Obaidul Quader
Obaidul Quader wins Noakhali-5
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader has won the Noakhali-5 constituency in the 12th parliamentary election held on Sunday.
He received 171,577 votes with his party’s ‘boat’ symbol, while his nearest rival, Barrister Khaja Tanveer Ahmed of the Jatiya Party, bagged 9,703 votes.
Dipu Moni secures Chandpur-3 seat
The polling that began at 8:00 am concluded at 4pm without any break amid tight security in 299 out of the country’s 300 constituencies. The counting of votes started immediately after the end of voting.
Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina cast her vote at Dhaka City College in the capital this morning.
Brahmanbaria-4: Anisul Huq secures 3rd consecutive victory
Election Commission Secretary Jahangir Alam on Sunday said 27.15 % votes were cast till 3 pm on Sunday.
Calling the January-7 election a victory of democracy and people of the country, Awami League (AL) General Secretary Obaidul Quader said on Sunday evening that voters had boycotted the BNP for rejecting the election.
Nat'l Election: Hasan Mahmud wins for 4th time
He made the claim while talking to reporters at the office of Dhaka district unit of Awami League in Dhaka’s Tejgaon.
‘On Jan 7, world will witness a great election in Bangladesh’: Obaidul Quader
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader today (January 03, 2024) said that the Election Commission is able to act independently and authoritatively, which is why the electoral code of conduct is being strictly maintained.
Speaking this afternoon at the party president’s office in Dhaka’s Dhanmondi, he further said that wherever the electoral code of conduct is being violated, the Election Commission is taking action. There is no interference or obstruction from the government, and Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is firm on this matter, he said.
Obaidul Quader said, on January 7, the world will witness a great election in Bangladesh with the spontaneous presence of the people, where the public opinion will be victorious.
Read: Respond to conspiracies by casting votes: Obaidul Quader
He also said that BNP and Jamaat, having failed in their movements, are now distributing leaflets. “They are stuck in the quicksand of failure and mistakes, and they cannot come out. Their negative agendas, violence, and blockades have been ignored by the people. Even if BNP now says they will not resort to violence, there is no way to say if it’s true or not. Because they say one thing and do another. We are receiving news that they are secretly conspiring,” he said.
The road, transport and bridges minister also criticized the “double standards” of Amnesty International. He said, “Amnesty International talks about human rights in Bangladesh, and the verdict in Dr. Yunus’ case, but why don’t they speak about the massacres that Israel is carrying out in Gaza, Palestine? They have not said a single word against Israel.”
Read: Election-related violence won't be tolerated: Obaidul Quader
Present at the press briefing were Awami League Organizational Secretary BM Mozammel Haq, Office Secretary Barrister Biplab Barua, along with central and metropolitan Awami League leaders.
Even if action can’t be taken now, strong measures will be taken after election: Quader on those whose wealth saw abnormal increase
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader has said that action will be taken after the election against those whose wealth increased abnormally.
“Even if action cannot be taken at the moment as the government is only conducting routine work, strong measures will be taken after the election,” Quader said in response to a question referring to Transparency International Bangladesh’s (TIB) allegation of discrepancies in the affidavits submitted by the aspirants for the upcoming 12th parliamentary election.
Read: AL Pledges to Expand Modern Urban Facilities to Every Village in Smart Bangladesh
The Awami League general secretary made the remarks at a press conference on contemporary issues at the party’s central office in Dhanmondi this afternoon (December 28, 2023).
In its report, TIB questioned the authenticity of candidates’ income, wealth, loans, and debt disclosed to the Election Commission.
The Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) accused a minister, who remains unnamed, of owning “undisclosed overseas companies” engaged in real estate business abroad, with total assets valued at around Tk 2,312 crore.
Commenting on BNP's movement, Quader said the party has lost the support of the people.
“If there was public support [for BNP’s movement], no party would have to carry out sneak attacks to oust the government,” said the AL general secretary.
