Election
With or without BNP, election to be held on time: Razzaque
Awami League presidium member and Agriculture Minister Md. Abdur Razzaque has said the next general election will be held on time whether or not BNP participates.
“The election will be held 0n time as per the constitution. But we will do everything possible until the last minute to ensure that the BNP participates,” he said, expecting greater clarity on the subject by next September.
Razzaque made the remarks on Saturday at the Shaheed Smriti High School reunion and golden jubilee ceremony in Madhupur, Tangail.
Read: EC has 'no legal obligation' to bring parties to election
“Even without BNP’s participation, the election will be accepted internationally,” he said, adding that a faction of BNP may even participate in the election.
"After assessing and examining the election's overall condition, the world community will make a conclusion,” he added.
The agriculture minister also stated that the Awami League will always keep the door open for dialogue with the BNP.
“Dialogue is the most effective way to solve any problem. The Awami League is always open to dialogue. However, everything should be done in accordance with the constitution,” he said.
He claimed that the BNP is attempting to create chaos prior to the 12th JS election and said, “Recurrence of violence like in 2014-15 in the name of protest will be strictly dealt with. No blockade or strike will be allowed.”
Read: No new dialogue possible with BNP or any other party: CEC
The minister continued by pointing out that the BNP's calls to movement represent repeated failure over the course of the last 14 years.
“They will continue to fail and introduce a new program after failing once more this time. This unsuccessful movement will keep happening again,” he said.
The BNP and 32 like-minded opposition parties separately announced sit-in programs across the country on January 11 as their next course of action, to press home their 10-point demand, including the resignation of the current government and the formation of a poll-time caretaker government.
No irregularities reported yet in Gaibandha by-election: EC Rashida
No irregularities have been reported yet at the polling stations during the Gaibandha by-election, said Election Commissioner Rashida Sultana.
She said this while observing the election on CCTV cameras from the Election Commission office at Agargaon in the capital on Wednesday morning.
Read more: Gaibandha-5 by-polls: Festive mood as voting underway
She also said that the voter turnout was low due to cold weather.
"We can see the voting in the CCTV cameras. So far, there has been no problem at the polling centers," she said.
EC IDEA Project DPD (Communications) Squadron Leader Shahriar Alam told reporters that the election is being monitored directly from Dhaka through a total of 1,242 CCTV cameras.
The voting is being monitored by CC cameras from 8 am at the EC control room on the fifth floor of the Election Commission building.
Read more: Gaibandha-5 by-polls: EC to take action against 133 officials
Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal, Election Commissioners Ahsan Habib Khan, Md. Alamgir, Rashida Sultana and Anisur Rahman are monitoring the polls.
Gaibandha-5 by-polls: Festive mood as voting underway
Voting in the by-election for Gaibandha-5 constituency, which was suspended due to irregularities, is underway with participation of voters in a festive mood.
Voting started at 8 am and will continue till 4:30 pm. No untoward incident was reported till the filing of this report around 10 am.
People were seen standing in long queues since morning, ignoring the cold.
The presence of female voters is comparatively higher than their male counterparts.
A total of 3,39,743 people are expected to exercise their franchise in 145 polling centres. Of them, 1,70,160 are females and 1,69,583 are male.
District Election Officer and Returning officer Abdul Motaleb said that of the 145 polling centres, 72 are consider "important" while 32 are counted as "most important".
Read: EC has 'no legal obligation' to bring parties to election
All preparations have been taken to hold a smooth, free and fair election, he said.
Elections will be monitored through CCTV cameras as done before.
Rab, police, BGB and Ansar members will remain deployed to hold the election peacefully, said Motaleb.
The candidates of the Gaibandha-5 by-election are: Awami League candidate Mahmud Hasan Ripon, Jatiya Party candidate AHM Golam Shaheed Ranju, Bikalpa Dhara candidate Advocate Jahangir Alam and independent candidate Syed Mahbubur Rahman.
The constituency consists of Saghata and Phulchhari upazilas.
