election
Never wanted opposition parties to stay out of election: Quader
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Tuesday said that his party didn’t want the opposition parties to stay out of the national election and it would have been more competitive if those, including BNP, took part.
“We never wanted the opposition to stay out of the election. Many are participating, but if those, including the BNP, had decided to participate, the election would have been more competitive. We know there could be a strong competition,” he said.
Read: Chattogram-4: ‘Health official’ running as independent candidate breaching electoral code of conduct
Quader said this while inaugurating a polling agent training programme at Dhaka district Awami League office.
"BNP thought that without them, there would be no people across the country, the election would not be festive, and voter turnout would go to zero. But have failed in their movement,” he said.
Now they are telling stories about how the government will fail, how voter turnover will be low, and how elections will not be free and fair, he said.
He further accused BNP of attempting to disrupt the election through terrorism and violence.
Referring to the BNP's movement to boycott the election, Quader said, “They want to foil the election through terrorism and violence, not through processions and demonstrations. This terrorism and violence have taken a terrible form.”
Read: Election-related violence won't be tolerated: Obaidul Quader
About the demand for caretaker government, Quader said, “We (AL) enforced hartals for caretaker government, but BNP destroyed and distorted the caretaker system. That's why we don't want it. We did not abolish the caretaker government system; the judiciary did it. So this system is dead; there is no need to bring it back to life.”
Mentioning that political parties in many countries around the world boycott elections, Quader said, “But violence to foil the election is a rare incident. This is happening in Bangladesh.”
Criticizing Tarique Rahman, Quader said, “He is not doing politics now, he is destroying politics, conspiring to destroy the country's democracy. His father, Ziaur Rahman, destroyed democracy in this country.”
"We are passing through a very difficult time. The whole world is reeling under crisis. We are not isolated from the effects of the global crisis. There is an inseparable connection with international politics,” said the AL general secretary.
Referring to the crises in Ukraine, Sudan and the Middle East, Quader said, "We are also in crisis in such a situation. Poor people are suffering in the country. Price hike in daily essentials has created an atmosphere of misery for the people. As the ruling party, we cannot avoid responsibility.”
Chattogram-4: ‘Health official’ running as independent candidate breaching electoral code of conduct
A health official is vying for the next parliamentary election as an independent candidate from the Chittagong-4 constituency, allegedly concealing his professional identity in the nomination paper.
The accused official is Md Salauddin, a health assistant at Sitakunda Upazila Health Complex.
He submitted his nomination paper mentioning his profession as “business” instead of government service.
Azad v Shamim in Faridpur-3: AL candidate's supporters injured in attack
According to sources, his nomination paper was rejected by the returning officer concerned and the Election Commission on the ground of “fraudulence” in collecting signatures of one percent of voters. He later got back his candidacy through appealing to the court.
Dr Nur Uddin Rashed, Sitakunda Health and Family Welfare Officer, said Salahuddin has been working as a health assistant at the health complex for several years.
He collected the nomination papers as an independent candidate for Chattogram-4 constituency without informing the higher authorities.
“When we got to know, a show cause letter was sent to him on November 11, but he did not respond,” said Dr Nur Uddin.
Sitakunda upazila chairman served show-cause notice for using govt vehicle during electioneering
“Then I issued a second and third show cause letter to him on December 18 and 25, but he still did not reply,” he said.
“I also informed the matter to the civil surgeon of Chattogram, the divisional commissioner and the returning officer,” said Dr Nur Uddin.
He also sent a written complaint to all authorities concerned, including the Election Commission secretary, director general of Health Department, and the UNO, to take action against Salahuddin for participating in the election.
When asked, Assistant Returning Officer and Sitakunda UNO, KM Rafiqul Islam, said that he is yet to receive the copy of the written complaint. He will inform the returning officer and the Election Commission to take action upon receiving the complaint, he added.
EC sends letter to declare Jan 7 as general holiday
Dr Ilias Chowdhury, Civil Surgeon of Chattogram, said they officially informed the EC of the matter, asking to take necessary action against Salahuddin as per the rules.
When asked, Salahuddin said that he started electioneering from Monday after receiving the electoral symbol “rocket”. However, when asked about the issue of concealing his designation as a health official, he cut the call.
Azad v Shamim in Faridpur-3: AL candidate's supporters injured in attack
Two supporters of the Awami League-nominated candidate in the fiercely competitive Faridpur-3 constituency were injured in an attack on Monday, causing them to be hospitalised.
