United News of Bangladesh

Jamaat-led alliance candidate and National Citizen Party convener Nahid Islam on Thursday said ensuring a free and fair election is more important than electoral victory or defeat, stressing that the real test is whether people can exercise their voting rights without obstruction. Speaking to reporters after casting his vote in Dhaka-11 at AKM Rahmatullah College in Badda, Nahid said the election must be credible at any cost. “If the election is not fair, the July movement will be rendered meaningless,” Nahid warned. Bangladesh’s long walk to the ballot box; voting  begins at 7:30am Expressing optimism about forming the next government, Nahid said the Jamaat-led 11-party alliance had united with the clear objective of coming to power. “We believe this alliance is standing at the threshold of forming the government.” He said the alliance would accept the election outcome regardless of the result, provided the polls are conducted fairly. “We are prepared to accept the people’s verdict. If the election is free and fair, we will accept whatever result comes.” Nahid also urged the administration, law enforcement agencies and the army to make all-out efforts to ensure a fair electoral process. Commenting on the electoral environment, he acknowledged existing challenges but said the Jamaat-led alliance wants the highest possible voter turnout so that people can cast their votes without hindrance. He also called on voters to support the ‘Yes’ option in the referendum. “There are obstacles, and some are trying to undermine the electoral atmosphere. It is not enough for you or me to say the election was fair. Public reactions on social media and the opinions of election observers will determine whether the polls were transparent.” Voting began at 7:30am on Thursday at more than 42,000 polling centres across the country in 299 constituencies. The 13th national parliamentary election is being held with around 13 crore registered voters, whose decision will determine the formation of Bangladesh’s next government.  

UN experts on Wednesday said that the interim government must deliver an election and referendum that is ‘genuinely free, fair, safe and inclusive,’ grounded in respect for the human rights of all citizens, as the people of Bangladesh go to polls on Thursday. “There can be no free and fair election or meaningful political discourse without an equal right to freedom of opinion and expression, access to information and media freedom,” the experts said in a statement. The UN experts said they have followed with 'great concern the growing intolerance, threats and attacks' on journalists, human rights defenders, civil society actors, women’s groups and minorities as well as violence and killing of political activists with impunity in recent months. The experts are Irene Khan, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression; Gina Romero, Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Mary Lawlor, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders.  “While the interim government announced the large-scale deployment of law enforcement and military personnel to protect the electorate and the electoral process, we urge authorities to ensure that all security forces act in line with international human rights standards, respect the right to participation of all citizens and are fully accountable in a transparent process under civilian and judicial oversight,” said the statement. The experts said they were disturbed by the failure of the Electoral Commission to address serious breaches of the electoral code by political parties, and by its lack of preparedness to tackle the tsunami of disinformation on social media platforms, targeting over 50 million users, many of whom are young, first-time voters, susceptible to manipulation. “The interim government must reach out to social media companies and act swiftly to counter false or misleading information about the elections, while avoiding disruption of the internet and safeguarding the access of the media and the electorate to reliable, detailed and factual information,” the statement said. The experts also expressed concern that despite the threats, hostility and attacks against journalists and civil society, no election-specific protocol had been announced by the authorities to protect the media. “It is still not too late for the government to take the necessary protection and prevention measures to safeguard journalists, as well as human rights defenders, civil society observers, women activists and minority groups,” they said. “The authorities must halt arrests under repressive laws like the Anti-Terrorism Act and desist from arbitrary detention, intimidation or retaliatory measures.” The experts urged political parties and candidates to refrain from spreading disinformation or inciting hostility, discrimination or violence, including against women and minorities, smear campaigns against human rights defenders and from seeking to delegitimise or promote distrust in the electoral process. “This election - born out of a mass uprising that ousted an authoritarian regime - is not only about who will govern Bangladesh next but also about creating a society based on human rights and the rule of law,” the experts said. “We call on the new Executive to create conditions for tolerance of dissent, promotion of media freedom and pluralism, access to information and gender equality,” they said in the statement. It said, “For democracy to thrive the new government must uphold the rights to freedom of expression, assembly, association and public participation without discrimination or unjustified restrictions and create a safe and enabling environment for human rights defenders.” The experts have been in contact with the government of Bangladesh on these issues.

