political parties
Opinions sought from political parties, stakeholders over July Declaration
The government has sought the opinions from political parties and stakeholders over the July Declaration.The government sought the opinions about the July Declaration following an all-party dialogue with Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus held on Thursday, said Chief Adviser’s press wing on Saturday.They can send their opinions through letters to Adviser Mahfuj Alam, Chief Adviser’s Office, until January 23.
All parties reach consensus on inclusive ‘July Declaration’: Asif NazrulThese opinions will be reviewed to prepare a revised and acceptable declaration which will be announced without delay in presence of public.All-party meeting on July Declaration begins
4 weeks ago
EC will ensure everyone's voting rights: CEC
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin on Sunday said the Election Commission wants to end the people's deprivation in exercising their voting rights.
“We want to remove the fact that they(people) have been deprived of the voting right for so long. We want to remove the pain of their deprivation. We are steadfast in our commitment,” he said.
The CEC said this while addressing the inaugural ceremony of a training of trainers for the enumerators and supervisors in the capital ahead of the voter list updating programme-2025.
The countrywide door-to-door data collection of the possible voters and dead voters will start on January 20 next.
The CEC said they are here to hear the 18 crore people who have been suffering from the deprivation of voting rights. “We’ve taken the responsibility so that we can remove their deprivation,” he said.
Read: “We aim to deliver a truly credible election”: CEC
He said his commission’s main goal is to arrange a fair and credible election. “It’s a marathon race beginning from today up to the delivery of the result,” he said.
“Our goal, commitment and promises to the nation is to present a free, fair and credible election as the nation has been deprived of it for so long,” said the CEC.
Four election commissioners Abdur Rahmanel Masud, Tahmida Ahmad, Anwarul Islam Sarker and Abdul Fazal Md Sanaullah also spoke at the event presided over by EC secretary Akhtar Ahmed.
1 month ago
‘Advisers not fit to be our opponents’: BNP’s Nazrul
Expressing his annoyance at the criticism of political parties by the interim government, Senior BNP leader Nazrul Islam Khan on Thursday said that the advisers of the current administration were not even worthy of being considered as opponents to the politicians.
"Why should they (advisers) criticise established political parties and make comments about them? Do they regard the political parties as their opponents? We do not consider them as our opponents, as they are not worthy of being our opponents. We engage in politics, but they do not. So, why should they be our opponents?" he told a discussion.
The Rajshahi University Nationalist Ex-Student Association (RUNESA) organised the programme at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU), commemorating the bloody incident that took place on Rajshahi University campus on December 22, 1984.
Nazrul, a BNP standing committee member, said the current government was not usurped power, as it was established by the people of the country and the political parties that waged a movement against the Sheikh Hasina regime.
“We expect that they’ll try to resolve the problems people are facing in their daily lives, put on trial those involved in various crimes, including killings and enforced disappearances, and arrange for an election after creating the necessary conditions for the restoration of democracy, for which we have long been struggling,” he said.
The BNP leader lamented that some advisers of the interim government are unnecessarily speaking against political parties. “We will participate in the election. Whether they will join the election to stand against us. They won’t do that. So, why should they make such comments?” he said.
He also slammed Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan for her remark that politicians had done nothing for the country over the past 53 years.
Read: Interim govt weakest in history, election needed by 2025: BNP leader
Nazrul said their party founder, Ziaur Rahman, inherited a famine-stricken country but transformed its economy through various initiatives, including increasing food production, establishing the garment sector, and promoting the export of fish from the sea. “Are these not significant achievements?”
He urged the advisers to question the contributions of politicians only after making any significant achievements for the country, as Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia had done.
1 month ago
Political parties assure Dr Yunus to uphold Bangladesh's sovereignty
Political parties across the spectrum reaffirmed their commitment to safeguarding Bangladesh's independence and sovereignty during a meeting with Chief Adviser Dr Yunus on Wednesday.
“We may have political differences over elections, reform and other issues, but we all are united on the question of national independence and sovereignty,” Nagorik Oikya President Mahmudur Rahman Manna told reporters after the meeting.
