election
Voting for Dhaka-17 by-polls, election in 7 municipalities underway
Voting for the by-election in Dhaka-17 constituency and election in seven municipalities of seven districts are underway today (July 17, 2023).
Voting started at 8 am, and it will continue till 4 pm without any break.
Voting will be held with the use of traditional ballot papers in the parliamentary by-election, unlike the recent city corporation polls where electronic voting machines were used.
Tight security measures have been taken to ensure peaceful voting, authorities said.
Read more: EC monitoring Dhaka-17 by-polls, elections of 2 municipalities through CCTV cameras
In the Dhaka-17 constituency, eight candidates are running in the race to be elected member of the parliament. The seat comprising Gulshan, Banani, Baridhara and part of Dhaka Cantonment fell vacant after the death of popular actor and freedom fighter Akbar Hossain Pathan Farooque on May 14 this year.
The contestants are Mohammad Ali Arafat of Bangladesh Awami League (with boat symbol), Sikder Anisur Rahman of Jatiya Party (plough), independent candidate Ashraful Hossain Alam widely known as "Hero Alam" (monochord), Kazi Rashidul Hasan of Zaker Party (rose), Akter Hossain of Bangladesh Sangskritik Muktijote (cane), independent candidate Tariqul Islam Bhuiyan (truck), Rezaul Karim Swapan of Bangladesh Congress (green coconut) and Sheikh Habibur Rahman of Trinamul BNP (golden fibre).
The number of voters is 325,205 under 125 polling stations in the Dhaka-17 constituency, which comprises wards 15,18,19 and 20 of Dhaka North City Corporation as well as Dhaka cantonment area.
On June 1, the Election Commission announced the by-election schedule for Dhaka-17 which fell vacant following the death of ruling Awami League MP Akbar Hossain Pathan alias Farooque.
Read more: Dhaka-17 parliamentary seat set to go to polls on Monday
Dhaka-17 parliamentary seat set to go to polls on Monday
The parliamentary by-polls to Dhaka-17 constituency and election to seven municipalities of seven districts are set to be held on Monday.
The balloting will open at 8:00am and continue till 4:00pm without any recess.
Tight security measures have been taken to ensure peaceful voting, authorities said.
Read: New political party Humanity Revolution, Bangladesh registered by EC
In the Dhaka-17 constituency, eight candidates are running in the race to be elected a member of parliament. The seat comprising Gulshan, Banani, Baridhara and part of Dhaka Cantonment fell vacant after the death of popular actor and freedom fighter Akbar Hossain Pathan Farooque MP on 14 May this year.
The contestants are Mohammad Ali Arafat of Bangladesh Awami League (with Boat symbol), Sikder Anisur Rahman of Jatiya Party (Plough), independent Ashraful Hossain Alam (Monochord), Kazi Rashidul Hasan of Jaker Party (Rose), Akter Hossain of Bangladesh Sangskritik Muktijote (Cane), independent Tariqul Islam Bhuiyan (Truck), Rezaul Karim Swapan of Bangladesh Congress (Green coconut) and Sheikh Habibur Rahman of Trinamul BNP (Golden fiber).
Read: Sylhet city polls: Candidacy of a councillor cancelled
The number of voters is 325,205 under 125 polling stations in the Dhaka-17 constituency which comprises ward no: 15,18,19 and 20 of Dhaka North City Corporation as well as Dhaka cantonment area.
On June 01, the Election Commission announced the by-election schedule for Dhaka-17 which fell vacant following the death of ruling Awami League MP Akbar Hossain Pathan alias Farooque.
Seven municipalities going to polls on Monday are Bhandaria of Pirojpur, Debidwar of Cumilla, Chengarchar of Chandpur, Benapole of Jashore, Dohazari of Chattorgram, Gosairhat of Shariatpur and Tarash of Sirajganj.
Among the municipalities, the number of voters is 22,415 in Bhandaria, 33,336 in Chengarchar, 44,509 in Debidwar, 30,385 in Benapole, 33,586 in Dohazari, 18,032 in Gosairhat and 19,287 in Tarash.
Read: AL-backed mayoral candidate Abul Khair Abdullah wins Barishal City Corporation election
A total of 33 mayoral candidates are running for seven posts, while 102 female contestants for 21 reserve seats and 364 contenders for 63 general councillor posts in the seven municipalities.
