ATM Shamsul Huda appointed new CEC

CEC pledges major electoral reforms

Newly appointed Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), ATM Shamsul Huda yesterday said his first task would be devising an action plan for major electoral reforms in consultation with the political parties and other stakeholders. On the first day in office, he told reporters that he would make the Election Commission (EC) an institution in which every citizen can take pride and that the commission must restore public confidence in it by ensuring transparency in all its activities.

Earlier in the day, Huda, former water resources secretary, was sworn in as the CEC while Mohammad Sohul Hossain, another former bureaucrat, as election commissioner. Chief Justice Syed JR Mudassir Husain administered the oath at his Supreme Court chamber in a simple ceremony. The caretaker government on Sunday appointed the two as the CEC and election commissioner.

The new poll chief said he regards the new assignment as a big challenge. Avowing neutrality, he described himself as a man of strict discipline. He hinted at bringing about major changes in the electoral system before holding the ninth parliamentary election that was originally scheduled for January 22 but later cancelled. However he did not mention any time frame for the task ahead. The EC would soon sit in a dialogue with the political parties, civil society and others to seek their opinion about the electoral reforms. Besides, it will keep in contact with the caretaker government, as the EC cannot bring any legal reforms without help of the interim administration.

After taking oath at the Supreme Court building, he told reporters that he would introduce transparent ballot boxes and voter identity cards. Later, at his office he said the EC would not take any decision on its own regarding voter ID cards and the other reform issues. In an oblique reference to the stint of the immediate past EC, he said every stage in the electoral process from voter listing to counting the ballot papers has been rendered controversial. Talking to the reporters, the newly appointed election commissioner, Sohul Hossain, sought cooperation from all.

Controversial CEC Justice MA Aziz stepped down on January 21 while five other commissioners resigned en bloc on January 31, paving the way for reconstitution of the EC. Awami League (AL) yesterday welcomed the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and an election commissioner and hoped that the new officials will play a neutral role in holding a free and fair election. AL also urged the caretaker government as well as the Election Commission (EC) to change all politically appointed EC officials from EC Secretariat to upazila level to make it a powerful, neutral and independent body.

Police roughshod over blockaders during Bangabhaban siege

Maul senior grand alliance leaders unprovoked; pickets retaliate by throwing hand bombs; country remains paralysed

Five top leaders of the Awami League (AL)-led grand alliance were injured as police assaulted them while using brute force to disperse alliance activists and leaders from around the Bangabhaban during a siege of it yesterday that triggered violent clashes between the law enforcers and the demonstrators. Policemen in riot gear brutally assaulted the leaders at Noor Hossain Square and fired teargas shells inside the AL central office on Bangabandhu Avenue during the siege that was also marked by police-demonstrators pitched battles in Fakirerpool and Joykali temple area. The leaders -- Tofail Ahmed, Rashed Khan Menon, Nurul Islam, Dilip Barua and Haji Mohammad Selim -- fell to the ground due to the police beating without any let up in two to three minutes. A ferocious attack by AL activists using brickbats and homemade bombs forced the police to retreat at least 50 metres and the activists rescued the injured leaders.

Besides, at least 50 demonstrators and policemen were wounded in clashes during the siege of the president's office on the last day of the alliance's three-day countrywide blockade demanding resignation of Iajuddin Ahmed from the post of chief adviser and announcement of a new schedule for the general election after 'proper updating' of the voter list. The Bangabhaban was cordoned off by a heavy security net comprising several thousand police, Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) and Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) personnel. Five truckloads of army also patrolled around it frequently as the demonstrators chanted slogans like 'army-janata bhai bhai, Iajuddiner fanshi chai'. Police and BDR stood in several lines on the roads leading to the Bangabhaban from Dainik Bangla intersection, and from Paltan to Bangabandhu Avenue. Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) had already imposed a ban on squatting around the Bangabhaban to prevent a siege of it.

