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Treason Case Against Tarique Rahman Dismissed

Tarique Rahman: 'Beliefs Are Personal, but the State Belongs to Everyone'

Tarique Rahman, the Acting Chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), emphasized in a recent statement that “One’s political affiliation, belief, or religion is personal, but the state belongs to all, and everyone has the right to security.” Rahman shared the message on his verified Facebook page during the Durga Puja festivities, posting a photograph of people from different religious communities. In a reflection on the core ideals of Bangladesh’s Liberation War, Rahman noted, “The essence of the Liberation War was rooted in equality, human dignity, and social justice. Irrespective of religion, ethnicity, or ideology, the freedom fighters sacrificed countless lives so that every citizen could freely enjoy their religious, political, cultural, and social rights. During that time, distinctions between Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, or Christian were irrelevant.” Rahman elaborated on the BNP’s political vision, stressing the importance of equal rights for all citizens. “Our policy is simple: every citizen of this country will enjoy equal rights and freedom. We believe that one’s political affiliation, belief, or religion is a personal matter, but the state is a shared entity, where security is a universal right. Whether Bengali or non-Bengali, believer or non-believer, reformist or traditionalist, our common identity is as Bangladeshis. This country belongs to all of us.” He also rejected the idea of dividing people into religious or ethnic majorities and minorities, asserting that such distinctions have no place in a free and independent Bangladesh. Durga Puja, the most significant festival for Bangladesh’s Hindu community, is being observed under unusual circumstances this year. In the wake of devastating floods, many within the community have opted to scale back the celebrations, diverting funds toward flood relief efforts. However, isolated incidents of vandalism have occurred, with reports of idols being damaged in some areas. In Sujanagar, Pabna, a member of the Awami League’s youth wing, Jubo League, was arrested in connection with the destruction of a Durga idol.

Students to form new 'political party' within a month

Ziaul Ahsan in 8 days remand

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Pro-Raushan leaders announce Raushan as Japa Chairman

AL to finalise candidates for reserved seats

The ruling party Awami League (AL) has called a meeting of the Nomination Board on Wednesday (February 14) to finalise candidates for reserved women's seats in the 12th parliament. In a press release, Biplob Barua, AL Office Secretary, said that the meeting will start at 12pm at Gonobhaban under the chairmanship of party chief Sheikh Hasina. Awami League is expected to secure 48 seats based on its own and with its independents' support while the Jatiya Party will have two seats. The ruling party (AL) sold 1,549 nomination forms for its 48 reserved women's seats and generated about Tk7.74 crore from the sale of the forms until Thursday (Jan 13).

AL nominates candidates for reserved seats

Bangladesh Awami League (AL) has finalised 48 candidates for the 50 reserved women's seats in the 12th National Parliament. AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader announced the names on Wednesday (Feb 14) afternoon. The AL-nominated candidates are: Draupadi Devi Agarwala from Thakurgaon, Ashika Sultana from Nilphamari, Rezia Islam from Panchagarh, Rokeya Sultana from Joypurhat, Kohli Quddus from Natore, Zara Jabin Mahmood from Chapainawabganj, Runu Reza from Khulna, Farida Akter Banu from Bagerhat, Mst Farzana Sumi from Barguna, Khaleda Bahar Beauty from Bhola, Naznin Nahar Rashid from Patuakhali, Farida Yesmin from Narsingdi, Umme Farzana Sattar from Mymensigh, Nadia Bente Amin from Netrakona, Mahfuza Sultana from Joypurhat, Parveen Zaman from Jhenaidah, Aroma Dutta from Cumilla, Laila Parveen from Satkhira, Begum Monnujan Sufian from Khulna, Bedhura Ahmed Salam from Goplaganj, Shabnam Jahan, Parul Akter and Sabera Begum from Dhaka, Shammi Ahmed from Barishal, Naheed Ezaher Khan from Dhaka, Jharna Hasan from Faridpur, Fazilatun Nesa for Munshiganj, Shahida Tareque Dipti, Anima Mukti Gomes and Sheikh Anar Kali Putul from Dhaka, Masuda Siddique Rozi from Narsingdi, Tarana Halim and Begum Shamsun Nahar from Tangail, Meher Afroze from Gazipur, Aparajita Haque from Tangail, Hasina Bari Chowdhury from Dhaka, Nazma Akter from Gopalganj, Ruma Chakrabarti from Sylhet, Faridun Nahar Laily and Ashrafun Necha from Lakshmipur, Kanon Ara Begum from Noakhali, Shamima Harun from Chattogram, Farida Khanam from Noakhali, Dilwara Yusuf and Waseqa Ayesha Khan from Chattogram, Sanjida Khanam from Dhaka, Nasima Jaman Bobi from Rangpur and Joroti Tanchangya from Rangamati.

