The 12th National Election featured the most number of celebrity candidates competing in several constituencies across the country. Although a few of them won with ease, several popular candidates lost the competition for their respective seats. Candidates including eminent thespian and multiple-time elected Asaduzzaman Noor, debutant superstar candidate Ferdous Ahmed, viral social media influencer Barrister Sayedul Haque Sumon and Star Cineplex Chairman Mahboob Rahman Ruhel emerged victorious in the election. However, the other popular stars from the cultural arena including folk singer Momotaz Begom, Dhallywood actress Mahiya Mahi, popular singer Doli Sayantoni, magazine show ‘Ittyadi’-famed popular singer-musician Nakul Kumar Biswas and viral social media personality Ashraful Hossen Alom, better known as Hero Alom, failed to win the election in their constituencies. Even though most of these candidates contested the election from other political parties, the result of Manikganj-2 surprised many as Momotaz lost in this seat. She was elected from the Manikganj-2 seat twice, but could not secure her hattrick victory. Defeating the folk queen, independent candidate Zahid Ahmed Tulu has been elected in this seat, receiving a total of 84,525 votes. Momotaz got 78 thousand 269 votes, losing her seat in a close fight. On the other hand, despite her massive campaigning throughout the campaign period, actress Mahiya Mahi lost the election. The independent candidate with the truck symbol lost the battle for the Rajshahi-1 seat and received 9 thousand 9 votes, while Omar Farooq Chowdhury, the Awami League candidate with the boat symbol, received 1 million 3 thousand 592 votes, defeating Mahi by a gigantic margin. Read more: Giants who lost 12th national election race Popular singer Doli Sayantoni and social media celebrity Ashraful Alom (Hero Alom) declared their intention to abstain from the election prior to the declaration of the results, citing irregularities. Boat candidate Ahmed Feroz Kabir won the Pabna-2 constituency against Bangladesh Nationalist Movement (BNM) candidate Doli by getting 1,65,842 votes, while the singer received only 4,382 votes with the anchor symbol. Hero Alom was contesting the election as a candidate for the Bangladesh Congress with the coconut symbol in the Bogura-4 constituency. He received only 2,175 votes, while AKM Rezaul Karim Tansen of Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) received 42 thousand 757 votes in the boat symbol in the overall results from 114 polling stations. His closest competitor, Ziaul Haque Molla, received 40 thousand 618 votes with the eagle symbol. Although singer-musician Nakul Kumar Biswas ran a competitive election campaign to win the Barishal-2 constituency as a debutant candidate, veteran politician and Bangladesh Workers Party President Rashed Khan Menon emerged victorious, garnering 1,24,573 votes in total with the boat symbol. With an Eagle emblem, his opponent and Sher-E-Bangla AK Fazlul Haque’s grandson AK Faizul Haque Raju, received 32,191 votes. Among the winners, both Ferdous Ahmed and Asaduzzaman Noor won in their respective seats as the direct candidates from Bangladesh Awami League, defeating their opponents by huge margins. Ferdous emerged victorious with 65,898 votes with the boat symbol, while his closest competitor, Shamsul Alam, with the mango symbol from the National People's Party, received only 2,257 votes. Former Cultural Affairs Minister and ‘Baker Bhai’-famed eminent thespian Asaduzzaman Noor got 1,19,339 votes in the Nilphamari-2 constituency, winning the national election for the fifth time. His nearest rival Zainal Abedin got 15 684 votes with the truck symbol. Popular social media influencer Barrister Syed Sayedul Haque Suman won the Habiganj-4 (Madhabpur-Chunarughat) constituency by a wide margin, garnering over 198,000 votes with the eagle emblem. Boat contender and State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Advocate Mahbub Ali received 47,000 votes, suffering a gigantic defeat to the celebrity candidate. Bangladesh Awami League-nominated candidate Mahboob Rahman Ruhel, also known as the Chairman of popular multiplex chain Star Cineplex, has won his debut election in Chittagong-1 (Mirsharai) seat. He received a total of 89,064 votes, while his closest rival independent candidate Mohammad Giyas Uddin got 52,995 votes with the eagle symbol. With all these results, the star-studded 12th National Parliament Election came to its closure, while the netizens are eyeing the upcoming scenario of the country. Read more: Three figures from sports arena elected in 12th JS election