Entire world needs to know Bangladesh united: Dr Yunus
The meeting was held at the Foreign Service Academy with the participation of representatives from various political parties including BNP and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami.Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus delivered the opening remarks at the event that began at 4:00pm.
Manna said they told the meeting that Bangladesh wants to stay independent with dignity, maintaining friendly relations with other countries, not bowing down to anyone.
He said they also asked the interim government to review all the agreements signed with India and cancel the agreements that go against the national interest of Bangladesh.
Junaid Saki, the chief coordinator of Ganosamhati Andolon, said they, the political parties in the meeting, reached a consensus to develop a national unity on the question of the independence and sovereignty of Bangladesh.
Tarique urges leaders, activists to avoid controversial activities
“We told (govt) that all the people of Bangladesh – political parties, students and people from all classes and professions—will fight united to protect the existence, independence and sovereignty of this country,” he said.
Noting that a fight of misinformation continues against Bangladesh from India and other places, Saki said, “We’ve told the government that we’ll have to fight misinformation with true information.”
Saiful Islam, Ganatantra Mancha coordinator Saiful Huq, said India has remained seriously active against the interim government, the people of this country and the mass uprising since the fall of the fascists. They (India) are trying to create a communal tension between the Hindu and Muslim, he said.
“We today said in this meeting that we, all political parties in Bangladesh, are beside the interim government and expressed unity over the question of our independence, sovereignty and national interest,” he said.
National Unity: CA’s talks with political parties underway
Saiful Huq said they assured that the people of Bangladesh have today built a fresh unity over non-communal politics and cultures against communalism. “The people of Bangladesh won’t step in any type of provocation,” he said.
He said they asked the government to give a clear message that if India wants to destabilise Bangladesh and play with the security of Bangladesh, the security of India will also fall in risk.
“We want to keep the friendly relationship with India and we want to resolve all disputes with India fairly based on just, equity and equal partnership,” he said.
“We, the people of Bangladesh won’t step in any provocation and will protect the national unity at any cost. Today the people of Bangladesh are united on the question of the national interest. And this unity can no way be weakened,” said Saiful Huq.
Advisers Adilur Rahman Khan and Mahfuj Alam; BNP leaders Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Abdul Moyeen Khan, Syed Nazrul Islam Khan, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, and AZM Zahid Hossain; Jamaat Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman; and Gono Odhikar Parishad leader Nurul Haque Nur and Rashed Khan, among others, present in the meeting.
Global problem-solving must rely on cooperation, not conflict: Prof Yunus
The CA’s meeting with religious leaders will be held on Thursday, but the time has not been decided yet.
CA's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said Prof Yunus held a meeting with student leaders on Tuesday evening. “Prof Yunus called the students to help rebuild the nation,” Alam told UNB after the meeting.
2 months ago
National Unity: Chief Adviser to hold talks with political, religious leaders
Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus will hold talks separately with different stakeholders including political parties and student leaders as he seeks national unity.
Briefing the media on Tuesday evening, Chief adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said there is a possibility of a meeting with political parties at the Foreign Service Academy at 4pm on Wednesday.
The meeting with religious leaders will be held on Thursday, but the time has not been decided yet, he said.
Read: BNP urges Chief Adviser to foster national unity to resolve issues
The Press Secretary said the Chief adviser will call for national unity at the meetings.
Prof Yunus held a meeting with student leaders on Tuesday evening.
CA’s Deputy Press Secretaries Apurba Jahangir and Abul Kalam Azad Majumder were also present at the media briefing.
2 months ago
Interim govt to begin fresh dialogue with political parties Saturday
As part of the ongoing consultations with stakeholders, the Council of Advisers led by Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, will begin a fresh phase of dialogue with major political parties on Saturday.
“The key purpose of the dialogue is to inform the political parties about progress over the six reform commissions’ work and discuss the law-and-order situation of the country and seek their suggestions,” Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam told reporters, mentioning that this is an ongoing process.
Deputy Press Secretaries Apurba Jahangir and Abul Kalam Azad Majumdar were also present at the media briefing at the Foreign Service Academy on Wednesday.
