Welcoming the formation of the new Election Commission (EC), BNP senior leaders on Thursday hoped that the new Commission will focus on restoring the voting rights of people. “BNP wants the new Election Commission to work for bringing back the people’s right to franchise, without bowing to anyone's influence,” said party standing committee member Mirza Abbas. Giving his initial reaction to the EC formation, the BNP leader said the country’s people want a free and fair election, where they will be able to freely cast their votes to elect their representatives. He hoped that the government would promptly complete the reforms related to the electoral process and arrange the election to establish an elected government and parliament. Another BNP standing committee member, Gayeshwar Chandra, said the country’s people have long been deprived of their voting rights. He said the new commission should work independently and prioritise the restoration of voters' rights. Earlier in the day, the government formed the five-member new Election Commission, appointing former Secretary AMM Md Nasir Uddin as the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC). The four other election commissioners are former Additional Secretary Md Anwarul Islam Sarker, former District and Sessions Judge Abdur Rahman Masud, former Joint Secretary Begum Tahmida Ahmad and Brigadier General (retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah. President Mohammed Shahabuddin has appointed them following Section 118 (1) of the Constitution. According to sources at BNP, the party had proposed two names for the position of Chief Election Commissioner, one of which was AMM Nasir Uddin, who previously served as Secretary in the Ministries of Energy and Mineral Resources and Health. He retired in January 2009. The party also proposed the name of former Joint Secretary Begum Tahmida Ahmad for the appointment of commissioner. On November 6, the BNP submitted five names to the search committee formed by the interim government to appoint the next chief election commissioner and other commissioners. On October 31, the government formed the search committee for the formation of the Election Commission.  

Former Secretary AMM Md Nasir Uddin has been appointed as Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of the Bangladesh Election Commission.    Along with him, four election commissioners have been appointed.. The commissioners are former Additional Secretary Md Anwarul Islam Sarker, former District and Sessions Judge Abdur Rahman Masud, former Joint Secretary Begum Tahmida Ahmad and Brigadier General (retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah. Read: Search Committee will appoint honest, fearless Election Commission members: Cabinet secretary President Mohammed Shahabuddin has appointed them following section 118 (1) of the Constitution. The orders will be effective soon. Two separate notifications, signed by Cabinet Secretary Dr Sheikh Abdur Rashid were issued in this regard on Thursday.

Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed has nominated Appellate Division’s Senior Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury as the head of the Election Commission search committee. Moreover, High Court’s Senior Justice AKM Asaduzzaman has been mentioned as a member of the search committee. Wishing not to be named, a senior official of the Supreme Court's administrative division, said a letter recommending the two justices was sent to the Cabinet Division in this regard. Earlier on Tuesday, Law Affairs Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul said a search committee has been formed to establish the Election Commission. The recommendation has been submitted to the Chief Adviser for signature, and official notification will be issued as soon as the signature is obtained today or tomorrow, said the adviser. Election Commission seeks opinions on electoral reform   He emphasised the government’s steps toward a fair election, starting with the establishment of the Election Commission. He further noted that once the Election Commission is constituted, the priority will be updating the voter list to eliminate fake entries allegedly added by the previous government. As per the rule, the President constitutes a Search Committee to gather nominations from the public for the post of Chief Election Commissioner and other commissioners. A six-member search committee formed headed by a senior justice of the Appellate Division. The committee will propose 10 names considering the eligibility and disqualification of the law. The President will form the EC taking five out of the 10 recommended members.

The Election Commission has accelerated the disposal of the applications submitted seeking corrections in information in the national identity (NID) cards as the number of undisposed requests declined to less than 4 lakh now from over 6 lakh in June last across the country. The number of undisposed applications was 603,064 on June 5 last, which came down to 377,222 on Tuesday (Oct 22 last), according to statistics placed in a meeting of the Election Commission Secretariat on Wednesday. Bangladesh’s political solution lies in holding election after quick reforms: Experts Of the existing 377,222 unsettled applications, 108,928 are already in different stages of the disposal process. Some applications have already been sent back to citizens, while the rest of the petitions required investigation, interview or additional documents to be settled. Besides, the rest 268,294 undisposed applications except 28,492 ones have just been defined under different categories considering the gravity of errors in the NID cards. The task of categorising 28,492 applications still remains pending.

