Elections
AL wants competitive elections: Obaidul Quader
General Secretary of Awami League Obaidul Quader said Awami League wants competitive elections with the participation of all political parties.
"Awami League does not want uncontested elections, it wants competitive elections with the participation of all political parties," he said.
Minister of Road Transport and Bridges Obaidul Quader said this to the journalists after an exchange meeting with the concerned officers and employees at the head office of Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation - BRTC this morning.
He said Awami League never wants to score goals in an empty field.
The Election Commission is sitting in dialogue with the registered political parties from today, the dialogue of the Election Commission will continue till July 31 while the delegation of 10 members of Awami League will participate in the dialogue with the commission, said the general secretary of Awami League.
He also said that it is the duty of patriotism of all political parties to participate in this dialogue called by the Election Commission. Those who want to change the government through elections should participate in the elections.
Expecting that every registered political party will participate in the dialogue of the Election Commission, Obaidul Quader said that we want to see this election as a competitive one. That's why a free, impartial and credible election will be held with the participation of all registered parties.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has already made a lot of improvements in the electoral system to further improve the electoral system.
Read: EC begins talks with political parties
Obaidul Quader hoped that the current system will also be conducive to a fair, free and impartial election.
Saying 'The election will be held under the current government' - Obaidul Quader said If the election commission is neutral, then the election will be free and neutral, there will be no involvement of the government here. The government will only support the commission.
He said that no agency or office of the government related to the election will run under the direction of the government during the election. It will run under the Election Commission.
Awami League General Secretary hoped that the registered political parties would participate and play their responsible role in the political dialogue called by the Election Commission.
Earlier, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader attended an exchange meeting with BRTC officials.
Meanwhile, Road Transport and Highways Department Secretary ABM Amin Ullah Noori and BRTC Chairman Md Tajul Islam and other officials were present.
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said that BRTC has returned to the profit trend - this trend should be continued.
US won't take sides in election: Amb. Haas
US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas has said the US will not take any side in the upcoming elections in Bangladesh and reiterated US commitment across the world to help countries strengthen democracy.
“Let me be clear: the United States will not pick a side in the upcoming elections. We simply hope for a democratic process that allows the Bangladeshi people to freely decide who will run their country,” he said while addressing a seminar on Sunday.
Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) organized the seminar on “Bangladesh and the United States Relations: Moving towards Enhanced Cooperation and Partnership” at the BIISS auditorium.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen spoke as the chief guest at the event in which the US envoy highlighted three areas ripe for growth in the bilateral relationship - security, human rights and democracy, and economic ties.
Ambassador Haas said the two countries can work together to promote democracy and protect human rights and acknowledged that the United States is not perfect. “As the relationship grows, the conversation broadens.”
"We have embarked on our own democratic renewal. This journey includes tackling our own issues with police accountability and ensuring all Americans can cast their ballots on election day,” he said, adding that they are inviting countries around the world to make similar commitments to strengthen their democracies.
Ambassador Haas said he is pleased Foreign Minister Momen stated that Bangladesh will welcome international observers during the next election.
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He also welcomed the Law Minister’s commitment to reform the Digital Security Act to prevent further abuses.
“Holding an election consistent with international standards is not just about the day votes are actually cast,” Ambassador Haas mentioned.
In effect, he said, the elections have already started. “Truly democratic elections require the space for civic discourse to take place, an environment where journalists can investigate without fear, and the ability for civil society organizations to advocate broadly.”
New CEC urges all political parties to take part in elections to strengthen democracy
Newly-appointed Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal on Monday urged all political parties to participate in elections to help strengthen the country’s democracy.
“I would like to urge all in an unequivocal voice to restore our democratic process and form a dialectical (vibrant) parliament by participating in the elections, “the CEC told a press conference at the Nirbachan Bhaban on the very first day in office.
“We’ll try to present good governance and parliament to the nation through a fair election. We’ll not have any stinginess from this perspective,” he said.
Habibul said “We would like to make all election-oriented. There will be no deficit in our efforts.”
Also read: New CEC, four ECs take oath
When his attention was drawn to BNP’s announcement that it would not join the next national election, he said, “Wouldn’t we invite them for having talks and tea even after BNP made the announcement?”
He urged the political parties not to leave the electoral field to help the commission arrange for the polls in the fair manner. “The election, particularly the parliamentary one, is a massive act. So, political parties also have a role to make the elections fair,” he said.
