http://www.blogigo.com/Bangladesh_Elections en BangladeshElections BangladeshElections Thu, 08 Feb 2007 04:27:00 +0100 daily 1 CEC pledges major electoral reforms Newly appointed Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), ATM Shamsul Huda yesterday said his first task would be devising an action plan for major electoral reforms in consultation with the political parties and other stakeholders. On the first day in office, he told reporters that he would make the Election Commission (EC) an institution in which every citizen can take pride and that the commission must restore public confidence in it by ensuring transparency in all its activities. Earlier in the day, Huda, former water resources secretary, was sworn in as the CEC while Mohammad Sohul Hossain , another former bureaucrat, as election commissioner. Chief Justice Syed JR Mudassir Husain administered the oath at his Supreme Court chamber in a simple ceremony. The caretaker government on Sunday appointed the two as the CEC and election commissioner. The new poll chief said he regards the... Thu, 08 Feb 2007 04:27:00 +0100 http://www.blogigo.com/Bangladesh_Elections/ATM-Shamsul-Huda-appointed-new-CEC/28/ http://www.blogigo.com/Bangladesh_Elections/ATM-Shamsul-Huda-appointed-new-CEC/28/   The acting chief election commissioner (CEC) and four other commissioners finally resigned following the footstep of Justice MA Aziz, and clearing the way for reconstitution of the Election Commission (EC, which tops the interim government’s agenda. Former additional secretary to cabinet division, M Anisuzzaman Khan , is likely to be appointed as the new CEC while a former brigadier general and a former district judge are likely to be appointed as election commissioners. Their resignation came 10 days after Justice MA Aziz resigned from the post of chief election commissioner without giving any reason. A few of the resigning election commissioners did not agree to admit their failure as election commissioners. They also refused to comment on their resignation, saying Bangabhaban will announce the EC overhaul in a statement. A Bangabhaban press release on Wednesday night confirmed that the president accepted the resignation... Fri, 02 Feb 2007 06:12:00 +0100 http://www.blogigo.com/Bangladesh_Elections/Acting-CEC-and-four-Commissioners-resigns/27/ http://www.blogigo.com/Bangladesh_Elections/Acting-CEC-and-four-Commissioners-resigns/27/ The Government has banned political and trade union activities and restricted provocative news, including talk show, in print and electronic media under the Emergency Powers Rules 2007 . The ban has been made effective from January 12, 2007 through a gazette notification on the Emergency Powers Rules 2007 under the Emergency Powers Ordinance 2007 . The gazette notification was made public last night. The government has restricted processions, demonstrations, hartals, strikes and lockouts across the country to ensure security of the state and people, and maintain discipline in public life and has also banned student-teacher politics and politics by government employees and professional bodies . In case of violation of the restrictions, the offenders will have to suffer a maximum of five years or a minimum of two years rigorous imprisonment along with fines . But rallies, processions and functions relating to religious, social and state affairs are exempted... Sat, 27 Jan 2007 07:00:07 +0100 http://www.blogigo.com/Bangladesh_Elections/Political-and-Trade-Union-activities-banned-Government/26/ http://www.blogigo.com/Bangladesh_Elections/Political-and-Trade-Union-activities-banned-Government/26/ Chief Adviser (CA) to the Caretaker Government , Fakhruddin Ahmed in his first meeting with secretaries to the ministries yesterday asked the secretaries to be neutral and honest in their duties and support him in bringing back the people trust in bureaucrats. He also warned them of severe punitive measures if they fail to remain impartial. In the meeting, pointing out that tax paid by the citizens pay for government officials' wages and also runs the government, Fakhruddin stressed that " Government officials have to remember that no political party is their master. They are the servants of the people's republic" and all officials have to ensure that the government services are delivered to the people's doorsteps. He assured that whatever changes are required to ensure impartiality in the administration, will be brought into existence. Fakhruddin said that "The responsibility of... Thu, 25 Jan 2007 07:38:00 +0100 http://www.blogigo.com/Bangladesh_Elections/asks-Govt-officials-discharge-duties-neutrally/24/ http://www.blogigo.com/Bangladesh_Elections/asks-Govt-officials-discharge-duties-neutrally/24/ EC to be reconstituted, flawless electoral