They were admitted to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical College (BSMMC).AL's Faridpur-3 candidate Shamim Haque claimed that his supporters were attacked by the supporters of independent candidate AK Azad around 9pm at Gopalpur union while they were hanging posters.
While denying any kind of attack, AK Azad's election coordinator, Md Shoebul Islam, said it was a staged incident.
"They attacked our supporters continuously and staged this to hide the fact," he said.
Kotwali Police Station Officer-in-Charge (operation) Abdul Gaffar Hossain said the incident is under investigation.The two candidates have been going at it since submitting their nominations, with a battle to disqualify each other going all the way to the Supreme Court. Azad was known to covet the AL nomination, for which he had bought the form. But when it went to Shamim, he jumped on the chance to run as an independent, backing himself to peel away a sizable chunk of the AL vote from the party's candidate with him.
Provided both stay in the race, it is shaping up to be one of the most hotly contested races in the coming election.
Sitakunda upazila chairman served show-cause notice for using govt vehicle during electioneering
Zainab Bibi Jolly, acting chairman of Chattogram's Sitakunda Upazila Parishad, has been served a show-cause notice for her alleged violation of the electoral code of conduct.
The letter, signed by the Assistant Returning Officer KM Rafiqul Islam, was sent to Jolly on Sunday.
According to the notice, Jolly took part in the election campaign by affixing the poster of Awami League-backed candidate Alhaj SM Al Mamun on the government vehicle.
The Electoral Enquiry Committee issued the notice following the allegations brought by Didarul Kabir Didar, the candidate of Jatiya Party in Chittagong-4 constituency.
The accused chairman was also asked to respond in-person on Tuesday morning (December 26) .
In this regard, Zainab Bibi Jolly said that news was published against me as I did not participate in the campaign.
"I respect the law. So I will follow the rules of law," she added.
Election-related violence won't be tolerated: Obaidul Quader
Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said that Awami League will not tolerate any kind of election-related violence.
He said this at a press briefing at Awami League (AL) president's political office on Sunday.
"Any form of violence associated with the upcoming elections. We will extend full support to the Election Commission's actions against any anti-election violence, regardless of the party involved," he said.
About the BNP's call for non-cooperation movement, he said, "BNP is saying that they will not pay tax, if they do not pay, they will go to jail. If you do not pay the utility bill, you will be punished. If you do not pay the electricity bill, the line will be cut, if you do not pay the water bill, the water line will be cut. If Tarique Rahman does not cooperate, they will lose everything."
"They are calling for these bizarre movements sitting abroad. If you dare, come home. There will be no Khomeini-style protests in Bangladesh sitting abroad," he added.
EC sends letter to declare Jan 7 as general holiday
The Election Commission (EC) has requested Public Administration Ministry to declare January 7 as a general holiday on occasion of the 12th Parliamentary Election.
"As the 12th national election is scheduled to be held on January 7, it is necessary to declare the day as a general holiday," said a release signed by Deputy Secretary of Election Management Atier Rahman.
Election Commission begins scrutiny of nomination papers
The letter also sought directives to take necessary steps for declaring January 7 as a general holiday.
Earlier, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal announced that the 12th parliamentary election of the country will be held on January 7.
Election Commission issues show cause notice to Shakib Al Hasan
The CEC came up with the announcement for the next election schedule while addressing the nation on November 15.
According to the constitution, the tenure of the current government will end on January 29, 2024.
No pressure on Election Commission from Western countries: Ahsan Habib
Polls Code Violation: AL Ctg-3 candidate served show-cause notice for second time
The Electoral Enquiry Committee (the ‘Committee’) on Sunday served a show-cause notice on Awami League (AL) nominated candidate of Chattogram-3 (Sandwip upazila) Mahfuzur Rahman Mita for the second time for allegedly breaching the electoral code of conduct.
Penalty for code of conduct violation depends on investigation report: EC Sultana
According to the notice, signed by the chairman of the Committee for the constituency and Chattogram Joint Metropolitan Sessions Judge Mohammad Shahidul Islam, the supporters of the AL-backed candidate made provocative statements at a procession brought out in support of independent candidate Dr Md Jamaluddin Chowdhury at Ali Mia Bazar on December 19.
The supporters of Mita also beat up the followers of Jamal there around 7pm.