The voting will be held with the use of traditional ballot papers in the parliamentary by-election unlike the municipal polls where electronic voting machines will be used.
Besides, the by-polls to the vacant posts of a number of local bodies – Union Parishads, municipalities, Upazila Parishads, and Zila Parishad-- will be held on Monday.
New political party Humanity Revolution, Bangladesh registered by EC
A new political party named Humanity Revolution, Bangladesh on Sunday received its registration certificate with the Election Commission (EC).
Secretary General of the party Sheikh Rahan Afzal Rahbar received the registration certificate from Secretary of Election Commission Jahangir Alam. Founder Chairman Imam Hayat, Organising Secretary Sheikh Abu Hanif and presidium members Abu Abrar Chisty, Ahmad Shah Morshed, Prof. Marufuddin, Adv. Mainuddin Titu and Abdul Awal were also present.
Read: No new political party to face any impediment in Bangladesh: Hasina
The EC registered the party following a High Court order and published the gazette on May 8.
Sylhet city polls: Candidacy of a councillor cancelled
The Election Commission (EC) on Wednesday cancelled the candidacy of a general ward councillor for staging an armed showdown in front of an opponent ahead of the upcoming Sylhet City Corporation (SCC) election slated for June 21.
EC Secretary Md Jahangir Alam confirmed the matter to journalists.
Earlier on June 12, a media release signed by the EC’s Public Relations Officer Shariful Alam said the allegations of intimidation to people including an opponent contender and staging showdown with arms were found against Aftab Hossain Khan, a ward councillor under ward 7 in the SCC election.
Also read: AL-backed mayoral candidate Abul Khair Abdullah wins Barishal City Corporation election
The release also said that the opponent candidate Sayeed Mohammad Abdullah lodged a complaint in writing to the returning officer concerned seeking security of him and family in this connection later.
The returning officer found authenticity of the allegation of the showdown on the basis of the allegation and submitted an investigation report to the authorities concerned, according to the release.
After hearing the matter on Wednesday, the EC cancelled the candidacy of Aftab Khan.
Also read: AL-backed mayor candidate Talukder Abdul Khaleque wins Khulna City polls
Earlier on June 6, candidate Aftab, also president of city unit Swechasebak League, and his supporters went in front of the house of another candidate Sayeed in Subidbazar Dighi par area.
They staged a showdown with guns and intimated the candidate. A video clip containing the incident went viral on social media shortly.
Police on last Saturday arrested three people who staged a showdown with arms.
Also read: Sylhet city polls: AL, Jatiya Party candidates served show cause notice
The arrestees are Atikur Rahman, 42, Juber Ahmed, 38, and Nuruzzaman, 34.
They are the supporters of councillor candidate Aftab Ahmed from the ward No.7 in the SCC election.
AL candidate Mahbubur wins Cox's Bazar municipal election
Awami League candidate Md Mahbubur Rahman Chowdhury won the Cox's Bazar municipality election with 28,064 votes on Monday.
Cox's Bazar District Election Officer and Returning Officer SM Shahadat Hossain announced the results at Shaheed Subhas Hall of Cox's Bazar Public Library at around 9pm after counting the votes.
His nearest rival Awami League rebel candidate Md Masedul Haque Rashed got 24,699 votes.
Also read: AL-backed mayoral candidate Abul Khair Abdullah wins Barishal City Corporation election
Among other candidates, Jagdish Barua (helmet) got 4,168 votes, Josna Haque (mobile phone) got 698 votes and Md. Jahidur Rahman (hand fan) got 1,442 votes.
A total of 95,386 voters were eligible to vote in 12 wards of Cox's Bazar Municipality.
The voter turnout was recorded at 62.55%, according to the returning officer.
Mahbubur Rahman Chowdhury termed the results as a victory for the people.
Also read: AL-backed mayor candidate Talukder Abdul Khaleque wins Khulna City polls
"The ordinary voters have sincerely elected me with the boat symbol. I am grateful to the public and people from all walks of life,” he said.
Voting in the Cox’s Bazar municipality election began at 8 am and continued till 4 pm without any break. Electronic voting machines were used at all the centres to cast votes.
Meanwhile, 15 magistrates, including three judicial magistrates, seven platoons of BGB, 12 RAB teams and 1,200 police personnel were on duty in 12 wards to ensure a fair election.