Head of the Election System Reform Commission Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar on Saturday said the Election Commission (EC) alone cannot ensure a free and fair national election without support from the government. “If political parties indulge in muscle power and money games, a good election will not be possible,” he said while speaking at a shadow parliament debate in the capital. The debate titled ‘The Role of the election commission is Key to ensuring a fair national election’ was organised by Debate for Democracy with its chairman Hasan Ahmed Chowdhury Kiron in the chair. Dr Majumdar said it is essential to hold the election within the announced timeframe in February, ensuring a level playing field for all parties, but he stressed that along with the EC, candidates, voters, civil society, media and political parties all must act responsibly. Removal of fascists from parliament, politics recommended: Badiul Alam Referring to student politics, he said student bodies cannot be reduced to muscle power of political parties, as the results of university student union elections may even influence the national election. Hasan Ahmed Chowdhury said political parties, the main stakeholders of elections, are yet to reach a consensus on several crucial issues, including whether to adopt the traditional or PR systems.  He said if elections cannot be held within the declared timeframe, the country could plunge into a grave crisis and urged all political parties to compromise for the sake of democracy, the country, and the people. In the debate competition, Bangladesh University of Business and Technology (BUBT) defeated Sir Salimullah Medical College to emerge champions. 

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Sunday said he would feel guilty if a fair election cannot be arranged, stressing that they are now going through a war-like situation. After the ban on Awami League activities, Prof Yunus said, they (conspirators) are trying to destabilise the country in every way they can. "We have to protect ourselves from this....I got the courage as we all sat together. I would feel guilty if we can't hold a fair election," Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam quoted the Chief Adviser as conveying to the political leaders during two separate meetings.  Prof Yunus said all efforts are underway to destabilise the country after the ban imposed on the activities of Bangladesh Awami League, Alam said while briefing reporters in front of state guesthouse Jamuna on Sunday night.  Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretaries Apurba Jahangir and Abul Kalam Azad Majumder were also present.  "They (conspirators) are not able to accept anything. We have to be rescued from division. There has to be a consensus. As a self-respecting nation, whatever we have been able to stand, let it go forward," Prof Yunus said. After the meeting, Mahmudur Rahman Manna, president of Nagorik Oikya, said the Chief Adviser told them that the country is in a big crisis due to Indian hegemony.  "For this, the Chief Adviser believes that the entire nation needs to remain united," Manna said. "He (Prof Yunus) started the discussion by saying that we are in a very big crisis. He talked about the conspiracy of Indian hegemony while referring to this crisis. Indian hegemony does not want to accept this change (here) at all. If they can, they want to destroy us in one day, and they are doing whatever they need to do for that. These were his words," Manna said quoting the Chief Adviser. Prof Yunus, according to Press Secretary Alam, said they have got a great opportunity to pull the country that was destroyed and with the banning of the Awami League's activities, another war-like situation has been created inside and outside the country so that the country cannot move forward, everything collapses and the country returns to slavery again.  "The Chief Adviser also said that the intention of those who are conspiring is that we should return to slavery," said the Press Secretary.  Quoting the Chief Adviser, Press Secretary Alam also said Prof Yunus assured the political leaders that he would not allow anything that can harm the country’s interest as long as he is in this position.   Highlighting the importance of political consensus, the Chief Adviser said they must come out from division.  He said the political leaders extended full support to the Chief Adviser and assured him of standing beside him. Responding to a question on election roadmap, Alam said the Chief Adviser reiterated that he will not go beyond June 30 next year. "You need to trust him." Earlier, a group of political leaders, including Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) President Col (retd) Oli Ahmed and Mahmudur Rahman Manna met the Chief Adviser and discussed pressing national issues, including the upcoming national election and political reforms. The meeting was held at the state guesthouse Jamuna, the official residence of the Chief Adviser, where political leaders Mujahidul Islam Selim, Ganosamhati Andolan Chief Coordinator Zonayed Saki and AB party chief Mujibur Rahman Manju, among others, joined it.  Three advisers, including, Industries Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan were also present. In the second phase, Maulana Sadiqur Rahman, Maulana Rezaul Karim, Maulana Mamunul Haque, Maulana Ahmed Abdul Quader, Maulana Azizul Haque Islamabadi, Maulana Manjurul Islam Affendi, Nurul Haque Noor, Maulana Musa Bin Izhar and Mufti Maulana Shakhawat Hossain Razi held talks with the Chief Adviser. On Saturday, BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami and National Citizen Party leaders met Prof Yunus separately. Prof Yunus on Saturday reiterated his position on the next election, stressing that the government will not go beyond June next year. "Prof Yunus is a man of his word. He gave a cut-off time. He won't go beyond that," Alam told the reporters, referring to the next national election that is likely to be held between December 2025 to June 2026. Alam also said the Chief Adviser conveyed the same to BNP when its leaders met the Chief Adviser at his residence. The Chief Adviser repeatedly mentioned this December to June 30 next year and stressed that he keeps his words. When pressed further, Alam said June 30 is a specific date, and the Chief Adviser will not go beyond that. Alam said the political leaders expressed their confidence in his (CA) leadership and all the three meetings were held in a friendly environment on Saturday. The interim government on Saturday said it will take the necessary decisions together with the people of the country if the government’s “autonomy, reform efforts, justice process, fair election plan, and normal operations” are obstructed to the point of making its duties unmanageable. “If - under the instigation of defeated forces or as part of a foreign conspiracy - the performance of these responsibilities becomes impossible, the government will present all reasons to the public and then take the necessary steps with the people,” said the Council of Advisers in a statement after its unscheduled meeting. Despite all obstacles, the Council of Advisers said, the interim government continues to fulfill its responsibilities by putting national interests above group interests. “The interim government upholds the public expectations of the July Uprising,” said the Council of Advisers.

