Caretaker government
US State Dept spokesperson says will ‘refrain from being drawn into’ internal Bangladeshi political matters
The United States has once again said it supports "free and fair" elections in Bangladesh.
"We think the future of the Bangladeshi government should be determined by its people," US Department of State Spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters at a regular media briefing on Monday (November 13, 2023) when a reporter wanted to know why the US government must discuss Bangladesh-related issues with India.
Miller said the United States is not taking a side in Bangladesh’s elections.
Read: Peter Haas has requested meetings with senior leaders of 3 major parties: US Embassy
"We do not support one political party over the other. We support free and fair elections," he added.
Miller also said, "I welcome the attempts by various reporters to draw me into internal Bangladeshi political matters, and I’m going to continue to refrain from doing so."
On Monday, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam reiterated that the next general election in Bangladesh will be held as per the constitution, regardless of “who’s doing what.”
He said election is an internal matter of the people of Bangladesh and the election will be held under the constitution and relevant laws.
The Election Commission is taking preparations to hold the next national election by January next year and is likely to announce polls schedules soon.
Read: Election will be held as per constitution regardless of ‘who’s doing what’: Shahriar Alam
Earlier, Law Minister Anisul Huq conveyed to the UN Human Rights Council that opposition party BNP’s demand for holding the next national election under a caretaker government is “completely unconstitutional and illegal.”
Mentioning Bangladesh’s independent Election Commission, he said the government is committed to hold the next national election in a “free, fair and peaceful” manner with the participation of people.
One-point movement to realise caretaker govt will be different: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday (July 01, 2023) said the current regime will be forced to concede to their demand for holding the next election under a non-party government as their party is going to launch a different type of movement involving the masses.
Talking to reporters at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office, he, however, assured that they will not announce any harsher programmes like hartal and blockade to avoid street violence.
“It’ll undoubtedly be a little different from the previous movements and the involvement of the people will also increase,” the BNP leader said.
Also read: BNP's movement to boil down to single point 'soon': Fakhrul
He also said they are confident that there will be huge involvement of mass people, especially the young ones, in their one-point anti-government movement.
“We believe that the government will finally be forced to concede and resign to hold the next election under a neutral government,” Fakhrul said.
He claimed that their party’s recent youth rallies in different cities and districts evoked overwhelming response.
Also read: It’s govt’s far-reaching political conspiracy, says Fakhrul about fresh case against Zia
“We’ll now begin (road) march programmes. We hope that we’ll kick off the one-point movement in the future,” the BNP leader said.
He said the one-point demand will be the combination of the BNP’s 10-point and the other opposition parties’ different demands with the objective to force the Awami League regime to quit, dissolve parliament, and arrange the national polls under a caretaker government by reconstituting the Election Commission. “The one-point demand is basically the resignation of this government.”
Asked about the nature of the new-type of movement, the BNP leader said they are consciously avoiding any harsher programmes like hartal and blockade.
Also read: Govt to blame for US’s disrespectful visa policy: Fakhrul
“There is no reason for us to resort to violence. If the government somehow pushes the movement in that direction, then they’ll be held responsible for it. We’re carrying out the movement peacefully and we want to go to the final stage of it peacefully."
Fakhrul, who returned to Dhaka in the afternoon from his home district Thakurgaon after celebrating the Eid-up-Azha, talked about different political issues while exchanging Eid greetings with journalists.
Letter from 6 members of European Parliament reflects views of signatories, Ambassador tells UNB
Six Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have urged High Representative/Vice-President of the European Union (EU) Josep Borrell Fontelles to ensure free, fair, and impartial general election – possibly under a polls-time neutral, caretaker government – in Bangladesh.
The MEPs are Ivan ŠTEFANEC (EPP, Slovak Republic), Michaela ŠOJDROVÁ (EPP, Czech Republic), Andrey KOVATCHEV (EPP, Bulgaria), Karen MELCHIOR (Renew, Denmark), Javier NART (Renew, Spain) and Heidi HAUTALA (Greens/EFA, Finland).