Also read: Islami Andolan Bangladesh rejects Barishal, Khulna city polls results
AL-backed mayoral candidate Abul Khair Abdullah wins Barishal City Corporation election
Awami League-backed mayoral candidate Abul Khair Abdullah (Khokon Serniabat) won the Barishal City Corporation election with 87,807 votes, according to unofficial results of all the 126 centres.
Humayun Kabir, returning officer of the Barishal City Corporation election, unofficially announced the results at the district's Shilpakala Academy at around 9:45pm.
Abul Khair defeated his nearest rival, Islami Andolon Bangladesh candidate Mufti Syed Mohammad Faizul Karim (Handfan), by 53,979 votes. Mufti Faizul Karim bagged 33,828 votes.
Also read: AL-backed mayor candidate Talukder Abdul Khaleque wins Khulna City polls
Meanwhile, Abul Khair said he will implement the promises made in the election manifesto in phases.
Among other candidates, Jatiya Party’s mayor candidate Engineer Iqbal Hossain Taposh (Plough) got 6,665 votes, independent mayor candidate (Table clock) Md Kamrul Hassan Rupon bagged 7,999 votes, Zaker Party candidate (Rose) Md Mizanur Rahman Bachhu got 2,546 votes.
A total of 142,177 voters -- among 276,297 eligible voters – casted their ballots in Barishal city polls.
Also read: Islami Andolan Bangladesh rejects Barishal, Khulna city polls results
The voter turnout in Barishal was recorded at 51.46%, according to the returning officer.
Voting in the BCC election began at 8 am and continued till 4 pm without any break. Electronic voting machines were used at all the centres to cast votes.
Seven mayoral candidates, 119 general councillor candidates and 42 reserved councillor candidates participated in the Barishal city polls.
Also read: Barishal city polls: Woman says Islami Andolon supporter attacked her over recording video
About 4500 members of law enforcement agencies, 10 platoons of BGB, 30 executive magistrates, and 10 judicial magistrates performed duty during the polls.
AL-backed mayor candidate Talukder Abdul Khaleque wins Khulna City polls
Awami League-backed mayoral candidate Talukder Abdul Khaleque won the Khulna City Corporation (KCC) election with 1,54,825 votes, according to unofficial results.
Khulna City Corporation elections Returning Officer Md Alauddin announced the results after counting of votes ended at all 289 polling centres.
His nearest rival, Islami Andolan Bangladesh’s Md Abdul Awal got 60,064 votes, said Alauddin.
Also read: Voting in Khulna, Barishal city polls end; counting on
According to unofficial results, Jatiya Party’s Shafiqul Islam Madhu (plough) bagged 18,074 votes, Independent candidate SM Shafiqur Rahman (clock) got 17,218 and Jaker Party’s SM Sabbir Hossain (rose) got 6,096 votes.
Earlier, voting in the Khulna City Corporation (GCC) election began on Monday using electronic voting machines (EVMs) in all polling stations in a peaceful manner.
The voting began around 8 am and continued till 4 pm without any break.
Also read: Khulna city polls: BNP orders activists, supporters to stay away from voting
However, some minor irregularities were reported in both elections causing injuries to some people.
Out of 5,35,529 voters eligible for voting in elections across Khulna, 2,56,433 casted their ballots at 1,732 booths of 289 polling stations in Khulna City Corporation elections.
Alauddin said 45% voters cast their ballots today.
Also read: Voting underway in festive environment in Barishal, Khulna cities: EC Habib
Five candidates contested for the mayoral post in Khulna City Corporation election while 136 contested for councillors in 29 general wards, and 30 for reserved seats. Two councillors for wards 13 and 24 were elected unopposed earlier.
Meanwhile, eleven platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) carried out their duty to ensure security in the KCC election along with 8,080 members from police, Ansar and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB).
Also read: Khulna city polls: Low voter turnout at many centres
Barishal city polls: Woman says Islami Andolon supporter attacked her over recording video
A woman, while speaking to media, today said she was attacked by a supporter of Syed Faizul Karim, Islami Andolon Bangladesh backed mayoral candidate, during today’s Barishal City Corporation polls.
According to her statement given to the media, the woman said she was standing near a polling station as Barishal City Corporation election was underway. Right in front of her, a supporter of Islami Andolon apparently locked into an altercation with a supporter of Awami League over “clearing the place” as mayor candidate Syed Faizul Karim entered the polling centre.