Read: In Smart Bangladesh Awami League pledges more safeguards for minorities, end of intolerance
Calling the incidents of violence in different constituencies “isolated,” Obaidul Quader said, "It is normal. No candidate will boycott the election.”
The candidates want to bring voters to the polling centres by convincing them, he said.
Taking action for poll-related violence or chaos is EC’s responsibility : Quader
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Saturday said It is the responsibility of the Election Commission to take action for any violence or chaos centring the national election.
“Awami League has confidence in the decisions of the Election Commission,” he said at a press briefing at the AL president’s Dhanmondi office in the capital.
EC issues show-cause notice to MP candidate Mostafizur for attacking journalists
Quader, also the Road Transport and Bridges Minister, said BNP could not distract people from the election by hartal, blockade and arson terrorism.
“People have become completely election-oriented. There will be a record voter turnout in this election, he said.
53 candidates submit nomination forms in six constituencies of Khulna
“BNP's ill efforts to make the election questionable and prevent it are still continuing. The people of Bangladesh are united under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina. That's why they're looking forward to cast vote,” said the AL leader.
The leaders and activists of the BNP are frustrated and they have lost confidence, he said adding that the people of the country cannot be distracted from the election by hatching conspiracies.
Leaders of Khilafat Rabbani, Nezam-e-Islami meet PM, discuss polls
Awami League Presidium Member Kamrul Islam, Joint General Secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim and other central leaders were present at the press briefing.
Following Sheikh Hasina’s guideline, no bar to fielding dummy candidates: Quader
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader today (November 27, 2023) said that permission for party leaders to run as independent candidates in the upcoming national election is a “strategic decision”.
“Awami League is moving forward, changing strategy as per the need of the hour. There is no bar to dummy candidates following the guideline of the party chief (Sheikh Hasina),” he said.
Obaidul Quader came up with the remarks after paying homage to Dr Shamsul Alam Khan Milon marking Shaheed Dr Milon Day on Dhaka University premises.
Read: 71 AL MPs fail to get party tickets to run election
He said that Awami League doesn’t need companions, as people are its strength. BNP needs accomplices for their misdeeds, said the AL leader.
People of the country have been eagerly waiting for the election along with party leaders and activists as election season has already started in the country, he said.
Read: AL nominates 9 new faces in Dhaka constituencies
Quader, also road, transport and bridges minister, said that the upcoming election has generated a massive tide of public support that can’t be foiled by sporadic bombings and arson attacks.
The Awami League general secretary also alleged that BNP is now hatching a conspiracy to foil the election after its movement failed.
Read more: AL picks actor Ferdous for Dhaka-10
Try to figure out a way to have dialogue without pre-conditions: Peter Haas urges parties
The United States has reiterated that it remains neutral, without taking any side, and urged all political parties of Bangladesh to de-escalate and eschew violence and find ways for peaceful elections.
“We are on no particular political party’s side. We want free and fair elections conducted in a peaceful manner,” US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas told reporters today (November 15, 2023).
No scope for dialogue now: Quader acknowledges receiving Donald Lu’s letter from Peter Haas
He called upon all sides to de-escalate, eschew violence and try to figure out a way to have dialogue without pre-conditions to improve the election atmosphere.
Ambassador Haas made the remarks after a meeting with Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader at the Secretariat.
Peter Haas has requested meetings with senior leaders of 3 major parties: US Embassy
He said they delivered the same message to all political parties in Bangladesh, that the United States remains neutral ahead of the upcoming polls.
Earlier, Ambassador Haas requested meetings with senior leaders of the three major political parties to underscore the US position regarding the upcoming election.
Haas meets CEC, hopes all sides will engage in dialogue without preconditions
Meanwhile, US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller on Tuesday said, “We have consistently said that we believe elections in Bangladesh should be free and fair and open, and they should take place free of violence.”
No scope for dialogue now: Quader acknowledges receiving Donald Lu’s letter from Peter Haas
As Election Commission will announce the schedule of the next general election of Bangladesh any time, no scope is left for dialogue now, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader said today (November 15, 2023).