Hero Alom attacked while campaigning in Bogura
On the same day, the supporters of the ruling party candidate gathered at Enam Nahar Crossing under the constituency with a procession while a roadside rally in support of Jamal was going on around 7:45pm and they made provocative remarks and manhandled the supporters of Jamal.
Stating that Mita did not take proper steps to avoid the incidents, the notice said the ruling party candidate violated the election code of conduct.
Awami League will win all seats in Sylhet, Momen predictsThe accused candidate was asked to respond in person or by his representative at 2:30pm on December 25.
Penalty for code of conduct violation depends on investigation report: EC Sultana
Election Commissioner (EC) Rasheda Sultana on Saturday said that if any candidate violates the code of conduct and allegations are proven, a fine of Tk 20,000 to Tk 1 lakh may be imposed and candidature may be revoked based on the report of the investigation committee.
She made the warning while speaking with the journalists after exchanging views with the candidates of the 12th parliamentary election at the Shaheed Shamsuddin conference room of Sirajganj Deputy Commissioner office.
The Election Commissioner said that candidates must act in accordance with the code of conduct. The EC took a zero tolerance policy for those who want to create an unstable and chaotic environment during the election.
Read: Hero Alom attacked while campaigning in Bogura
She also said that everyone has to perform with restraint. It must also be ensured that voters come to the polling centers and they are not afraid.
She further told the reporters, “I want to assure you that you will work independently. If you are intimidated, obstructed and taken equipment, that is also punishable.”
“If there are any allegations of violation of the code of conduct, the Electoral Committee is working on the ground to investigate it. The investigation report is being sent to the Election Commission,” she said.
Read: Netrokona-5: HC restores candidacy of Mazharul Islam
Earlier, she held a view-exchange meeting with the presiding officers at Sirajganj Government College. At the meeting, the election commissioner gave strict directives to the presiding officers.
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Rajshahi Range Md Anisur Rahman, Deputy Commissioner and Returning Officer Mir Mohammad Mahbubur Rahman, Superintendent of Police Md Arifur Rahman Mondal, District Election Officer Shahidul Islam, candidates of all constituencies of the district and various officials of the district administration were present at the time.
Hero Alom attacked while campaigning in Bogura
Bangladesh Congress candidate for Bogura-4 constituency Ashraful Alom, better known as “Hero Alom” has been allegedly attacked by Awami League supporters while he was campaigning for the upcoming 12th parliamentary election scheduled for January 7.
Hero Alom also alleged that the attackers snatched his mobile phone.
The incident took place in Muradpur Bazar area of Nandigram upazila on Saturday evening.
Alom said that he went to Muradpur Bazar in the evening with his leaders and activists to conduct his election campaigning. But before the campaign started, some supporters of ‘boat’, the AL electoral symbol, came and obstructed the campaigning.
“There were five of them," the candidate for Bangladesh Congress relayed. "They came and said you have to turn off the mike. There will be no campaigning for anyone other than the boat.”
"Then seeing the video being taken on my phone, they snatched the mobile," he added.
Later, Nandigram Police Station Officer-in-Charge Azgir Hossain visited the spot.
The OC said, “There was a little trouble there, but I did not get anything like the candidate Hero Alam alleged.”
Awami League will win all seats in Sylhet, Momen predicts
Awami League nominated candidate for Sylhet-1 constituency, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen, on Saturday predicted that Awami League-nominated candidates will win all the seats in Sylhet in the upcoming 12th Parliamentary Election.
“There is no scope to underestimate any candidate; no election is easy. All seats will be contested. People will vote in a festive atmosphere,” he told journalists after an election campaign at Sobhanighat kitchen market area in Sylhet city in the morning.
‘If US can raise hourly wage, we can follow that model; inflation is high there’: Momen
There is no pressure on the government centring the election. The grassroots leaders and activists are working to ensure and boost voter turnout in the polling centres, said Momen.
Earlier in the day, he exchanged greetings with voters and sought votes for the boat symbol.
Millions of Bangladeshis gave up their lives for democracy, human rights: Momen
If re-elected, he assured of developing Sylhet as an enlightened, harmonious, and advanced city.
Professor Zakir Hossain, general secretary of the Sylhet Metropolitan unit of Awami League; Tapan Mitra, Sylhet AL agriculture and cooperatives secretary, were present at the time, among others.
Rickshaw intangible heritage: Momen thanks Intergovernmental Committee, UNESCO Secretariat
END/UNB/Corr/MAR/MB