News from Bangladesh-Updates and Discussion

[Banglar Bir]

EC to finalise next general polls roadmap on May 23
Staff Correspondent | Published: 01:12, May 15,2017


Election Commission will finalise a roadmap for the next general elections in a commission meeting scheduled to be held on May 23.

‘The commission has already scrutinised the draft roadmap prepared by the commission secretariat officials,’ EC secretary M Abdullah told reporters at his office on Sunday.
He said that the commission earlier planned to finalise the roadmap at Sunday’s commission meeting but the commission took more time for it.

After finalising the roadmap, the commission will publish it as a book, he informed.
Replying to a question, the EC secretary said that there should be apprehension about the use of electronic voting machine in the next general election as the commission decided not to introduce the system without the consents of political parties and other stakeholders.
He said the commission was planning to complete dialogues with the 40 registered parties within December.

According to the commission officials, involved in the process of making the draft roadmap, said that in the dialogues the commission would discuss necessary amendments to the electoral laws, rules and the electoral code of conduct.

They said that in the dialogues the proposed use of EVM in the next general elections would be discussed. The move to introduce EVM was earlier criticised in 2010.

- See more at: http://www.newagebd.net/article/156...-polls-roadmap-on-may-23#sthash.8RolFQaQ.dpuf

 

[Banglar Bir]

No confirmation on using EVM in next election

• Manik Miazee
• Published at 03:43 PM May 15, 2017

It will be opened for all the political parties and expert groups for their opinion as soon as the EC decides to use EVM in the election
The Election Commission (EC) has yet to finalise the use of electronic voting machines (EVM) in the upcoming national election.

EC Secretary Mohammad Abdullah made the statement to journalists after the 4th election commission meeting of the new EC on Sunday.

He said: “The meeting was held to formulate the roadmap for the next general election. We discussed several agenda during the meeting including creating four new committees, amending the election observer policy, and correction of dead voter list and the forming an election commission action plan.”

“We look forward to the response from all political parties and citizens groups when the EC decides to use EVM in the election,” he added.

“The EC will introduce EVM to a few upazila and union council elections and then city corporation elections as a pilot project after we gauge the response of political parties,” Secretary Abdullah said.

The EC secretary urged political parties not to worry about implementing the EVM as the new EC is trying to organise a “100% controversy free-election.”

“The EC will soon publish the Election Observation (Amended) Policy-2013 on its official website and it will be open to correction, observation and suggestions from stakeholders for one week.”

“The election commission action plan for the next national election will comprise 23 points, all of which will be discussed and determined in the next meeting of the commission.”

“The commission will discuss election law, policy and other specific agenda with all stakeholders before finalising the next national election roadmap,” said Abdullah.

He also added the EC may appoint a number of consultants to increase performance in a number of sectors.

 

[M.R.9]

No Politician is ever above criticism. All are same in their nature, character qualities, words and actions, priorities and bias with certain degree of variations.Two things are universally common in their character. 1) They are un limitedy selfish and greedy for wealth and power. And 2). Shamelessly telling lies either to retain power or to go to power. The more they are endowed with these two negative vices the more their success i

 

[M.R.9]

1. I liked the courage of the Mayor of Dhaka North. He is doing a great job. See what has he done to the US, Canadian, Australia & Russia Embassy in clearing the footpath. This could never be thought off. I mentioned of his commendable efforts in one of my earlier status.

2. While the Mayor of North Dhaka, was speaking to the media, today giving description of his achievements in the last 2 years. – I was walking through a neighbourhood just(-)3 KMS from the most posh area of the Dhaka City namely Baridhara Diplomatic Zone. See the Contrast in the photographs.

3. I hope the Mayor is well briefed of all the neighbourhoods like this. These are simply unlivable, yet people of Bangladesh are living in these areas. Growth rate above 7% and US$ 1,625 earning per people of the country needs to be critically analyzed.

 

[Banglar Bir]

Govt still has chance to right the wrong at Rampal
Published: 00:05, May 08,2017

IN SPITE of numerous fact-finding reports, researches and opinions from the independent experts, scientists and environmentalists that have repeatedly described the probable destructive impact of the Rampal power plant project on lives, nature and environment, the government is stubbornly going ahead with it.

According to a recent Greenpeace report, as New Age reported on Saturday, the power plant near the Sundarbans may radically cause air pollution and approximately 6,000 premature deaths in its lifetime. There is also the risk of 600 low-birth weight babies a year. The study also reveals that this plant is going to be the single largest source of air pollution. Even fishes of approximately 70 square kilometres around the power plant will be unsafe to eat because of the mercury deposition from the plant.

