Polling in 139 upazilas in the first phase of the sixth upazila parishad election will be held on Wednesday. Voting will start from 8 am and continue till 4 pm. The Election Commission has already completed all the preparations to hold the upazila elections in a free, fair and peaceful environment.

According to EC sources, in the first phase of the election, out of 139 upazilas, 22 will be held by EVM and the remaining by ballot. A total of 1,635 candidates are competing in this phase. Among them, there are 570 candidates for the post of chairman, 625 for vice chairman and 440 for the post of female vice chairman. In the first phase, 8 candidates for the post of chairman, 10 candidates for the post of vice chairman and female vice chairman have already won unopposed.

According to the EC, all three posts of five upazilas were elected unopposed. So there will be no need for elections in those five upazilas. The upazilas are Hatia of Noakhali district, Sadar upazila of Munshiganj district, Sadar upazila of Bagerhat district, Parashuram of Feni district and Shibchar of Madaripur district. The EC has suspended the elections in three upazilas of the hill district Bandarban as the operation of the joint forces is ongoing.

Polling station security

EC decided to deploy law and order forces in consideration of important centers and general centres. Accordingly, 17 law enforcement officers will be deployed in general centers and 18 or 19 law enforcement personnel in important centers. Besides, 19 law enforcement officers will be deployed in general centers in remote areas and 20 or 21 law enforcement officers in important centers. Considering the size of the upazila, the number of voters and the importance of the polling station, 2 to 4 platoons of BGB will perform duty in each upazila.

The Coast Guard will act as a mobile and striking force in the islands of the coastal area. Mobile and striking forces of police, RAB, BGB have been deployed for the security of voters. Ansar battalions will be deployed as mobile/striking force in polling stations for two days before polling, polling day and two days after polling for a total of five days.

According to the EC, there are 14 thousand 610 BGB members, 41 thousand 530 police and 11 thousand 883 police mobile teams in the field for voter security. Also, there are 29 thousand 220 members of the police in the striking force and other duties. On the other hand, two thousand 648 members of RAB and one lakh 59 thousand 874 members of Ansar are engaged.

Meanwhile, 400 executive magistrates are engaged to ensure compliance with the election code of conduct. And there are 139 judicial magistrates.

Measures to prevent intrusion

The Election Commission has taken several steps to control the traffic in the upazilas where polls are held on election day. Accordingly, a ban has been imposed on the movement of taxicabs, microbuses, pickups, trucks, launches, engine-powered boats and other vehicles in the respective constituencies from 12:00 pm today, tomorrow, Wednesday, to 12:00 pm on the polling day. Besides, motorcycle movement has already been stopped. The ban will remain in force till Thursday midnight.

From the announcement of the schedule to three days before the polling, one magistrate will be employed in each upazila to enforce the code of conduct and protect and prevent law and order, and one executive magistrate for each of the three unions from three days before the polling to the day after the polling. Besides, one judicial magistrate will be deployed in each upazila from two days before the polling to two days after the polling.

Total polling stations

In the first phase, 3 crore 14 lakh 68 thousand 102 voters will exercise their right to vote in 81 thousand 804 polling booths of 11 thousand 556 centers. Among them there are 1 crore 60 lakh 2 thousand 224 male, 1 crore 54 lakh 65 thousand 690 female and 188 Hijra voters.

Regarding upazila elections, Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal said that although there is an opportunity for upazila elections on party symbols, the candidates are fighting independently as there is no party nomination. It will be a competitive election. Due to the local government vote, we are trying our best to prevent the spread of influence of ministers and MPs. Some actions have been taken due to the spread of influence.

CEC said that the situation at the field level is being inquired every day talking to the Deputy Commissioner, Superintendents of Police. It should be ensured that the election is free and fair. The message has been given to the concerned including the Returning Officers that no one can enter the polling station and there should be no irregularities especially on the election day.

The Election Commission has decided to hold polling in 476 upazilas out of 495 upazilas of the country in four phases. In some of these upazilas, the election has been postponed due to complications in the case of declaration of schedule and the death of a valid candidate. The remaining 19 upazila parishads have not yet had their elections; the constitutional body said that voting will be held in all those parishads later.

Meanwhile, according to the schedule announced by the EC, polling will be held in 139 upazilas in the first phase on May 8, in the second phase in 160 upazilas on May 21, in the third phase in 112 upazilas on May 29 and in the fourth phase in 55 upazilas on June 5. In the first phase, 22, 24 in the second phase, 21 in the third phase and two upazilas in the fourth phase will be conducted in electronic voting machines (EVM). 

Dhaka University (DU) Department of Mass Communication and Journalism  finding prima facie evidence of sexual harassment and emotional abuse against Prof. Nadir Junaid, the matter has been referred to the University's Anti-Sexual Harassment Cell for further investigation and the University Syndicate has suspended Prof. Nadir from all administrative and academic activities until the investigation is completed.

The report of the inquiry committee was submitted at the university's syndicate meeting on Tuesday (May 7) evening. The report stated that the allegations of sexual harassment and emotional abuse against him were found to be prima facie true. Several syndicate sources confirmed this information on Tuesday night.

According to Syndicate sources, the fact finding committee constituted to investigate the allegations of sexual harassment and mental harassment against Prof. Nadir has submitted its inquiry report. It has been mentioned that the prima facie case has been found there. Based on the report, the matter has been referred to the University's Sexual Harassment Prevention Cell for further investigation. Professor Nadir has been relieved of all academic and administrative duties pending the conclusion of this investigation and the Sexual Harassment Prevention Cell has been given two months to investigate.

