After boycotting the  national election, BNP has now decided not to join the upcoming upazila parishad polls under the current government. BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi came up with the announcement at a press briefing at the party’s Nayapaltan central office. "We have always said that any election under Sheikh Hasina will never be peaceful, credible and fair. So, BNP had taken a decision not to go to any election under her. BNP still stands by that decision,” he said. Earlier on Monday, Awami League Central Working Committee at an emergency meeting decided not to field party candidates and allocate party’s election symbol “boat” in any local government polls, including the upcoming elections to city corporations, municipalities and upazila parishads. Read more: 'India deepened ties with AL, not people of Bangladesh': Rizvi Asked what BNP will do if the elections are held without party symbols, Rizvi said, “We’re saying that the elections will not be fair under this government…we’re still stick to our decision of not going to any polls under Sheikh Hasina since no free and fair election can ever be held under her.” Election Commissioner Anisur Rahman on Monday said the first phase of upazila polls can be held by April 30 considering the beginning of the SSC examinations in February and the fasting month in March. Justifying their decision to boycott the upcoming upazila polls, Rizvi said the country’s people know how the 12th parliamentary election was held under Sheikh Hasina and what were the results and nature of that polls. He said it was also proved through the national elections in 2014 and 2018 that credible polls are not possible under the Awami League government. “Sheikh Hasina in no way believes in democracy, no matter what statements she makes. She doesn’t believe in the power of the people, the will of the people,” the BNP leader said. He said the government conducted a strange and farcical election as per its master plan with the support of its masters as it is least bothered about democracy and public opinions. Read more: Moyeen Khan expects AL govt to fall apart 'like a house of cards'

Awami League nominated candidate Mohammad Ali Arafat today (July 17, 2023) cast his vote at the Gulshan Model School and College centre during the parliamentary by-polls to Dhaka-17 constituency this morning.  He exercised his voting rights around at 10 am, said chief co-ordinator at the office cell of Dhaka -17 by-election, William Proloy Samadder Bappy. Read: Dhaka-17 by-polls: Hero Alam says his agents 'assaulted' by AL activists, determined to remain in the race Arafat told media that there is “no alternative to Awami League.” People will gather at polling centres to cast their votes for boat, he hoped. He was also optimistic that he will win the race. Read: Independent candidate Tariqul Islam Bhuiyan boycotts Dhaka-17 by-polls The voting started at 8 am and will continue till 4 pm without any recess. In the Dhaka-17 constituency, eight candidates are running in the race to be elected a member of the parliament. The seat comprising Gulshan, Banani, Baridhara and part of Dhaka Cantonment fell vacant after the death of renowned actor and freedom fighter Akbar Hossain Pathan Farooque on May 14 this year. Read: EC monitoring Dhaka-17 by-polls, elections of 2 municipalities through CCTV cameras The number of voters is 325,205 under 125 polling stations in Dhaka-17 constituency which comprises wards 15, 18, 19 and 20 of Dhaka North City Corporation as well as Dhaka cantonment area.

Dhaka-17 constituency MP candidate, Ashraful Hossain Alam -- better known as "Hero Alam" -- has alleged that his agents are being barred from entering the polling stations and that several of them were harassed by the AL activists and leaders. “The ruling party’s activists have resorted to intimidating tactics to oust my agents. They physically assaulted some of our agents, including women, and barred them from entering the polling centres,” said the independent candidate at Banani Model School centre this morning (July 17, 2023). Independent candidate Tariqul Islam Bhuiyan boycotts Dhaka-17 by-polls Asked in which polling centres his agents faced trouble entering, he mentioned Bhashantek Govt Primary School, Adamji Cantonment College, Matikata High School, and Jamia Madrasa centres. He expressed concern about the fairness of the election. EC monitoring Dhaka-17 by-polls, elections of 2 municipalities through CCTV cameras “However, I’m determined to remain in the electoral race until the end,” he said. Voting for Dhaka-17 by-polls, election in 7 municipalities underway