Bangladesh Congress candidate for Bogura-4 constituency Ashraful Alam, better known as “Hero Alam”, on Thursday sought security from police during the campaign for 12th parliamentary election scheduled for January 7. He made the request to the district's Superintendent of Police Sudip Kumar Chakraborty after visiting his office around 2:30pm. SC upholds HC order to dispose of Fakhrul’s bail pleas “I will start the election campaign from Friday. So, I have come to meet SP sir before the campaign. I have informed sir because if any untoward incident occurs during the campaign in Kahalu-Nandigram, I can get police support immediately," he added. Regarding Hero Alam’s meeting, SP Sudip Kumar Chakraborty said, "Police will provide equal support to 55 candidates in seven constituencies of Bogura. There is no opportunity to see anyone separately." Hero Alom will withdraw candidature from national poll Hero Alam sought security and we assured him that Kahalu and Nandigram police will cooperate in accordance with the election rules, added the SP. Hero Alam had participated in elections three times from Dhaka-17 and Bogura-4 constituencies as an independent and had been subjected to attacks by his opponents. Hero Alom’s nomination cancelled over multiple errors Earlier, he received “coconut” as his electoral symbol from Returning Officer and Deputy Commissioner Md Saiful Islam.

Ashraful Alom, popularly known as ‘Hero Alom’, filed a Tk 50 crore defamation case against BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi for making "derogatory remarks" about the YouTuber. He filed the case with the court of Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate on Monday (August 07, 2023). ‘Your leader studied up to class 8, I completed class 7’: Hero Alom on BNP leader Rizvi calling him ‘uneducated’ The court took the statement of the plaintiff and directed the Detective Branch of Police to investigate the allegations and submit a report, said Hero Alam's lawyer Abdullah Munsur Ripon. Earlier on Sunday (August 06, 2023), Hero Alam said he went to the DB office to lodge a complaint against the senior BNP leader but the DB chief advised him to file a case with the court. Hero Alom to sue Rizvi for his ‘defamatory remarks’ BNP leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi reportedly called him "uneducated" while addressing a march recently, Hero Alom said. On Saturday (August 5, 2023), Hero Alom took to social media to condemn Rizvi’s comments on his “education.” The social media content creator said: “I do not want to speak against anyone. But this is very sad. I have seen the video of BNP leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi calling me crazy. He has also questioned my educational qualifications.” Read: Hero Alam files GD over death threat “By calling me uneducated, you’re also calling yourself uneducated. Because, the leader of your party, BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaled Zia, completed education up to class 8. I have studied up to class 7,” Hero Alom added.

Ashraful Alom, popularly known as “Hero Alom”, has threatened to file a case in connection with what he called the defamatory remarks made by BNP senior leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on him. Hero Alom came up with the information while talking to reporters after visiting the DB office on Sunday. “I have visited the DB office to lodge a complaint against the BNP leader but the DB chief advised me to file a case with the court and that’s why I will go to the court” said Hero Alom. On July 18, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi rebuked Hero Alom branding him ‘uneducated’ while addressing the march programme of BNP at Bhuban Mohon Shaheed Minar in Rajshahi. ‘Your leader studied up to class 8, I completed class 7’: Hero Alom on BNP leader Rizvi calling him ‘uneducated’ "A political leader like him can’t say that I am ‘half mental’ and ‘uneducated’. I have participated in elections thrice and if I am half-mad the Election Commission would not allow me to contest the polls after scrutinizing,” he said. “He said that I am uneducated but the chairperson of BNP studied up to class 8. The BNP leader just tarnished my image by uttering such comments,” said Hero Alom. “Everyone thinks that I am an activist of the BNP but the BNP itself is talking against me. They just talked about me in a trivial way. Even the leaders and activists of the Jatiya Party have also spoken undermining me,” he said. Man arrested for making death threat to Hero Alom “Hero Alom does not work for any party and even though I am not involved in any party, why are you talking like that? No person has the right to abuse any person and brand anyone as half-mental and illiterate,” he added. Contacted, Additional Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Detective Branch (DB) Police, Harun-or-Rashid, said “Hero Alom came to us in the past for several reasons including hacking his Facebook ID and attacking him during the Dhaka-17 election. But today he came to us to lodge a complaint with DB Cyber Crime Unit (North).” “When Hero Alom came to us we saw that defamatory remarks had been made against him. So we advised him to go to the court as DB has no right to file a defamation case," said Harun. However, he was also assured of investigating the incident. Hero Alom demands re-election to Dhaka-17; appeals to EC  

