Elections 2019.

[Banglar Bir]

A slogan with a difference
Matiur Rahman | Update: 14:06, Nov 10, 2017

Bare-chested he takes to the streets, his front and back
Etched with the glowing words of a unique slogan,
Like a hero he strides at the forefront of the procession, then suddenly
The troops in town let loose a shower of lead,
And it’s not just Nur Hossain’s chest, but the heart of Bangladesh
That is penetrated; Bangladesh Cries like a forest deer in distress, and Blood pours from his chest, it pours and pours.
(Translated from "Buk Taar Bangladesher Hridoy" or "His chest is the heart of Bangladesh" by Shamsur Rahman) Today is 10 November 2017.

Exactly 30 years ago on this day -- 10 November 1987 -- the bold young Nur Hossain of Bonogram, Dhaka, took to the streets with thousands of others. Slogans were etched on his chest and back: ‘Down with autocracy’ and ‘Free democracy’. When he reached the road east of the Bangladesh Secretariat, the police aimed at him and fired. He was shot and fell to the ground. Nur Hossain was martyred. Poet Shamsur Rahman wrote a poem in tribute to him, ‘His chest is the heart of Bangladesh’. The poem was first published in the 16 December 1987 issue of the weekly Ekota.

Shaheed Nur Hossain became the symbol of the struggle against autocracy and for democracy. That photograph became iconic in Bangladesh and it reached the rest of the world too. For the next few years, Nur Hossain’s sacrifice was a poignant inspiration to the people, it had a deep impact on them. So much poetry and prose were dedicated to him. People knew about his home , his family. Many eminent persons were moved to visit his home. His father Mujibur Rahman, an auto-rickshaw driver, became well-known for his valiant son. So many meetings and gatherings were held in his name.

Then over the past three decades, gradually Shaheed Nur Hossain and his father began to fade. No one really remembers Nur Hossain anymore. No meetings are held to commemorate him. Like so many other martyrs, he too has faded from memory.

My meeting with Shaheed Nur Hossain’s father came out of the blue, and it was painful. It was 28 November 1987. I was going by auto-rickshaw from Larmini Street in Wari to the artist Kamrul Hasan’s house in Manipuripara and then on to the weekly Ekota office in Bangshal. We had crossed Indira Road, Farmgate, and were going towards Bangla Motor. The elderly taxi driver turned back to look at me and said, “I know you. You are a journalist. I am Shaheed Nur Hossain’s father.”

I was stunned. Mujibur Rahman talked and talked and I listened, silent, shocked and shamed. He asked me for a picture of his son Nur Hossain. He wanted to frame it. When I got down from the auto-rickshaw, I managed to shake myself out of the shock and paid my respects to him. I thought, we talk so much about the martyrs, make pledges in their names, but how much do we really know about them, their families?

I grew close to him and quite soon, close to his family too. I would often meet up with Mujibur Rahman. He would sometimes drop in to my place and we would talk. I have been deeply enlightened from these conversations about his struggle in life and his various experiences. We kept in touch and I tried to share in the joys and sorrows of Mujibur Rahman’s family. I am still in touch with them through Nur Hossain’s younger sister Shahana. Two months ago Shahana and her mother Mariam Begum came to our office. Even amidst my busy schedule, I remember Nur Hossain and his family. I have often written about him and his family, in Ekota, later in Bhorer Kagoj and then Prothom Alo. Even so, the question arises, how far have we remembered Shaheed Nur Hossain and his family?

Deeply moved by emotion towards Shaheed Nur Hossain and his father, in February 1990 I brought out a 32-page small book, ‘Shaheed Nur Hossain’, containing three poems by poet Shamsur Rahman and three writings of my own. Artist Qayyum Chowdhury wrote the preface of the book and also did the cover as well as the sketches and drawings within. I had long been pondering on bringing out a new and enlarged edition of that book, ‘Shaheed Nur Hossain’. Finally, on 10 November 2013, Shaheed Nur Hossain Day, Prothoma Prokashon published the new and enlarged edition of the book ‘Shaheed Nur Hossain’.

In the last couple of years of the eighties, various leaders and their associates visited Mujibur Rahman’s humble home in Bonogram to pay respect to Shaheed Nur Hossain and his family. No one from Jatiya Party and Jamaat-e-Islami, though, went. There was hardly any space in that little house for the leaders to sit, but Shaheed Nur Hossain’s parents were moved to tears by the presence of such eminent personalities. They would weep, “We want nothing. We will never get our son back. We will be happy if our son’s slogan, ‘Free democracy’ materialises. That is the only assurance we want from you.”

The leaders gave their assurance to Shaheed Nur Hossain’s parents and his family, clasping their hands and promising, “We are here and will remain here. We will bring down autocracy and free democracy.” The family of the martyrs was reassured by the commitments of the leaders. They wiped their tears and stood firm. They prayed for everyone. Month after month, loud commitments were voiced at public meetings, in speeches and in slogans of processions, “We will fulfill the demands etched on the chest and back of Shaheed Nur Hossain.”

We recall those days, that 6 December 1990 when the government of autocrat Ershad toppled. The people all over the country were exuberant at the fall of the autocrat. A public wave arose for democracy. An interim government was formed under the acting president Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed. A free, fair and neutral election was held and a new government was formed. But democracy was not freed. Within a very short time, political clashes and conflict ensued. The political battle continues.

Thirty years have passed since then. Between 1991 and 2014, five to six elections have been held. So much has happened with governance, elections and democracy during this span of time. There have been agitations, processions, strikes, blockades, violence and even killing in broad daylight. There was even a coup attempt and the army once ran the country, in effect, in 2007-08. In the recent past, those defeated in the elections did not accept the results. The winners took all.