The Electoral Reform Commission has asked people to send their recommendations and opinions over the reform of the electoral system through online platforms. “This commission is interested to know the valuable suggestions, opinions and proposals of all for conducting free, participatory and impartial national and local elections,” said a press release. Dr Badiul Alam Majumder, head of the Electoral Reform Commission, requested for sending experience-based and specific opinions through email, website or Facebook page by November 15, 2024. The opinion can be sent to the commission through [email protected], https://erc.ecs.gov.bd and www.facebook.com/ercbd2024 by November 15 next. The 'Electoral Reform Commission' was constituted by the interim government on October 03.

Chief Adviser's Special Assistant Mahfuj Alam on Saturday said the government will form a search committee following the existing law to constitute a new Election Commission for taking forward the relevant activities to hold the next national election. “The interim government's ‘non-partisan and neutral’ approach will continue in this process without any political influence,” Mahfuj said during a briefing at the Foreign Service Academy in the evening. CA's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam and Deputy Press Secretaries Apurba Jahangir and Abul Kalam Azad Majumder were present. Earlier, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus held dialogue with political parties, including Liberal Democrats Party, Gono Forum, Jatiyatabadi Samamana Jote, 12 parties, Jatiya Mukti Council, Labour Party, Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP), Bangladesh Jasad (Sharif Nurul Ambia), National Democratic Movement at the state guesthouse Jamuna. Responding to a question, Mahfuj said the government has a clear position about Awami League and the 14 parties that supported the Awami League. He also talked about those who participated in the last three elections and went to Parliament illegally and there is a position against them from much earlier that they were illegally elected by betraying with people. Mahfuj said the position is clear that interim government will certainly create a barrier towards their participation (in polls) politically and there are legal and administrative aspects on how this barrier will be implemented. “You will see soon. When election activities will begin, these issues will become clear.” Banning Awami League and its allies including 14-party came up for discussion. Mahfuj said the government is reviewing this and the government will not take any decision alone but stressed that they stood against people. All parties fully backed Interim Govt in dialogue with Chief Adviser: Mahfuj Alam The political parties in the dialogue raised the issues like election, reforms, AL’s financial crimes, trial of them for killing people and position about the allies who made AL’s hands stronger. From the political parties it was also said how the last three parliaments can be declared illegal and they gave their opinions. Mahfuj said a large number of young people could not cast their votes in the last three elections and the Election Commission, once constituted, will see how they could be included in the updated voter list. Meanwhile, the Chief Adviser assured the political parties about improvement of law-and-order situation, stability in the RMG sector and addressing the issues of prices of essential commodities. Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) President Dr Col (retd) Oli Ahmad said Bangladesh Awami League should be banned, insisting that they have no right to do politics after its role against 18 crore people of the country in July-August protests. “Why Awami League should not be banned! We said today again, Awami League should be banned because they waged war against 18 crore people. They have no right to do politics,” he told reporters after holding dialogue with Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Saturday.