roll to be prepared Chief Adviser  Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed pledged to transfer power to an elected government at the earliest through holding a free, fair and credible general election after reconstituting the Election Commission (EC) and preparing a flawless electoral roll in his maiden address to the nation over radio and television. Fakhruddin, who assumed office on January 12 to head a reconstituted caretaker government, said the main task of his government is to hold a free, fair, peaceful and neutral election with participation of all parties in accordance with the constitution and people's aspiration. Regarding demands for voter ID cards and transparent ballot boxes , he said necessary steps would be taken in this respect after examining the matters. He added that appropriate steps would be taken to ensure the statement of assets and sources of income of intending election... Tue, 23 Jan 2007 06:58:00 +0100 http://www.blogigo.com/Bangladesh_Elections/CA-pledges-to-hold-Elections-at-the-earliest/23/ http://www.blogigo.com/Bangladesh_Elections/CA-pledges-to-hold-Elections-at-the-earliest/23/ Poll set for today officially cancelled Justice MA Aziz resigned from the post of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) yesterday citing a major political alliance's lack of confidence in him and to avert further political unrest in the country. Meanwhile, the Election Commission (EC) Secretariat issued a notification yesterday officially cancelling holding of the ninth parliamentary election today. Aziz's departure ends his highly controversial 21-month stint in the office, during which he was forced to go on a leave of absence on November 22 after repeated demands for his resignation from Awami League (AL)- led alliance for failing to prepare a correct and updated voter list. His resignation follows the newly appointed caretaker government's announcement that reconstituting the problem-ridden EC is its top priority so that it can proceed with other electoral reforms, namely updating the voter list, and institutionalising the system of voter ID cards and... Mon, 22 Jan 2007 07:48:00 +0100 http://www.blogigo.com/Bangladesh_Elections/Chief-Election-Commissioner-M.-A.-Aziz-resigns/22/ http://www.blogigo.com/Bangladesh_Elections/Chief-Election-Commissioner-M.-A.-Aziz-resigns/22/ The leaders and activists of most major political parties hardly visit the offices to avoid being arrested after the declaration of the state of emergency on January 11. The central office of the BNP at Naya Paltan and of the Awami Leage on Bangabandhu Avenue in Dhaka . The emergency has suspended the daily activities of the political parties, prompting them to hold a series of discussions indoors to assess their gains and losses after the happening. Some mid-level leaders and activists gather near the party’s central offices, but they seldom go inside. Several dozen grassroots activists gathered in front of the Awami League central office on Bangabandhu Avenue in the afternoon on Thursday, but they did not enter the office. Almost all the rooms were vacant. Only a few on the paid staff were inside. The leaders and activists have almost stopped visiting the Dhanmondi office of the Awami League president , Sheikh Hasina, and her... Sat, 20 Jan 2007 05:10:00 +0100 http://www.blogigo.com/Bangladesh_Elections/Leaders-activists-skip-party-offices-following-state/21/ http://www.blogigo.com/Bangladesh_Elections/Leaders-activists-skip-party-offices-following-state/21/ Interim govt firm on preparing national identity or voter card first The next parliamentary elections may delay for at least six months as the interim government will take the time to prepare a correct voter list. The government is considering introducing either national identity cards or voters' identity cards before going for the polls and such tasks need minimum six months to complete. Adviser Tapan Chowdhury told the press yesterday,the government will form a committee for preparing a guideline to determine which would be viable--preparing national identity cards or voters' identity cards--considering time and money the task will require. He also said some people have opined that it is possible to prepare the voter ID cards within six months. Both the major political alliances led by Awami League and BNP have meanwhile asked the caretaker government to hold the elections within shortest possible time. But, like the political parties, people are in the dark... Fri, 19 Jan 2007 06:53:00 +0100 http://www.blogigo.com/Bangladesh_Elections/Elections-unlikely-before-6-months/20/ http://www.blogigo.com/Bangladesh_Elections/Elections-unlikely-before-6-months/20/ Ershad relieved of serving term for conviction in Boat Purchase