Election
Timing of train burning just a day before election shows an absolute intention to hinder democratic process: Foreign Minister
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has said they will leave no stone unturned to identify the perpetrators of the heinous crime of setting a train on fire.
"Each and every one will be brought to justice and exemplary punishment shall be rendered to the culprit(s), according to the law of the land," he said in a statement today.
Momen said this blatant attempt to instill fear and panic among the masses is an affront to the spirit of the democracy and the enthusiastic participation of Bangladeshi citizens in the upcoming election.
Government firmly committed to hold "free, fair, peaceful" polls with people’s participation: FS tells foreigners
"This act of setting a train on fire, with people burning inside is characteristic of the pattern of violence that we have witnessed before as well. This has shocked the conscience of our whole society — and indeed — the whole world," he said.
When people of Bangladesh are eagerly preparing for a festive national election, a horrifying act of arson took place on the evening of January 5, 2024, when the Benapole Express train was intentionally set on fire by miscreants, Momen observed.
This deliberate and heinous act, which occurred at approximately 9 pm around Gopibag Kacha Bazar area when the train was on its way to Kamalapur Railway Station, has resulted in the deaths of four people including two children and scores were injured, he said.
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“This reprehensible incident, undoubtedly orchestrated by those with malicious intent, strikes at the very heart of our democratic values,” Momen said.
"The timing of this tragedy, just a day before the election scheduled for January 7, 2024, shows an absolute intention to hinder the festivity, safety and security of the democratic processes of the country," he said.
Momen said it is an affront to democracy, an attack on the democratic process, and a grave violation of the rights of citizens.
Bangladesh election is domestic affair: India
"This deliberate act of setting a train on fire, where innocent passengers were subjected to unimaginable horror and forced to endure the unforgivable sight of fellow humans being burned alive, is an act of absolute abomination," the foreign minister said.
48-hour nationwide hartal called by BNP underway
A 48-hour hartal, called by BNP and like-minded opposition parties to protest the 12th parliamentary election to be held tomorrow (January 07, 2024), is underway.
The hartal began at 6 am today (January 06, 2024) and will end at 6 am on Monday (January 08, 2024).
A large number of people have left Dhaka city ahead of the January 7 national parliamentary election. The number of vehicles on the street are fewer compared to other days, but despite fear of arson attacks, public vehicles were plying the streets.
Four people were killed as arsonists burnt four coaches of the Benapole Express train in Dhaka last night.
Read: Govt to face crushing defeat on Jan 7: Moyeen Khan
BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi announced the hartal at a virtual press briefing on Thursday.
He said their programme is meant to drum up public support in favor of the party’s call to boycott the January 7 election.
BNP along with nearly three dozen opposition political parties have been carrying out a simultaneous movement since December 10 last year to force the current government to quit and hold the 12th parliamentary election under a non-party neutral administration.
Read: BNP to hold processions, conduct mass contacts Friday to protest Jan-7 polls
Many senior leaders, including BNP’s secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, were arrested while many others went into hiding in the face of a crackdown by the law enforcers.
However, BNP and like-minded parties enforced countrywide blockades for 23 days in 12 phases and hartals for five days since October 29.
The opposition party came up with the call for a non-cooperation movement on December 20.
Trade between Bangladesh, India through Sonamasjid land port suspended due to nat’l election
Export-import activities between Bangladesh and India through Sonamasjid land port have been suspended from this morning due to 12th national election across the country, slated for tomorrow.
BNM candidate’s election camp set on fire in Chapainawabganj
However, immigration through the land port is going on as usual.
A notice has been issued, signed by joint commissioner of customs at the land port, Mohammad Mahbub Hasan, in this regard on Friday.
Firearms, bullets recovered from Chapainawabganj border; 1 held: BGB
Full-scale trade activities will resume on Monday.
Chapainawabganj-1: AL candidate’s election camp set on fire
How the fishermen of Dublar Char vote during shutki season
The election wind has touched the Dublar Char, popularly known as “Shutki Polli” or Dried Fish Village, near the Sundarban in full swing as the 12th parliamentary election is knocking at the door.
Thousands of fishermen have been leaving for home to join the voting festivities as they want to elect their favorite candidate by voting. A number of fishermen were seen today leaving for the coast with their boats with high enthusiasm.