This situation followed arrest of one Awami Jubo Mohila League activist from a procession that attempted to stage a sit-in beside police barricades near Noor Hossain Square. Alliance activists then hurled dozens of handmade bombs and volleys of brickbats from both ends of Bangabandhu Avenue at riot police. Police then launched an all out attack on the activists forcing them into the AL office and to flee through Golap Shah Mazar area. Police also fired a large number of tear gas shells, at least two of those into the AL office. AL activists retaliated by pelting brickbats and handmade bombs from the roofs of adjoining buildings. A section of alliance activists at the rear of the procession started hurling brickbats and homemade bombs, prompting police to go for indiscriminate beating of anyone before them.

The senior leaders, hoping they would be spared, stood still. But police became more aggressive as alliance activists continued to hurl brickbats. Police then swooped on the leaders and bashed them with batons even after they had fallen to the ground. Following the police clubbing, several hundred demonstrators darted out to the main road and different alleyways in Fakirerpool and started raining brickbats on the law enforcers. Police fired more than 100 teargas shells and rubber bullets on the demonstrators. At least 20 people including some policemen were wounded as the fighting continued till 2:45pm. Police picked up at least 30 leaders and activists from the spot.

Army given power to arrest anyone without warrant

The Election Commission (EC) in an unprecedented move yesterday agreed to allow the armed forces to arrest anyone from any place without a warrant during their engagement in election duties. The Armed Forces Division in a proposal earlier sought the power for the army, navy and the air force for seven days including the polling day to ensure a peaceful atmosphere and security of voters in light of the existing law and order situation.

Responding to the proposal, the EC finally asked the home ministry yesterday to issue a notification to allow the armed forces to have the authority as they had desired in addition to the power they already have to arrest any person within a radius of four hundred yards of a polling station on the polling day. The EC in its letter to the home ministry however did not specify the time limit for allowing the armed forces to exercise the new power. The home ministry will decide for how many days the armed forces will be allowed to exercise the power.

But sources in the EC said the armed forces will enjoy the power for 20 days from January 10, the day of their deployment across the country on election duties. President and Chief Adviser Iajuddin Ahmed yesterday directed the armed forces to carry out their assigned duties for holding the January 22 parliamentary election in a fair manner. The president gave the instruction when Army Chief Lt Gen Moeen U Ahmed called on him in Bangabhaban in the afternoon. Being legally empowered, the army, navy and the air force will be able to take actions against any person if the person is guilty of unduly influencing or compelling any other person to vote or to refrain from voting, directly or indirectly, by himself or herself or by any other person on his or her behalf. The home ministry will now issue fresh instructions amending the previous circular issued by it on January 3.

According to the existing electoral laws, a member of any law enforcement agency including the army, navy and the air force shall have the power to arrest any person without a warrant for maintenance of peace, law and order in a polling station or within a radius of four hundred yards of a polling station on the polling day. The power given to the armed forces, for the first time through a controversial ordinance in 2001, also allows them to take actions against any activity that goes against the electoral code of conduct. AFD now has an additional authority of exercising this power all over the constituencies, which will have the polls on January 22. According to the election laws, the armed forces can also themselves remove or issue orders to remove multi-coloured posters or portraits of candidates, campaign gates and arches, barricades, banners, microphones, loudspeakers, and decorative campaign illuminations, and can paint over graffiti on walls.

Blockaders - Cops clashes marked first day of Blockade

Capital remains cut off, trains halted, operation in ports suspended

The first day of blockade witnessed Blockaders clash with law enforcers. More than 200 persons were injured as blockaders fought pitched battles with law enforcers in the capital and elsewhere yesterday of the three-day countrywide blockade called by Awami League (AL)-led grand alliance.The blockade cut off the capital from the rest of the country. Military vehicles mounted with automatic weapons patrolled the streets of the capital yesterday. The army and Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) members were seen guarding different strategic points in the city. Hundreds of rubber bullets, tear gas shells fired in Adabor in capital. Several hundred army personnel were drawn together in Adabor after the area witnessed the worst clash of the day between grand alliance activists and police leaving around 50 injured.

