Election Commission
Election Commission monitoring Rajshahi, Sylhet city polls through CCTV cameras
The Election Commission (EC) is observing the Sylhet and Rajshahi city corporation elections today (June 21, 2023) from the EC auditorium in Dhaka.
A temporary control room has been set up to monitor the elections in the two cities.
Election Commissioners Brigadier General Md Ahsan Habib Khan, Md. Alamgir and Rasheda Sultana have been observing the overall situation since 6 am this morning.
Ensure next general election becomes free and fair: President Shahabuddin urges EC
They are monitoring the polls situation through 23 digital display boards, and 368 CCTV cameras in 2,520 voting rooms.
Voting in 345 polling centers is being monitored through the display boards with autorotation after every 10 seconds.
No untoward incident has been reported from the polling stations till the filing of this report at 10 am.
Voting in the elections to Rajshahi and Sylhet city corporations is underway today.
Voting started at 8 am, and it will continue till 4 pm without any break.
Sylhet City Corporation election: 132 out of 190 centers marked as risky
In Sylhet, a total of 4,86,605 voters will exercise their franchise in the polls while 3,51,982 people including 30,157 new voters are scheduled to exercise their franchise in the Rajshahi city polls.
Eight mayoral candidates, including Awami League-backed Anwaruzzaman Chowdhury, are contesting the polls in Sylhet while four mayoral contenders, including Awami League-backed AHM Khairuzzaman Liton, are contesting in Rajshahi.
City corporation polls: Voting underway in Rajshahi, Sylhet
Steps to be taken if foreign diplomats cross limit: Shahriar Alam
The government would take appropriate steps if any foreign diplomat crosses the line, said Bangladesh's State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam on Monday (June 5, 2023).
"There was such a phase six months ago. If it (crossing line) happens again, we will take steps taking that into cognisance. However, I am not aware of anything as of now," he said.
Read more: ‘Undivided India’ map at new parliament: No reason for confusion, Dhaka waiting for official version from Delhi, says Shahriar Alam
The State Minister made the remarks when a reporter drew his attention about Japanese Ambassador Iwama Kiminori’s visit to the Election Commission and his meeting with a political party.
Read more: Exaggeration, inconsistency in Congressmen’s letter: Shahriar Alam
Earlier, former Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ito Naoki made comments on Bangladesh's last national election, and Bangladesh described Naoki's comments on Bangladesh's election "unexpected."
CEC wants fair election in Barishal with concerted effort from all
Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal has said the Election Commission wants to hold a fair election in Barishal with coordinated effort.
If someone breaks the rules during Barishal City Corporation elections, the candidates have to try to resist it. There will be a presiding officer to whom their polling agents will complain, said the CEC.
“If the presiding officer neglects his duty, we will take strict action against him. You (candidates) also have to perform your duties well,” he said while addressing a meeting with Barishal City Corporation election candidates.
The meeting was organized by the Returning Officer of the election at Barishal Shilpakala Academy hall on Saturday (May 27, 2023) evening.
Also read: Barisal city polls: 7 mayoral candidates get symbols
In the meeting, the CEC listened to various complaints of the candidates and took on board possible solutions and various suggestions.
“Everyone should be awake on Election Day. I am not saying that the election will be held well just because of our efforts. You should try to do the same. It won't be a single attempt by law enforcement. There has to be a concerted effort,” he said.
“Gazipur city election is an example of how the presiding officers will perform their duties properly. The presiding officers performed their duties fairly well. If we get complaints that voters could not go to the centre, could not vote, there were manstans in the centre, they resisted them, then our election will be questioned,” added the CEC.
“The polling agents, you (candidates) will have to resist equally inside. If you show power and say I have to vote, then democracy has been destroyed. If elected, there will be no support from the people. So there will be a call that you will try to develop democracy in a healthy way,” the CEC said.
Also read: Barishal City Polls: 10 Mayoral candidates submit nomination papers
He also announced that all the polling stations in Barishal will have CCTV cameras, like Gazipur.
Election Commissioner Brig Gen (retd) Md Ahsan Habib Khan and Secretary of the Election Commission Secretariat Md Jahangir Alam were present as special guests at the event.
