Election
Independent candidate’s supporter ‘hacked’ while pasting posters in Faridpur
A supporter of AK Azad, independent candidate for Faridpur-3 constituency was allegedly hacked by miscreants on Thursday while he was pasting posters at Umedia Bazar in Faridpur Sadar upazila as part of the electoral campaign ahead of the 12th parliamentary election.
The injured man was identified as Aziz Sheikh, 30, a resident of the area.
According to witnesses, four to five miscreants attacked Aziz Sheikh while he was pasting posters of AK Azad's “Eagle” symbol at Umedia Bazar.
They allegedly threatened Aziz, saying they wouldn't allow any posters for the “Eagle” symbol there, and physically assaulted him.
Int’l organizations, foreign govts shouldn’t rely solely on BNP’s accounts to reach a conclusion, political observers say
Aziz was admitted to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical College Hospital in Faridpur.
Relatives of Aziz sought justice for the attackers.
Kotwali police station Officer-in-Charge Shahidul Islam said, "I haven't received any information about this yet. Once I do, I'll provide you with the details."
Police have been sent to the area, he said.
EC is doing everything needed to hold fair election: Commissioner Rashida
Election Commissioner Rashida Sultana said on Thursday that the Election Commission (EC) has been doing everything needed to hold a free, fair and neutral election.
Any party can peacefully ask voters not to go to polling stations: EC Alamgir
“Directives were given to the election officials concerned so that expectation of people get fulfilled and they can cast their votes without any hindrance,” she said.
Commissioner Rashida made the remarks while talking to journalists during a meeting with candidates, election officers and law enforcers at the conference room of Natore deputy commissioner.
EC appoints 23 judicial magistrates to check poll-related irregularities
Seeking cooperation from all to hold a fair election, she said provision of punishment was kept if voters are threatened.
Chaired by Natore Deputy Commissioner and also returning officer Abu Naser Bhuiyan, candidates of Natore’s four constituencies, Deputy Inspector General of Rajshahi Range Anisur Rahman, Additional Divisional Commissioner Jasim Uddin and regional election officer Delowar Hossain, among others, were present at the meeting.
‘Competitive politics will vanish through next JS election’
Former Election Commissioner M Sakhawat Hossain said on Wednesday that competitive politics in the country will vanish after the 12th parliamentary election.
'Competitive politics will no longer exist in the country. Liberal democracy should be forgotten,” he told a discussion meeting in the city on Wednesday.
Also read: CGS hosts dialogue on confronting misinformation in Bangladesh
The discussion titled ‘Bangladesh at the Crossroads--Election, Economy and External Relations’ was organised by the Centre for Governance Studies (CGS).
"Some people want to say, it is participatory only if the people participate. So why do we question dictators? Participatory means the participation of the parties that can challenge and make the election competitive,” he said.
"Whichever party has assumed power, they have corrupted the system, While 5 percent of votes are being cast, it is being shown as 15 percent. No matter whether the rate of voting is credible or not,” he added.
He also expressed doubts about whether 20 to 25 percent voter turnout will happen in the upcoming election.
Also read: CGS webinar on Budget 2021-2022: Business friendly or lacks transparency ?
Sakhawat termed the 12th parliamentary election as a process of “finding out an opposition party” adding that 26 parties are participating in the elections, no one can name 13 of them.
After sharing seats with the allies, 240 seats are guaranteed for the ruling party, he said.
Sakhawat feels that “a new definition” of participatory elections is being created through the next election.
Former Cabinet Secretary Ali Imam Majumder said that the election result has lost its appeal.
“The question has been raised if the opposition party which participates in the election will be elected without the help of the ruling party,” he said.
He feared that radical forces could rise in absence of a strong political opposition.
Former Governor of the Bangladesh Bank (BB) Dr Salehuddin Ahmed said that all the regulatory bodies have lost their authority, resulting in corruption.
He said the economy will be on the right track while politics runs in the right direction.
Economist Ahsan H Mansur said that the government is giving some indexes of the economy, which do not match with real pictures.
Referring to the GDP percentage, he said that the GDP figures do not match with the employment, tax-GDP, and revenue collection statistics, he said
Banks are losing the ability to help the government and the private sector as huge looting occurred in the banking sector in the last few years, said Mansur.
NewAge editor Nurul Kabir said there is no chance for the government party to lose in the next election.
He said, “The first step to establish democracy is a fair election. This step could not be taken over the last 52 years. Unscrupulous businessmen, unscrupulous politicians, and bureaucrats have formed a cycle. There is no way out without breaking this cycle.”
Kabir thinks that the government is going to hold a one-party election against the wishes of the people.
