Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said no one should raise any concern about the election being free and fair under the AL government following the recent by-elections in six parliamentary seats  and Rangpur City Corporation. “These have proved that fair elections are held during the Awami League period,” she said. The prime minister said this while participating in the discussion on the thanksgiving motion on President's speech in parliament.  She said that six by-elections were held just a few days ago where Jatiya Party won in one seat. She mentioned that in another seat, the BNP MP who resigned from the parliament returned as an independent candidate. “Moreover, we left one to Rashed Khan Menon’s party where the Jatiya Party candidate won. Another was given to Hasanul Haque Inu’s party and it won in Bogra,” she said. She said that AL candidate won only in Bogra and Chapainawabganj. “No one could complain about Rangpur mayor election.  But Jatiya Party won that election, Awami League lost.” Therefore, she said, “we have been able to prove that the election has been fair, free and impartial during the Awami League government.” “I hope no one gets a chance to raise anything about the election after this (by-elections and mayor election).” She mentioned that AL always has fought for people's right to vote.   “I think it is our responsibility to ensure the right to vote.” PM Hasina said that the government has built the Padma Bridge with its own funding, which was a challenging job.   “This one decision has changed the image of Bangladesh internationally. Those who earlier thought that Bangladesh will never be able to stand up proved wrong.  Those who seized power after 1975 tragedy (assassination of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman) had wanted that,” she said. Hasina said that the international status of Bangladesh has increased as the country has proved that it can. She said that digital services are being launched in all areas and now the documents of land can be taken at home while any bill can be paid from home. She said that the government is working for the overall development of the people of the country. The premier recalled the election during Ziaur Rahman's tenure.   The people had seen how the presidential election of 1981 was rigged, she said. She also said that during his time General Ershad (founder of Jatiya Patty) changed the election results by withholding the counting for 48 hours.   She recalled that no party could form the government in the 1991 elections on its own and so BNP joined hands with Jamaat to form the government.  And they held a election without participation of voters on February 15, 1996. People don't let go if votes are stolen.  Khaleda Zia had to resign on March 30.” The PM said that there was a conspiracy in 2001 regarding the sale of country’s gas. She said that Bangladesh is sending medical teams, medicines, dry food to help the earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria.      

Ruling Awami League’s three candidates, two from the 14-party alliance and one independent contender won elections on Wednesday (February 01, 2023) as voting took place in six parliamentary constituencies.  The Election Commission organised the by-polls to six parliamentary seats that fell vacant after BNP MPs resigned in December as part of their strategic decision involving anti-government movement ahead of next general elections expected to be held early next year.   In Chapainawabganj-2, Awami League candidate Muhammad Ziaur Rahman confirmed his victory by securing 94,928 votes. His nearest contender Mohammad Ali Sarkar, an independent candidate, got 25,399 votes with the symbol of an ‘apple’.   Read more: By-polls to 6 JS seats end amid stray incidents AL-backed Md Abdul Wadud defeated independent candidate Samiul Hoque with a margin of 3,658 votes in Chapainawabganj-3 constituency.  Wadud, also general secretary of the district unit AL, got 59,638 votes while Samiul secured 55, 980 votes. Deputy Commissioner and Returning Officer AKM Galib Khan announced the results around 9:00 pm. In Bogura-4, the 14-party-nominated candidate AKM Rezaul Karim Tansen won from the constituency with the symbol of Torch by securing 20,405 votes. Read More: Diplomats are welcome to advise on polls, but no meddling with internal matters: Info Minister His closest opponent Ashraful Hossain Alam alias as Hero Alam got 19,571 votes. Alam was defeated by only 834 votes.  AL candidate Ragebul Ahsan won from the Bogura-6 by bagging 49,336 votes while his nearest contender and independent candidate Abdul Mannan got 21, 864 votes. Independent candidate Advocate Abdus Sattar Bhuyian, also an expelled leader from the BNP, won from Brahmanbaria-2 constituency by 44,916 votes. Jatiya Party’s candidate Abdul Hamid Bhasani got 9, 635 votes while independent candidate Abu Asif Ahmed, another expelled leader of BNP, got 3,269 votes. Read More: Dipu Moni for participation of all parties in elections In Thakurgaon-3, Jatiya Party’s Presidium Member Hafiz Uddin secured 84,047 votes, defeating his nearest candidate Principal Gopal Chandra Roy, an independent, with a margin of 33,738 votes.    Gopal got 50,309 votes and 14-party-backed candidate and former lawmaker Yeasin Ali captured 11,356 votes. A total of six candidates contested in the by-election there. Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal on Wednesday said the average voter turnout in the by-election in six parliamentary seats may be 15 percent to 20 percent. Read More: Why restricting govt officials from contesting JS polls in 3 yrs of retirement not illegal: HC "The average voter turnout in the election may be 15 percent to 20 percent. It is our primary assumption, not a final estimate. Though the presence of the voters was low in the polling stations, discipline was maintained at the voting centres during elections," he said. He made the remarks while talking to journalists after monitoring the by-polls at the Election Commission Bhaban in the capital's Agargaon. Electronic voting machines (EVMs) were used in the by-elections, said SM Asaduzzaman, Joint Secretary of the Election Commission. However, no CCTV cameras were installed in the polling centres, he added. Read More: By-polls to 6 JS seats underway amid stray incidents Forty aspirants contested in the six constituencies. Earlier on December 10, 2022 at a public rally, parliamentarians of BNP announced their resignation. On December 11, Chapainawabganj-2 lawmaker Md Aminul Islam, Bogura-4 lawmaker Md. Mosharraf Hossain, Bogura-6 lawmaker Golam Mohammad Siraj, and Thakurgaon-3 lawmaker Zahidur Rahman resigned from Parliament. Two other BNP lawmakers — Advocate Abdus Sattar of Brahmanbaria-2 constituency and Harun-or-Rashid of Chapainawabganj-3 — resigned from Parliament later.