According to the Forest Department, more than 9,000 fishermen who came to Dublar Char during the dried fish processing season have returned home to vote.
14 fishermen, missing after trawler capsize in Bay of Bengal, rescued by Dublar Char fishers
Dublar Char consists of Alorkol, Middle Fort, Coconut Baria and Shalar Char. Every year, several thousand fishermen and hired hands flock to the area to catch fish and make shutki (dried fish).
The Forest Department also said that this year, the authorities concerned have given permission to erect 108 makeshift houses and 78 depots for accommodation of fishermen and preservation of dried fish.
Fishermen usually return home at the end of the season. But this time the fishermen are returning to their respective homes to cast their votes in the parliamentary elections.
The fishermen hail from Sharankhola, Rampal, Morrelganj, Mongla, Khulna Sadar, Koyra, Dakop, Batiaghata, Satkhira Sadar, Ashusuni and other upazilas of Bagerhat district.
10,000 fishermen likely to gather at Dublar Char as dried fish processing season starts
Several fishermen from Rampal and Mongla areas of Bagerhat district, Dakop of Khulna district and Satkhira said that they want to elect their preferred candidates in the upcoming 12th parliamentary elections. Many will go to their homes by Saturday morning. After voting on Sunday, they will leave for Dublar Char again on Monday with boats.
The fishermen expect that whoever they vote for will be elected and speak for them in parliament. The elected representatives will work to improve the fate of the common people.
Fishermen hope the next government will keep the prices of essential commodities including rice, pulses and oil within the purchasing capacity of the common people.
Forester Md Khalilur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Dublar Char fishermen's patrol outpost, said more than 10,000 fishermen come to Dublar Char during the 'Shutki' season. After the allocation of symbols to the candidates in the election, many of the fishermen living there campaigned for their preferred candidate. Some even hung posters of the candidate in Dublar Char.
"Two days before casting their votes in the 12th parliamentary elections on January 7, the fishermen left for their homes with permitted boats," he added.
Bagerhat's Dublar Char abuzz as fish drying season begins
Md Khalilur Rahman said there are now about 1,000 fishermen in Dublar Char. The fishermen who went to vote will return to Dublar Char on Monday.
Kamal Uddin Ahmed, chairman of Dubla Fisherman Group, said fishermen were huge enthusiastic about the 12th parliamentary election this year. Ninety percent of the fishermen return home with their boats to vote.
According to the Sundarban Forest Department, the 'Shutki' season started in November and will continue till March.
Van drivers block road for ‘not getting money’ from Natore-4 AL candidate after campaign
At least 200 van drivers, who took part in the election campaign for Natore-4 AL candidate Siddiqur Rahman Patwari, blocked Natore-Pabna highway for not getting money allegedly as per a contract.
Van drivers alleged that Lutfor Rahman, the coordinator of the candidate and Ward No. 8 councilor of Bonpara municipality, hired 200 vans for 500 taka each to participate in the campaign of Natore-4 AL candidate Siddiqur Rahman Patwari.
Leaflet distribution: Police, AL men clash with BNP activists in Natore, 7 hurt
After the whole day of campaigning, the van drivers were gathered in a school ground in the afternoon to take their wages.
When they were paid Tk100 per driver, they got angry. The agitated van drivers also started beating the councilor and his people. The councilor and his men, however, managed to save them by entering a classroom of the school.
Natore-4: Independent candidate's supporters injured in alleged attack by AL activists
Later, the van drivers blocked the Natore-Pabna highway around 6 pm, halting traffic movement on the road.
On information, police rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control after half an hour.
Miscreants vandalise election camp of independent candidate in Natore
The situation is now normal, said Sirajul Islam, inspector (Investigation) of Bonpara Police.
Councilor Lutfor said that there were some problems while paying the money but it was resolved later.
No pressure on voters to vote, but leaflets from ‘a party’ asking not to go, says FS quoting CEC
Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal has "categorically" said there is no pressure on the voters to go to vote centres to cast vote but pressure is seen regarding distribution of leaflets urging people not to go to vote centres.
“There is no such pressure from the Election Commission, even he has no evidence of as such," Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen quoted the CEC as saying during a briefing arranged for the diplomats stationed in Dhaka on Thursday.
