Election
EC has 'no legal obligation' to bring parties to election
Election Commissioner Anisur Rahman has said the Election Commission has no legal obligation to convince any party which does not want to participate in the election otherwise.
He made this comment in response to the questions of journalists at the Election Building on Sunday..
"The Chief Election Commissioner also said last week that it is not our responsibility to bring anyone to the polls," Anisur said."It is not the responsibility of any party or anyone to get elected. We have called, hoping they will come."
Read: Election violence under present EC drops to zero: CEC
This commissioner also said that they will do whatever is necessary to create a suitable environment for the election, after that if no one comes there is no legal obligation to bring them.
"We will not do that. They will do their work. We will do our work. We will try to say that we want participatory elections. Hope that there will be participatory elections," he said.
He said the BNP has not supported them since day one. "Let them take part in the polls and say that the election is not fair,"
Read: No new dialogue possible with BNP or any other party: CEC
"There is no such thing as an end in politics. We made Rangpur City elections fair during the party government. We have shown that fair elections are possible under the party government," he added.
Anisur said that it is desirable that the party will join the election. "They have not even participated in an election under us. Let the participants say that the vote was not fair."
Jamaat, Shibir men clash with police over holding mass procession in Malibagh
A clash broke out between the law enforcers and activists and leaders of the Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing Chhatra Shibir in the capital's Malibagh as they tried to bring out a procession after Juma prayers, police said.
Several people, including 10 cops and Jamaat- Shibir men sustained injuries during the clash.
The law enforcers detained several Jamaat-Shibir men over the incident.
The injured cops were New Market and Ramna zones’ Assistant Commissioners Sharif Mohammad Farukuzzaman and Md Bayezidur Rahman, sub inspectors—Shahidul Osman Masum, Subir Kumar Karmakar, Habibur Rahman, Mohaiminul Hasan, Kabir Hossain, Md Firoz Miah, constables Sourav Nath and Sadi Mohammad.
A police officer said the Jamaat-e-Islami sought permission from the police to bring out a mass procession from the north gate of Baitul Mukarram Mosque as part of the simultaneous movement of the opposition parties and alliances to unseat the current government. "But the party was denied permission."
Read more: Simultaneous Movement: Ganatantra Mancha brings out mass procession in Dhaka
"The Jamaat men tried to hold a mass procession without police permission in Malibagh. A clash ensued as police had asked the Jamaat men not to go through with the procession, but they had paid no heed to the law enforcers," Shahen Shah Mahmud, additional deputy commissioner (ADC) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (Ramna Division), said.
"The Jamaat-Shibir men hurled bricks at police. The law enforcers then fired tear gas to disperse them and bring the situation under control," he added. "Later, some people were detained from the spot and brought to the concerned police station."
Read more: Simultaneous Movement: 33 opposition parties set to take out mass processions in city
Polls to 5 municipalities, 66 unions on Thursday
Elections to the five municipalities and 66 union parishads across the country will be held with the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) on Thursday.
The five municipalities are—Bagha in Rajshahi, Birol in Dinajpur, Boda in Panchagarh, Alfadanga in Faridpur and Banpara in Natore district.
In Bagha municipality five candidates including four independent candidates are vying for the mayoral posts.
Read: Election violence under present EC drops to zero: CEC
The candidates are Awami League-backed candidate Shahinur Rahman Pintu, Awami League (rebel) candidate Akkas Ali, and independent candidates Jamaaat Islami upazila unit Amir Saiful Islam, upazila unit BNP president Kamal Hossain and Israfil Hossain.
In Birol municipality, Birol upazila unit Awami League President Sabujar Siddique elected uncontested as mayor of the municipality as two candidates—Mamunur Rashid and Rezaul Islam Badsha withdrew their nomination on December 10, said Birol Upazila Election Officer Abdul Kuddus Sarkar.
In Boda municipality, four mayoral candidates, nine reserved seat female councilors and 29 general councilors are contesting the polls.
