'Open' Elections: Security of Workers' Supporters of Independent Candidates



Kabir Ahmed, Assistant Editor, Barta24.com, Dhaka
Pic: Collected

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Elections held under party governments have party nominated candidates. There are independent candidates who are not nominated. Awami League leaders and activists are divided over the election. Clashes and violence are taking place across the country. In the meantime, two people have died, many have been injured. One side is threatening to take a look at the other side, announcing to leave the area, threatening to throw away the knife, breaking arms and legs, threatening to leave the area. With more weeks of election campaigning to go, the country is heating up. Except for some areas, the entire country is burning in the internal fire of the ruling Awami League.

If anyone stands outside the party's nominated candidates, they are expelled. But this time the situation is different. Awami League president Sheikh Hasina has encouraged independent candidates to make the election participatory. In an exchange of views with the nominees at the Ganobhaban, the Prime Minister and the Awami League president said that organizational measures will be taken if someone is elected unopposed. She emphasized that no one should be forced to sit down to encourage individual candidacy. That is, those who have become independent candidates are deeply sensitive and caring towards the Awami League president.

Among the 3,362 people who purchased nomination forms to be Awami League candidates in 300 parliamentary seats across the country, nominations were given in 298 seats in the first round. A few more seats were then left for the leaders of the Jatiya Party and the 14-party alliance. After the formality of withdrawal of nomination papers, there are candidates of Awami League in 264 seats out of 300 seats. Apart from this, there are more than three hundred independent candidates who are not nominated by the party. Awami League's non-nominated leaders are participating in the elections more than those who represent the party symbol.

Those contesting the elections independently without being nominated by the party are called 'dummy candidates'. Awami League's dummy or alternative candidates are active in the election field. 28 of the 44 registered political parties are contesting the elections, but the names and symbols of those parties are largely unknown to voters. There are also doubts whether many have published poster-leaflets about far-reaching election campaigns as candidates. About two thousand candidates are in the election, but in the campaign, Awami League nominated candidates and independent candidates and some candidates of Jatiya Party. Other than that, the rest is on paper. As a result, the election fight is mainly between the Awami League candidates and the independent leaders of the Awami League. As much as the election campaign is being done, it is only by them.

At this time of the election campaign, an atmosphere of fear has been created in the country. In addition to the conflict, threats continue. Almost all of them who are threatening are leaders of various levels of Awami League. From marginal level leaders to member-chairmen of Union Parishads, parliamentarians, and even some ministers are in this threatening group. When the Minister-MP publicly threatens, publicly pronounces that they will be watched if they don't vote, threatens to exclude them from the government's social security program, then it becomes really scary. Some journalists have already been harassed by some MPs. Activists and supporters of independent candidates are at the center of these verbal and physical attacks.

Most of the independent candidates are Awami League leaders. Central Awami League viewed their candidature positively. Although they are 'rebel candidates' in conventional electoral politics, they are not rebels now in the electoral politics of Awami League's new strategy. But in various parts of the country, Sheikh Hasina's 'dummy' candidates are also being called 'traitors', threatened and oppressed. All over the country there are leaders and activists of Awami League at the ward level. Although these activists and committees have been inactive for five whole years, many are active in the hope of various gains during the election; many are active in showing love for the party. This organizational structure or power favors party nominees. As a result, many independent candidates are not getting organizational support even though they are leaders of Awami League. Many have become desperate to corner internal opponents at this opportunity.

From what has been reported in the media so far, it is seen that party candidate workers and independent candidate workers are being harassed by the leaders. The overall picture may not be captured by the media, but the news coming out is frightening. Incidents of disruption of election campaigns are a regular occurrence. In such a situation, many people are not able to campaign; many people are hiding themselves in fear.

It is difficult to get a complete picture of the electoral environment across the country. Not all cases make it to the media, and most do not seek legal aid. Many people do not dare to go to the police station mainly due to the lack of confidence. Elections under a party government, and the question of whether the police will take appropriate action when complaints are raised. Although the Election Commission has made massive changes in the field administration, there are doubts whether the new officials can show the 'courage' to take appropriate action.

The official campaign started from December 18. One more week to go. The election atmosphere of the last 10 days does not seem to be favorable. The situation could be worse. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal told reporters today after the meeting with the National Human Rights Chairman, 'We have held a meeting at the field level. Too many complaints from them didn't get. They have confidence in the administration. In some cases, there was violence, chases, poster tearing. But mostly doesn't seem to have happened much. But I am not saying that violence did not happen at all. We are putting up our petition, keeping in touch with the administration, let them control it strictly.' If two lives were lost in election violence, it is sad if the CEC does not consider it a 'fatal incident'.