Law Adviser Asif Nazrul has said the next national election could be arranged by the next year - 2025 - after completing the pre-election preparations including formation of a new Election Commission through a search committee. "I think realistically, holdind the election can be possible by the next year. There are many factors. This is a preliminary assumption to me," he said. The law adviser made the remarks when Daily Manabzamin Chief Editor Matiur Rahman Chowdhury wanted to know about the election timing during a programme titled "Ajker Patrika" hosted by Channel I late Thursday night. Dr Asif said a search committee will be formed soon to help form the new Election Commission. The new EC will then prepare a flawless voters' list and then election will be held, he said. Extradition & Good Faith Provision Responding to a question on former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's extradition, the law adviser said there is an extradition treaty with India and Hasina should be returned to Bangladesh if India obeys by the treaty. He said it will be protested strongly from the Bangladesh side if India tries to talk about a provision that it was not done in "good faith." Asif said they will have many legal arrangements. "India is certainly bound to return Hasina (to Bangladesh) if India honestly interprets this." Read: Proportional representation in election won’t be applicable for Bangladesh: Rizvi Hasina, staying in India, is now facing arrest warrant issued by the International Crimes Tribunal on Thursday. At a media briefing recently, the law affairs adviser said Bangladesh will definitely seek extradition of any convicted person under the extradition treaty with India once trials begin. Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Thursday said they will take the necessary steps and try to bring former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina back home as the ICT issued arrest warrant against Hasina and top Awami League leaders. "We will try and take necessary preparations," he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, adding that the court has given one month time. The adviser did not want to elaborate further. Amid various conflicting reports on former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s status and location, the government of India on Thursday evening clarified that she arrived in India on short notice, while indicating that her stay there is likely to continue for the time being. "We have seen some reports…I don't have any comments to offer. I had earlier mentioned she had come here (India) at a very short notice for safety reasons. She continues to be,” said Indian Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal while responding to a question at the weekly media briefing in New Delhi. During the TV programme with Matiur Rahman Chowdhury, adviser Asif mentioned that he had never said that any journalist would be tried in the International Crimes Tribunal. It was a big misinterpretation of what he actually said in overall context, he said. Asked about a perception that he is the most powerful adviser, Asif said it is completely a wrong publicity and he has the same and equal power like other advisers in the Council of Advisers. He said Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus holds the most of the consultations with the student leaders and it is logically done. Read more: Bangladesh needs election-time neutral govt for fair polls: Speakers  The adviser acknowledged tremendous work pressure on him and he had enjoyed much freedom in the past compared to the current position. "Past life was simple. People used to be happy to see I am pointing out others' mistakes. Now I work round the clock, yet I can't make people happy. I feel bad for that," Asif said, sharing his current experiences. The qdviser said he had passed similar hardworking period while doing his PhD and he would be happy if he can make people happy with his works.

Voting in the election to Naogaon-2 constituency (Patnitala and Dhamoirhat upazilas), which was postponed following the death of independent candidate Aminul Haque, began amid strict security measures on Monday (February 12, 2024) morning. The balloting began at 8 am and will continue till 4 pm without any break. The Election Commission suspended the election due to the death of the independent candidate on December 29, eight-day ahead the 12th national election held on January 7 this year. Visiting several polling stations, the UNB correspondent found a huge presence of voters. Read more: BNP's program is nothing but restarting an old car: Foreign Minister Abdullah Al Mamun, presiding officer of Puiya Government Primary School centre, said that they have taken all preparations to hold the polls in a fair and peaceful environment. With the cooperation of the members of the law enforcement agencies, they will be able to hold the polls in a fair and peaceful environment, he hoped. Deputy Commissioner and Returning Officer Golam Mowla said all security measures have been taken so that election can be held in free, fair and neutral manner. There are 16 police and Ansar members in important centers each and 15 members in other centers each, he said, adding that on an average there is one police mobile team for every four centers along with a striking team and reserve team. Read more: 15 BNP men died in police custody 'for lack of care or torture': Rizvi Executive Magistrates and Judicial Magistrates are performing duty along with patrolling by members of the Rapid Action Battalion and Border Guard Bangladesh, he said. A total of four candidates including one from the ruling Awami League and one from Jatiya Party are contesting the polls.

