CEC
CEC estimates 15 to 20 percent by-poll voter turnout in 6 JS seats left vacant by BNP
Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal on Wednesday said the average voter turnout in the by-election in six parliamentary seats may be 15 per cent to 20 percent.
"The average voter turnout in the election may be 15 per cent to 20 percent. It is our assumption, but not final. Though the presence of the voters was low in the polling stations, discipline was maintained at the voting centres during by-election," he said.
He made the remarks while talking to journalists after monitoring the by-polls at Election Commission Bhaban in the capital's Agargaon.
He said the EC collected the updated information from the local administration and the media while monitoring the election. No breaking news was published.
He also said they did not receive information of any remarkable irregularities or vote rigging so far.
No untoward incident took place in today's by-elections. In that aspect, the election has been successful and peaceful”, said Habibul Awal.
He also appreciated the role of district administration and police saying that they performed their duties with professionalism till now.
"We have not received any complaints. We rely on the local administration as they extend their full support to make the election successful," he said.
Voting began at 8:30 am and continued till 4:30 pm in the by-polls to the six parliamentary seats — left vacant due to resignation by BNP MPs as part of their anti-government movement.
The six constituencies which went to poll are: Thakurgaon-3, Bogura-4 and 6, Chapainawabganj-2, 3 and Brahmanbaria-2.
Electronic voting machines (EVMs) were used in the voting. However, no CCTV cameras were installed in the polling centres. Forty candidates competed in the 6 constituencies.
In Chapainawabganj, a chase and counter-chase happened between supporters of two candidates at the District Ideal High School Centre around 9 am, witnesses said.
A scuffle took place between the supporters of independent candidate Samiul Haque Liton and Awami League backed candidate Abdul Wadud at the polling station -- triggering a chase and counter-chase, said Additional Superintendent of Chapainawabganj Police, Abul Kalam Shaheed.
However, police brought the situation under control. A crude bomb was seized from the spot.
Voting in the by-election for Brahmanbaria-2 (Sarail-Ashuganj) constituency went on peacefully amid low voter turnout till filing of this report around noon.
Abu Asif Ahmed, an expelled leader of BNP and an independent candidate, has remained missing since Friday.
Also read: CEC says sorry for his rifle for sword remarks
Some 1,100 police have been deployed at the polling stations while four platoons of BGB members, nine teams of RAB, nine mobile teams of police, and four striking teams were also performing their duties to maintain the law and order situation.
The constituencies have a total of 22,55,217 voters eligible to cast ballots at 867 polling centers.
Meanwhile, the government announced a public holiday on Wednesday in the election areas on the occasion of the by-elections.
Earlier on December 10, 2022 at a public rally, parliamentarians of BNP announced their resignation from the JS. The next day, on December 11, Chapainawabganj-2 lawmaker Md Aminul Islam, Bogura-4 lawmaker Md. Mosharraf Hossain, Bogura-6 lawmaker Golam Mohammad Siraj, and Thakurgaon-3 lawmaker Zahidur Rahman resigned from the parliament.
Two other BNP lawmakers — Advocate Abdus Sattar of Brahmanbaria-2 constituency and Harun-or-Rashid of Chapainawabganj-3 — resigned from the parliament later.
No outside pressure on Election Commission: CEC
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal on Wednesday said that there is no pressure from the international community or foreign diplomats on the Election Commission regarding next parliamentary elections expected to be held early 2024.
He made the comment while speaking at the inauguration of the distribution of smart national identity cards in Patuakhali.
Read more: Democratic practice won't develop without electoral competition: CEC
The Election Commission has no comment on the statements made by the diplomats over the national elections, he said.
“It is a matter of the government and those who are speaking is a bilateral issue. I will not comment on this as Chief Election Commissioner,” he said.
Expecting BNP’s participation in the election, the CEC said, “However, no party is being forced to participate in the elections.”
Read more: Govt’s cooperation needed for holding fair election: CEC
“BNP is an important opposition party. The election will be more participatory if they come forward,” he said.
