Election
EU delegation holds meeting with Inu's JSD
Members of the Election Expert Mission from the European Union (EU) had a meeting with Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal President Hasanul Haq Inu on Saturday afternoon.
The one and half hour long meeting was held at the residence of Hasanul Haq Inu in the city from 2:45pm, according to a press release.They discussed the country's situation ahead of the upcoming 12th parliamentary elections scheduled for January 7.
JSD General Secretary Shirin Akhter (also Inu's wife), Executive President Rabiul Alam, and EU Election Expert Mission's political expert Alexander Matus and Legal Rights Expert Rebecca Cox were present at the meeting.According to the press release, the EU delegation wanted to know about the constitution, electoral laws, caretaker government system, situation of 12th parliamentary polls, JSD's history as a political party and its stance and role, and the 14-party electoral alliance.
It said that Inu briefed the delegation about the matters and said that the rule of law remains established in the country as the judiciary often gives verdict against the executive division of the government to ensure justice for anyone affected by the executive division.
The 12th parliamentary election is going to be held as per the constitution, Inu said, adding that the Election Commission (EC) is moving ahead to hold the polls independently and efficiently based on the powers and jurisdiction given by the country's constitution.
The JSD president also said that elections would have been more competitive if BNP had joined the polls avoiding the path of terrorism and resisting polls.
Inu said the more competitive an election, the more beautiful it is.
He also expressed his hope that the role of the EU as a development partner of Bangladesh and in strengthening the democratic system and institutions in the country will continue in the future.
EC summons Amu for violating polls code of conduct
The Election Commission (EC) on Saturday summoned veteran Awami League leader Amir Hossain Amu, dangling a threat to cancel his candidature for violating the electoral code of conduct in his constituency of Jhalokathi on Friday.
The summons is part of an EC statement signed by its Director (Public Relations) Md Shariful Alam.
Amu, who is contesting from Jhalokathi-2 seat in the parliamentary elections billed for January 7, was asked to appear before the EC to explain why his candidature won’t be voided at 3pm on December 15, reads the statement.
Read: 'BNP itself the biggest violators of human rights': Hasan Mahmud
According to the statement, the AL leader, also president of the JS standing committee on Industries Ministry Affairs, was asked by the EC not to join any rally violating the electoral code of conduct in his constituency on Friday.
Despite the restriction, he addressed and sought vote for him at two separate programmes in the Hall Room of Nalchiti upazila and Sheikh Russell Mini Stadium of the district.
As per the ‘Code of Conduct of political parties and candidates in the parliamentary elections’, there is a provision of cancelling the candidature for breaching the polls code.
EC okays transfer of 338 OCs and 205 UNOs
The Election Commission has so far approved the proposals for transferring 205 Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNO) and the Officers-in-Charge (OCs) of 338 police stations ahead of the upcoming national election slated for January 07 next.
The EC cleared two proposals --one is to transfer 338 OCs and another is to transfer 158 UNOs—on Thursday. The Commission earlier okayed a proposal to transfer 47 UNOs.
So far 338 aspirants challenge RO’s decisions
“The Commission has so far approved the proposals to transfer to 338 OCs and 205 UNOs,” EC additional secretary Ashok Kumar Debnath told UNB.
PM pays tribute to Bangabandhu at Tungipara
Earlier, the EC asked the government to transfer all Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNOs) and Officers-in-Charge (OC) of police stations in phases to conduct the 12th parliamentary elections in a fair manner.
As per the EC’s directives, the Public Security Division on Wednesday last sent the proposal to the EC to transfer 338 OCs in the first phase, while the Public Administration Ministry sent several proposals to transfer 205 UNOs this week.
BNP urges those who field candidates to stay away from Jan-7 polls
There are 651 police stations and 495 Upazilas in Bangladesh.
So far 338 aspirants challenge RO’s decisions
As many as 155 aggrieved aspirants lodged appeals before the Election Commission on Thursday, challenging the decisions of the returning officers over cancellation or acceptance of nomination papers in the upcoming national election slated for January 7.
