AL-led alliance posts landslide victory

The Awami League and its allies contesting with boat symbol won 259 seats out of 293 in the 11th parliamentary elections held yesterday by and large peacefully barring some stray incidents of violence that left 14 people killed and over 60 injured. Jatiya Party, a major component in the AL-led Grand Alliance which contested in some constituencies outside the alliance with its party symbol plough, got a total of 22 seats, putting the tally for the Grand Alliance at 281.

The BNP-led Jatiya Oikyafront won just six seats while others including independent candidates came victorious in six, according to unofficial results of 293 constituencies out of 299 announced till filing of this report at 2:30am today.

The landslide victory for the Grand Alliance means incumbent Prime Minister and AL President Sheikh Hasina is going to form government for the third consecutive term.

Oikyafront, which has faced a massive setback, rejected the results and demanded reelection under a caretaker government at the earliest.

Oikyafront top leaders, in a press briefing in the capital around 8pm yesterday, said the election was nothing but a mockery as their agents were not “allowed to enter most of the polling centres across the country”.  

The Awami League (AL), on the other hand, said the voting was held peacefully except some isolated incidents and the voters gave a befitting reply to BNP for their alliance with war criminals and communal forces.

The elections were held in 299 constituencies out of 300 as voting in Gaibandha-3 constituency was rescheduled for January 27 following the death of a candidate there.

It was a public holiday allowing voters to cast their ballots. The total number of voters was 10,42,38,677 -- 5,25,72,365 male and 5,16,66,312 female. The polling took place at 2,07,312 booths of 40,183 centres across the country.

The polling started at 8am and continued till 4pm in a peaceful manner barring the stray incidents of violence that left three people killed in Chattogram, two each in Rajshahi and Cumilla, and one each in Noakhali, Natore, Rangamati, Cox’s Bazar, Narsingdi, Bogura and Brahmanbaria.

At least 60 people were also injured and eight arrested during the troubles.

More than 50 BNP and independent candidates boycotted the election halfway, alleging rigging and other irregularities.

A team of The Independent’s correspondents in Dhaka, including Anisur Rahman Khan, Deepak Acharjee, Rafiqul Islam Azad, Harun Ur Rashid, Muhammad Yeasin, Abu Jakir, Saugato Bosu and Md Habibulla, and our district correspondents across the country visited several hundred polling centres.

While visiting a centre at Uttara in the capital, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda told journalists that the elections were held peacefully except some isolated incidents.

In reply to a query, he said he has nothing to do if agents of the BNP do not come to the centres. Election commissioner Mahbub Talukder, while casting his vote at a centre of Mogbazar in the capital, was asked by journalists about the voting environment.  

“Ask yourself, you will get the answer. Ask those who are conducting the elections,” he replied.

“I am receiving allegations about elections. Even I did not see any agent of the opposition at my own centre. I don’t know why they did not come,” he said. There was huge enthusiasm among voters where electronic voting machines (EVMs) were used.

Election Commission (EC) secretary Helal Uddin Ahmed told the media yesterday that polling at 22 polling centres was suspended for various irregularities.

In Mirpur, Nikunja, Uttara, Fayedabad, Uttar and Dakkhin Khan areas, voters expressed satisfaction over casting of ballots in a peaceful environment.

However, no polling agents, except those of the Awami League, were found in many voting centres.

In Mirpur Ideal School and College, Nikunja Model College, Uttara High School and College, Azampur Govt Primary School, Uttara Rajuk College, Uttara Girls High School and College, Fayedabad Govt Primary School, Lovely Lotus High School, Jamiya Islamia Gaoyar Madrasa and Etim Khana and the Kuril Primary School polling centres in the capital there was a little presence of voters until midday.

“Polling is being held in a peaceful environment. I have to cast my vote according to my own wish, as no one has interrupted me,” Harun-or Rashid, a voter of Uttara Sector-6, said. He also said he did not see any agent except the one of the "boat" symbol. Another voter of the same area, Sabiha Sabrina, said she was happy to cast her vote freely.

“I have not been barred by anyone from casting my vote. The voting environment is peaceful,” she added.

However, many voters alleged that they failed to cast their votes as their national identity numbers didn’t match with that on the polling officer’s list provided by the EC.

Talking to The Independent, some BNP leaders claimed that Awami League activists did not allow agents of the BNP and Oikyafront to enter polling centres.

But presiding officers of different polling centres said they did not see any BNP-Oikyafront agents at their polling centres, and nobody had ousted them from the polling centres.

In some polling centres, The Independent correspondents saw that there were some booths of the BNP-Oikyafront outside the polling centres and they were distributing voter-slips to voters and requesting them to vote for the "sheaf of paddy".