Ashraful Alom, popularly known as “Hero Alom”, on Saturday (August 5, 2023) took to social media to condemn BNP leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi’s comments on his “education.” In a video, BNP leader Rizvi is heard saying: “A crazy and half-educated person like Hero Alom is contesting elections these days.” Hero Alom published a video on his social media account, criticizing Rizvi’s comments. Also read: Man arrested for making death threat to Hero Alom The social media content creator said: “I do not want to speak against anyone. But this is very sad. I have seen the video of BNP leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi calling me crazy. He has also questioned my educational qualifications.” “I have the right to contest in elections. Nowhere in the law does it say that you have to have certain educational qualifications or that you have to look good.” Referring to the BNP leader’s comment on his education, Hero Alom said, “I have been called uneducated… You will find an option to write ‘self-taught’ on the nomination paper.” Also read: Karwanbazar pick-up owners’ association president arrested over attack on Hero Alom: Police “By calling me uneducated, you’re also calling yourself uneducated. Because, the leader of your party, BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaled Zia, completed education up to class 8. I have studied up to class 7,” he added. Hero Alom also criticized BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir for his comments that, according to him, was belittling. He said, “Mirza Fakhrul has said ‘people like Hero Alom’ also contests elections, which is belittling. His words imply that I can be ridiculed.” “Many Awami League leaders, Jatiya Party leaders, politicians, and intellectuals talk about me in a derogatory way as well,” he added. Hero Alom urged politicians not to demean him. Also read: Amnesty International condemns attack on Hero Alom Hero Alom has recently been in focus of political discussion after being assaulted while leaving a polling station in the Banani area during the Dhaka-17 by-election last month. He contested in the election as an independent candidate. The physical assault on Hero Alom was strongly condemned by political parties as well as diplomats station in Dhaka, and human rights organizations.

The United States has reiterated that political violence has no place in a democracy and that it favors no political party in Bangladesh. "We support Bangladesh’s goal of holding a free, fair, and peaceful election," Principal Deputy Spokesperson at the US Department of State, Vedant Patel, said during a regular media briefing in Washington on July 26. He said they have always emphasized the importance of the United States and Bangladesh working together to achieve the latter’s goal of free and fair elections. US State Department ‘deeply concerned over use of Digital Security Act’ "It’s an important aspect of our bilateral relationship. And we believe that free and fair elections are a shared priority, and many Bangladeshi government officials, including the Prime Minister (Sheikh Hasina), have themselves said that it is their goal," Patel said. On Wednesday, Bangladesh conveyed its dismay to 13 envoys in Dhaka over their “undiplomatic behavior”. “We expressed our dissatisfaction. I hope that after our discussion today, they will realize that their joint statement has been presented prematurely, out of step with the flow of events, and they will refrain from such undiplomatic behavior in the future," State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam told reporters at Foreign Service Academy on Wednesday. BGMEA delegation meets US State Department official to discuss RMG issues He said they advised the diplomats to be constructive, reminding them of the Vienna Convention. The diplomats have also been warned that bypassing the government and behaving “devoid of objectivity, neutrality and impartiality” will only create a crisis of mutual trust, Shahriar Alam said. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the ambassadors or high commissioners of the 13 foreign missions that issued a joint statement recently after a candidate was assaulted during a by-election to the Dhaka-17 constituency. US State Department official dies from virus The statement called for a full investigation and accountability for the perpetrators of the assault on independent candidate Ashraful Alom, better known as Hero Alom. In the joint statement, the foreign missions had said, “We condemn the July 17 attack on Dhaka-17 constituency candidate Ashraful Alom, popularly known as Hero Alam. Violence has no place in the democratic process.” "Everyone involved in the upcoming elections should ensure that they are free, fair, and peaceful,” said the diplomatic missions in Dhaka. The joint statement was signed by the embassies/high commissions of Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States and the delegation of the European Union. Read more: US says it would let India speak for its bilateral relations with Bangladesh Shahriar Alam said they have conveyed to the diplomats that this is an isolated incident that cannot be used to judge peaceful, fair and free elections. "So only a last-minute isolated incident at a center presented by a handful of diplomats never reflects a day-long peaceful election. In giving a quick response, they did not give due importance to the objectivity of their assessment," he said. As soon as the incident came to light, the Election Commission and the government took prompt and legal action, said the State Minister. “Two persons were arrested long before the diplomats' statement. However, after taking legal measures, these diplomats were calling for legal measures which is unnecessary,” he said. Read more: US doesn't consider it interference when other countries discuss its elections: State Dept