Unrest has increased in the country, there have been bloody clashes. Political killings and disappearances continue. A sense of political uncertainty prevails. We see a lack of good governance and we see the black shadow of corruption. That is why, despite the encouraging figures in business and industry, in food, agriculture, education, health and other social indicators, our much aspired democratic rule and social system has failed to flourish.

It is a fact that today we have moved far from the victory and success of the ‘Down with autocracy’ and ‘Free democracy’ movement. Just the other day Dr Anisuzzaman, our Anis Sir, was saying that it seems we have moved very far away from 1971. He remarked, compared to the 24 years of struggle and achievement in the 24 years before independence, the next 46 years have been a history of decline and loss.

I remember, 10 years before he died in 2005, Shaheed Nur Hossain’s father Mujibur Rahman said to me, “Will things end like this? Democracy must be freed from the fences all around it.” A few days before he died, the ailing Mujibur Rahman sadly told his eldest son Ali Hossain, “Nur Hossain wanted the fall of autocracy and that happened. But there is still so much violence and conflict in the country. Democracy hasn’t been freed.” His words ring so true!

That is why we must continue to call out aloud, let democracy be free! We want to speak out, we want freedom of the press. We want peace, not disappearances and killings. We want a free election. We want true democracy, we want good governance.

On this day we recall Nur Hossain with deep honour. We pay our respects to his father Mujibur Rahman and to his family.
* Matiur Rahman is Editor of Prothom Alo, This commentary, originally published in Prothom Alo print edition, has been rewritten in English by Ayesha Kabir.
http://en.prothom-alo.com/opinion/news/165985/A-slogan-with-a-difference

 

[Banglar Bir]

Election uncertainty begins to bite on stability, economic progress
Shahid Islam
Overcoming the fear of uncertainty is as uphill a task as is climbing the summit of the Himalayas.
While a lot is being written and discussed about the next general election, due by the end of 2018, precious little is known whether it will be an inclusive election partaken by major political parties, or the nation and the world will witness a déjà vu reminiscent of the 2014 electoral façade and the mayhem that accompanied it.
BNP’s mindset
Unless the uncertainties relating to the next general election are assuaged sooner, holding onto the current level of growth (7.24%) will be near to impossible.
Sources say the BNP is less bothered about the election due to three main reasons.

First: BNP’s party hierarchy believes the incumbent regime is unlikely to bring any constitutional amendment to comply with BNP’s demand for a non-partisan, caretaker, or cooperative regime of some sort to commandeer the election.
In that instance, BNP doesn’t want to its verb and credibility by joining the election under the same set up that had prevented it from joining last one.

Second: BNP thinks the government cannot afford another election, and another full term in the office, without fulfilling the whetting public appetite for a representational parliament.
An election like the 2014 one will tarnish the last vestige of the AL’s image, irreparably and irretrievably, so as to make it impossible in the future to reclaim the AL’s credibility as an institution committed to democratic governance.

Third: According to a reliable source, BNP’s senior leadership had confided to some regional and global powers that it doesn’t want to resume power without ensuring that a post-election revenge-spree will not turn the nation into a burning cauldron to put the blame squarely on the BNP’s shoulder.

Above all, of late, BNP’s relationship with neighbouring India has been smoothened up.
Besides, the fact that brutal attack on Mrs. Zia’s motorcade in late October on way to and from the Bangladesh-Myanmar borders by ruling party cadres became known to all who are watching the Bangladesh scene.
The BNP chief went to the Myanmar border area to see the plight of the hapless Rohingya refuges where almost a million of the uprooted Rohingyas are rotting in desperation after being driven from their ancestral homeland by the Myanmar military.
Ruling party’s road map
While these and other concerns may deter the BNP from participating in an election under the incumbent regime’s umpire ship, the regime in power also has a roadmap in the making to lure the BNP and its allies into the polling fray.
This ‘being prepared’ roadmap includes a variety of incentivization, confirmed by more than one sources,“including the PM and the BNP chairperson sitting on face to face dialogue when time ripens.”

That prospect had gained traction following an alleged secret meeting in London, UK, between Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Rehana, sister of the PM, during Mrs. Zia’s latest jaunt to the British capital for medical treatment. More than one source confirmed of such a meeting having taken place amidst a volley of exposures in the mainstream and social media of alleged plotting against the PM in person by a disgruntled section of the Bangladesh armed forces.
“Madam Zia and Mrs. Rehana discussed the necessity to deter jointly any military intervention in politics,” confirmed a source, insisting anonymity.
PM’s predisposition
That notwithstanding, PM Sheikh Hasina—who had already declared earlier of her antipathy to holding another election of the like of 2014 due mainly to the fear of prospective uncertainty and socio-political instability that may rob her regime of the desire to becoming a mid-income country by 2021 — remains unbuckled and unfazed, say her aides.
“The reason she’s not much visible in the public is purely medical,” confirmed a PMO official, alluding to her recent surgery.

There is no denying that the PM is aware of the private sector growth stagnation that instability ushers in, and, wants over all investment as percentage of GDP to increase from 28.97% to 34.4%. The goal of increasing the FDI from its current stymied level of $2.25 billion to $9.56 billion will also hit a breaker if political instability resurges.