“We have urged BNP several times to consider dialogue with us, without any condition. But there is no scope right now,” he said.
The road transport and bridges minister came up with the remark while talking to reporters at the Secretariat.
Obaidul Quader condemns BNP for ‘spreading lies’ against PM
“We have received a letter from Donald Lu (US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs). US Ambassador Peter Haas was here to give us the letter this morning. We can respond (to the letter) after holding a discussion with the party chief, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,” the AL leader said.
“I have read the letter, and it is about holding free, fair and neutral election,” he added.
Responding to a question, Quader said, “Those who believe in democracy can’t avoid dialogue. The EC is set to announce the polls schedule, so now there is no scope to hold a dialogue.”
UN is useless, says Obaidul Quader
Bangladesh’s Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal is set to address the nation and announce the schedule for the upcoming general election at 7 pm today (November 15, 2023), Election Commission has said.
CEC set to announce general election schedule at 7 pm today: EC
Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar will broadcast the CEC’s speech in the evening, EC Secretary Jahangir Alam said while briefing reporters this morning.
Quader playing role of Tikka and Niazi, alleges Rizvi, amid 'storm of arrests' in BNP
BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Sunday alleged the country is witnessing 'a storm of arrests' of opposition leaders and activists as the government wants to stage a mockery in the name of election.
Speaking at a virtual press briefing, he said they will come up with more action programmes after their ongoing 48-hour blockade to force the government to quit and hold the next polls under a non-party neutral administration.
Rizvi, however, urged the BNP leaders and workers to remain alert as the government may carry out different untoward incidents to shift the blame onto the opposition.
“A storm of arrests is going on all over the country. You (govt) are not sparing anyone from the national level to the grassroots in that arrest drive. Those who are in power behaving like terrible robbers,” he said.
BNP leader Mirza Abbas sent to jail again; Court fixes Nov 8 for self-defence statement
Besides, the BNP leader said law enforcers are arresting BNP leaders and activists and releasing some of them in exchange for money. “They’re also not releasing someone even after taking money.”
He slammed Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader for mocking BNP leaders for going into hiding and holding virtual press briefings.
“Obaidul Quader asks with laughter, where are the BNP leaders? He (Quader) said we hold briefings from the cave…Tikka Khan (military commander in East Pakistan during the 1971 Liberation War) used to make such comments after carrying out a ruthless military crackdown and Operation Searchlight,” Rizvi said.
He said the people of Bangladesh could not protest publicly against the brutality of Pakistani occupation forces as they had to move from their homes, and villages and cross the borders of the country.
“At that time, Tikka Khan and Niazi said exactly the same thing… they called the freedom fighters miscreants. Obaidul Quader is now using exactly the same language,” the BNP leader observed.
Hasan Mahmud likens BNP to IS, Taliban
Rizvi said the same situation that prevailed in 1971 is now prevailing in Bangladesh because of the government’s suppressive acts.
He also said Obaidul Quader is now following the role of Tikka Khan and Niazi and shedding the blood of people as part of a process of eliminating opposition parties and BNP from Bangladesh.
"They (govt) will stage a mockery in the name of an election in a quiet atmosphere and the Chief Election Commissioner will announce the names of the winning candidates according to the list of Sheikh Hasina," the BNP leader said.
He also said the rule of law can not be established in a country where the police themselves are throwing cocktails from riot cars.
“How can the police be considered as a friend of the people in this country…they (police) are working as musclemen of Sheikh Hasina making people their enemies," Rizvi alleged.
2 candidates boycott Laxmipur-3 by-poll alleging irregularities
In such circumstances, Rizvi called upon the BNP leaders and workers to remain alert in observing their political programmes: “The government may try to sabotage in various ways and put the blame on the leaders and workers of BNP.”
He said more than 261 BNP leaders and activists were arrested across the country in the last 24 hours as of 5 pm Saturday.