Holding its first rally in the capital after a decade, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami on Saturday (June 10, 2023) demanded holding the next national election under a non-party caretaker government. The Jamaat leaders also urged the party followers to get ready for taking to the streets to force the government to accept the demand. The party’s Dhaka South city unit arranged the rally at the Institution of the Engineers, Bangladesh protesting the price hikes in daily essentials and demanding the restoration of the caretaker government and the release of the party’s arrested leaders and activists. Also read: Jamaat gets permission to hold rally at Engineers Institute This is the first time since 2013 that Jamaat was able to hold a political programme in the capital as the Dhaka Metropolitan Police gave the party permission for the programme on some conditions. Huge number of leaders of activists of Jamaat and Chhatra Shibir joined the rally held with the party’s Dhaka south unit president Nurul Islam Bulbul presiding. A written statement was read out on behalf of Acting Jamaat Ameer Mujibur Rahman. In the statement, Mujibur Rahman said the country’s people will not accept the next election under the partisan government. “So take steps for holding the election under a caretaker government demonstrating your good sense. There is no alternative to it.” Also read: Jamaat’s protest rally: DMP Commissioner will decide on permission, says Home Minister He also placed a 10-point demand, including holding the election under the caretaker government, the release of party leaders and workers and reopening all party offices. Speaking at the programme as the chief guest, Jamaat Nayeb-e-Ameer and former MP Dr Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher said the government is talking about a fair and neutral election. “We also want a fair and impartial election. Democracy means fair elections…but the election can’t be allowed to hold this time like 2014 and 2-018 ones.” The Jamaat leader said the election must be held under the caretaker government this time. “So, come to the discussions to get a solution.” He also said their party will take to the streets for establishing the caretaker government. “We’ll do whatever needs to be done for realising the demand for the caretaker government.” Also read: 10 Jamaat-Shibir men detained from Banani: Police

Level playing field will be ensured in the Khulna City Corporation (KCC) election slated for June 12, said Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal on Tuesday. “All will get equal opportunities and the election will be free and fair. There will be no partisan election. We are using Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in the voting which has left no chance to change the election results. No one will be allowed to obstruct voters and curtail people’s rights to franchise,” he said. The CEC came up with the remarks while speaking at a view-exchange meeting over the KCC election at the auditorium of Khulna Shilpakala Academy. The election will be monitored through CCTV from the central office, he said. Expressing satisfaction over the Gazipur City Corporation election, the CEC said “We are working round the clock to ensure free and fair election and we’ll gift a fair election in Khulna.” He also urged all to abide by the electoral code of conduct. Kazi Habibul said local administration will take strict action against those who will violate the electoral code of conduct.    

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday said the people have no interest in the city polls being held under the Election Commission which is regulated by the government. Speaking at a discussion programme, he also feared that the upcoming elections to the five city corporations will be stage-managed even though BNP is not fielding any candidate. Also Read: Sheikh Hasina's resignation is the only demand: Mirza Fakhrul “They (govt) have completely destroyed the election system by using the state machinery. The Election Commission is under the control of the government. People are not interested in the election taking place in the country,” the BNP leader said. He said opposition parties are not fielding candidates in most of the city corporation elections due to the “collapsed’ election system. ”Arif (Ariful Haque Chowdhury) is a very popular two-time mayor in Sylhet and the people of Sylhet want him to see as mayor again. In a public meeting, Arif yesterday (Saturday) said this election will never be accepted as the government has made a blueprint. So, there is no point in going to this election as it will be meaningless,” Fakhrul said. Also Read: 'Your time is up': Fakhrul to govt  He said the people of Sylhet City shed tears as their beloved leader decided against participating in the election.  “He (Arif) clearly said this election will be meaningless and no election will be fair under this government.” A faction of the Jatiya Gonotantrik Party (Jagpa) arranged the programme at the Jatiya Press Club, marking the party founder Shafiul Alam Pradhan’s sixth death anniversary. Fakhrul said all the authoritarian and fascistic regimes destroy the election system and use the stage-managed voting a tool to hang onto power. “So, We would like to say it very clearly that there will be no free and fair elections if the current government remains in power…the election must be held under an impartial caretaker government,” he said. Also Read: Fakhrul warns govt of 'political storm' if caretaker demand remains unmet  Fakhrul said the government has taken the election system to such a situation that ruling the party’s alliance partner and Workers Party President, Rashed Khan Menon, said a few days back that they do not want ‘planned’ elections. “The message is very clear that Awami League holds planned elections and he (Menon) does not want such polls. Another state minister said that the ministers create syndicates here and they increase the prices of commodities,” the BNP leader observed. Also Read: EC doesn’t have capacity to hold fair elections: Fakhrul Referring to a World Bank report, he said Bangladesh is the champion of default loans. “Bangladesh has even surpassed Sri Lanka in this regard.” The BNP leader said the number of loan defaulters is increasing in the country as the ruling party leaders, including the ministers, do not repay after borrowing crores of taka. Fakhrul also warned the BNP rank and file not to be confused by different ‘evil games’ by the government ahead of the national election. “We must remain united to free our leader Begum Khaleda Zia, ensure the return of our leader Tarique Rahman to the country, restore democracy, people’s voting rights and establish equality…the movement has already begun. We all have to take to the streets with all strengths to take it a final stage for establishing a caretaker government ousting the current regime,” he said.    