Above all, the vision outlaid in the 7th FY plan (2016-20) will remain a chimera unless the cumulative investment can be accelerated to the level of $407 billion, in which the private sector is slated to carry bulk of the slab by contributing 77.3% ($314 billion) while the public sector to inject the remaining 22.7% ($92 billion).
Only by implementing policies commensurable to meeting these targets can create enough employment and productivity to reduce existing poverty level from 22.5 % to 9% by 2021.
Poor investment-GDP ratio
According to Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), the ratio of private sector investment to GDP staggers around 23.01% while the public-sector investment still hovers around 7.26%, despite, in FY 2016-17,Tk1,01292 crores (29.74% of the total budget) having been allocated for physical infrastructure building.

These and other election-related premonitions loom large at a time when the industrial growth is edging downward due to softer export growth, weaker domestic demand, and, warily fallen remittances.

Above all, the service sector, which alone contributes 56.7% of the GDP, is showing a steady decline too by registering only 6% growth, which is much below the national average.

One auto-rickshaw driver summed up the nation’s state of nervousness by saying: “Rice is gold, over taka 60 per kilo.
It’ll not come down before next election, which is far away.
We can’t bear it any more.”
http://www.weeklyholiday.net/Homepage/Pages/UserHome.aspx

 

[Banglar Bir]

Khaleda discusses politics with US and Canadaian leaders
Special Correspondent

A Canadian parliamentary delegation held a meeting with BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia on Monday night.
US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Thomas A Shannon met BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia at Khaleda’s Gulshan office on Monday morning (Nov 6).
At the meeting, the US delegation led by Shannon included other officials of the US embassy in Dhaka while Khaleda Zia was accompanied by BNP secretary general Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and others.
According to sources, the meeting focused on the on-going political issues, Rohingya crisis and the upcoming parliamentary election.

After the meeting, BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia’s meeting with Thomas A Shannon was productive,Fakhrul said the US delegation talked about the on-going Rohingya crisis with Khaleda Zia. Moreover, the political situation of the country was also discussed.

Meanwhile, a Canadian parliamentary delegation at a meeting with BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia on Monday night said their country wants to see an inclusive and credible election in Bangladesh.
“Our discussions were very lively and fruitful. They (Canadian team) told us very clearly that their country wants to see a fair, neutral and acceptable election in Bangladesh with the participation of all parties,” said BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

A six-member Canadian delegation, led by Yasmen Ratanski MP, went to Khaleda’s Gulshan office around 7:00pm and held nearly an hour-long meeting.

Briefing reporters about the meeting, Fakhrul also said they discussed the country’s latest political situation and the Rohingya issue.
The Canadian parliamentary delegation arrived Dhaka last week to join the 63rd conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA).

Apart from Fakhrul, BNP standing committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Jamiruddin Sircar, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury and special secretary Asaduzzaman Ripon and Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Benoit Préfontaine were present at the meeting.
http://www.weeklyholiday.net/Homepage/Pages/UserHome.aspx?ID=3&date=0#Tid=15069

07:25 PM, November 10, 2017 / LAST MODIFIED: 07:28 PM, November 10, 2017
Refrain from provocation: BNP to AL

Star Online Report
Political opposition BNP today urged the ruling quarter to refrain from any provocation and show political maturity ahead of their November 12 rally in Dhaka.
“We expect all out cooperation and political behavior from the government,” the party’s standing committee member Mirza Abbas said in regard to the rally.

“We also hope that the government would refrain from any kinds of provocative activities,” he said while visiting the rally venue Suhrawardy Udyan this afternoon.

BNP is set to hold the November 12 rally marking the “National Revolution and Solidarity Day”, where the party’s Chairperson Khaleda Zia will attend as chief guest.

Senior leaders of the party, including Vice Chairman Abdullah Al Noman, Senior Joint Secretary General Rizvi Ahmed and Joint Secretary General Habibunnabi Khan Sohel accompanied Abbas during the site visit.

“We are smelling hints of provocation in remarks made by Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader over the rally,” said Abbas.

He was referring to Quaders remarks that despite permission, the government will take action against “any unprecedented and unwanted incident in the rally”.
http://www.thedailystar.net/politic...cation-political-maturity-dhaka-rally-1489288

 

[Banglar Bir]

01:04 PM, November 11, 2017 / LAST MODIFIED: 01:26 PM, November 11, 2017
BNP gets conditional permission for rally

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir speaks at a press conference at party's Nayapaltan office in Dhaka on November 11, 2017. Photo: Collected
Star Online Report
Dhaka Metropolitan Police today allowed BNP to hold a rally at Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka tomorrow marking the National Revolution and Solidarity Day but there are 23 conditions.
“BNP leader Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie received the permission letter from DMP,” the party’s Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said at a press conference at its Nayapaltan office today.

Chairperson of the party Khaleda Zia, also a former prime minister, is expected to address the rally which is scheduled to start at 2:00pm.

Earlier, BNP sought permission for holding the rally at Suhrawardy Udyan tomorrow marking the National Revolution and Solidarity Day. The party plans to stage a huge showdown by organising it.

The party is going to organise such a big programme in Dhaka after around two years.

Earlier on January 5 last year, BNP held a programme in front of its Nayapaltan headquarters in Dhaka to mark January 5, which the party termed “democracy killing day”.
That time BNP wanted to hold the programme on Suhrawardy Udayan but did it get permission.
http://www.thedailystar.net/politic...mp-national-revolution-solidarity-day-1489636

 

[Banglar Bir]

‘Good governance the key to free and fair elections’
Shohel MamunAshif Islam Shaon
Published at 01:06 AM November 12, 2017
Last updated at 01:10 AM November 12, 2017

Kezia Purick,speaker of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly in Australia
'Australia is one of three countries in the world where laws mandate that citizens must vote'
On the sidelines of the 63rd Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference, the Dhaka Tribune spoke with Kezia Purick, speaker of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly in Australia. Purick discussed a number of issues, including the upcoming Bangladesh general election in 2019 and the Rohingya crisis
The polls-time government system has been a widely debated issue in Bangladesh. How can Bangladesh look forward by arranging an acceptable national election?
Kezia Purick: The issue of a polls-time government system is a significant one for all democratic countries. However, most developed countries overcome the challenge by ensuring good governance.