The four mayoral candidates are—Awami League backed mayor candidate Azhar Ali, Islami Andolon backed candidate Maudud Khan, independent candidates Aktar Hossain (coconut tree) and Raza Ferdous Chinmoy (Jug).
Alfadhanga municipality, three candidates including Awami League backed candidate and current Mayor Saifur Rahman (boat), Independent candidates AKM Ahadul Hasan (Jug) and Ali Aksad Jhantu (coconut tree) are vying for the mayoral posts.
Read: No new dialogue possible with BNP or any other party: CEC
In Banpara municipality, Awami League-backed mayoral candidate KM Zakir Hossain and Independent candidate Zakir Hossain Sarkar are contesting the polls.
On November 7, Election Commission secretary Jahangir Alam announced the schedule of the polls to five municipalities and 66 union parishads.
The last date of submission of nomination was December 1 while December 3 was set for scrutiny of nomination paper and the last date of the withdrawal of candidature was December 10.
Election violence under present EC drops to zero: CEC
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal on Tuesday said election violence under the present Election Commission (EC) has dropped to zero.
“The Election Commission wants to continue it,” he said while talking to reporters at the Election Commission Bhaban.
Regarding Rangpur City Corporation (RCC) election, the CEC said the voting is underway at a slow pace for using electronic voting machines (EVMs). About 56 percent voters have cast their votes till 4 pm, he added.
The voting may continue till 7-8 pm due the long queues at the polling centres, he added.
The voting in the election was scheduled to end at 4:30pm.
Read more: Rangpur City Corporation: Voting begins amid enthusiasm
The EC will look into whether there is any other reason behind the delay in voting , he added.
“We have got some allegations of slow voting due to electronic voting machines (EVMs) but all the voters at the centers will be allowed to exercise their franchise till night,” he said.
The Election Commission is monitoring the election through CC cameras from a control room.
Election Commissioners Brig. General (retd) Ahsan Habib Khan, Md Alamgir, Anisur Rahman, Squadron leader Shahrier Alam are present at the control room and observing the whole situation as already 1,807 CC cameras have been installed at the polling booths.
Read more: Official electioneering period ends tonight, before Rangpur votes for mayor
Voting in Rangpur City Corporation began on Tuesday morning using electronic voting machines (EVMs) at 229 centres.
Nine candidates are vying for the mayoral post while 183 people are contesting for councillor posts under 33 wards. Sixty-eight candidates are contesting the polls for 11 reserved seats, said Returning Officer Abdul Baten.
The mayoral candidates are: Amiruzzaman from Islami Andolon Bangladesh, Abu Raihan from Bangladesh Congress, Touhidur Rahman Mandal from Khelafat Majlish, Mostafizur Rahman from Jatiya Party, Shafier Rahman from Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, Hosne Ara Lutfa Dalia from Awami League, Khorshed Alam from Zaker Party, Mehedi Hasan and Latifur Rahman as independent candidates.
Campaigning in the Rangpur City Corporation election ended on Sunday midnight amid much enthusiasm.
A total of 229 presiding officers, 1,349 assistant presiding officers and 2,698 polling officers are performing their duties to maintain order in the voting centres.
The first Rangpur City Corporation election was held on December 21, 2017. The tenure of the current mayor will expire on February 18, 2023.
Rangpur City Corporation: Voting begins amid enthusiasm
Voting in Rangpur City Corporation began on Tuesday morning using electronic voting machines (EVMs) at 229 centres.
It began at 8:00am and will continue till 4:30pm, said Returning Officer Abdul Baten.
Nine candidates were vying for the mayoral post while 183 people are contesting for councillor posts under 33 wards. Sixty-eight candidates are contesting the polls for 11 reserved seats.
Read: No outside pressure on Election Commission: CEC
The mayoral candidates are: Amiruzzaman from Islami Andolon Bangladesh, Abu Raihan from Bangladesh Congress, Touhidur Rahman Mandal from Khelafat Majlish, Mostafizur Rahman from Jatiya Party, Shafier Rahman from Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, Hosne Ara Lutfa Dalia from Awami League, Khorshed Alam from Zaker Party, Mehedi Hasan and Latifur Rahman as independent candidates.
