Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Awami League President Sheikh Hasina and her party for landslide victory in the 11th parliamentary election. According to Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the Indian Prime Minister conveyed his greetings over telephone on Monday. Hasina-led Awami League has won 259 seats in the election held on Sunday. Awami League is now going to form government for the third consecutive term. MHK

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has issued a set of directives to celebrate the 31st night on the eve of the English New Year in a safe and peaceful manner. In the directives, the DMP requested the city dwellers not to engage in any activities such as illicit conducts, blasting crackers, rash driving or create any obstacle on the road in the name of celebration of the 31st night. It also imposed a ban on holding open air programs at intersections, roads, flyovers, and rooftops to prevent any kind of apprehension of sliding the law and order. As per the directives, no outside vehicles as well as outsiders will be allowed to enter Dhaka University (DU) after 6pm today. Vehicles of the teachers and residents of Dhaka University will be allowed to enter the DU campus through Nilkhet and Shahbagh crossings. The DMP authority has also discouraged outsiders to enter Gulshan, Banani, and Baridhara areas after 6pm today. “We will provide all possible security to ensure peaceful and smooth celebrations of Christmas and [December] 31st night,” said DMP Commissioner Md. Asaduzzaman Mia after a meeting on security and traffic management. Elaborating on the security arrangement for Christmas Day, he said, “No one will be allowed to enter any of the 68 churches in the DMP area without going through metal detectors and proper search.” Regarding security arrangement for December 31st night, Asaduzzaman said, “The government has already imposed a ban on December 31 celebrations. Holding any kind of programme in open places, even at rooftops, has been strictly prohibited.” “All bars will be closed from the night of December 30; holding of ‘DJ parties’ are also forbidden,” he said, adding that no one will be allowed to enter the Dhaka University area without identity cards. Source: BSS. AH

Sheikh Hasina, Awami League President and daughter of father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, is set to take charge as Prime Minister of Bangladesh for the fourth time. She is going to form a new government after the landslide victory in the eleventh parliamentary elections held on Sunday. As a result, Sheikh Hasina will be the prime minister for the fourth time and for three times consecutively. Hasina will be first fourth time Prime Minister of Bangladesh. On June 23 in 1996, Hasina took office as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh for the first time. Under her dynamic leadership, Bangladesh Awami League achieved win in the parliamentary elections with a big margin held on June 12 of that year. The 9th parliamentary elections were organized on December 29 in 2008. In the election, Bangladesh Awami League-led grand alliance got absolute majority and on January 6, 2009, Sheikh Hasina took the charge of Prime Minister for the second time. After the Awami League's absolute victory in the general elections held on January 5, 2014, Sheikh Hasina took oath as the Prime Minister of the People's Republic of Bangladesh for the third time on January 12. MHK