Upazila elections to begin in last week of April: EC

Election Commissioner Mohammad Alamgir has said the upazila elections will begin in the country in phases in the last week of April and continue until the last week of May. He disclosed this information at the Election Commission office at Agargaon in the capital on Tuesday (Jan 23) . “The elections may be held by using EVM or ballot. Even, the elections can be held with the coordination of EVM or ballot,” he said. Regarding the mode of conducting elections, Commissioner Alamgir remained uncertain about whether electronic voting machines (EVM) or traditional ballot papers would be used. He said, "The elections may use EVM or ballot. We are considering both options, and the decision might involve a combination of EVM and ballot."

Jatiyo Party says its elected MPs will take oath

The Jatiyo Party will join the swearing-in ceremony for the MPs-elect on Wednesday (Jan 10) in a change of heart from an earlier decision to skip taking oath with others. "Elected MPs of Jatiyo Party will hold a meeting on Thursday to decide their next course of action regarding taking oath," JP joint office secretary Mahmud Alam said in a statement on Tuesday. Mahmud also said a meeting called for Thursday, as informed by Secretary General Mujibul Haque Chunnu, was cancelled. Chunnu earlier said their MPs-elect would not take oath on Wednesday. He said they would discuss the matter and take a decision in Thursday’s meeting.

New cabinet to take oath on Thursday

A newly formed cabinet will be sworn in at Bangabhaban on Thursday (Jan 11) following the ruling Awami League’s landslide victory in the 12th general election. President Mohammed Shahabuddin will administer the oath to the prime minister and her cabinet colleagues at 7pm. Cabinet Division Secretary will moderate the oath taking ceremony. Awami League Sheikh Hasina is set to become prime minister for the fourth consecutive term. The candidates who emerged victorious in Sunday's general election are set to take the oath of office on Wednesday (Jan 10).

AL gets 222 seats, independent candidates 62 out of 298 seats

The Awami League (AL) has won 222 seats out of 298 in yesterday's 12th parliamentary election, said Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal. The CEC revealed this information at a media briefing at Election Commission (EC) media centre here in the city. Kazi Habibul Awal informed that out of 300 constituencies, polls to one constituency- Naogaon-2 were postponed following the death of a candidate. EC will announce the result of another constituency, Mymensingh-3, later as polling of one centre was withheld, he mentioned. The polls of the one centre of Mymensingh-3 will be held on January 13, he added. After the AL, he said, independent candidates were the most successful in the January 7 election, winning 62 seats. However, he informed, Jatiya Party won 11 seats while Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, Bangladesh Workers Party and Bangladesh Kalyan Party won one seat each. He also informed that a total of 41.8 percent vote was cast in the national election. Kazi Habibul Awal said the voting in 12th Jatiya Sangsad election was comparatively peaceful. Source: BSS

41.8% voter turnout in 12th JS polls: CEC

41.8 percent of voters exercised their franchise in the just-concluded parliamentary polls in Bangladesh, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal has said. “Anyone doubting the information can challenge it. We challenge critics (who don’t believe this number) to come up with evidence to back up their claim,” he told reporters at the Election Commission office in Agargaon in Dhaka on Monday (January 8). Habibul Awal also said that the Japanese observation team has praised the elections. He said they initially released a turnout number based on information received until 2pm. However, analysing the final results of 298 centres showed the turnout to be 41.8 percent. CEC told reporters on Sunday that 40 percent of votes were cast across the country. He said journalists collected information in 299 constituencies. There was no serious violence. A candidate's candidature was cancelled before the end of the election. There were reports of arson in some polling stations. "Two of our polling officers died of cardiac arrest while on duty," he added. The Awami League secured the majority in the elections, bagging 224 seats out of 299. Among the rest are 62 independent candidates, 11 from the Jatiya Party, and a candidate from another party. Apart from this, due to the death of a candidate in Naogaon-2 constituency, voting was held in 299 constituencies. However, the polling of Mymensingh-3 (Gouripur) constituency was closed on Sunday (January 7) afternoon due to irregularities and clashes. Hence, the result of the seat is pending.