Participation of disabled and minority voters was limited
Although the overall process surrounding the 13th National Parliamentary Election and referendum remained largely peaceful, four civil society organisations have expressed concern over various limitations faced by marginalised communities in exercising their voting rights and the rise in post-election violence. Representatives of the organisations presented their preliminary observations at a joint press conference held at The Westin Hotel in Gulshan, Dhaka.
Palashbari Awami League President Lipon Dies in Custody After Re-Arrest at Jail Gate
Palashbari Upazila Awami League President and former vice principal Shamikul Islam Sarkar Lipon died after falling critically ill inside Gaibandha District Jail late Sunday night, authorities confirmed. He had been in custody for a prolonged period in connection with a case filed with Gaibandha Sadar Police Station.
‘Yes’ Wins in Referendum, but Major Discrepancies in EC Statistics; 244% Vote Casting in One Constituency
In the recently held referendum, approximately 62.47 percent voted in favor of “Yes” and 29.32 percent voted in favor of “No.” Although “Yes” won nationwide with more than double the votes, The Business Standard (TBS) has identified major discrepancies in the referendum results and calculations published by the Election Commission (EC). Although “Yes” won in most constituencies, “No” secured victory in 11 constituencies.
13th National Parliament Election: 7 Women Candidates Elected
In the 12th National Parliament election, 19 women candidates were directly elected, whereas in the 13th National Parliament election that number has dropped to only 7. This means that within just one electoral cycle, women’s representation has decreased by 12 seats, a development that is being viewed with concern in political circles.
BNP Alliance Takes Early Lead in 13th Parliamentary Polls; Key Wins in Bogura-6 and Dhaka-15
As counting continues in the 13th National Parliament election, unofficial results from 164 constituencies indicate a strong lead for the BNP-led alliance. According to the latest available figures, the BNP alliance has secured 125 seats, while the Jamaat-led alliance has won 38 seats. One seat has gone to an independent candidate. Final official confirmation from the Election Commission is still pending.
Sheikh Hasina Thanks the Nation for Boycotting the Vote, Demands Participatory and Free Elections
Describing the 13th National Parliament election as a “well-planned farce” and a “fraudulent arrangement,” former Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina has demanded the immediate cancellation of the election and the arrangement of a new vote under a neutral caretaker government. She made these remarks in a written statement after the voting held on Thursday.
Yes, No and Different Layers of Legal and Constitutional Righteousness
Generally, a referendum or plebiscite calls upon the electorate of a country to cast direct votes on any proposal, law, economic or political issue. For example, in a referendum staged on June 23, 2016, around 52 percent of the British voters who did took part in it, decided to come out of the European Union (EU). Or, I have seen the news headlines of Pakistan’s call to India for a referendum in Kashmir since my childhood.
Ballot Paper Without the Boat Symbol After 30 Years
One of the country’s oldest political parties, the Awami League, boycotted the election twice; and this time, due to the suspension of its registration, it did not get the opportunity to contest at all. As a result, the boat symbol is not even on the postal ballot.
Washington Briefing: Election Without Awami League Questioned
At a U.S. congressional briefing, some participants expressed the view that the election set to take place in Bangladesh without the Awami League will be regarded as “questionable.”
Competition and Participation Fade in the Absence of Regional Parties
While other districts of the country are witnessing campaign activities, posters, banners, and rallies centered around the National Parliamentary Election, the picture in the three districts of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Rangamati, Khagrachhari, and Bandarban is completely different. There is no electoral heat here, nor any indication of strong competition.