On October 12 last year, the Election Commission (EC) suspended the by-election due to “rampant irregularities” on the election day and later the commission fixed January 4 for holding the polls.
Following the death of Gaibandha-5 lawmaker and Deputy Speaker of the Parliament Fazle Rabbi Miah on July 22, 2022, it became a constitutional obligation to hold election for the parliamentary seat by October 20, 2022. Accordingly it was scheduled for October 12.
A three-member committee was formed to look into the election irregularities on October 12 last year.
Following the recommendations of the committee, the Election Commission took punitive actions against 133 officials including an additional deputy commissioner, five sub-inspectors and returning officer of the election.
Read More: EC to delve into slow voting complaint in Rangpur City Corporation Polls
EC has 'no legal obligation' to bring parties to election
Election Commissioner Anisur Rahman has said the Election Commission has no legal obligation to convince any party which does not want to participate in the election otherwise.
He made this comment in response to the questions of journalists at the Election Building on Sunday..
"The Chief Election Commissioner also said last week that it is not our responsibility to bring anyone to the polls," Anisur said."It is not the responsibility of any party or anyone to get elected. We have called, hoping they will come."
Read: Election violence under present EC drops to zero: CEC
This commissioner also said that they will do whatever is necessary to create a suitable environment for the election, after that if no one comes there is no legal obligation to bring them.
"We will not do that. They will do their work. We will do our work. We will try to say that we want participatory elections. Hope that there will be participatory elections," he said.
He said the BNP has not supported them since day one. "Let them take part in the polls and say that the election is not fair,"
Read: No new dialogue possible with BNP or any other party: CEC
"There is no such thing as an end in politics. We made Rangpur City elections fair during the party government. We have shown that fair elections are possible under the party government," he added.
Anisur said that it is desirable that the party will join the election. "They have not even participated in an election under us. Let the participants say that the vote was not fair."
Jamaat, Shibir men clash with police over holding mass procession in Malibagh
A clash broke out between the law enforcers and activists and leaders of the Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing Chhatra Shibir in the capital's Malibagh as they tried to bring out a procession after Juma prayers, police said.
Several people, including 10 cops and Jamaat- Shibir men sustained injuries during the clash.
The law enforcers detained several Jamaat-Shibir men over the incident.
The injured cops were New Market and Ramna zones’ Assistant Commissioners Sharif Mohammad Farukuzzaman and Md Bayezidur Rahman, sub inspectors—Shahidul Osman Masum, Subir Kumar Karmakar, Habibur Rahman, Mohaiminul Hasan, Kabir Hossain, Md Firoz Miah, constables Sourav Nath and Sadi Mohammad.
A police officer said the Jamaat-e-Islami sought permission from the police to bring out a mass procession from the north gate of Baitul Mukarram Mosque as part of the simultaneous movement of the opposition parties and alliances to unseat the current government. "But the party was denied permission."
Read more: Simultaneous Movement: Ganatantra Mancha brings out mass procession in Dhaka
"The Jamaat men tried to hold a mass procession without police permission in Malibagh. A clash ensued as police had asked the Jamaat men not to go through with the procession, but they had paid no heed to the law enforcers," Shahen Shah Mahmud, additional deputy commissioner (ADC) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (Ramna Division), said.
"The Jamaat-Shibir men hurled bricks at police. The law enforcers then fired tear gas to disperse them and bring the situation under control," he added. "Later, some people were detained from the spot and brought to the concerned police station."
Read more: Simultaneous Movement: 33 opposition parties set to take out mass processions in city
Polls to 5 municipalities, 66 unions on Thursday
Elections to the five municipalities and 66 union parishads across the country will be held with the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) on Thursday.
The five municipalities are—Bagha in Rajshahi, Birol in Dinajpur, Boda in Panchagarh, Alfadanga in Faridpur and Banpara in Natore district.
In Bagha municipality five candidates including four independent candidates are vying for the mayoral posts.
