Election
2 candidates boycott Laxmipur-3 by-poll alleging irregularities
Two candidates of the by-elections to Laxmipur-3 constituency boycotted the election at a press conference on Sunday afternoon.
The candidates, Mohammad Rakib Hossain of Jatiya Party and Shamsul Karim Khokon of Zaker Party, said agents of Awami League candidate Golam Faruk Pinku were casting fake votes and restricting other party's agents from several centers.
They said that they did not get any response from authority.
They boycotted the election, saying that it was not possible to continue the voting process in this situation.
Four candidates— Awami League’s Golam Faruk Pinku, Jatiya Party’s Rakib Hossain, Zaker Party’s Shamsul Alam Khokon, and National People's Party's Salim Mahmud—took part in the election.
Voting started at 8 am in 115 centers of the constituency and ended at 4 pm.
By-polls to Brahmanbaria-2, Laxmipur-3 constituencies on Sunday
The by-elections to Brahmanbaria-2 and Lakshmipur-3 constituencies will be held on Sunday (Nov 5).
Authorities have started distribution of election materials from Saturday ahead of the by-elections.
In Brahmanbaria, ballot papers, ballot boxes, seals and other equipment were distributed for a total of 132 polling stations in 84 centers of Sarail upazila and 48 centers of Ashuganj upazila.
The assistant returning officers of the upazilas handed over these tools to the presiding officers of different centers. Later they took these election materials to the polling station amid tight security.
Md. Shahgir Alam, district returning officer and district commissioner, said all kinds of preparations have been made to hold the by-elections in a fair and festive manner. Adequate number of law enforcement officers including RAB, Police, Executive Magistrate will be stand by for the overall security of the election, he added.
A total of 4,10,072 voters in Brahmanbaria-2 constituency are expected to exercise their voting rights in the by-polls.
Meanwhile, all out preparations have been taken to conduct the by-polls to Laxmipur-3 constituency peacefully, said Farhad Hossain, the returning officer of the election.
Voting will start at 8 am, and it will continue till 4 pm without any break, he added.
He said besides the presiding officers, 16 executive magistrates, 950 policemen, 1495 Ansars and 6 platoons of BGB have been deployed. In addition, seven teams of RAB will be patrolled during the elections.
Deputy Commissioner Suraiya Jahan said that Lakshmipur by-elections will be conducted peacefully, if there is any irregularity or if anyone tries to create anarchy, strict action will be taken.
Earlier, on October 1, the parliament secretariat declared the two seats vacant, following the deaths of Lakshmipur-3 lawmaker AKM Shajahan Kamal and Brahmanbaria-2 lawmaker Abdus Sattar Bhuiyan.
17 parties’ inc. BNP stay away from EC's dialogue
A total of seventeen registered political parties, including main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) did not participate in Saturday's discussions arranged by the Election Commission about preparations for the 12th parliamentary election.
The Election Commission organized two sessions with 22 parties each, with the first including Awami League at 10:30 am on Saturday and with 22 other parties including BNP and Jatiya Party at 3 pm.
Apart from the BNP, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD), Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal, Biplobi Workers Party, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP), Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Bangladesh Kallyan Party, Communist Party of Bangladesh, Muslim League BML and Bangladesh Muslim League, also abstained from the dialogue.
EC started discussion with registered political parties to inform them about preparations for the 12th parliamentary election.
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal presided over the discussions at the Election Commission building in Dhaka’s Agargaon. The presidents and general secretaries of the parties, or alternatively two representatives of their choosing, were invited for the dialogue.
According to the constitution, parliamentary elections must be held in the 90 days before the end of the five-year term of parliament. The term of the current parliament ends on January 29, 2024 while the 90-day count started from November 1, 2023.
The Election Commission said that it is preparing to announce the schedule of the national election in mid-November and hold the election in January.
