The High Court has set December 17 for the verdict on a rule issued regarding the validity of the 15th Amendment of the Constitution, which abolished the caretaker government system. A High Court bench comprising Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice Debashish Roy Chowdhury announced the date for the ruling. Attorney General Mohammad Asaduzzaman and Deputy Attorney General Mohammad Asad Uddin represented the state during the proceedings. HC orders Harris Chowdhury’s burial with state honour Senior lawyer Dr. Sharif Bhuiyan presented arguments on behalf of the petitioner, Badiul Alam Majumdar, representative of Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik. The BNP was represented by senior lawyers, including Zainul Abedin, Barrister Badaruddin Badal, Barrister Ruhul Quddus Kajal, and Advocate Farzana Sharmin Putul. Advocate Mohammad Shishir Monir and Barrister Ehsan Siddique argued on behalf of Jamaat-e-Islami. Earlier, the rule was issued to address the legality of the 15th Amendment and the abolition of the caretaker government system. BNP's Secretary-General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Jamaat-e-Islami's Secretary-General Mia Golam Parwar had joined the proceedings as parties in favor.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has filed a review petition seeking reconsideration of the ruling that abolished the caretaker government system. Jamaat’s Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar submitted this review petition to the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on Wednesday. The party's lawyer Mohammad Shishir Monir confirmed the matter. Jamaat’s registration: Appellate Division accepts petition to restore appeal Earlier, on October 20, the Appellate Division's chamber judge scheduled a hearing for two separate review petitions regarding the ruling concerning the abolition of the caretaker government system for October 24. This matter will be heard in the full bench of the Appellate Division. On October 16, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir filed a review petition against the ruling that abolished the caretaker government system. In August, Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (SHUJAN) Secretary Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar also filed a separate review application against the ruling. The thirteenth amendment to the constitution, which included the caretaker government system, was adopted by the National Parliament in 1996. Challenging the validity of this amendment, three lawyers, including Advocate M Salimullah, filed a writ in the High Court. On May 10, 2011, the Supreme Court's Appellate Division declared the thirteenth amendment to the constitution “illegal” and annulled it, abolishing the caretaker government system. However, the court led by then Chief Justice ABM Khairul Haque expressed that the 10th and 11th elections could be held under a caretaker government. The ruling stated that in this case, any decision regarding the chief adviser of the caretaker government could be made based on consensus in Parliament.

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.

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.

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. 

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.      

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

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 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 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.