[🇧🇩] Forming Election Commission/Conducting Elections

[Saif]

BNP terms April election plan ‘imprudent decision’

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party on Sunday criticised the plan to hold the national election in April, describing it as an ‘imprudent’ and ‘irrational’ decision...

www.newagebd.net

BNP terms April election plan ‘imprudent decision’
United News of Bangladesh . Dhaka 08 June, 2025, 20:58

The party flag of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. | File photo

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party on Sunday criticised the plan to hold the national election in April, describing it as an ‘imprudent’ and ‘irrational’ decision.

The party senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi made the comment while speaking at a food distribution event organised by the Jatiyatabadi Van and Rickshaw Sramik Dal in the capital.

‘People believe the decision to hold the election in April is unwise and an ill-considered one,’ he said.

He said that chief adviser Muhammad Yunus’s announcement regarding the election in early April raises serious concerns about both motive and timing.

‘Why is the chief adviser speaking of holding the election in April based on the words of just one or two individuals or political parties? April is a month of intense heat, storms and rainfall. It is also when the SSC and other public examinations take place,’ the BNP leader said.

At that time, he noted, Eid-ul-Fitr will have just concluded. ‘If the election is held in April, campaigning would have to take place during Ramadan. How can one campaign while fasting? Will people observe their fasts or run election campaigns?’

Rizvi alleged that the interim government had pitted democracy against reform.

He said that Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Sheikh Hasina both dreamt of remaining in power indefinitely.

The BNP leader said that questions were now being raised as to whether the interim government is harbouring the same ambition.

He accused the Awami League of systematically eroding democratic institutions over the past 15–16 years. ‘People of this country have been denied their right to vote. Elections have been rigged, and Sheikh Hasina has crushed the sanctity of free and fair elections.’

The BNP leader said that democracy fundamentally relied on free and fair elections. ‘People must have the right to disagree and to choose their leaders freely. That is what elections are about.’

Rizvi reiterated BNP’s demand for the election to be held in December, which he described as a more suitable time for voting.​

 

[Saif]

BNP ready for election any time: Fakhrul

Bangladesh Nationalist Party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday said that his party was ready to contest the national election any time.

www.newagebd.net

BNP ready for election any time: Fakhrul
Staff Correspondent 10 June, 2025, 21:26

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir | BSS photo

Bangladesh Nationalist Party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday said that his party was ready to contest the national election any time.

Speaking to journalists at the BNP chairperson’s office in Gulshan, he said that the BNP was not a revolutionary party but was committed to attaining power through democratic elections.

Fakhrul expressed his confidence that the national election could take place as early as December, aligning with the position of the party’s acting chairman.

He, however, said that the BNP had yet to take any formal stance on the government’s announcement to hold the national election in April 2026.

‘We hope that the government will consider the matter realistically,’ he said and added that April was not an ideal time for holding the general election.

Fakhrul hoped that an upcoming meeting between chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus and BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman could mark a turning point.

Describing the meeting as a major political event, he underlined its potential to help resolve ongoing political challenges, simplify issues, and create new opportunities amid the current crisis.

Regarding the interim government’s role, Fakhrul acknowledged their sincerity and willingness to work but mentioned that they lacked sufficient political experience.

He described the current period as a time of democratic transition that demanded responsibility, cautious dialogue and national unity to progress.

Replying to a question, Fakhrul said that Tarique Rahman will return to Bangladesh soon.Bangladeshi cuisine recipes

‘His return is certain and imminent,’ Fakhrul added without providing any specific date.​

 

[Saif]

February is the most logical month for the election

We hope the meeting between interim government chief advisor Professor Yunus and BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman will lead to broader political consensus

en.prothomalo.com

February is the most logical month for the election

AKM Zakaria
Updated: 13 Jun 2025, 14: 46

Professor Yunus, for the time being, has drawn a close to the conjectures and confusion over the when the national election is to be held, whether in December this year or any time within June of the coming year. According to his announcement, the national election is to be held any day in the first half of April 2026.

This announcement has been met with mixed reaction. However, the country's largest political party BNP has not accepted this date. It seemed that Professor Yunus would stick to his April schedule, but now his meeting to be held in London with BNP's acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, is generating a sense of hope among many.

BNP has explained why it is not accepting April as the time for the election. It feels that the weather at that time is not favourable for an election. There are also apprehensions and objection about campaigning and conducting other political programmes during the month of Ramadan. They fear that such circumstances may arise that will create scope for the election date to be pushed back.