Also read: Voting in Khulna, Barishal city polls end; counting on
When Syed Faizul Karim came out of the polling centre, his supporter complained to him against the AL activist. Later, Faizul Karim grabbed the AL activist and manhandled him, the woman said. Seeing this, she went on Facebook live, she added.
“When I went live, one of the supporters of Islami Andolon grabbed me and tried to snatch my phone. The man also picked up an object to hit me,” according to her statement to media.
Also read: Voting underway in festive environment in Barishal, Khulna cities: EC Habib
Seven candidates competed for the mayoral post in the Barishal city polls.
Earlier, several supporters of mayoral candidates backed by Islami Andolon Bangladesh and AL were injured in a clash over entering a polling centre in the election.
Also read: Barishal city polls: Clash between AL, Islami Andolon supporters leaves several injured
Voting underway in festive environment in Barishal, Khulna cities: EC Habib
Voting is underway in Barisal and Khulna City Corporations in a festive atmosphere with unimaginable voter turnout, said Election Commissioner Ahsan Habib Khan.
“We are monitoring every CC camera with CEC. The presence of voters in such a festive atmosphere since morning is beyond imagination. It has given us peace that the fair election system of the commission has reassured the voters and encouraged them to come to the polling stations,” he said while speaking to reporters after monitoring the Khulna and Barisal city elections via CCTV cameras for two and a half hours at the Agargaon polling station in the capital.
Read: Barishal city polls: Clash between AL, Islami Andolon supporters leaves several injured
“I have not received any kind of non-cooperation from anyone. Voters came to the centres without any hindrance. Candidates are cooperating, and no disorder was observed,” he said.
The voting in the two cities started at 8 am using Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and will continue uninterrupted until 4 pm.
Read: Khulna city polls: Low voter turnout at many centres
“Voting will continue even after 4 pm if there are voters within the precincts of the polling stations,” he said.
This is the first time that CC cameras are being employed to monitor the elections of two cities from the temporary control room of the EC auditorium in Dhaka.
Read: Khulna city polls: Jatiya Party's mayor candidate says agents barred from entering polling stations
“We are receiving reports from the field level from our own monitoring teams. Our Additional Secretary Ashok Kumar Debnath has gone to Barisal, and Joint Secretary Moniruzzaman has gone to Khulna, accompanied by ten officers. The feedback I got from them is very good, fair, and free elections,” said Ahsan.
Regarding the use of EVMs for voting, he said, “Voting through electronic voting machines has been problem-free. We have not received any complaints.”
Khulna city polls: Low voter turnout at many centres
As the day unfolded, the Khulna City Corporation (KCC) election witnessed a decline in voter turnout, with many polling centres looking deserted.
Talking to presiding officers, UNB's Khulna correspondent reported that on average, 11 percent votes were cast as of 11 am.
Also read: Khulna city polls: Jatiya Party's mayor candidate says agents barred from entering polling stations
Shaheed Suhrawardy College centre under ward 25 witnessed a particularly low voter turnout with a voting rate of 9.02 percent. Ranjit Kumar Biswas, presiding officer of the centre, said only 135 votes had been cast by 11 am, despite a total of 1,493 registered voters.
Similarly, under ward 18, the Darul Quran Siddiquia Kamil Madrasa centre also saw a low voter turnout with a rate of 10.25 percent. Mohammad Manik, presiding officer of the centre, said that out of 1,658 registered voters, a mere 170 had cast their votes by 11 am.
In ward 19, the National High School centre reported an 11 percent voter turnout. Two presiding officers from ward 27 said that the PTI women's centre had witnessed a 7.02 percent polling rate, while the men's centre had recorded a 9 percent turnout by 11 am.
Also Read: Barishal city polls: Voters being barred from coming to polling stations, say 2 mayoral candidates
However, an exception was observed at the Khulna College centre, in ward 17. Out of 2,868 registered voters at that centre, 533 had cast their votes by 11 am, reflecting a polling rate of 18.58 percent.
A total of five candidates are vying for the mayoral post in Khulna city, 134 for 31 general councillors, and 39 for 10 reserved female councillors' posts.
Also Read: Khulna, Barishal city polls: Voting begins amid much enthusiasm, long queues of voters
SM Khurshid Ahmed Tona in ward 13 and ZA Mahmud Don in ward 24 were elected unopposed.
The total number of registered voters in Khulna City Corporation is 5,35,528.