“We are hopeful that all opposition parties, including BNP, will participate in the next parliamentary election,” said the CEC.
Govt’s cooperation needed for holding fair election: CEC
The government's willingness and overall cooperation are needed to hold a successful and fair election, said Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal on Thursday.
“Without the govt’s sincere will and cooperation, it may not be possible to make the election successful to the desired extent,” he said in response to a question from reporters at the Nirbachan Bhaban.
Besides, it will not be possible to hold the election in a fair and credible manner with the help of police and army only if the political parties themselves do not maintain a balance, he added.
If there is no consensus among the political parties, the Election Commission will not be able to hold a fair election, said the CEC.
Read more: CEC appreciates environment of local govt polls
“Understanding among political parties , their cooperation and a conducive environment need to be created for holding a fair election,” he said.
Regarding the dialogue among the political parties, he said no decision has been taken yet on another round of dialogue, but more dialogue needs to be held.
The CEC said, “In our existing system, the government is not the Awami League. Government has a different entity.”
“If there is no cooperation from the ministries, departments of the government, then it may not be possible to make the election successful. And so the political leaders are saying that dialogue is very crucial. We see there is no dialogue between the political parties. We think this is very necessary.”
He said he wants to convey this message to the political leaders through the media.
“I do not believe that a fair election will be possible by showing off power on the streets,” Awal said, referring to the political leaders who are saying that there will be a test of strength on the streets.
Read more: Law to decide Khaleda’s participation in next national polls: CEC
He urged them to participate in the election and compete maintaining the rules and regulations in the election field.
Democratic election is not possible without ‘effective competition, the CEC said adding, “Because we cannot create a balance with the police, it will be created only through healthy competition among political parties.”
Gaibandha-5 by-election: Wait for a decision, says CEC
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal on Wednesday said that no inconsiderate decision will be taken about electoral irregularities in the suspended by- election of Gaibandha-5 constituency.
The CEC told reporters in Dhaka that the commission will not take any decision on this as they are still examining the whole situation.
Read more: Decision on Gaibandha-5 polls in 7 days: CEC
Asked whether there will be a new voting in Gaibandha, he said, "I will not say anything now. You wait, wait a little."
Read more: EC doing its job, not under any pressure: CEC
The CEC had suspended the voting in the middle of the by-election due to widespread irregularities at 51 centres on October 12.
Decision on Gaibandha-5 polls in 7 days: CEC
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal said on Saturday that a comprehensive decision will be taken within seven days after a full investigation involving the cancellation of voting at Gaibandha-5 parliamentary seat.
He said that the initial investigation by a committee appointed by the Election Commission was partial, and they need a full investigation to reach a final decision.
The CEC made the remarks in response to reporters' questions while monitoring the by-election vote in Faridpur-2 constituency on Saturday morning.
Also read: No decision taken yet over suspended Gaibandha -5 polls: CEC
Awal said that the EC has only observed 51 closed centres, while a committee has been constituted to analyse the remaining 94 centres' CCTV footage at Gaibandha-5.
"They will report within seven days. Then a coordinated decision will be taken," he said.
EC’s Additional Secretary Ashok Kumar Debnath, who headed the committee, submitted the report to EC Secretary Humayun Kabir Khandaker.
Also read: EC extends deadline for Gaibandha-5 by-polls by 90 days
The EC suspended the election because of “widespread malpractices” on the election day on October 12.
It also extended the deadline for holding any fresh election to the Gaibandha-5 parliamentary seat by three months, or till January 20, 2023.
While there was no concrete decision over if a new election will be held, pending an investigation into malpractices on the election day, the EC said that the deadline has been extended to follow the rule of 90 days in holding an election after a seat falls vacant.
Following the death of Gaibandha-5 lawmaker and Deputy Speaker of the Parliament Fazle Rabbi Miah on July 22, 2022, it became a constitutional obligation to hold election for the parliamentary seat by October 20, 2022.
CEC appreciates environment of local govt polls
Chief Election Commissioner ( CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal said election environment in hundreds of local government elections should be maintained in the future as the Commission has not seen violence, vote rigging or received any complaints.