Amid all the present discussions, debates and speculations concerning the election timeframe, many are raising the doubts as to whether the election will actually be held at all. BNP leaders are continuously alleging that conspiracies are be hatched against their party. The party acting chairman Tarique Rahman recently said, "Behind the delay in reforms, it seems there are elements within and outside the government who have a different objection." Tarique Rahman's insinuation is clear.

National crises or exceptional circumstances often create opportunities for extreme and reckless political forces to become active. Following the July mass uprising, many such groups have found a favorable environment to operate within the new political reality. Whether labeled as extremism, anarchism, or recklessness, these are, in their own way, particular paths within politics.

In the history of our country’s politics, such forces have tried to assert themselves during moments of crisis. Even in the current situation, there are reports of the activities of such groups or factions. There is growing concern and apprehension among many regarding the influence and activities of these groups within the state machinery.

The country's politics at one point had gone through considerable uncertainty. There was a sit-in outside Jamuna demanding a ban of Awami League, then there were the issues of an election timeframe, the army chief's stance concerning a corridor to Myanmar and leasing Chittagong Port of foreign quarters, BNP and NCP at loggerheads of the Ishraque issue, their demands for certain advisors to resign and so on. Fed up with all this, Professor Yunus' talk of resigning threw the country in the face of another crisis.

A large segment of Bangladesh’s population is eagerly waiting to vote for the first time. The current interim government and its chief advisor, Professor Yunus, also aim to ensure that as many young voters as possible are able to participate in the election.

In such a complex situation, the demand for elections to be held soon was seen as a way out of the crisis. The army chief said the election should be held within December this year. BNP also began to step up their demand for the election in December. The party's acting chairman clearly said, the election must be held within December. In this reality, Professor Yunus' announcement for the election in the first half of April brought an end to the December-June election debate. But the question remains as to how far the crisis has actually cleared.

BNP has made known its negative stance towards the election in April. Given Professor Yunus' December-June timeframe, most people wanted the election to be held before Ramadan. There are practical reasons for this. And there are clearly many problems in holding the election in the first half of April.

Ramadan is likely to start after mid-February on the 17th, depending on the sighting of the moon. That means Eid will be on 19-20 March, and this will be following with a few more days holiday. If the election is to be held in the first half of April, that will give only around 20 days at the most. Ramadan and Eid is not favourable at all for campaigning. Then again, the SSC exam begins from 9 April.

More importantly, temperature begun to rise from mid-March and reach a peak in April. We must also bear in mind that after 2008, there have been no free elections in the country. The festivity of an election disappeared from Bangladesh. If the election could be held within winter, that would really be a festival once again. All said and done, holding the election before Ramadan would be most convenient.

A large segment of Bangladesh’s population is eagerly waiting to vote for the first time. The current interim government and its chief advisor, Professor Yunus, also aim to ensure that as many young voters as possible are able to participate in the election. Students and young people were the driving force behind this year’s mass uprising. Including new and young voters in the electoral roll aligns with the aspirations of the uprising.

If the election is held in February, before Ramadan, there should be no difficulty in including new voters in the electoral roll. According to the Voter List Act 2009, all existing voter lists preserved in the computer database can be updated between 2 January and 2 March each year. Officials say that shortly after 2 January (within about a week), it is possible for the election commission to update the voter list. Moreover, if any legal amendments or ordinances are needed for this, those can also be enacted easily.

It would be most unfortunate if BNP clings to its position solely based on the hope of winning the next election, and insists on safeguarding its interests as a future ruling party in matters of reform

Considering everything, the first half of February appears to be the most logical time for holding the election. If such a timeline is set, we believe that most political parties, including the BNP, will accept it. Most importantly, there is now an urgent need to create an atmosphere of comprehensive consensus in national politics. Holding the election in February before Ramadan could pave the way for that consensus.

One thing must be kept in mind. Whether the election takes place in February or April, if there is no consensus among the political forces involved in the mass uprising beforehand, questions may arise about the moral and legal legitimacy of the uprising itself, the interim government formed through it, and the future elected government.

To bring the election forward from April to February, consensus must be reached quickly on issues like the July Charter. Political parties also need to come to an agreement on the main proposals for constitutional reform. In all of this, the role of the BNP is particularly important.

There is a public perception that BNP is not interested in reforms. BNP must therefore adopt a rational and realistic stance that takes into account the aspirations of the mass uprising. It would be most unfortunate if BNP clings to its position solely based on the hope of winning the next election, and insists on safeguarding its interests as a future ruling party in matters of reform.