Only the vehicles carrying Hajj pilgrims and journalists, ambulances, all exams and pharmacies were exempted from the 72-hour blockade. Besides, clashes and chases took place between the blockaders and police at Maghbazar, Russel Square, Matshya Bhaban crossing, Zero point, Tanti Bazar, Lalbagh, and Badda. Police arrested 106 activists of the grand alliance in the city. Around 100 leaders of both AL-led grand alliance and BNP-led four-party alliance were injured in sporadic clashes in different places outside the capital as well. Inter-district road communications were snapped as no inter-district bus operated. Rail communications were also halted at various stations in Dhaka, Pakshi, Lalmonirhat, and Daulatpur.

Activities at the country's premier seaport were also hampered due to the blockade. Loading and unloading took place partially but delivery of cargoes remained suspended.

ADABOR

Around 50 people including policemen and journalists were injured during a four-hour clash that turned Baitul Aman Housing Society, PC Culture and Adabor areas in the capital into a big battle filed. The fighting erupted after police had charged batons and dispersed several hundred AL leaders and activists when they gathered in front of the house of a local AL leader and ward commissioner Abul Hashem Hashu on Road No 10 in Baitul Aman Housing Society around 10:00am. Police fired tear gas shells and rubber bullets at the demonstrators several hundred times. They also fired from shotguns adding fuel to the anger of the demonstrators. Police arrested 28 people from the spot during the clashes.

Khaleda urges public to ignore election boycott

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia yesterday said the election must be held on January 22 as per the election commission schedule regardless of who participates in it or not. She also urged all to ignore the polls boycott announcement of the grand alliance and complete the election process to avoid any constitutional crisis. While addressing public meetings and roadside rallies during her daylong election campaign in Gazipur and Mymensingh, the BNP chief asked all to exercise their citizens' rights by participating in the polls.

She addressed rallies on Sreepur Pilot High School ground seeking votes for BNP candidate Tanvir Ahmed Siddiqui, Bhaluka Degree College ground for BNP nominee Fakhruddin Bachchu, Kazi Nazrul Islam College ground in Trishal for Dr Mahbubur Rahman Liton and Circuit House ground at Mymensingh for Delwar Hossain Khan. Thousands gathered at the rallies in processions chanting slogans. Many turned up with sheaves of paddy, portraits of Begum Zia and late president Ziaur Rahman and colourful banners on the very first day of Khaleda Zia's election campaign.

Begum Zia said "Awami League (AL) decided to stay away from the polls as their corrupt accomplices have been disqualified for the election," urging the people to participate in the election to foil all conspiracies against the country. She added that they are boycotting the election because they know they could not win." Khaleda criticised the AL-led grand alliance's blockade programme on January 7-8 and alleged that they (AL) are engaged in ruining the economy of the country and turning it into a satellite state of another country.

Meanwhile President and Chief Adviser (CA) Iajuddin Ahmed did not convene any meeting of the council of advisers to the caretaker government in the last two days although the advisers were waiting to sit together to find ways to resolve the political crisis centring the upcoming parliamentary election. Iajuddin however continued his efforts to hold the election set for January 22, instead of initiating any move to ensure participation of all political parties in the polls by resolving the crisis.

Since the alliance's announcement, the advisers have been discussing among themselves possible ways to overcome the crisis. But they cannot initiate any move in this regard before a meeting of the council is held, sources pointed out. The advisers are also discussing whether it is possible to seek opinion of the Supreme Court (SC) on holding the election by extending the 90-day time limit since dissolution of the immediate past parliament. But they were not sure if they could take a fresh initiative to resolve the crisis as the president seemed indifferent to this, sources said.

BNP men agitate for ticket -Rival asks party men to 'chase' nominee in Kishoreganj

BNP candidates continued agitation yesterday for 4-party alliance tickets in several constituencies in different districts. They held rallies and brought out processions in their areas demanding nomination and rejecting rival BNP leaders as candidates.