We cannot talk about the internal politics of a country. In the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), we believe in good governance, which is the best mechanism to achieve the goal of a peaceful, transparent and acceptable election.

Part of the strengths of the Commonwealth is that we support other member countries and people living in the countries through increased training in good governance and by making sure that they understand the best practices for running nations, states and provinces.
How does Australia ensure acceptable polls? How do the people learn about democracy?
In Australia we have very strict electoral laws. We have compulsory voting. Australia is one of three countries in the world where laws mandate that citizens must vote. We are fined if we do not.

We never complain about the system and we believe in the importance of people having a role in what is happening. I think you need to gather experience on this from those countries which have a population size and legislation like yours.

You have a much larger population than us. We have 25 million people only. In my constituency, we have only 5,000 people. I can knock on every door and say hello to all of them within a four year term. I live in a rural area, and there are big properties. There are schools, hospitals.

We meet people, visit the schools and explain the laws. Again, it starts with education. When you go to schools and educate children on the law to vote, on being a part of the country’s democratic process, they know that the rules are there and there is no scope for rigging.

There are some problems with indigenous people, as English is not their first language. But again, we have laws and ways to assist them when they go to voting.
How could democracy be strengthened in developing countries?
Politicians should ensure transparency and responsible behavior during the elections to achieve the goal of participatory democracy.

Furthermore, it is common in Bangladesh that the opposition does not play an effective role in Parliament. This never happens in Australia.

We have 25 members in the parliament of my constituency – 16 members are from the government, while two are from the opposition and the rest are observers.
When you are in the opposition, you want to be the government.
That’s your goal – to get into the government.

As such, the opposition party in Australia is always very active in the parliament and they also have specific duties they have to fulfill in this regard. They are even provided with the resources that they need to carry out these duties. So, everyone in the parliament gets their role to play.
What do you actually think about the Rohingya crisis in Bangladesh?
I think the biggest issue with refugees around the world is that we need to be very clear that whatever any country does to stop refugees coming is going to be ultimately ineffective. Because the push out is not as strong as the pull in.

They [refugees] are running for their lives in fear and terror. So, we need to make sure that there is some support for them as we have a humanitarian obligation.

We have given 30 million dollar to the government of Bangladesh so far in order to manage the crisis. The government is aware of the crisis. They are also providing some training to volunteers in delivering the humanitarian aid. After we go back we will share this information with our colleagues in Australia.
http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/dhaka/2017/11/12/good-governance-key-free-fair-elections/

 

[Banglar Bir]

12:00 AM, November 11, 2017 / LAST MODIFIED: 12:30 PM, November 11, 2017
Preserving integrity of the electoral process
The media in Bangladesh must fulfil its role of an independent observer

SOURCE: www.kriisiis.fr
Mir Aftabuddin Ahmed
The media in Bangladesh has traditionally played a pivotal role in all of our great national movements. Whether it be the role of the Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra during the liberation struggle in 1971, or the vociferous campaign undertaken by our national dailies during the anti-Ershad struggle of the 1980s, our media has pushed itself to take strong ideological stances against the values or policies detrimental to the country.
As such, the media is yet again poised, and some may say challenged by the public, to portray the kind of progressive and independent voice that can contribute towards creating the elusive level playing field in the upcoming 2018 Parliamentary Elections.

The symbolic, political and constitutional significance of the upcoming elections cannot and should not be undermined. Given the rise of technology and social media, it is very easy to promote unverified and ill-motivated news regarding political actors, parties and organisations.

If social media can raise individuals from the ground up to the status of heroes, it can surely do the opposite too. As such, it is imperative for our media outlets, in print, television and online channels, to be leading advocates of the truth.

The media as a collective is expected to educate voters on how to exercise their democratic rights, report on the development of electoral campaigns, provide platforms for political parties to communicate messages to the mass public, and scrutinise the electoral process in areas of fairness and efficiency.

Whilst the media is not the sole source of information in a globalised world, it is undoubtedly the most trusted platform as a source of news for the citizens. What a reputed newspaper says or the kind of talk shows a well-respected TV channel hosts, is indicative of the mood of the country and, by definition, sways political opinion.

Think about any random dinner table conversation and how someone brings up a recent talk show amongst political leaders, which subsequently sets the tone for the discussion. The media is what the public look up to as a source of empirical data and opinions, and as such, its performance in the next year will surely be taken into account.

Now, when it comes to objectivity, the media is expected to be as neutral as possible. In the 1990s, former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia made a famous comment that no one in Bangladesh is neutral, barring “crazy” people or children. To a large extent, this may be true.
But neutrality of personal opinion is not the same as neutrality of professionalism.

One expects the various media outlets in the country to have their own ideological stance, which, to a degree, is healthy for a country. But one also expects the media to play a professional and responsible role when it comes to objectivity of news when reporting the activities of our political parties and external institutions.

The majority of the American news media was biased towards Hillary Clinton in the 2016 US Elections, and, as such, played into the hands of President Donald Trump. The eccentric American president is waging an ongoing war against “fake news”, which many Americans sympathise with. Stories about how leading news outlets such as CNN, New York Times and NBC, amongst others, failed to objectively point out Hillary Clinton's flaws and faults, both during her primary against Senator Bernie Sanders and later against Donald Trump, have seemingly resulted in much distrust towards the American media amongst Republicans, Democrats and independents alike.

