politics
Rajshahi-2: Independent candidate Shafiqur Rahman Badsha unofficially elected
Shafiqur Rahman Badsha, independent candidate of Rajshahi-2 (Sadar) constituency has unofficially been declared elected as he defeated his rival Bangladesh Workers' Party's general secretary and three-time lawmaker Fazle Hossain Badsha by 23,718 votes.
Shafiqur Rahman bagged 55,141 votes while Fazle Hossain Badsha polled 31,423 in all 112 centres in the polls held on Sunday.
The voting in the 12th parliamentary election began at 8:00 am and concluded at 4pm without any break amid tight security in 299 out of the country’s 300 constituencies.
Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal claimed that Sunday's national election has been free, fair and neutral thanks to the government's political will, sincerity and cooperation.
The CEC said the voter turnout might be some 40 percent in the 12th Parliamentary election.
Jatiya Party being used as sacrificial lamb in polls : GM Quader
Jatiya Party (JP) Chairman GM Quader on Sunday said a one-party rule will be established in the country by sacrificing JP candidates at the end.
He said his party is being used as a sacrificial lamb for this purpose.
"As we have joined the election, there is no scope of boycotting it right now. We have to announce programmes after getting the polls results," Quader said while replying to a query from reporters after overseeing polls in Rangpur-3 constituency.
Jatiya Party candidate for Lakshmipur-3 steps aside from election
He said, "I have received information that our agents are being driven away in various places including Jamalpur and Cumilla. Though the rulling party assured JP that voting would be free and fair, voting is not being held in a peaceful manner in most places except Rangpur areas,” said GM Quader.
National polls: 2 Jatiya Party candidates withdraw from Chuadanga
“I don't want to say anything in advance. We will discuss the overall situation with the party leaders and take a decision,” he said replying to another question.
Sylhet-5: Jatiya Party candidate Sabbir Ahmed withdraws from Jan-7 polls
Meherpur-1: 4 jailed for obstructing voters
Four supporters of Awami League candidate for Meherpur-1 constituency Farhad Hossain were jailed for different periods on charge of obstructing voters outside the polling station on Sunday.
A mobile court led by an executive magistrate sentenced three supporters of the boat candidate to seven days in jail for barring voters from going to Kalaidanga polling station under Baradi union of Sadar upazila.
Read: Voting at a polling centre under Narsingdi-3 constituency cancelled
Another court also jailed a boat supporter for one month for clashing with supporters of independent candidate Prof Abdul Mannan outside of Kathalpota centre in Mujibnagar upazila.
State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain and former lawmaker Prof Mannan are racing with boat and truck symbols respectively in the constituency.
Ballot boxes stuffed at night even in lopsided polls: Rizvi
BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Sunday alleged that the ballot boxes were stuffed at night even in the one-sided election.
“The lopsided election is being held today. There are no voters at the polling stations,” he said.
Speaking at a brief rally near Kurmitola Bus Stand area, he said people have rejected the dummy election.
Boycott Sunday's vote, spend time with families at home: Rizvi
“People are not going to polling stations. They (AL) stuffed the ballot boxes in this one-sided election late at night to show fake turnouts,” Rizvi said.
He said their ongoing movement will continue until the fall of illegal Awami League government.
The BNP leader urged the country’s people to peacefully observe the hartal and make it a success.
Later, Rizvi along with some leaders and activists brought out a procession in support of the hartal.
The voting of the 12th parliamentary election began at 8am today (Sunday) amid a boycott by major opposition parties.
BNP leader Rizvi to be brought to book soon: DB Chief
Meanwhile, BNP and like-minded opposition parties enforced a 48-hour hartal at 6am Saturday to protest the 12th parliamentary election. The hartal will end at 6 am on Monday.
The 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.
Many senior leaders, including BNP’s secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, were arrested while many others went into hiding in the face of a crackdown by the law enforcers.
A neighbouring country meddling into Bangladesh national polls: Rizvi
However, BNP and like-minded parties enforced countrywide blockades for 23 days in 12 phases and hartals for five days since October 29 amid incidents of violence like setting fire to public vehicles and passenger trains.
Commonwealth secy gen’s statement did not reflect the ground reality of BD: BNP
Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Saturday said that Commonwealth secretary general Patricia Scotland's Friday call missed many crucial issues surrounding the upcoming farcical 7 January election and did not reflect the ground reality in Bangladesh.
On Friday, The Commonwealth Secretary General (SG) in a press release called on all political and civic leaders in Bangladesh to contribute to a “conducive environment for citizens to peacefully exercise their right to vote” on 7 January.
BNP said that the SG’s call shocked the democracy loving people of Bangladesh who have been disenfranchised by the regime over more than a decade.
“We believe her statement contradicts the desires and aspirations of the pro democracy Bangladeshis who have been striving for a free, fair, inclusive and credible election for more than a decade,” the party said in a press release signed by its Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.
