Election
Ballot papers to be sent to polling stations in morning of polling day
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.
The Election Commission on Monday issued a notification giving such directives to the returning officers.
In the notification, the EC has decided to reach ballot papers to most of the polling stations before the polling begins in the morning of the election day.
Everyone felt for BNP’s participation but it didn’t respond to EC’s calls: CEC
However, the commission said the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) and Assistant Returning Officer will fix the time in consultation with the local police authority over sending ballot papers to those polling stations which are located in hilly areas, Haor, Bawar, Char or island areas or similar hard-to-reach areas and the remote areas which (considering the communication and time required to travel to the polling station) are a far away from the district headquarters or upazila headquarters or metropolitan area, and where the ballot papers can’t be reached in the morning of the polling day.
The commission said adequate security measures should be taken during the transportation and distribution of election materials including ballot papers, ballot boxes from the Election Commission Secretariat to the district headquarters and from the district headquarters to the upazila headquarters and from the upazila headquarters to the polling stations.
347 candidates withdraw from electoral race, leaving 1896 contenders
For this purpose, the EC asked to take necessary measures in consultation and coordination with the concerned law and order authorities including the Superintendent of Police.
Meanwhile, election commissioners have told the media that ballot papers will be sent to the polling stations located in remote areas the day before the polling. Where communication is good, the ballot papers will be sent in the morning of the polling day.
No external pressure over polls: EC Alamgir
Everyone felt for BNP’s participation but it didn’t respond to EC’s calls: CEC
Chief Election Commission (CEC) Kazi Habiul Awal on Tuesday said everyone felt that BNP’s participation would have been much better but the party did not respond to the repeated calls made by the Election Commission (EC).
“It is true that an important party is not participating in the elections. It would have been much better had the BNP participated it. You know, we have been urging them to participate since the beginning. We invited, they did not respond,” he told reporters at the EC secretariat.
The CEC was talking to reporters after his meeting with Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Iwama Kiminori.
He said Japan will observe the next national election scheduled for January 7 with a team composed of members from Tokyo and embassy staff.
“They are giving much importance to our election. They want to observe the polls. We thank them,” he told reporters at the EC secretariat.
The CEC said they updated the Japanese Ambassador about the coming elections. He said the donor countries are keeping eyes on the upcoming elections.
“We are giving much importance to holding free, fair and peaceful elections,” he said, adding that it is important to talk about his personal comfort or discomfort.
347 candidates withdraw from electoral race, leaving 1896 contenders
As many as 347 contenders have withdrawn of their own accord from contention in the next general election, with the deadline for withdrawal passing on Sunday.
It leaves the number of valid contestants at 1896 for the January 7 poll.
“A total of 347 candidates withdrew candidacy… now the total number of valid candidates is 1896,” said Election Commission’s Secretary Md Jahangir Alam while briefing reporters at Nirbachan Bhaban in the city on Sunday night.
Read: Awami League shares 32 seats with Jatiya Party, allies
The candidacy of five aspirants remain pending, he said, adding that 27 political parties are running the 12th parliamentary election.
Out of 44 registered political parties, BNP and some others are boycotting the general election.
The returning officers will allocate electoral symbols among contenders on Monday. Then the candidates can start electioneering and continue the electoral campaign till January 5 (8am), 48 hours before the balloting, which will continue from 8 am to 4pm without any recess on January 7.
Earlier, a total of 2,716 aspirants including 747 independents submitted nomination papers in 300 constituencies throughout the country to run the 12th national election.
Read: Only pro-govt parties contesting 'stage-managed' election: BNP
But the returning officers accepted 1985 nomination papers and rejected 731 others during the scrutiny conducted on December 1-4.
Some 270 aspirants got back their candidacy in the national election slated for January 7 next as the Election Commission on Friday completed the disposal of appeals filed by aggrieved aspirants against the cancellation or acceptance of nomination papers by the returning officers.
Besides, the commission scrapped the candidacy of five aspirants whose nomination papers were earlier declared valid by the returning officers.
Read: No external pressure over polls: EC Alamgir
No external pressure over polls: EC Alamgir
Reiterating that there is no pressure from abroad over the election, Election Commissioner Md Alamgir on Sunday said they (foreigners) just wanted to know that the Election Commission will arrange to hold a fair election.
Alamgir said this while talking to reporters after a view-exchange meeting with Gazipur district returning officers, assistant returning officers, law enforcement officials and election officials over the 12th parliamentary election at the Bhawal conference room of Gazipur Deputy Commissioner office.
Md Alamgir said that the army will play a role in this election as a striking force. They will move following the direction of the police administration, returning officers, and presiding officers.
Read: Awami League shares 32 seats with Jatiya Party, allies
Calling the voters, the EC said the election will be held in a very peaceful and disciplined manner.
