Bangladesh goes to the 12th national parliamentary election today (Sunday) amid much enthusiasm and festivity. Crores of people are set to cast their votes in the general election today, January 7, to elect a new government.
The balloting will begin at 8am and continue till 4pm without any break at 261,912 polling booths in 42,024 voting centres across the country. A total of 11,96,89,289 voters will vote to elect 299 members of parliament out of 300 as the Election Commission (EC) earlier postponed the elections to Naogaon-2 due to independent candidate Aminul Islam's death. A total of 1,970 candidates, including 1,534 from 28 political parties and 436 independents, are vying in the general election. Of the candidates, 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 the polls.
The EC has already completed all preparations to hold the elections in a free, fair and peaceful manner across the country. A peaceful atmosphere for polls is prevailing in the country.
Securities of all the voters will be ensured at any cost on the day of balloting.
The EC and local administrations have been working relentlessly so that the voters can return to their respective residences safely after casting their votes.
People are set to cast their
votes in the general election
today, January 7, to elect
a new government
Majority people opined that the voters will consider various positive issues of the present government including dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and achievements in development in last 15 years. Securities of all the voters will be ensured at any cost the during the voting.
A five-tier security measures has been arranged to make the election free, fair and credible.
Election commission and local administration have already taken fool-proof security measures to ensure security of the voters. A large number of the members of RAB, police and Ansar have been deployed. Besides, members of Army and BGB are now acting as striking force to help the civil administration and the election commission.
Contestants for the Sunday’s 12th national election concluded their three-week hectic campaign on Friday midnight with huge showdowns. When people of Bangladesh are eagerly preparing for a festive national election, a horrifying act of arson took place on Friday night, when the Benapole Express train was set on fire by miscreants at Gopibagh in the capital Dhaka just a day before the election.
At least five people, including two children, were killed and several others injured in the train fire. We express profound shock and sorrow at the casualties in the fire in four compartments of the train.
The timing of this tragedy, just a day before the election shows an absolute intention to hinder the festivity, safety and security of the democratic processes of the country. This act of setting a train on fire, with people burning inside is characteristic of the pattern of violence that we have witnessed before as well.