EC
Gaibandha-5 by-polls: EC to take action against 133 officials
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal on Thursday said the Election Commission will take action against 133 officials for their negligence in duty during Gaibandha-5 by-election.
The CEC made the remark during a briefing at the Election Commission building in Dhaka.
Gaibandha-5 by-election was suspended amid allegations of “malpractices” on October 12 this year.
“A returning officer conducts the whole election. It his routine duty to visit the polling centres as many times as possible. But he neglected his duties. He visited the centres with Deputy Commissioners and Police Supers when the CEC informed him about the irregularities over telephone,” he said.
He also said the returning officer was supposed to visit and check to ensure that all activities were being carried out according to law and take immediate initiative to prevent any unwanted incident.
“But he absolutely failed to perform their duties. He did not find any irregularities in the electoral area. When the CEC was about to take the decision to suspend the election, the returning officer suspended the voting of a centre to demonstrate his performance,” he said.
Read more: Gaibandha-5 by-election: Wait for a decision, says CEC
Had he performed his duties properly, it would have been possible to prevent the irregularities in the early stage, CEC Awal said.
The CEC also said that the EC Secretary has been instructed to take action against the accused returning officer.
Gaibandha-5 by election will be held in due time according to the constitution, he added.
Earlier, the CEC extended the deadline for holding the Gaibandha-5 polls till January 30.
According to the constitution, if any constituency falls vacant then the position must be filled within 90 days through an election.
Read more: 'Gaibandha by-election was an isolated case': Election Commissioner
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. But the EC cancelled the election because of “widespread malpractices” on the election day on October 12.
EC updates voter list ahead of next general election
The Election Commission (EC) has enrolled more voters than the number estimated in the voter list update programme during a countrywide campaign, including door-to-door visits.
This would be the last registration process for prospective voters before the 12th parliamentary election.
Enumerators of the EC visited households to complete the update in four phases starting from May 20 to November 20 this year following the terms of Section 11 of the Electoral Rolls Act 2009 Voter List Update Programme.
The progress rate of the voter registration process is 8.59 percent, the commission said.
The EC officials said 9,870,970 people have completed the registration process in the update programme, 1,255,233 more than the estimated number.
Registration of 4,778,003 women, 5,092,716 men, and 251 third-gender people has been completed.
The names of 1,709,321 people were removed from the voters' list after verification of the necessary documents, the commission said.
The EC collected data about citizens born on or after January 1, 2005, January 1, 2006, and January 1, 2007. These people would gradually be included in the voter list when they turn 18.
The cost of the voter list update programme this year has been estimated at Tk106.64 crore, which is Tk26 crore more than the previous time.
Read more: Election Commission
The EC will publish the final and updated list of voters on National Voters' Day on March 2 next year.
The voter list was updated five times since the creation of the voter list with photos in 2007-2008.
The polling authority now has information about more than 11.32 crore voters. Among them, there are 57,689,529 male voters and 55,597,027 female and 454 third-gender voters.
Read more: Election Commission won’t favour any political party: Anisur Rahman
Detailed schedule of Rangpur City Corporation election announced
EC Secretary Md Jahangir Alam today announced the detailed schedule of Rangpur City Corporation election -- to be held on December 27 -- at the Election Commission Secretariat.
The election date was finalised at a meeting of the Election Commission (EC) with Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal in the chair earlier.
The EC secretary said candidates can submit their nomination papers to the returning officer and assistant returning officer till November 29. Returning officer will scrutinize the nomination papers on November 29 and December 1. December 8 has been set as the final date for withdrawal of candidature.
Earlier, he said the Election Commission also decided to use electronic voting machines (EVMs) and CCTV cameras in the election.
Read more: Rangpur city election on December 27
Voting will start at 8:30 am and continue till 4:30 pm without any break.
Director General of Election Training Institute Abdul Baten will serve as the returning officer of Rangpur City Election.
A total of 3,93,994 voters will cast their votes at 193 centres to elect the Rangpur mayor, 27 general ward councillors and 11 reserved ward councillors.
The election to the city corporation was held on December 21, 2017. The first meeting was held on February 19, 2017. The tenure will end after five years of the first meeting.
The meeting also held an elaborate discussion on different local government elections and by-elections in vacant posts.
The EC also decided to hold elections to five municipalities and a number of union parishads on December 29.
Read more: Thousands gather in Rangpur city to join BNP’s anti-govt rally
The EC secretary said the candidates can submit their nomination papers to the returning officer and assistant returning officer till December 1. Returning Officer will scrutinize the nomination papers on December 3. December 10 has been set as the final date of withdrawal of candidature.
He also added that the Election Commission also decided to use electronic voting machines (EVMs) and CCTV cameras in the union level election.