scam Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad was freed yesterday from serving out the sentence given by the High Court (HC) on December 14 last year in a Japanese boat purchase case. He can now contest the polls as five years have already passed since his serving the sentence.The Public Prosecutor (PP) expressed concern over the trial court order yesterday while the defence was satisfied with it. Ershad was found guilty of misappropriating Tk 33 crore in a shady deal for purchasing 520 Japanese boats and 10 water purifying machines for relief operation in 1989. On July 6, 1995 , Judge Jinnat Ara of the trial court sentenced Ershad to three years' imprisonment. The court also fined him Tk 10,000 and in default, he was to be in jail for four more months.The same year, Ershad filed an appeal with the HC against the lower court verdict. Later, Justice Faisal Mahmud Faizee of the single-member HC bench... Thu, 18 Jan 2007 06:30:00 +0100 http://www.blogigo.com/Bangladesh_Elections/Ershad-can-now-contest-for-elections/19/ http://www.blogigo.com/Bangladesh_Elections/Ershad-can-now-contest-for-elections/19/ President Iajuddin Ahmed yesterday appointed five more advisers, completing the reconstitution of the council of advisers to the caretaker government headed by Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed. Three of the newly appointed advisers--former secretary Ayub Quadri, former inspector general of police Anwarul Iqbal and physician Maj Gen (retd) Matiur Rahman-- They sworn in yesterday, five days after the president administered the oath of office to the chief adviser on January 12. The president administered the oath of office to the three advisers at the Bangabhaban at 7:10pm. He will administer the oath of office to two other advisers-- Dr Iftekar Ahmed Chowhdury , a career diplomat and currently Bangladesh ambassador to the United Nations, and Fayez Khan , an IT specialist and consultant, later. They could not be sworn in yesterday as they were abroad. Iftekar Ahmed Chowhdury is a brother-in-law of Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed. The chief adviser and other advisers, who were... Wed, 17 Jan 2007 05:52:00 +0100 http://www.blogigo.com/Bangladesh_Elections/Five-more-advisors-to-CG-appointed-three-sworn-in/18/ http://www.blogigo.com/Bangladesh_Elections/Five-more-advisors-to-CG-appointed-three-sworn-in/18/ The interim cabinet at its maiden meeting on Sunday decided to extend all- out assistance to the Election Commission in holding the next general election in a free and fair atmosphere, after preparing a correct voters’ roll, introduction of voters’ identity card and transparent ballot boxes. The meeting, chaired by the chief adviser, Fakhruddin Ahmed, also reviewed law and order and the state of economy and asked the authorities concerned to take appropriate steps to this effect. Held at the chief adviser’s office, the meeting, attended by all the five advisers, in principle decided to introduce voters’ identity cards and transparent ballot boxes and discussed the ways and means for them. The council also directed the authorities concerned to take all possible measures so that fundamental rights were protected when regulations were promulgated following the declaration of the state of emergency . The election commissioner in-charge, Mahfuzur Rahman, and the secretary to the... Tue, 16 Jan 2007 07:07:00 +0100 http://www.blogigo.com/Bangladesh_Elections/Voters-card-transparent-ballot-box-introduced-the-coming/17/ http://www.blogigo.com/Bangladesh_Elections/Voters-card-transparent-ballot-box-introduced-the-coming/17/   President Iajuddin Ahmed yesterday appointed five advisers to the reconstituted non-party caretaker government (CG).The advisers are Barrister Mainul Hosein, Major Gen (retd) MA Matin, Geeti Ara Safiya Chowdhury, Dr Mirza Azizul Islam and Tapan Chowdhury. The president administered the oath of the advisers at a ceremony at the Bangabhaban The first meeting of the seemingly half-reconstituted council of advisers will be held today at 11:30am at the Chief Adviser’s office at Tejgaon. President Iajuddin Ahmed stepped down from the chief adviser's post on January 11 and all his advisers resigned, in a changed political situation following the promulgation of a state of emergency in the country amid political squabbles over polls. President Iajuddin Ahmed took over the charge of CA to the caretaker government as the country's two major political alliances had failed to reach a consensus on a candidate for the post. Fakhruddin Joins Office Newly... Mon, 15 Jan 2007 06:16:00 +0100 http://www.blogigo.com/Bangladesh_Elections/Five-advisors-to-CG-sworn-in/16/ http://www.blogigo.com/Bangladesh_Elections/Five-advisors-to-CG-sworn-in/16/ Advisors to be appointed soon; 4-party