With the 155 new petitioners, a total of 338 aspirants have so far challenged the ROs’ decisions after the EC started receiving petitions on Tuesday. The EC will also receive the appeals on Friday and Saturday.
PM pays tribute to Bangabandhu at Tungipara
Among 155 petitions, seven appeals were lodged against the acceptance of nomination papers by the returning officers.
Earlier, the EC received 42 appeals on Tuesday and 141 ones on Wednesday.
The full commission will hear the appeals and hand down its decisions from December 10 to 15.
A total of 2,716 aspirants including 747 independents submitted nomination papers in 300 constituencies throughout the country to run in the 12th parliamentary election.
Issue of seat sharing was not discussed: Quader after meeting with Jatiya Party
But the returning officers have accepted 1985 nomination papers and rejected 731 others during the scrutiny conducted on December 1-4 last.
Most of the 731 nomination papers were rejected on three grounds -- mismatch in 1pc voters’ signatures submitted by independent aspirants, loans and utility bills defaults and dual citizenship.
Out of 44 registered political parties, 29 parties are contesting the general election.
BNP urges those who field candidates to stay away from Jan-7 polls
The last date for withdrawal of candidature is December 17 and the voting will be held from 8am to 4pm without any recess on January 7.
JSD President Hasanul Inu's wealth up over three-fold in 5 years, annual income dips
Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) President and Kushtia-2 (Mirpur-Bheramara) MP Hasanul Inu's wealth has increased almost four times in the last five years.
During this period, his annual income decreased slightly to Tk 33,74,804, according to his affidavit submitted to the Returning Officer's office in Kushtia.
Also read: National Polls: Mashrafe's income more than halves, assets increase slightly
According to the affidavit, Hasanul Haq Inu is a politician and engineer. A large part of his income comes from business, salary-allowances, dividends of banks and financial institutions and TV talk shows.
A total Tk 762,149 of his annual income comes from his business.
His income from salary and allowances is Tk23.27 lakh. He earns Tk216,070 from TV talk shows and bank interest.
In the affidavit submitted during the 11th parliamentary election, he showed an annual income of Tk 34.61 lakh. As such, Inu's annual income has decreased slightly. Despite this, Hasanul Haq Inu's wealth has increased almost 4 times in the last 5 years.
Also read: National polls: Affidavits show Momen, Imran Ahmed’s assets rise
According to the information given in the affidavit for the 12th parliamentary election, Inu has assets worth Tk 3.92 crore, compared to Tk 1.15 crore during the 2018 parliamentary election. At present, Inu has cash of Tk 3.56 crore, Tk 14.84 lakh deposited in banks and financial institutions in his name.
Meanwhile, Inu's wife's wealth has increased almost 30-fold in the last 10 years, as shown in the affidavit. The amount of his wife's current assets, including movable and immovable, is Tk 1.85 crore, compared to Tk6.38 lakhs in 2013. Of her assets, she has cash of Tk 1.61 crore. She deposited Tk 16.37 lakh in bank and financial institutions and also has an appartment worth Tk 7.48 lakh in her name.
42 aspirants appealed against ROs’ decisions on day one
A total of 42 aggrieved aspirants, including 26 independent hopefuls, filed appeals before the Election Commission on the first day, challenging the decisions of the returning officers.
The commission on Tuesday started receiving the petitions over the rejection and acceptance of nomination papers by the returning officers and will continue it till December 09.
Chief Election Commission Kazi Habibul Awal visited the first day activities of receiving the appeals through 10 booths installed on the premises of Nirbachan Bhaban in the city.
Also read: Election will be held on time: Home Minister
Visiting the activities, the CEC told reporters that the full commission will hear the appeals and then hand down its decisions. The petitions will be heard from December 10 to 15 next, he said.
In reply to a question as to why Ex-BNP leader and AL aspirant Barrister Shahjahan Omar came to the Election Commission, Habibul Awal said it is not his affairs.
He, however, did not reply to another question as to why the EC only issues show- cause notices and doesn’t go for actions against the violation of the electoral code of conduct.
Also read: EC didn’t give permission for AL rally on Dec 10, will hold indoor event: Quader
In this regard, the CEC said, “I’ve said as much as I had to say. I won't say anything beyond that.”
