right to join the election.
Also read: Vote for the Awami League candidates: PM Hasina tells huge rally in Sylhet
Out of 44 registered political parties, 27 parties are running in the 12th parliamentary election slated for January 7 next, while BNP and some other parties are boycotting the polls.
About his recent visit to 14 districts in Dhaka and Mymensingh divisions, the election commissioner said the electoral atmosphere is good every place and there is no problem anywhere.
“Peace and order prevail everywhere. Public life is very normal there. There is no problem with law and order. I’ve witnessed festivity among the voters,” he said.
He said the administration, intelligence and police informed them that there is no threat which can hamper the election anywhere.
Also read: BNP announces ‘non-cooperation movement’ against govt from today
In reply to another question over violence including attack on trains, Alamgir said creating anarchy is a crime as per the Representation of People Order (RPO) and the election code of conduct. So, the EC sent a letter to the Home Ministry asking to take action if anyone is engaged in the crimes.
The commissioner said the festivity already was created among the people in the 300 constituencies without one or two stray incidents.
Home Minister slams BNP for its call for ‘non-cooperation’
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on Wednesday lambasted the Bangladesh Nationalist Party for its call for non-cooperation towards the government ahead of Jan. 7 election.
The minister raised questions over the potential consequences of the BNP’s call for non-cooperation by saying what will happen if power and gas connections are cut off for not paying bills.
His remarks came in response to the BNP's call for citizens to suspend payment of taxes, rent, and utility bills for water, gas and electricity.
Read: People will give befitting reply to BNP's arson terrorism through votes: Nasrul Hamid
In a virtual press briefing, BNP’s Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said that their party’s acting chief Tarique Rahman has announced the non-cooperation movement from Wednesday. He also urged the people from all walks of life and the administration not to cooperate with the government as part of their call for non-cooperation.
Rizvi also asked the people not to pay taxes to the government exchequer from now on.
The home minister reacted sharply to the BNP’s call.
"My question is, if the electricity goes off from their homes, if the water supply stops, as they want non-cooperation, then what will happen? Do they not understand the repercussions of suspending gas, electricity, and water bills? They need to consider the impact on the agencies like WASA and power departments, which serve other customers as well,” he said.
Read: Hasan Mahmud evokes Bangabandhu, canvassing on a bicycle as official campaign period kicks off
He claimed that the BNP's decision to boycott the upcoming election was fueled by a realisation that the people of the country had turned away from them.
"And the people of this country know them, the people of this country have never responded to these calls. Our people will cast their votes in the election on time and the Election Commission will present a fair and beautiful election,” he said.
"You have been observing for some time now…I have always been saying that they know for sure that the people of this country will not vote for them, the people of this country have turned away from them by their activities," added the minister.
The home minister also accused the BNP of attempting to create chaos in the country.
"Acts of sabotage have been persistent since October 28, involving incidents such as setting buses on fire…and more recently, uprooting railway tracks," he said.
"You witnessed the tragic death of four individuals in a train engulfed in flames. Previously, a similar incident occurred in the Gazipur area. They continue to carry out these acts of sabotage,” he added.
"The prime minister will come to power with the people's mandate, and she thinks the people's mandate is the only way to change the government,” he said.
EC appoints 23 judicial magistrates to check poll-related irregularities
The Election Commission (EC) has appointed 23 judicial magistrates for 16 constituencies in Chattogram to check election-related irregularities.
These magistrates will be on duty for a total of five days from January 5 to January 9.
Election Commission begins scrutiny of nomination papers
This information was given in a notification signed by Assistant Secretary of the Election Commission (EC) Secretariat's Law-1 Branch Md Al-Amin on Wednesday.
A total of 653 judicial magistrates will be on duty across the country for five days, including two days before and two days after the election.
Election Commission issues show cause notice to Shakib Al Hasan
According to the Representation of the People Order (RPO), the magistrates can hold summary trials of the offences of snatching ballot papers, destroying ballot papers, snatching ballot boxes, obstructing voting, and not keeping the voting environment conducive for polls.
No pressure on Election Commission from Western countries: Ahsan Habib
BNP announces countrywide blockade on Dec 24, mass campaign on Dec 21,22, 23
The BNP and like-minded parties have announced countrywide blockade on December 24 and a series of mass campaign to drum up support for their ‘non-cooperation movement’ and boycotting the national election.
The opposition parties will conduct mass campaign on December 21, 22 and 23 for boycotting the ‘lopsided’ election slated for January 7 and gain public support for the non-cooperation movement.
BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi announced the fresh programmes at a virtual press briefing on Wednesday.
Earlier, BNP announced a “non-cooperation movement” against the government starting today.
The blockade will begin at 6am on Sunday and end at 6pm the same day.
It will be the 11th round of the blockade programme of the opposition parties since October 31.
In another virtual press briefing, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said that their party’s acting chief Tarique Rahman has announced the non-cooperation movement.
Rizvi said BNP is urging people from all walks of life and the administration not to cooperate with the government from today.
He also said that BNP is urging people not to pay taxes from now on.
Rizvi said BNP is calling upon the countrymen to consider whether depositing their money in banks is secure or not.
BNP has also asked its leaders and activists not to appear before court in “false” cases.