Elections will be held on January 7. There are fears that widespread violence or one-sided violence may occur across the country soon after the elections. Efforts should be made now to eliminate this fear. During the election violence in 2001, countless Hindu people were tortured by BNP-Jamaat activists. It is true that Hindus are not in that kind of fear after this election, but the activists and supporters of independent candidates across the country are under threat. They must be protected. If not, this supposedly unwanted attack will stand as a bigger question mark than the election!

   

Audio of BNP leader on upazila election leaked



Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com
photo: Collected

photo: Collected

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The audio of a BNP leader's speech encouraging votes in Panchagarh upazila elections has been leaked. That leader is Farhad Hossain Azad, Member Secretary of District BNP Convening Committee and BNP Central Rural Development Affairs Secretary.

In that audio, he can be heard telling the leaders and workers to take part in the elections. At one point he said, "Choose with your heart."

On the one hand, the expulsion of the leaders for participating in the polls, on the other hand, the BNP leader's statement about participating in the polls has created a sensation.

One such audio came to media persons on Sunday (May 5) afternoon. However, BNP leader Azad claimed that the leaked audio was super edited.

In the leaked audio, he is heard saying, "Those who are against voting, have no connection with the people, they do not understand local politics." They think local politics and national politics are one and the same. This election will be free, fair and impartial. Please choose carefully, I hope you will be successful. If I can give upazila chairman, vice chairman in Boda, then at least I will get a place to sit in the upazila square. I can go to the chairman's chamber and sit, I can have a cup of tea.'

He is also heard saying, 'It is very difficult to survive a party without public representation. We are a supporter dependent party; we have more supporters than workers.'

In this regard, the BNP leader said on the mobile phone, "I held a meeting at my house regarding boycotting the elections." Another audio has been created by super-editing that audio to humiliate me.'

Five BNP leaders have been expelled for participating in Boda and Debiganj Upazila Parishad elections in Panchagarh. In the notice signed by Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, senior joint secretary general of the party last Saturday, Boda upazila chairman candidate Habib Al Amin Ferdous, vice chairman candidate Morsalin bin Mumtaz Ripon, female vice chairman candidate Laili Begum, chairman candidate Rahimul Islam Bulbul and vice chairman candidate Abdur Rahim in Debiganj upazila have been expelled.

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BNP held workers hostage at gunpoint: Quader



Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com
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Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said that workers who were agitating for salary and bonus were shot dead in the chest when BNP-Jamaat was in power. Not only that, they also killed farmers protesting for fertilizer.

Criticizing the BNP, he said that the BNP-Jamaat evil force had crushed Bangladesh in the path of misrule by holding the common people hostage at gunpoint due to their agitation for electricity.

He said this in a press release sent to the media on Thursday (May 2) signed by Awami League Deputy Secretary Sayem Khan.

In the statement, Obaidul Quader condemned and protested BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir's misleading and provocative speech.

Awami League General Secretary said that when the BNP-Jamaat evil forces were in power, the people of the country had to live in misery due to their misrule. Today they spoke about the rights of working people. But they never increased the wages of the workers while in power.

He said that they made the life of working people miserable by shutting down various factories including Adamjee Jute Mill. On the other hand, Awami League has increased the salary of garment workers and increased the salary of tea workers after coming to power. The quality of life of all people, including working people, has improved. Bangladesh Awami League is working for the welfare of the people. The main goal of Awami League is to improve the fortunes of farmers, workers and hardworking people.

Bangladesh Awami League has always come to power by people's votes, said Awami League General Secretary, Awami League is not a political party established from the pocket of a military dictator or a political party established by the usurper of power. Bangladesh Awami League has historically taken the lead in establishing all the rights of the people of this country including democratic rights and is a political force emerging from the people. In continuation of that, Awami League is always working to establish people's voting rights and other rights.

In a statement, the Bridges minister said that the 12th National Parliament election held on January 7 was fairer than all the elections held in the country after 1975. Awami League has come to power through elections by ensuring the voting rights of the people and is running the state with the mandate of the people.

In the statement, Obaidul Quader said, BNP has always taken away the voting rights of the people to ax the power. Because of which they are afraid of elections and they don't want to participate in elections. Once they deregistered 50 lakh voters to smooth their way to power. Again 1 lakh 23 thousand fake voters were created.

He further said that democracy and suffrage do not fit in the mouth of those who adopted various tricks to disenfranchise the people. The main objective of BNP politics is to seize power by any means. They seized state power and used it illegally to make Bangladesh a dysfunctional state through corruption and looting. Bangladesh had the stigma of being the champion of corruption five times.