Read: Election violence under present EC drops to zero: CEC
The candidates are Awami League-backed candidate Shahinur Rahman Pintu, Awami League (rebel) candidate Akkas Ali, and independent candidates Jamaaat Islami upazila unit Amir Saiful Islam, upazila unit BNP president Kamal Hossain and Israfil Hossain.
In Birol municipality, Birol upazila unit Awami League President Sabujar Siddique elected uncontested as mayor of the municipality as two candidates—Mamunur Rashid and Rezaul Islam Badsha withdrew their nomination on December 10, said Birol Upazila Election Officer Abdul Kuddus Sarkar.
In Boda municipality, four mayoral candidates, nine reserved seat female councilors and 29 general councilors are contesting the polls.
The four mayoral candidates are—Awami League backed mayor candidate Azhar Ali, Islami Andolon backed candidate Maudud Khan, independent candidates Aktar Hossain (coconut tree) and Raza Ferdous Chinmoy (Jug).
Alfadhanga municipality, three candidates including Awami League backed candidate and current Mayor Saifur Rahman (boat), Independent candidates AKM Ahadul Hasan (Jug) and Ali Aksad Jhantu (coconut tree) are vying for the mayoral posts.
Read: No new dialogue possible with BNP or any other party: CEC
In Banpara municipality, Awami League-backed mayoral candidate KM Zakir Hossain and Independent candidate Zakir Hossain Sarkar are contesting the polls.
On November 7, Election Commission secretary Jahangir Alam announced the schedule of the polls to five municipalities and 66 union parishads.
The last date of submission of nomination was December 1 while December 3 was set for scrutiny of nomination paper and the last date of the withdrawal of candidature was December 10.
Election violence under present EC drops to zero: CEC
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal on Tuesday said election violence under the present Election Commission (EC) has dropped to zero.
“The Election Commission wants to continue it,” he said while talking to reporters at the Election Commission Bhaban.
Regarding Rangpur City Corporation (RCC) election, the CEC said the voting is underway at a slow pace for using electronic voting machines (EVMs). About 56 percent voters have cast their votes till 4 pm, he added.
The voting may continue till 7-8 pm due the long queues at the polling centres, he added.
The voting in the election was scheduled to end at 4:30pm.
Read more: Rangpur City Corporation: Voting begins amid enthusiasm
The EC will look into whether there is any other reason behind the delay in voting , he added.
“We have got some allegations of slow voting due to electronic voting machines (EVMs) but all the voters at the centers will be allowed to exercise their franchise till night,” he said.
The Election Commission is monitoring the election through CC cameras from a control room.
Election Commissioners Brig. General (retd) Ahsan Habib Khan, Md Alamgir, Anisur Rahman, Squadron leader Shahrier Alam are present at the control room and observing the whole situation as already 1,807 CC cameras have been installed at the polling booths.
Read more: Official electioneering period ends tonight, before Rangpur votes for mayor
Voting in Rangpur City Corporation began on Tuesday morning using electronic voting machines (EVMs) at 229 centres.
Nine candidates are vying for the mayoral post while 183 people are contesting for councillor posts under 33 wards. Sixty-eight candidates are contesting the polls for 11 reserved seats, said Returning Officer Abdul Baten.
The mayoral candidates are: Amiruzzaman from Islami Andolon Bangladesh, Abu Raihan from Bangladesh Congress, Touhidur Rahman Mandal from Khelafat Majlish, Mostafizur Rahman from Jatiya Party, Shafier Rahman from Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, Hosne Ara Lutfa Dalia from Awami League, Khorshed Alam from Zaker Party, Mehedi Hasan and Latifur Rahman as independent candidates.
Campaigning in the Rangpur City Corporation election ended on Sunday midnight amid much enthusiasm.
A total of 229 presiding officers, 1,349 assistant presiding officers and 2,698 polling officers are performing their duties to maintain order in the voting centres.
The first Rangpur City Corporation election was held on December 21, 2017. The tenure of the current mayor will expire on February 18, 2023.