BNP senior leader Mirza Abbas on Wednesday said it was a great joke that law enforcers were calling voters to cast their votes as dogs were sleeping at the voting centres during by-polls to Brahmanbaria-2 seat. “By-elections are being held (Wednesday) in various seats, including Brahmanbaria-2. There has been no voters in the polling station since morning. The media are saying three/four dogs are sleeping at a centre in Brahmanbaria,” he said. In a brief address prior to inaugurating their party’s fourth march programme, the BNP leader said, “Allah saves us as the dogs have no right to vote…I have just got the news that the police are urging voters to come to the polling station using loudspeakers. I have never heard such a great joke in my life.” The by-polls to the six parliamentary seats — left vacant after BNP MPs resigned —were held amid some stray incidents on Wednesday. The six constituencies are: Thakurgaon-3, Bogura-4 and 6, Chapainawabganj-2, 3 and Brahmanbaria-2. Advocate Abdus Sattar who resigned from the Brahmanbaria-2 seat contested the by-polls. BNP leaders alleged that the government was playing various tricks to ensure the victory of Sattar, who was expelled from the party.” Leaders and activists of BNP's Dhaka South City unit marched towards the capital's Malibagh from Kamalapur Stadium, ending the party’s 4-day programme to press home their  10-point demand, including holding the next general election under a  non-party caretaker government. Mirza Abbas formally inaugurated the programme in front of Bir Shrestha Shaheed Sipahi Mohammad Mostafa Kamal Stadium in Kamalapur around 3:25 pm. The march ended at Malibgah Bazar after parading over nearly a five-kilometre stretch of the road via Mugda and Khilgaon. Read more: Mirza Fakhrul, Mirza Abbas picked up by detectives: BNP This was the fourth and last such programme of BNP, as the party's Dhaka north city unit marched from Badda to Malibagh on Saturday and the Dhaka south city unit marched from Jatrabari to Jurain on Monday and North City unit marched from Gabtoli to Mirpur on Tuesday. Abbas urged the government to quit power for holding a credible election under a carter government. He said the caretaker government was the main demand of the Awami League and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami in 1996.  “The Prime Minister at that time wanted the caretaker government for life. But they can’t keep their words,” he observed.   The BNP leader said the government has become scared of losing power even seeing a silent march of the BNP. “The fall of this regime is impending and their days are numbered.” He also said their march is an advanced funeral procession of the current government. Abbas slammed the government for increasing the power tariff just 19 days after the previous hike. He said the current ‘fascist and monstrous’ regime must be removed from power to ensure the welfare of the people and protect the country from misrule.