On Saturday, New Age also reported that the $935-billion Norway wealth fund has excluded Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited from its investment portfolio because of its affiliation with the Rampal plant as the fund authorities are concerned about the environmental impact of this project that conflicts with ethical guidelines of the Norwegian parliament. While the global and local researchers and foreign governments are taking stand against the environmentally destructive power plant, endangering the world’s largest contiguous mangrove forest, the Sundarbans, it is appalling that the government continues to turn a deaf ear.

It is evident from the Greenpeace report that there is a global opposition to the Rampal power plant. Providing for scientific evidences, from UNESCO to reputed independent Indian experts have expressed concern about this project. Drawing from global experiences of coal-fired plants and research reports, it is no secret now that huge amount of sulphur dioxide will be produced from this plant that will cause dangerous acid rain over the Sundarbans.

As per UNESCO’s report, there is no technology that exists today that can produce zero-mercury pollution. Taking into account the opinions, it is irrefutably established that the high chimney of the Rampal plant may directly affect the world heritage site, the Sunderbans.
The incumbent should immediately scrap this project. When the technologically advanced countries are shifting from the coal-fired power generation to renewable energy, the government’s scientifically unsubstantiated, stubborn position is appalling and tyrannical.

There is still time for the government to right the wrong. It should immediately heed the demands of political organisations, green activists, civic groups rallying against this environmentally destructive power plant for the past several years and develop an energy plan that will be more focused on renewable sources for energy production and avoid coal-fired plants. In doing so, it should also develop a strategy to stop unplanned industrial development in Greater Khulna, particularly in areas surrounding the Sundarbans. In general, the government should abandon its short-term profit-oriented development policy and adopt one that is focused on replenishing ecological relationships and undoing economic inequality.

- See more at: http://www.newagebd.net/article/151...ight-the-wrong-at-rampal#sthash.FfS7x76t.dpuf

 

[idune]

This thread to capture awami league digital Bangladesh propaganda and flops.

While online transactions are growing exponentially worldwide, including in india, foreign investors who came with digital Bangladesh hype found out its not meant to be. So they are closing shop. This is just one example.

Telenor shutting down online classifieds site Ekhanei.com

The owners of online classifieds site Ekhanei.com have announced its closure in Bangladesh.

The company will end its operations effective May 17.

A press release from the Telenor Group cites the market conditions of the online classifieds market and the inability to develop a ‘sustainable and profitable’ business as the reason for the closure, reports bdnews24.com.

The company’s owners, Telenor, Schibsted, and Naspers are currently attempting to take care of the affected employees, who will be offered severance packages according to the policies of the company.

On May 11 Telenor announced it had come to an agreement with Schibsted concerning its online classifieds ventures. Under the agreement Telenor had exited the Latin American joint venture (SnT) and acquired Schibsted’s stake in joint ventures in Malaysia, Vietnam, and Myanmar (701 Search).

Telenor will now own 100 per cent of 701 Search, its assets in Malaysia, Vietnam, Myanmar, and the headquarters in Singapore.

The company has also announced it will continue co-operation in other joint ventures in Thailand and Indonesia alongside partners Schibsted, SPH, and Naspers.

http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2017/05/16/70518/Telenor-closing-down-Ekhanei

 

[M.R.9]

DIGITAL BANGLADESH

 

[Banglar Bir]

Police raid Khaleda’s Gulshan office

• Arifur Rahman RabbiManik Miazee
• Published at 10:54 AM May 20, 2017
• Last updated at 11:17 AM May 20, 2017

Police return empty-handed
Police have searched BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s Gulshan office for “anti-state documents.”
However, police said they found nothing during their two-hour search starting at 7:30am on Saturday.

BNP’s Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi criticised the raid, claiming that it was aimed at “harassing Khaleda Zia mentally and keep her under pressure.”
But Gulshan police station’s Officer-in-Charge Abu Bakar Siddique said they had information that “anti-state materials” were kept at the Gulshan office.

He said police had court’s permission to look for anti-state documents and materials that can be used for acts of sabotage.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said the raid was “an attempt to destroy Bangladesh’s democracy.”

He said the party would give formal reactions later.

Quader: No alternative to winning election

• Tribune Desk
• Published at 12:45 PM May 20, 2017

He urges the partymen to behave well with the people
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader has urged the partymen to unite under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina, saying there is no alternative to winning the next election.

“We have to be smart, modern, organised and united under Sheikh Hasina’s leadership to contest and win the next election,” he told the party’s extended meeting on Saturday, reports Bangla Tribune.