Though the overall voter turnout was 41.99 percent in the 12th parliamentary election held on Sunday (January 07, 2024), more than 60 percent of registered voters cast their ballots in 21 constituencies and less than 30 percent voted in at least 52 constituencies, according to Election Commission data. The highest 87.24 percent votes were cast in Gopalganj-3 and Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was elected from the constituency, according to the data. The lowest turnout was 13.04 percent in Dhaka-15. State Minister for Industries Kamal Ahmed Majumdar won the election from the constituency as an AL contender. In the national election held amid boycott of a major political party BNP, ruling Awami League secured 222 seats, while Jatiya Party obtained only 11 seats. Independent candidates clinched victory in 62 seats. Besides, Bangladesh Workers Party, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Jasod) and Bangladesh Kalyan Party each won a seat. The election result of Mymensingh-3 was postponed. Out of the country’s 300 seats, Sunday’s balloting was held in 299 seats as the election to Naogaon-2 was earlier postponed by the commission following the death of a valid candidate there. The five constituencies with more than 70 percent voter turnout are: Gopalganj-3 (87.24% turnout; AL candidate Sheikh Hasina won), Gopalganj-2 (83.20%; AL candidate Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim won), Brahmanbaria-6 (76%, AL’s AB Tajul Islam won), Chattogram-6 (73.24%; AL’s ABM Fazle Karim Chowdhury won) and Sirajganj-1 (72.32%; AL candidate Tanvir Shakil Joy won). Read: BNP demands fresh election to establish legitimate govt, PM Hasina’s resignation The constituencies having over 60 percent voter turnout include Naogaon-1, Bagerhat-1, Bagerhat-2, Bagerhat-4, Barishal-1, Jamalpur-1, Mymensingh-10, Faridpur-4, Gopalganj-1, Madaripur-1, Cumilla-7, Cumilla-8, Feni-2, Noakhali-6, Chattogram-7 and Bandarban. Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim secured the highest 295,291 votes for the ‘boat’ symbol in Gopalganj-2. Tanvir Shakil Joy got the second highest, 278,971 votes, in Sirajganj-1. Mirza Azam received 276,453 votes in Jamalpur-3 and Dipankar Talukdar got 271,373 votes in Rangamati. Among the elected candidates, independent candidate Awlad Hossain secured victory obtaining the lowest number of 24,775 votes in Dhaka-4. Candidates who won even after getting less than 40,000 votes are: AL nominated Muhammad Shafikur Rahman (36,458 votes) in Chandpur-4, independent contestant Saddam Hossain Pavel (39,321 votes) in Nilphamari-3 and AL’s Kamal Ahmed Majumdar (39,632 votes) in Dhaka-15. Less than 20 percent votes were cast in five constituencies, which are Dhaka-15 (13.04%), Dhaka-17 (16.66%), Dhaka-8 (18.70%), Sylhet-1 (19.30%) and Dhaka-16 (19.88%). In Sylhet-1, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen was elected. Read: Visiting foreign observers describe National Election 2024 in Bangladesh as ‘free, fair and safe’ Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader and Secretary General Mujibul Haque won amid low turnout of voters in their constituencies. GM Quader ran the election from Rangpur-3 where the voter turnout was only 22.36%. Mujibul Haque who contested the polls from Kishoreganj-3 witnessed voter turnout of 29.33%. The constituencies that witnessed voter turnout of 20-29 percent also include Rangpur-3, Kurigram-1, Kurigram-2, Kurigram-3, Gaibandha-1, Gaibandha-3, Bogura-2, Bogura-4, Bogura-6, Bogura-7, Chapainawabganj-3, Rajshahi-2, Patuakhali-1, Barishal-5, Mymensingh-5, Mymensingh-6, Mymensingh-8, Kishoreganj-3, Manikganj-1, Dhaka-4, Dhaka-5, Dhaka-6, Dhaka-7, Dhaka-9, Dhaka-10, Dhaka-11, Dhaka-13, Dhaka-14, Dhaka-18, Dhaka-19, Gazipur-2, Sylhet-5, Sylhet-6, Habiganj-1, Chandpur-3, Chandpur-4, Noakhali-3, Noakhali-4, Lakshmipur-1, Lakshmipur-3, Lakshmipur-4, Chattogram-5, Chattogram-8, Chattogram-10, Chattogram-11, Chattogram-15 and Cox’s Bazar-1. A total of 4,99,65,467 votes out of 11,89,89,241 were cast in 298 constituencies in the January-7 general election. Read more:  Envoys of India, China, Russia and four other countries congratulate Hasina on her big election victory