Voting in the by-polls to the six parliamentary seats — left vacant after BNP MPs resigned —concluded amid some stray incidents on Wednesday afternoon. The voting began at 8:30 am and continued till 4:30 pm, said SM Asaduzzaman, Joint Secretary of the Election Commission. The six constituencies are: Thakurgaon-3, Bogura-4 and 6, Chapainawabganj-2, 3 and Brahmanbaria-2. Electronic voting machines (EVMs) were used in the by-elections. However, no CCTV cameras were installed in the polling centers, he added. Forty aspirants are vying in the 6 constituencies for MP post. In Chapainawabganj, a chase and counter-chase occurred between supporters of two candidates at the District Ideal High School Centre around 9 am. A scuffle took place between the supporters of independent candidate Samiul Haque Liton and Awami League-backed candidate Abdul Wadud at the polling station -- triggering a chase and counter-chase, said Additional Superintendent of Chapainawabganj Police, Abul Kalam Shaheed. However, police brought the situation under control. A crude bomb was recovered from the spot. UNB Chapainawabganj correspondent reports: Voting in the by-election ended peacefully amid low voter turnout. Read more: By-polls to 6 JS seats underway amid stray incidents Abu Asif Ahmed, an expelled leader of BNP and an independent candidate who went missing on Friday, could not be traced till Wednesday afternoon. Some 1,100 police have been deployed at the polling stations while four platoons of BGB members, nine teams of RAB, nine mobile teams of police, and four striking teams were also performing their duties to maintain the law and order situation. Meanwhile, the government on Tuesday announced a public holiday on Wednesday in the election areas on the occasion of the by-elections. Earlier on December 10, 2022 at a public rally, parliamentarians of BNP announced their resignation from the JS. The next day, on December 11, Chapainawabganj-2 lawmaker Md Aminul Islam, Bogura-4 lawmaker Md. Mosharraf Hossain, Bogura-6 lawmaker Golam Mohammad Siraj, and Thakurgaon-3 lawmaker Zahidur Rahman resigned. Two other BNP lawmakers — Advocate Abdus Sattar of Brahmanbaria-2 constituency and Harun-or-Rashid of Chapainawabganj-3 — resigned later.

An appeal has been made to the authorities concerned for tracing the missing independent candidate of Brahmanbaria-2 by-polls Abu Asif Ahmed and ensuring a level playing field for a free and fair election. Asif Ahmed’s wife Meherun Nisa Meherin submitted the written letter to the Deputy Commissioner of Brahmanbaria and the returning officer of the by-election on Tuesday noon.The election will be held on Wednesday (Feb 1). Copies of this letter have been given to the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), Brahmanbaria Superintendent of Police, Ashuganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer, Officer-in-charge of Ashuganj police station and the local press club. She said that the letter has also been emailed to the departments concerned. Read more: B’baria-2 by-polls: 3 independent candidates withdraw, clearing the way for ex-BNP leader Abdus Sattar Brahmanbaria Deputy Commissioner and by-election returning officer Md Shahgir Alam also acknowledged receiving the letter. Asif went missing on January 27. He is the former president of Ashuganj Upazila unit BNP and the former chairman of Upazila Parishad. In the Brahmanbaria-2 by-poll, he is the main opponent of the expelled leader of BNP and five-time Member of Parliament, Abdus Sattar Bhuiyan. Meherin said in the letter that there is no level playing field even for campaigning for the election. They are also facing threats in appointing polling agents for the voting. “Propaganda is being spread that a specific candidate will win the election anyway. We do not think that there will be a fair election in this situation. We believe that despite all this, if there is a fair and impartial vote, my husband Abu Asif Ahmed will win with a huge margin.” “When news in this regard was published in the media, we came to know that the Election Commission ordered an investigation to find my husband,” she added. She also mentioned in the letter that polling centres in Kuttapara East, Kuttapara West, Syedtula Garer Par, Habistula, Sarail Annada Government High School and Uchalia Government Primary School of Sarail Upazila are very risky. Meanwhile, Shafayat Suman, the brother-in-law of Abu Asif, the chief coordinator of the election campaign, who has been missing since January 25, returned home on January 30. On January 25, Asif's election campaign chief Musa Mia, 80, was picked up by the Detective Branch of Dhaka Metropolitan Police. Later, the police arrested him in a case of a settled village feud and sent him to jail. Read more: Now Ashuganj BNP declares Abdus Sattar persona non grata On January 14, three independent candidates in the by-polls to Brahmanbaria-2 withdrew their candidacy. They are joint secretary of Brahmanbaria district AL and general secretary of district Sports Association Mahbubul Bari Chowdhury Montu, former joint secretary of Brahmanbaria district AL Md Moin Uddin Moin, and former leader of Chhatra League Shahjahan Alam Saju. Later, three other candidates--Jatiya Party's Abdul Hamid Bhasani, Zaker Party's Jahirul Islam Jewel, independently running JP rebel Ziaul Haque Mridha—also withdrew their candidacy. On January 1, BNP expelled Abdus Sattar Bhuiyan from all posts for "violating party decisions and engaging in anti-party activities". Sattar resigned from all his posts within the party, including the Chairperson's Advisory Council, on December 31 last year. By-polls to five parliamentary seats will be held on February 1. More Elections on Wednesday The EC will also conduct by-polls to Thakurgaon-3, Bogura-4, Bogura-6, Chapainawabganj-2 on Wednesday. On December 11 last year, five out of seven BNP Members of Parliament (MPs) submitted their resignation to Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, as part of their anti-government movement with a 10-point demand that included dissolution of Parliament. Md. Harunur Rashid of Chapainawabganj-3 and the MP of Brahmanbaria-2 Abdus Sattar Bhuiyan could not submit resignation to the Speaker in person. The MPs sent their resignation through an email on December 10.

