A 48-hour hartal, called by BNP and like-minded opposition parties to protest the 12th parliamentary election to be held tomorrow (January 07, 2024), is underway. The hartal began at 6 am today (January 06, 2024) and will end at 6 am on Monday (January 08, 2024). A large number of people have left Dhaka city ahead of the January 7 national parliamentary election. The number of vehicles on the street are fewer compared to other days, but despite fear of arson attacks, public vehicles were plying the streets. Four people were killed as arsonists burnt four coaches of the Benapole Express train in Dhaka last night. Read: Govt to face crushing defeat on Jan 7: Moyeen Khan  BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi announced the hartal at a virtual press briefing on Thursday. He said their programme is meant to drum up public support in favor of the party’s call to boycott the January 7 election. BNP along with nearly three dozen opposition political parties have been carrying out a simultaneous movement since December 10 last year to force the current government to quit and hold the 12th parliamentary election under a non-party neutral administration. Read: BNP to hold processions, conduct mass contacts Friday to protest Jan-7 polls Many senior leaders, including BNP’s secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, were arrested while many others went into hiding in the face of a crackdown by the law enforcers. However, BNP and like-minded parties enforced countrywide blockades for 23 days in 12 phases and hartals for five days since October 29. The opposition party came up with the call for a non-cooperation movement on December 20.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin, alongside his wife Dr. Rebeka Sultana, participated in the upcoming 12th national parliamentary election by casting their votes through postal ballot today (January 03, 2024). The event took place in the credential hall of Bangabhaban, marking a significant moment as they exercised their voting rights as residents of Pabna. Highlighting the importance of voting, President Shahabuddin emphasized, “Voting is not just a right but a civic duty. By casting our votes, we contribute to the democratic process.” He also encouraged fellow citizens to participate actively in the election, scheduled for January 7. Also read: Jesus Christ was seeker of truth and peace: President Shahabuddin The President's participation through postal ballot, as allowed under Article 27 of the Representation of the People Order (RPO), underscores the inclusivity of the voting process. This method facilitates the participation of several groups, including imprisoned or legally detained individuals, Bangladeshi expatriates, polling officers, and others unable to visit polling centers.

M Khurshid Hossain, Director General (DG) of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has said those trying to obstruct voters from casting ballots will be resisted as voting is a constitutional right. Alongside other law enforcing agencies, the elite force will perform their duties in a coordinated way to ensure smooth movement of voters to the polling centers, he said while speaking at a press briefing held at Khulna RAB-6 office on Tuesday (January 02, 2024). Half of the polling centers in Dhaka considered ‘vulnerable’: DMP Commissioner RAB will remain in the field before, on election day and after to maintain law and order, he also said. Besides, RAB is closely monitoring the situation to prevent any kind of sabotage or violence centering the election, said the RAB DG. 25 temporary camps to be set up across country ahead of polls:  RAB