Challenging legality of president’s election: SC fines petitioner Tk 1 lakh for ‘wasting its time’
The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on Thursday (May 18, 2023) rejected a writ petition filed challenging the legality of the election of Md Shahabuddin as president of the country.
The eight-member bench of the Appellate Division, led by Chief Justice Hasan Foez Siddique passed the order and fined the writ petitioner Advocate MA Aziz Tk one lakh “for wasting the court’s time” by filling an “illogical writ petition.”
The other members of the bench are: Justice Md. Nuruzzaman, Justice Obaidul Hassan, Justice Borhanuddin, Justice M. Enayetur Rahim, Justice Md. Ashfaqul Islam, Justice Md. Abu Zafor Siddique, Justice Jahangir Hossain.
Also read: Supreme Court to conduct judicial activities physically from Wednesday
Advocate MA Aziz Khan stood for the petitioner while Attorney General MA Amin Uddin represented the state.
On March 7, a writ petition was filed challenging the legality of the process for electing Md Shahabuddin as president and publication of the gazette notification by the Election Commission.
The writ petition also sought a stay order of the operation of the gazette notification issued by the Election Commission.
On March 15, the High Court rejected the writ petition. On March 21, an appeal petition was filed against the HC order that has rejected the writ petition.
Read more: Lawyers can play a big role to ensure good governance: President
Decision to use ballot paper in next election not taken under any pressure: CEC
Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal today said that the decision to use ballot paper in the upcoming 12th National Election has not been taken under any pressure. It is the Election Commission’s own decision.
The CEC said this during a press briefing at the Election Building in Dhaka’s Agargaon.
Saying that electronic voting machine (EVM) or ballot paper is not a major challenge to the election, the CEC observed that the main challenge is participation of all political parties.
“It will be up to the Commission to ensure that all parties participate in the election. If all the parties participate in the election, it will be acceptable to people,” he also said.
Also read: BNP was invited for informal meeting, not for dialogue: CEC
The biggest challenge at the moment is to overcome the political crisis, he added.
Saying “EVMs are more secure than ballots,” the Chief Election Commissioner said stopping rigging is easy with EVMs. But hundred percent fair voting is not possible either with ballots or EVM, he said.
Rejecting the possibility of early election, CEC Habibul Awal said that preparations are being made according to the roadmap announced by the Election Commission. So, there is no question of early election.
EC announces election dates for five cities
The Election Commission (EC) on Monday announced the election schedules for five city corporations –Gazipur, Khulna, Barishal, Rajshahi and Sylhet.
The election to Gazipur will be held on May 25, while Khulna and Barishal on June 12 and Rashahi and Sylhet on June 21.
EC Secretary Jahangir Alam announced the election schedules at a press briefing after a meeting of the Election Commission at the Nirbachan Bhaban here in the city’s Agargaon area.
The election to the five cities will be held with the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs) instead of traditional ballot papers and close circuit cameras will be installed to monitor the polls, he said.
In the cities, the balloting will be held from 8:00am to 4:00pm without any recess. The EC’s own officials will act as returning officers in the five city election, he added.
In Gazipur city, the deadline for submission of nomination paper is April 23, while scrutiny of nomination paper is on April 30 and the last date for withdrawal of candidature is May 08, as per the election schedules.
The Dhaka regional election officer will act as the returning officer of the Gazipur city election.
In Khulna and Barishal cities, the deadline for submission of nomination paper is May 16, while scrutiny of nomination paper is on May 18 and the last date for withdrawal of candidature is May 25.
The Khulna and Barishal regional election officers will act as the returning officers of the two city elections.
Besides, Tarakanda Upazila Parishad in Mymensingh, Cox’s Bazar municipality and Araihazar municipality in Narayanganj will also go to polls on June 12 following the same schedule announced for Khulna and Barishal city corporations.
In Rajshahi and Sylhet cities, the deadline for submission of nomination paper is May 23, while scrutiny of nomination paper is on May 25 and the last date for withdrawal of candidature is June 1.
Also read: 'Gaibandha by-election was an isolated case': Election Commissioner
The Rajshahi and Sylhet regional election officers will act as the returning officers for the two city elections.
