Election
Sitakunda upazila chairman served show-cause notice for using govt vehicle during electioneering
Zainab Bibi Jolly, acting chairman of Chattogram's Sitakunda Upazila Parishad, has been served a show-cause notice for her alleged violation of the electoral code of conduct.
The letter, signed by the Assistant Returning Officer KM Rafiqul Islam, was sent to Jolly on Sunday.
According to the notice, Jolly took part in the election campaign by affixing the poster of Awami League-backed candidate Alhaj SM Al Mamun on the government vehicle.
The Electoral Enquiry Committee issued the notice following the allegations brought by Didarul Kabir Didar, the candidate of Jatiya Party in Chittagong-4 constituency.
The accused chairman was also asked to respond in-person on Tuesday morning (December 26) .
In this regard, Zainab Bibi Jolly said that news was published against me as I did not participate in the campaign.
"I respect the law. So I will follow the rules of law," she added.
Election-related violence won't be tolerated: Obaidul Quader
Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said that Awami League will not tolerate any kind of election-related violence.
He said this at a press briefing at Awami League (AL) president's political office on Sunday.
"Any form of violence associated with the upcoming elections. We will extend full support to the Election Commission's actions against any anti-election violence, regardless of the party involved," he said.
About the BNP's call for non-cooperation movement, he said, "BNP is saying that they will not pay tax, if they do not pay, they will go to jail. If you do not pay the utility bill, you will be punished. If you do not pay the electricity bill, the line will be cut, if you do not pay the water bill, the water line will be cut. If Tarique Rahman does not cooperate, they will lose everything."
"They are calling for these bizarre movements sitting abroad. If you dare, come home. There will be no Khomeini-style protests in Bangladesh sitting abroad," he added.
EC sends letter to declare Jan 7 as general holiday
The Election Commission (EC) has requested Public Administration Ministry to declare January 7 as a general holiday on occasion of the 12th Parliamentary Election.
"As the 12th national election is scheduled to be held on January 7, it is necessary to declare the day as a general holiday," said a release signed by Deputy Secretary of Election Management Atier Rahman.
Election Commission begins scrutiny of nomination papers
The letter also sought directives to take necessary steps for declaring January 7 as a general holiday.
Earlier, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal announced that the 12th parliamentary election of the country will be held on January 7.
Election Commission issues show cause notice to Shakib Al Hasan
The CEC came up with the announcement for the next election schedule while addressing the nation on November 15.
According to the constitution, the tenure of the current government will end on January 29, 2024.
No pressure on Election Commission from Western countries: Ahsan Habib
Polls Code Violation: AL Ctg-3 candidate served show-cause notice for second time
The Electoral Enquiry Committee (the ‘Committee’) on Sunday served a show-cause notice on Awami League (AL) nominated candidate of Chattogram-3 (Sandwip upazila) Mahfuzur Rahman Mita for the second time for allegedly breaching the electoral code of conduct.
Penalty for code of conduct violation depends on investigation report: EC Sultana
According to the notice, signed by the chairman of the Committee for the constituency and Chattogram Joint Metropolitan Sessions Judge Mohammad Shahidul Islam, the supporters of the AL-backed candidate made provocative statements at a procession brought out in support of independent candidate Dr Md Jamaluddin Chowdhury at Ali Mia Bazar on December 19.
The supporters of Mita also beat up the followers of Jamal there around 7pm.
Hero Alom attacked while campaigning in Bogura
On the same day, the supporters of the ruling party candidate gathered at Enam Nahar Crossing under the constituency with a procession while a roadside rally in support of Jamal was going on around 7:45pm and they made provocative remarks and manhandled the supporters of Jamal.
Stating that Mita did not take proper steps to avoid the incidents, the notice said the ruling party candidate violated the election code of conduct.
Awami League will win all seats in Sylhet, Momen predictsThe accused candidate was asked to respond in person or by his representative at 2:30pm on December 25.
Penalty for code of conduct violation depends on investigation report: EC Sultana
Election Commissioner (EC) Rasheda Sultana on Saturday said that if any candidate violates the code of conduct and allegations are proven, a fine of Tk 20,000 to Tk 1 lakh may be imposed and candidature may be revoked based on the report of the investigation committee.