Deal with any intimidation in next polls, CEC asks DCs, SPs
Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal on Saturday asked deputy commissioners and superintendents of police to be aware of their duties to deal with any intimidation in the next general elections expected to be held late next year or in the beginning of 2024.
“If any illegal interferences in the election are not handled with an iron hand, that’s not an election, that’s a farce,” he said.
Read: EC to sit with DCs, SPs ahead of election
“This could have a serious negative impact on the next election. You must be accountable. So, in the future, you will exercise all the necessary powers to successfully conduct each election,” he said.
His statement came when the Election Commission held a meeting with deputy commissioners and superintendents of police from across the country on Saturday to discuss issues related to next general elections.
The meeting was crucial to build up momentum ahead of the next national elections amid threats by BNP and its allies that they will not take part in the elections under a partisan government. But the government has been arguing that there is no such provision in the constitution of returning to a controversial caretaker government system to oversee the elections. The previous caretaker government system was nullified through the 15th amendment to the constitution in 2011 after the Supreme Court struck down the 13th amendment that had introduced the system in 1996.
On Thursday, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina urged all political parties to join the national elections.
Saturday’s meeting was held at the auditorium of the Election Commission in the capital city, Dhaka.
The CEC in the meeting said that a stricter stand by the DCs and the SPs would reinforce the people’s interest and trust in the electoral process, encouraging them to exercise their voting rights. Next elections to local government bodies also came up in the discussion.
The CEC reminded the DCs and SPs of avoiding their own political ideologies when they play their role. “You are public servants,” he said.
Read EVMs in 150 constituencies: EC finalises Tk 8,711cr project
"You will have to be neutral in your position. You must follow your duty according to the laws of the land. This is the expectation of the people. You have to earn trust by fulfilling the expectations of the people with the application of all rules and regulations," he added.
The CEC also said it is not the issue of the Election Commission to resolve disputes among bickering political parties.
“The EC cannot interfere in the political decisions as the constitution, laws and rules have set our scope of work, power and responsibilities. Political problems should be settled politically,” he said.
He also said the DCs and SPs must understand the importance of forming new national government and local government bodies through elections in a democratic system.
He said that the EC has proof that it is easier to control violence, rigging in polls by using Electronic Voting Machine (EVM).
“We have decided to use EVMs in not more than 150 seats but we will have preparation to hold elections through ballot paper in all seats if needed,” said CEC.
In the 12th National Parliamentary Election, votes will be cast in 42-45,000 centres simultaneously in one day which is not an easy task but not impossible, he added.
Other election commissioners and top officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Additional IGP attended the meeting.
EVMs in 150 constituencies: EC finalises Tk 8,711cr project
The Election Commission (EC) today approved a Tk 8,711 crore project to procure Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) for 150 constituencies, out of 300, for the 12th parliamentary election.
The project details will soon be sent to the Planning Commission for approval, Election Commissioner Md Alamgir said in a press briefing.
Earlier, the project was approved in a meeting of the commission. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal, who recently tested positive for Covid-19, joined the meeting virtually.
Read: Jatiya Party to shun alliances at next election: GM Quader
EC Alamgir said, “The commission earlier decided to use EVMs in 150 constituencies, in the next general election, but 1.5 lakh machines we currently have can be used in highest 70 to 80 constituencies.”
So, the project was approved to procure and maintain new EVMs, he said.
The Election Commission unveiled roadmap for next the general election at a function held at the auditorium of the Nirbachan Bhaban on Wednesday.
Read: Next national election by Jan 29, 2024; EVMs to be used in 150 constituencies
On August 23, the EC decided to use electronic voting machines instead of traditional ballot papers in maximum 150 constituencies in the next general election – likely to be held late next year.
The decision received strong opposition from BNP and its allies, who didn’t join the talks with the CEC that continued throughout the month of July.
However, the ruling Awami League welcomed the decision as it was their demand to use EVMs in all 300 seats in the next election.
Read AL in favour of using EVMs in national election: Quader
Earlier, the commission had invited 39 political parties registered with it for talks on the use of electronic voting machines; 28 political parties responded to the commission’s invitations while 11 parties, including BNP, rejected it.
EC out to arrange stage-managed election: GM Quader
Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader Wednesday said the Election Commission (EC) is trying to arrange a stage-managed general election by using electronic voting machines (EVMs) in up to 150 seats.
"During their dialogues (with the EC), almost all the political parties opposed the use of EVMs, but the Election Commission decided to conduct voting with it. Most people in the country think that EVMs are vote-rigging machines," he said.
Referring to the chief election commissioner's recent remarks that it is not their responsibility to ensure all parties' participation in the polls, the Jatiya Party chief said it has cast doubt in the public mind about the EC's ability to conduct a free, impartial and acceptable election.