Also, three municipalities –-Talora in Bogura, Basail in Tangail and Gopaldi in Narayanganj – will go to election on June 21 following the same schedule announced forRajshahi and Sylhet city corporations.
As per the laws, the Election Commission has an obligation to complete election within 180 days before the expiry of the five-year tenure of any city corporation and other local bodies. But the tenure started with the first sitting of the elected representatives of any local body.
The last city election was held in Gazipur on June 26, 2018, while in Rajshahi Sylhet and Barishal on July 30 2018 and in Khulna city on May 15, 2018.
Next national election to be held using ballot papers, not EVMs: EC secretary
Electronic Voting Machines(EVMs) will not be used in the 12th national election, said Election Commission (EC) Secretary Md. Jahangir Alam on Monday (April 03, 2023).
Voting will be held using ballot papers in 300 seats, he told reporters after a meeting of election commissioners at the EC Secretariat.
The EC secretary said they took the decision to use ballot paper due to lack of political consensus and necessary resources.
On August 23, the EC decided to use EVMs instead of traditional ballot papers in maximum of 150 constituencies in the next general election – likely to be held early next year.
Read More: BNP won't come to power whenever election is held: Quader
On September 19 last year, the Election Commission 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 decision received strong opposition from BNP and its allies, who did not join 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.
On January 23, this year the government decided not to proceed with purchasing 2 lakh electronic voting machines (EVMs) citing the global economic recession.
Read More: Cabinet nods 2 to 7 years’ imprisonment for election disruptions
EC is totally independent to conduct election: PM Hasina
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday reiterated that the Election Commission is totally independent to conduct the country's next general election.
She said this when visiting British Minister of State (Indo-Pacific) of Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Anne-Marie Trevelyan paid a courtesy call on her at Ganabhaban here on Sunday morning.
During the meeting, they discussed different issues including election, Rohingyas and economic development of Bangladesh, Covid-19 pandemic and post-Covid situation.
PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting.
About the next general election, the premier said Bangladesh follows the Westminster-type democracy. “Our main goal is the welfare of the people. The Election Commission is totally independent. It will conduct the election,” the PM was quoted as saying.
Also read; So-called opposition out to spoil success though falsehood: PM Hasina
Regarding the freedom of expression, Hasina said the media enjoys total freedom here. There was only one television channel in the country but her government opened television channels to the private sector. Now there are 24 private TV channels and more TV channels are in the pipeline, she said.
The UK’s Indo Pacific state minister said the next stage of development is very important for Bangladesh on the way of its graduation from the status of a least developed country (LDC).
Anne-Marie Trevelyan said she visited the Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar and appreciated Bangladesh and Sheikh Hasina for providing shelter to the displaced people.
She also praised the administration for handling the recent fire incident in the Rohingya camp in a nice manner.
In this regard, the PM said a huge number of new babies are born in the displaced Rohingya community every year, intensifying the burden further on Bangladesh.
Noting that the Covid-19 pandemic affected the whole world, she said Bangladesh emphasized on growing more food and took steps accordingly.
PM’s Ambassador-at-Large Mohammad Ziauddin, PMO Secretary Mohammad Salahuddin and UK High Commissioner to Bangladesh Robert Chatterton Dickson were present.
11.91 crore voters in Bangladesh now: EC
According to the Election Commission's final updated electoral roll, the number of voters in the country has now increased to 11,91,51,440 following inclusion of some new voters last year.
The EC disclosed the updated voter numbers this morning, on the occasion of National Voter Day.
According to EC's factsheet, a total of 58,64,430 new voters were enlisted in the country's voter list.
Of the total voters, 6,04,45,724 are male and 5,87,04,879 are female.
Also read: No outside pressure on Election Commission: CEC
Besides, 837 transgender voters were incorporated under the identity of the third gender in the updated roll.
The voter growth is 5.18%, according to EC.
Next national polls will be free and fair: PM Hasina tells US official
PM-Chollet, LdNext national polls will be free and fair: PM Hasina tells US official
Eds: Updates with details
Dhaka, Feb 15 (UNB) – Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said the next parliamentary election will be fair and free as she is committed to democracy and the Election Commission is completely independent.
