Awami League (AL) President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has asked the countrymen to cast their votes in January 7 parliamentary election to prove that democracy has been prevailing in the country. "Vote is your democratic and constitutional right. Go to the polling centres to cast your votes and thus prove that democracy is prevailing in the country," she said.   She said this while addressing the last public rally of the election campaign for the 12th parliamentary polls slated for January 7, at Fatullah in Naranyanj. The AL president asked all to maintain peace across Bangladesh ahead of the 12th parliamentary election.   Describing the 'Boat' as the symbol of development, she said, "Boat is our electoral symbol. If you vote us to assume power again, we will build a developed, prosperous and Smart Bangladesh." She said her government has made tremendous development of the entire Narayanganj in the last 15 years since 2009, which has been possible due to continuation of a democratic government for a longer period.   "If we are voted to power again, we will build Narayanganj a smart city as it is a very important town and very close to the capital," she said. The AL president also pledged to build three metro rail lines -1, 2 and 4 - which will cross Narayanganj district. She said conspiracies are being hatched till the date to foil the election, urging the countrymen to remain alert to this end. "There are lots of conspiracies to thwart the election. So, maintain peace to this end," she said.   The AL president said that BNP has started boycotting election since they were defeated badly in 2008 election in which BNP-led alliance only get 20 seats while the AL got 233 seats. "Sensing defeat, the BNP-Jamaat clique is out to foil the election by arson terrorism like 2013-14," she said, adding, "But the people of the country won't allow to restrict voters from casting votes," she said. The next parliamentary election must be held on January 7 confronting all the conspiracies.   The AL president reached the venue ground at 3.13pm and waved the national flag to a roaring response of the participants after boarding the boat shaped huge stage. Narayanganj district and metropolitan Awami League organised the rally at the AKM Shamsuzzoha Sports Complex ground in Fatullah's Masdair area here. At the rally, Sheikh Hasina introduced her party nominated four candidates of Narayanganj district.   AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader, Narayanganj-4 AL candidate Shamim Osman, AL Office Secretary Biplab Barua, Nayaranganj-1 candidate Golam Dastagir Gazi, Narayanganj-3 candidate Abdullah Al Kaiser and Narayanganj 2 candidate Nazrul Islam, among others, also spoke at the rally. Bangladesh Awami Juba League Chairman Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash and Narayanganj City Corporation Mayor Selina Hayat Ivy also spoke when Narayanganj 5 member of parliament Salim Osman was present on the dais.   Narayanganj district AL President Abdul Hai presided over the rally. AL leaders and supporters started assembling at the venue ground since morning with processions, chanting various slogans and taking placards in hands from different parts of Narayanganj district. The ground was filled to brim with the people of all strata of life that turned the rally into a human sea.   Narayanganj and its nearby districts wore a festive look as the roads, lanes and by lanes were decorated with various posters, banners and placards welcoming Sheikh Hasina and seeking votes for boat.

Election Commissioner Ahsan Habib Khan on Wednesday (Dec 27) said that the entire team including the presiding officer of a polling centre will be suspended if vote rigging incidents are reported.  "People must be able to say that I have cast my vote peacefully after coming out of the centre. No one can cast a fake vote. No person can say that my vote has already been cast,” he said. The whole team, including the presiding officers, will be suspended immediately and other measures will be taken, including their dismissal, said the election commissioner.  He said this to reporters after exchanging views with returning officers, assistant returning officers, law enforcement officials and candidates of Patuakhali and Barguna districts in the Patuakhali Deputy Commissioner’s conference room in Patuakhali on Wednesday afternoon. Ahsan Habib said: "The outside world is watching the election, but we are not under any pressure. We want to show them that the voting takes place in a fair environment.” Therefore, the Election Commission has a zero-tolerance policy regarding holding free and fair polls, he added.  

The number of polling centres of the upcoming 12th Jatiya Sangsad elections is 42,149.  Of them, 10,300 are at high risk.  The Ministry of Home Affairs sent a letter to the Election Commission (EC) in this regard on Tuesday (Dec 26). Election Commission said the number of voters in the country is 11,96,91,633.  Of them, 6,07,71,579 are male voters while 5,89,19,202 are female and 852 members of the third gender community. It is mentionable that, the national polls will be held on January 7.  