The aspirants who submitted appeals on Tuesday include Bakalpadhara Bangladesh nominated Mahi B Chowdhury (Munshiganj-3), Jatiya Party nominated Md Akhteruzzaman (Jashore-1), Shafiqul Islam Madhu (Khulna-6) and ATM Mazharul Islam (Cumilla-2), and Trinomul BNP nominated Abdur Rab (Sylhet-2).
A total of 2,716 aspirants including 747 independent ones submitted nomination papers in 300 constituencies throughout the country to run the 12th parliamentary election slated for January 07 next.
But the returning officers have accepted 1985 nomination papers and rejected 731 others during the scrutiny conducted on December 1-4 last.
Also read: Jan 7 polls: Aspirants can appeal before EC against RO’s decisions from Tuesday
Most of the 731 nomination papers were rejected on three grounds -- mismatch in 1pc voters’ signatures submitted by independent aspirants, loans and utility bills defaults and dual citizenship.
The last date for withdrawal of candidature is December 17 and the returning officers will distribute electoral symbols among the contenders on December 18.
The candidates can go for electioneering from December 18 to January 5 (8am), 48 hours before the balloting, which will continue from 8am to 4pm without any recess on January 7.
Jan 7 polls: 731 nomination papers rejected, 1985 accepted
The returning officers have accepted a total of 1985 nomination papers and rejected 731 others submitted by aspirants in the country’s 300 constituencies to run in the 12th parliamentary election scheduled to be held on January 07.
“Out of 2,716 nomination papers submitted throughout the country, a total of 1,985 have been accepted and 731 others have been rejected,” Additional secretary of EC Secretariat Ashok Kumar Debnath told reporters on Monday evening.
Also read: Jan 7 polls: Aspirants can appeal before EC against RO’s decisions from Tuesday
The returning officers on Monday completed the scrutiny of nomination papers submitted in the 300 constituencies, starting from last Friday.
Deputy Secretary of EC Secretariat Mahbubar Rahman said the most of 731 nomination papers were rejected on three grounds -- mismatch in 1pc voters’ signatures submitted by independent aspirants, loans and utility bills defaults and dual citizenship.
Also read: Jan 7 National Polls: EC asks to send proposals to transfer OCs by Dec 08
Now the aggrieved aspirants can appeal before the Election Commission from Tuesday, challenging the decisions of the returning officers over rejection or acceptance of nomination papers.
The Election Commission has already installed 10 booths in Nirbachan Bhaban in the city to receive the appeals from the aspirants till December 09.
The appeals will be received from 10:30am to 4pm every day till December 09. The appeals will be disposed of from December 10 to December 15. The EC will hear and dispose of some 100 appeals a day.
The last date for withdrawal of candidature is December 17 and the returning officers will distribute electoral symbols among the contenders on December 18.
Also read: 12th parliamentary elections: EC approves transfer of 47 UNOs
The candidates can go for electioneering from December 18 to January 5 (8am), 48 hours before the balloting, which will continue from 8am to 4pm without any recess on January 7.
Jan 7 polls: Aspirants can appeal before EC against RO’s decisions from Tuesday
Aspirants of the 12th parliamentary election can appeal before the Election Commission from Tuesday, challenging the decisions of the returning officers over both rejection or acceptance of nomination papers.
The Election Commission has already installed 10 booths in Nirbachan Bhavan in Dhaka to receive the appeals from the aspirants till December 09.
Also read: 12th parliamentary elections: EC approves transfer of 47 UNOs
Meanwhile, the returning officers on Monday completed scrutiny of nomination papers submitted by the aspirants in 300 constituencies to run in the upcoming national election slated for January 07.
EC Deputy Secretary Md Abdul Salam on Monday said the appeals will be received from 10:30am to 4pm daily till December 09. The appeals will be disposed of from December 10 to December 15. The EC will hear and dispose of some 100 appeals a day, he said.
In case of hearing, the EC will prioritise the appeals filed against the rejection of nominations.