A BNP nomination seeker from Kishoreganj-3 (Sadar) at a party meeting at his election office in Station Road area in the district town Friday night asked his followers to 'chase' 4-party alliance nominee former BNP lawmaker Ataur Rahman Khan and his workers whenever they are seen in the constituency, reports our Kishoreganj correspondent. Disgruntled BNP nomination seeker retired judge Rejaul Karim Khan Chunnu at the meeting said his men would not give Ataur Rahman Khan any chance to come out on streets in the constituency to campaign for the coming election. Warning the party high command, Chunnu said, Kishoreganj BNP would face serious consequence if Ataur Rahman is given ticket from the constituency. Chunnu also urged his activists to form committees at each ward and union to resist Ataur Rahman Khan. Chunnu joined BNP on October 7 at a function in Kishoreganj town, attended by BNP chief Khaleda Zia. BNP leaders and activists brought out a big processions in the town on the previous day protesting his joining the party.

In Pabna, rival BNP leaders and activists brought out procession, held a rally and burnt an effigy of former lawmaker Anwerul Islam, a four-party alliance nominee from Pabna-3 (Chatmoher upazila) constituency. They also held demonstrations on Thursday in the area protesting his nomination, a correspondent reported.

January 3 - Last day for withdrawal of Nomination papers

AL, BNP busy with last-minute changes in nominations

In the face of growing discontents among the deprived aspirants, the high-ups in the Awami League- and the BNP-led alliances are making last-minute attempts to tackle the situation by changing nominations in a number of constituencies. After nominating candidates initially and instructing them to submit nomination papers accordingly, the high-ups of both the parties were busy till Saturday finalising the candidatures which must be completed by January 2, the day before the withdrawal of nomination papers. Hectic lobbying by the deprived candidates, demonstrations by their supporters and restive situation in different constituencies after the announcement of initial candidatures forced the major parties to change some of the nominations.

The parliamentary board of the AL held a series of meetings on Saturday and Sunday to tackle the situation in different constituencies and decided to make some changes in the nominations. Awami League joint general secretary, Obaidul Kader said the parliamentary board, headed by the party president Sheikh Hasina, would announce final list of nominees after reviewing the situation and changes might be made in a very few constituencies. Meanwhile, supporters of the deprived candidates were seen agitating in front of Hasina’a Sudha Sadan residence on Saturday. Supporters of AL leader Mizanul Haque Mizan gathered in front of Sudha Sadan in the morning and staged demonstration demanding cancellation of the nomination of Jatiya Party candidate Majibul Haque Chunnu for Kishoreganj-4 constitueny. One of the agitators even tried to set himself on fire before senior leaders intervened.

Though the Bangladesh Nationalist Party asked all aspirants, excepting the candidates certified by the party, to withdraw their candidature by January 3, a number of them are making last-minute attempts to grab nomination lobbying the party high-ups. The party took a strategy of initially naming multiple candidates for each constituency to hide its final candidates from rivals but a number of them are not willing to withdraw nomination papers. Grassroots-level BNP activists in constituencies where the alliance’s candidates are from other partners of the coalition are also angry with the nominations. Activists in a number of constituencies where candidates are from Jamaat-e-Islami openly demonstrated against the nominations. Amid the restive situation, the BNP secretary general, Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan, was forced to issue an open statement asking ‘dummy candidates’ to withdraw candidature and threatened action if the instruction was violated.

Whether to contest the Elections? - Grand Alliance to decide Today

The Awami League (AL) led grand alliance will announce today its decision whether to participate in the next parliamentary elections under the circumstances, when the caretaker government is allegedly using the administration and law enforcement agencies against the alliance.

AL President Sheikh Hasina will announce the alliance's crucial decision at a joint press conference in the presence of top alliance leaders. Jatiya Party (JP) Chairman HM Ershad, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) President AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury, and other key leaders of the grand alliance will be present at Hasina's press briefing. AL General Secretary Abdul Jalil at a press briefing at the Dhanmondi AL office yesterday said President and Chief Adviser Iajuddin Ahmed with directions from the BNP-Jamaat alliance is leading the current situation towards a direction that will force us to take any rigid stance. The AL top leaders yesterday discussed the latest political development with Hasina at her Sudha Sadan residence.

