Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday reiterated that her government  is determined to make the upcoming national election free and fair. The prime minister made the statement while a group of incumbent and former election commissioners from India, the Maldives, Sri Lanka and Nepal called on her at her Sangsad Bhaban office. PM Hasina denounces Israeli attacks on Palestine, calls for ending the war They are: Former Chief Election Commissioner of India  Dr. SY Quraishi, Chairman of Election Commission of Maldives  Fuwad Thowfeek, Chairman of Election Commission of Sri Lanka RMAL Rathnayake, Election Commissioner of Nepal Sagun Shumsher JB Rana and Former Election Commissioner of Nepal Ila Sharma. They are visiting Bangladesh at the invitation of the Election Monitoring Forum (EMF), a polls watchdog consisting of incumbent and former election commissioners from the neighbouring countries. PM Hasina inaugurates 50 more model mosques PM's press secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed the reporters after the meeting. The prime minister mentioned that the election commission of Bangladesh has been constituted under a law passed by parliament. "Under the act of 2022 the chief election commissioner and other commissioners have been appointed. Besides, the government has given absolute budgetary independence to the election commission," she said. PM to hold press conference tomorrow on Belgium visit Hasina, also the president of the ruling Awami League, said that the EC has already set several examples of smoothly conducting elections including parliamentary by-elections and local government elections. The prime minister said that female candidates alongside males can contest in three hundred seats of Jatiya Sangsad, while there are also 50 seats reserved for women proportionally from the political parties representing in the parliament. Referring to the 2018 general election, Hasina said that BNP took part in that by nominating 700 candidates in 300 seats while changing their candidates time and again. "Even, the BNP withdrew their candidates from the polls on the day of voting to make the election controversial," she said. The prime minister told the visiting ECs how votes were rigged in the past by the military dictators and BNP. She said BNP founder Ziaur Rahman seized power illegally violating the constitution and declared himself as president although he was thr Chief of Army Staff. "The military dictators ascended to the state power unconstitutionally and later formed political parties," she added. About politics of the BNP, She said the party has now no leadership and its top two leaders are convicted for their misdeeds and crimes. During the meeting, the delegation members said, they discussed the issue of next general election in Bangladesh with the Election Commission. "The EC of Bangladesh is very confident in holding it in a free and fair manner," former Chief Election Commissioner of India Dr SY Quraishi said. He said that the Indian Election Commission takes over the administrative power of the government during the election time.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday said she should not be lectured about the arrangement of free and fair elections as it has been her party, Bangladesh Awami League, which established the voting rights of the people in the country. “No need to teach me about free and neutral elections. Because, we’ve established the voting rights of the people of Bangladesh through struggles and movements under the leadership of Awami League,” she said told a press conference here. The premier said this while replying to a question at the press conference arranged at her official residence Ganabhaban here in the afternoon about the outcomes of her recent visit to the United States to join the 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). She said since such elections were held, the people voted for her party time and again. “This economic development has happened now as we’ve been in power in a row (for three consecutive terms).” Hasina, the AL president, wondered why so many questions come now regarding the election. “Has it become a matter of headache for all that a country has progressed so rapidly? I am also doubtful if it is an attempt that how it (this progress) can be destroyed now?” she said. Bangladesh is due to hold the next general election in the first week of next January. The PM said she told the international community that once Bangladesh had the government of the army, by the army and for the generals. It has changed now, she said, adding “It is we who have established the government of the people, by the people and for the people.” Sensing foul play in the call for free and fair elections, she said, “I doubt why all are talking much about free and fair elections when the country is marching forward economically. I’ve suspicion. Actually, it is an attempt to thwart the election,” she added. In an oblique reference to BNP, she said those who know that they won’t get votes in the election are now currying favour everywhere (with foreigners). “I don’t know if those who are in international stage understand the ground reality, but they’ve been harping on the same string and playing the broken record,” said the PM. On Wednesday last, PM Hasina returned home from London after wrapping up her 16-day official visit to the US and the UK. Deputy Leader of Parliament Matia Chowdhury, Road Transport and Bridges Minister and Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader and State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam and Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim MP, among others, were present on the dais. None raises anything about caretaker government: PM The PM said a firm no when asked if the US national security advisor Jake Sullivan said anything regarding the caretaker government during his recent meeting with her. “No. No one said anything regarding the caretaker government…. None asked me anything about it,” she said. The premier questioned whether anyone can seek the caretaker government after bitter experience under the system during the 2007-08 period. “It is BNP that destroyed the system,” she said. BNP won’t be spared if it engages in violence again: PM Mentioning that the government is not obstructing the BNP’s movement, she said they continue their programme drumming up the people. It is good that some money goes to the pockets of the common people as they (BNP) are waging a movement using the money earned through looting and money laundering, she said. “I asked not to tell them anything. Let them do movement. But if they want to do any harm to the people such as arson violence and such things, then we won’t spare them,” she said, adding that the people will resist them also this time if they unleash violence like in the past. Those who shout on streets can’t be counted as opposition: PM Answering a question, Sheikh Hasina said it is definitely essential that there is an opposition party in the country, but those who have no single seat in Parliament can’t be counted as the opposition. She questioned how those who don't contest in elections or can’t come in Parliament through polls can't be called the opposition. Noting that Bangladesh follows the Westminster-type of democracy, she said those who have seats in the opposition bench of Parliament are considered as the opposition in the democratic system. “If anyone continues to bark on the streets , it is not counted as the opposition in the foreign countries,” she said. In reply to a question, the prime minister said her party will pick the candidates for the next parliamentary elections, considering who are more acceptable to the people and who gained trust and confidence of the people by their works. “We will consider those who have credibility among the people. I conduct a survey after every six months,” she said, adding that if anyone loses their position, the person is asked to work more and win the hearts of the people through work. As her attention was drawn as BNP remarks that the PM returned home with empty hands from her recent foreign visit, she said BNP leaders are resorting to falsehood through loudspeakers. “It is their habit to tell lies. They try to undermine everything,” she added. The premier asked the people of the country not to pay heed to the falsehood spread by BNP leaders. She said they (BNP leaders) continue to announce a specific date to oust the government. “Let them do it. We don’t have any problem. I don’t mind it…. if the movement continues, it is good for her party,” she said. The AL president said if a movement continues, AL leaders get revitalised because of the movement.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina reached Dhaka from London after wrapping up her 16-day official visit to the US and UK. PM leaves London for Dhaka A commercial flight (BG-208) of Biman Bangladesh Airlines carrying the enturage of the prime minister landed at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 12:15 pm. The flight earlier departed from London's Heathrow Airport around 9:10 pm (local time) on Tuesday. Brighten Bangladesh's image abroad: PM Hasina says in London The prime minister arrived in London from Washington DC on September 30 via a British Airways flight. In London, from September 30 to October 3, Sheikh Hasina attended reception hosted by the Bangladeshi community and held several courtesy calls with some dignitaries, including a delegation of the All Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs) led by Rushanara Ali, MP, chair of APPG on Bangladesh and Rohingya and the UK shadow minister for investment and small business. PM's tour of US, UK set to wrap up Tuesday During her stay in New York from September 17 to 22, the premier attended the 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session and other high-level side and bilateral events. In Washington DC from September 23-29, Sheikh Hasina attended a reception accorded to her by Bangladeshi expatriates in the United States and visited the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington DC.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has expressed shock and deep grief at the death of Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury, presidium member of the Awami League and deputy leader of the House. Sajeda, Faridpur-2 MP, breathed her last at 11:40pm at Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Dhaka.  Sheikh Hasina also prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and extended her heartfelt sympathy to the deputy leader of the House and her family.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of Advocate Quamrul Ahsan Shahjahan, a valiant freedom fighter and president of Kishoreganj district Awami League. She prayed for the eternal salvation of the departed soul and expressed sympathy to the bereaved family. Also Read: PM mourns death of agriculturist Dr Samiul Alam Advocate Quamrul died early in the morning at the age of 77. He left his wife, children, family members and a host of relatives and well-wishers. In a separate message, AL general secretary Obaidul Quader expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of Advocate Quamrul.    