In reply to another question about restoration of trust among political parties, the new CEC said the EC will assist the political leadership as a whole. “If the minimum compromise is not there among the political leadership, I can’t be their ‘Murubbi’ (mediators).”
“They (political parties) are much more knowledgeable and experienced than us. We’ll appeal to them to reach a compromise,” he said.
Also read: President appoints former defence secretary Kazi Habibul Awal as the new CEC
Habibul said all members of his commission are committed to performing their electoral responsibilities with utmost sincerity, integrity and honesty.
“My colleagues and I, in a unified voice, said that we will try to conduct the next election following our constitutional pledge and oath,” he said.
In reply to a question, he said, “We’ll try our best so the voters can apply their voting right, which is a big challenge. We will want to bring the voters in confidence,” said the new CEC.
“We hope, pray and expect from the core of our heart that all political parties will try to strengthen our republic and democracy by participating in the elections, '' he said.
Four newly-appointed election commissioners Begum Rashida Sultana, Ahsan Habib Khan, M Alamgir and Anisur Rahman and EC Secretary Md Humayun Kabir Khandaker were present at the event.
The CEC and four election commissioners took oath of office on Sunday afternoon and joined the office on Monday morning.
Earlier on Saturday last, President Md Abdul Hamid appointed former Senior Secretary Kazi Habibul Awal as the CEC as well as four others --District and Session Judge (Retd) Begum Rashida Sultana, Brig Gen (Retd) Ahsan Habib Khan, Senior Secretary (Retd) M Alamgir and Senior Secretary (Retd) Anisur Rahman as the election commissioners.
EC shouldn't be formed with sycophants of any party: EC
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.
Ilias Kanchan to vie for president in film artistes’ association elections
Popular film actor Ilias Kanchan is going to run for president in the upcoming election of Bangladesh Film Artistes’ Association, said a press release on Monday.
The election will be held on January 28.
According to the press release, Ilias Kanchan will run for president while actress Nipun Akter will run for general secretary from the same panel.
Ilias said other members of the panel, including Nipun, offered to vie for the post of president. Considering the current situation in the industry, ‘’I agreed’’, said the release.
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He also said “if we win, we all work together and the industry will move forward”, added the release.
“I have to make some plans to save our industry. First of all, we have to increase the number of films because without films, the halls cannot run. Taka one thousand crore is being given for the construction of cinema halls across the country, he added. “I want to revitalize the industry and I am moving forward with this”.
He said the government has many initiatives about the film industry adding that the prime minister has taken many initiatives for the betterment of cinema. “I also want our industry to move forward with something good.”
Also read: Release of 'Shaan' postponed
Ilias Kanchan-Nipun panel will collect nomination papers on January 11, read the release.
Voting in 700 UPs on Wednesday
More than 700 Union Parishads (UPs) are set to go to polls on Wednesday in the 5th phase countrywide elections to the lowest tier of the local government.
The election will be held in 708 UPs on Wednesday, said Joint Secretary of the Election Commission Secretariat SM Asaduzzman on Tuesday.
A total of 36,457 candidates are there in the election race for the chairman and member posts of 708 UPs at 95 upazilas in 48 districts. Of them, 3,278 are chairman contenders for 708 posts, according to the EC’s factsheet.
Read: Pre-polls violence: 30 injured in Bhola
However, 48 chairman contestants have already been declared elected unopposed, finding no rivals against their respective posts.
Besides, 33 candidates for reserve seats and 112 for member posts have been elected uncontested in different UPs.
In the 708 UPs, the total number of voters is 14.2 million under 7,137 polling stations. Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) will be used in 40 UPs, while traditional ballot papers will be used in the remaining bodies in the 5th phase polls.
EVMs will be used in 40 UPs, while traditional ballot papers in the remaining bodies in the 5th phase polls, said EC officials.
The Election Commission on November 27 last announced the 5th phase polls schedules for 707 UPs of 47 districts.
Later, another UP was incorporated in the 5th phase elections.
The deadline for the submission of nomination papers was December 07, while the date for scrutinising the nomination papers was December 09 and the last date for the withdrawal of candidature was December 15.