Dismissing all speculations about the party’s subtle strategy to take part in city polls, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday categorically said their party is not joining the upcoming elections to five city corporations in any way. “We have made it very clear that we are not going for any kind of local government elections. Especially in the city corporation polls, our party won’t vie for any post of mayor or commissioner." He made the remarks while talking to reporters after placing a wreath at the grave of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman together with the leaders of the newly formed Jatiyatabadi Swechchasebak Dal committee. Fakhrul said Awami League wants to establish a one-party Baksal rule by destroying democracy as the party does not believe in elections and democracy. Also Read: Fakhrul sees 'sadness, suffering' overshadowing Eid celebrations He alleged that the ruling party made the national election in 2014 a complete farce by depriving people of their right to franchise. “Similarly, in 2018, they usurped power by stuffing ballots the night before the election day and people didn't participate in that polls either," the BNP leader observed. Even, he said people are not participating in the local government elections under the current government. “Only 14% of people went to vote in the recent by-polls polls (in Chattogram). So people understand and the entire world understands that there will never be any fair election if this regime stays in power.” Also Read: Convicting , jailing popular BNP leaders before next polls is government’s master plan : Fakhrul The BNP leader said people will also not participate in the next national election if it is held under the Awami League government. He said the Prime Minister is talking about fair elections after going abroad to mislead people and repair her government’s dented image. "But the country’s people have now woken up. We believe that the people will defeat this regime through a fierce movement and establish a truly democratic system in the country,” Fakhrul said. Earlier on April 20 last, BNP announced a full-fledged 213-member committee of the party’s voluntary wing Jatiyatabadi Swechchasebak Dal SM Zilani and Rajib Ahsan were made the president and the general secretary respectively of the committee.      