Leaders of the Election Monitoring Forum (EMF) today (July 11, 2023) informed the Election Exploratory Mission from European Union (EU) that the Election Commission has proven its “impartiality, courage and capability” in holding free and fair polls in five city corporations held recently. Though a major political party did not participate in the recently held elections in the five city corporations, a large part of their former councilors and local leaders took part in the elections and were elected, the EMF leaders said. Read: US doesn't consider it interference when other countries discuss its elections: State Dept In all the local elections that have been held recently, the EMF leaders said, they have observed that the government has not interfered or influenced the elections and has fully cooperated with the Election Commission in maintaining law and order situation. Chairman of the Election Monitoring Forum, Professor Mohammad Abed Ali, was present during the meeting. Advisor of the Election Monitoring Forum and former Election Commissioner Brigadier General (Retd) Shahadat Hossain Chowdhury, directors of the forum – Vice-Chancellor of DUET Prof M Habibur Rahman and BUET Pro-Vice-Chancellor Prof Abdul Jabbar Khan – were also present at the meeting. Read: Momen welcomes foreign observers during maiden interaction with British envoy During the meeting, the EMF leaders said that the current Election Commission has recently implemented strict monitoring of law-and-order situation with CCTV cameras to ensure the safety of voters in local elections and cancellation of elections due to irregularities in Gaibandha by-election has boosted the confidence of voters.

US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas on Tuesday (May 30, 2023) said people who support free and fair election and work towards that end have nothing to fear regarding the new US visa policy.  “I don’t see any disagreement at all,” he told reporters, noting that they in the US want the same what the people of Bangladesh want – a free and fair election. Ambassador Haas made the remarks while responding to questions on the new visa policy after a function in Dhaka.  He said the US sees positive things rather than challenges. “We have a very strong partnership on trade, security relations, people to people ties, healthcare, and good conversation on the upcoming election.” Read more: Widened Dhaka-Washington relationship allows to freely debate on differences: Shahriar  Haas said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has made a clear commitment to hold a free and fair election in Bangladesh.  US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in his announcement said the holding of free and fair elections is the responsibility of everyone—voters, political parties, the government, the security forces, civil society, and the media."  The ambassador spoke at the inaugural ceremony of a photo exhibition titled “Roots of Friendship:  50 Years of U.S.- Bangladesh Relations” at Edward M. Kennedy Center. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam spoke as the chief guest. Read more: New US visa policy to curb money laundering: Momen

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday termed ‘ridiculous’ Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s remark on fair elections under her Awami League government.  “The Prime Minister said in the UK that fair and beautiful polls are held during the Awami League government. Even, a horse would laugh hearing your words,” he said dismissing the PM’s claim. Read:Shameful for PM to be questioned by BBC on fair polls: BNP Speaking at a rally, the BNP leader said every person in Bangladesh knows that she made a fake claim on fair elections. “So, a slogan--Sheikh Hasina is fake--would be shouted all over Bangladesh.” Khilgaon zone of Dhaka south city unit arranged the rally in Khilgaon Jorpukur field protesting the price hike of fuel, daily essentials and the killing of three opposition leaders in Bhola and Narayanganj in police firing and attacks on different programmes of the party.

