United News of Bangladesh

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman has been unofficially declared elected from the Dhaka-17 and Bogura-6 constituencies in the country’s 13th national election. BNP Election Steering Committee spokesperson Dr Mahdi Amin shared the information at a press briefing on Thursday night. He, however, did not disclose the detailed vote counts. Meanwhile, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, contesting with the party’s electoral symbol ‘Sheaf of Paddy’, secured victory in Thakurgaon-1. Voting in Bangladesh’s national election concluded on Thursday in a largely peaceful atmosphere, with high hopes of restoring genuine democracy and securing a strong mandate for national reforms. Want to run country with movement allies, if elected: Tarique The polling in Bangladesh began at 7:30am and continued until 4:30pm without interruption at 42,659 polling stations in 299 out of 300 constituencies, amid the deployment of nearly one million security personnel and another one million polling staff. Alongside the parliamentary election, voters also participated in a referendum to express their views through ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ votes on proposals for several constitutional amendments.

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman spent a busy Tuesday after wrapping up his election campaigning by remaining engaged in organisational and coordination activities. Throughout the day, Tarique spoke over the phone with party leaders, activists and candidates across the country to take updates on the overall situation in different constituencies, said BNP Media Cell member Atikur Rahman Rumon. Rumon said the BNP chief arrived at his office around noon, where he also spoke with several foreign journalists and carried out organisational work. “The BNP chairman is currently working from his Gulshan office. Since morning, he has been receiving updates from candidates across the country and speaking directly with party leaders and activists. He wanted to know about the overall situation nationwide,” Rumon said in the afternoon. He said Tarique remained busy throughout the day, while the party’s election messages were also sent across the country through SMS and voice calls. In the evening, Rumon said, the BNP chief is scheduled to attend an exchange-of-views meeting with foreign journalists at a hotel in Banani. Tarique Rahman is leading BNP in the 13th parliamentary election. In this election, BNP’s electoral symbol, the ‘Sheaf of Paddy’, is contesting 291 seats, while the party has reached seat-sharing arrangements with like-minded parties in nine constituencies. Key in your hands, use it wisely: Prof Yunus tells voters Tarique conducted continuous electioneering that began on January 22 from Alia Madrasah in Sylhet. He later addressed election rallies in Moulvibazar, Habiganj, Brahmanbaria, Kishoreganj, Narsingdi, Narayanganj’s Mouchak, Chattogram, Feni, Cumilla’s Chauddagram, Sonagazi, Daudkandi, Narayanganj’s Sonargaon, Mymensingh, Gazipur, Uttara in Dhaka, Rajshahi, Naogaon, Bogura, Rangpur, Sirajganj, Tangail, Barishal, Faridpur, Thakurgaon, Nilphamari and Dinajpur, as well as 14 constituencies in Dhaka. Overall, Tarique Rahman addressed 41 public rallies across Dhaka and other parts of the country over nine days. He formally wrapped up his election campaign by visiting the graves of his parents at around 11:00 pm on Monday.

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Monday, the final day of electioneering, instructed party leaders, activists and supporters not to leave polling centres until the vote counting is completed and results are confirmed. “When will you go to vote? You must go early in the morning. But going early is not enough. Everyone must go to their respective polling centres, offer Fajr prayers there and then stand in front of the polling centre,” he said. Tarique gave the directive while addressing an election rally at Dayaganj in Jurain under the Dhaka-4 constituency. He also instructed party leaders and supporters not to return home immediately after casting their votes. “You must wait until the very end. Leave only after voting is completed and the votes are counted properly,” Tarique said. The BNP chief said over the past decade, people were deprived not only of their voting rights but also of their economic freedom. “But today, once again, a conspiracy against democracy has begun. We must resist this conspiracy,” he said. Warning against complacency, Tarique said if the country becomes trapped in such conspiracies again, Bangladesh will fall further behind and the long-awaited change in people’s fortunes will be delayed. “That is why you must remain alert during the election on the 12th. Keep your eyes and ears open,” he said. Introducing BNP’s candidate for Dhaka-4, Tanvir Ahmed Robin, Tarique urged local voters to ensure his victory. Earlier, Tarique addressed rallies at Basabo Tarun Sangha ground in Dhaka-9 constituency and at Shaheed Faruk Road in Jatrabari under Dhaka-5. After the Dhaka-4 rally, he spoke at Dhopkhola field in Dhaka-6 constituency. The BNP chairman addressed his final election rally at Lalbagh Balur Math in Dhaka-7 at around 9:30 pm after nearly eight hours of continuous campaigning. He formally wrapped up his election campaign by visiting the graves of his parents at around 11:00 pm.