She made the warning while speaking with the journalists after exchanging views with the candidates of the 12th parliamentary election at the Shaheed Shamsuddin conference room of Sirajganj Deputy Commissioner office.
The Election Commissioner said that candidates must act in accordance with the code of conduct. The EC took a zero tolerance policy for those who want to create an unstable and chaotic environment during the election.
Read: Hero Alom attacked while campaigning in Bogura
She also said that everyone has to perform with restraint. It must also be ensured that voters come to the polling centers and they are not afraid.
She further told the reporters, “I want to assure you that you will work independently. If you are intimidated, obstructed and taken equipment, that is also punishable.”
“If there are any allegations of violation of the code of conduct, the Electoral Committee is working on the ground to investigate it. The investigation report is being sent to the Election Commission,” she said.
Read: Netrokona-5: HC restores candidacy of Mazharul Islam
Earlier, she held a view-exchange meeting with the presiding officers at Sirajganj Government College. At the meeting, the election commissioner gave strict directives to the presiding officers.
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Rajshahi Range Md Anisur Rahman, Deputy Commissioner and Returning Officer Mir Mohammad Mahbubur Rahman, Superintendent of Police Md Arifur Rahman Mondal, District Election Officer Shahidul Islam, candidates of all constituencies of the district and various officials of the district administration were present at the time.
Hero Alom attacked while campaigning in Bogura
Bangladesh Congress candidate for Bogura-4 constituency Ashraful Alom, better known as “Hero Alom” has been allegedly attacked by Awami League supporters while he was campaigning for the upcoming 12th parliamentary election scheduled for January 7.
Hero Alom also alleged that the attackers snatched his mobile phone.
The incident took place in Muradpur Bazar area of Nandigram upazila on Saturday evening.
Alom said that he went to Muradpur Bazar in the evening with his leaders and activists to conduct his election campaigning. But before the campaign started, some supporters of ‘boat’, the AL electoral symbol, came and obstructed the campaigning.
“There were five of them," the candidate for Bangladesh Congress relayed. "They came and said you have to turn off the mike. There will be no campaigning for anyone other than the boat.”
"Then seeing the video being taken on my phone, they snatched the mobile," he added.
Later, Nandigram Police Station Officer-in-Charge Azgir Hossain visited the spot.
The OC said, “There was a little trouble there, but I did not get anything like the candidate Hero Alam alleged.”
Awami League will win all seats in Sylhet, Momen predicts
Awami League nominated candidate for Sylhet-1 constituency, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen, on Saturday predicted that Awami League-nominated candidates will win all the seats in Sylhet in the upcoming 12th Parliamentary Election.
“There is no scope to underestimate any candidate; no election is easy. All seats will be contested. People will vote in a festive atmosphere,” he told journalists after an election campaign at Sobhanighat kitchen market area in Sylhet city in the morning.
‘If US can raise hourly wage, we can follow that model; inflation is high there’: Momen
There is no pressure on the government centring the election. The grassroots leaders and activists are working to ensure and boost voter turnout in the polling centres, said Momen.
Earlier in the day, he exchanged greetings with voters and sought votes for the boat symbol.
Millions of Bangladeshis gave up their lives for democracy, human rights: Momen
If re-elected, he assured of developing Sylhet as an enlightened, harmonious, and advanced city.
Professor Zakir Hossain, general secretary of the Sylhet Metropolitan unit of Awami League; Tapan Mitra, Sylhet AL agriculture and cooperatives secretary, were present at the time, among others.
Rickshaw intangible heritage: Momen thanks Intergovernmental Committee, UNESCO Secretariat
END/UNB/Corr/MAR/MB
Netrokona-5: HC restores candidacy of Mazharul Islam
The high court has restored the candidacy of Netrokona-5 independent candidate Mazharul Islam Sohel.
Sohel said his candidacy was restored during his Facebook live on Thursday.
Sohel collected nomination form as an independent candidate after he failed to secure nomination from Bangladesh Awami League.
According to the Returning Officer's office, the district returning officer rejected his nomination saying that the number of prospective voters on his list was less than one percent of total voters. His nomination was canceled when he appealed to the Election Commission. Later, he filed a writ petition with the High Court seeking reinstatement of his candidacy.
