National
CEC Reports 40% Voter Turnout, Potential for Change
The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal has informed that approximately 40% of the votes have been cast in the 12th Jatiya Sangsad election, surpassing the levels seen in the 2014 and 2018 polls. However, he mentioned that this percentage is subject to change, either increasing or decreasing.
Speaking at a press briefing on Sunday (January 7th) afternoon at the Election Bhaban, the CEC stated, “In the morning, we observed a peaceful situation. Later, information from various sources indicated no serious incidents of violence. Despite this, we have taken precautions and carried out arrests, handling cases. Unfortunately, two election officials have died due to heart attacks. We extend our condolences to their families.”
Regarding fatalities during the election, the CEC assured that no incidents of violence resulting in death had occurred. He acknowledged some complaints, particularly about tampering with ballot seals, and assured that the monitoring cell was addressing these issues promptly. The CEC reported that one candidate’s nomination had been canceled at the last moment.
He clarified that the final percentage has not been determined yet, but the data received indicates a 40% voter turnout. He added, “Entries have been made based on the available information, accounting for 40%. It may increase or decrease.”
The CEC mentioned efforts by a major political party to discourage voting, resulting in a slightly lower turnout in certain areas. Some ballots were invalidated in specific cases, and these would be excluded from the final count as they lacked proper seals or signatures.
Present at the briefing were Brigadier General Mohammad Ahsan Habib Khan (Retired), Begum Rashida Sultana, Mohammad Alomgir, Anisur Rahman, and EC Secretary Mohammad Jahangir Alam.
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.