Ruling Awami League (AL) has got absolute majority in the 11th national elections to retain power for the third consecutive term. Out of 299 seats, the results were announced for 298. Of these, the Awami League won 259 constituencies. Meanwhile, Jatiya Party (JP) won in 20 constituencies, Independent candidates three, Workers Party (WP) three and Jatiya Samajtanrtik Dal (JSD) and Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh won two seats each. Besides, Bangladesh Tariqat Federation and Jatiya Party (Manju) won one seat each. The opposition alliance, Jatiya Oikyafront, won seven seats, of which BNP won five seats and Gono Forum won two seats. Voting for the 11th parliamentary elections began at 8am and continued till 4pm without any break on Sunday. The seats won by Awami League candidates are given below: Panchagarh-1 Mazharul Haque Pradan, Panchagarh-1 Nurul Islam Sujon, Thakurgaon-1, Ramesh Chandra Sen, Thakurgaon-2, Dabirul Islam, Dinajpur-1, Manoranjan Shil Gopal, Dinajpur-2 Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury, Dinajpur-3 Iqbalur Rahim, Dinajpur-4 Abul Hasan Mahmud Chowdhury, Dinajpur-5 Mostafizur Rahman Fizar, Dinajpur-6 Shibli Sadik, Nilphamari-1 Aftab Uddin Sarkar, Nilphamari-2 Asaduzzaman Noor, Lalmonirhat-1 Motahar Hossain, Lalmonirhat-2 Nuruzzaman Ahmed, Rangpur-2 Ahsanul Haque Chowdhury, Rangpur-4 Tipu Munshi, Rangpur-5 HN Ashiqur Rahman, Rangpur-6 Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, Kurigram-1 Saifur Rahman Rana, Kurigram-3 Akkach Ali Sarkar, Kurigram-4 Zakir Hossain, Gaibandha-2 Mahabub Ara Begum Gini, Gaibandha-4 Monwar Hossain Chowdhury, Gaibandha-5 Fazle Rabbi Miah, Joypurhat-1 Shamsul Alam Dudu, Joypurhat-2 Abu Sayeed Al Mahmud Swapan, Bogra-1 Abdul Mannan, Bogra-5 Habibur Rahman, Chapainawabganj-1 Samil Uddin, Naogaon-1 Sadhan Chandra Majumder, Naogaon-2 Shahiduzzaman Sarkar, Naogaon-3 Selim Uddin Tarafdar, Naogaon-4 Imazuddin Pramanik, Naogaon-5 Nizam Uddin Jalil, Naogaon-6 Israfil Alam, Rajshahi-1 Omar Faruk Chowdhury, Rajshahi-3 Ain Uddin, Rajshahi-4 Enamul Haque, Rajshahi-5 Mansur Rahman, Rajshahi-6 Shahriar Alam, Natore-1 Shahidul Islam Bakul, Natore-2 Shafiqul Islam Shimul, Natore-3 Junaid Ahmed Palak, Natore-4 Abdul Kuddus, Sirajganj-1 Mohammad Nasim, Sirajganj-2 Habibey Millat, Sirajganj-3 Abdul Aziz, Sirajganj-4 Tanvir Imam, Sirajganj-5 Abdul Momin Mondol, Sirajganj-6 Hasibur Rahman Swapan, Pabna-1 Shamsul Haque Tuku, Pabna-2 Ahmed Firoz Kabir, Pabna-3 Mokbul Hossain, Pabna-4 Shamsur Rahman Sharif, Pabna-5 Golam Faruk Khandaker Prince, Meherpur-1 Farhad Hossain, Meherpur-2 Md Shahiduzzaman, Kushtia-1 AKM Sarwar Jahan, Kushtia-2 Hasanul Haq Inu, Kushtia-3 Mahbub-Ul-Alam Hanif, Kushtia-4 Selim Altaf George, Chuadanga-1 Solaiman Huq Zoarder Salon, Chuadanga-2 Ali Asgar, Jhenaidah-1 Abdul Hai, Jhenaidah-2 Tahjib Alam Siddiqui, Jhenaidah-3 Shafiqul Azam Khan, Jhenaidah-4 Anwarul Azim Aner, Jessore-1 Sheikh Afil Uddin, Jessore-2 Nasir Uddin, Jessore-3 Kazi Nabil Ahmed, Jessore-4 Ranajit Kumar Roy, Jessore-5 Swapan Bhattacharya, Jessore-6 Ismat Ara Sadek, Magura-1 Saifuzzaman Shekhor, Magura-2 Dr Biren Shikder, Narail-1 Kabirul Haque, Narail-2 Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, Bagerhat-1 Sheikh Helal Uddin, Bagerhat-2 Sheikh Tonmoy, Bagerhat-3 Habibun Nahar, Bagerhat-4 Mozammel Hossain, Khulna-1 Panchanan Biswas, Khulna-2 Sheikh Salahuddin Jewel, Khulna-3 Munnujan Sufian, Khulna-4 Abdus Salam Murshedi, Khulna-5 Narayan Chandra Chanda, Khulna-6 Akteruzzaman Babu, Satkhira-2 Mir Mustaq Ahmed Robi, Satkhira-3 AFM Ruhul Haque, Satkhira-4 SM Jaglul Haider, Barguna-1 Dhirendra Chandra