"This is a good sign. If it can be maintained, it will work in the future. Now there is a voting environment. That is our purpose," he said.
He was talking during a briefing on the monitoring of local government polls in different areas from the Election Commission headquarters.
The CEC said that they have not seen violence, vote rigging or received any complaint while monitoring four municipalities from here.
CCTV cameras were used only in four municipalities for monitoring from the headquarters.
These are: Fatikcchari Municipality of Fatikcchari Upazila of Chattogram, Hazrabari Municipality of Hazrabari Upazila of Jamalpur, Parvatipur Municipality of Parvatipur Upazila of Dinajpur and Vishwanath Municipality of Vishwanath Upazila of Sylhet.
Read more: No decision taken yet over suspended Gaibandha -5 polls: CEC
He also said that many people stood in line and voted in an orderly manner.
“It seems to me that the voters have exercised their rights with restraint and patience,” he said.
He informed that the Commission will also monitor the Faridpur-2 seat polls to be held on November 5.
The Election Commission conducted polls on Wednesday in local government bodies to elect representatives in upazilas, municipalities and union parishads across the country.
Voting started at 8 am and continued till 4 pm.
EC also conducted voting in three upazilas - Karnaphuli of Chattogram, Jagannathpur of Sunamganj and Osmaninagar of Sylhet. Besides, by-election was being held for the posts of chairman of Netrakona Sadar, Roumari and Chilmari of Kurigram and Khoksa upazila of Kushtia.
The by-election to Khoksa Upazila Parishad of Kushtia started amid clashes between supporters of the rival candidates.
As soon as voting started at 8 am, fight broke out at Kadirpur Government Primary School voting centre between supporters of the Awami League-backed candidate Babul Akhter and Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) leader Motahar Hossain Khokon.
Read more: Deal with any intimidation in next polls, CEC asks DCs, SPs
The EC took votes in many Union Parishads (UP). The UPs are Baratara and Tulsi Ganga in Khototal Upazila of Joypurhat; Ziarthi and Kanchanpur of Kushtia Sadar, Chithlia and Dhubail of Mirpur; Adra and Phulmocha of Melandah in Jamalpur Upazila; Raipara, Mahmudpur and Sutarpara of Dohar Upazila of Dhaka; Perli and Panchgram of Kalia Upazila of Narail; West Jaflong, Goainghat, East Jaflong and Madhya Jaflong of Goainghat Upazila of Sylhet; Kharera of Kasba upazila of Brahmanbaria and Durlabpur of Shibganj upazila of Chapainawabganj.
The EC also conducted by-elections for a total of 60 member posts under 58 Union Parishads in 52 upazilas of 36 districts.
Suspension of Gaibandha-5 by-polls was right, former commissioners tell EC
Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal said on Wednesday that former chief election commissioners, election commissioners and secretaries endorsed the Election Commission’s decision over the suspension of the Gaibandha-5 parliamentary seat by-polls.
He made the remarks at the EC headquarters in Dhaka after a meeting with the former officials to discuss the election process.
“The decision to cancel the election at Gaibandha-5 was correct,” he said of the outcome of a closed-door discussion with them. “We invited them to discuss if the decision regarding the Gaibnadha-5 by-polls was fine in line with law. Everybody said it was correct,” he said.
The CEC said that the former election commissioners and secretaries advised the EC to maintain “continuity” of its work and action.
He said that the former election commissioners also told the EC that use of the CCTV cameras and the EVMs are helpful in holding a free and fair election.
Read: Gaibandha-5 polls: Not a reckless decision, says CEC
But former Election Commissioner Sakhawat Hossain told reporters that he advised the EC to use the CCTV cameras more instead of EVMs.
“Good or bad, there is controversy about EVMs. More use of CCTV cameras will be better with the (same) budget meant for the EVMs at 150 parliamentary seats,” he said.