absent at oath-taking Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed , a former governor of the Bangladesh Bank, assumed the office of chief adviser (CA) to the non-party caretaker government yesterday based on a consensus between the two major political alliances, beginning the reconstitution of the interim government. President Iajuddin Ahmed, administered the oath of his successor at a ceremony in Bangabhaban Darbar Hall yesterday. With Dr Fakhruddin's assumption of the office of CA, resignation of Justice Fazlul Haque, who had been acting as the CA following the resignation of Iajuddin, became effective. The president will now appoint ten advisers in a day or two consulting with the newly appointed CA to complete the reconstitution of the council of advisers to the caretaker government that will initiate a fresh move for holding the next parliamentary election. The Election Commission (EC) yesterday unofficially suspended all... Sat, 13 Jan 2007 07:25:00 +0100 http://www.blogigo.com/Bangladesh_Elections/Fakhruddin-takes-over-as-new-Chief-Advisor/15/ http://www.blogigo.com/Bangladesh_Elections/Fakhruddin-takes-over-as-new-Chief-Advisor/15/ President Iajuddin Ahmed last night resigned from the post of chief adviser to the caretaker government, declaring a state of emergency in the country--amid growing political crisis over election. Nine advisers to the caretaker government also resigned from their posts and the senior most among the advisers Justice Fazlul Haque, took the charge as acting chief adviser. The parliamentary election scheduled for the January 22 has also been postponed. Besides suspending all fundamental rights as described in the constitution , the authorities imposed a six-hour curfew-- from 11:00pm to 5:00am --in all metropolitan cities and district headquarters with immediate effect from last night until further orders. The declaration of the state of emergency came after daylong hectic negotiations yesterday among the political parties, diplomats and the caretaker government advisers to resolve the growing political crisis following Iajuddin's assumption of the office of... Fri, 12 Jan 2007 06:24:00 +0100 http://www.blogigo.com/Bangladesh_Elections/Chief-Advisor-resigns-Emergency-declared-Bangladesh/14/ http://www.blogigo.com/Bangladesh_Elections/Chief-Advisor-resigns-Emergency-declared-Bangladesh/14/ Indefinite siege of Bangabhaban from Jan 14, blockade on Jan 14-15,17-18, hartal on Jan 21-22 if polls not cancelled A grand rally was held at Paltan Maidan in the capital today by the Awami League (AL)-led Grand alliance to announce its next course of agitation programmes to press home its demands for a free and fair election and the resignation of President Iajuddin Ahmed from the post of chief adviser to the caretaker government (CG). AL President Sheikh Hasina is expected to announce fresh agitation programmes including non-stop blockade and hartals with an aim to resist the holding of January 22 elections which the grand alliance has boycotted. The agitation programmes might include laying siege to the Election Commission (EC) and the Bangabhaban on January 14 and 15, 72-hour non-stop blockade from January 16 and non-stop countrywide hartal from January 20 to the polling day. Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad ,... Thu, 11 Jan 2007 06:22:00 +0100 http://www.blogigo.com/Bangladesh_Elections/led-Grand-alliance-announces-fresh-agitation-programmes/13/ http://www.blogigo.com/Bangladesh_Elections/led-Grand-alliance-announces-fresh-agitation-programmes/13/ Maul senior grand alliance leaders unprovoked; pickets retaliate by throwing hand bombs; country remains paralysed Five top leaders of the Awami League (AL)- led grand alliance were injured as police assaulted them while using brute force to disperse alliance activists and leaders from around the Bangabhaban during a siege of it yesterday that triggered violent clashes between the law enforcers and the demonstrators. Policemen in riot gear brutally assaulted the leaders at Noor Hossain Square and fired teargas shells inside the AL central office on Bangabandhu Avenue during the siege that was also marked by police-demonstrators pitched battles in Fakirerpool and Joykali temple area. The leaders -- Tofail Ahmed, Rashed Khan Menon, Nurul Islam, Dilip Barua and Haji Mohammad Selim -- fell to the ground due to the police beating without any let up in two to three minutes. A ferocious attack by AL activists using brickbats and homemade bombs forced the police to retreat at... Wed, 10 Jan 2007 13:05:00 +0100 http://www.blogigo.com/Bangladesh_Elections/Police-roughshod-over-blockaders-during-Bangabhaban/12/ http://www.blogigo.com/Bangladesh_Elections/Police-roughshod-over-blockaders-during-Bangabhaban/12/ The Election