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CEC Warns Against Election Violence, Stresses Fairness in Training Program
The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), Kazi Habibul Awal, emphatically stated today that any form of violence during elections is unacceptable, as it induces panic among the populace. Speaking at the inauguration of a training program for judicial magistrates at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the city, the CEC underscored the importance of resisting violent activities during polls. A total of 650 judicial magistrates participated in the training session in preparation for the upcoming 12th Parliament Election scheduled for January 7.
The CEC acknowledged the international dimension of the impending election and emphasized the necessity of ensuring a free and fair electoral process. While acknowledging the possibility of minor incidents of violence during polls, he cautioned that any activities exceeding acceptable limits must be actively resisted. With 43,000 polling centers set for voting, the Election Commission (EC) bears a significant responsibility, and the CEC highlighted the constitutional provision allowing the EC to receive manpower as required.
Addressing the boycott by a political faction and their activities against the polls, the CEC warned that if violent actions or attempts to obstruct voters arise, the EC will take necessary steps. The CEC reiterated that the EC’s primary role is to organize elections for selecting parliament members, emphasizing the potential risks of an undemocratic government if elections are not held.
Responding to the notion of election deferment, the CEC clarified that the EC lacks the authority to postpone the election. The event was presided over by EC Secretary Md Jahangir Alam, with the presence of Election Commissioners Brigadier General (retired) Md Ahsan Habib Khan, Begum Rasheda Sultana, and Law and Justice Division Secretary of the Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs Ministry Md Golam Sarwar, among others.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecasted light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty winds at most places across the Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions. Some areas may experience moderately heavy to very heavy rainfall, according to their latest weather bulletin released on Thursday.
Day and night temperatures are expected to remain nearly unchanged across the country.
The highest rainfall in the country over the past 24 hours was recorded in Kumarkhali, with 104mm of rain by 6 a.m. on Thursday.
The axis of the monsoon trough extends from India’s Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal to Assam, passing through Bangladesh, with one of its associated troughs stretching into the North Bay of Bengal.
The monsoon remains active over Bangladesh and moderate to strong over the North Bay region.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecasted that the mild heat wave currently affecting parts of the country, including the capital, is expected to subside in most areas within the next 24 hours, starting from 9 am today.
“A mild heat wave is sweeping across the divisions of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, and Sylhet, as well as the districts of Jashore, Chuadanga, and Kushtia. It is likely to ease in most regions,” the department reported.
In addition, BMD predicted light to moderate rainfall or thundershowers, accompanied by temporary gusty winds, across most of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions. Some areas are expected to experience moderate to very heavy rainfall.
Temperatures across the country may drop by 1-2 degrees Celsius during both day and night.
On Monday, Dinajpur in the Rangpur division recorded the country’s highest temperature at 38.6°C, while Bandarban in the Chattogram division saw the lowest temperature at 24.6°C early today.
Meanwhile, rainfall recorded in the past 24 hours, ending at 6 am today, reached 66 mm in Nikli of Dhaka Division.
The sunset in Dhaka is at 5:53 pm today, and sunrise is expected at 5:49 am tomorrow.
Two separate murder cases were filed today in connection with the deaths of a private service holder and a Madrasa student during the anti-discrimination student movement.
The first case was lodged by Ridwan Ahmed with Panchlaish police station, accusing former ministers Dr. Hasan Mahmud, Barrister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Naufel, and 127 others for the death of his nephew Sujan, 14. Sujan, the son of Belal Hossain from Beramara village in Noakhali’s Sadar Thana, was a student at Al Jamirul Hayat Madrasa in the city’s Chandgaon area. He was fatally shot in the Muradpur area on July 18.
The second case was filed by Jamal Uddin at Doublemooring police station, accusing 225 individuals, including Dr. Hasan Mahmud and Education Minister Barrister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Naufel, for the killing of his elder brother Alam, a private service holder, on August 5.