During a visit to a centre of Matuail Union Parishad in Dhaka-5, presiding officer Md Asaduzzaman said he did not see any agent of the BNP-Oikyafront at his centre. He said he did not know why BNP-Oikyafront agents were not present.

He said agents of the "nouka" and "aam" (mango) were working at the polling centre from the morning. Presiding officer of the Matuail Adarsha High School polling centre, Abdul Hannan, also said that he had not seen any agent of the BNP-Oikyafront.

Our Staff Reporter from Chattogram writes: At least three people were killed in poll violence in Chattogram.

Two were killed in Patiya upazila and one was killed at Banshkhali upazila in Chattogram.

Abu Sadek, 16, son of Abul Kashem, a student and supporter of the Islami Chhatra Shibir, was killed when a clash erupted among BNP, Awami League and Islami Oikyafront candidate supporters at the South Maliyara Government Primary School polling centre of Chattogram-12 constituency. A Juba League activist, Dil Mohammad, 35, son of Md Yousuf of Gurun Khaine village in Kusumpur union of Patiya was killed by a rival group around 10pm on Saturday.

An activist of the Jatiya Party, Ahmed Kabir, 55, was killed at the Boroitali Government Primary School polling centre of Banshkhali during a clash with the police, said Jatiya Party sources.

When Contacted, Afruzul Haque Tutul, Additional Superintendent of Police of Chattogram district, said: “Three people were killed in Chattogram. At Patiya, a student was killed when a clash erupted between BNP and AL supporters. A Juba League activist was killed in Patiya on Saturday night and another was killed in Banshkhali."

Our Rajshahi correspondent reports: At least two persons were killed and 22 injured in election violence.

Merajul Islam, 30, son of the late Abdus Sattar and an Awami League supporter, was killed in a clash between BNP and AL men at the Pakuria Government High School centre in Jahanabad union of Mohanpur upazila. The clash took place over capturing of a polling centre of Rajshahi-3 constituency at 11am, said Rajshahi Superintendent of Police, Shahidullah.

Besides, Modasser Ali, 40, organising secretary of the Awami League No. 8 ward in Panchandar union of Tanore upazila, was killed in a clash between BNP and Awami League men over capturing of the Mohammadpur High School polling station of Rajshahi-1 constituency, said officer-in-charge Rezaul Islam of Tanore police station.

In Cumilla, two persons were killed in Chandina and Nangolkot. Bachchu Mia, 35, a resident of Sundial village in Nangalkot upazila, was killed in a clash between supporters of the AL and BNP in the morning, said district police special branch sub-inspector Mahbub Morshed.

Besides, a rickshaw-puller, Muzibur Rahman, 35, son of Sujat Ali of Muradnagar village in the upazila, was killed in a clash between Awami League and BNP men at Paschim Belashwar village in Chandian upazila.

Our Noakhali Correspondent writes: An Ansar was killed at a centre in Tularam in Begumganj upazila in Noakhali-3 constituency when Jamaat-Shibir men fired bullets. The killed Ansar was Nur Nabi, 28.

On the other hand, three people, including a Juba League man and a presiding officer, were injured at the Krisnapur Shah Alam Primary School centre in Noakhali-2 when miscreants hurled crude bombs at them. The miscreants looted all ballot boxes and ballot papers and set them on fire.

In another incident, six people, including the presiding officer, were injured at the Naterswar Dakhil Madrasa when miscreants tried to snatch ballot boxes and ballot papers.

In Rangamati, Bashir Uddin, general secretary of the Kashkhali union unit of the Jubo League, was killed in an attack allegedly by BNP activists at Kashkhali union of Kaukhali upazila in the morning.

In Natore,  an Awami League supporter, Hussain Ali, was stabbed to death by his nephew Ratan Fakir following an altercation over casting of vote at Samskholsi village in Naldanga upazila.

In Narsingdi, an Awami League polling agent, Milon Miah, 35, was allegedly slain by supporters of opposition (independent) candidate at the Kundarpara Primary School centre of Shibpur of the Narsingdi-3 constituency around 12:30pm, said Abul Kalam Azad, officer-in-charge of Shibpur police station.

In Bogura, Awami League activist Azizul Islam, 30, was killed and five others were injured in a clash between AL and BNP activists at Bagil polling station in Kahalu upazila, around 11:3am over capturing of a polling station, said Paikor Union Parishad chairman Mitu Chowdhury.

In Brahmanbaria, Israil, 19, son of Sayedul Islam of Rajghar in Sadar upazila, was shot dead and 3 others suffered bullet wounds "in police firing" during a clash between supporters of the AL and BNP at the Rajghar Govt Primary School polling centre.

In Cox’s Bazar, Abdullah Al Faruque, 25, son of Abul Kalam of Rajakhali union in Pekua, was killed in a clash between BNP and AL men at the Rajakhali Govt Primary School polling station of the Cox’s Bazar-1 constituency around 10am, said police.