Gazipur Deputy Commissioner and Returning Officer Abul Fateh Mohammad Shafiqul Islam presided over the meeting while GMP Police Commissioner Md Mahbub Alam, District Superintendent of Police Kazi Shafiqul Alam, RAB-1 Porabari Camp Commander Yasir Arafat Hossain, BGB Commander Rafiqul Islam, District Election Officer AHM Kamrul Hasan and other responsible officials were present.
President approves in principle army deployment ahead of polls: EC secretary
President Md Shahabuddin has approved in principle the deployment of troops to maintain law and order across the country ahead of the 12th parliamentary election.
However, the decision on when the army will be deployed will be taken after further discussion, EC secretary Md Jahangir Alam said today.
Also read: President approves EC's request for army deployment centering polls
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal and EC Secretary Md Jahangir Alam met the president at Bangabhaban this morning.
The president gave his approval in principle during the meeting, said the EC secretary. He also said the president has assured all kinds of cooperation to ensure a fair and peaceful election.
AL candidate Shammi Ahmed loses appeal against cancellation of her candidacy
Awami League aspirant in Barishal-4 constituency Shammi Ahmed has crashed out of the upcoming election race as the Election Commission on Friday turned down her appeal against the cancellation of her candidacy by the returning officer.
But independent candidate and incumbent lawmaker Pankaj Debnath remained in race in the constituency as the Commission rejected another petition submitted by Shammi Ahmed.
Also read: 12th parliamentary polls: AL shares 7 seats with allies
The EC turned down the two petitions lodged by Shammi Ahmed following hearings at Nirbachan Bhaban in the city.
AL international affairs secretary Shammi Ahmed submitted the two petitions challenging the decisions of Returning Officer – one is against the cancellation of her nomination paper and another is acceptance of Pankaj Debnath's nomination paper.
Shammi in her petition alleged that Pankaj Debnath concealed information in the affidavits submitted with his nomination paper.
Earlier, the Returning Officer cancelled Shammi's nomination paper on ground of having dual citizenship.
Also read: Hero Alom will withdraw candidature from national poll
The EC on December 10 started hearing and disposing of appeals filed by aggrieved aspirants against the acceptance and rejection of nomination papers during the scrutiny.
Jan 7 national polls: 255 aspirants so far get back candidacy
A total of 255 aspirants got back their candidacy in the last five days, while four others lost their candidature as the Election Commission is dealing with nearly 500 appeals filed by aggrieved hopefuls to contest the upcoming national election slated for January 07.
The commission headed by Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal on December 05 started hearing and disposing of the appeals submitted by aggrieved aspirants, challenging the acceptance and cancellation of the nomination papers by the returning officers.
Also read: 631 polling stations out of 793 are vulnerable in Khulna: Police
The EC accepted some 260 appeals, while turned down 213 ones and kept its decisions pending regarding 20 appeals.
With the acceptance of 260 petitions, some 255 aspirants got clearance to run the January 7 general election, while four aspirants lost candidacy though the returning officers earlier declared their nominations valid.
But two petitions were lodged against a single aspirant whose nomination paper was declared valid by the RO concerned. The Election Commission accepted the two petitions.
The commission accepted 56 appeals on Sunday, 51 on Monday, 61 Tuesday, 48 on Wednesday and 44 on Thursday.
Also read: EC’s desire to stop protests is unprecedented and anti-people: Rizvi
On Thursday, the EC turned down 52 petitions and kept its decision pending for four, hearing 100 appeals at Nirbachan Bhaban in the city.
The commission will conclude hearing appeals on Friday. On the final day, the EC is supposed to hear more than 60 petitions including one for Awami League aspirant Shahjahan Omar in Jhalakathi-1 constituency, AL aspirant Shammi Ahmed and independent aspirant Pankaj Debnath in Barishal-4, AL aspirant Shamim Haque and independent aspirant AK Azad in Faridpur-3.
If anyone becomes aggrieved even with the EC’s decision over candidature, the person has scope to go to the higher court, challenging it.
A total of 561 aspirants filed appeals before the Election Commission, challenging the decisions of the returning officers over the cancellation or acceptance of nomination papers.
Also read: National Election: EC declares 61 more candidates valid
Earlier, a total of 2,716 aspirants including 747 independents submitted nomination papers in 300 constituencies throughout the country to run the 12th national parliamentary election.
But the returning officers accepted 1985 nomination papers and rejected 731 others during the scrutiny conducted on December 1-4.
Most of the 731 nomination papers were rejected on three grounds - mismatch in the 1pc voters’ signatures submitted by independent aspirants, loans and utility bills defaults, and dual citizenship.
The last date for withdrawal of candidature is December 17 and the candidates can go for electioneering from December 18 to January 5 (8am), 48 hours before the balloting, which will continue from 8 am to 4pm without any recess on January 7.
Out of 44 registered political parties, 29 parties are contesting the general election, which is being boycotted by major party BNP and some others.