Read more: Religious leaders shocked at congressmen's letter to Biden
In a letter to the EU High Representative, the six MEPs also called for ending what they say “violation of human rights, release of Begum Khaleda Zia, and engagement of the government with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and other major political parties to find out a sustainable and democratic solution to the ongoing crises.”
The Embassy of the European Union in Dhaka, however, sees this letter as the views of the six MEPs who signed the letter.
“I would just note that this letter reflects the views of the 6 MEPs who signed it,” EU Ambassador to Bangladesh, Charles Whiteley, told UNB.
Read: State of Christians in Bangladesh: Archbishop Emeritus Patrick D'Rozario rejects 6 US congressmen’s letter to Biden
EU has strong reasons to stand with the people of Bangladesh as a long-time partner in trade and development cooperation, the signatory MEPs believe.
“Thus, the EU needs not only to remain in constant dialogue with Bangladesh’s authorities on human rights agenda, but also to produce tangible outcomes,” the letter reads.
They mentioned potential measures such as restriction of entry into the EEA zone for those responsible for and complicit in human rights abuses, or regular reminding of the conditions for the GSP+ incentive to which Bangladesh is a bidder may be evaluated.
Read: Exaggeration, inconsistency in Congressmen’s letter: Shahriar Alam
“In this regard, we would appreciate to know more about the results of the EU-Bangladesh Joint Commission and Subgroup on Good Governance and Human Rights and the plans to work on the Bangladeshi authorities on these (and possibly other),” the letter reads.
No compromise on caretaker government: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday said that there will be no compromise on the question of neutral government, and it would be resolved on streets, if necessary.
“The government has started shaking. They made one statement in the morning and another in the evening. The issue of a neutral government will not be subject to negotiation, the decision will be taken on the streets through procession,” he said.
Read: People won’t get deceived thrice by joining polls under AL govt: Fakhrul
Addressing the biennial conference of Gazipur Metropolitan BNP as the chief guest on Sunday, Mirza Fakhrul also said that Awami League would not be able to get even 10 seats, if there is a caretaker government.
That is why the ruling party's General Secretary termed the caretaker government as a dead issue, he said.
Read: Govt starts fresh game in the name of election: Fakhrul
“But no, the issue of a caretaker government has remained alive. The whole world wants a free and fair election in Bangladesh,” he added.
Marking the Awami League as a terrorist party, the secretary general said, “Awami League is not a people’s party. That’s why they don’t want an election. Their body language proves that they are nothing but terrorists.”
Fakhrul criticised the ruling parry, saying it has established an autocratic rule.
Read: AL leaders trying to mislead people with comments on talks: Fakhrul
“…the Awami League government has ruined our dream,” he said.
City BNP acting convener M Monjurul Karim Rony presided over the function where BNP Organising Secretary Abdus Salam Azad delivered the inaugural speech at the conference. BNP Central Social Welfare Secretary Kamruzzaman Ratan, Organising Secretary and Gazipur District BNP President Fazlul Haque Milan, among others, spoke.
Jamaat holds first rally after a decade, demands polls under caretaker govt
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
Prominent entrepreneur Rokia Afzal Rahman no more
Rokia Afzal Rahman , a former advisor to a caretaker government and renowned entrepreneur, passed away at a hospital in Singapore on Wednesday. She was 82.
Rokia had been undergoing treatment at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital in Singapore where she breathed her last around 2 am, said family sources.
She was also the chairperson of Media World Ltd, Midas Finance and director of Media Star and ABC Radio.
Also read: PM shocked, saddened to learn MP Shikhor’s mother passed away
Rokia left behind two daughters, one son and a host of relatives to mourn her death.
The body of Rokia will be brought to Bangladesh on Thursday.
BNP unveils 4-day march programme in Dhaka from Jan 28
BNP on Thursday announced a four-day march programme in the capital to press home their 10-point demand, including holding the next general election under a non-party caretaker government.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir came up with the announcement of the fresh programme for Dhaka at a press conference at the party’s Nayapaltan central office.
