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EC Working Towards National Elections, Not Local Ones
Rtv News
31 Dec 2024, 16:33
Photo: Collected
The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), A M M Nasir Uddin has stated that the Election Commission (EC) is working with a focus on national elections rather than local ones.
Speaking to journalists on Tuesday (December 31) after a discussion meeting with election officials at the Cumilla Regional Election Office, the CEC shared this information.
Nasir Uddin mentioned, "From the very beginning, major political parties have been demanding national parliamentary elections. They have not emphasized local government elections. Hence, we are preparing for the national parliamentary elections instead of local government ones. We hope to complete the voter list by March 2. After necessary updates and corrections, the finalized voter list will be published. We are committed to delivering a free and fair election to the nation."
The CEC further stated that the election schedule has not yet been set by the commission. Preparations are being made following the Chief Adviser’s statement. However, it will become clearer when the elections will take place once the commission receives reports from various reform committees, including the Election Commission Reform Committee.
The Chief Election Commissioner, A M M Nasir Uddin, attended a meeting regarding the voter list update and preparations for the 13th National Parliamentary Elections. This meeting involved the regional election officer at the Cumilla Regional Election Office, covering Cumilla, Noakhali, Chandpur, Lakshmipur, Feni, and Brahmanbaria districts. The discussions included preparations for updating the voter list and other related matters with senior district election officers, additional district election officers, and upazila election officers.
The meeting was chaired by Cumilla Regional Election Officer Md. Dulal Talukder.
CEC's personal secretary Md. Ashraful Alam; Deputy Project Director (Database) of the Election Commission Secretariat, Major Md. Mamunur Rashid; and other election officials working in the Cumilla region at both the district and upazila levels were also present at the meeting.
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Bottled Soybean Oil Suddenly Disappears in the Capital!
For several days, bottled soybean oil has been scarce in markets across the capital. The crisis has now intensified, with almost 90% of 1- and 2-liter bottles vanishing from shelves, leaving consumers frustrated.
Retailers report receiving only 10% of the required supply. Except for a few companies, most brands of bottled soybean oil are unavailable in the market, and the supply of the available brands is insufficient. The shortage is especially severe for 1- and 2-liter bottles.
Noman, a grocery store owner in Karwan Bazar, said, “For two weeks, I haven’t received bottled soybean oil in the quantities I need. This is affecting the sale of other goods as well. Companies and dealers are deliberately creating this situation to hike prices.”
Tofayel, a consumer looking for oil, shared, “I went to several stores but couldn’t find bottled soybean oil. Even where it’s available, they’re not selling it. I’m being forced to buy loose soybean oil at higher prices.”
Importers and distributors argue that the global market price hike has led to reduced supply. According to them, international prices have risen by 10 to 13 taka per liter, and imports have decreased by about 20% compared to demand.
Mohammad Khalilur Rahman Sajal, Executive Director of the Consumers Association, said, “Despite receiving tax reductions and other benefits, the suppliers have not lowered prices; instead, they’ve cut supply.”
He warned, “If the Ministry of Commerce doesn’t act now, the situation could become even more uncomfortable during the upcoming Ramadan.”
It’s worth noting that in October, the government reduced duties and taxes on the import of soybean and palm oil twice. Typically, lowering taxes on a product increases imports and reduces prices. However, instead of prices falling, the opposite trend has been observed in the domestic market.
Fire at a Packaging Factory in Chattogram
A fire broke out at a packaging factory in the Chattogram Export Processing Zone (CEPZ). Seven units of the Fire Service are working to control the blaze.
The incident occurred on Saturday evening (December 7). The cause of the fire and the extent of the damage are not yet known.
Senior Station Officer Md Shahadat Hossain of the CEPZ Fire Station confirmed the matter.
He stated that upon receiving the report, seven units were immediately deployed to extinguish the fire.
Series of Explosions at Myanmar Border Sparks Panic in Teknaf
The border area of Teknaf in Cox’s Bazar is rattled by repeated explosions from Myanmar's Rakhine State, particularly Maungdaw Township. Deafening blasts have left residents of Teknaf municipality, its central area, Sabrang, and Shah Porir Island sleepless at night.
On Saturday (December 7), explosions were heard continuously from 4 a.m. to 11 a.m. Local residents in Teknaf reported that the powerful blasts from Myanmar caused their homes to shake. Fear-stricken, many spent the cold nights outdoors, unable to sleep.
For over a year, Myanmar's junta forces and the Arakan Army have been engaged in fierce battles. Most of Rakhine State, especially areas close to Teknaf, is now under the control of the Arakan Army. In its desperate attempts to reclaim lost territories, the junta has launched continuous airstrikes. On the ground, several armed Rohingya groups are fighting against the Arakan Army on behalf of the junta.
