Dhaka, Nov 1 (UNB) - President Abdul Hamid on Thursday asked the Election Commission and others concerned to continue their relentless efforts to hold the 11th parliamentary elections in a free, fair and peaceful manner.

The President came up with the directives when a six-member EC delegation, led by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda, met him at Bangabhaban.

“At the meeting, the EC apprised the President of its overall preparations for the next general election. It also informed the President about the demarcation of 300 constituencies and preparation of voter list with and without photographs," President's Press Secretary Joynal Abedin told UNB after the meeting.

Abdul Hamid advised the EC and others concerned to avoid all sorts of controversies in election activities, he said.

The President directed the EC to play a more active role in preventing the abuse of technologies during the election time, saying it hampers any good work.     

Election commissioners Mahbub Talukdar, Md Rafiqul Islam, Kabita Khanam and Brigadier General (retd) Shahadat Hossain Chowdhury, EC Secretary Helaluddin Ahmed and secretaries concerned to the President were present at the meeting.

After the meeting, the CEC said a meeting on fixing the schedule for the upcoming national election will be held on Sunday (Nov 4).

“There has been no decision yet. President Abdul Hamid has been apprised of the election preparations. The EC will sit in a meeting on November 4 for taking the decision over the election schedule,” he told reporters emerging from Bangabhaban.

According to the Constitution, the EC is bound to hold the general election within 90 days before the expiry of this Jatiya Sangsad. 

The EC is planning to hold the election in the middle of December after announcing the schedule at the beginning of November.
 

Geneva, Oct 27 (UNB) - President Abdul Hamid returned home from Switzerland on Saturday after attending two international conferences on investment and security.

A regular flight of Emirates Airlines carrying the President took off from Cointrin Airport at 3:15 pm (local time) and landed at Hazrat Shahjalal (R) International Airport here at 8:15am.

Finance Minister AMA Muhith, Social Welfare Minister Rashed Khan Menon, Dean of the diplomatic Corps, Swiss Ambassador Ren Holenstein, chiefs of the three services, Foreign Secretary, Cabinet Division secretary, Secretary to PM, Inspector General of Police (IGP) and high civil and military officials received the president.
Abdul Hamid went to Switzerland on October 22. 

During the visit, the President joined the 20th edition of ‘Global Leaders Investment Summit’ and 20th annual session of ‘Home Land and Global Security Forum’.
 

Geneva, Oct 26 (UNB) - President Abdul Hamid left here on Friday afternoon wrapping up his five-day visit to Switzerland to attend two international conferences on investment and security.

A regular flight of Emirates Airlines carrying the President took off from Cointrin Airport at 3:15pm local time.

The flight is scheduled to reach Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka at 8:40 am on Saturday.

Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN and other international organisations Shameem Ahsan and representatives of the Swiss government saw Abdul Hamid off at the airport. 

Bangladesh Ambassador to the UAE and Consul General in Dubai will receive the President at Dubai International Airport during the transit.    

Abdul Hamid went to Switzerland on October 22. 

During the visit, the President joined the 20th edition of ‘Global Leaders Investment Summit’ and 20th annual session of ‘Home Land and Global Security Forum’.
 
Over 5,000 participants from 160 countries met in Geneva to thrash out major new investment-for-development initiative in the World Investment Forum 2018 from October 22 to 26.

Organised under the overall theme – ‘Investing in Sustainable Development’ – the Forum addressed global challenges for international investment in the new era of globalisation and industrialisation.

This year’s event comprised of some 60 events, including three summits, five ministerial round tables, private-sector led sessions and several award ceremonies.

Abdul Hamid also joined the official opening session of 20th annual session of the Homeland and Global Security Forum organised by Crans Montana Forum which took place in Grand Hotel Kempniski, Geneva (Switzerland) on October 25.

This Forum addressed major security challenges in a world facing rejections and hardenings.

It brought together heads of states and governments, ministers, international organisations, parliaments, justice and police administrations and businesses from around the world.

The President also enjoyed the cruise of Thunlake in Switzerland on October 24.   

 
Dhaka, Oct 7 (UNB) - Outgoing Iranian Ambassador Dr Abbas Vaezi Dehnavi called on President Abdul Hamid at Bangabhaban on Sunday.
 
During the meeting the President spoke of excellent bilateral relationship between Bangladesh and Iran, said the President's press secretary Joynal Abedin in a post-meet media briefing. 
 
Referring to cordial support of Iranian government on Rohingya issue, President Hamid expressed his gratitude to the people and government of Iran.
 
Abdul Hamid said Bangladesh and Iran extended mutual support and cooperation to each other in different regional and international forums.
 
The outgoing Iranian envoy lauded the overall development and progress, especially, in ensuring the women empowerment in Bangladesh.
 
The envoy also praised the time-befitting role of Bangladesh in giving shelter to the forcibly displaced Rohingya people.
 
He also thanked the President for his cooperation during his time here.
 

Dhaka, Oct 3 (UNB) - President Abdul Hamid on Wednesday urged the people of the country to accept the good aspects of satellite culture excluding the evil sides.

The President was speaking as chief guest in the inaugural ceremony of International Folk Festival 2018 at Muktarpara field of Netrokona organised by Greater Mymensingh Cultural Forum.    

President Abdul Hamid said “Do not get influenced by the cheap trend of satellite culture. Rather, you will have to accept the good aspects of it and you will have to exclude the evil sides.”

“Information-technology has affected everyone's life in the village and city. The whole world has become a village because of the free flow of information. As a result, the sky culture is now reality.  The influence of the culture of different countries and nations is spreading very fast. The cultural pattern is also changing at the same pace,” the President said.
 
The President stressed on the need for establishing an international institution for preserving folk culture. He said “The precious components of folk culture which is now scattered should be preserved in an organised way. An international standard folk culture institution should be established for the preservation of folk culture.”

He added "I am happy hear that the Cultural Forum has already taken a timely step to establish this type of institution with the collaboration of cultural ministry.”    

The President said “This international folk festival will intensify the relationship among the local and foreign researchers and artists and play a vital role in developing this region’s history, heritage and lifestyle. This festival will be considered as a milestone in the national history.”    

Calling upon the countrymen to spread own culture abroad, he said “There are various components of our culture across the country. You should collect these and will have to spread those abroad. I hope that many people including poets, writers, dramatists, producers, collectors, researchers, and institutions will come forward in this regard.”

Visva-Bharati University Professor Sabuj Koli Sen, and Dinesh Chandra Sen's great grand-daughter Debkanya Sen were also present in the programme. 

Renowned folk researcher Jatin Sarker presented the keynote speech in the programme chaired by Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Minister Mustafa Jabbar.

Deputy Minister for Youth and Sports Arif Khan Joy, Chief Coordinator for Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Affairs in the Prime Minister's Office Abul Kalam Azad were present.

Earlier, the President laid the foundation of Sheikh Kamal IT Training and Incubation Centre in the district.