Read:Some 390 independent chairman candidates elected in 4th phase UP Polls
The 707 UPs include 8 in Panchagarh district, 19 in Dinajpur, 11 in Nilphamari, 7 in Lalmonirhat, 7 in Kurigram, 16 in Gaibandha, 5 in Joypurhat, 22 in Bogura, 14 in Chapainawabganj, 23 in Naogaon, 19 in Rajshahi, 11 in Natore, 16 in Sirajganj, 15 in Pabna, 11 in Kushtia, 20 in Jhenaidah, 23 in Jashore, 16 in Satkhira, 12 in Bhola, 5 in Pirojpur, 11 in Jamalpur, 8 in Sherpur, 26 in Mymensigh, 21 in Netrakona , 13 in Tangail, 15 in Kishoreganj, 21 in Manikganj, 7 in Munshiganj, 11 in Dhaka, 8 in Gazipur, 15 in Narsingdi, 10 in Rajbari, 15 in Faridpur, 15 in Gopalganj, 2 in Madaripur, 17 in Shariatpur, 17 in Sunamganj, 18 in Sylhet, 18 in Moulvibazar, 21 in Habiganj, 19 in Brahmanbaria, 25 in Cumilla, 27 in Chandpur, 12 in Feni, 20 in Noakhali, 25 in Chattogram, 5 in Khagrachhari and 3 in Bandarban.
UP polls: GM Quader says no change in centre-capturing culture
Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Monday alleged that a festival of capturing polling stations like grabbing char land is going on in the Union Parishad (UP) elections.
“The way violence is happening in the UP elections it can’t be accepted in a civilized society…an appalling situation is prevailing in rural areas due to the incidents of killing, attacks and counter-attacks,” he said.
GM Quader, also the deputy opposition leader in parliament, came up with the allegation at a views-exchange meeting with the leaders of BPUM, a human rights organisation, at Jatiya Party Chairman's Banani office.
He said the people of the country do not want to see such killings and violence in the elections. “There’re also allegations that election results are being changed somewhere.”
The Jatiya Party chief said the Election Commission has completely failed to hold the UP elections in a free and fair manner.
READ: ‘Entente’ behind transport sector chaos: GM Quader
“Common people are now scared to see the showdown with arms in front of the members of law enforcement agencies,” GM Quader observed.
He called upon the Election Commission to take effective steps to ensure that the upcoming elections are held in a free and credible manner with a festive mood.
Jatiya Party Presidium Member Fakhrul Imam, Mir Abdus Sabur Asud, Advocate Rezaul Islam Bhuiyan and Office Secretary MA Razzak Khan were, among others, present.
READ: Road anarchy over bus fares must be stopped: GM Quader
At least eight people were killed and over 100 others injured as the 3rd phase of UP elections were held on Sunday amid sporadic violence and irregularities.
UP elections third phase set for Sunday
Some 1,000 Union Parishads are set to go to polls on Sunday in the third phase of the countrywide elections to the lowest tier of the local government.
The balloting will be held from 8am to 4pm without any break. Over 50,000 candidates are running in the election to the local bodies.
More than two crore people have the voting rights under 10,159 polling stations in Sunday’s election.
In the third phase election, 569 candidates have already been elected unopposed.
Of the uncontested candidates, 100 are in chairman posts, while 132 in reserved seats and 337 in member posts. So, the polls will not be required against the chairman posts in the 100 UPs.
Apart from the unelected candidates, some 4,500 chairman contestants are running in the election (900 UPs), 11,000 women contestants (for reserved seats) and 34,500 member contestants in the polls.
The polls to the UP chairman posts are held in partisan manner, while the election to other posts – reserved seats and members posts- in non-partisan manner.
Among the major political parties, Awami League and Jatiya Party are participating in the countrywide staggered UP election, but BNP is refraining to join the local body polls.
In the third phase election, the highest 981 chairman candidates are being fielded by AL, while 438 chairman contestants by Islami Andolan Bangladesh, and 187 by Jatiya Party.
The electronic voting machines (EVMs) will be used in 33 UPs.
Though the Election Commission earlier announced the election schedule for 1,007 UPs, the polls to seven UPs were postponed on different grounds.
Anti-corruption party holds lead in Bulgaria's elections
A newly founded anti-corruption party held a narrow lead in the preliminary vote count from Bulgaria’s parliamentary elections Sunday.
A parallel count conducted by Gallup International gave the centrist We Continue the Change party 26.3% of the votes, leading the center-right opposition GERB party of former Prime Minister Boyko Borissov by just over three percentage points.
READ: Bangladesh receives 2.70 lakh AstraZeneca doses from Bulgaria
Founded only few weeks ago by two Harvard graduates, Kiril Petkov and Asen Vasilev, the party quickly won support due to their resolute anti-graft actions and pledges to bring transparency, zero tolerance for corruption and reforms to key sectors in the European Union's poorest member.