Three independent candidates in the by-polls to Brahmanbaria-2 have withdrawn their candidacy. The three independent candidates are: joint secretary of Brahmanbaria district AL and general secretary of district Sports Association Mahbubul Bari Chowdhury Montu, former joint secretary of Brahmanbaria district AL Md Moin Uddin Moin, and former leader of Chhatra League Shahjahan Alam Saju. The candidates, led by district Awami League General Secretary and district Council Chairman Al Mamun Sarker, withdrew their candidacy by going to the Deputy Commissioner and Deputy Returning Officer's office around 11:30 on Saturday, said Assistant Returning Officer and district Election Officer Md Zillur Rahman. Read more: Now Ashuganj BNP declares Abdus Sattar persona non grata There are now five candidates contesting in the by-elections, including lawyer Abdus Sattar Bhuiyan, who resigned from BNP. Four other candidates are: Jatiya Party's Abdul Hamid Bhasani, Zaker Party's Jahirul Islam Jewel, independently running JP rebel Ziaul Haque Mridha and local BNP leader Abu Asif. About withdrawing from the by-polls, Md Moin Uddin said, “We have withdrawn due to personal reasons.” Abdus Sattar was elected as MP from the Brahmanbaria-2 constituency five times. On January 1, BNP removed Abdus Sattar Bhuiyan from all posts for "violating party decisions and engaging in anti-party activities". Sattar resigned from all his posts within the party, including the Chairperson's Advisory Council, on December 31 last year. By-polls to five parliamentary seats will be held on February 1. The EC will conduct the by-polls to Thakurgaon-3, Bogura-4, Bogura-6, Chapainawabganj-2 and Brahmanbaria-2. Read more: By-polls to 5 vacant seats: AL to start distributing application forms Wednesday On December 11 last year, five out of seven BNP members of the parliament (MPs) submitted their resignation to Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, as part of their anti-government movement with a 10-point demand that includes dissolution of parliament. Md. Harunur Rashid of Chapainawabganj-3, who is now in Australia and the ailing MP of Brahmanbaria-2 Abdus Sattar Bhuiyan could not submit resignation to the Speaker in person. The MPs sent their resignation through an email on December 10.