Following declaration of Ershad's all five nomination papers invalid, the top leaders of the AL-led grand alliance began backtracking from their decision to contest the January 22 polls. Jalil said Ershad's nominations were cancelled without showing any proper grounds and following rules and regulations. At yesterday's press conference, Jalil alleged that leaders and activists of the AL-led grand alliance have been killed, arrested, tortured and harassed by the Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) and police across the country ahead of the elections. If the AL decides not to go to the polls, then they will make all-out efforts to resist any move to hold a "unilateral election," by mobilising the public.

Jatiya Party Chairman barred from polls

Violent protest in greater Rangpur

Jatiya Party (JP) Chairman HM Ershad was declared disqualified from the ballot yesterday. Returning officers (RO) rejected the five nomination papers Ershad had filed for the constituencies of Dhaka-5, Rangpur-3, Lalmonirhat-3, Sylhet-3 and Habiganj-3, on grounds of the Supreme Court's rejection of his appeal against a High Court verdict that had sentenced him to two years in prison in a graft case popularly known as 'Japanese boat purchase scam'. The current situation may lead Awami League (AL)-led grand electoral alliance to re-think whether it will compete in the upcoming parliamentary election. The RO's rejection of Ershad's nomination papers sparked a violent protest in greater Rangpur where leaders and activists of JP (Ershad) staged protests yesterday and called for dawn-to-dusk hartals today in different districts.

Sensing the rejection coming his way, Ershad met AL President Sheikh Hasina in her residence at 11:50am yesterday and discussed strategies for the next course of action. He told reporters that if the 'conspiracy against him' continues he might not contest the election. He also said that since he is in the grand alliance, he will take the decision in consultation with the alliance partners. As per the latest reports, in a couple of days, the grand alliance that filed nomination papers on Tuesday shifting from its rigid stance of not participating in the poll under the caretaker government led by President Iajuddin Ahmed, will announce whether it will remain in the race.

The constitution says that a person shall not be eligible to be a member of parliament if convicted and sentenced to at least two years in prison in a case of criminal offence involving moral turpitude unless a period of five years has elapsed since his release.

A widespread debate has begun on whether Ershad should be allowed to contest the polls. The state lawyers, who were appointed by the immediate past government, have been arguing that Ershad is not eligible for contesting the polls in accordance with the provision of the constitution. On the other hand, eminent jurists are arguing that Ershad is eligible to contest the polls since he already served two years in jail in the case and because five years have already elapsed since his release in 1997.

Seat sharing almost finalised - Grand alliance

Awami League (AL)-led grand electoral alliance almost completed its preparations for contesting the upcoming election whenever it happens, according to alliance sources. Jatiya Party (JP) Chairman HM Ershad yesterday morning met AL President Sheikh Hasina in her Sudha Sadan residence in the capital and discussed the issue of seat sharing with her. AL General Secretary Abdul Jalil sat with Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leaders in his Gulshan residence yesterday evening to discuss the same while LDP President Badruddoza Chowdhury was scheduled to hold talks with Sheikh Hasina at the time of filing this report late last night.

The sources said AL is likely to finalise its own candidates today and it was roughly decided that Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) will contest in four constituencies, Gono Forum in three and Workers Party in four constituencies under the umbrella of the grand electoral alliance. According to the primary decision JSD will contest in Kustia-6, Chittagong-10, Panchagarh-1 and Sunamganj-4 constituencies while Gono Forum will contest in Cox's Bazar-1, Dhaka-3 and Manikganj-3. The constituencies Workers Party will contest for include Barisal-2, Rajshahi-2 and a constituency in Satkhira district. Zaker Party will contest in Faridpur-4 and Islami Oikyo Jote will contest in Narail-2, the sources added.

AL is also negotiating with Parbatiya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samity, and Krishok Sramik Janata League to bring them into the fold of its grand alliance based on similar seat sharing.The sources said during almost two-hour long discussion Sheikh Hasina and HM Ershad finalised around 35 constituencies for JP to contest in and decided to continue their discussion on seat sharing as JP top leaders placed demands for a few more seats.