He advised the leaders and activists to behave well with the people.
“We have to make Sheikh Hasina’s development meaningful,” Quader told the meeting being held at the Ganabhaban.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is presiding over the meeting.

 

[Banglar Bir]

03:33 PM, May 20, 2017 / LAST MODIFIED: 04:08 PM, May 20, 2017
[WATCH] What really happened during cop raid at BNP Gulshan office?


Star Online Report

Police conducted a raid at the Gulshan office of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia this morning.

A team of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) conducted the one and half hour long raid starting around 8:30am.

The raid was conducted with a ‘search warrant’ issued by a Dhaka court to look for anti-state documents, said a police official, who took part in the drive, seeking anonymity.

The policemen took position in front of the BNP office around 7:30am and entered the office around 8:30am after breaking the lock of the collapsible gate, Rashed Ahmed, a staff of the office, told The Daily Star.


Around 20 officials of several law enforcement agencies including Detective Branch of police and Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) took part in the raid, he said.

After entering the office, the police officials turned off the CCTV cameras and also damaged some of the cameras, Rashed said.

They searched in the rooms of the ground floor and first floor of the office and took photos and video footage of the rooms and documents kept there, he said.

The law enforcers left the office empty handed around 9:30am after conducting the raid, he added.

Meanwhile, witnesses and locals said police had restricted movement of vehicles in the roads adjacent to the BNP office.

BNP Joint Secretary General Rizvi Ahmed went to the BNP office around 9:00am and entered the office after talking to the police officials outside. Some other senior BNP leaders including the party’s standing committee members Nazrul Islam Khan and Goyeshwar Chandra Roy went to the spot after the law enforcers’s raid ended.

The raid was conducted after an unknown individual filed a general diary (GD) and a search warrant was issued by a magistrate, Rizvi said.

BNP leader Habib-un-Nabi Khan Sohel showed a copy of the GD where it was mentioned that based on secret information there may be a stock of anti-state stickers and other documents that could jeopardise the law and order situation of the country somewhere at house number 6 on road 86 in Gulshan-2 and adjacent areas.

However, it was nowhere mentioned in the GD that the spot was BNP’s Gulshan office.

Police reportedly later gave a ‘list’ according to which they found nothing of importance, the BNP leaders said.

 

[Banglar Bir]

Runa Laila to be celebrated in USA

• Showtime Desk
• Published at 09:38 PM May 20, 2017

Organised by the USA-based Barinu Institute for Economic Development, the program is titled as “Inspiring Women Creativity and Entrepreneurship in the Global Ecosystem” and is going be held on May 25
Famed Bangladeshi singer, Runa Laila, who earned a plentiful national and international credits for her contributions in music, is all set to be revered once again and this time the acknowledgement comes straight from the United States of America.

Organised by the USA-based Barinu Institute for Economic Development, the program is titled as “Inspiring Women Creativity and Entrepreneurship in the Global Ecosystem” and is going be held on May 25, in New York. The program is going to celebrate the singer’s vital contribution to the music of Bangladesh, India, and the world through the award, under the category of ‘Distinguished Celebrity Legend Award’, confirmed the organisers.

The event will be held amid great festivities at the Trump World Tower, in New York. Aside from being an awardee, organisers of the event have sent Runa Laila an e-mail requesting her attendance as a special guest at the occasion.

“I’ve been invited as a special guest at the program. They will recognise me as a model of music and women development. I am so happy and proud about this,” said the legendary artist.

“It’s a matter of pleasure for me that I am representing Bangladesh in there. I hope I will have a safe return after having a fruitful participation in the event,” she added.

Born on November 17, 1952, Runa Laila is widely regarded as one of the most popular singers in South Asia, and started her career in Pakistan film industry in the late 1960s. Inspired by famous Pakistani playback singer Ahmed Rushdi, her playback singing in films – “Jadur Banshi,” “Accident,” “Ontore Ontore,” “Tumi Ashbe Bole,” “Devdas,” and “Priya Tumi Shukhi Hou” – earned her six Bangladesh National Film Awards for Best Female Playback Singer.

http://www.dhakatribune.com/showtime/2017/05/20/runa-laila-celebrated-usa/

 

[Banglar Bir]

What a goofy Organising Secretary of BAL,stating that the search carried out by the law enforcing agencies on BNP Chairperson Office could be a stage managed one by BNP itself, adding that BAL never believed in politics of conspiracies.A real Joke of the year.

 

[Banglar Bir]

BNP for not using electronic voting machines

• Manik Miazee
• Published at 10:50 PM May 22, 2017
• Last updated at 10:52 PM May 22, 2017

The Election Commission will decide on its use after a necessary assessment and discussions with experts and political parties.