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Awami League does not want a break in BNP: Obaidul Quader



Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com
Awami League General Secretary, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader

Awami League General Secretary, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader

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Awami League general secretary, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said that Awami League does not want a break in BNP and said that they (BNP) will be responsible for their own break.

He said this in the speech as the chief guest at the rally and discussion meeting organized by Sramik League in the premises of Awami League's central office at 23, Bangabandhu Avenue on Wednesday (01 May) afternoon.

Obaidul Quader said that many insider stories are heard about BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. The leaders have nothing in common with anyone. Anyone who does not like it is called an agent of the government. Leaders argue with each other and blame each other. We do not want to destroy the BNP, we do not want the BNP to break up. They themselves will be responsible for their own destruction. With so many enemies at home, BNP will not need external enemies to destroy it.

Referring to the shamelessness of BNP leaders, Obaidul Quader said, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said, once I thought Bangladesh was a burden for us. I am ashamed to see the development and progress of Bangladesh today. The PM of Pakistan can see, and the BNP is wearing dark glasses, they can't see.

Awami League general secretary said, BNP complains to foreigners, to whom to complain? Those to whom he used to complain are also in a bad condition. Now is the Arab Spring in America. 40 universities are protesting in favor of Palestine. Attend the assembly through the back door. The US Secretary of State visited China a few days ago, when reporters asked why so many protests in your university? Then the foreign minister said, it is part of democracy. Caning the professor, what torture at Columbia University, what brutality. Then it is surprising to think that this country is a proponent of democracy and talks about human rights.

Addressing the workers, he said that this country will not forgive those whose hands have killed the workers like Adamji. Sheikh Hasina is a worker-friendly Prime Minister. Today there is no torture on workers. Bangabandhu did agitation, workers' agitation. Nuru Mia's blood turned the 6-point movement into a freedom movement.

Calling upon the workers to be united, the Awami League general secretary said, I will say that you will be united on the Workers' Rights Day. What the leader has done will do more in the future. Do not create enmity by quarreling among yourselves.

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We are passing through a difficult time: Mirza Fakhrul



Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com
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BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said, 'A difficult time, a difficult time... we are passing through. Political crisis, economic crisis has attacked us terribly. Here the judiciary is completely politicized. They are looting the economy completely as their own. Today the political system has been destroyed; the electoral system has been completely uprooted.

On Saturday (April 20) afternoon he said these things at the civic commemoration meeting in memory of Dr. Zafrullah Chowdhury the founder of the Gono Swasthya Kendra. On the occasion of Dr. Zafrullah Chowdhury's first death anniversary, a civic memorial meeting was organized at Ramna Engineers Institution Auditorium.

BNP Secretary General said, 'If we want to bring back the spirit of the liberation war for which Dr. Zafrullah Chowdhury was fighting, if we want to make Bangladesh a democratic state, then we must think anew and come out strong again.

He said, ``There is no need to think about who said what, the hope, the desire that we have; We who fought the liberation war in 1971, who wanted to see a democratic Bangladesh, who gave their lives for a democratic state, our only responsibility today is to give that honor to all those who have gone missing... Let us all be united.

He said, "There was a conversation a while back... someone talked about a strategy. In fact, the entire nation needs to be united here. All the citizens who love the country, all the political parties who want to create a democratic system in the country should unite and shake not only the streets but the entire state machinery. Then maybe we can realize Dr. Zafrullah's dream to some extent.

Julhas Naim Babu, a member of the member of the secretarial board of the Gana Sanghati Andolon moderated the program. Economist Hossain Zillur Rahman, Badiul Alam Majumdar of SUJAN, Sharmin Murshid Broti, Dhaka University Professor Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, Professor Asif Nazrul, Photographer Shahidul Alam, FBBI Abdul Haque, Human Rights Activist Barrister Sara Hossain, Syeda Rezwana Hasan, Combined Professional Council Professor Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain, Ishtiaq Aziz Ulfat of Nationalist Freedom Fighters Party, Sanjida Islam of 'Mayer Dak' and others.

Apart from this, Mustafa Jamal Haider of Jatiya Party (Kazi Zafar), Saiful Haque of Biplobi Workers Party, Jonaid Saki, President of Gana Sanghati Andolon, Subrata Chowdhury of Gano Forum, Sheikh Rafiqul Islam Bablu of Bhasani Anusari Parishad, Hasnat Qayyum of State Reform Movement, Tanya Rob of JSD, Nurul Haque Noor of Gana Adhikar Parishad, Mia Moshiuzzaman and daughter of late Zafrullah Chowdhury, Bristi Chowdhury spoke at the memorial meeting.

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