The final number of voters in the voter list updation-2022 will be published on Thursday marking the National Voter Day. With this, the Election Commission (EC) is going to observe the voter day for the fifth time this year with the slogan ‘will be voter following rules and vote for the competent candidates’.   The EC chalked out several programmes to observe the day to be launched through bringing out a rally from in front of the EC Bhaban in participation with the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and other commissioners around 8.30am. A discussion meeting on the importance and significance of the voter day will be held in the EC Bhaban around 4pm. CEC Kazi Habibul Awal will attend as the chief guest.  Apart from this, an enthralling cultural event is scheduled to be held on Thursday evening. Three election officers will be honoured  for discharging duties with competency and credit. Along with the EC headquarters, the voter day will be observed in a befitting manner at all offices across the country tomorrow. The election affairs body ‘FEMBoSA’ belonging to SAARC decided to observe the voter day on March 2 every year in 2013.   Later, a proposal was sent to the EC with the recommendation to observe the day as the National Voter Day. The EC unanimously took the decision to mark the day every year since then.   

By-elections to the five parliamentary seats, left vacant after BNP MPs resigned, will be held on February 1, 2023. The Election Commission (EC) announced the schedule of the by-elections on Sunday after a meeting.  Read more: BNP MPs’ vacant seats: EC to announce schedule of by-polls Nov 18 The election schedule was finalised at a meeting of the EC with Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal in the chair. EC will conduct the by-polls to parliamentary seats -- Thakurgaon-3, Bogura-4, Bogura-6, Chapainawabganj-2 and Brahmanbaria-2. The EC secretary said candidates can submit their nomination papers till January 5. Returning officers will scrutinize the nomination papers on January 8 and January 15 has been set as the last date for withdrawal of candidature. On December 11, five out of seven BNP members of the parliament (MPs) submitted their resignation to Speaker of Parliament Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, as part of their anti-government movement with a 10-point demand that includes dissolution of parliament. Read more: Gaibandha-5 by-polls: EC to take action against 133 officials The MPs who resigned were: Md. Zahidur Rahman, Thakurgaon-3; Md. Mosharof Hosen, Bogura-4; Gulam Mohammad Siraj, Bogura-6; Md. Aminul Islam, Chapainawabganj-2; and Rumeen Farhana, from women’s reserved seats. Md. Harunur Rashid of Chapainawabganj-3, who is now in Australia and the ailing MP of Brahmanbaria-2 Abdus Sattar Bhuiyan could not submit their resignations to the Speaker in person. The seven MPs sent their resignations through email on the same day. The Parliament Secretariat published a gazette notification announcing the parliamentary seats as vacant after their resignation.

The election to Rangpur City Corporation will be held on December 27. The election schedule was finalised at a meeting of the Election Commission (EC) with Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal in the chair at the Election Commission Secretariat on Thursday. Read more:Govt to support Election Commission in holding fair election: Law Minister EC Secretary Md Jahangir Alam announced the schedule after the meeting. He said the Commission has also decided to use electronic voting machines (EVMs) and CCTV cameras  in the election.  The balloting will start at 8.30 am and continue till 4.30 pm without any break. The election to the city corporation was held on December 21, 2017. The first meeting was held on February 19, 2017. The tenure will end after five years of the first meeting.The meeting also held an elaborate discussion on different local government elections and by-elections in vacant posts. Read more:EC directed to fix new date for Noakhali Zila Parishad election It also decided to hold elections to five municipalities and a number of union parishads on December 29. The five municipalities are—Bagha, Rajshahi, Birol, Dinajpur, Boda, Panchagarh, Alfadanga, Faridpur and Banpara, Natore.