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday said that  denocracy in Bangladesh is practiced  only by her pary Awami League which has a history of holding free elections. “Awami League practices the democratic system and fair democratic practices prevail during Awami League regime,” she said. The prime minister, now on a four-day official visit to Japan, said this while speaking at a civic reception at Westin Hotel here. She said all elections under the Awami League regime were held fairly. In this connection, Hasina said the President of Bangladesh Abdul Hamid made history by completing his two terms peacefully. “This has been the first time in the history of the country where the outgoing president and the new president could complete all related procedure peacefully. This is a democratic process,” she said. The Awami League chief said that former military dictator Ziaur Rahman destroyed the election process during his military regime. The process continued by another military ruler HM Ershad and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. She mentioned that there was no political stability in 29 years out of 50 years of Bangladesh after the assassinations of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on August 15, 1975. “There was no democratic process and there was no democratic rule of law in those days” she stated. She slammed those who fail to see democracy and development in the country. Hasina said that opposition BNP's history is so tarnished that it has no face to take part in elections. She said that in 2008 election BNP-Jamaat alliance got only 30 seats while AL-led grand alliance bagged all other seats. “For that reason they (BNP-Jamaat) did not take part in 2014 election,” she said. Referring the arson terrorism by BNP-Jamaat nexus in 2013-15, she said that they killed at least 500 people and destroyed many government and private establishments. “Now how could they participate in the election and seek votes from the people?,” she questioned. She urged all to remain alert so the country remain s free from militancy, terrorism and drugs. The PM said there are some people who do not see democracy in the country and they have been favouring those who violated human rights and concealed bodies after killing people. She said they could not even file a case after the assassination of her father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman along with her mother and brothers as the killers were indemnified from charges and trial. “The killers had got a gift instead of punishment,” she said. The prime minister said two killers of Bangabandhu are now staying in the USA and Canada, adding that they have repeatedly requested the governments of the two countries to send back the killers to Bangladesh. “But, they do not pay heed to the request,” she said. Pointing at the USA, she said, “Giving killers (of Bangabandhu) shelters in their own country, they are talking of humanity in Bangladesh.” Hasina said her government has done everything possible to stop the culture of impunity in Bangladesh. She called upon the expatriate Bangladeshis to invest in Bangladesh saying that they have taken measures for attracting foreign investments to the country. Referring to establishing 100 economic zones across the country, she said those who have interest can invest in the economic zones. She also suggested Bangladeshis also invest in Bangladesh as It will be better to invest with a Japanese partner. Referring to the suffering of the people across the globe due to global economic recession because of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, the prime minister said her government has taken every possible measure so that the citizens won't have to suffer at least for food. She asked all to bring every inch of land under cultivation as Bangladesh needs not depend on any country for food. The PM said her government has been working to bring every person under the housing scheme following the footprints of Bangabandhu to make sure that none will remain homeless and landless across the country. “No one in the country will remain homeless and landless in the country,” she said. Spelling out her government’s measures for the overall development of Bangladesh, the premier said Bangladesh has completely changed in the last 14 years in terms of socio-economic uplift. The PM vowed to transform Bangladesh into a developed, prosperous and Smart Bangladesh by 2041. Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen was present on the dais while Ambassador of Bangladesh to Japan Shahabuddin Ahmed gave welcome address at the function.  

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday warned that this time their party will resist any attempt to hold the next national election under a partisan government. “They (govt) want to hold the polls (national election) as before. They’ll again rig and steal votes like before. But we’ll stand up and resist it. We must do it for the sake of our existence and rights and to protect Bangladesh and its people,” he said. The BNP leader made the remarks in a brief rally on the premises of Nawabganj Shaheed Minra before the start of a march towards Boxanagar intersection by Dhaka District unit BNP. Fakhrul said injustice like depriving people of their voting rights can no longer be tolerated. “We’re repeatedly being attacked and beaten up. We’re not willing to be beaten anymore." He said the country’s people will be able to cast their votes freely if the election is held under a neutral government. “But it doesn’t happen now. They (AL) want to give their votes and also your votes. That's why people have started saying that if we had known before, we wouldn't have boarded your broken boat.” The BNP leader said their party will not have any objection if Awami League comes to power again with people’s votes through a credible election under a neutral government. He called upon the government to quit and dissolve the parliament and arrange the election under a non-party caretaker government by accepting BNP’s 10-point demand.   Read more: AL, its govt involved in BDR carnage: Fakhrul The BNP leader said their party together with like-minded opposition parties has launched a simultaneous movement to save the country and its people from the misrule of the Awami League government. He urged young people to come forward and make this movement a success.  “All the changes that have taken place in Bangladesh, from the Language Movement to the movement in the 90s and the Liberation War, everything has been done by the young people.” Fakhrul said they will establish a government of people by defeating the current ‘monstrous’ regime through a mass upsurge. The BNP leader alleged that the current government has destroyed the economy of the country through unbridled plundering and theft. “They (AL leaders) are getting rich suddenly and making a lot of money by indulging in corruption. The Awami League leaders who had no sandals on their feet, now ride expensive cars and build big houses by sucking the blood and stealing the money from the country’s people.” He also said the government is implementing mega projects in the name of devolvement to plunder public money. "But development is not benefiting common people.  If this government comes again, this country will not exist, the nation will not exist.” Later, several thousand leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies took out a silent procession from the Shaheed Minar that ended at the Boxanagar intersection after parading nearly a two-kilometer stretch of the road. Earlier on Saturday, the party observed a similar programme in all districts, except Dhaka, to press home their party’s 10-point demand.

