The New Nation - Internet Edition

Emergency to be lifted at appropriate time

Staff Reporter

The government and the military yesterday indicated that the state of emergency imposed 23 months back would be lifted before parliament elections rescheduled for December 29, as it is now a major demand of the major political parties.

Caretaker government's spokesman Adviser Dr Hossain Zillur said the emergency would be withdrawn on recommendation from the Election Commission at an "appropriate time".

Army Chief General Moeen U Ahmed also said yesterday they want elections to take place without emergency.

"That is what is going to happen, but it's my request to allow some time required to create the condition suitable for lifting it," he said, after the two rival political camps announced their conditional participation in the long-stalled polls activities.

The general made the remarks in response to a request made by FBCCI president Annisul Huq at a reception accorded to him by the business community for the contribution of Bangladesh Armed Forces to the nation.

General Moeen said he would submit a special request to the heads of the state and the government to lift emergency before the election.

A softened stance over the lifting of the emergency emerged in the wake of tremendous pressure from big political parties and persistent opinion from the international community, including the UN, the USA and the EU countries, favouring the holding of the general election without emergency in place.

Earlier, UN secretary-general Ban ki-Moon, who came here recently, preferred the withdrawal of emergency rules to ensure free, fair and transparent elections. A high-level UN panel now on election-assessment mission yesterday expressed the hope that the emergency would be gone before the polls.

EU Head of the Delegation Ambassador Stephan Frowein said they are not happy with election under the emergency although they decided to deploy full election-observation mission.

Awami League president Sheikh Hasina and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, the two former rulers and political rivals, expressed their strong reservation against the emergency. Khaleda Zia on Monday night made a precondition that the emergency rules must go to allow her party and alliance to participate in the December 29 elections.

The past three parliament elections were held under nonparty caretaker governments without the state of emergency. Political parties find no reason to keep the emergency in force for holding the election.

Political analysts say political parties, people and press will feel comfortable if the state of emergency is lifted ahead of the parliament elections.

However, analysts say the parties must pledge not to indulge in any violence over the forthcoming polls and extend all cooperation to the caretaker government for fair and peaceful voting.

On January 11, 2007, President Professor Dr Iajuddin Ahmed declared the state of emergency to quell violence between Awami League-led and BNP-led alliances over an abortive election that was scheduled for January 22 that year.

Business leaders accord reception to Gen. Moeen: Pledge to request emergency lifting before polls

Army Chief General Moeen U Ahmed being presented a
crest at a reception accorded to him by the business leaders
at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in the
city on Tuesday. NN photo

Staff Reporter

Army Chief Gen Moeen U Ahmed yesterday said that the caretaker government will withdraw the state of emergency before national election scheduled for December 29.

"I would request the government and the chief of the government to lift emergency before the election," he said while speaking as chief guest at a reception accorded to him for the contribution of Bangladesh Armed Forces to the nation at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre.

"The emergency will be withdrawn before election. The government has plan to do this," Gen Moeen said.

He at the same hastened to add that it needs time to do that and everyone should have patience for it to happen.

"The Armed Forces have been working for nearly two years during

emergency on the directive of the President," the army chief said adding, "The Armed forces will go back to barrack when the President directs. Now it is time for them to go back to barrack."

He expressed his regret over the sufferings of the business community during anti -corruption drive and said that the drive was conducted in the greater interest of the nation.

"We have launched the anti corruption drive, but it is not complete as yet," he said and hoped that the next government will continue the drive.

He told the gathering that a staggering sum of money has been siphoned off outside the country.

Those who are now talking about the welfare of the nation are silent about the recovery of this huge amount, he added.

The army chief called upon business community neither to indulge in corruption nor support this scourge.

He said that armed forces have recovered more than Tk 12,00 crore black money during the anti-corruption drive and deposited it to Bangladesh Bank during the last two years.

Besides, they have recovered 30,664 hectares of land across the country from illegal possession, Gen Moeen said.

He recounted the role the armed forces activities and said that they have always come forward during disaster management.

"The Armed Forces will remain standby to serve the interest of the country. Bangladesh is my country, our country and it's the duty of all of us to protect our country," he said in an unequivocal term.