There were two rounds of dialogue between the political parties and the Council of Advisers led by Prof Yunus after the formation of the interim government on August 8.
It is not decided yet how many days the dialogue with the political parties will continue.
The Press Secretary hoped that the six reform commissions will fully be formed with required members within the next two-three days.
He said the reform commissions have already started working with their terms and references in place, and they are in discussion with those who will be joining the commissions as members.
Asked about the political parties who will join the dialogue, the Press Secretary said major parties will be invited. “You will see and know on Saturday.”
Responding to a question on the CHT situation, he said there were tensions but the situation is far better now.
The six commissions were initially scheduled to start working from October 1.
The reform commissions are the Electoral System Reform Commission headed by Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar, the Police Administration Reform Commission headed by Sarfaraz Hossain, the Judiciary Reform Commission headed by Justice Shah Abu Naeem Mominur Rahman, Anti-Corruption Reform Commission headed by TIB’s Dr Iftekharuzzaman, Public Administration Reform Commission headed by Abdul Mueed Chowdhury and Constitution Reform Commission headed by Distinguished Professor at Illinois State University Dr Ali Riaz.
In the previous media briefing, the Press Secretary said the Council of Advisers headed by the Chief Adviser wanted to sit with the political parties quickly before the commissions started working on the reforms.
Alam said the six commissions were scheduled to work from October 1 but a decision came for another phase of consultation with the political leaders to seek their opinions. Since there are six heads of these commissions, work has started to some extent, he added.
4 months ago
Try to figure out a way to have dialogue without pre-conditions: Peter Haas urges parties
The United States has reiterated that it remains neutral, without taking any side, and urged all political parties of Bangladesh to de-escalate and eschew violence and find ways for peaceful elections.
“We are on no particular political party’s side. We want free and fair elections conducted in a peaceful manner,” US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas told reporters today (November 15, 2023).
No scope for dialogue now: Quader acknowledges receiving Donald Lu’s letter from Peter Haas
He called upon all sides to de-escalate, eschew violence and try to figure out a way to have dialogue without pre-conditions to improve the election atmosphere.
Ambassador Haas made the remarks after a meeting with Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader at the Secretariat.
Peter Haas has requested meetings with senior leaders of 3 major parties: US Embassy
He said they delivered the same message to all political parties in Bangladesh, that the United States remains neutral ahead of the upcoming polls.
Earlier, Ambassador Haas requested meetings with senior leaders of the three major political parties to underscore the US position regarding the upcoming election.
Haas meets CEC, hopes all sides will engage in dialogue without preconditions
Meanwhile, US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller on Tuesday said, “We have consistently said that we believe elections in Bangladesh should be free and fair and open, and they should take place free of violence.”
1 year ago
12th nat’l election preparations: EC starts discussion with registered political parties
Election Commission (EC) today (November 04, 2023) started discussion with all registered political parties to inform them about preparations for the 12th parliamentary election.
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal is presiding over the discussion at the Election Commission building in Dhaka’s Agargaon.
Thirteen registered parties have joined the discussion while three are not joining. Meanwhile, three parties did not inform the commission whether they will join or not. Ganatantri Party was not invited to the discussion.
The EC has scheduled two dialogue sessions daily. The first one began at 10:30 am today which will end at 1 pm, and another will be held from 3 pm to 4:30 pm.
The day-long discussion with the political parties is being held in two phases.The Election Commission invited the presidents and general secretaries of the parties or two representatives appointed by them for the dialogue.
Read: Elections can't be stopped by arson: Salman F Rahman
BNP and several of its allies, including the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Biplobi Workers Party, Bangladesh Kallyan Party, and Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD), have decided not to participate in the Election Commission dialogue.
The Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), which is not in any alliance, is also boycotting the EC dialogue. Islamic Andolan Bangladesh, Khelafat Majlis, and Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis are among the Islamic parties that are boycotting the dialogue.
Awami League Presidium Member Lt Col (retd) Faruk Khan and Information and Research Secretary Salim Mahmud are representing the party in the dialogue, said the party's Office Secretary Biplab Barua.