BNP also said, “The SG Scotland must be aware of the fact that the upcoming election is being boycotted by all the major pro-democracy political parties in Bangladesh. Only the ruling party chosen dummy/independent candidates and fake oppositions with ruling party blessings are made to participate in the election. Since the election result is already pre-determined and the people have no real options to choose from among genuine contenders, there is no congenial environment and level playing field, the voters have also rejected the one-sided polls.”
It also claimed that more than 27000 opposition dissidents including BNP Secretary General and its top leaders languished in the prison upon fictitious charges. Scores of people have been killed, tortured and died in police custody.
“The people of Bangladesh acknowledge the Commonwealth’s commitment to democracy, human rights, and freedom of expression. If the SG genuinely wants to echo the sentiments of the people of Bangladesh, as she mentioned in her statement, the people expect her to play a proactive role for realization of the people’s right to vote under a neutral government and administration,” the party said in the press release.
The press release also notes that the Secretary General’s statement tends to support renewal of the current autocratic regime through a highly fraudulent election that goes against the aspirations of the people of Bangladesh for restoration of democracy through a genuine inclusive and credible election.
“We expect that SG Scotland understands that the pro-democracy people, civil society, and political parties want the Commonwealth to side with the people of Bangladesh and not with the current autocratic regime. As the people of Bangladesh strive for restoration of their voting rights and fundamental liberties, the support of the Commonwealth will be highly appreciated,” it reads.
Boycott Sunday's vote, spend time with families at home: Rizvi
BNP has again urged the voters to boycott Sunday's voting for the staged 12th parliamentary election to ensure the fall of the incumbent "fascist Awami League government."
Speaking at a virtual press briefing on Saturday, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi also urged the country’s people to peacefully observe their party’s second-day hartal on the voting day by not going to the polling stations.
“The darkest chapter of another lopsided stage-managed election in the history of Bangladesh is going to be written tomorrow (Sunday) on January 7. So, our call to every democracy-loving voter is to boycott at least for a day on Sunday those who have denied your rights for the last 15 years,” Rizvi said.
48-hour nationwide hartal called by BNP underway
He further said, “Believe me, the grave of this fascist government in Bangladesh will be ensured just because of your one-day decision,”
The BNP leader called upon the people to spend time with their families during voting hours instead of visiting the polling stations.
“Let’s establish democracy and voting rights and make the two-day all-out strike a success. Let’s all boycott the January 7 voting and raise our voices in favour of boycotting the polls. Avoid going to polling stations,” he said.
The BNP leader also called upon the pro-democratic forces to encourage their family members, relatives, friends and neighbours to boycott the 'monkey’s play' in the name of voting and refrain from going to voting centres.
US visa policy should be applied on BNP leaders: Momen
He alleged that a dangerous game has been arranged to retain power again as it has been for the past 15 years through an inventory model of dummy election drama.
The BNP leader said Awami League along with their subservient and partisan state apparatus have laid once again the web of deception to snatch the voting rights of people, ignoring the people of the country and the international community, especially the democratic world.
“Already this farcical election has been rejected worldwide. World media, including BBC, Al Jazeera, Wall Street Journal and Washington Post, branded this election as a farce of Sheikh Hasina's ascension to dictatorship and monarchy,” he said.
Despite that, Rizvi said Sheikh Hasina has been ‘shamelessly’ indulging in the farcical game using all powers and making efforts to show the democratic world voter turnouts by force as he has become blind out of her lust for power.
Govt out to show artificial turnout in Jan 7 polls: Dr Moyeen Khan
Bangladesh is set to hold the 12th parliamentary election on Sunday amid a boycott by major opposition parties.
Meanwhile, BNP and like-minded opposition parties enforced a 48-hour hartal at 6am Saturday to protest the 12th parliamentary election. The hartal will end at 6 am on Monday.
The 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.
Many senior leaders, including BNP’s 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 since October 29 amid incidents of violence like setting fire to public vehicles and passenger trains.
Investigation needed to determine whether there’s connection between BNP’s call for polls boycott and sabotage: Obaidul Quader
Awami League (AL) General Secretary Obaidul Quader today said that it will have to be investigated whether there is any link between BNP's call to boycott the next general election, scheduled for tomorrow, and the ongoing acts of sabotage.
He made the remark while briefing reporters in his constituency in Noakhali-5 (Companiganj-Kabirhat) this morning.
Quader, also road, transport and bridges minister, urged people not to be confused by rumours and propaganda spread by BNP-Jamaat and come to the polling centres without fear.
"We are observing with deep anger and concern that BNP and their allies have started carrying out massive terrorist activities, including sabotage and arson, ahead of the January 7 election,” he observed.
Condemning yesterday’s arson attack on Benapole Express that left four people dead, he alleged that the BNP-Jamaat want to destroy the country.
He also said that BNP and Jamaat are the defeated forces of 1971 and killers of 1975. They want to do “politics by burning people,” he said.
Quader said BNP has called for boycotting the election and is constantly spreading anti-election propaganda.