Elections can't be stopped by arson: Salman F Rahman
The upcoming election cannot be prevented by the BNP-Jamaat's arson movement across the country, Prime Minister's Adviser for Private Industries and Investment Salman F. Rahman said on Friday.
UN, US reiterate call for free, fair election in Bangladesh
"Rather, it will bring the popularity of BNP down to zero," the PM’s adviser said, speaking at a Bir Muktijoddha rally in his constituency Dhaka-1 (Dohar-Nawabganj) on Friday as the chief guest.
“BNP leaders and activists will not be given another chance to create anarchy in the country. Hand over those who are creating violent activities to the police,” he added.
Mentioning that the ultimatum of BNP has proved false, Rahman said they are only causing economic damage to the country by inciting strikes and blockades, while also losing acceptance.
"So don't mislead people with these fake ultimatums. People will not believe you anymore. The people of the country have understood that you are not able to run the country," he remarked.
He also said that there is no chance of coming to power by force in this country.
Election will be on time, BNP can’t stop it, says PM Hasina at press conference
"Leave these destructive activities and check your popularity by joining the election," he urged, adding: “If you can come to power with the people’s mandate, we will congratulate you.”
Salman F Rahman, also one of the country's leading businessmen, said the upcoming national elections cannot be thwarted by any violence: "Elections will be held on time as per the constitution under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina."
The Beximco Group vice-chairman said today, Bangladesh has become a role model for development due to the current government’s 15 years of development. He thus urged everyone to vote for "boat," the Awami League's electoral symbol, in the next general election for the country's continued development.
If BNP genuinely wanted elections, they wouldn’t have resorted to acts of terrorism: Quader
Whether conditions favourable or not, election to go ahead: CEC
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal on Thursday said that the election will be held even if the environment is not favorable.
"We want to hold the election as an organizer. The expectation was there from the beginning, but the environment has not yet become favorable for elections. But that doesn't mean I won't hold the poll."
EC solicits international observers for 12th parliamentary elections
The CEC made this comment at a workshop titled “Twelfth national general elections: role of media, expectations of the Nation” with media editors at the election building.
Awal said that the Election Commission wants the political environment to become favorable. EC is sincere in solving any crisis.
Calling on the political parties to solve the problem and said that the political parties may have their own strategy. “We will not interfere in it,” he added.
Election won’t stop for any political party: Quader
Almost everyone questioned the CEC's statement about the environment not being conducive. Editors say this is contradictory. Because on the one hand preparations are being made for the election, on the other hand such statements have been made. This creates fear among the parties.
In this context CEC said “I can type myself. Therefore, there may be some mistakes. What I said there, I said very sincerely. I have been seeing obstacles since the first day I took charge.”
He said their field is not very smooth. That is why they had appealed to make the election environment more favorable.
People anxious whether next election would be 'acceptable': GM Quader
The CEC also said that the language may have gone wrong. I can still say personally, the atmosphere is not entirely favorable. “But it does not mean that I will not arrange for the voting. I will continue to sail the boat no matter whether the environment is in my favour or not.”
Election Commissioner Brigadier General (Retd.) Ahsan Habib Khan, Begum Rasheda Sultana, Md. Alamgir along with senior EC officials, editor of The Daily Star Mahfuz Anam, editor of Bangladesh Pratidin Naem Nizam, editor of Dainik Jugantor Saiful Alam, chief news editor of ATN Bangla J.E. Mamun, Channel I Chief News Editor Zahid Nawaz Khan, News24 TV Executive Editor Rahul Raha and Channel 24 TV Executive Director Talat Mahmood were present.
EC solicits international observers for 12th parliamentary elections
The Election Commission on Sunday invited applications from interested international elections observers and media to oversee the 12th parliamentary elections.
The EC issued an official notice inviting applications from international election observers and foreign media organisations by November 21.
The notice, signed by EC Secretary Md Jahangir Alam, the EC said that the 12th national election is set to be held in the first half of January 2024.