This year, a total of 4,26,470 voters are expected to vote in the city corporation election.
All preparations have been taken to hold a free and fair election, the official said.
Mobile court drives were being conducted to ensure that the election code is followed, he said.
Campaigning in the Rangpur City Corporation election ended on Sunday midnight amid much enthusiasm.
Read: Govt’s cooperation needed for holding fair election: CEC
A total of 229 presiding officers, 1,349 assistant presiding officers and 2,698 polling officers are performing their duties to maintain order in the voting centres.
The first Rangpur City Corporation election was held on December 21, 2017. The tenure of the current mayor will expire on February 18, 2023.
No new dialogue possible with BNP or any other party: CEC
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal on Thursday said that there is no opportunity for a new dialogue with BNP or any other political party regarding next parliamentary elections expected to be held in January, 2024.
He was speaking to the reporters after exchanging views with the government officials at the Deputy Commissioner's office in Patuakhali.
He said, “BNP has been repeatedly requested to participate in the upcoming elections. But they always rejected our request.”
BNP is adamant in demanding a non-partisan caretaker government and restructuring of the Election Commission, he added.
“In this case, there is no chance of a new dialogue with BNP or any other political party regarding the upcoming national parliamentary elections,” he said.
Besides, by-elections to the five vacant parliamentary seats of the BNP MPs will be held with EVMs (Electronic Voting Machines), he said.
Read more: No outside pressure on Election Commission: CEC
However, the EC currently does not have necessary fund for installing CCTV cameras in polling centres in these by-elections, the CEC added.
At present, the Election Commission has the capacity of holding elections with EVMs in 50 to 60 seats. Financial allocation has been sought from the government to purchase more EVMs, he said.
Following the allocation, the commission is planning to buy new machines and hold elections with EVMs in 150 seats in the next parliamentary elections, he added.
The CEC said some EVMs have been out of service due to lack of proper maintenance. A project has been submitted to the government for their proper conservation of EVMs, and the project proposal is now with the Planning Commission.
Read more: Govt’s cooperation needed for holding fair election: CEC
“If the project is approved, it will be possible to properly maintain the EVMs. This will save the country's money,” said the CEC.
No outside pressure on Election Commission: CEC
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal on Wednesday said that there is no pressure from the international community or foreign diplomats on the Election Commission regarding next parliamentary elections expected to be held early 2024.
He made the comment while speaking at the inauguration of the distribution of smart national identity cards in Patuakhali.
Read more: Democratic practice won't develop without electoral competition: CEC
The Election Commission has no comment on the statements made by the diplomats over the national elections, he said.
“It is a matter of the government and those who are speaking is a bilateral issue. I will not comment on this as Chief Election Commissioner,” he said.
Expecting BNP’s participation in the election, the CEC said, “However, no party is being forced to participate in the elections.”
Read more: Govt’s cooperation needed for holding fair election: CEC
“BNP is an important opposition party. The election will be more participatory if they come forward,” he said.
“We are hopeful that all opposition parties, including BNP, will participate in the next parliamentary election,” said the CEC.
By-elections to 5 vacant seats of BNP MPs on Feb 1, 2023
By-elections to the five parliamentary seats, left vacant after BNP MPs resigned, will be held on February 1, 2023.
The Election Commission (EC) announced the schedule of the by-elections on Sunday after a meeting.
Read more: BNP MPs’ vacant seats: EC to announce schedule of by-polls Nov 18
The election schedule was finalised at a meeting of the EC with Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal in the chair.
EC will conduct the by-polls to parliamentary seats -- Thakurgaon-3, Bogura-4, Bogura-6, Chapainawabganj-2 and Brahmanbaria-2.
The EC secretary said candidates can submit their nomination papers till January 5. Returning officers will scrutinize the nomination papers on January 8 and January 15 has been set as the last date for withdrawal of candidature.