New Poll Schedule Disclosed, No change on Election Date -Election Commission

Election Commission rescheduled the polls timetable again, at the request of the advisory council of caretaker government,keeping in mind holding of election within the 90-day constitutional obligation.The council also requested Election Commissioner SM Zakaria yesterday to go on leave of absence and claimed that it has implemented the entire package proposal finalised 16 days ago although the proposals also included sending of Election Commissioner Modabbir Hossain Chowdhury on leave and appointment of new election commissioners to recast the EC.The council of advisers also decided not to appoint any new election commissioner although its package proposal had a deal in this regard.

A delegation of the AL-led grand alliance rushed to the EC yesterday afternoon and rejected the new timetable for the ninth parliamentary election, demanding announcement of election schedule after properly correcting the voter list first.
In line with the request of the council of advisers, the EC rescheduled the next election by extending the deadline for filing nomination papers by three days up to December 24.

The dates for other stages of the election were also re-fixed. In the new timetable, the date for scrutiny of nomination papers is December 28 and the date for withdrawal of candidature is January 3. The previous deadlines were December 22 and 28. The polling date, however, remains the same--January 22. The EC has to complete the election by January 25, the last day of the constitutionally stipulated 90-day period for holding election.

In reply to the demand of voter list correction, by AL-led grand alliance,the Election Commissioner said the electoral roll can be updated up to the day before election and the lists will be available at the district election offices for correction.

Following these latest developments towards resolving the existing political deadlock, the council of advisers hopes that all political parties will now participate in the election.

National Assembly Elections - 2007

Bangladesh is a parliamentary democracy, since Independence. Bangladesh started its journey with the Parliamentary System of Government, then switched over to the Presidential System and in 1991 reverted to the Parliamentary system. Its 1972 constitution has been amended several times. The president is chief of state and the prime minister heads the government.

The ruling government took power on Oct 2001 and the term ended on Oct 2006 . According to the current poll schedule, Bangladesh 2007 National Assembly Election will be held on January 22. The last date for filing nomination papers for the ninth parliamentary election will be December 21.

Bangladesh's political scene has been tumultuous since independence. Periods of democratic rule have been interrupted by coups, martial law, and states of emergency. In the midst of this confusing scene, there are 5 major political forces in the country. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its allies forming the right-of-center to conservative grouping in Bangladesh and is currently in power in Bangladesh. The current opposition is led by the Awami League (AL), which initially saw its birth as a socialistic organization but has now transformed into a center/center-left political stream. To the left are the pro-Soviet Bangladesh Communist Party, factions of the Jatiyo Samajtantrik Dal, and other socialist groups advocating revolutionary change. To the right is a group of parties, including Jamaat e Islami and Islami Oikyo Jote, who calls for an increased role for Islam in public life. The fifth major pary is the party founded by ex-military ruler General Ershad, the Jatiyo Party (JP) is ideologically not too different from the AL or the BNP but operates independently.

Election -2007

The ninth parliamentary elections are scheduled for January 2007, with political alliances led by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Awami League (AL) in the fray. The main issues include poor performance and mal-governance, rise of extremism and, most importantly, holding free and fair elections despite a deteriorating law and order situation in the country.

The last five years rule was plagued with disapproval by the liberals and moderates. Despite this, the ruling alliance sought to strengthen itself and widen its electoral reach. The BNP and its two allies, Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Oikya Jote, are likely to be joined by an entrenched political force, the Jatiya Party (JP) led by H.M. Ershad. This political alliance between ultra-rightists (Islamic Parties) and the BNP is of concern, as their political platform is anchored in an undemocratic military ethos, strong enough to defeat the liberal democratic forces. On the other side, BNP dissidents like AKM Badrudozza Chowdhary (Bikalpa Parisad) and Deputy Speaker of Jatiya Sansad, along with some MPs of the newly formed Liberal Democratic Party have joined the 14 parties opposition led by the Awami League, which has enthused this new alliance of liberal democratic forces.