"It seems that the EC is trying to implement an agenda. On the other hand, the people of the country are unable to speak out. If there is a movement for any demand, the police and opponents are attacking it," he said.
GM Quader, also the deputy opposition leader in parliament, said there will not be a level playing field if the national election is held in such a context. "Where the government has 90 percent influence (on state machinery), having the police and administration in its hands, a fair election cannot be expected."
Read: Scope for politics gets limited: GM Quader
He said there is no crisis in the Jatiya Party and it will not face any split. "The Awami League and BNP have repeatedly tried to harm the Jatiya Party. None of those who left the party could establish themselves as a strong organiser. Even if someone leaves like this, the Jatiya Party will not be weak."
Replying to a question, GM Quader said Raushon Ershad called him repeatedly to inquire about his condition as his vehicle was recently hit by a bus and told him she does not want to be the chairman of the National Council.
He also said the top leaders of the Jatiya Party think that Raushon was forced to announce the party's council under pressure. "Taking advantage of her illness, some outsiders may be trying to implement a different agenda by using Begum Raushon Ershad's name."
In response to a question about the formation of an electoral alliance, the Jatiya Party chair said a decision will be made on it following a discussion in the party forum before the election. "The Jatiya Party will decide on the formation of any alliance considering the reality and the expectations of the commoners."
GM Quader, however, said their party is now preparing for elections in all 300 seats. "We are implementing regular programmes to strengthen the party."
EC makes itself questionable: GM Quader
Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Thursday said the Election Commission (EC) has brought itself to question by taking the decision to use EVMs in up to 150 seats, ignoring the opinion of most political parties.
“It seems that the Election Commission is implementing the government's agenda,” he said.
GM Quader, also the deputy opposition leader in parliament, made the remarks while speaking at a meeting of the Jatiya Party Dhaka north city unit’s council preparation committee at the party chairman's Banana office.
Also read: AL hails EC decision to use EVMs in 150 JS seats in next polls
Opposing the EC’s move to use the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in the next national election, he said the illiterate and poorly educated people of the country still cannot read the names of the candidates and the common people vote in elections by looking at symbols of the candidates.
“Most of the political parties and common people think that the EVMs are vote rigging machines. So, political parties and common people do not want the EVMs to be used in the election,” the Jatiya Party chief observed.
In such a reality, he said the decision to use the EVMs in the general election is ill-motivated.
Also read: BNP turns down EC’s move to use EVMs up to 150 seats
“Common people think that the Election Commission is working to bring a political party to power,” GM Quader viewed.
Earlier on Tuesday, the EC decided to use the EVMs instead of traditional ballot papers in the maximum 150 constituencies out of 300 ones in the next general election likely to be held late next year.
The decision came from a meeting of the election agency on Tuesday with Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal in the chair at the Nirbachan Bhaban in the city’s Agargaon area.
Why decision against disclosing who suggested names for CEC & ECs should not be declared illegal: HC
The High Court (HC) on Tuesday issued a rule asking the authorities concerned to explain why the decision not to disclose the information of the individuals or a party who suggested names for the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and other Election Commissioners (EC) should not be declared as legally unauthorized.
The HC bench of Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice Ahmed Sohel passed the order after hearing a writ petition filed by Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (Shujan).
The Information Commission and Cabinet Secretary were asked to respond to the rule within four weeks.
On June 7, the Information Commission said ‘who suggested the name for EC’ - this information cannot be provided.
Badiul Alam Majumdar, secretary of Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (Shujan), among four prominent citizens filed a writ petition regarding the legality of this decision.
Lawyer Sharif Bhuiyan and Lawyer Saiful Alam Chowdhury appeared for the writ petition in the court while Deputy Attorney General Samarendra Nath Biswas represented the state.
On February 16, Badiul Alam applied to the officer in charge of the Right to Information Division of the Cabinet Division, seeking the information about those who suggested the names to the search committee formed for recommending persons eligible for the post of CEC and Election Commissioners.
On March 1, the officer in charge expressed his inability to provide any information in this regard, saying that the cabinet department has no authority.
Shujan Secretary appealed against this to the Appellate Authority of the Cabinet Division.
Failed to get a response within the stipulated time, he complained to the Information Commission.
Read: HC forms expert committee to prevent plagiarism in PhD thesis
However, the Information Commission dismissed the complaint on June 7 stating that the information requested cannot be provided.
On June 23, Badiul Alam filed a writ petition challenging the legality of the decision of the Information Commission.
The writ also sought an issuance of rule regarding the Information Commission’s decision.
On February 5, a six-member search committee, led by Appellate Division Justice Obaidul Hasan, was formed to suggest the names of the Chief Election Commissioner and other election commissioners.
On February 14, the Cabinet Division published 322 names that were suggested for the next Election Commission. However, it was not disclosed who suggested the names.
