United News of Bangladesh

Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (SHUJAN) has condemned the attack, vandalism and looting at the Radda MCH-FP Centre in the capital’s Mirpur-1 area and demanded the immediate reopening of the healthcare facility. In a statement on Monday, the civic platform said a group of people attacked and vandalised the private healthcare centre on September 24, looting medicines, vaccines, medical equipment and documents. The centre has long provided essential healthcare, family planning and vaccination services to low-income women and children, it said. SHUJAN described the attack on the healthcare facility and the resulting disruption to public services as unacceptable and expressed concern that such incidents could fuel fear and insecurity in society. It said a case was filed and nine people were arrested in connection with the incident, citing media reports. The organisation demanded the immediate identification and arrest of others involved, along with an impartial investigation into the alleged masterminds, financiers and patrons behind the attack. It also called for swift trial and punishment if the allegations are proved, stressing that political affiliation or influence should not obstruct the investigation or judicial process. SHUJAN said any dispute over land ownership or use should be resolved through legal means and that no such dispute could justify vandalising, looting or attempting to occupy a healthcare facility. It called for an investigation into allegations that the attackers attempted to seize the clinic’s 10-katha plot and demanded that those responsible be brought to justice if the allegations are substantiated. The civic body also urged the authorities to recover the looted vaccines, medicines, medical equipment and documents and take immediate steps to repair the damaged facility and fully restore its healthcare and vaccination services, with assistance from the government and the institution. It further called for alternative healthcare arrangements for mothers and children who depend on the centre’s regular services. SHUJAN urged the government, the Ministry of Home Affairs and police administration to give the incident the highest priority and conduct an impartial inquiry into the role of personnel from Shah Ali Police Station during the attack. If allegations of negligence or complicity against any police officer, including the officer-in-charge, are proved, appropriate departmental and legal action should be taken, it said. The organisation also called for the investigation’s progress to be made public and the clinic to be fully reopened to help restore public confidence.

The most notable achievement of the recent parliamentary election was that voters were able to cast their ballots freely and that political parties accepted the results, said Badiul Alam Majumdar, secretary of Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (SHUJAN), on Wednesday. “Despite various questions surrounding the election, the most important point is that people were able to vote and exercise their franchise without obstruction and political parties accepted the outcome,” he said at a programme titled “Presentation of a research-based evaluation of the 13th Parliamentary Election and Referendum 2026,” organised by SHUJAN. Shujan accuses EC of hurriedly publishing election gazette He said allegations of some isolated irregularities have surfaced and should be examined through proper investigation. SHUJAN central committee member Ekram Hossain read out the written paper. Badiul Alam said that although the overall environment allowed voters to exercise their franchise without major obstacles, there were allegations of isolated irregularities which need to be examined through proper investigation. “If the legal framework is inadequate, the possibility of a fair election also diminishes.Elections held under party governments in the past failed to create a conducive environment for credible polls. He warned that similar questions would persist if existing legal provisions related to elections are not fully and strictly followed.” Nearly 35% of election candidates have no income tax Records: SHUJAN  He said the Election System Reform Commission had earlier placed several reform proposals. Had those recommendations been incorporated into law, controversies surrounding loan defaulters, dual citizenship and the eligibility of independent candidates could have been avoided, he said. On loan defaulters, he said the commission proposed that loans must be regularised at least six months before an election and that habitual defaulters should not be allowed to contest at all. The failure to implement these recommendations has once again led to debate. Regarding independent candidates, he said the commission had proposed collecting signatures from a fixed number of voters—500—instead of one percent of the electorate, which could have reduced allegations of collusion.

Shushaner Janniya Nagorik (Shujan) on Thursday asked the Search Committee constituted for the appointment of Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners to disclose the list of the 10 final names three days before its submission to the President. It also suggested the Search Committee to disclose who actually proposed which names for the posts of CEC and election commissioners for the sake of transparency Shujan Secretary Dr Badiul Alam Majumder placed the suggestions at an online press conference, said a press release. Also read: Next Election Commission: 322 names proposed to search committee published “The search committee needs to reveal its modus operandi immediately before people for the sake of maintaining its absolute transparency and neutrality,” he said. Dr Majumder, in his written statement, said transparency cannot be ensured if incomplete information is revealed or information was concealed. “The Search Committee needs to disclose the proposers – individuals, political parties and professional bodies—beside the names of initially suggested 322 people (exact 315 names). And it needs to prepare and publish a list of 20-30 persons, including one-third women from the primary list,” he said. Then the Search Committee should prepare the final list of 10 people, including a report, and publish the list and report the people three days before these are sent to the President, said the Shujan Secretary. Also read: Search committee asks political parties to suggest names for CEC, ECs Shujan President M Hafizuddin Khan, its members Dr Shahdeen Malik, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Dr Shahnaz Huda and Robaet Ferdous, among others, spoke at the conference.