“The next election will be fair and free. I fought for democracy throughout my life,” she said.
Read More: Clashes, obstruction by ruling party mark BNP’s nationwide march programme
The premier said this when a US delegation, led by Counselor of the US Department of State Derek Chollet, paid a courtesy call on her at the latter’s official residence Ganabhaban.
PM’s Speechwriter Md Nazrul Islam briefed reporters after the meeting.
Hasina said if the people vote for Awami League in the next general election, her party will take the charge of governing the country.
“I never want to come to power through vote-rigging,” she was quoted as saying.
Read More: Govt is preparing to hold a free, fair election: PM
The PM said she always struggled for the people’s rights to food and vote.
She said the first-ever EC’s reconstitution law was passed in parliament and then a neutral Election Commission was constituted on the basis of the law.
She said the EC is completely independent. It has administrative and financial independence, she added.
Bangladesh is due to elect its next parliament by end of this year or first week of January next year.
Read More: Next general election to be held first week of 2024: PM Hasina announces at Cox’s Bazar rally
The last parliamentary election was held on December 30, 2018.
The prime minister said no political parties in the country other than Awami League have bases at the grassroots level. Opposition BNP and Jatiya Party were born in the cantonments, she noted.
She said AL has been in power only for 19 years in the 51-year history of the country’s independence. The anti-Awami League forces were in power for 29 years and there was no democratic polity during their regimes.
Focusing on the development of Bangladesh in different socio-economic indexes, she said the transformation of the country has become visible in the last 14 years during her government. It has been possible due to the continued democratic practice and stability in the country, she added.
Read More: EC to purchase 700mt paper from Karnaphuli Mills ahead of national election
Nazrul said the Russia-Ukraine war and Rohingya issues also came up for the discussion in the meeting.
PM Hasina tells the US delegation that the world should stop this war right now as it has caused high inflation and commodity prices throughout the globe.
“A war never can bring any benefit for the human kind,” she said.
Noting that the USA is the most powerful country, she said it can stop the war anytime. The disputes can be settled through negotiation, she said.
Read more: ‘Bir Nibash’: PM gives away keys to 5000 houses for disadvantaged freedom fighters
About Rohingyas, the PM said the displaced Myanmar nationals have become a big burden for Bangladesh. The local communities in Cox’s Bazar are suffering and they have become minority due to the influx of such a huge number of Myanmar nationals there.
She said the Rohingya peoples are being involved in different criminal activities like drug trafficking, human trafficking, militancy and infightings.
The premier said the displaced Myanmar nationals have been staying in Cox’s Bazar for five years and now it is difficult to keep them there as its natural environment and the livelihood of locals are at stake.
She said her government arranged different facilities, including income generating programmes, to ensure better life of the Rohingya people on Bhashanchar island.
Read More: EVMs to be used partially again in next JS election: EC
She asked the world community to provide their assistance to Rohingya people on Bhashanchar.
Bangladesh is hosting over 1.1 million Rohingyas in Cox's Bazar and Bhasanchar, she said
PM Hasina also asked the international community to try their best for speedy and amicable repatriation of the Rohingya refugees. to Myanmar, their homeland.
Derek Chollet thanked the prime minister for giving shelter to the Rohingya people on humanitarian ground.
Read More: CEC estimates 15 to 20 percent by-poll voter turnout in 6 JS seats left vacant by BNP
He said they would try their best for the repatriation of the displaced people.
However, the Counselor to the Secretary of State of the United States said the repatriation will be possible when a democratic government returns to power in Myanmar.
He said some recent high-level visits of US officials are reflection of the importance of the bilateral relations between the two countries. This relation will grow further, Chollet added.
He said there are potentials to deepen the bilateral relations, but there are some challenges here.
Read More: EVM purchasing suspended, not cancelled: EC secretary
Chollet arrived here on Tuesday for a 24-hour stay in Bangladesh.
PM’s Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman Fazlur Rahman, PM’s Principal Secretary M Tofazzel Hossain Miah, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen and US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas were present.