AL-led alliance posts landslide victory

The Awami League and its allies contesting with boat symbol won 259 seats out of 293 in the 11th parliamentary elections held yesterday by and large peacefully barring some stray incidents of violence that left 14 people killed and over 60 injured. Jatiya Party, a major component in the AL-led Grand Alliance which contested in some constituencies outside the alliance with its party symbol plough, got a total of 22 seats, putting the tally for the Grand Alliance at 281. The BNP-led Jatiya Oikyafront won just six seats while others including independent candidates came victorious in six, according to unofficial results of 293 constituencies out of 299 announced till filing of this report at 2:30am today. The landslide victory for the Grand Alliance means incumbent Prime Minister and AL President Sheikh Hasina is going to form government for the third consecutive term. Oikyafront, which has faced a massive setback, rejected the results and demanded reelection under a caretaker government at the earliest. Oikyafront top leaders, in a press briefing in the capital around 8pm yesterday, said the election was nothing but a mockery as their agents were not allowed to enter most of the polling centres across the country. The Awami League (AL), on the other hand, said the voting was held peacefully except some isolated incidents and the voters gave a befitting reply to BNP for their alliance with war criminals and communal forces. The elections were held in 299 constituencies out of 300 as voting in Gaibandha-3 constituency was rescheduled for January 27 following the death of a candidate there. It was a public holiday allowing voters to cast their ballots. The total number of voters was 10,42,38,677 -- 5,25,72,365 male and 5,16,66,312 female. The polling took place at 2,07,312 booths of 40,183 centres across the country. The polling started at 8am and continued till 4pm in a peaceful manner barring the stray incidents of violence that left three people killed in Chattogram, two each in Rajshahi and Cumilla, and one each in Noakhali, Natore, Rangamati, Coxs Bazar, Narsingdi, Bogura and Brahmanbaria. At least 60 people were also injured and eight arrested during the troubles. More than 50 BNP and independent candidates boycotted the election halfway, alleging rigging and other irregularities. A team of The Independents correspondents in Dhaka, including Anisur Rahman Khan, Deepak Acharjee, Rafiqul Islam Azad, Harun Ur Rashid, Muhammad Yeasin, Abu Jakir, Saugato Bosu and Md Habibulla, and our district correspondents across the country visited several hundred polling centres. While visiting a centre at Uttara in the capital, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda told journalists that the elections were held peacefully except some isolated incidents. In reply to a query, he said he has nothing to do if agents of the BNP do not come to the centres. Election commissioner Mahbub Talukder, while casting his vote at a centre of Mogbazar in the capital, was asked by journalists about the voting environment. Ask yourself, you will get the answer. Ask those who are conducting the elections, he replied. I am receiving allegations about elections. Even I did not see any agent of the opposition at my own centre. I dont know why they did not come, he said. There was huge enthusiasm among voters where electronic voting machines (EVMs) were used. Election Commission (EC) secretary Helal Uddin Ahmed told the media yesterday that polling at 22 polling centres was suspended for various irregularities. In Mirpur, Nikunja, Uttara, Fayedabad, Uttar and Dakkhin Khan areas, voters expressed satisfaction over casting of ballots in a peaceful environment. However, no polling agents, except those of the Awami League, were found in many voting centres. In Mirpur Ideal School and College, Nikunja Model College, Uttara High School and College, Azampur Govt Primary School, Uttara Rajuk College, Uttara Girls High School and College, Fayedabad Govt Primary School, Lovely Lotus High School, Jamiya Islamia Gaoyar Madrasa and Etim Khana and the Kuril Primary School polling centres in the capital there was a little presence of voters until midday. Polling is being held in a peaceful environment. I have to cast my vote according to my own wish, as no one has interrupted me, Harun-or Rashid, a voter of Uttara Sector-6, said. He also said he did not see any agent except the one of the boat symbol. Another voter of the same area, Sabiha Sabrina, said she was happy to cast her vote freely. I have not been barred by anyone from casting my vote. The voting environment is peaceful, she added. However, many voters alleged that they failed to cast their votes as their national identity numbers didnt match with that on the polling officers list provided by the EC. Talking to The Independent, some BNP leaders claimed that Awami League activists did not allow agents of the BNP and Oikyafront to enter polling centres. But presiding officers of different polling centres said they did not see any BNP-Oikyafront agents at their polling centres, and nobody had ousted them from the polling centres. In some polling centres, The Independent