Independent candidate for Sylhet-3 says election rally attacked by AL candidate's campaigners
The CEC made remarks when one of the diplomats wanted to know his comments regarding pressure on voters to go to vote centres.
The CEC, however, gave a counter reply mentioning distribution of leaflets by a political party (BNP) which is boycotting polls and urging people not to go to vote centres.
The foreign secretary said over 50 diplomats and representatives from international organisations joined the briefing hosted by the Election Commission.
Election 2024: Armed forces deployed across the country
CEC Awal gave an update regarding preparations of January 7 polls which was followed by a question-and-answer session.
The foreign secretary said such a opportunity is rare for the foreign diplomats as national election takes place in every five years.
He hoped that the briefing will help the diplomats to let know their respective countries know about the election through their comprehensive reports.
The diplomats remain in touch with the EC and they remain updated through frequent exchanges, Masud Momen said.
Chuadanga-1: Jatiya Party candidate withdraws from election, alleging lack of cooperation from party
The diplomats are kept fully informed and that is why there were not too many questions, he said.
The foreign secretary said the international observers and journalists have started arriving in Dhaka.
They can observer polls in Dhaka and other places across the country if they feel convenient, he said.
The EC made sure that there is no deficit in terms of preparation to the polls successfully.
Bad blood will linger between Dhaka and the West but Hasina’s return will be viewed more positively in the region: South Asia policy analyst Kugelman
With the opposition BNP boycotting the January 7 polls, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her party, Awami League, are all but guaranteed a fourth consecutive term.
Five countries in South Asia will hold elections this year, and the first — in Bangladesh on Sunday (January 7) — features the least uncertainty.
Many Western countries value their trade ties with Bangladesh, given its powerful garment industry, and perceive it as a strategically significant state situated in the heart of the Indo-Pacific.
PM Hasina to address election rally in Narayanganj Thursday
But they cannot rule out punitive post-election steps, including trade sanctions. Either way, bad blood between Dhaka and the West — especially Washington — will certainly linger post-election, according to Foreign Policy’s South Asia Brief by Michael Kugelman.
By contrast, Hasina’s return will be viewed more positively in South Asia, said the South Asia policy analyst.
Kugelman, Director of the South Asia Institute at Wilson Center in Washington, DC, said that Sheikh Hasina enjoys strong support from India, which, like the Awami League, characterizes the opposition as a potentially destabilizing threat that could lead to the return of Islamism in Bangladesh.
Jan 7 general election will be a milestone in country’s democratic history: PM Hasina
Hasina’s push for connectivity resonates with Bhutan, India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, all of whom are pursuing new initiatives with Bangladesh.
The strong economic growth under her offers new opportunities for trade within a region where it lags, said the analyst.
Finally, her policy of balancing relations with both Beijing and New Delhi converges with that of the region’s other non-aligned states, said Kugelman.
Although foreign countries play an outsized role in Bangladeshi politics, it will be up to the people of Bangladesh to determine the country’s future direction, said the International Crisis Group on Thursday in a new report.
President casts vote via postal ballot, encourages nationwide participation in Jan 7 election
Based on the decisions that the AL and BNP take, the public will decide either at the ballot box or on the streets, it said in its Asia Report, "Beyond the Election: Breaking Bangladesh’s Political Deadlock."
Although it may be impossible before polling day, it is incumbent on
both sides to enter talks as early as possible to avoid a lengthy and potentially deadly political showdown, reads the report.
Foreign governments, for their part, should work together to cajole the two sides into negotiations aimed at forging a new political settlement.
Given the level of domestic opposition it is facing, alongside economic and geopolitical headwinds, the AL has reasons to seek a compromise.
Negotiations to rebuild relations between the main political forces and put Bangladesh back on to the path of democracy, peace and stability will require concessions from both sides, said the Crisis Group.
The country’s foreign partners, particularly the US and India, should actively encourage them in that direction, it said.
“The 7 January election will not resolve Bangladesh’s political crisis. Although it’s too late to postpone the vote, a flawed election provides only more reason to redouble efforts to get the ruling Awami League and its opponents talking again after the poll," said Crisis Group's Asia Director, Pierre Prakash.