Voting concluded in the 12th parliamentary election on Sunday afternoon amid allegations of irregularities, ballot stuffing and sporadic violence in different parts of the country, leaving two people dead in Munshiganj and Cumilla and a number of people injured.The polling that began at 8:00 am concluded at 4pm without any break amid tight security in 299 out of the country’s 300 constituencies. The counting of votes started immediately after the end of voting. Voting was postponed in three polling centers due to violence, capturing of polling stations and ballot stuffing. Groups shouting ‘anti-election slogans’ blast cocktails in front of 2 Sylhet polling stationsAwami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina cast her vote at Dhaka City College in the capital this morning.Election Commission Secretary Jahangir Alam on Sunday said 27.15 % votes were cast till 3 pm on Sunday.He shared this information at a press conference held at the Agargaon Election Commission (EC) building. Election 2024: 18.5% votes cast in 4 hours, says EC secretaryOf the total vote, 25 percent votes were cast in Dhaka, 27% in Chattogram, 32% in Khulna, 22% in Sylhet, 29 % in Mymensingh, 26% in Rajshahi, 26 % in Rangpur and 31% in Barishal, he said.Meanwhile, Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal said he is not thinking about voter turnout and his job is to arrange the elections.UNB correspondents from Dhaka and different districts including Dinajpur, Chattogram, Bhola, Chapainawabganj and Khulna reported low voter turnout in the morning.Lower-than-expected voter turnout was also observed in Cumilla, Bagerhat, Barishal and Habiganj in the first half of the election day.A supporter of the Awami League candidate was stabbed to death allegedly by supporters of the independent candidate at Tengor in Mirkadim of Munshiganj’s Sadar upazila this morning.Besides, Noab Ali, 60, a supporter of Awami League-candidate for Cumilla-4 Razee Mohammad Fakhrul was found dead near a polling centre at Kasharikhola in Debidwar upazila of Cumilla district on Sunday. Cent percent optimistic about winning election, says Shakib after casting voteIn Chattogram-10 constituency, two people were shot in a clash between supporters of Awami League candidate and independent candidate at Kalshi-Pahartali area.Meanwhile, a clash broke out between police and BNP activists in the Chandgaon area of Chattogram city this morning after leaders and activists of the opposition party tried to bar voters from casting their votes.Four people, including a child, were injured as two crude bombs exploded in front of Battala Jamia Anwarul Uloom Madrasa at Hazaribagh Battala in the capital around 11:30 am.Crude bomb explosion was reported at a polling centre in Jashore an hour before voting began that injured a member of Bangladesh Ansar.Clashes were reported from Barishal-5 constituency as well.Voting at a polling centre in Narsingdi-4 constituency (Monohardi-Belabo) was cancelled amid allegations of irregularities.Returning Officer Dr Badiul Alam said the voting was cancelled due to allegations of ballot-stuffing.Meanwhile, balloting at two polling stations under Narsingdi-3 constituency in Shibpur upazila of Narsingdi district was cancelled over allegations of stuffing ballots and attacking the presiding officer and snatching ballot boxes.The two polling centers are—VT Chinadi Government Primary School and Dulalpur Fazil Madrasha in Shibpur upazila.Allegations of ballot-stuffing was reported from Cumilla-4 (Debidwar) as supporters of Awami League were accused of stamping the boat symbol on ballot papers.Meanwhile, two candidates in Mymensingh’s Gafargaon constituency and one candidate of Jatiya Party in Narsingdi-2 have boycotted the election alleging irregularities.Two independent candidates in Mymensingh’s Gafargaon constituency announced to boycott the election alleging vote rigging and irregularities.Independent candidate Abul Hossain Dipu with ‘Eagle’ symbol and ‘Truck’ symbol candidate Kaiser Ahmed said they boycotted the voting as the polling agents of most of the polling centres in 15 unions and municipal areas of the upazila were driven out of the polling centers.Meanwhile, Rakiqul Alam Selim, the Jatiya Party candidate for the Narsingdi-2 constituency, has withdrawn from the election, citing irregularities.Meanwhile, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Sunday alleged that the ballot boxes were stuffed at night even in the one-sided election.“The lopsided election is being held today. There are no voters at the polling stations,” he said.Speaking at a brief rally near Kurmitola Bus Stand area, he said people have rejected the dummy election.Some 1,970 candidates, including 436 independent contenders, are running in the general election.Out of 44 political parties registered with the Election Commission, 16 are out of the electoral race.There are 11,93,33,157 voters — 6,05,92,169 male, 5,87,40,140 female and 848 transgender — under 42,024 polling stations in the constituencies, according to the EC.Some eight lakh security personnel are on election duty to maintain the electoral atmosphere by checking violation of codes of conduct throughout the country.On November 15, 2023, Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal announced the schedule to hold the 12th general election on January 7, 2024.