Rangpur City Corporation: Voting begins amid enthusiasm
Voting in Rangpur City Corporation began on Tuesday morning using electronic voting machines (EVMs) at 229 centres.
It began at 8:00am and will continue till 4:30pm, said Returning Officer Abdul Baten.
Nine candidates were vying for the mayoral post while 183 people are contesting for councillor posts under 33 wards. Sixty-eight candidates are contesting the polls for 11 reserved seats.
Read: No outside pressure on Election Commission: CEC
The mayoral candidates are: Amiruzzaman from Islami Andolon Bangladesh, Abu Raihan from Bangladesh Congress, Touhidur Rahman Mandal from Khelafat Majlish, Mostafizur Rahman from Jatiya Party, Shafier Rahman from Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, Hosne Ara Lutfa Dalia from Awami League, Khorshed Alam from Zaker Party, Mehedi Hasan and Latifur Rahman as independent candidates.
This year, a total of 4,26,470 voters are expected to vote in the city corporation election.
All preparations have been taken to hold a free and fair election, the official said.
Mobile court drives were being conducted to ensure that the election code is followed, he said.
Campaigning in the Rangpur City Corporation election ended on Sunday midnight amid much enthusiasm.
Read: Govt’s cooperation needed for holding fair election: CEC
A total of 229 presiding officers, 1,349 assistant presiding officers and 2,698 polling officers are performing their duties to maintain order in the voting centres.
The first Rangpur City Corporation election was held on December 21, 2017. The tenure of the current mayor will expire on February 18, 2023.
No new dialogue possible with BNP or any other party: CEC
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal on Thursday said that there is no opportunity for a new dialogue with BNP or any other political party regarding next parliamentary elections expected to be held in January, 2024.
He was speaking to the reporters after exchanging views with the government officials at the Deputy Commissioner's office in Patuakhali.
He said, “BNP has been repeatedly requested to participate in the upcoming elections. But they always rejected our request.”
BNP is adamant in demanding a non-partisan caretaker government and restructuring of the Election Commission, he added.
“In this case, there is no chance of a new dialogue with BNP or any other political party regarding the upcoming national parliamentary elections,” he said.
Besides, by-elections to the five vacant parliamentary seats of the BNP MPs will be held with EVMs (Electronic Voting Machines), he said.
Read more: No outside pressure on Election Commission: CEC
However, the EC currently does not have necessary fund for installing CCTV cameras in polling centres in these by-elections, the CEC added.
At present, the Election Commission has the capacity of holding elections with EVMs in 50 to 60 seats. Financial allocation has been sought from the government to purchase more EVMs, he said.
Following the allocation, the commission is planning to buy new machines and hold elections with EVMs in 150 seats in the next parliamentary elections, he added.
The CEC said some EVMs have been out of service due to lack of proper maintenance. A project has been submitted to the government for their proper conservation of EVMs, and the project proposal is now with the Planning Commission.
Read more: Govt’s cooperation needed for holding fair election: CEC
“If the project is approved, it will be possible to properly maintain the EVMs. This will save the country's money,” said the CEC.
No outside pressure on Election Commission: CEC
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal on Wednesday said that there is no pressure from the international community or foreign diplomats on the Election Commission regarding next parliamentary elections expected to be held early 2024.
He made the comment while speaking at the inauguration of the distribution of smart national identity cards in Patuakhali.
Read more: Democratic practice won't develop without electoral competition: CEC
The Election Commission has no comment on the statements made by the diplomats over the national elections, he said.
“It is a matter of the government and those who are speaking is a bilateral issue. I will not comment on this as Chief Election Commissioner,” he said.
Expecting BNP’s participation in the election, the CEC said, “However, no party is being forced to participate in the elections.”
Read more: Govt’s cooperation needed for holding fair election: CEC
“BNP is an important opposition party. The election will be more participatory if they come forward,” he said.
“We are hopeful that all opposition parties, including BNP, will participate in the next parliamentary election,” said the CEC.