On December 11, five out of seven BNP members of the parliament (MPs) submitted their resignation to Speaker of Parliament Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, as part of their anti-government movement with a 10-point demand that includes dissolution of parliament.
Read more: Gaibandha-5 by-polls: EC to take action against 133 officials
The MPs who resigned were: Md. Zahidur Rahman, Thakurgaon-3; Md. Mosharof Hosen, Bogura-4; Gulam Mohammad Siraj, Bogura-6; Md. Aminul Islam, Chapainawabganj-2; and Rumeen Farhana, from women’s reserved seats.
Md. Harunur Rashid of Chapainawabganj-3, who is now in Australia and the ailing MP of Brahmanbaria-2 Abdus Sattar Bhuiyan could not submit their resignations to the Speaker in person.
The seven MPs sent their resignations through email on the same day.
The Parliament Secretariat published a gazette notification announcing the parliamentary seats as vacant after their resignation.
BNP MPs’ vacant seats: EC to announce schedule of by-polls Nov 18
The Election Commission (EC) will announce the schedule of the by-elections to the vacant parliamentary seats of the BNP MPs on December 18 , said Election Commissioner Md Alamgir on Thursday.
He said this while talking to journalists at the Election Commission office at Agargaon in the city.
“We have a meeting on Sunday and discussion will be held on the by-election to vacant seats,” he said.
Read more: BNP MPs' decision to resign a 'mistake': Obaidul Quader
The by-election schedule will be announced after the meeting, he added.
On December 11, five out of seven BNP members of the parliament (MPs) submitted their resignation to Speaker of Parliament Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, as part of their anti-government movement with a 10-point demand that includes dissolution of parliament.
The MPs who resigned are: Md. Zahidur Rahman, Thakurgaon-3; Md. Mosharof Hosen, Bogura-4; Gulam Mohammad Siraj, Bogura-6; Md. Aminul Islam, Chapainawabganj-2 and Rumeen Farhana, from women’s reserved seats.
Read more: 5 BNP MPs’ resignation: Election to vacant seats within 90 days, EC says
Md. Harunur Rashid of Chapainawabganj-3, who is now in Australia and ailing MP of Brahmanbaria-2 Abdus Sattar Bhuiyan could not submit resignation to the Speaker in person.
The MPs sent their resignation through an email on the same day.
Democratic practice won't develop without electoral competition: CEC
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal on Tuesday said that the democratic practice does not develop if there is no electoral competition among political parties..
For this, each party should arrange dialogue among themselves to reach consensus, he told the reporters after a meeting on law and order over Rangpur city corporation (RCC) election at the Deputy Commissioner's office.
“We have to sit at the table and discuss. Showing off power on the streets and election through ballot at the poll centre are not the same thing,” he said.
Read more: Govt’s cooperation needed for holding fair election: CEC
Expecting a participatory election, the CEC urged all parties to participate in the election spontaneously. The election commission cannot force anyone in this regard.
“But I will be happy if the BNP participates in the election,” he added.
The CEC asked the political parties to make people interested towards the election creating such an environment.
“If the election is not competitive, then it does not reflect the exact public opinion.”
Regarding the RCC election, Habibul Awal said strict action will be taken against anyone who obstructs the free exercise of people’s voting rights.
He urged the people of the city to go to the polling centres spontaneously on December 27.
CEC also ordered the returning officers concerned to observe the election on CCTV cameras besides monitoring from Dhaka.
Read more: CEC appreciates environment of local govt polls
Asked about the Gaibandha election, the CEC said action has been taken against those who were involved in the irregularities. This time, instructions have been given so that the poling agents responsible for the election malpractice cannot be present in the re-election.
The Election Commission also decided to use electronic voting machines (EVMs) and CCTV cameras in Rangpur City Corporation election.
A total of 3,93,994 voters will be able to vote at 193 centres to elect the Rangpur mayor, 27 general ward councillors and 11 reserved ward councillors. The last election to Rangpur City Corporation was held on December 21, 2017.