Besides, nine fresh cases were filed accusing 1,060 people during the same period.
He also claimed that 5,284 BNP leaders and activists were arrested in 122 fresh cases while 3,498 opposition leaders and followers were injured and nine others and a journalist were killed in different incidents of clashes and attacks centring BNP’s October 28 grand rally and subsequent hartal and blockades.
BNP-led forces must be resisted and defeated: Quader
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Friday said the BNP-led "communal forces" will have to be resisted and defeated to protect Bangladesh's democracy, the spirit of Liberation War and the country’s independence.
Describing BNP as the main enemy of the nation, Quader said, "Once again the party (BNP) has announced a blockade to commit vandalism and arson violence."
BNP leader Amir Khasru detained
Quader, also the road, transport and bridges minister, made the remarks after paying homage to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Dhanmondi 32 this morning on the occasion of jail killing day.
The Awami League’s general secretary said, “24 journalists were brutally attacked on October 28. A policeman was killed, a hospital was attacked, and the chief justice's residence was attacked. They torched a parked bus, killing the sleeping helper inside.”
“How is it repressive to arrest those who led these misdeeds?” Quader asked.
“How can they escape responsibility after committing such violence? Won't there be justice?” Quader said while talking to reporters.
JP’s Chunnu wants dialogue, disagrees with BNP’s one-point demand
Replying to a question from journalists about BNP's announcement of a 48-hour countrywide blockade from Sunday, the AL leader said, "They can announce as many blockades as they want. They (BNP) have already become tired.”
About BNP Quader said, “Either they’ll be in jail or be on the run. They will probably watch Hindi(Indian) serials.”
Quader also accused BNP of hiring people to commit arson violence and vandalise vehicles on the road on behalf of them.
About the jail killing day, Quader said, "The November 3, 1975 killing of 4 national leaders were the continuation of the August 15 conspiracy (that killed Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his family). Later, Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Hasina was the main target of the grenade attack on August 21, 2004.”
EC going to stage mockery in the name of dialogue at govt’s behest: BNP
The ALo general secretary said the conspiracy of 1975 and post-1975 killings were perpetrated to avenge the defeat of 1971.
"That defeated force is repeatedly attacking the soul and spirit of the nation. They are spreading communal tension,” said Quader
He accused BNP of harbouring this communal evil force.
“BNP is the trusted allies of those who committed the brutal killings in 1975. On October 28, it was proven again. And that’s why they are the main enemies of the nation,” he said.
'Attacks on Saturday, Sunday were pre-planned by BNP': Obaidul Quader
Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader has said that the attacks on Saturday and Sunday are pre-planned by BNP to execute their planned conspiracy for seizing power by any means.
He said, "The attacks on Saturday and Sunday are pre-planned by BNP. They had been preparing for the attack for a long time."
The minister said these things at a press conference at the political office of the Awami League President office in Dhanmondi on Sunday (October 29) afternoon.
Fakhrul brought to DB office for questioning: DMP Commissioner
Obaidul Quader said, "When talking about democratic movement, BNP was secretly preparing to implement the terrorist style of their politics. They were taking time to get back to their old ways, their terrible politics. In time they chose the way to execute their planned conspiracy."
The minister said they had challenged the law enforcement agencies.
"The attack on the Chief Justice's residence is an insult to the country's judiciary," he opined.
BNP announces 3-day countrywide blockade from Tuesday
"What have they not done in the last two days? BNP is involved in the conspiracy to seize power by any means. The BNP-Jamaat alliance has once again indulged in brutal terrorist activities to disrupt the country's democratic process," he added.
Quader said BNP and their allies are destroying the fair and normal political environment as it does not believe in democratic ideals.
BNP man dies ‘while fleeing after attempting to set bus on fire’ in Dhaka
"Yesterday's brutal attack and killing of a policeman in broad daylight, attack on the residence of the Chief Justice, fire in the hospital were part of Tariq Rahman's 'take back' formula," he also said.