Jatiya Party (JaPa) on Tuesday announced its candidacy for elections to five parliamentary seats left vacant after BNP MPs resignation. By-polls to the five parliamentary seats will be held on February 1 next year. The candidates finally nominated by the National Party Nomination Board are – Hafiz Uddin Ahmed for Thakurgaon-3, Md Nurul Islam Omar for Bogura-6, Shahin Mostafa Kamal Bogura-4 and Md Rezaul Islam Bhuiyan for Brahmanbaria-2. Khandaker Delwar Jalali, press secretary to the JaPa chairman, revealed this in a press release today. Read more: By-elections to 5 vacant seats of BNP MPs on Feb 1, 2023 The Election Commission (EC) announced the schedule of the by-elections on December 18.  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. Read more: By-polls to 5 vacant seats: AL to start distributing application forms Wednesday

Awami League will start distributing application forms from Wednesday for the party’s nomination in elections to five parliamentary seats,  left vacant after BNP MPs resignation. By-polls to the five parliamentary seats will be held on February 1 next year. Read more: By-elections to 5 vacant seats of BNP MPs on Feb 1, 2023 The aspirants were asked to collect and submit the forms from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Dhanmondi political office from 10.30am to 4.30pm on December 28-31, said an AL press release. The aspirants also asked to maintain health protocols and not to make crowd during the collection and submission of the application froms. The aspirants have to bring the photocopy of their respective national identity cards to collect the nomination forms. The Election Commission (EC) announced the schedule of the by-elections on December 18.  Read more: 5 parliamentary seats now vacant after BNP MPs’ resignation: Speaker 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.

The Election Commission (EC) might announce the schedule of by-elections to the parliamentary seats that fell vacant after resignation of BNP MPs on Thursday, Election Commissioner Md Alamgir has said. He said this while talking to journalists at the Election Commission office at Agargaon on Monday. READ: BNP to stage demonstration at Nayapaltan tomorrow “We’ve received the gazette announcing the seats left by BNP MPs to be empty. We’ll soon hold a meeting where we’ll decide when to hold the by-polls,” said Alamgir. On December 11, five out of seven BNP members of the parliament (MPs) submitted their resignation to Speaker of the Parliament Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, as part of their anti-government movement with a 10-point demand that includes dissolution of parliament. The MPs who resigned are: 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. READ: BNP MPs to submit their resignation to Speaker of Parliament today Md. Harunur Rashid of Chapainawabganj-3, who is now in Australia and ailing MP of Brahmanbaria-2 Abdus Sattar Bhuiyan could not submit resignation to the Speaker in person. Earlier, Rumeen Farhana announced the decision from the party’s Golapbagh rally on Saturday. The MPs sent their resignation through an email on Saturday.

Awami League has picked its executive committee member Merina Jahan Kabita as its candidate for Sirajganj-6 parliamentary by-polls slated for November 2 next. Besides, AL nominated mayoral contestants in the seventh phase election to 10 municipalities and chairman contenders in the polls to two Upazila Parishads and two Union Parishads. The decision was taken in a meeting of the parliamentary nomination board and local government representatives’ nomination board of the Awami League at Ganobhaban on Thursday. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, also chairperson of Awami League parliamentary and local government representative nomination board, presided over the meeting. Read: Municipal polls must be held within 5-year timeframe; law being amended Sirajganj-6 (Shahjadpur upazila) constituency fell vacant after AL MP Hasibur Rahman Swapan died on September 02. As per the schedule, the last date for nomination submission is October 10, while the date for scrutiny of nomination papers is October 11, and the last date for withdrawal of candidacy is October 17. The AL nominated two Upazila chairman candidates are Rezaul Karim (Montu) in Sariakandi Upazila of Bogura and Nargis Begum in Bhuyanpur of Tangail. The 10 mayoral aspirants who won the AL’s tickets are Yunus Ali in Ghoraghat municipality of Dinajpur, Ganesh Kumar Agarwala in Domar of Nilphamari, Mokhlesur Rahman in Chapanawabganj municipality, Shahidul Bari Khan in Sonatala of Bogura, Syed Masiur Rahman in Lohagora of Narail, Al Mujahid Hossain in Ghorashal of Narsingdi, Nazrul Islam Akanda in Pakundia of Kishoreganj, Golam Hakkani in Kasba of Brahmanbaria, Mohammad Mostafa in Chhagalnaiya of Feni and Rafiqul Alam (Kamal) in Ramgarh of Khagrachhari. Read: AL invites applications from nomination seekers till Oct 6 for November polls According to the schedule, the municipal election will be held on November 02. The deadline for nomination submission is October 09, while the date for scrutiny of nomination papers is October 11 and the last date for withdrawal of candidature is October 17.