Faridpur-4 AL candidate Kazi Zafarullah show-caused for violating electoral code of conduct
Kazi Zafarullah, Awami League-nominated candidate for in Faridpur-4 constituency for the upcoming 12th National Parliamentary Election, has been issued a show notice for alleged violation of election code of conduct.
He is a member of the AL presidium and co-chairman of the party’s Election Steering Committee.
Kazi Zafarullah made co-chairman of AL election steering committee
The Election Inquiry Committee Chairman, Mohammad Main Uddin Chowdhury, issued the notice directing Zafarullah to explain the reasons for the alleged violation of conduct. The notice comes in response to allegations raised by independent candidate Mujibur Rahman Chowdhury, alias Nixon Chowdhury, contesting for the same constituency.
According to the notice, the AL candidate has been accused of conducting public gatherings in the parliamentary constituency without proper authorization. Additionally, he has been charged with violating the Political Parties and Candidates' Code of Conduct, 2008, specifically Article 11(k), even before the official start of election campaigning.
Nixon Chowdhury appears in court over election code violation charges
Moreover, the notice highlights that Zafarullah failed to seek written permission from the relevant authorities for holding the said gathering and participated in the event without notifying the local police, violating Articles 6(k) and 6(g) of the aforementioned code.
The notice further stated that Zafarullah has breached provisions outlined in Articles 11(k), 6(k), and 6(g) of the Political Parties and Candidates' Code of Conduct, 2008, and Article 12, categorizing his actions as pre-election irregularities.
Nixon Chy gets bail in EC case
The Election Inquiry Committee has requested him to provide a written explanation for the alleged violations by 3 PM on December 14. Failure to comply may result in further action taken by the Election Commission.
Assistant Secretary Mamunur Rashid, the spokesperson for Kazi Zafarullah, stated, "We have not received the notice yet. If received, we will make necessary arrangements and decisions accordingly."
631 polling stations out of 793 are vulnerable in Khulna: Police
A total of 631 polling stations out of 793 have been identified as vulnerable ahead of the next parliamentary election, slated for January7.
‘Attempt to kill me to please BNP high command’: Former BNP MP and independent candidate of Bogura-4 Ziaul Haque says
Additional security measures will be ensured in those polling stations identified as vulnerable.
According to the sources at District Police, there are 46 polling stations in Batiaghata upazila under Khulna-1 constituency and of these, 33 have been identified as vulnerable while 31 polling stations in Dacope upazila out of 49 have been identified as risky.
Besides, 49 polling stations out of 59 in Rupsha upazila under Khulna-4 constituency have been identified as vulnerable while all 36 polling stations in Terokhada upazila and 21 out of 38 polling stations in Digholia upazila under the same constituency have been identified as risky.
Necessary preparations taken for upcoming national election: IGP
Under Khulna-5 constituency, 12 polling stations out of 25 in Phultala upazila have been identified as risky while 68 out of 88 polling centres in Dumuria upazila have been identified as vulnerable.
Meanwhile, 19 centers out of 79 in Paikgachha upazila and 56 out of 63 polling stations in Koyra upazila have been identified as vulnerable.
Mozammel Haque, Khulna Metropolitan Police Commissioner, said 61 polling stations out of 157 under Khulna-2 constituency have been identified as the most vulnerable one while 27 polling stations out of 116 under the Khulna-3 constituency have alos been identified as risky.
Besides, all the 310 polling stations under the purview of Khulna metropolitan police are vulnerable.
State Minister for Public Administration showcaused for violating electoral code of conduct
However, the regular drives to arrest the criminals and recovery of illegal arms ahead of the election are underway, he said.
Meanwhile, check-posts will be set up at important points of the district.
‘Attempt to kill me to please BNP high command’: Former BNP MP and independent candidate of Bogura-4 Ziaul Haque says
Independent candidate of Bogura-4 (Kahalu-Nandigram) constituency and former BNP MP, Ziaul Haque Mollah, has filed a case in connection with the attack on him.
He filed the case on Tuesday against 35 people, including former BNP MP Mosharraf Hossain, at Kahalu Police Station.
Kahalu Police Station Officer-in-Charge Selim Reza confirmed the development.
National Election: EC declares 61 more candidates valid
Ziaul Haque alleged that he was attacked on the order of Mosharraf.
“There has been an attempt to kill me. I informed the administration about my safety. I believe I was attacked on the order of Mosharraf, as he wanted to please BNP’s high command,” he told media.
Necessary preparations taken for upcoming national election: IGP
He also said he had been threatened since he submitted his nomination as an independent candidate.
Ziaul Haque was attacked on Monday around 4 pm while campaigning for the upcoming general election. Four of his supporters were also reportedly injured in the attack.
Ziaul Haque Molla, whose father previously served as an MP from Bogura-4 constituency, followed in his footsteps. After his father’s passing in 1994, Ziaul took over the seat through a by-poll. He went on to win the seat twice more in 1996 and in 2001 – as a candidate for BNP.
State Minister for Public Administration showcaused for violating electoral code of conduct