He said the leaders and activists of their party’s Dhaka north and south city units will observe the march programme on January 28, 31, 30 and February 1 respectively also to demand the 'restoration’ of democracy in the country.
Read more: BNP to stage rally in all divisional cities on Feb 4
As per the party’s plan, Dhaka North City unit BNP will march from Shahjadpur to Malibagh’s Abul Hotel on January 28 and from Gabtoli to Mirpur-10 intersection on January 31.
Besides, Dhaka South City unit BNP will march from Jatrabari to Shyampur on January 30 and from Mugda to Malibagh on February 1.
Fakhrul hoped that their march programmes will be held peacefully with the spontaneous participation of people from all walks of life.
“We’ll hold the march programmes demanding our 10 points and the restoration of democracy. Our programmes will be completely peaceful,” he said.
Replying to a question, Fakhrul said BNP’s two units in Dhaka city will organise march programmes. “But the like-minded parties also can join the programme simultaneously if they want.”
'Misleading media reporting amounts to stabbing the movement'
Read More: HC grants anticipatory bail to 102 BNP men over clashes in Ctg
Fakhrul alleged that a particular television channel has aired a feature or documentary maligning BNP top leaders which in no way goes with objective and neutral journalism. “It’s like stabbing the ongoing movement for the restoration of democracy by completely taking a position in favour of a party (AL).”
He said when the country’s television channels and national newspapers are covering the ongoing movement and presenting people’s voices and speaking in favour of people, a television channel’s such false campaign is undoubtedly unwarranted.
“I hope that the channel authorities will stop airing this report or documentary and they will be careful so that such hateful propaganda is not spread by them in the future,” Fakhrul said.
BNP to stage rally in all divisional cities on Feb 4
BNP will hold rallies in all divisional cities across the country on February 4 (Saturday) to press home their 10-point demand, including holding the next general election under a caretaker government.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced the programme at a rally in front of the party’s Nayapaltan central office in the capital.
Fakhrul said the rallies will be held in all divisional cities also demanding the unconditional release of the party leaders and activists, and the reduction of prices of electricity and daily commodities.
He said their ongoing movement will continue until Awami League leaves power and the arrested BNP leaders are released from jail.
As part of the simultaneous movement against the current government, BNP arranged the rally. Thousands of leaders and activists of the party and its associated bodies joined the parogramme.
The organisers said the programme was meant for registering a protest against the introduction of one-party Baksal rule by the Awami League on this day in 1975, the rise in the prices of power and gas and mounting pressure on the government to accept their 10-point demand, including holding the next polls under a non-party caretaker government.
Read more: Simultaneous Movement: BNP forms liaison committee
Apart from BNP, other like-minded opposition parties, alliances and organisations also observed a similar programme in Dhaka and other divisional cities and district towns as part of the simultaneous movement to oust the current government.
In the capital, Ganatantra Mancha, Ganatantrik Bam Oikya and Jatiyatabadi Samamona Jote held separate rallies in front of the Jatiya Press Club while the 12-Party Alliance near Bijoy Nagar Water Tank and LDP at FDC Crossing. They also announced to hold rallies and stage demonstrations in cities on February 4.
It was the fourth programme of the simultaneous movement after the mass procession on December 30, a sit-in on January 11 and a rally and procession on January 16.
Jatiya Party doesn't subscribe to the concept of election under caretaker government: Chunnu
Jatiya Party Secretary General Mujibul Haque Chunnu on Thursday said they do not subscribe to the concept of an election under a caretaker government.
Only a proportional election system can ensure fairness, he added.
Chunnu was speaking at a seminar on Democracy Day at the party's headquarters in Kakrail Thursday, said Jatiya Party Office Secretary-2 MA Razzak Khan in a media statement.
The Jatiya Party observes November 10 as Democracy Day as its founder Hussain Mohammad Ershad lifted martial law on this day in 1986.
