Nation goes to polls today sans BNP, allies

Anisur Rahman and Al Mamun Harun Ur Rashid :
The 12th parliamentary election is set to take place today amid an atmosphere charged with apprehension and intimidation, primarily stemming from the volatile conditions of pre-poll violence and the imposition of opposition’s hartal.

The electoral landscape has already been marred by a lopsided scenario, with major opposition parties, led by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), boycotting the poll, which has demoralised the voters to cast votes in the intraparty election, political party leaders said.

Meanwhile, international organisations, including the United Nations and the United States, are closely monitoring the electoral proceedings as Bangladesh election has become the centre of eyes for the major world actors including Russia, China and India.

The US has already taken a firm stance by imposing visa restrictions on individuals deemed potential threats to the democratic process.

Their collective aim is to witness a free, fair, and peaceful election, allowing voters to make their choices without fear or intimidation.

However, the election environment has already been marred by incidents of pre-poll violence, raising concerns about potential deterrents to voters heading to polling centers.

The BNP has actively called upon voters to abstain from participating, citing a perceived one-sided nature of the election conducted by the government and the Election Commission.

Many voters have expressed reluctance to go to the polling centers, asserting that the election outcome is already evident due to the absence of BNP and other opposition parties from the poll.

Talking to these correspondents a rickshaw puller Mukul Mia in the capital said, “I could not cast vote for the last 15 years in my area in Pirganj, Rangpur. Without the opposition, the result is clear.”

An egg seller in Taltola in the capital preferring anonymity said, “I would go to the polling centre at Halim Foundation to cast votes. I have no intention to cast vote under this government. But if I don’t go there I may face trouble to run my business.”

Meanwhile, some candidates from different political parties which filed their nominations have also boycotted the poll in the last several days.

Even the Awami League supported opposition Jatiya Party led by its Chairman GM Quader who has fielded 26 candidates from his party are in doubt about the fairness of the election.

When all other parties are apprehensive of free and fair election and the low turnout of voters, the ruling party Awami League is upbeat for the election.

Amid this scenario, the general election, according to the Election Commission, would be held in 299 constituencies out of 300 as the polling in Naogaon-2 constituency was postponed due to the death of an independent candidate Aminul Islam.

EC sources said that a total of 11,96,89,289 voters, including 6,76,09,741 male, 5,89,18,699 female and 849 transgender, will vote beginning from 8am to 4pm without any break.

The balloting will be held at 261,912 polling booths in 42,024 voting centres across the country.

The ballot papers and other polling materials, including stamp pads, official seals, marking seals, were being sent to offices of the Returning Officers before the distribution among various centres.

For the first time the ballot papers and other materials were sent to the centres in the morning of the polling day but 2,964 remotest centres received the ballots on Saturday morning.

A total of 1,970 candidates, including 1,534 from 28 political parties and 436 independents, are contesting the parliamentary election.

Of the contestants, 266 from the ruling Awami League (AL), 265 from Jatiya Party (JaPa), 135 from Trinomul BNP, 66 from Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JASAD), 122 from National People’s Party (NPP), 13 from Jatiya Party (JP) and 10 from Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh are contesting in the polls.

A total of 90 female candidates, including from political parties and independents, and 79 from ethnic minority and other groups are vying in the polls.

In order to maintain a peaceful environment for the voters, law enforcement agencies have strategically deployed a requisite number of personnel nationwide to ensure the safety of voters during their journey to polling centers, enabling them to cast their votes and return home securely.

Approximately 800,000 members from various law enforcement agencies are involved in this crucial task to maintain overall security throughout the country during the election.

This includes 182,091 personnel from the police and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), 1,155 platoons from the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), 505,788 members from Ansar and VDP, and Coast Guard personnel.

Since Wednesday, armed forces personnel have been deployed across the nation to collaborate with local civil administrations, ensuring the general election unfolds in a free, fair, and peaceful manner.

The Army is actively engaged in duties across 62 districts, while Navy personnel have been stationed in two coastal districts – Bhola and Barguna – as well as 19 upazilas under the banner of “In Aid to the Civil Power.”

Additionally, Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) members are providing support to voting centers in remote hilly areas using helicopters.

The deployment of law enforcement agencies and armed forces will persist until January 10, with the primary objective of maintaining peace and controlling law and order before, during, and after the voting day.

In an extra layer of precaution, specialised BGB Dog Squads trained in handling explosive materials are operational in various areas nationwide to address any potential violent activities.

The Fire Service and Civil Defence have established a central monitoring and coordination cell to address incidents such as fires and violent activities during the parliamentary elections across the country.

Engaging a workforce of eight lakh polling officials, with an additional 100,000 on standby, and supported by 3,000 executive and judicial magistrates, the elections are under the supervision of 66 returning officers (ROs), including two divisional commissioners and 64 deputy commissioners (DCs).

Their combined efforts contribute to the smooth and secure conduct of the polls.

According to EC, a total of 20,773 observers, including 2,000 from different countries across the globe, are monitoring the elections. The election observers also included media personnel.

The EC has introduced an app named ‘Smart Election Management BD’ to provide latest updates related to polls every two hours.

Meanwhile, the EC has imposed a 24-hour ban on the plying of taxicabs, pickup vans, microbuses and trucks starting from midnight on Saturday in preparation for tomorrow’s polls.

Besides, a 72-hour ban on motorcycle movement has also been imposed from midnight on Friday till midnight on Monday. But the motorcycles having EC pass will remain out of the purview of this restriction.

Earlier the government and the Election Commission have tried their best to coax the foreign diplomats with the assurances for holding a free and fair election.