The mass uprising has created an opportunity for fundamental change, and BNP respect that. The party’s negative stance on issues such as proportional representation in the upper house of parliament or limiting the prime minister’s tenure to two terms hints at a narrow, self-serving political approach.

We hope that in today's meeting in London between interim government chief advisor Professor Yunus and BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman, there will be progress toward understanding on these issues and an opportunity will emerge to build broader political consensus.

* AKM Zakaria is associate editor, Prothom Alo​

 

[Saif]

All preparations taken to ensure security during polls: Jahangir

Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd.) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury today said all preparations of the law enforcement agencies required to ensure security during the polls have already been taken. "We have already taken all preparations necessary to ensure security during the elect

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

All preparations taken to ensure security during polls: Jahangir

Published :
Jun 15, 2025 00:02
Updated :
Jun 15, 2025 00:02

Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd.) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury today said all preparations of the law enforcement agencies required to ensure security during the polls have already been taken.

"We have already taken all preparations necessary to ensure security during
the elections," he said while replying to a question after visiting the RAB-1
Headquarters in the capital's Uttara area, BSS reports.

Replying to another question, the Home Adviser said that the law and order in
the country has improved in the last 11 months.

The Home Adviser called upon the journalists not to publish or broadcast
partial news which may create scope to twist it from outside of the country.​

 

[Saif]

CEC declares ‘zero tolerance’ against election rigging

No one will be spared if they resort to violence or irregularities, he says

www.thedailystar.net

CEC declares ‘zero tolerance’ against election rigging

Photo: Ahmed Deepto

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin today declared a "zero tolerance" stance against "vote terrorists".

"There's bad news for election terrorists — no one will be spared if they resort to violence or irregularities. There will be zero tolerance in dealing with them," he said.

The CEC made the remarks while exchanging Eid greetings with the reporters at the commission's headquarters, Agargaon of Dhaka, on the first working day after the Eid holidays.

"We do not operate under anyone's instruction," said CEC Nasir.

"We do not act on orders or under the direction of anyone. EC officials have been instructed not to work under the influence of anyone or to serve partisan interests," he said.

The CEC said, "Some people might still be hoping to win by capturing all votes from certain polling centres. That opportunity no longer exists. They should wake up — they are daydreaming. That dream will never come true."

"What happened in the past — if anyone thinks they can take over polling centres or snatch ballot boxes — that's nothing but a daydream. Such opportunities will not be available this time. Everyone wants a peaceful election," he added.

He affirmed that the EC aims to deliver a free, fair, and acceptable election to the nation, and all preparations are being directed toward that goal. The EC will decide on the election schedule and date based on discussions with the government and assessing the overall situation.

On preparations, he said that amendments will be made to the Voter List Act, and finalisation of the voter roll is nearly complete. Meanwhile, major tasks like party registration and demarcation of parliamentary constituencies are ongoing.

CEC Nasir added that regardless of whether the election is held in February or April, the Commission is ready. However, it is not possible at this moment to announce a specific date eight to ten months ahead of the vote.

He said the Commission will decide after getting a clearer idea from the government following discussions.

In response to various questions about the possible timing of the election — particularly in light of the chief adviser's recent remarks suggesting polls in early April and an unsigned joint statement from London implying a February timeline — the CEC refrained from commenting on a specific date.

"Be it in February or April — whenever the national election takes place, we must be prepared," Nasir said. "We were initially told the election could be held any time between December and June, and we are preparing accordingly."

He reiterated, "Right now, we are focused solely on preparations. Once we engage in discussions with the government and understand their thinking, we'll gain clarity and can make a decision. At this point, I cannot declare a specific election date."

"If we get a clearer picture from the government, we will be ready and prepared to deliver the election accordingly," he added.

The CEC said that the chief adviser has expressed a desire to deliver a historic election, which will be conducted by the Election Commission.

"The chief adviser wants to hold this election with participation from all parties through discussions. We must realise that the current situation is quite unique. If all preparations are complete, the election might take place in February. I saw a joint statement suggesting the polls could be held even before Ramadan — but only if conditions are right. I can't take this as anything formal or official," he said.

AMM Nasir Uddin said, "We haven't had any discussions with the government yet. We're focused on our preparations so that we're ready to deliver the election whenever it is scheduled. Right now, we are not thinking beyond our own preparations. Once we speak to the government and understand their thinking, we hope for a positive outcome. At this point, our sole focus — day and night — is on readiness."​