"Where EVMs are needed, use them. (But) ballot papers are possible to find out if they are taken (snatched by someone). Subtle manipulation is possible with EVMs. There is no chaos outside, nothing, but what was going on inside in Gaibandha that we saw,” he said.
Sakhawat said that the Election Commission must maintain the continuity of what it has done regarding Gaibandha-5 by-polls.
Otherwise, he said, people would think that the EC cancelled the election in Gaibandha to just demonstrate a scenario for a different reason.
“So far so good, don't skip the next steps. If you do, then a different message will be sent to the nation that you have done this to show,” he said.
He said that the EC should take action against the people responsible for manipulation in Gaibandha.
Read: Gaibandha-5 by-election cancelled over 'malpractices'
"If you fail to find out who is guilty and if you don’t take action regarding Gaibandha, then you will not get (the people’s) confidence in the future. So, it must be done,” he said.
“Measures should be taken by applying the power that is there. Action should be taken against the officials who have issued letters claiming that the election was fair," he said in reference to the points he shared during the meeting with the EC.
About the recent move to bring the NID registration under the Ministry of Home Affairs from the Election Commission, he said: “Why does the government want to take NID registration under the ministry? That is not clear. The Election Commission has developed the system for so many years. Whenever it will be taken the voter list will be questionable at some points, which is not right.”
Former chief election commissioners--Abdur Rauf, KM Nurul Huda, Kazi Rakib Uddin Ahmed, former election commissioners M Sakhawat Hossain, Rafiqul Islam, Kavita Khanam, former EC secretaries Mohammad Sadiq, Mohammad Abdullah, Sirajul Islam, Helal Uddin Ahmed and former additional secretaries Jasmine Tuli and Mokhleshur Rahman took part in the discussion.
Deal with any intimidation in next polls, CEC asks DCs, SPs
Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal on Saturday asked deputy commissioners and superintendents of police to be aware of their duties to deal with any intimidation in the next general elections expected to be held late next year or in the beginning of 2024.
“If any illegal interferences in the election are not handled with an iron hand, that’s not an election, that’s a farce,” he said.
Read: EC to sit with DCs, SPs ahead of election
“This could have a serious negative impact on the next election. You must be accountable. So, in the future, you will exercise all the necessary powers to successfully conduct each election,” he said.
His statement came when the Election Commission held a meeting with deputy commissioners and superintendents of police from across the country on Saturday to discuss issues related to next general elections.
The meeting was crucial to build up momentum ahead of the next national elections amid threats by BNP and its allies that they will not take part in the elections under a partisan government. But the government has been arguing that there is no such provision in the constitution of returning to a controversial caretaker government system to oversee the elections. The previous caretaker government system was nullified through the 15th amendment to the constitution in 2011 after the Supreme Court struck down the 13th amendment that had introduced the system in 1996.
On Thursday, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina urged all political parties to join the national elections.
Saturday’s meeting was held at the auditorium of the Election Commission in the capital city, Dhaka.
The CEC in the meeting said that a stricter stand by the DCs and the SPs would reinforce the people’s interest and trust in the electoral process, encouraging them to exercise their voting rights. Next elections to local government bodies also came up in the discussion.
The CEC reminded the DCs and SPs of avoiding their own political ideologies when they play their role. “You are public servants,” he said.
Read EVMs in 150 constituencies: EC finalises Tk 8,711cr project
"You will have to be neutral in your position. You must follow your duty according to the laws of the land. This is the expectation of the people. You have to earn trust by fulfilling the expectations of the people with the application of all rules and regulations," he added.
The CEC also said it is not the issue of the Election Commission to resolve disputes among bickering political parties.
“The EC cannot interfere in the political decisions as the constitution, laws and rules have set our scope of work, power and responsibilities. Political problems should be settled politically,” he said.
He also said the DCs and SPs must understand the importance of forming new national government and local government bodies through elections in a democratic system.
He said that the EC has proof that it is easier to control violence, rigging in polls by using Electronic Voting Machine (EVM).
“We have decided to use EVMs in not more than 150 seats but we will have preparation to hold elections through ballot paper in all seats if needed,” said CEC.
