Calm Dhaka, no victory celebrations
City Desk :
The day after the national parliamentary election, no victory processions or celebrations were seen in the capital Dhaka.
The city’s major roads, political party offices and intersections remained largely quiet.
Motijheel, Paltan, Shahbag, Farmgate and Dhanmondi areas revealed that although election results began to be announced, there were no large-scale victory processions or gatherings of supporters anywhere.
While a limited presence of party activists was seen in a few places, it remained minimal.
Usually, after a national election, activists of the winning party celebrate through processions, motorcycle rallies or distributing sweets. However, that familiar scene was absent this time. Even in front of the central offices of political parties, crowds were comparatively thin.
Law enforcement officials said the election has been completed peacefully. No untoward incidents occurred surrounding the result announcements. The situation remains calm and under control. No violence was reported anywhere. A nationwide restriction on motorcycle movement remains in force until on Friday in connection with the 13th National Parliamentary Election and the referendum.
However, all other types of vehicles-except motorcycles-are allowed to operate.
This information was announced in a notification issued by the Road Transport and Highways Division. The notification was signed by Al-Amin Md. Nurul Islam, Deputy Secretary of the Establishment Branch of the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA).
According to the notification, in the interest of holding the election and referendum, motorcycle movement has been banned for 72 hours-from 12:00 midnight on 10 February until 12:00 midnight on 13 February.
In addition, taxi cabs, pickup vans, microbuses, and trucks were prohibited from operating for 24 hours-from 12:00 midnight on 11 February until 12:00 midnight on 12 February.
However, the restriction does not apply to vehicles operated by law enforcement agencies, the armed forces, and the administration; vehicles used by authorized observers; emergency services; the transport of medicines and medical supplies; newspaper delivery vehicles; travel to and from airports (upon showing a valid ticket); and long-distance passenger transport.
In the past, elections and their outcomes often triggered tensions, clashes and fights among political parties and their supporters, but no such incidents occurred this time. Both voting and result declarations were completed in a largely peaceful environment.
Meanwhile, following the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) historic official victory in the 13th National Parliamentary Election, party chairman Tarique Rahman has instructed the organisation to hold special prayers and supplications at mosques across the country after Jumu’ah prayers on Friday. He also prohibited any victory processions or rallies.
The BNP media cell confirmed this information late Thursday night, quoting Tarique Rahman’s press secretary Saleh Shibli.
Regarding the programme, it was stated that BNP chairman Tarique Rahman has instructed the party to offer gratitude to Almighty Allah and hold special prayers and supplications across the country after Jumu’ah prayers on Friday.
However, he has also instructed that no victory processions or rallies be held anywhere.
Accordingly, BNP organised special prayers at mosques nationwide and refrained from celebrating with rallies or victory processions.
It is noteworthy that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its allies have won 212 seats in the 13th National Parliamentary Election. Jamaat-e-Islami and its allies have secured 77 seats.