We cannot, and must not, let such a thing happen in Bangladesh.
We must remember that we are the same country in which many people believed they saw a politician's face on the moon. Ignorance is unfortunately still a major drawback in the democratic process in our society.

The support for the kind of misogyny, sexism, racism and Islamophobia promoted by the current US president is baffling, but the role of the media is to point out these things from an observer's perspective, rather than exclusively supporting a candidate in elections. Bangladesh must be wary in this regard.

Whether a certain media outlet leans in favour of a political organisation must not be the sole precursor for presenting news. And to a large extent, our media outlets have tried to be the only platform for civilised and constructive dialogue within a socio-political framework. The talk shows hosted by our TV channels are followed by citizens with keen interest.

Moderators, on most occasions, refrain from giving their personal opinions or judgements, and leave that to individuals divided by ideologies, professions and ideas, but united by the common quest to inform the public, albeit with their own political interests at play. This is healthy, and must continue.

It is true that the current Awami League regime has indeed provided increased licences for up-and-coming media outlets. Therefore, when one sees the kind of physical attacks on journalists while covering Begum Zia's recent trip to Chittagong, the nation feels disappointed.

The violent nature of our politics, which one hopes will come to an end, is a reality for which there seems to be no short-term solutions. The fairness of the upcoming elections will have to be ensured by the journalists of the country, as was the case during the 2014 general election. But even before the election itself, the media must continue to be confident, decisive and informative.

The nation wants to see candidate profiles; the nation demands to know what policies our parties stand for; the nation expects constructive dialogue on national television; and the nation hopes that the truth is set free through the media as a whole.

In Bangladesh there has been a recent trend of misconstruing news and making online users believe in anything and everything. Pictures are tampered with. Contents of video and audio recordings fought over politically. Established truths challenged. All of this is detrimental for any society aiming to be a democracy.

Given these realities, the collective media has the most crucial role as a stakeholder in the electoral process, to showcase all that is true and verified, and not spread rumours and alienate the public further.

As former US President Barack Obama said, everyone is entitled to their opinion, but not their own facts. The media must promote, protect and preserve the integrity of the electoral process and of the truth, by doing what they have always done—being bold, enlightening and a shining beacon for hope and democracy in the country.
Mir Aftabuddin Ahmed is a student of economics and international relations at the University of Toronto. Email:aftab.ahmed@mail.utoronto.ca
http://www.thedailystar.net/opinion/perspective/preserving-integrity-the-electoral-process-1489372

 

[Banglar Bir]

12:42 PM, November 12, 2017 / LAST MODIFIED: 02:05 PM, November 12, 2017
Public suffer as Dhaka-bound bus services halted

Commuters in Dhaka suffer immensely due to an acute shortage of public bus. The Photo is taken from Gabtoli Bridge area of the capital on November 12, 2017. Photo: Muntakim Saad
Star Online Report
Commuters heading towards Dhaka have been suffering immensely as public transport services from nearby districts remain halted today.
People in Dhaka are also experiencing a shortage of public transport ahead of BNP’s rally set to be held at historic Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital in the afternoon.

While talking to The Daily Star, BNP Senior Joint Secretary Rizvi Ahmed alleged that the government has suspended the public transport services to bar the leaders and activists of BNP and its alliances from entering Dhaka to attend the rally.

Police are seen stopping buses near Gabtoli bridge for conducting search: Photo: Muntakim Saad
Many people were seen standing on both sides of the roads, at bus stations and other stoppages owing to a lack of vehicles.

Meanwhile, police were seen stopping buses near Gabtoli bridge for conducting search, which is creating huge traffic congestion in Hemayetpur area.

Farukul Alam, inspector (investigation) of Darussalam Police Station, told The Daily Star that they are checking bus to avoid sabotage.
Gazipur
Commuters got stuck at several bus stoppages due to the scarcity of public transports.

The district unit BNP president Fazlul Haque Milon told our Gazipur Correspondent that although police are allowing public buses and other transport to leave Dhaka, the law enforcers are obstructing the public transports trying to enter the capital.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) of Gazipur (traffic division) Saleh Uddin Ahmed however said they did not obstruct any vehicles. Rather, transport workers are avoiding the route today, the police official said.

But he did not make any comment on why the drivers are not plying vehicles to Dhaka.
Munshiganj
People were seen waiting at different points on Dhaka-Mawa highway in Lauhajang upazila since morning due to sudden halt of Dhaka-bound bus services from Shimulia ghat bus stand.
Anisur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Lauhajang Police Station, said, “I heard about the matter. But don’t know the reason”.
http://www.thedailystar.net/city/dh...public-transport-bnp-rally-bangladesh-1490071

 

[Banglar Bir]

10:42 AM, November 12, 2017 / LAST MODIFIED: 05:06 PM, November 12, 2017
Deploy army with magistracy power during polls: Khaleda
Star Online Report

BNP's rally beings at Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka on November 12, 2017 with the participation of huge party leaders and activists. Photo: Rashed Shumon
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia today demanded army deployment with magistracy power to hold the next general election in a free, fair and credible manner.
“The upcoming general election must be held under a neutral government and army will have to be deployed with magistracy power,” Khaleda made the demand with addressing a rally at the Suhrawardi Udyan in Dhaka this afternoon.