Slamming Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her comments that free and fair elections are held in Bangladesh under Awami League only, BNP senior leader Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Monday said even the ruling party leaders and activists do not believe it. “In the BBC interview, the prime minister was asked whether there will be a fair election in Bangladesh in the future. She said fair polls are held during the Awami League. Will a person in Bangladesh believe what she said? Even those who belong to the ruling party don’t believe it!" he said. Speaking at a rally, the BNP leader also said Sheikh Hasina should be ashamed of being asked such a question. “When a head of government was asked this question, she should understand its motive. Why was the head of the government of Bangladesh asked this question?” The leaders and workers of BNP shouted slogans at that time saying ‘fake’ as a sign of disapproval of the PM’s comment. Khosru, a BNP standing committee member, also said BBC would not ask the British or Nepalese Prime Minister such a question. He asked the Prime Minister to realise why she faced such a question. The BNP leader also described the Prime Minister's statement in the BBC interview about incidents of enforced disappearance in Bangladesh as a ‘lie’. Also read: BNP leader Amir Khosru lands in jail Mohakhali zone of Dhaka north city unit arranged the rally on a field adjacent to Gausul Azam Jam-e-Mosque protesting the price hike of fuels, daily essentials and the killing of three opposition leaders in Bhola and Narayanganj in police firing. Earlier, in an interview with BBC aired on Sunday, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said, “Only during AL governments, you can see free and fair elections.” Khosru said their party will continue its current movement together with people of all walks of life and political parties and civil society members to make it a success. He said they will intensify the movement in the days to come by announcing an outline for the simultaneous movement. The BNP leader said Awami League is now depending on bureaucrats and government officials instead of politicians to cling to power. “You have noticed that there is now no leadership in the hands of Awami League’s politicians… they have now handed over their political leadership to government officials," he said. BNP executive committee member Tabith Awal who was injured in an attack reportedly by the ruling party on a candlelight vigil programme of BNP in the city’s Banani area on Saturday joined the rally with bandages on his hands and head. Speaking at the rally, he said, “By the grace of Allah I came before you today. I want to say firmly, no matter how many wounds we receive in heads and hands, Every BNP leader and every worker will remain in the field.” Tabith said no BNP leader and activist will return home until a government of people is established by ousting the current Awami League one. "We will meet you on the battlefield and carry forward our programmes together with you.”    

US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas on Wednesday laid emphasis on collective efforts to hold free and fair elections in Bangladesh, noting that holding fair elections is a complicated task. Sharing the US experience, the envoy said holding free and fair elections is a “complicated task” that requires involvement of every part of the society. “And just to be clear, the United States does not favor any political party in Bangladesh over any other,” he said, adding that the United States is proud of their close partnership with Bangladesh over the past 50 years.  While speaking at the launching ceremony of an e-learning platform titled "Politics Matters" at a city hotel, Haas said the Election Commission, government, media, law enforcement agencies, civil society and political parties – everyone has an important role to play. The envoy said if anyone of them fails to fulfill their responsibility or any one of them prevents another to fulfill their responsibility, free and fair elections become nearly impossible. He said they continue to be a strong supporter of this country’s efforts to improve the quality of life for all its citizens.  The ambassador said a fundamental way to improve the quality of life for citizens is to give them the opportunity to participate in free, fair, and transparent elections held in accordance with international standards.   “What better way is there to allow the people to share their voices on what matters to them than through their ability to freely cast their ballot?” he mentioned. Read:Estimate of Bangladesh money in Swiss Banks is “purely speculative”: Swiss Envoy

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Monday said Awami League’s assurance of a fair election is only a trap to deceive their party. “Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader assured that the next election would be fair… We would like to say joining the polls without a non-party neutral government means falling into their trap of deception,” he said. Speaking at a press conference at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, Rizvi also said what the ruling party leaders and the prime minister are saying about the fair election is nothing but a deception. He also said people cannot understand what Obaidul Quader exactly meant by 'fair election', as there is an 'Awami version' of the fair election which the country’s people have been watching for 14 years. Also read: AL wants election with participation of all parties: Hasan Mahmud The BNP leader also said the definition of Awami League’s fair voting is to hold the election without votes like in 2014 or stuffing ballots at night like in 2018 by using all the forces to subdue the people and by establishing a reign of terror. He said people will be able to cast their votes as per their wish only if the election is held under a non-party government. “That’s why we’re on a movement for holding the election under a non-party neutral government.” Rizvi also opposed the government’s plan to hold the election using the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), noting many countries already backed off from this system due to various faults. He said ballot papers must be used instead of EVM for holding a fair, credible and transparent election. The BNP leader said people got a message in advance that the next polls will be marred with massive rigging and vote robbery from Obaidul Quader’s comment that the election will be held using EVM and the Election Commission will remain neutral. He also slammed the ruling party general secretary for his remark that BNP must join the election for protecting its existence. “Obadiul Quader’s remarks give an impression that he is not only the general secretary of Awami League, but also an advisor of BNP.” Also read: BNP forms committee to probe New Market violence Rizvi said the anarchy over soybean oil across the country has manifested that the government has no programme other than plundering public money. "The government has created a scope for profiteers to make money by increasing the price of soybean oil."