BNP does not want electronic voting machines (EVMs) to be used in the next parliamentary election.

The party on Monday submitted a letter to the Election Commission in this regard.

BNP standing committee member Nazrul Islam Khan led a three-men delegation to the EC on Monday afternoon and handed over the letter to Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda.

“We have told the CEC that our party does not want EVMs to be used in the next national polls,” Nazrul later told reporters.

He said the CEC told them that EVM is a new system and the commission would decide on its use after a necessary assessment and discussions with experts and political parties.

Nazrul said the commission ensured them that they would not use EVMs if anyone opposes.

Mentioning that many countries have stopped use of EVM, Nazrul said the party thinks the move to introduce it in Bangladesh may have an evil intention.

Nazrul said the EC has scope to amend the Representation of the People Order (RPO) for holding a fair and acceptable election.

He said the BNP definitely wants to join the election as well as talks. “That’s why we want a congenial atmosphere,” he added.

Last week EC Secretary Mohammad Abdullah told the Dhaka Tribune: “The EC will introduce EVM to a few upazila and union council elections and then city corporation elections as a pilot project after we gauge the response of political parties.

“We look forward to the response from all political parties and citizen groups when the EC decides to use EVM in the election.”
http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/politics/2017/05/22/bnp-urges-ec-not-use-evm/

 

[Banglar Bir]

05:56 PM, May 23, 2017 / LAST MODIFIED: 06:31 PM, May 23, 2017
EVM won’t be used without political consensus: CEC

Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda. File photo

Star Online Report

Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda today said that he would not use Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) in the next general election without consensus among all political parties.

He came up with the statement while announcing a roadmap for the next general election at his Election Commission Secretariat in Dhaka this afternoon.

Huda also said that he would start holding dialogue with all political parties from July this year to arrange the next general election in free, fair and credible manner.

More to follow…

 

[Banglar Bir]

EC drafts national election roadmap without EVM

• Tribune Desk
• Published at 09:36 PM May 23, 2017
• Last updated at 09:51 PM May 23, 2017

The chief election commissioner told reporters that the constitutional body is ready for general polls to be held any time.

Prioritising seven issues, the Election Commission has announced a draft roadmap for the next general election without any mention of electronic voting machine (EVM) or digital voting machine (DVM).

Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda made the announcement at his office in Dhaka on Tuesday, reports Bangla Tribune.

The roadmap consists of seven points including constituency boundary re-demarcation, review of the electoral law, update of the voter list, new voter registration, enhancement of EC’s power at vote centre and ensuring level playing field for all.

He later said the roadmap will be finalised within 15 days.

When asked about using EVM or DVM in the polls, the CEC said: “Our roadmap or work plan does not include this matter. But, during our talks with political parties, we will discuss the issue. We will discuss the pros and cons of the matter then. If they [political parties] agree on this, a decision on using EVM will be taken. We will not take any risk regarding this without the consent of the political parties.”

Detailing the draft roadmap, Nurul Huda said: “We will start dialogues with political parties at the end of July. Our talks will continue till November. Other than the parties, we will also hold talks with the people concerned.”

Asked if the constitutional body is ready for the national election if held in advance, the EC chief said they are all set for general polls to be held any time.

“Even if the polls are held in advance, we will get at least 90 days. We will be able to take all kinds of preparations by this time,” he said.

Before the announcement, Nurul Huda had chaired a meeting with election commissioners Rafiqul Islam, Kabita Khanam and Brig Gen (retd) Shahadat Hossain Chowdhury and the commission’s Additional Secretary Mokhlesur Rahman.

http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/politics/2017/05/23/ec-election-roadmap-evm/

 

[Banglar Bir]

07:45 PM, May 24, 2017 / LAST MODIFIED: 07:51 PM, May 24, 2017
BNP to join JS polls if level-playing field ensured: Fakhrul

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. Star file photo
Star Online Report

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today said his party will participate in the next general election if level-playing field is ensured for all parties.

“Prior to the elections, level-playing field must be ensured under a neutral government,” he said while addressing BNP’s Thakurgaon unit council, reports our local correspondent.

He also called upon his party men to be united for restoring democracy and people’s rights in the country.

Fakhul also came down heavily on the government as the party did not get permission for holding rally at Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka protesting Saturday’s police raid at BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s Gulshan office.

Meanwhile, Toimur Rahman and Mirza Faisal Amin were elected as new president and general secretary respectively of BNP’s Thakurgaon district unit
http://www.thedailystar.net/politic...f-level-playing-field-ensured-fakhrul-1410214