correspondents saw that there were some booths of the BNP-Oikyafront outside the polling centres and they were distributing voter-slips to voters and requesting them to vote for the sheaf of paddy. During a visit to a centre of Matuail Union Parishad in Dhaka-5, presiding officer Md Asaduzzaman said he did not see any agent of the BNP-Oikyafront at his centre. He said he did not know why BNP-Oikyafront agents were not present. He said agents of the nouka and aam (mango) were working at the polling centre from the morning. Presiding officer of the Matuail Adarsha High School polling centre, Abdul Hannan, also said that he had not seen any agent of the BNP-Oikyafront. Our Staff Reporter from Chattogram writes: At least three people were killed in poll violence in Chattogram. Two were killed in Patiya upazila and one was killed at Banshkhali upazila in Chattogram. Abu Sadek, 16, son of Abul Kashem, a student and supporter of the Islami Chhatra Shibir, was killed when a clash erupted among BNP, Awami League and Islami Oikyafront candidate supporters at the South Maliyara Government Primary School polling centre of Chattogram-12 constituency. A Juba League activist, Dil Mohammad, 35, son of Md Yousuf of Gurun Khaine village in Kusumpur union of Patiya was killed by a rival group around 10pm on Saturday. An activist of the Jatiya Party, Ahmed Kabir, 55, was killed at the Boroitali Government Primary School polling centre of Banshkhali during a clash with the police, said Jatiya Party sources. When Contacted, Afruzul Haque Tutul, Additional Superintendent of Police of Chattogram district, said: Three people were killed in Chattogram. At Patiya, a student was killed when a clash erupted between BNP and AL supporters. A Juba League activist was killed in Patiya on Saturday night and another was killed in Banshkhali. Our Rajshahi correspondent reports: At least two persons were killed and 22 injured in election violence. Merajul Islam, 30, son of the late Abdus Sattar and an Awami League supporter, was killed in a clash between BNP and AL men at the Pakuria Government High School centre in Jahanabad union of Mohanpur upazila. The clash took place over capturing of a polling centre of Rajshahi-3 constituency at 11am, said Rajshahi Superintendent of Police, Shahidullah. Besides, Modasser Ali, 40, organising secretary of the Awami League No. 8 ward in Panchandar union of Tanore upazila, was killed in a clash between BNP and Awami League men over capturing of the Mohammadpur High School polling station of Rajshahi-1 constituency, said officer-in-charge Rezaul Islam of Tanore police station. In Cumilla, two persons were killed in Chandina and Nangolkot. Bachchu Mia, 35, a resident of Sundial village in Nangalkot upazila, was killed in a clash between supporters of the AL and BNP in the morning, said district police special branch sub-inspector Mahbub Morshed. Besides, a rickshaw-puller, Muzibur Rahman, 35, son of Sujat Ali of Muradnagar village in the upazila, was killed in a clash between Awami League and BNP men at Paschim Belashwar village in Chandian upazila. Our Noakhali Correspondent writes: An Ansar was killed at a centre in Tularam in Begumganj upazila in Noakhali-3 constituency when Jamaat-Shibir men fired bullets. The killed Ansar was Nur Nabi, 28. On the other hand, three people, including a Juba League man and a presiding officer, were injured at the Krisnapur Shah Alam Primary School centre in Noakhali-2 when miscreants hurled crude bombs at them. The miscreants looted all ballot boxes and ballot papers and set them on fire. In another incident, six people, including the presiding officer, were injured at the Naterswar Dakhil Madrasa when miscreants tried to snatch ballot boxes and ballot papers. In Rangamati, Bashir Uddin, general secretary of the Kashkhali union unit of the Jubo League, was killed in an attack allegedly by BNP activists at Kashkhali union of Kaukhali upazila in the morning. In Natore, an Awami League supporter, Hussain Ali, was stabbed to death by his nephew Ratan Fakir following an altercation over casting of vote at Samskholsi village in Naldanga upazila. In Narsingdi, an Awami League polling agent, Milon Miah, 35, was allegedly slain by supporters of opposition (independent) candidate at the Kundarpara Primary School centre of Shibpur of the Narsingdi-3 constituency around 12:30pm, said Abul Kalam Azad, officer-in-charge of Shibpur police station. In Bogura, Awami League activist Azizul Islam, 30, was killed and five others were injured in a clash between AL and BNP activists at Bagil polling station in Kahalu upazila, around 11:3am over capturing of a polling station, said Paikor Union Parishad chairman Mitu Chowdhury. In Brahmanbaria, Israil, 19, son of Sayedul Islam of Rajghar in Sadar upazila, was shot dead and 3 others suffered bullet wounds in police firing during a clash between supporters of the AL and BNP at the Rajghar Govt Primary School polling centre. In Coxs Bazar, Abdullah Al Faruque, 25, son of Abul Kalam of Rajakhali union in Pekua, was killed in a clash between BNP and AL men at the Rajakhali Govt Primary School polling station of the Coxs Bazar-1 constituency around 10am, said police.