Awami League (AL) President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today called upon the voters to go to the polling centres early in the morning to cast votes for the 12th national parliamentary election slated for January 7. "My request to all of you (voters) is that in this January 7 election, please all the voters will get up early in the morning and go to the polling centres to cast your vote," she said. The Awami League chief came up with the call while addressing a public rally at Taraganj Degree College here as she is visiting Rangpur for day-long election campaign. Like the formal election campaign rally that began on December 20 from Sylhet, Bangabandhu's younger daughter and Sheikh Hasina's younger sister Sheikh Rehana was present on the dais. Seeking votes for boat, the AL’s election symbol, to the people to serve them once again, the premier said Boat is the symbol of the Boat of Prophet Nuh through which the human race was saved during the Great Flood. She said through this Boat, you people got your independence and developed your living standard. "Will you cast your votes for the Boat?” the prime minister asked the people who were present in the rally, saying, “Promise me, please raise your hands if you are in favour of boat,”. The crowds responded enthusiastically to Sheikh Hasina by raising their hands and chanting slogans for the Boat at that time. The premier also introduced AL nominated candidate for Rangpur-2 constituency Abul Kalam Mohammad Ahasanul Huq Chowdhury (Duke) in the rally and requested all to vote for him. Referring to numerous development programmes of the Awami League government in the last 15 years, she said it has been possible for the government because people gave votes for the Boat in the last three elections. She also said there are some development programmes left to be completed to materialise the dream of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to make Bangladesh as a homeless-and-landless free country with eradicating poverty completely. She continued that, "all people will get beautiful lives and we are working towards that target." No one will be neglected in the country of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, said Sheikh Hasina, adding, "We want to take the country forward." She went on saying, "currently we've got the status of developing nation. Keeping that in mind, we want to make Bangladesh a developed country. This country will be developed only if the symbol of Boat remains in power." Mentioning that she has lost parents and brothers, Sheikh Hasina said she has nothing to lose and nothing to gain. "But, you have to stay well, your life will be beautiful," she said. The premier said my goal is that your children will get a beautiful life from generations to generations. With Taraganj Upazila Awami League President Alhaj Atia Rahman in the chair, Awami League nominated candidate for Rangpur-2 constituency Abul Kalam Mohammad Ahasanul Huq Chowdhury (Duke) also spoke at the rally. The premier landed at Syedpur Airport by a commercial flight around 11am, and then she started journey for Taraganj by road. The Awami League president kicked off her party's election campaign from Sylhet-I constituency after offering Ziarat at shrines of Hazrat Shahjalal (RA) and Hazrat Shah Paran (RA) following the tradition Besides, on December 23, she held election rallies virtually in six districts - -at Public Library Filed in Kushtia, Wazir Ali School and College Field in Jhenaidah, Satkhira Government High School in Satkhira, Zilla Stadium in Netrokona, and Sheikh Russell Stadium in Rangamati district as well as Bamna and Patharghata upazilas in Barguna districts from Bangladesh Awami League Office. On December 21, she also held election rallies in five districts --Panchagarh, Lalmonirhat, Natore, Pabna and Khagracchari - through a virtual platform from Awami League Office at Tejgaon. Earlier, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina addressed a public meeting at the same ground in Pirganj on December 22, 2018. On December 31, 2013, she joined a street rally at Tarfmauza High School ground and a party's workers' meeting at Fatehpur Joysadan in Laldighi. A festive mood is prevailing everywhere in Pirganj as well as the entire district marking the visit of the Prime Minister and the daughter-in-law of Pirganj.   Rally in Mithapukur: Later, on her way to Pirganj, the prime minister joined another election rally in Mithapukur upazila, and introduced AL nominated candidate Rasheq Rahman for Rangpur-5 constituency and requested all to vote for him as well. Sheikh Hasina urged all to cast votes for Boat in the next election to strengthen the hands of Awami League to turn "digital Bangladesh" into "smart Bangladesh". She added: "Our students and youths will be smart and skilled manpower, and we will build up them for the future while by 2041, Bangladesh will be developed, prosperous and Smart Sonar Bangla". The Awami League president cautioned every AL candidate to avoid any kind of chaos, saying, "You have to hold the election peacefully".   She also urged the people to make sure the victory of Awami League to serve them again. Mentioning that the people of Bangladesh are my family, Sheikh Hasina said, "My father gave his life for the people of Bangladesh. I'm also by your side, I will serve you." She said people are in peace, have food at home, security of life, education, medical treatment and a beautiful life during the Awami League government.   Source: BSS

The commission has asked for ballot papers to reach the polling centres on the morning of polling day for the first time. In this regard The EC issued a circular today (Dec 18). It is the first time that the commission has asked for ballot papers to reach the polling centres on the morning of polling day. According to the circular, the timing of delivery of ballot papers to polling centres located in hilly, haor, baor, char or island areas or areas far from the district or upazila headquarters or metropolitan areas, should be determined by the ROs. Respective returning officers will have to make plans for delivering the ballor papers on the morning of polling day and get those approved by the Election Commission by December 31, 2023. Generally, during parliamentary elections, ballot boxes are sent to polling centres on the afternoon or evening before the polling day. Presiding officers and law enforcement agencies took ballot papers to the centres on the previous day. Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal told reporters at the EC office in the capital, "As far as possible, the ballots will reach [polling centres] on the morning of polling day." The polling agents will have to be there to see that the polling boxes are empty and the ballot papers reached the polling station in the morning, he said. Asked why the EC has taken this step, "There was demand for this from many, and this will increase transparency." EC officials said that they took the steps to send the ballots on polling day morning to avoid "allegations or controversy" over voting taking place at night instead of polling day.  