She reached the rally venue around 3:10pm where thousands of people, including party leaders and activists, gathered there marking the National Revolution and Solidarity Day.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Rizvi Ahmed and other party leaders are at the rally venue at Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka on November 12, 2017. Photo: Mohammad Al-Masum Molla

BNP yesterday received a conditional permission from the authorities concerned to hold a public rally at Suhrawardy Udyan today. The party plans to stage a huge showdown by organising it.

Photo: Mohammad Al-Masum Molla
Khaleda Zia last addressed a rally at the same venue on January 20, 2014, 15 days after the 10th parliamentary polls.

On November 3, the BNP announced to hold the rally at the Suhrawardy Udyan on November 8, marking what it said “the civil-military uprising on November 7, 1975”.
Later, the party deferred it to Sunday.
http://www.thedailystar.net/politic...ue-suhrawardy-udayaa-dhaka-bangladesh-1490050

 

[Banglar Bir]

12:00 AM, November 13, 2017 / LAST MODIFIED: 03:19 AM, November 13, 2017
Non-partisan govt a must
Khaleda on next polls; reiterates demand for deployment of army with magistracy power

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia delivering her speech at a large rally in Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital yesterday afternoon. Photo: Amran Hossain
Staff Correspondent
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia yesterday demanded the next parliamentary polls be held under a non-partisan government, claiming that no fair election would be possible with Sheikh Hasina in power.
She also demanded deployment of the army with magistracy power to maintain law and order and ensure a free, fair and credible election.

“They [the Awami League] do not understand that there is no pleasure in winning polls by fraudulence," she said at a rally in the capital's Suhrawardy Udyan.

She also urged the Election Commission (EC) to talk about polls under a non-partisan government.

"I will tell the Chief Election Commissioner [CEC] and other election commissioners that it is their job to hold a free and fair election in the country."

Following a lengthy political turmoil, a non-partisan election-time caretaker government system was introduced in 1996. But the constitutional provisions for the system were scrapped in 2011 by the then Awami League-led government. The BNP's demand for restoration of the provisions was rejected by the government. Protesting this, the BNP-led alliance boycotted the 10th parliamentary elections held in January 2014.

According to the current constitutional provisions, the government-led by Sheikh Hasina will remain the prime minister during the next parliamentary election scheduled to be held at the end of 2018 or early 2019.

The BNP has been asking for an election-time non-partisan government. But the ruling party's position remains unchanged.

Khaleda's strong opposition to the election with Hasina in power comes against this backdrop.
“Election will not be held under Hasina,” the BNP chief said at the rally.
She said the BNP had placed some proposals before the EC and urged it to accept the proposals for an inclusive and fair election.

She also said that she preferred army deployment over electronic voting machines (EVM).

“Why does the CEC talk about EVMs? It means that they listen to the government.
EVMs will not do. Army should be deployed for the polls.”

Khaleda added that she does not oppose police presence during the polls. “But Hasina's cadres have got arms, with which they are regularly killing people. If the army is not deployed, they will take over the polling stations. The army must be engaged and given power, so that they can work.”

Holding the rally in Dhaka after 18 months, Khaleda called for national unity to bring what she called a qualitative change in politics.

Khaleda also urged the AL to “learn its actual popularity” by holding the next election under a neutral government. “People are waiting for a change in power.

“We say, you have been in power by force for a long time.”

The AL, she said, is so engaged in killing, enforced disappearances and other misdeeds that if voted to power, her party will purify AL.
“Unlike you, we will not do politics of vengeance. Unlike you, we will not pick people up, put them in jail or kill them. We do not pursue the politics of violence.
“But we want to purify you. We will launch a purge to do so... .We will try to turn you into true human beings.”

She started her hour-long speech with an allegation that the government blocked roads and suspended traffic at different points to keep the BNP leaders and activists from joining the rally.

“They [ruling party] even tried to create obstacles for me on the road. Empty buses were parked on the road. They have shown how mean they are. It is not possible to do politics or do something good for the country with such mean-mindedness.”

People heading towards Dhaka suffered a lot as transport services from nearby districts were disrupted. People in the capital suffered shortage of transport as well.

The former premier urged political parties to unite, acknowledging that there would be differences of opinion in multi-party democracy. “But we all need to unite for the interest of the country and the people.”

She alleged that the government was afraid of people's representation in democracy. That is why the AL is trying to restore one-party ruling system Baksal.
Khaleda said she pardoned the AL for its misdeeds but did not know whether people of the country will do the same.

“I say, to bring back the congenial atmosphere of the country and to bring back democracy, good governance, rule of law and accountability, a change is required.

“Election is the only way to bring that change. Voting rights should be returned,” she said, adding that a neutral administration ensured that people could cast their votes without fear.

Describing what she said a gloomy picture of the country's economy and financial institutions, the former premier alleged that the ruling party men has been plundering public money and national resources in the name of development.

Citing different international organisations' data, Khaleda said money was being siphoned off the country and invested in off-shore companies. Names of people appeared on “Panama Papers”, but no action was taken.

The BNP chief also alleged that Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha was sent abroad forcibly and that he wanted to return home.
“Sinha has spoken some truth. That is why he was forced to resign. He said a few days ago that the lower court is controlled by the government that now wants to control the apex court as well.”

Saying that Rohingya influx was a big problem for the country, Khaleda called upon the USA, UK, European Union, China, India and Russia to mount pressure on the Myanmar government to take Rohingyas back to their motherland.

Although the rally was scheduled for 2:00pm, party leaders and activists began to arrive at the venue since morning. It was almost full by 3:00pm. Wearing a white saree, Khaleda took the stage at around 3.30pm as party leaders and activists cheered.