Information Minister Hasan Mahmud on Thursday said if Bangladesh Jamaat-e Islami apply for the registration under different name then it will come under the notice of the Election Commission (EC). “The Election Commission will surely look into the matter,” the minister said in response to a question from reporters at the Secretariat. Hasan said any political party can apply to the EC to get registered and it is the EC which will decide whether any party will be given registration or not. His remarks came amid reports that all leaders of newly launched Bangladesh Democratic Party (BDP) that sought EC’s registration belong to Jamaat and its student front Shibir. BDP filed for registration on Wednesday. In 2013, the High Court declared the registration of Jamaat-e-Islami with the EC illegal effectively banning it from taking part in general elections. In 2018, the EC formally deregistered the Islamic fundamentalist party as it failed to fulfill its prerequisites. However, Jamaat is still operating as a legal political party amid calls from the secular forces to ban it for its role in the genocide during the Liberation War it vehemently opposed.  However, on Wednesday, Election Commissioner Md Alamgir said that Bangladesh Jamaat-e Islami can get registered with the EC under a different name if they fulfill all the conditions. Alamgir said the registration of Jamaat-e-Islami was cancelled as its charter was not consistent with the Constitution and the spirit of the Liberation War.

BNP senior leader Mirza Abbas on Wednesday said the roadmap announced by the Election Commission (EC) for the next general election is nothing but a 'conspiracy’ to prolong the stay of the Awami League government in power. "The current illegal Election Commission is trying to keep Awami League in power. The EC announced a roadmap as it’s a broker group (of Awami League).” Speaking at a doa-mahfil-cum discussion meeting, the BNP leader said Bangladesh is not a paternal property of the EC that the election will be held as per its roadmap without the participation of the opposition parties. “We, the democracy-loving people of Bangladesh, won’t sit idle sucking our fingers.” Read:Next national election by Jan 29, 2024; EVMs to be used in 150 constituencies Sammilita Chhatra O Jubo Forum arranged the programme at the Jatiya Press Club seeking early recovery of ailing BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and party’s organising secretary Ruhul Kuddus Talukder Dulu. Earlier in the day, the EC unveiled a roadmap for the 12th parliament election at a function at the auditorium of the Nirbachan Bhaban. As per the roadmap, the general election will be held by January 29, 2024, using Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in 150 constituencies out of 300 across the country. Abbas, a BNP standing committee member, said the current EC does not want democracy as it is playing a subservient role by selling itself into slavery of the Awami League. “They're feet-licking dogs of foreign masters.” He also said their party is least bothered about the activities of the current EC and they are not interested in making comments about the commission. “Where we don't accept this government, why do we accept this EC?" The BNP leader said the country’s people will not accept any election under the ‘illegal’ regime of the Awami League. “No election will also be held under this EC. If they (EC) try, it will be resisted.” Read:Outline of anti-govt 'simultaneous' movement soon: Fakhrul He said their party’s now main goal is to topple the current government and restore democracy in the country. "Not only BNP but also now the people of entire Bangladesh have got united. We'll launch a united and simultaneous movement.” The BNP leader called upon people from all walks of life to make all-out preparations to put up a strong resistance against the current government and the Election Commission.

