Bangladesh goes to election on Jan 5

Bangladesh will go to general elections on Jan 5, the CEC announced in a televised address Monday as the Awami League and the BNP fight over the format of a polls-time government.

The roadmap to 2014 election came amid the Opposition’s threats to ‘cripple’ the country once the polls plan was announced.

Dec 2 is the last date for submission of nomination and the papers will be screened on Dec 5-6.

Candidature can be withdrawn by Dec 13.

The BNP rejected the schedule and along with its 18-Party allies, it will enforce Bangladesh-wide blockades of road, rail and water transports for 48 hours starting from 6am Tuesday.

The Opposition has also asked that the schedule be put on hold until a political deal is reached with the Awami League and its partners.

The EC’s move has been welcomed by ruling Awami League, which was asking the BNP to join the recently formed ‘all-party’ interim government to oversee the polls.

Violence had rocks parts of the country including the capital after the electoral schedule was announced and before the Opposition could announce its rejection. Two people were killed in Dhaka and Comilla.

Though arson and crude bomb explosions marked the roadmap’s announcement, the ruling party’s leaders and activists led by MPs took out processions welcoming it.

In his recorded speech, Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad urged all the political parties to contest the 10th parliamentary election.

There will be no lacking on the EC’s part in holding an election, results of which all Bangladeshis will believe in, he said.

“I would like to assure all personally that we will do everything necessary to conduct a free, fair and impartial election.”

Referring to the amended electoral code of conduct, Ahmad said, important persons entitled to government facilities would not be allowed to enjoy government facilities during election campaign.

“The code will be strictly enforced to level the playing field for the contestants,” Ahmad said in a bid to woo the Opposition.

He said the army will be deployed during the balloting alongside regular security agencies.

Calling out troops was one of the demands raised by the Opposition that has been agitating for a non-party interim government’s oversight for the crucial voting.

Assuring the general voters, he said his team would do everything to make them feel secure.

At the beginning of his speech, the CEC said the commission could not wait anymore for reconciliation between the two opposing coalitions because of the constitutional obligations.

"We had been waiting for a political understanding. But we are running out of time and hence, I am going to announce schedule for the parliamentary elections.”

He said the people wanted an election to take place and hoped all the registered parties would not ignore the people’s expectation.

Then he announced that the general elections will take place on Jan 5, 19 days before the Jan 24 constitutional deadline.

The past Election Commission had thrice changed its schedule for the BNP before the ninth parliamentary election in 2008.

Troops patrol streets during the 2008 national polls

Voters make a beeline during the 2008 national polls

The schedule was also changed several times for the Awami League ahead of the 2007 election which was eventually forestalled.

Ministers and MPs cannot campaign for votes while enjoying government privileges now as the amended Code of Conduct would be ‘strictly enforced’, CEC Ahmad said.

"I want to categorically say that no leniency will be shown in applying the Election Code of Conduct. It won't see who holds what post.”

"What will be taken into account is his or her violation of the Election Code of Conduct and stern measures will be taken."

The previous Code of Conduct had been made in keeping with the one of the non-party caretaker government, Ahmed, a former Secretary, said.

"So, some changes have been made to the Code of Conduct to ensure a level-playing field for all in the election, bringing the interim Prime Minister, Opposition Leader, Ministers and other privileged government functionaries under some sanctions in the run-up to the election.”

As per the code, the Prime Minister, Opposition Leader and other ministers cannot be part of any campaign with government facilities in place, but they will get due protection.

The CEC said no MPs can attend meetings of the managing committees of educational institutions before the election. Nor can they provide money from any authorised fund or funds that fall under their jurisdiction.

They even cannot use any government facilities, including vehicles, during election canvassing.

Outlining the roadmap to the parliamentary polls, electoral laws and aspects of the electoral code of conduct, Ahmad called on all political parties to accept the code and make all leaders and activists honour it.

"I remind everyone that no deviation from the Code of Conduct will be tolerated."

Troops had been called out in all the previous national elections in the country. However, elections to local government bodies and by-polls were held without army deployment, which was strongly demanded by the Opposition, during the Awami League-led administration.

The BNP has been demanding troops deployment ‘in the interest of fair elections’. And the CEC on Monday announced that the army will be deployed during the national polls.

“Conducting polls in 300 constituencies across the country in one day is very tough. The number of voters is also huge. That’s why we have decided to deploy everyone’s favourite and trusted armed forces across the country alongside the VDP, Ansar, police, RAB, BGB and Coastguard during the 10th parliamentary election.”

EC officials said over 500,000 members of different forces were needed to maintain law and order in the 300 constituencies.

During the previous parliamentary election held in 2008, around 50,000 members of the armed forces were called out.

The CEC mentioned their conducting 645 elections successfully and hoped they could do the same in case of the big one.

At least 70 Returning Officers and 600 Assistant Returning Officers will be appointed to 300 constituencies across the country. This time too, Deputy Commissioners of the districts will act as Returning Officers and Upazila Executive Officers as Assistant Returning Officers.

A total of 37,711 voting centres, 189,053 polling booths and 665,359 polling officers will be ready to serve over 90.19 million voters.

Sheikh Hasina casts her vote during 2008 national polls

Khaleda Zia flashes a V-sign at a polling centre in the 2008 elections

Rakibuddin Ahmad urged the officials and employees to carry out their election duties without fear. “There is a call for repaying the debt to the country. Perform your duty absolutely neutrally and fearlessly and in accordance with the law.”

He appealed to the voters to choose their representatives for the next Parliament based on their own judgement. “It is not just their constitutional right; it is their duty and responsibility,” he said.

“Ensure your rights by exercising your franchise…Make your judgement. Do your national duty without fear.”

Ahmad promised measures to ensure the voters’ safety.

He hoped that with everyone’s help the EC would be able to give the nation a peaceful, fair and credible election.

Polls at a glance

The register puts the voters at 91,946,290, of whom 46,123,318 are male and 45,842,972 female.

The number of voters during the ninth parliamentary polls was over 80.10 million.

There will likely be a total of 37,711 voting centres and 189,053 polling booths across the country. The EC will issue a gazette regarding the centres 25 days before the day of balloting.

As many as 66 Returning Officers and 577 Assistant Returning Officers will be on duty at 300 constituencies over 64 districts.

Each voting centre will have a presiding officer and one assistant presiding officer and two polling officers for every polling booth. Over 600,000 polling officers will be at the ready.

The Election Commission has nearly Tk 5 billion budget to conduct the parliamentary elections.

Maintaining law and order will cost it three times the total cost of organising the elections.