Youtuber Ashraful Hossain Alom, popularly known as Hero Alom, filed a petition to the Election Commission demanding re-election to Dhaka-17 constituency. “There was vote rigging in the by-election and I have video footages of vote rigging. I will see the end of the election,” he said while talking to reporters after submitting his application to the Election Commission office at Agargaon. Awami League nominated candidate Mohammad Ali Arafat won the Dhaka-17 by election bagging 28,816 votes while Hero Alom got 5,609 votes. EC wants to form judicial inquiry committee to investigate attack on Hero Alam Hero Alom also requested the speaker of the parliament not to administer the oath of Arafat as a lawmaker. Replying to a question about what will he do if the appeal is rejected at the EC, Hero Alom said, “As I have the evidence of vote rigging and irregularities in by-election, I will go to the High Court and I will see the end of it.” Won’t join any election again under Awami League govt: Hero Alam In the petition, Hero Alom wrote, “I have contested the Dhaka-17 by-election on July 17 with Ektara election symbol. On the election day, I informed the Election Commission through e-mail that 88 of my agents were driven out of 19 polling stations within one hour of the election. There were vote rigging and irregularities.” “At 3 pm, the cadres of ruling party Awami League physically assaulted me intentionally when I went to Banani Bidyaniketan polling station to observe the voting situation. People at home and abroad saw the attack through the electronic media. Besides, the officials concerned started vote counting after driving out my agents from different polling stations, which was contradictory to the electoral code of conduct,” he said. Assault on Hero Alam: Foreign missions in Dhaka call for investigation, accountability of perpetrators He also demanded cancellation of the election results, re-election to Dhaka-17 constituency and proper action against his rival candidate’s men for violating the electoral code of conduct.

The Detective Branch of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Wednesday quizzed Ashraful Hossen Alom, best known as Hero Alom, about his controversial video content shared on social media. He was asked questions at the DB office in the capital's Minto Road in the morning as there were many "cyber allegations" against him, DMP Media and Public Relations wing Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Faruque Hossain said. Recently, Hero Alom shared "offensive, defamatory, illegal videos" and other content on his official Facebook and YouTube channels. He also appeared in police uniform in videos without permission. These created a cascade of negative reactions from commoners, Faruque said. Alom told the detectives that he creates and shares viral content on the internet, mainly to earn money. More views and revenue matter most to him. Read: Accept Hero Alam’s nomination, HC orders EC Asked about the obscene songs he created about several political leaders and models such as Palalo Palalo Murad Hasan, Rater Rani Piyasa, Mou and Pori Moni, Alom could not give a "proper answer." Detectives let him go after he admitted his mistakes and assured DB that he will not repeat such activities, Faruque said.