“Bangladesh has never bowed down to any evil power and will not do so in the future,” he said.
Asserting that Sunday's election will be peaceful across the country, Quader said that foreign observers and journalists who have come will also observe the election.
“You can see the evidence of the terrorist character of the evil forces that boycotted the election. They are torching buses, trains. We, the people of Bangladesh, know the character of these terrorists,” the AL general secretary said.
Quader asked AL leaders and workers to remain vigilant so that BNP cannot carry out sabotage.
The AL will form the government again through people's votes, he said, adding that Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Hasina will again lead the country towards becoming Smart Bangladesh as the Prime Minister.
The AL leader said that BNP-Jamaat might continue sabotage even after the election and they will have to be given a strong reply.
“We will not allow the BNP to carry out their terrorism; we know how to be strict. All measures will be taken in time,” Quader warned.
Govt again starts playing with fire to make political gains, BNP on train arson
Denouncing the arson attack on the Benapole Express Train that killed four passengers, BNP on Saturday said the government is playing with fire to make political gains by blaming the opposition.
“The government has again started playing with fire. They've resorted to the old game as they played in the past to hold a one-sided national election,” said BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.
He made the remarks while picketing in support of their party’s 48-hour hartal that began 6m today to protest against Sunday’s 'dummy' election.
Rizvi claimed that the ruling party tried to gain political advantage earlier by resorting to a hellish rampage of arson.
48-hour nationwide hartal called by BNP underway
“People believe that yesterday's (Friday's) Benapole Express train fire and casualties were part of the government's old game,” the BNP leader said.
As the people have come up with a massive response to the movement of the BNP and other opposition parties for democracy, he said the ruling quarter is playing with people's lives by indulging in arson violence, and terrorism.
“The government has been hatching plots one after another to arrange the election like an authoritarian country, and putting the blame onto the opposition,” Rizvi alleged.
He said the government aims to stay in power by eliminating the opposition parties, especially BNP.
US visa policy should be applied on BNP leaders: Momen
Stating that the arson on the Benapole Express Train was an ill-motivated, the BNP leader once again demanded an international investigation into the incident under the supervision of the United Nations.
On the first day of their 48-hour hartal, Rizvi along with some party leaders and workers brought out a procession from Shahbagh crossing towards Banglamotor in the capital around 7:3pm as part of picketing to enforce the shutdown.
At this time, the BNP activists set fire to tires and staged a demonstration there in support of the hartal.
A 48-hour hartal, called by BNP and like-minded opposition parties to protest the 12th parliamentary election to be held tomorrow, is underway. The hartal began at 6 am and will end at 6 am on Monday.
The night before the scheduled hartal, miscreants torched the four coaches of the Benapole Express train at 9:05pm on Friday, killing at least four people.
Govt out to show artificial turnout in Jan 7 polls: Dr Moyeen Khan
.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.
Many senior leaders, including BNP’s 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 since October 29 amid the incidents of violence like setting fire to public vehicles and passenger trains.
48-hour nationwide hartal called by BNP underway
A 48-hour hartal, called by BNP and like-minded opposition parties to protest the 12th parliamentary election to be held tomorrow (January 07, 2024), is underway.
The hartal began at 6 am today (January 06, 2024) and will end at 6 am on Monday (January 08, 2024).
A large number of people have left Dhaka city ahead of the January 7 national parliamentary election. The number of vehicles on the street are fewer compared to other days, but despite fear of arson attacks, public vehicles were plying the streets.
Four people were killed as arsonists burnt four coaches of the Benapole Express train in Dhaka last night.
Read: Govt to face crushing defeat on Jan 7: Moyeen Khan
BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi announced the hartal at a virtual press briefing on Thursday.
He said their programme is meant to drum up public support in favor of the party’s call to boycott the January 7 election.
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: BNP to hold processions, conduct mass contacts Friday to protest Jan-7 polls
Many senior leaders, including BNP’s 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 since October 29.
The opposition party came up with the call for a non-cooperation movement on December 20.
US visa policy should be applied on BNP leaders: Momen
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Friday said that if the United States is right in their words on the visa policy, then the visa policy should be applied on BNP leaders as they want to disrupt the election.
The foreign minister made the remarks while talking to reporters after a meeting with a US observer team at his residence in Sylhet in the evening.
He said BNP's popularity has decreased in the country at present, they have chosen the path of terrorism.
He also said that the people of the country are not worried about Khaleda Zia's jail. The party is suffering from immaturity of leadership.
Replying to a question, the minister said 227 observers and journalists from different countries of the world will come to monitor the next election.
He said members of the US observer team did not comment on the election, they were gathering information.
"The observer team wanted to know how to reduce the bitterness between the big parties Awami League and BNP in the future, and why BNP did not participate in the election," he added.
The US team included Geoffrey McDonald, Senior Advisor, Asia Pacific, IRI, Amitab Ghosh, Senior Program Manager, IRI, and David Hogstra, Program Manager, IRI.