‘We are fully confident, election will be held on time,’ says EC Alamgir
"As you are aware we attach great importance to the observation of the election process for the sake of transparency. All activities are open to observation by the observers," read the notice.
"Bangladesh Election Commission is committed to hold free, fair, credible and peaceful elections at all times. We want foreign election observers and foreign media worldwide along with our local observers to observe our upcoming 12th Parliamentary Elections."
It’s people of Bangladesh who will ultimately determine credibility, legitimacy of their elections: IRI-NDI delegation
"We would therefore like to invite international election observers or observer organisations and foreign media intending to observe the upcoming 12th Parliamentary Elections to apply following the 'Guidelines for International Election Observers and Foreign Media' by November 21, 2023."
Next election will be held at any cost: PM tells huge rally in Kawla
The notice said interested election observers or observer organisations and foreign media are requested kindly to follow the clauses 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6 and 3.1 of the 'Guidelines for International Election Observers and Foreign Media' while applying.
The guidelines and related forms are available at www.ecs.gov.bd, added the notice.
‘We are fully confident, election will be held on time,’ says EC Alamgir
Election Commission is not worried about the election as it thinks that the national election will be held on time, said Election Commissioner Mohammad Alamgir on Sunday.
"We have no tension about the election. Election will be held on time and we are fully confident about it," the election commissioner said this while talking to journalists at the EC building.
“We arranged all the previous elections fairly and next elections will be held in the same manner,” he said.
Read: It’s people of Bangladesh who will ultimately determine credibility, legitimacy of their elections: IRI-NDI delegation
In response to a question about the BNP, he said, "We will be happy if the BNP comes to the polls." We want them to participate in the elections, we are ready for fair elections. We want all political parties to come. You (BNP) come to the election and the vote will be fair,” he added.
Read: Next election will be held at any cost: PM tells huge rally in Kawla
“It’s true that all political parties don’t participate in the elections. We have 44 political parties. All of them will not participate and it did not happen in the past,” said EC Alamgir.
Even in the 70's elections, not all parties joined the polls, said the commissioner.
Read: CEC urges field-level officials to carry out duties with impartiality during upcoming nat’l election
Regarding dialogue with political parties, EC Alamgir said that there has been no discussion on dialogue yet.
It’s people of Bangladesh who will ultimately determine credibility, legitimacy of their elections: IRI-NDI delegation
The bipartisan and international pre-election delegation comprised of representatives from International Republican Institute (IRI) and National Democratic Institute (NDI) on Sunday said that it is the people of Bangladesh who will ultimately determine the credibility and legitimacy of their elections and their country’s democratic development.
The delegation offered their pre-election statement in the "spirit of supporting and strengthening" democratic institutions in Bangladesh.
Also read: Moderate rhetoric, engage in open dialogue on key election issues: IRI-NDI delegation
IRI and NDI conducted the mission in accordance with the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation.
Journalists and media outlets should be free to critically cover all political parties, government actors, and issues in Bangladesh and citizens should be free to express themselves, both without fear of retaliation, according to a joint statement released today.
Civil society organizations and community-based organizations, particularly those that work on democracy and human rights issues, should not face threats to curtail or otherwise limit their activities, they said.
The new Cyber Security Act should not be misused or abused, including to target dissenting speech; the government should continue to seek input from citizens and other stakeholders on its implementation, the statement said.
Also read: Credible polls not possible under current regime, BNP tells US pre-election assessment team
Election regulations should ensure that citizen observers can access all aspects of the election process, in accordance with the global norms enumerated in the Declaration of Global Principles and Monitoring by Citizen Organizations.
The delegation wants to see commitment to nonviolence and hold perpetrators of political violence accountable.
"Political party leaders and activists should not face violence and should receive equal protection from state authorities when engaging in legal and nonviolent political activities," reads the IRI-NDI statement.