Read: Now 11.96 crore voters in Bangladesh: EC
According to the constitution, parliamentary election must be held within 90 days before the end of the five-year term of parliament. The term of the current parliament ends on January 29, 2024 while the 90-day count starts from November 1, 2023.
The Election Commission said that it is preparing to announce the schedule of the national election in mid-November and hold the election in January.
Earlier in July 2022, the EC held a dialogue with the political parties to prepare the action plan for the 12th national election while few political parties including Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) did not attend the dialogue.
Read more: EC going to stage mockery in the name of dialogue at govt’s behest: BNP
1 year ago
‘Your leader studied up to class 8, I completed class 7’: Hero Alom on BNP leader Rizvi calling him ‘uneducated’
Ashraful Alom, popularly known as “Hero Alom”, on Saturday (August 5, 2023) took to social media to condemn BNP leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi’s comments on his “education.”
In a video, BNP leader Rizvi is heard saying: “A crazy and half-educated person like Hero Alom is contesting elections these days.”
Hero Alom published a video on his social media account, criticizing Rizvi’s comments.
Also read: Man arrested for making death threat to Hero Alom
The social media content creator said: “I do not want to speak against anyone. But this is very sad. I have seen the video of BNP leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi calling me crazy. He has also questioned my educational qualifications.”
“I have the right to contest in elections. Nowhere in the law does it say that you have to have certain educational qualifications or that you have to look good.”
Referring to the BNP leader’s comment on his education, Hero Alom said, “I have been called uneducated… You will find an option to write ‘self-taught’ on the nomination paper.”
Also read: Karwanbazar pick-up owners’ association president arrested over attack on Hero Alom: Police
“By calling me uneducated, you’re also calling yourself uneducated. Because, the leader of your party, BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaled Zia, completed education up to class 8. I have studied up to class 7,” he added.
Hero Alom also criticized BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir for his comments that, according to him, was belittling.
He said, “Mirza Fakhrul has said ‘people like Hero Alom’ also contests elections, which is belittling. His words imply that I can be ridiculed.”
“Many Awami League leaders, Jatiya Party leaders, politicians, and intellectuals talk about me in a derogatory way as well,” he added.
Hero Alom urged politicians not to demean him.
Also read: Amnesty International condemns attack on Hero Alom
Hero Alom has recently been in focus of political discussion after being assaulted while leaving a polling station in the Banani area during the Dhaka-17 by-election last month.
He contested in the election as an independent candidate.
The physical assault on Hero Alom was strongly condemned by political parties as well as diplomats station in Dhaka, and human rights organizations.
1 year ago
A day marked by violent clashes as political parties take to the streets across country
At least one person was killed and several hundreds were injured in violent clashes across the country as leaders and activists of Awami League and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) took to the streets across the country in a show of force ahead of the next general election.
A young man was killed and 50 people were injured in sporadic clashes between leaders and activists of BNP and Awami League in Laxmipur district town on Tuesday.
According to Mahfuzzaman Ashraf, superintendent of Laxmipur police, both BNP and Awami League brought out processions across the city.
Also read: Not a victory march, it’s a defeat march: Quader on BNP’s program
At 4 pm, the procession of BNP and Awami League mingled at Samad Academy intersection. At one stage, the BNP men tore down banners of Awami League, triggering a chase and counter chase.
The BNP men, numbering 30/40, chased some 15/20 men of Awami League, forcing them to take shelter in a building inside Madin Ullah Housing.
Sajib of Chandraganj was found lying on the ground floor of the building, and he died due to profuse bleeding, police said quoting locals.
Also read: Quit now, people don’t want to see you in power anymore: Fakhrul asks govt
Earlier on Tuesday, BNP's Dhaka march for its one-point demand came under attack near Mirpur's Govt Bangla college.
As part of their one-point movement, BNP started a march towards Old Dhaka from Gabtoli Bus Station around 11:20 am.
Also read: 50 injured in AL, BNP, police clash in Feni
When the march reached near the college in Mirpur around 11:45 am, some youths attacked them, resulting in a clash, witnesses said.
1 year ago