The banner on the stage read, public meeting demanding restoration of democracy and free and fair election on the occasion of national revolution and solidarity day.

The BNP leaders and activists thronged the venue carrying placards, festoons, and colourful pictures of party founder Ziaur Rahman, Khaleda Zia and Senior Vice-Chairman Tarique Rahman. Aspirant candidates showed off of their followers to be noticed by the party high ups.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir chaired the programme.
http://www.thedailystar.net/frontpage/non-partisan-govt-must-1490266

 

[Banglar Bir]

‘EC for deploying troops during next general polls’
Bilkis Irani
Published at 11:08 PM November 13, 2017
Last updated at 11:38 PM November 13, 2017

File photo of Election Commissioner Mahbub Talukder
However, Election Commissioner Mahbub Talukder said said the decision of deploying troops has not been finalized yet.
The Election Commission is favourable towards deploying troops during the next general election, a commissioner said on Monday, a day after BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia demanded army deployment with magisterial power during the polls while addressing a rally.

Election Commissioner Mahbub Talukdar also said the commission was not considering using electronic voting machines (EVMs) either.

However, he said the decision of deploying troops has not been finalised yet.

“We commissioners, along with the chief election commissioner, sat down to discuss the matter and apparently everyone there was favourable to the idea [deploying troops].

“It has not been fianlised yet, but I will not definitively say that troops won’t be deployed.”

The commissioner further said the Election Commission did not possess sufficient amount of EVMs to hold a large-scale election like the 11th parliamentary election.
“So EVMs won’t be used in the upcoming national polls,” he added.
http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2017/11/13/ec-troops-deployment-next-general-election/

 

[Banglar Bir]

Khaleda: AL must give back people’s voting power
Manik Miazee
Published at 03:20 PM November 12, 2017
Last updated at 01:07 AM November 13, 2017

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia addresses a rally at Dhaka's Suhrawardy Udyan on Sunday, November 12, 2017
Nashirul Islam/Bangla Tribune
The BNP rally formally began around 2pm on Sunday with a massive number of party leaders and activists in attendance
Demanding army deployment with magisterial power in the 11th parliamentary election, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia said the present government has to ensure free, fair and participatory election under an impartial polls-time government.

“The current Awami League government has snatched away the voting rights from people; they have to give it back to them,” she said while addressing a mass rally at Suhrawardy Udyan, Dhaka on Sunday.

BNP has organised the rally to observe “Revolution and Solidarity Day” on November 7.

The rally began around 2pm on Sunday.

Party leaders and activists have been coming in processions to Suhrawardy Udyan since early Sunday morning to get front-row view of the party chief.

The public transport system in Dhaka faced delays and tailbacks from Shahbagh to Matsya Bhaban in Ramna due to the processions.
Also Read- Buses bound for Dhaka disappear ahead of BNP rally
Meanwhile, senior BNP leaders, including the party chief herself, alleged that the government had stopped bus services from different adjacent districts to the capital in a planned way to prevent the gathering at Suhrawardy Udyan.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir alleged: “Since the morning, we have been hearing that the party men have been stopped on various roads. The highways have been closed so our activists fail to join the rally.”

According to a UNB report, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi told reporters at the venue: “The government has stopped mass transport in a planned way so BNP leaders and activists and common people cannot join our rally. They are also obstructing long-distance buses. Even train services to the capital are also being disrupted.”

He further said the government was acting in an undemocratic manner. “Non-democratic behaviour will not be of any benefit,” he warned.

BNP leaders at the rally | Mehedi Hasan/Dhaka Tribune
BNP received written permission to hold the rally at Suhrawardy Udyan on Saturday, reported UNB. Fakhrul said the permission was given to the BNP on 23 terms and conditions set by Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP).

Khaleda Zia last addressed a rally at the same venue on January 20, 2014, 15 days after the 10th parliamentary election.

On Sunday, Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said BNP was organising the rally by disrupting the vehicular movement, which resulted in sufferings for Dhaka citizens.

“Those who [BNP activists] occupied the roads for the rally without thinking about public suffering, they will destroy the country if they form the government,” he further said.
http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/politics/2017/11/12/bnp-rally-begins-dhaka/

 

[Banglar Bir]

NB London
Weekly Potrika London 14/11/17

 

[Banglar Bir]

EC not ready yet to use EVMs in next polls
UNB
Published at 06:20 PM November 15, 2017

The CEC reiterates that the commission has not decided on EVM and the army
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda has said that the commission is not ready to use electronic voting machines (EVMs) in the 11th parliamentary elections.

“The Commission has no preparation for using EVMs in the national election. It will be used in various local government elections on an experimental basis. We are not ready at all to use EVMs in the general election,” he told reporters on Wednesday.

The CEC came up with the remarks while talking to reporters at the Nirbachan Bhaban in the city’s Agargaon area.
Also read-‘EC for deploying troops during next general polls’
About army deployment during the polls, Huda said they had not yet finalised their decision on this matter.

“The reality is that the army was there in every national election, but we are yet to take any decision about it. There is still enough time. Why do you want this decision so soon?” he said in response to questions.

He also said they cannot take the decision so early as more than a year is still left before the next national election.
Also read- CEC: EC yet to decide on troop deployment during national polls
“We will inform the nation later after taking a decision on army deployment and the format of the deployment in the commission’s meeting,” the CEC said.

As his attention was drawn to Election Commissioner Mahbub Talukdar’s remarks that the EC feels army should be deployed in the election, Huda said it was his personal opinion, not the commission’s decision.