Now five candidates will run from this seat as Sohel, vice-president of Dhaka Metropolitan North unit of Krishak League, got back his candidacy.
The other contenders are Awami League Organizing Secretary and boat symbol candidate Ahmed Hossain, Jatiya Party's Wahiduzzaman Talukder Azad, Trinamul BNP's Abdul Wahhab Hamidi and independent candidate Prof Dr Anwar Hossain.
Chopper to be used in 12 remote polling centers in Bandarban: Returning officer
Choppers will be used in 12 polling stations in Bandarban for sending election materials and election officers to remote areas, said Mozahid Uddin, returning officer and deputy commissioner of the district.
“Already all necessary preparations have been taken to hold a free and fair election and training was provided to the election officers,” the returning officer told UNB.
The 12 remote polling stations include—one in Rowangchhari upazila, three in Ruma upazila, seven in Thanchi upazila and one in Alikadam upazila of the district.
Read: Bodies of two youths recovered from Padma River in Rajshahi
A total of 2,88,029 people including 1,48,583 males and 1,39,446 females-- are scheduled to exercise their franchise in the 12th general election at 182 polling centres in the district.
However, the authorities concerned have identified 131 polling centers out of 182 as vulnerable in the district.
Two candidates -Awami League candidate Bir Bahadur Ushwe Sing, also six-time MP and SM Shahidul Islam from Jatiya Party are contesting the polls.
Read: Rail slippers found broken in Natore
This year, the ballot papers will be sent to the polling stations- except remote and hard-to-reach areas- throughout the country in the morning of the polling day of the upcoming parliamentary election slated for January 7.
Besides, ballot papers will be sent to the polling stations located in remote areas the day before the polling.
Independent candidates' supporters injured in alleged attacks by AL in two Rajshahi constituencies
Five supporters of independent candidates of Rajshahi-4 and Rajshahi-6 constituencies have been injured in attacks by supporters of AL candidates in the last two days.
Police have detained two people in connection with the attack on Rajshahi-6 independent candidate Rahenul Haque's supporters.
In Rajshahi-4, supporters of Awami League candidate Abul Kalam Azad and Goalkandi Union Parishad Chairman Alamgir Sarker led the attack on Enamul Haque's personal assistant Ataur Rahman, Golam Mandal, Ayub Ali and Sharif Uddin
According to witnesses, Enamul Haque's personal assistant Ataur Rahman and other supporters were putting up scissors marker posters while they were attacked on Friday.
Led by Goalkandi Union Chairman Alamgir Sarkar and his son Shaon, more than 50 cadres with pistols and iron rods carried out the attack on Enamul Haque's personal assistant Ataur Rahman and others, they said.
Enamul Haque said that Awami League candidate Abul Kalam Azad has become desperate after getting the nomination.
"Kalam's cadres are attacking my leaders and activists one after another. If this continues, there will be apprehension about the general voters participating in polls," he said.
Bagmara Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Arbinda Sarkar said additional members of law enforcement agencies have been deployed across the upazila. Legal action will be taken if complaints are received, he said.
Meanwhile, locals rescued a supporter of Rajshahi-6 independent candidate Rahenul Haque and admitted him to Charghat Upazila Complex.
The victim's brother Ujir Uddin filed a case with Charghat Model Police Station on the night of the incident, naming seven people.
Confirming the incident, Charghat Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge ASM Siddiqur Rahman said Nazir Hossain, an activist of independent candidate Rahenul Haque, was returning home after campaigning on Thursday night
Independent candidate Rahenul Haque said, "In addition to inhuman beating on my worker, vandalizing campaign vehicles and offices in Shalua, threatening them about going to the polling center if they do not vote for the boat symbol in Palashbari, they are intimidating the workers."
Faisal Hossain Don, the 6th accused in the case, and Bappi, the 7th accused in the case, have already been arrested, the OC added.
Assistant Returning Officer and Upazila Nirbahi Officer Sayeeda Khanam said, "We have received written complaints on various allegations, including vandalism of the office of an independent candidate. Necessary action will be taken after investigation."