BNP senior Leader Mirza Abbas on Wednesday appreciated Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal for inviting their party to talks, but he said they will not participate in any dialogue with the Election Commission (EC) unless there is a change in the government.    “BNP was invited to join a dialogue with the Election Commission today (Wednesday). We didn’t take part in it as we neither understand and know Election Commission nor accept it,” he said. Speaking at a rally, the BNP leader said they want the EC to be reconstituted under a new government after the dissolution of the current parliament and the departure of the current government. “We’ll participate in that election and we will join the dialogue of that commission." In response to the CEC’s comment that BNP would be repeatedly invited to the EC, Abbas said, "We thank you (CEC). You would invite BNP again and again because you would not be able to hold the election without BNP.” He also warned that no one in Bangladesh has the ability to hold the election without BNP’s participation. “We won’t spare this failed, fraud and rogue government under any circumstances." Dhaka South City unit BNP arranged the rally in front of the Jatiya Press Club protesting indecent comments by a ruling party leader against BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman.  Read: BNP fears grave economic crisis ahead Abbas, a BNP standing committee member, urged the government to quit power and hand over power to a neutral administration. "I say enough is enough. You (govt) please free the people now (from your misrule).” He said there is no problem for their part to accept if Awami League can come to power through an election under a non-party administration. "But the people of Bangladesh will never accept that you will be there in power without an election." Slamming Awami League general secretary Obaidur Quader’s comments that nothing matters if BNP does not participate in the election, Abbas said, “Even the CEC, the country’s people and Awami league understand that the election won’t be acceptable without BNP, but this government does not understand it.  Because the government thinks that they can come back to power without an election.” About the countrywide load-shedding, he said electricity generation at many power plants remains stopped causing the power outages, but the owners of those plants will continue to get money from the government. "Instructions have been given to keep ACs off in mosques and places of worship. But ACs will not be switched off in big government offices. Why will the AC be on there?’ he said. Abbas criticised the government for increasing the cost of the under-construction elevated metro rail project by 52.24 per cent like the Padma Bridge project. “The revised cost now stands at Tk 33,471.99 crore from Tk 21,985.07 crore. We understand due to the strong current of the river, the ground beneath the pillars of the Padma Bridge has shifted. Is the soil of Dhaka city now moving, forcing you to enhance the cost?

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday said joining talks with the current Election Commission (EC) is pointless since no commission can hold a  neutral credible election if Awami League stays in power. “Our experience in the last two elections is that if Awami League stays in power, no commission can conduct a credible and impartial election,” he said. Talking to reporters at BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office, Fakhrul said after boycotting the 2014 polls, they took part in the 2018 election based on the prime minister’s promises to hold an acceptable election. “But it was seen that the ballots were stuffed the night before the voting day. Considering these things, how do you (journalists) expect BNP to participate in a dialogue with the Election Commission? What will EC do? They have no power to do anything,” he said. Read:Don’t run away from election, CEC urges the political parties Don’t run away from election, CEC urges the political parties Fakhrul said whether or not the election will be fair and acceptable depends on the nature of the election-time government. “We have already seen that elections would not be fair if Sheikh Hasina remains the prime minister. So what will happen whether we join the EC’s talks or not? The BNP leader's comments came as the EC began talks with the registered political parties on Sunday morning to discuss issues relating to the 12th general election. Fakhrul said the  people do not want  to see any election under the Election Commission or under the current government. “That is why we are not making any comment on any dialogue, discussion or EVM issue of this commission. Because we don't believe that there can be a fair election under the current Election Commission. If there is no change in the government and if an impartial government does not come, there will be no election in this country,” he said. The BNP leader said the main crisis of the country is that there is no democracy here. “Election is the first door for democracy. But the electoral system of Bangladesh has been completely destroyed by Awami League.” He said four credible national elections were held in the country under the caretaker governments, but Awami League annulled the system only to hang onto power forever by holding polls under them. The BNP leader said it is fact that national elections are held under the partisan government in many countries that have strong democratic institutions and that have long been practising democracy. “But our political culture is that one political party does not trust another one in our country. Awami League itself has proved in the previous polls that there can be no acceptable election under a partisan government. They even forcibly rigged the local government elections.”