Residents near the Bangladesh-Myanmar border reported hearing loud explosions throughout Thursday evening until late Friday night. During this time, aircraft were seen circling Myanmar's airspace. It is believed that bombs are being dropped from planes targeting Arakan Army positions in Maungdaw. The presence of fighter jets in Myanmar's airspace was visible from Teknaf municipality, Sabrang Union, and Shah Porir Island.
Sabrang Union Parishad Chairman Noor Hossain confirmed that the sounds of explosions were coming from the southern villages of Maungdaw. The loud blasts from mortar shells and grenade attacks have been shaking houses on this side of the border, leaving locals sleepless.
According to border residents, areas like Ukil Para, Foyez Para, Sikdar Para, Hari Para, and Fatangza in southern Maungdaw have been at the center of fighting for over a year. Most of Rakhine State is now controlled by the Arakan Army. Myanmar's military is conducting air raids while armed Rohingya groups engage in ground battles against the Arakan Army.
Mohammad Sharif, a member of Sabrang Union Parishad’s Ward No. 5, and Abdus Salam, a member of Ward No. 9 of Shah Porir Island, said the loud explosions from across the border have left the people of Teknaf in a state of panic.
2 Women Killed at Late Night House Fire in Moulvibazar
A fire broke out at the residence of Sheikh Rumel Ahmed, a former Union Parishad chairman and Jubo League leader in Moulvibazar.
During the incident, his mother and aunt, who were inside the house, died from suffocation.
The incident occurred at around 3 am on Sunday (December 8) in Mostafapur village, Moulvibazar. Later, the fire service brought the fire under control.
The deceased were Sheikh Rumel Ahmed's mother Meherunnesa (70), and aunt Fulessa Begum (65).
According to Moulvibazar Fire Service Station Officer Jishu Talukdar, upon receiving news of the fire, they arrived at the scene and found Meherunnesa and Fulessa Begum unconscious from the smoke. They were taken to Moulvibazar Hospital, where doctors declared them dead.
He also stated that the duplex house was decorated with various types of board materials. The fire originated from the sitting room. Initial investigations suggest that the fire may have been caused by an electrical short circuit.
College Student Commits Suicide in Narsingdi After Writing a Note
Miftahul Hasan Pratik (18), a college student ended his life by hanging himself in a hostel in Narsingdi. He was a 12th-grade student at Abdul Kadir Molla City College.
On Tuesday (December 10) around 4:30 pm, his body was recovered from a room at "City House," a private student hostel in the Basail area of Narsingdi town.
Miftahul Hasan Pratik lived in the hostel to pursue his studies. He hailed from Mahmudul Hasan Sohag of Dhobaura Upazila in Mymensingh district.
Before his death, Pratik left a note:
"Samia, I couldn't keep my promise to you. You gave me enough priority. Study well, follow your family's wishes, and go far in life."
The assistant hostel superintendent of City House Nadimul Islam said that after college hours, Pratik's roommates found the room locked and called out to him. Receiving no response, they tried to peer inside through a gap in the door and saw Pratik hanging. The students then informed others, broke the doo,r and entered the room. His friends rushed him to the district hospital where the duty doctor declared him dead.
Abdul Kadir Molla City College's acting principal Md Herem Ullah Ahshan said, "Pratik lived with his friends in a private hostel outside the college. After hearing about the incident, I went to the hostel. There I found a handwritten suicide note and a balloon with a girl's name written on it."
The superintendent of Narsingdi District Hospital Dr ANM Mizanur Rahman said, "A student named Miftahul Hasan Pratik was brought to the hospital dead. There were black marks on his neck. Initially, it seems to be a case of hanging. The exact cause of death will be known after an autopsy."
Narsingdi Additional Superintendent of Police Md Kalimullah stated that police have visited the spot. "The body has been sent to the Narsingdi Sadar Hospital morgue for an autopsy. It seems to be a suicide, but we are investigating. "The actual facts will be revealed after the investigation and the autopsy," he added.
Attempts to contact Md Emdadul Haque, Officer-in-Charge of Sadar Model Police Station over the phone were unsuccessful as he did not answer the calls.
Panchagarh Shivers as Temperature Drops to 9°C
The northern district of Panchagarh is shivering at the lowest temperature. The dense fog combined with biting cold has left the entire region in distress. With the intense chill and freezing winds, the temperature has dropped to 9°C.
On Friday (13 December) at 6:00 am, the temperature at the Tetulia Weather Observation Center in the district was recorded at 9°C. Previously, on Thursday at 9:00 am, the temperature in this district was recorded at 12.6°C.
The Meteorological Department states that when the temperature ranges between 8.1 and 10°C, it is classified as a mild cold wave. According to this definition, a mild cold wave is currently sweeping over Panchagarh.
Jitendra Nath, the in-charge of the Tetulia Weather Observatory, said, "The temperature has dropped to 9°C. At 6:00 am today, it was recorded at 9°C. This is classified as a mild cold wave. Although the sun was visible through the fog in the morning, the northern region continues to shiver under the cold wave accompanied by chilly winds."