It is to be noted that the students of MCJ gave a three-day ultimatum to the university to report the progress of the investigation of the allegations brought against Professor Nadir in a press briefing last Monday morning. Syndicate sources said, "Professor Nadir Junaid has written to the Vice-Chancellor and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administration) of the University stating that the students are holding press briefings to put pressure on the University administration and the Syndicate."

Incidentally, on February 10 this year, a female student of the department complained of sexual harassment and emotional abuse against Professor Nadir. On February 11, another female student of the department accused him of covering up the incident of verbal sexual harassment. On February 28, a female student of a university in the capital also accused him of sexual harassment and emotional abuse. In view of the complaint, the University Syndicate formed a three-member fact-finding committee to look into the allegations of sexual harassment and a three-member fact-finding committee to look into the allegations of collapsing results on March 3 and asked them to submit a report within two weeks. Also, on February 7 this year, the students of the 12th batch of the department have accused Professor Nadir Junaid of collapsing due to personal anger.

State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid said that gas exploration work is going on in the sea If gas is found, it can be extracted after seven to eight years.

The State Minister said all this in response to a supplementary question by Awami League Member of Parliament (MP) Ahmed Hossain in the JS session on Tuesday (May 7).

The Minister of State for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources said that in 2016-2017, we started preparations for conducting a multi-plan survey of mineral resources or gas extraction in the deep sea. Among them, we are not prepared to conduct Multiplan survey especially for gas exploration. Before that we gave three blocks along Myanmar border to two companies. The amount of gas they thought they'd get from surveying here isn't visible, they found there's less gas, they move. Already the Multiplan survey is over; we have got the results of the two-day survey. We have already moved into a deep seaport. About 17 companies have expressed interest, including giant Chevron and several other large companies. They took today's survey results to beat. We have a meeting with them from Wednesday. Bidding will end in September.

He said, in the middle of next year, we will appoint companies in different blocks for 3D surveys. After investing about 20 to 30 million dollars, if there is gas or oil after 7-8 years, then we can extract that gas or oil.

Stating that the production capacity is more than the demand for electricity in the country, he said that the production capacity is more than the demand for electricity in the country. After assuming responsibility in 2009, the government has taken immediate, short, medium and long term plans for the development of the power sector and is implementing them through close supervision. From January 2009 to the present time, 26 thousand 240 MW electricity has been added to the national grid. As a result, the installed capacity of electricity has increased to 30 thousand 277 MW including captives.

Nasrul Hamid said that although there is no shortfall in power generation capacity according to demand, power generation is not possible at full capacity due to the Ukraine-Russia war and the global energy crisis after the Covid-19 pandemic. As a result, there is temporary difficulty in uninterrupted power supply in some places. Apart from this, due to excessive heat and wildfires in some parts of the country, the demand for electricity has increased tremendously. Due to increase in demand, emphasis is also being placed on increasing production. We hope to be able to provide uninterrupted and quality electricity to everyone soon.

Jatiya Sangsad Leader and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that on May 7, 2007, I crossed the hundred barrier and returned to the country. At that time, the caretaker government, even from within the Awami League, was barred from coming to the country. I was even threatened to be killed at the airport on my return home.

Prime Minister said these in an unscheduled discussion on Tuesday (May 7) in the evening session chaired by Speaker Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury.

The Prime Minister said, today (May 7) is a unique day in my life because I had returned to the country that day crossing the hundred barriers. Many advisers of the caretaker government at that time also told me on the phone that you will not come, you stay outside, I will do whatever it takes. Some also threatened. It was said that if she returns to Bangladesh, she will be killed at the airport. I said Alhamdulillah, I will come to my country.

The Prime Minister said, "All airlines were prohibited from giving me a boarding pass." After standing at the airport in America for three hours and quarreling with them, I came to London on British Airways. On the day I was going to board the plane in London, I was not allowed to board. That day I vowed that I would return home anyway. Even when I left for the airport, many people told me on the phone that you will not come; in fact they will kill you. I didn't care. However, I am grateful to the leaders and workers of Awami League.

Sheikh Hasina also said that then it was said that no one should go to the airport. Even from within my party. The Secretary of the party then told everyone that he would be expelled if he went to the airport. None of our leaders and workers can live on the streets. I gave only one message that everyone will stay. We fought guerilla warfare, everyone stay, you don't leave until my plane lands, until I open the door and get out.

She said, I was told that when I boarded the vehicle, I would be taken to an unknown location. I told the driver to go where people are going, don't go over the flyover. Thousands of people are on the streets. Ignoring the restrictions of some people in my party, the leaders and workers not only welcomed me but also gave me security.

She also said that at that time one or two people could come to me. Sabina Yasmin is sick, I went out guerilla style. I went to the hospital avoiding the eyes of the police. That day I spoke very harshly, I said who is running the country? The police arrived the next morning. I was arrested and brought to a dirty abandoned building in the Parliament building. I was imprisoned there.

The Prime Minister said, not only on this day, but also in 83, Ershad Sahib arrested us and took us to Lal Dalan at 30 Hare Road. From there she was taken to the DGFI office for questioning. Mr. Ershad arrested me several more times. Me, Matia Apa, Sahara Apa (no longer) take the three of us together and sometimes kept us overnight in the control room. Not only that, I am able to come here today and serve the people by overcoming repeated arrests, direct firing, bombs and grenades. Now I am only standing, to thank the people of Bangladesh, to thank the leaders and workers of the party.