Commission (EC) in an unprecedented move yesterday agreed to allow the armed forces to arrest anyone from any place without a warrant during their engagement in election duties. The The Armed Forces Division  in a proposal earlier sought the power for the army, navy and the air force for seven days including the polling day to ensure a peaceful atmosphere and security of voters in light of the existing law and order situation. Responding to the proposal, the EC finally asked the home ministry yesterday to issue a notification to allow the armed forces to have the authority as they had desired in addition to the power they already have to arrest any person within a radius of four hundred yards of a polling station on the polling day. The EC in its letter to the home ministry however did not specify the time limit for allowing the armed forces to exercise the new power. The home ministry will decide for how many days the armed forces will be allowed... Tue, 09 Jan 2007 07:03:00 +0100 http://www.blogigo.com/Bangladesh_Elections/Army-given-power-to-arrest-anyone-without-warrant/11/ http://www.blogigo.com/Bangladesh_Elections/Army-given-power-to-arrest-anyone-without-warrant/11/ Capital remains cut off, trains halted, operation in ports suspended The first day of blockade witnessed Blockaders clash with law enforcers. More than 200 persons were injured as blockaders fought pitched battles with law enforcers in the capital and elsewhere yesterday of the three-day countrywide blockade called by Awami League (AL)-led grand alliance.The blockade cut off the capital from the rest of the country. Military vehicles mounted with automatic weapons patrolled the streets of the capital yesterday. The army and Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) members were seen guarding different strategic points in the city. Hundreds of rubber bullets, tear gas shells fired in Adabor in capital. Several hundred army personnel were drawn together in Adabor after the area witnessed the worst clash of the day between grand alliance activists and police leaving around 50 injured. Only the vehicles carrying Hajj pilgrims and journalists, ambulances, all exams... Mon, 08 Jan 2007 07:46:00 +0100 http://www.blogigo.com/Bangladesh_Elections/Blockaders-Cops-clashes-marked-first-day-Blocakde/10/ http://www.blogigo.com/Bangladesh_Elections/Blockaders-Cops-clashes-marked-first-day-Blocakde/10/ Awami League President Sheikh Hasina yesterday said if the grand alliance's demand for fair election is not fulfilled by January 8, a non-stop siege for 10 days will be enforced to resist "vote thieves." Addressing a meeting of Jatiya Sramik League at the AL's Dhanmondi office, she urged the police, Rab and BDR to resist the "vote thieves". Hasina, said the blueprint for rigging election is in place and to participate in such election means acceptance of a rigged election. She cautioned the chief adviser of bad consequences of arresting and torturing her party leaders and workers. Earlier, Hasina while exchanging views with the members of Awami Swechchhasebak League asked the civil administration, army and law enforcers not to cooperate with those who intend to rig the election. When asked about Khaleda Zia's persistent demand for election within 90 days, Hasina said although the BNP chairperson refers to 90 days, she... Sat, 06 Jan 2007 03:27:00 +0100 http://www.blogigo.com/Bangladesh_Elections/day-non-stop-blockade-demands-not-met-Hasina/9/ http://www.blogigo.com/Bangladesh_Elections/day-non-stop-blockade-demands-not-met-Hasina/9/   BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia yesterday said the election must be held on January 22 as per the election commission schedule regardless of who participates in it or not. She also urged all to ignore the polls boycott announcement of the grand alliance and complete the election process to avoid any constitutional crisis. While addressing public meetings and roadside rallies during her daylong election campaign in Gazipur and Mymensingh, the BNP chief asked all to exercise their citizens' rights by participating in the polls. She addressed rallies on Sreepur Pilot High School ground seeking votes for BNP candidate Tanvir Ahmed Siddiqui, Bhaluka Degree College ground for BNP nominee Fakhruddin Bachchu, Kazi Nazrul Islam College ground in Trishal for Dr Mahbubur Rahman Liton and Circuit House ground at Mymensingh for Delwar Hossain Khan. Thousands gathered at the rallies in processions chanting slogans. Many turned up with sheaves of paddy, portraits of Begum Zia and late... Fri, 05 Jan 2007 06:53:00 +0100 http://www.blogigo.com/Bangladesh_Elections/Khaleda-Zia-urges-public-ignore-election-boycott/8/ http://www.blogigo.com/Bangladesh_Elections/Khaleda-Zia-urges-public-ignore-election-boycott/8/