On February 22, the search committee finalised the names of 10 people for recommendation to the president for the CEC and four election commissioners’ posts and submitted the list.
The President appointed the Chief Election Commissioner and four Election Commissioners from this list.
EVMs to be used in maximum 150 constituencies in next national polls: EC
The Election Commission (EC) has decided to use electronic voting machines instead of traditional ballot papers in the maximum 150 constituencies out of 300 ones in the next general election likely to be held late next year.
The decision came from a meeting of the election agency on Tuesday with Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal in the chair at the Nirbachan Bhaban in the city’s Agargaon area.
“The EC has taken decision that the polls will be held through EVMs in the maximum 150 constituencies in the next national election. But it could also be in a single constituency,” EC’s additional secretary Ashok Kumar Debnath told reporters after the meeting.
Read: Stern action if anyone creates anarchy: Tajul warns
He said the commission would require purchasing more EVMs to use the machines in the 150 constituencies. So, the EVMs to will be used in the maximum 150 constituencies subjected to procurement of the machines, he added.
In reply to a question, the EC official said the commission took the decision taking the recommendations, placed by the political parties in the talks with EC in June last, in cognizance and analyzing all aspects.
He said now the EC has 150,000 EVMs enough for sue in 70-75 constituencies.
The meeting also discussed the procurement of more EVMs, he said replying to another question.
Read: Next election will be held on time: Quader
“If the commission takes the decision for buying more EVMs, we’ll go for procuring the machines,” said the EC official.
In the dialogues with the EC, almost half the participating political parties supported the use of EVMs in the national election, while others opposed it.
But BNP and its allies, who didn’t join the talks, are opposing the use of EVMs in the parliamentary elections.
AL proposes using EVM in all the 300 constituencies
Bangladesh Awami League on Sunday prposed that the Election Commission uses the electronic voting machines (EVM) in all the 300 constituencies in the next general election.
An AL delegation, led by its general secretary Obaidul Quader, placed a 14-point proposal joining the EC's talks at Nirbachan Bhaban in the city's Agargaon area.
"We want EVMs. We, on behalf of our party, want the EVMs in all 300 constituencies," said Quader.
AL, in its written paper placed before the EC, said there is no alternative to EVM to prevent vote-rigging. Although some voters disliked the use of EVM system at the beginning, it has been proved in the course of time that it is possible to implement a sustainable and transparent election system by stopping vote-rigging, center capture in a scientific manner, it added.
Terming the caretaker government system a 'past and closed chapter,' AL said the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court declared the system unconstitutional and invalid.
According to the Article 111 of the Constitution, no other authority has jurisdiction to take any other decision in this matter. Any controversial comment on this matter is tantamount to violate the Constitution, it said.
The ruling party proposed to bring administration and law enforcement agencies and all other agencies and institutions, which are necessary for conducting the polls, under the supervision of the Election Commission during the election.
It suggested that the election-time government be limited within only routine works. "To rely on sustainable constitutional, legal and regulatory system instead of ad-hoc or interim system," AL said.
Read: EC: EVMs to be customized in presence of candidates in Cumilla polls
AL proposed to keep the partisan officers, who were appointed in the EC, police and civil administration during the BNP regime considering their political identity, out of the election duty to show responsible and impartial behavior of Election Commission Secretariat and its field level officers and employees.
The party said a large number of political leaders and activists were recruited in the EC, police and civil administration who are now either in important posts or waiting district-level responsibilities.
Other proposals include demonstrating the EC's capacity to carry out the responsibilities given in the Constitution and laws by maintaining its independence, neutrality and acceptance; carrying out the responsibilities by the ministries and agencies concerned during the polls; and appointment of responsible officers and employees of the Republic as presiding officers and polling officers instead of the staff of non-governmental organizations or institutions.
The proposals also include to maintain neutral and responsible behavior by the members of law enforcement agencies; not to allow any person, group or organisation that are identified for its affiliated to any party or candidate as election observers; to stop the use of muscle power and illegal money as well as to ensure the scope for all voters including ones of the religiously minority communities to apply their voting rights: and to ensure the overall security of the public before and after the elections.
With the talks with AL, the Election Commission concluded its dialogue with registered political parties seeking opinions over the 12th parliamentary elections.
AL leaders Amir Hossain Amu, Matia Chowdhury, Kazi Zafarullah, Muhammad Abdur Razzaque, Faruk Khan, Hasan Mahmud, Shahbuddin Chuppu, Abdus Sobhan Golap, Barrister Biplab Barua, Salim Mahmud, Shamsunnahar Chapa and Sayeem Khan were the delegation members.
Among 39 registered political parties, 28 political parties took part in the EC's dialogue, but nine didn't join the talks and the remaining two political parties sought time for this.