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday said their party has no interest in the dialogue that the new Election Commission (EC) has initiated ahead of the 12th parliamentary election. "We said earlier that we’re not involved in this EC formation process in any way, and we won’t be involved in anything (dialogue) of it,” he said.  Read:100% achievement of electrification a ‘false’ campaign: BNP Talking to reporters after placing wreaths at BNP founder Ziaur Rahman’s grave, Fakhrul also said it is not possible for even a good EC to hold a free, fair and impartial election if the government is not neutral during the election period.   “That’s why we aren’t interested in it (dialogue).  We’ve no headache about who's invited to the talks and who’re not and who’re joining it, and who aren’t and what they’re saying. Our only demand is the presence of a neutral government during the election period,” the BNP leader said. Earlier in the morning, the new Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal sat in talks with 15 civil society members as part of the Commission’s ongoing dialogue to prepare for a roadmap for the 12th national election. Although 40 civil society members were invited to the dialogue, only 15 of them took part in it.  In the political context of Bangladesh, Fakhrul said it is important what kind of government will remain in power during the election period. He said the absence of many invited guests in the talks has proved that the civil society also has no interest in it because of their previous experience. "We’ve had experiences from the last two or three elections as well as the local government polls that no election can be held without an impartial government. Fakhrul said people have been in a movement for reduction of prices of essential commodities and protesting the increase in prices of gas, electricity and water. "We're totally against any increase in the prices of gas, electricity and water, as we consider such an initiative as an anti-people move." Read:BNP works out Independence Day programme He said people across the country are already struggling to cope with the soaring prices of essential commodities. "If the prices of water, electricity and gas are increased now, then the prices of all commodities will go up further. We don’t support it in any way.” The BNP leader urged the government to back off from its move to increase the price of gas.  Fakhrul along with the leaders and followers of Zia Parishad went to Zia's grave around 11:30am and placed wreaths there, marking the organisation's 34th founding anniversary.

Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal on Friday said the Election Commission (EC) is eager to hold any election with cooperation from all parties. "Our duty is to conduct elections in accordance with the law and the constitution," he told reporters at the Chattogram Regional Election Office in the afternoon. Read:New CEC urges all political parties to take part in elections to strengthen democracy Whether it is a national election or a local government election, the EC's responsibility is to ensure that all parties participate in the elections in the light of the law, the CEC added. "We hope the next national election will be participatory." About Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), he said, "We still don't understand EVMs. We will talk about this later." Regional Election Officer Mohammad Hasanuzzaman, Senior District Election Officer Jahangir Hossain and Additional District Election Officer Kamrul Islam were present at the event. Read: President appoints former defence secretary Kazi Habibul Awal as the new CEC The CEC came to Chattogram on a four-day visit. He will start for his own home in Swandwip on Saturday morning. On Sunday, he will attend the smart card distribution ceremony there at 11 am. He will leave for Dhaka after returning to Chattogram from Sandwip on Monday.

Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Tuesday said the next Election Commission (EC) should not be formed with sycophants of a particular party.  "It'll be disappointing if the Election Commission is formed with flatterers of a party," he said. GM Quader, also the deputy opposition leader in parliament, said no party should have the mentality of making all gains in formation of the EC. Read:Jatiya Party wants strong, competent EC: GM Quader He came up with the remarks while speaking at a views exchange meeting with the thana-level leaders of Jatiya Party's Dhaka north city unit at the Party Chairman's Banani office. The Jatiya Party chief said their party has been helping the government from the beginning to form the EC. "Holding fair elections won't  be possible if the Election Commission is not given the full power. We wanted the Election Commission law with the full authority of the Commission. But, the law that was formulated is the old wine in a new bottle," he said. GM Quader said people want to see free, fair, neutral, and acceptable elections in the country. He said the recent Union Parishad (UP) elections have proved that even the workers of Awami League do not want to vote for 'boat' anymore.  "Awami League has lost popularity vastly by staying in state power for a long time. "Corruption, nepotism, and discrimination have crossed the limit of tolerance of people of the country," the Jatiya Party chairman observed. He regretted that Bangladesh's name is now there beside Myanmar and North Korea due to the US sanctions on some former and current Rab officials.   Read: Water tariff hike to be an anti-people decision: GM Quader Despite having huge public support, GM Quadewr said BNP has now become a decayed party.  He said both Awami League and BNP have destroyed democracy in the name of parliamentary democracy since 1991. The Jatiya Party chairman also said people have understood that they won't emancipated by Awami League and BNP.  "The people of the country want to see Jatiya Party in power.” He asked the leaders and workers of the party to make it stronger before the next general election.