Prof Rashed Al-Mahmud Titumir, Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya, Dr Abdul Mazid, former foreign secretary Touhid Hossain, Advocate ZI Khan Panna, Faruk Faisal of Ain-O-Salish Kendra, among others, spoke at the function.
CGS Chairman Manzoor Ahmed Chowdhury presided over the event. CGS executive director Zillur Rahman moderated the event.
Any party can peacefully ask voters not to go to polling stations: EC Alamgir
Election Commissioner Md Alamgir on Wednesday said any political party has the right to ask the voters to refrain from going to the polling stations, but it would have to be done peacefully without creating any provocation and anarchy.
“If any political party doesn’t want to participate in the election, it is their wish. They may not join as part of their political strategy. They can ask voters not to go to polling stations. There is no problem here. But it will have to be told peacefully,” he said.
Also read: 12th parliamentary election will be competitive and fair, says CEC
The commissioner made this remark while replying to a question from reporters at his office in the city’s Agargaon area.
Alamgir, however, said any type of provocation, sabotage and anarchy can’t be carried out while going to ask the voters not to go to the polling stations.
He said it is a democratic country where anyone has the right not to participate in the polls as the person has the right to join the election.
Also read: Vote for the Awami League candidates: PM Hasina tells huge rally in Sylhet
Out of 44 registered political parties, 27 parties are running in the 12th parliamentary election slated for January 7 next, while BNP and some other parties are boycotting the polls.
About his recent visit to 14 districts in Dhaka and Mymensingh divisions, the election commissioner said the electoral atmosphere is good every place and there is no problem anywhere.
“Peace and order prevail everywhere. Public life is very normal there. There is no problem with law and order. I’ve witnessed festivity among the voters,” he said.
He said the administration, intelligence and police informed them that there is no threat which can hamper the election anywhere.
Also read: BNP announces ‘non-cooperation movement’ against govt from today
In reply to another question over violence including attack on trains, Alamgir said creating anarchy is a crime as per the Representation of People Order (RPO) and the election code of conduct. So, the EC sent a letter to the Home Ministry asking to take action if anyone is engaged in the crimes.
The commissioner said the festivity already was created among the people in the 300 constituencies without one or two stray incidents.
EC appoints 23 judicial magistrates to check poll-related irregularities
The Election Commission (EC) has appointed 23 judicial magistrates for 16 constituencies in Chattogram to check election-related irregularities.
These magistrates will be on duty for a total of five days from January 5 to January 9.
Election Commission begins scrutiny of nomination papers
This information was given in a notification signed by Assistant Secretary of the Election Commission (EC) Secretariat's Law-1 Branch Md Al-Amin on Wednesday.
A total of 653 judicial magistrates will be on duty across the country for five days, including two days before and two days after the election.
Election Commission issues show cause notice to Shakib Al Hasan
According to the Representation of the People Order (RPO), the magistrates can hold summary trials of the offences of snatching ballot papers, destroying ballot papers, snatching ballot boxes, obstructing voting, and not keeping the voting environment conducive for polls.
No pressure on Election Commission from Western countries: Ahsan Habib
Hundreds of thousands turn up at Sylhet’s Govt Alia Madrasa ground as PM Hasina kicks off election campaign
Hundreds of thousands of people thronged the venue to lend their support for Awami League as the party chief and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina kicked off the election campaign today amid a wave of festivity across sylhet.
Amidst cheers and applause from the sea of crowds, the AL president took the stage with his sister Sheikh Rehana and waved the national flag of Bangladesh while party activists shouted Joy Bangla at Sylhet Government Alia Madrasa this afternoon.
Also read: BNP-Jamaat acting on directives from London: PM says in Sylhet
Earlier today, Sheikh Hasina talked to the reporters following her visit to Hazrat Shahjalal’s shrine in Sylhet where she asserted the constitutional right of citizens to vote, and declared that no one should obstruct or harm others for exercising their voting rights.
12th parliamentary election will be competitive and fair, says CEC
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal on Wednesday said the upcoming 12th parliamentary election will be competitive and fair.
“The Election Commission and the candidates are trying to create a conducive environment for a competitive election. If we can create a competitive environment, voters will come to the polling centers," he said.
Read: Ballot papers to be sent to polling stations in morning of polling day
The EC chief made the remarks while talking to reporters after exchanging views with all the candidates of six constituencies in Rajshahi district at the conference room of Rajshahi circuit house on Wednesday.
CEC Habibul Awal said the candidates highlighted their issues during the discussion and guidelines on how to resolve them have been given to the administration and law enforcement agencies.
Read: 347 candidates withdraw from electoral race, leaving 1896 contenders
“The candidates are being encouraged to ensure the election's fairness, and credibility. Their cooperation is sought to foster open communication and maintain mutual relationships, thus promoting a free and fair electoral process,” said the CEC.