The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on Thursday directed the authorities concerned to increase oxygen supply and corona beds in hospitals across the country to ensure the treatment of Covid-19 patients. Read:4 Covid patients die in Pabna hospital amid oxygen crisis The PMO also urged those who are showing Covid-19 symptoms to stay home and directed the local administration to make sure that the patients with corona symptoms are kept in isolation. The directives came from an urgent meeting held virtually with divisional commissioners and deputy commissioners to work out measures to protect the public health and ensure coordination in the ongoing government activities to check the transmission of coronavirus in the country. Read: Quader sees no oxygen crisis The PMO issued the directives at a time when Bangladesh is struggling with a catastrophic second wave of the Coronavirus leaving hospitals across the country overwhelmed with Covid-19 patients. PM’s Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus joined the meeting from the PMO end and presided over it. Read:Oxygen crisis: Probe committee gets more time to investigate deaths at Satkhira hospital Senior Secretary of Health Services Division Lokman Hossain Miah and PMO Secretary Md Tofazzel Hossain Miah, among others, attended the meeting.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has reiterated firm solidarity with India in a letter addressed to her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi. She conveyed condolences and prayers for victims of this unprecedented devastation taking place in India due to Covid-19 pandemic, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday. Also Read:As cases grow, India’s vaccination campaign falters The Prime Minister pledged to combat the pandemic together with all-out support from Bangladesh.  

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday said the government will build planned cities in all districts of the country, not only in Dhaka. "We’ll make planned housing in every division and district…it’ll no longer be Dhaka-centric one so that people have a better life [everywhere]," Sheikh Hasina said. Also Read:Will work together to overcome Covid crisis: Hasina to Mamata The Prime Minister said this while addressing a function marking the handover of plot documents to 1,440 original residents and affected people of Purbachal New Town Project. She joined the programme, held at Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC), virtually from her official residence Ganobhaban. She said the government is also taking steps so that people in rural areas can avail themselves of civic amenities that the city dwellers are enjoying. "Everyone has a desire to live in a city. So, we’ve decided that the people living in villages will be provided with facilities like that of a city," she said.The government is constructing roads, bridges and appropriate infrastructures across the country, Hasina said, adding that a project, 'Palli Janopod', has been taken so that one can buy a flat if he/she wants to live in a flat. Also read:Antimicrobial resistance can even threaten food security: PM Hasina The Prime Minister said the government is taking various steps so that people can manage their livelihood living in flats. The Prime Minister reiterated her firm commitment that no one in the country will remain homeless. "We’ll arrange a shelter for everybody whatever and however we could.” She also said every house will have the electricity connection which will illuminate it. "Every house will have educated people.  The country will march forward with education and knowledge, and it’ll have a glorified position in the world.” Hasina went on saying, “Bangladesh is now a developing nation, and this country will advance further. We’ll be the wonder of the world." New variant of coronavirusTalking about the new variant of coronavirus that spread widely in neighbouring India, she said all have to remain alert and must wear masks. "As the neighbouring country is hit hard by the new variant. There’s a possibility for it to enter Bangladesh," she said. Also Read: As India surges, Bangladesh lacks jabs, faces virus variants She criticised a section of people for their desperate bid to go to their village homes defying all the restrictions at this critical time of pandemic. "All are travelling together in ferries and other vehicles. You don’t know who’s infected with coronavirus. You’re carrying that virus to your family members. You’re going to infect them, too. You’re going to put their lives in danger as well," she said. Hasina questioned what problem they will face if one Eid is celebrated without all other family members and relatives. It will help save all from coronavirus infections, she said. State Minister Housing and Public Works Ministry Sharif Ahmed, Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Housing and Public Works Ministry Engineer Mosharrof Hossain , Housing and Public Works secretary Shahid Ullah Khandaker also spoke on the occasion. Textiles and Jute Minister Golam Dastagir Gazi was present at the dais. Also read: Celebrate Eid where you are: PM Hasina Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) Chairman ABM Amin Ullah Nuri delivered the welcome speech. State Minister Housing and Public Works Ministry Sharif Ahmed handed over the allotment papers on behalf of the Prime Minister.  

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday assured the countrymen that the government has taken all-out preparations to bring COVID-19 vaccine whenever it will be available. "The vaccine is about to be invented, research works are going on. We've given advance booking so that we could bring a vaccine at once after its invention. We're taking steps for that purpose. We've taken all-out preparations for that," she said while delivering her winding-up speech in the Parliament. Responding to criticism from the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Jatiya Party leader GM Quader, she said that educational institutions were opened in America and European countries including UK, but later they shut down all as the infection of coronavirus was shooting up alarmingly. "We've also discussed to open our educational institutions. If opened, students, teachers and guardians would go to the respective institutions. Coronavirus is contagious, a vaccine is yet to be invented. Why should we take the risk? We can't push our people towards death risk. We've to keep that in our mind too," she said.  

A meeting on agriculture production and stock was held at the Ganobhaban on Thursday with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.