Debnath, Barguna-2 Shawkat Hasanur Rahman Rimon, Patuakhali-1 Shahjahan Mia, Patuakhali-2 ASM Firoz, Patuakhali-3 SM Shahjada, Patuakhali-4 Muhibur Rahman, Bhola-1 Tofail Ahmed, Bhola-2 Ali Azam, Bhola-3 Nurunnabi Chowdhury, Bhola-4 Abdullah Al-Islam Jacob, Barisal-1 Abul Hasanat Abdullah, Barisal-2 Shah Alam, Barisal-4 Pankaj Nath, Barisal-5 Zahid Farooq, Jhalokathi-1 Bazlul Haq Harun, Jhalakathi-2 Amir Hossain Amu, Pirojpur-1 SM Rezaul Karim, Tangail-1 Abdur Razzak, Tangail-2 Tanvir Hasan, Tangail-3 Ataur Rahman Khan, Tangail-4 Hasan Imam Khan, Tangail-5 Sanuar Hossain, Tangail-6, Ahsalun Islam Titu, Tangail-7 Ekabbar Hossain, Tangail-8 Zohaherul Islam, Jamalpur-1 Abul Kalam Azad, Jamalpur-2 Faridul Haque Khan Dulal, Jamalpur-3 Mirza Azam, Jamalpur-4 Murad Hasan, Jamalpur-5 Mozaffar Hossain, Sherpur-1 Atiur Rahman Atique, Sherpur-2 Matia Chowdhury, Sherpur-3 AKM Fazlul Haque, Mymensingh-1 Jewel Arang, Mymensingh-2 Sharif Ahmed, Mymensingh-3 Nazimuddin Ahmed, Mymensingh-4 Rawsan Ershad, Mymensingh-5 KM Khalid, Mymensingh-6 Moslem Uddin, Mymensing-7 Ruhul Amin Madani, Mymensingh-9 Anwarul Abedin Khan, Mymensingh-10 Fahmi Golandaz Babel, Mymensingh-11 Kazimuddin Ahmed, Netrokona-1 Manu Majumder, Netrokona-2 Ashraf Ali Khan Khasru, Netrokona-3 Asim Kumar Ukil, Netrokona-4 Rebeka Momin, Netrokona-5 Warasat Hossain Belal, Kishoreganj-1 Syed Ashraful Islam, Kishoreganj-2 Noor Mohammad, Kishoreganj-4 Rezwan Ahmad Tawfiq, Kishoreganj-5 Afzal Hossain, Kishoreganj-6 Nazmul Hassan, Manikganj-1 Naimur Rahman Durjoy, Manikganj-2 Momtaj Begum, Manikganj-3 Zahid Malik Swapan, Munshiganj-2 Sagufta Yasmin Emily, Munshiganj-3 Mrinal Kanti Das, Dhaka-1 Salman F Rahman, Dhaka-2 Kamrul Islam, Dhaka-3 Nasrul Hamid, Dhaka-5 Habibur Rahman Mollah, Dhaka-7 Md Selim, Dhaka-9 Saber Hossain Chowdhury, Dhaka-10 Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, Dhaka-11 AKM Rahmatullah, Dhaka-12 Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, Dhaka-13 Sadek Khan, Dhaka-14 Aslamul Haque, Dhaka-15 Kamal Ahmed Majumder, Dhaka-16 Elias Uddin Mollah, Dhaka-17 Akbar Hossain Pathan Faruk, Dhaka-18 Sahara Khatun, Dhaka-19 Enamur Rahman, Dhaka-20 Benazir Ahmed. Gazipur-1 AKM Mozammel Haque, Gazipur-2 Zahid Ahsan Russell, Gazipur-3 Iqbal Hossain Sabuj, Gazipur-4 Simin Hossain Rimi, Gazipur-5 Meher Afroz Chumki, Narsingdi-1 Nazrul Islam, Narsingdi-2 Anwarul Ashraf Khan, Narsingdi-3 Zahirul Haque Bhuiyan Mohan, Narsingdi-4 Nurul Mazid Mahmud Humayun, Narsingdi-5 Razi Uddin Ahmed, Narayanganj-1 Golam Dastagir Gazi, Narayanganj-2 Nazrul Islam Babu, Narayanganj-4 AKM Shamim Osman, Rajbari-1 Kazi Keramat Ali, Rajbari-2 Zillul Hakim, Faridpur-1 Manzur Hossain, Faridpur-2 Sajeda Chowdhury, Faridpur-3 Khandakar Mosharraf Hossain, Gopalganj-1 Faruk Khan, Gopalganj-2 Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, Gopalganj-3 Sheikh Hasina, Madaripur-1 Noor-e-Alam Chowdhury Liton, Madaripur-2 Shahjahan Khan, Madaripur-3 Abdus Sobhan Golap, Shariatpur-1 Iqbal Hossain Apu, Shariatpur-2 AKM Enamul Haque Shamim, Shariatpur-3 Nahim Razzak, Sunamganj-1 Moazzem Hossain Ratan, Sunamganj-2 Jaya Sengupta, Sunamganj-3 MA Mannan, Sunamganj-5 Muhibur Rahman Manik, Sylhet-1 AK Abdul Momen, Sylhet-3 Mahmud-Us-Samad Chowdhury, Sylhet-4 Imran Ahmad, Sylhet-5, Hafiz Ahmed Majumder, Sylhet-6, Nurul Islam Nahid, Moulvibazar-1 Shahab Uddin, Moulvibazar-3 Nesar Ahmed, Moulvibazar-4 Abdus Shahid, Habiganj-1 Gazi Mohammad Shahnawaz, Habiganj-2 Abdul Mazid Khan, Habiganj-3 Abu Jahir, Habiganj-4 Mahbub Ali, Brahmanbaria-1 Badrudduza Farhad Hossain