PM-Chollet, LdNext national polls will be free and fair: PM Hasina tells US official Eds: Updates with details Dhaka, Feb 15 (UNB) – Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said the next parliamentary election will be fair and free as she is committed to democracy and the Election Commission is completely independent. “The next election will be fair and free. I fought for democracy throughout my life,” she said. Read More: Clashes, obstruction by ruling party mark BNP’s nationwide march programme The premier said this when a US delegation, led by Counselor of the US Department of State Derek Chollet, paid a courtesy call on her at the latter’s official residence Ganabhaban. PM’s Speechwriter Md Nazrul Islam briefed reporters after the meeting. Hasina said if the people vote for Awami League in the next general election, her party will take the charge of governing the country. “I never want to come to power through vote-rigging,” she was quoted as saying. Read More: Govt is preparing to hold a free, fair election: PM The PM said she always struggled for the people’s rights to food and vote. She said the first-ever EC’s reconstitution law was passed in parliament and then a neutral Election Commission was constituted on the basis of the law. She said the EC is completely independent. It has administrative and financial independence, she added. Bangladesh is due to elect its next parliament by end of this year or first week of January next year. Read More: Next general election to be held first week of 2024: PM Hasina announces at Cox’s Bazar rally The last parliamentary election was held on December 30, 2018. The prime minister said no political parties in the country other than Awami League have bases at the grassroots level. Opposition BNP and Jatiya Party were born in the cantonments, she noted. She said AL has been in power only for 19 years in the 51-year history of the country’s independence. The anti-Awami League forces were in power for 29 years and there was no democratic polity during their regimes. Focusing on the development of Bangladesh in different socio-economic indexes, she said the transformation of the country has become visible in the last 14 years during her government. It has been possible due to the continued democratic practice and stability in the country, she added. Read More: EC to purchase 700mt paper from Karnaphuli Mills ahead of national election Nazrul said the Russia-Ukraine war and Rohingya issues also came up for the discussion in the meeting. PM Hasina tells the US delegation that the world should stop this war right now as it has caused high inflation and commodity prices throughout the globe. “A war never can bring any benefit for the human kind,” she said. Noting that the USA is the most powerful country, she said it can stop the war anytime. The disputes can be settled through negotiation, she said. Read more: ‘Bir Nibash’: PM gives away keys to 5000 houses for disadvantaged freedom fighters About Rohingyas, the PM said the displaced Myanmar nationals have become a big burden for Bangladesh. The local communities in Cox’s Bazar are suffering and they have become minority due to the influx of such a huge number of Myanmar nationals there. She said the Rohingya peoples are being involved in different criminal activities like drug trafficking, human trafficking, militancy and infightings. The premier said the displaced Myanmar nationals have been staying in Cox’s Bazar for five years and now it is difficult to keep them there as its natural environment and the livelihood of locals are at stake. She said her government arranged different facilities, including income generating programmes, to ensure better life of the Rohingya people on Bhashanchar island. Read More: EVMs to be used partially again in next JS election: EC She asked the world community to provide their assistance to Rohingya people on Bhashanchar. Bangladesh is hosting over 1.1 million Rohingyas in Cox's Bazar and Bhasanchar, she said PM Hasina also asked the international community to try their best for speedy and amicable repatriation of the Rohingya refugees. to Myanmar, their homeland. Derek Chollet thanked the prime minister for giving shelter to the Rohingya people on humanitarian ground. Read More: CEC estimates 15 to 20 percent by-poll voter turnout in 6 JS seats left vacant by BNP He said they would try their best for the repatriation of the displaced people. However, the Counselor to the Secretary of State of the United States said the repatriation will be possible when a democratic government returns to power in Myanmar. He said some recent high-level visits of US officials are reflection of the importance of the bilateral relations between the two countries. This relation will grow further, Chollet added. He said there are potentials to deepen the bilateral relations, but there are some challenges here. Read More: EVM purchasing suspended, not cancelled: EC secretary Chollet arrived here on Tuesday for a 24-hour stay in Bangladesh. PM’s Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman Fazlur Rahman, PM’s Principal Secretary M Tofazzel Hossain Miah, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen and US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas were present.