The CEC said Mahbub Talukder also mentioned that it was not the commission’s decision that the army would be deployed in the election.
http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2017/11/15/ec-not-ready-yet-use-evms-next-polls/

 

[Banglar Bir]

12:00 AM, November 16, 2017 / LAST MODIFIED: 12:19 AM, November 16, 2017
Let the political rival pick up the gauntlet

Keeping private transports off the streets or putting check posts on the ingress to the city, through which only outgoing vehicles were allowed to pass that day, imposed more hardships on the people. PHOTO: SHAHEEN MOLLAH
Brig Gen Shahedul Anam Khan ndc, psc (Retd)
It is good to see the BNP in the political arena after a period of hibernation. So far it has been a one-sided affair with the AL hogging the political show or whatever of politics we have in the country. It was a change from last year when BNP's request to use Suhrawardy Udyan was turned down by the DMP. And even more refreshing was the fact that the meeting at the Udyan on Sunday went off peacefully. It has also left the AL without the future use of the oft-brandished excuse for denying BNP the use of public venue, which is that the BNP programmes are preceded by disorder and end in chaos, and much inconvenience to the public. Both the BNP and the police deserve our compliments for an orderly political programme. But interestingly, police involvement in the BNP rally went beyond granting permission.

A notable aspect of the day was that, whereas, on previous occasions when the ruling party had organised such a meeting, or even of one of its appendages, there would be severe jams on the main roads and traffic would be closed on particular roads in the capital with police advisory well in advance as to how to beat the shemozzle on that day. Lo and Behold! There was hardly any public transport on the main streets of Dhaka! And all the entry into the city was blocked. Why?

As usual, in the case of the BNP, the permission for holding the rally was accompanied with 23 conditions which the BNP was obliged to fulfil before, during and after the rally. However, conditional political programme in the case of BNP is nothing new. In the past, it had to give undertakings to fulfil similar conditions before getting permission to hold meetings. And that is what begs the question: should the police be the ones to accord permission for a political event and be the final decision maker as to who should or should not be allowed to hold meetings, and where and how that should be organised?

Why should a political party have to obtain permission from the law enforcing agencies to hold political meetings in a public place is a question whose answers have eluded me.
To hear political leaders in the government say that it is not for them but the police to allow meeting in a public place demeans both politics and politicians.

Certainly, the police must be informed of the political programme but that should be only to allow the force to take necessary measures to provide security and maintain law and order, not to seek permission. It should be the responsibility of the home ministry, which can certainly ask for the opinion of the police, but the police cannot be the final arbiter, as is the case now.
The party in power needs to address this.

Some of the conditions laid down by the DMP would be considered ludicrous if only those were not imposed by the police. The organisers were directed to “end the rally by 5:00pm," they were not to make any "provocative remarks" or circulate "provocative leaflets" at the rally, and that "people must come at the venue two hours before the scheduled time at the public meeting and not to join the rally with processions." And who decides what provocative remarks are?
And public meeting venues are not classrooms that one is expected to enter at the bell and leave at the bell.

That being said, would one be misplaced to ask whether a written request was ever made to the police for use of Suhrawardy Udyan or such conditions had ever been placed on ruling party meetings?

As for the empty streets on that day, the use of state machinery to once again foil the opposition's political programme indirectly was not surprising but rather distressing. Even a child could see through the orchestrated action by the private transport owners and operators to put as much impediments as possible in the way of the BNP and keep attendance as low as possible by keeping their vehicles off the road that day.

If it was the intention of the police to reduce as much as possible the sufferings of the people that such public meetings inflict, keeping private transports off the streets or putting check posts on the ingress to the city, through which only outgoing vehicles were allowed to pass that day, imposed more hardships on the people. Has it done anything to brighten the image of democracy or politics or even that of the ruling party's?

Such measures do not demonstrate the strength of the party in power, on the contrary it betrays a degree of uncertainty in the minds of the ruling party, infused by the fragile character of democracy in the country today. The AL thinks very little of the political clout of the BNP, as evident from comments of its senior elders. So what is the worry? After all, the AL has thrown down the political gauntlet, daring the BNP to join the elections. The least it can do is to allow its main political rival to pick it up.
Brig Gen Shahedul Anam Khan ndc, psc (retd) is Associate Editor, The Daily Star.
http://www.thedailystar.net/opinion...the-political-rival-pick-the-gauntlet-1491898

 

[Banglar Bir]

05:49 PM, November 16, 2017 / LAST MODIFIED: 06:24 PM, November 16, 2017
‘Culture of impunity’ introduced: Khaleda

BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia at a court in Bakshibazar area of Dhaka on November 16, 2017. Photo: Courtesy
Star Online Report
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia today again expressed her doubt whether she would get justice in connection with Zia Orphanage Trust graft case blaming the ruling quarter for “creating a culture of impunity” in the country.
“My concern is the scope and atmosphere of getting justice have totally been destroyed disgustingly. The culture of impunity has also been introduced instead of justice,” Khaleda came up with the remarks while delivering her self-defence statement before a court in Bakshibazar area of Dhaka this noon.

Referring to the resignation of Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha, Khaleda Zia said, He (Sinha) has been “made sick in a planned way” and “forced him to quit” from his post.

“Under this circumstance, I have to appear before the court with confusion, whether I would get justice,” the former prime minister said in her statement.

Khaleda said the government has lodged at least 36 cases against her based on false and baseless allegations in a bid to isolate her from the people.

“All cases are politically motivated, fabricated and baseless. It has been done only to harass me and to tarnish my dignity before the people,” Khaleda said.
http://www.thedailystar.net/politic...m_medium=newsurl&utm_term=all&utm_content=all