“Since the 2008 election that brought the Awami League to power, the country has not held a credible national election. And while Bangladesh has made significant progress in some areas over the past 15 years, most notably on the economic front and in reducing poverty, it has experienced continued political violence and repression of civil liberties," Prakash added.
A new political settlement between the two major parties would help to put Bangladesh back on to the path of democracy, peace and stability, Prakash said.
"It could avert further political violence – in the past few months alone, dozens of people have been killed. It would also help to balance Bangladesh’s international relations and improve its economic prospects,” said the Crisis Group's Asia director.
Read more: US wants a ‘fair and transparent’ legal process regarding case against Prof Yunus
National polls: 2 Jatiya Party candidates withdraw from Chuadanga
Two candidates of the Jatiya Party have withdrawn from the electoral race in two constituencies of Chuadanga citing ‘indecision of the top leaders’ over the election.
Advocate Sohrab Hossain, the contender for Chuadanga-1, and Advocate Robiul Islam, the candidate for Chuadanga-2, officially announced their withdrawal during a press conference held at the District Bar Association office on Wednesday.
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Even though, just two days earlier, they verbally informed journalists about stepping back from the elections, the formal announcement came later.
Blaming the party's indecision, the candidates revealed that the party's Chairman GM Quader and General Secretary Mujibul Haque Chunnu have been frequently changing their stance regarding the election.
They expressed frustration over the lack of support and communication from the party leadership. They emphasised that despite facing difficulties, the candidates were consistently contributing to the party without receiving adequate assistance in return.
Read: Train narrowly escapes accident in Netrakona
Expressing his discontent, Advocate Sohrab Hossain said, "This election is different. No one is talking without money. Crores of taka are being spent on boat and independent candidates. I have spent as much as I could. Now, I can't do it anymore. That's why I have withdrawn."
President casts vote via postal ballot, encourages nationwide participation in Jan 7 election
President Mohammed Shahabuddin, alongside his wife Dr. Rebeka Sultana, participated in the upcoming 12th national parliamentary election by casting their votes through postal ballot today (January 03, 2024). The event took place in the credential hall of Bangabhaban, marking a significant moment as they exercised their voting rights as residents of Pabna.
Highlighting the importance of voting, President Shahabuddin emphasized, “Voting is not just a right but a civic duty. By casting our votes, we contribute to the democratic process.” He also encouraged fellow citizens to participate actively in the election, scheduled for January 7.
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The President's participation through postal ballot, as allowed under Article 27 of the Representation of the People Order (RPO), underscores the inclusivity of the voting process. This method facilitates the participation of several groups, including imprisoned or legally detained individuals, Bangladeshi expatriates, polling officers, and others unable to visit polling centers.
‘On Jan 7, world will witness a great election in Bangladesh’: Obaidul Quader
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader today (January 03, 2024) said that the Election Commission is able to act independently and authoritatively, which is why the electoral code of conduct is being strictly maintained.
Speaking this afternoon at the party president’s office in Dhaka’s Dhanmondi, he further said that wherever the electoral code of conduct is being violated, the Election Commission is taking action. There is no interference or obstruction from the government, and Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is firm on this matter, he said.
Obaidul Quader said, on January 7, the world will witness a great election in Bangladesh with the spontaneous presence of the people, where the public opinion will be victorious.
Read: Respond to conspiracies by casting votes: Obaidul Quader
He also said that BNP and Jamaat, having failed in their movements, are now distributing leaflets. “They are stuck in the quicksand of failure and mistakes, and they cannot come out. Their negative agendas, violence, and blockades have been ignored by the people. Even if BNP now says they will not resort to violence, there is no way to say if it’s true or not. Because they say one thing and do another. We are receiving news that they are secretly conspiring,” he said.
The road, transport and bridges minister also criticized the “double standards” of Amnesty International. He said, “Amnesty International talks about human rights in Bangladesh, and the verdict in Dr. Yunus’ case, but why don’t they speak about the massacres that Israel is carrying out in Gaza, Palestine? They have not said a single word against Israel.”
Read: Election-related violence won't be tolerated: Obaidul Quader
Present at the press briefing were Awami League Organizational Secretary BM Mozammel Haq, Office Secretary Barrister Biplab Barua, along with central and metropolitan Awami League leaders.