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said, situation has been taken to such a stage that BNP is struggling to appoint polling agents in the election. He said this to the newsmen after making a courtesy call to Tahkurgaon district Returning Officer on Saturday. Mirza Fakhrul said, not only Thakurgaon, the government is trying to keep BNP and Jatiya Oikyafront far from voting field with help of law enforcement agencies. People always made changes and this time they will change the situation through votes. The Oikyafront spokesman said, the country is covered with voting fear in place of voting festivity. Facing all the fears BNP and Oikyafront will remain in the field of vote till the end whatever the situation will be. Still arrest is going on and administration is informed. Claiming that no influence will be created among the general voters and activists in this regard, Fakhrul in his message to the voters said, votes have to be casted along with people, votes have to be guarded and have to be alert so that anybody cannot steal the votes. AH     

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda said, it is not desired to harass the agents of any candidate in the election. Forcing agents to leave the vote center will not be allowed. Action will be taken against the involved if any such incident happens. Arrest of polling agents will not be allowed without any criminal charge. He said these at a press conference over the latest election preparation at Agargaon in the capital on Saturday. Quoting the media the CEC said, agents of many candidates are being harassed. But harassment of agents will not be desired. Police will not harass anybody if there is no criminal charge. Have to ensure full security. Because, agents are representatives of the candidates. They work for the candidates. He said, any candidate not to be deprived of their rights, election code of conduct not to be violated and competition not to be turned into violence. But violence took place in the election, damages to lives and properties were happened which were not desired. I am giving order to take action against the involved in violence after neutral investigation. To the voters, candidates and concerned the CEC said, abide by code of conduct, leave violence. Help to maintain competitive atmosphere. Don’t bow down to temptation or influence. Vote for your chosen candidate. He said, officers, observers, journalists, law enforcement agencies perform their responsibilities. Presiding Officer will begin his work within 7 am. He will open the ballot box and show the people present there whether it is vacant or not. He will begin the vote casting from 8 am. After completing vote casting he will begin the work of vote counting in presence of the agents and journalists. It is not allowed outside the vote centers. List of results have to be supplied to the agents. If anybody asks to leave the center illegally then cooperation should be sought from the magistrates and law enforcement agencies. The CEC said, I am giving order to law enforcement agencies to control any kind of violence and sabotage in the election. Strict action will be taken if any irregularity or violence takes place due to inactivity of any force members. He also ordered the concerned officials to discharge their duties without fear and beyond party and opinion. He urged the participating parties and candidates to play responsible role so that electoral competition does not turn into violence. KM Nurul Huda said, total 40 thousand 183 electoral centers and 2 lakh 6 thousand 767 booths were set up throughout the country for 10 crore 42 lakh 38 thousand 673 voters. AH       

Opposition alliance and also Gono Forum president Dr Kamal Hossain said voting centers will be guarded unitedly after casting votes in the December 30 general election. He said this in a discussion on 'Jatiya Sangsad elections and the responsibility of the professionals' organized by Bangladesh Sammilita Peshajibi Parishad in the National Press Club on Monday. Dr Kamal said, “We have united to cast vote. Those, who will try to stop the people to cast vote, are the enemies of Bangabandhu and four national leaders as Bangabandhu and four national leaders have left the rights for us to cast votes. This government is unelected government. They will stop voting, it cannot be accepted in the month of victory.” Terming the army the successor of freedom fighters, Kamal said it is the responsibility of army to protect the country's constitution and sovereignty. “If someone comes to attack us, we have to resist unitedly,” he added. MHK

A man was shot to death in a clash among the rivals over ballot paper snatching at a polling centre in Sagardighi union in Ghatail upazila of Tangail early Thursday. The deceased was identified as Malek Mia, 45, a resident of Gupto Brindaban area. The clash erupted at Brindabon Government Primary School center in Sonamuri Gupto area around 4:00am Thursday (March 29). Superintendent of Tangail Police Sanjit Kumar Roy said that the presiding officer suspended the voting at the center soon after the incident. However, voting is underway in eight union parishads under three upazilas and a municipality in the district on Thursday. FU