Also read: 'BNP kept no scope for compromise': Obaidul Quader to US delegation
All parties should publicly commit to nonviolence and condemn violence committed by their own party members or supporters, they said.
All parties should subscribe to a multiparty code of conduct committing to electoral nonviolence.
Political parties and other stakeholders should take steps to prevent, identify and address online and offline violence against women in elections.
They support creating conditions to allow all parties to engage in meaningful political competition, including bolstering independent election management.
Also read: US mission’s focus on free, fair, participatory polls: CEC
They also laid emphasis on strengthening safeguards for the independence and political neutrality of the Election Commission, and empowering it with increased staffing and funding.
The Election Commission should provide all reasonable accommodations to ensure the full participation of people with disabilities in the election process, the joint statement noted.
Also read: PM Hasina vows to uphold democracy
Next election will be held at any cost: PM tells huge rally in Kawla
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday categorically said that the election will be held at any cost and people will exercise their voting rights freely defying moves of BNP to foil the election.
“Election will be held in this country at any cost, and people will cast their votes freely,” she said.
The prime minister said this while addressing a grand rally organised by the Awami League Dhaka North City at Civil Aviation ground in the capital city’s Kawla area.
The rally was supposed to take place on October 7 on the occasion of soft opening of the Third Terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, but it was rescheduled due to inclement weather.
Hasina said that if looters, corrupt, killers, dacoits and thieves like BNP come to power they will just destroy the country.
“Let them not destroy the country, and only the symbol of the Boat can advance the country. My urge to you will be in the next election to cast your votes in favour of Boat,” she said.
She also mentioned that BNP is in a dilemma whether they will participate in the next election or not.
“It is not clear who is their leader to participate in the election, who will be their prime minister, that corrupt absconding criminal or the embezzler of orphans’ money?” she questioned.
Sheikh Hasina, also the president of ruling Awami League, alleged that for this reason BNP is trying to foil the next general election.
“They know it very well that if there is election votes will be cast for Boat, Awami League will come to power, and development of the country will be expedited more,” she said.
In this regard, she said that BNP wanted to foil the election and snatch away the voting rights of the people.
“I will request the people to remain vigil so that they (BNP) could not do that,” she said.
In this connection, she said that if the people cast their votes in favour of Boat, then she will be in power otherwise not.
“But I will continue my work for the welfare of the people,” she vowed.
She requested all to vote in favour of Boat to give Awami League a chance for serving the people of the country next time.
“If you want development then vote for voat, if you want destruction then go for BNP-Jamaat,” she said.
Regarding the BNP’s move to go to the foreign countries, she categorically mentioned that this move will not bring any result.
“Power of the people is the best power, I believe in the power of the people, I have faith and trust in the people,” she said.
CEC urges field-level officials to carry out duties with impartiality during upcoming nat’l election
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal has urged field-level officials to carry out their duties with impartiality during the upcoming parliamentary election.
He was speaking today as the chief guest at a program on election management.
He urged local officials to always keep in mind that they represent the government in their roles.
Election might remain incomplete without BNP: CEC
“Organizing election is a challenging task. Since the responsibility lies also with you, this responsibility must be fulfilled with dedication. The election must gain acceptance among the people,” the CEC remarked.
“It is essential to demonstrate to the people that the election has been conducted fairly. If we can ensure that people can freely exercise their voting rights, it will be a big success,” he further said.
It is law enforcement agencies’ responsibility to maintain communal harmony before and after polls: CEC
Addressing the officials, Election Commissioner Ahsan Habib Khan said, “I prefer not to dwell on past criticisms. However, by learning from the past, let us collectively set an example of conducting fair elections for future generations.”
“In my opinion, you are the loyal assistants of the Election Commission at the field level, representing us. After we took oath, you have demonstrated 100 percent neutrality in the elections, cooperating sincerely with the returning officer. As a result, every election has been held without any incident of violence, in a festive atmosphere,” he added.
US mission’s focus on free, fair, participatory polls: CEC