“We will be the number one political force,” Petkov told reporters after initial results were released. “We will have a majority of 121 MPs in the 240-seat parliament and Bulgaria will have a regular coalition Cabinet.”
It could be days before the final official results are announced. If they confirm the initial counts, Petkov would be handed a mandate to form a new government.
Petkov said his party was open to coalition talks with all the parties that were part of last year’s protests against Boyko Borissov’s government. Investigations by the current caretaker government showed alleged corruption cases.
“Now is the time to show that Bulgaria has embarked on the road of change and there is no turning back,” said Petkov.
After Bulgaria held inconclusive general elections in April and July, many hoped this third attempt to elect 240 lawmakers would result in a government that can lead the country out of its health and economic crises.
READ: Bulgaria arrests 6 soccer fans following racist acts
Five other parties appeared headed to winning spots in the 240-seat chamber, according to the exit poll. They include the ethnic Turkish MRF party with 11.4%, the Socialist Party with 10.4% support, the anti-elite There is Such a People party with 9.3%, the liberal anti-corruption group Democratic Bulgaria with 6.4%, and the nationalist Revival party with 5%.
The vote Sunday for a new parliament and a new president came amid a surge of coronavirus infections. The Balkan country is the least vaccinated in the EU, with less than one-third of its adults fully vaccinated. Bulgaria reported 334 COVID-related deaths last week in a single day, a pandemic record.
The Gallup International exit poll also suggested that President Rumen Radev has a commanding lead in his quest for a second five-year term but will still have to face runner-up Anastas Gerdzhikov in a Nov. 21 runoff as voter turnout remained below the needed 50%.
Radev, a vocal critic of Borissov, said Sunday that he voted for freedom, legality, and justice.
“These are the values I stand for,” he said after casting his ballot. “The stakes are huge and will determine whether the process of consolidating statehood will continue or those acting from behind the scenes will regain institutional power.”
Some 6.7 million people were eligible to vote. The Central Election Commission said preliminary voter turnout was nearly 40%, lower than in previous elections.
4th phase elections to 840 UPs to be held Dec 23
The 4th phase elections to 840 Union Parishads in different districts will be held on December 23, according to the schedule announced by the Election Commission.
Besides, the elections to three municipalities – Teknaf in Cox’s Bazar, Raipura in Narsingdi and Atghoria in Pabna—will also be held on the same date.
As per the election schedules, the deadline for submission of the nomination papers is November 25while the scrutiny date of nomination papers is November 29 and the last date for withdrawal of candidature is December 06, said a press release of EC on Wednesday.
READ: 204 UP elections: 148 AL chairman candidates win
The balloting will be held through the electronic voting machines (EVM) in 33 UPs and all the three municipalities.
The 840 UPs include 11 Ups in Panchagarh district, 20 in Thakurgaon, 21 in Dinajpur, 12 each in Nilphamari and Lalmonirhat, 19 in Rangpur, 20 in Kurigram, 18 in Gaibandha, nine in Joypurhat, 13 in Bogura, eight in Chapainawabganj, 26 in Naogaon, 15 in Rajshahi, 12 in Natore, 21 in Sirajganj, 19 in Pabna, 20 in Kushtia, four in Chuadanga, 15 in Jhenaidah, eight each in Jashore and Magura, 12 in Narail, one in Khulna, 10 in Satkhira, seven in Patuakhali, eight in Bhola, four in Barishal, 14 in Jamalpur, nine in Sherpur, 20 in Mymensingh, 11 in Netrakona, 21 in Tangail, 22 in Kishoreganj.
READ: UP elections: Voting underway in 160 union parishads, 9 municipalities
The rest UPs are 16 in Manikganj, 23 in Munshiganj, two in Gazipur, 11 in Narsingdi, 12 in Narayanganj, 14 in Rajbari, 13 in Faridpur, 15 in Gopalganj, nine in Madaripur, 19 in Shariatpur, 21 each in Sunamganj and Sylhet, 20 in Moulvibazar and Habiganj, 15 in Brahmanbaria, 26 in Cumilla, 23 in Chandpur, 15 in Feni, 16 in Noakhali, 15 in Laxmipur, 27 in Chattogram, nine in Cox’s Bazar, eight in Khagrachhari, 10 each in Rangamati and Bandarban districts.