Council of Chamber Presidents (CCP), a forum of 64-district chamber presidents, organised the reception with its president Abul Kashem Ahmed in the chair . Former FBCCI presidents Abdul Awal Mintoo and Yussuf Abdullah Harun, MCCI president Latifur Rahman, BGMEA president Anwar-ul-Alam Chowdhury (Parvez) and BKMEA president Fazlul Haque , among others, spoke on the occasion. The incumbent FBCCI leaders and business leaders from 64 district chambers were present.

Appreciating the contribution of armed forces both at home and abroad, particularly during any crisis period of the country, FBCCI President Annisul Huq sought the army chief's support to lift the emergency as per the desire of the people.

"The withdrawal of the state of emergency before the national election will help the country move towards democratic process," he said.

He hoped that that the armed forces will respect the constitution of the country in the future as they did in the past and would never take over the state power.

Abdul Awal Mintoo said that the election is a must for achieving social and political stability and also creating congenial atmosphere for investment in the country.

Yussuf Abdullah Harun called upon the government to establish

infrastructures for accelerating economic progress in the country.

Anwar-ul-Alam Chowdhury suggested exploring markets through the government policy support for employment generation.

Fazlul Haque praised the armed forces for their role in improving the services of Chittagong port and the Chittagong Customs House.

BNP kick-starts electioneering : 1800 nomination forms sold on day one

BNP started selling of nomination forms among the
party contenders for parliamentary election at its Naya
Paltan central office on Tuesday. Banglar Chokh

Staff Reporter

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) started election related activities yesterday by selling nomination forms to potential candidates from its central office at Naya Paltan in the city.

Nearly eighteen hundred nomination papers were sold on the first day in a festive atmosphere.

Hundreds of willing candidates and their supporters crowded at the party central office to procure nomination forms. Most of the heavy weights of BNP have so far collected their nomination papers.

"But till yesterday none has collected nomination papers on behalf of Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and Secretary General Khandker Delwar Hossain," party sources said.

BNP Secretary General Khandker Delwar Hossain earlier announced that they were starting election activities on condition that government would make specific announcement to withdraw the emergency rule before the election.

The selling of nomination forms would continue today. Interview of the nomination seekers is scheduled to start the day after on 27 November.

Six booths have been opened at the central office of BNP for the six administrative divisions of the country.

Candidates intending to contest the forthcoming parliamentary elections have collected nomination papers and some of them also submitted it yesterday.

Most of the candidates are expecting to submit their nominations today, party sources said.

"Nomination forms for 263 Jatiya Sangsad seats were sold among the party contenders on Tuesday," Rizvi Ahmed, office secretary of the party told journalists at party's central office.

He said about 37 seats for parliamentary polls were allocated for components of the four-party alliance for the stalled January 22 election the last year.

BNP Secretary General Khandker Delwar Hossain told the journalists that candidates would get nominations from the party after evaluating their role before and after the changeover of 1/1.

Adequate numbers of policemen have been deployed in the surrounding area of the office.

Nomination papers were collected for Speaker Barrister Jamiruddin Sircar, M Saifur Rahman, former Finance Minister, Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Barrister Moudud Ahmed, former Law Minister, Brig Gen (Retd) ASM Hannan Shah, political adviser of party Chairperson, former army chief Lt Gen (Retd) Mahbubur Rahman, Chowdhury Tanveer Ahmed Siddiqui, RA Gani standing committee members, M Saiful Islam, former President of DCCI for Dhaka-17, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, former state minister for power among others till yesterday.

The candidates will have to pay a sum of Tk 1,000 each for collecting nomination papers and Tk 20,000 as non-refundable deposit at the time of submission of the nomination papers along with an affidavit duly filled in.

Seat sharing for JS polls: 14-party yet to reach consensus

Staff Reporter

Awami League (AL)-led 14 party alliance is yet to reach a consensus on the issue of seat sharing, as the allies are bargaining over getting more seats than they deserve, a party insider said.

The issue remains unsettled after a series of meetings of the alliance in presence of AL chief Sheikh Hasina, as most of the parties have resolved to secure as many seats as possible.

Due to the protracted bargaining, the relation of AL with its partners may get sour. Especially, AL will have to concede a large share of seats to two major partners, Jatiya Party and Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), party source said.

On the other hand, if AL relinquishes a large number of seats to the two parties, the nomination deprived local AL leaders may go for tougher movement programme. That's why the party has fallen in a dilemma over seat distribution.