Read: No conspiracy can break Jatiya Party’s unity: Chunnu
"Since 1991, the Awami League and the BNP have ruled the country for 32 years but failed to ensure good governance," Chunnu said.
"The BNP and the Awami League get into a tug-of-war over election results, with both parties calling it unfair when they lose it. The BNP and the Awami League never kept the promises they made to the people," the Jatiya Party leader added.
Caretaker Govt: To be, or not to be?
As opposition BNP says it is determined to boycott the next national polls of Bangladesh under the current Awami League government, it is framing almost the same old formula for a non-partisan caretaker government in the light of the revoked 13th amendment to the constitution.
But the constitutional experts say there are some legal barriers to restoring the caretaker government based on the 13th amendment as the Supreme Court declared it illegal. On the other hand, the ruling party has rejected the demand for restoring the system outright.
They, however, think bringing back the caretaker government or a polls-time government system by any name is possible only based on political consensus.
Read No more caretaker government in Bangladesh: Law Minister
They also say the next election is also possible under a polls-time non-partisan government even without any prior constitutional amendment like the 1991 general election if only the major political parties can reach an understanding.
Political analysts are also hopeful about a consensus among the major political parties about an inclusive 12th parliamentary election as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday said her government wants all political parties to join the next polls.
But BNP is firm on its decision not to join the next polls unless there is a non-partisan government while the ruling party is determined to hold the polls following the constitution.
Read CEC refuses to comment over demand of caretaker government
The first caretaker government was installed in Bangladesh in 1990 under then Chief Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed based on political understating without any prior constitutional amendment.
On March 26, 1996, BNP passed the 13th amendment to the constitution introducing the caretaker government system in the face of fierce movement by the Awami League.
But the caretaker government system was abolished through the 15th amendment in 2011 as the Supreme Court struck down the 13th amendment to the constitution as illegal.
Read Will have tea with you if you accept demand for caretaker govt
On Thursday, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said their party is preferring the caretaker government formula in accordance with article 58(B) (C) (D) that were included in the Constitution through the 13th amendment.
Eminent jurist Shahdeen Malik told UNB that formation of a caretaker government in Bangladesh based on the 13th amendment will not be lawful since the apex court declared it illegal.
“If even the constitution is amended based on the 13 amendment, anyone can file a case with the court challenging its legality that will ultimately create legal complications,” he said.
Read Election can't be fair amid unrestrained violence: GM Quader
“But it is now a million-dollar question as to how the caretaker government system can be restored lawfully. It’s not impossible to find out a suitable solution if only the major political parties reach an understanding,” he observed.
Malik, also a constitutional expert, said Justice Shahabuddin could become the head of the caretaker government without any constitutional amendment as political parties had an understanding in 1990.
He also recalled the election of 1954 held in then East Pakistan where the United Front, led by Awami Muslim League, got a landslide victory by bagging 228 seats out of 309 ones. ”This election was held under the home ministry of the then Muslim League government as there was no Election Commission in place. So, everything is possible if there’s an agreement among the political parties in the greater interests of the nation.”
Read BNP-Jamaat fielded '300 cadres' as local government election officers ahead of 2007 polls: Joy
Dr Asif Nazrul, a law professor at the Dhaka University and a constitutional expert, said political issues can be solved in two ways--through political negotiation or through a mass movement.
“The caretaker government was established in 1990 following a mass movement and later BNP included it in the constitution, showing an attitude of compromise in the face of Awami League’s movement in 1996,” he said.
Dr Asif said there is scope for someone to challenge if the constitution is amended to reinstate the caretaker government. “But if there is political consensus, no problem will arise. So far no one has challenged how Justice Shahabuddin became the head of caretaker government beyond the constitution just because of political consensus.”
Read Anti-govt Movement: BNP initiates 2nd phase of talks
Meanwhile, Law Minister Anisul Huq said there is no scope to go back to the caretaker government system in Bangladesh as the apex court of the country has declared the system illegal.
Many other ruling party leaders and ministers, including Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, have long been saying that BNP’s dream of restoring the polls-time government will go in vain.