Also read: National polls: Affidavits show Momen, Imran Ahmed’s assets rise
A total of 2,712 aspirants – 747 independent hopefuls and 1965 ones from 29 registered political parties- submitted nomination papers in the country’s 300 constituencies by November 30 to contest the upcoming general election.
The last date for withdrawal of candidature is December 17 and the returning officers will distribute electoral symbols among the contenders on December 18.
The candidates can go for electioneering from December 18 to January 5 (8am), 48 hours before the balloting, which will continue from 8am to 4pm without any recess on January 7.
Also read: 53 candidates submit nomination forms in six constituencies of Khulna
National polls: Affidavits show Momen, Imran Ahmed’s assets rise
Affidavits submitted to the Election Commission by the candidates in the six constituencies of Sylhet have revealed that the assets of two heavyweight candidates and current ministers- Dr AK Abdul Momen and Imran Ahmed- have increased compared to 2018.
Awami League candidate for Sylhet-6 constituency and former education minister Nurul Islam Nahid’s annual income also increased during the period.
Dr AK Abdul Momen, the Awami League candidate for Sylhet-1 constituency and incumbent Foreign Minister, has shown his movable assets increased by TK3.93 crore, while his annual income has decreased by TK 9.70 lakh and his immovable property has also increased TK57.51 lakh.
Momen has listed ‘politics’ and ‘others’ as his professions in the affidavit.
Huge number of votes will be cast in upcoming election, Momen says after submitting nomination paper
Annual income of Imran Ahmed, the Awami League candidate for Sylhet-4 constituency and incumbent Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister, has increased by Tk 14.88 lakh and his movable assets have increased by TK4.52 crore.
His annual income, as shown in the affidavit, is TK 6.63 lakh.
His wife's movable assets have been listed as 5.76 crore in the affidavit. In the affidavit submitted during the 11th parliament election, the value of his wife's immovable and movable assets was 2.74 crore. His wife's wealth has increased by 3.3 crore.
EC’s show-causes for violating electoral code are a joke on the people: Rizvi
Imran Ahmed holds a BA Hons degree. He is a tea trader and consultant by profession, according to the affidavit.
Awami League candidate for Sylhet-6 constituency and former education minister Nurul Islam Nahid’s annual income increased to Tk 50.30 lakh from Tk 32.10 lakh.
His movable assets decreased to Tk 1.9 crore from Tk 2.16 crore, while his immovable assets decreased to Tk 22.28 lakh from Tk 66.48 lakh, according to affidavit he submitted to the EC.
He holds a BA degree. He has listed his career as a political activist, including his roles as a member of parliament, chairman of standing committee on LGRD Ministry.
Fakhrul files bail petition at High Court
Ctg-4 constituency: Nomination papers of 4 candidates rejected
Nomination papers of four candidates out of nine submitted for Chattogram-4 constituency to compete in the forthcoming 12th national election were rejected during scrutiniztion on Sunday.
Sitakunda Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) KM Rafiqul Islam, also assistant returning officer, said five nomination papers including that of Awami League-nominated candidate were declared valid during the scrutiniztion.
Those nomination forms declared valid are Awami League-nominated candidate SM Al Mamun, Jatiya Party’s Didarul Kabir, Trinomul BNP’s Khokan Chowdhury, Islamic Front’s Md Mozammel Hossain and Bangladesh Congress’s Shahidul Islam Chowdhury.
Hero Alom’s nomination cancelled over multiple errors
On the other hand, those nomination papers of current lawmaker Didarul Alam, who submitted form as an independent candidate, Awami League leaders Salauddin (Independent), Lion Mohammad Imran (Independent) and BNF candidate Mohammad Akhter Hossain were rejected.
The ARO said the list of one percent public mandate submitted by independent candidates Salauddin and Mohammad Imran were incomplete and wrong respectively while the BNF candidate didn’t submit tax return.
AL candidate's nomination for Cox’s Bazar-1 rejected over loan default
Moreover, the current MP didn’t submit any document in favour of party post, he said.
Meanwhile, current MP Didarul Alam has announced that he will not contest the election.
EC issues show-cause notice to MP candidate Mostafizur for attacking journalists