Election Uncertainty Grows as IPI Calls for Media Freedom and Journalist Safety
International media watchdog organisation the International Press Institute (IPI) has called for ensuring media freedom and the safety of journalists ahead of Bangladesh’s upcoming national parliamentary election. The organisation has issued a warning to political parties, the interim government and election-related authorities to ensure an environment where journalists can work freely and safely. According to IPI, a free and impartial election is not possible without a free media.
Weak Regulation Fuels Election Violence: TIB
Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) on Sunday said that most political parties and candidates contesting the 13th Jatiya Sangsad election continue to practise traditional violent politics, raising serious concerns about the overall electoral environment.
Human Chain Calls for Protection of Minority, Indigenous and Women Voters Ahead of Election
With only three days remaining before the 13th National Parliamentary Election, civil society organisations have expressed serious concern over the safety and voting rights of minority, indigenous and women voters across the country.
Civil Society Raises Alarm Over Minority Security and Voter Suppression
A press conference was held on Sunday morning at the Sagar-Runi Auditorium of the Dhaka Reporters Unity, demanding the assurance of life and property security and the unhindered exercise of voting rights for religious minorities and all marginalized communities in the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. Organized by Citizens for Human Rights, the press conference highlighted recent incidents of violence in minority-populated areas and shared experiences from field observations.
The BNP candidate said, “Please do not engage in extortion until the 12th
Sarwar Jamal Nizam, the BNP-nominated candidate in the Chattogram-13 (Anwara and Karnaphuli) constituency, has publicly requested extortionists to stop extortion until 12 February. He made this request on Friday night while inaugurating an election office in the Chatari area of Anwara Upazila. A 55-second video of his remarks has spread on social media. Someone present at the event recorded the video.
Excluding the Awami League will make the 12 February election non-inclusive: CPD
The Center for Policy Dialogue (CPD) has commented that the upcoming election scheduled to be held on 12 February will not be inclusive if the Awami League is excluded from the election.
Hefazat-e-Islam Amir Babunagari: Voting for Jamaat-e-Islami Is ‘Not Permissible’ for Muslims
Hefazat-e-Islam Amir Muhibbullah Babunagari has said that voting for Jamaat-e-Islami would not be “permissible” (jaez) for Muslims. He claimed that if Jamaat comes to power, the interests of Islam and Muslims would be harmed.
BNP Announces Election Manifesto
In preparation for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Friday announced its election manifesto at a grand event held at Hotel Sonargaon in the capital. The manifesto was unveiled by the party’s Chairman, Tarique Rahman.
1675 Prominent Citizens Call for Boycott of Upcoming February 12 National Election and Referendum
A total of 1675 prominent citizens, both from within the country and abroad, have called for a boycott of the upcoming National Parliamentary Election and Referendum scheduled for February 12. Among them are doctors, engineers, poets, writers, journalists, and others.
135 Journalists Call for Immediate Suspension of One-Sided Parliamentary Election
A group of 135 journalists working across national and international media outlets has expressed serious concern over the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary election in Bangladesh, saying it risks being one-sided due to the absence of major political parties, including the Awami League. They warned that the results may not be fully accepted domestically or internationally.