Sangram, Brahmanbaria-3 AM Ubaidul Moktadir Chowdhury, Brahmanbaria-4 Anisul Haque, Brahmanbaria-5 Ebadul Karim Bulbul, Brahmanbaria-6 ABM Tajul Islam, Comilla-1 Subid Ali Bhuiyan, Comilla-2 Selima Ahmed Marry, Comilla-3 Yusuf Abdullah Haroon, Comilla-4 Raji Mohammad Fakhrul, Comilla-5 Abdul Matin Khasru, Comilla-6 AKM Bahar Uddin, Comilla-7 Ali Ashraf, Comilla-8 Nasimul Alam Chowdhury, Comilla-9 Tajul Islam, Comilla-10 AHM Mustafa Kamal, Comilla-11 Mujibul Haque, Chandpur-1 Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir, Chandpur-2 Nurul Amin, Chandpur-3 Dr. Dipu Moni, Chandpur-4 Shafiqur Rahman, Chandpur-5 Rafiqul Islam, Feni-2 Nizam Uddin Hazari, Noakhali-1 HM Ibrahim, Noakhali-2 Morshed Alam, Noakhali-3 Mamunur Rashid Kiran, Noakhali-4 Ekramul Karim Chowdhury, Noakhali-5 Obaidul Quader, Noakhali-6 Ayesha Ferdous, Laxmipur-1 Anwar Hossain Khan, Laxmipur-3 AKM Shahjahan Kamal, Chittagong-1 Engineer Mosharraf Hossain, Chittagong-3 Mahfuzur Rahman Mita, Chittagong-4 Didarul Alam, Chittagong-6 ABM Fazle Karim Chowdhury, Chittagong-7 Hasan Mahmud, Chittagong-8 Moin Uddin Khan Badal, Chittagong-9 Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel, Chittagong-10 Afsarul Amin, Chittagong-11 M Abdul Latif, Chittagong-12 Shamsul Haque Chowdhury, Chittagong-13, Saifuzzaman Chowdhury, Chittagong-14 Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, Chittagong-15 Abu Reza Muhammad Nezamuddin Nadvi, Chittagong-16 Mostafizur Rahman Chowdhury, Cox's Bazar-1 Jafar Alam, Cox's Bazar-2 Ashek Ullah Rafiq, Cox's Bazar-3 Saimum Sarwar Kamal, Cox's Bazar-4 Shahina Akhter, Kujendra Lal Tripura of Khagrachari, Bir Bahadur U Shwe Sing of Bandarban. MHK

The counting of votes in Bangladesh’s 11th General Elections is underway. The voting started at 8am and ended at 4pm on Sunday to elect 299 members of parliament out of 300. At least 16 people were killed in poll-related violence across the country. Voters were seen in the queue at polling centres in the morning ignoring the winter’s cold to cast their votes. For the first time, the EC took votes using Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) at all polling booths in six constituencies - Dhaka-6 and 13, Chattogram-9, Rangpur-3, Khulna-2 and Satkhira-2. Voters expressed satisfaction after casting their votes through EVM. Some 45 candidates boycotted casting votes alleging vote rigging. Oikyafront top leader Dr Kamal Hossain said that they found no information from any vote centres where the poll was held freely and fairly. Oikyafront spokesman and BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir raised allegations of vote rigging. Denying Oikyafront’s allegation, Awami League claimed that the voting was held fairly and freely across the country except some isolated incidents of violence. Three hours after starting the voting, Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda said the polling is being held peacefully, fairly without some stray incidents of violence. In compliance with new electoral rules, a total of 39 registered political parties contested the polls. About 608,000 members of law enforcement agencies, 66 returning officers, are performing their responsibilities to conduct the election across the country. A total of 4,0183 presiding officers, 20, 7,312 assistant presiding officers and 4,14,624 polling officers were appointed for conducting the election while about 1,328 executive magistrates were deployed and 640 judicial magistrates were assigned to work in 122 electoral inquiry committees during the polls. MHK