In the 12th National Parliamentary Election, votes will be cast in 42-45,000 centres simultaneously in one day which is not an easy task but not impossible, he added.
Other election commissioners and top officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Additional IGP attended the meeting.
EVMs in 150 constituencies: EC finalises Tk 8,711cr project
The Election Commission (EC) today approved a Tk 8,711 crore project to procure Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) for 150 constituencies, out of 300, for the 12th parliamentary election.
The project details will soon be sent to the Planning Commission for approval, Election Commissioner Md Alamgir said in a press briefing.
Earlier, the project was approved in a meeting of the commission. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal, who recently tested positive for Covid-19, joined the meeting virtually.
Read: Jatiya Party to shun alliances at next election: GM Quader
EC Alamgir said, “The commission earlier decided to use EVMs in 150 constituencies, in the next general election, but 1.5 lakh machines we currently have can be used in highest 70 to 80 constituencies.”
So, the project was approved to procure and maintain new EVMs, he said.
The Election Commission unveiled roadmap for next the general election at a function held at the auditorium of the Nirbachan Bhaban on Wednesday.
Read: Next national election by Jan 29, 2024; EVMs to be used in 150 constituencies
On August 23, the EC decided to use electronic voting machines instead of traditional ballot papers in maximum 150 constituencies in the next general election – likely to be held late next year.
The decision received strong opposition from BNP and its allies, who didn’t join the talks with the CEC that continued throughout the month of July.
However, the ruling Awami League welcomed the decision as it was their demand to use EVMs in all 300 seats in the next election.
Read AL in favour of using EVMs in national election: Quader
Earlier, the commission had invited 39 political parties registered with it for talks on the use of electronic voting machines; 28 political parties responded to the commission’s invitations while 11 parties, including BNP, rejected it.
Why decision against disclosing who suggested names for CEC & ECs should not be declared illegal: HC
The High Court (HC) on Tuesday issued a rule asking the authorities concerned to explain why the decision not to disclose the information of the individuals or a party who suggested names for the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and other Election Commissioners (EC) should not be declared as legally unauthorized.
The HC bench of Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice Ahmed Sohel passed the order after hearing a writ petition filed by Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (Shujan).
The Information Commission and Cabinet Secretary were asked to respond to the rule within four weeks.
On June 7, the Information Commission said ‘who suggested the name for EC’ - this information cannot be provided.
Badiul Alam Majumdar, secretary of Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (Shujan), among four prominent citizens filed a writ petition regarding the legality of this decision.
Lawyer Sharif Bhuiyan and Lawyer Saiful Alam Chowdhury appeared for the writ petition in the court while Deputy Attorney General Samarendra Nath Biswas represented the state.
On February 16, Badiul Alam applied to the officer in charge of the Right to Information Division of the Cabinet Division, seeking the information about those who suggested the names to the search committee formed for recommending persons eligible for the post of CEC and Election Commissioners.
On March 1, the officer in charge expressed his inability to provide any information in this regard, saying that the cabinet department has no authority.
Shujan Secretary appealed against this to the Appellate Authority of the Cabinet Division.
Failed to get a response within the stipulated time, he complained to the Information Commission.
Read: HC forms expert committee to prevent plagiarism in PhD thesis
However, the Information Commission dismissed the complaint on June 7 stating that the information requested cannot be provided.
On June 23, Badiul Alam filed a writ petition challenging the legality of the decision of the Information Commission.
The writ also sought an issuance of rule regarding the Information Commission’s decision.
On February 5, a six-member search committee, led by Appellate Division Justice Obaidul Hasan, was formed to suggest the names of the Chief Election Commissioner and other election commissioners.
On February 14, the Cabinet Division published 322 names that were suggested for the next Election Commission. However, it was not disclosed who suggested the names.
On February 22, the search committee finalised the names of 10 people for recommendation to the president for the CEC and four election commissioners’ posts and submitted the list.
The President appointed the Chief Election Commissioner and four Election Commissioners from this list.