He assured journalists that everyone's collective efforts will ensure a successful election.
“You have played an important role in ensuring transparency in elections. The election will be successful with all of our efforts. We want to hold a fair election,” he said.
Read: President approves in principle army deployment ahead of polls: EC secretary
Election Commissioner Rasheda Sultana, Election Commission Secretary Jahangir Alam, Rajshahi Divisional Commissioner Dr Dewan Muhammad Humayun Kabir and other senior officials were present on the occasion.
Meanwhile, the CEC joined a discussion with law enforcement agencies at District Shilpakala Academy around 1pm.
Dissolve parliament, Election under Army: Insaniyat's petition on Wednesday's docket
The hearing of the petition filed by Insanyat Biplob Bangladesh seeking the dissolution of parliament and elections under the direct supervision of Bangladesh Army will be held tomorrow.
President of the newly-registered political party, Imam Hayat, filed the writ in the High Court on Tuesday.
Humanity-based political party Insaniat Biplab said in the release that the main obstacle to free elections and universal suffrage is the illegal influence of the ruling party, for which they blamed elections without the dissolution of parliament.
Imam Hayat, founding president of Insaniyat Biplob Bangladesh, said that the writ may be heard tomorrow in the bench led by Iqbal Kabir and Bishwanat Debnath.
Allama Imam Hayat said, "In the last election, we have seen the ruling parliamentarians misusing the power of the government in their seats, using the administration, police and their own armed men to seize the polling stations and create obstacles for others to vote."
He said that a free and fair election is impossible while retaining the parliament.
"In order to protect the country and democracy through farce-free elections, we have filed a writ petition in the High Court seeking an order to dissolve the parliament and hold elections under the direct supervision of the army through the interim government during the elections," he said.
Allama Imam Hayat said that after ruling party MPs, security is the main obstacle to fair elections.
"Having participated in the last elections, we have seen that almost every polling station created a life-threatening situation. Armed people have used weapons and even bullets and bombs, etc.," the Allama said.
He said that safe and credible elections are completely impossible without the direct supervision of the trusted army from booth to counting.
Allama Imam Hayat said, any farce election without free, fair and credible elections is a denial of people's citizenship and state ownership and destroys the moral foundation of the state and overthrows democracy.
Allama Imam Hayat said, in the interest of protecting the country and protecting democracy and the rights and ownership of the people, we have filed a writ petition in the honorable High Court asking for an order for reliable and safe elections the supervision of the army and suspending the announced schedule until the parliament is dissolved.
Insaniyat Biplob Bangladesh raised eyebrows when it was registered as a political party by the Election Commission (EC) on the orders of the High Court on May 9, ahead of other aspirants with greater name recognition and much more public outreach, such as the Gono Samhiti Andolon.
Appellate Division suspends Sadiq Abdullah’s candidacy
The Appellate Division on Tuesday stayed the High Court order that approved independent candidate Serniabat Sadiq Abdullah's candidacy for the Barishal-5 constituency.
Chamber judge Justice M Enayetur Rahim passed the order.
Advocates Khurshid Alam Khan and Nahid Sultana Juthi represented Abdullah, while Advocate Ahsanul Karim represented the opposition during the hearing.
Shammi, Shamim, Sadiq Abdullah out of election race
Awami League candidate Colonel (Retired) Zahid Faruk challenged his candidacy with the Election Commission on the grounds of dual citizenship.
On December 15, the Election Commission (EC) cancelled the candidature of Serniabat Sadiq Abdullah, former mayor of Barishal City Corporation.
Later, Sadiq Abdullah filed a writ petition with the High Court challenging the HC order.
Former Barishal mayor Sadiq Abdullah sued over irregularities
On December 18, the High Court bench of Justice Abu Taher Md Saifur Rahman and Justice Bashir Ullah stayed the Election Commission's order.
However, Zahid Faruk filed a petition with the chamber court of the Appellate Division seeking a stay on the High Court order.
Appellate Division upholds Faridpur-3 AL candidate Shamim's validity, stays HC order
Actress Mahi gets 'truck' as electoral symbol for independent run in Rajshahi-1
Dhallywood’s popular actress Mahiya Mahi, who is contesting the 12th parliamentary elections as an independent candidate, has been allotted truck as her electoral symbol.
Rajshahi Deputy Commissioner and Returning Officer Shamim Ahmed allotted the symbol on Monday morning.
After receiving the symbol, Mahi said, "I myself chose the truck as my electoral symbol."
Regarding the first day of the campaign, Mahi said, she will do organizational work today. In the evening, she will inaugurate the election office at Mundumala area of Tanore Upazila.
"I want to start my electioneering from here, " she added.
The Election Commission started allocating electoral symbols to 38 aspirants candidates around 10am on Monday.