AL has already finalised party's nomination for 300 constituencies. Some of the AL ticket holders will have to withdraw their nominations, in the event of alliance partners getting those seats. As a result, clashes may take place in different constituencies between supporters of the AL leaders and 14-party alliance nominees.

Party source said AL had nominated Aslamul Haque for Dhaka-14 and Asaduzzaman Khan for Dhaka-11. But for the interest of the alliance the party may have to sacrifice these two seats. Moreover, AL may sacrifice a seat of Mirpur area for Hasanul Haque Inu, president of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD).

Meanwhile, AL sat with Jatiya party last night to discuss seat sharing. According to the party sources JP proposed a list of 60 aspirants of the party to AL requesting to award them the tickets of the alliance to contest in the parliamentary polls. But AL will likely consider only 30 to 35 seats for JP.

Talking to the New Nation JP Presidium Member GM Kader said, " The process of settlement of the seat sharing is under process. It requires more inspection."

On this issue of seat sharing with JP, AL presidium member Begum Matia Chowdhury told the New Nation, " Discussion is going on. We want to award nomination after BNP finalises the nomination. Ershad is shouting for too many seats. We have to sacrifice a little for the sake of the alliance."

The AL and JP at a recent bilateral meeting had drawn up a regulation for seat distribution. The two party leaders reached a consensus that the alliance would award nomination to such candidate who is capable to clinch victory and on the basis of previous success record.

Talking to the New Nation a senior leader of Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) informed that the party has sent a list of 30 aspiring candidates to the AL president's office. The AL chief had assured them to allocate nearly 20 seats for the party.

However, a few days ago LDP president Col (Retd) Oli Ahmed in a meeting of Democratic Jubodal warned that he would contest in the election alone, if AL does not meet his demand properly.

Rashed Khan Menon, president of Workers' Party Bangladesh (WPB) informed this correspondent that a list of 39 aspirants has been given to the AL president. "We have also conveyed the message to the AL president for which seats we are giving priority," he added.

Talking to the New Nation Menon said, "As we have submitted the name of 39 persons, so our demand is for the same number of seats. AL has not assured us how many seats they will consider. It will be finalised after further discussions with us and other partners."

Talking to the New Nation, Hasanul Haque Inu said, " We have demanded 20 seats for contesting in the upcoming parliamentary election. Negotiation is going on to settle the issue."

Syed Jafar Sazzad of JSD said he had proposed the AL president to award 14 party nominations on the basis of efficient leadership and organising capability of the candidates.

EC code of conduct for media criticized

DU Correspondent

"Though there is confusion among different quarters about holding an acceptable election, we are working very sincerely to present the nation a fair and meaningful election. There is no flaw in our firmness, intention and confidence to steer the country towards democracy," said Education and Commerce Adviser Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman yesterday.

"Neither the government nor the EC is opposition to anyone. We are working tirelessly to hold an acceptable election", he added.

He was speaking at a seminar held at the Nabab Nowab Ali Chowdhury senate bhaban as chief guest.

He urged the media to look into the needs of the voters alongside highlighting the aspects of the candidates and politicians.

However speakers at the seminar on Tuesday expressed doubts whether a free and fair national election is possible keeping the mass media under chain as per the Election Commission code.

Criticising the Election Commission (EC) for initiating a code of conduct for media, the speakers said, it is unprecedented in a civilized state that the EC, not the press council, introduces media rules as per the recommendations of a foreign organisation.

They said a controlled election would be held if media were gagged, fair election will be held if media is free. Referring to the recent US presidential elections, they said, if media can circulate unofficial results of polls there, why the Bangladeshi media couldn't do the same.

They were addressing a seminar on `Democracy and Election: The Role of Mass Media', organised by Dhaka University Journalists' Association (DUJA) at the auditorium of Dhaka University Senate Building on Tuesday.

While DU Vice-Chancellor Prof SMA Faiz inaugurated it. Prof Asif Nazrul of DU Law Faculty presented the keynote paper at the seminar with DUJA President Mahabubur Rahman in the chair.

Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) Chief Editor Zaglul Ahmed Chowdhury, former president of DU Teachers Association (DUTA) Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique and Jatiya Press Club President Shawkat Mahmud, among others, spoke on the occasion.

VC Prof SMA Faiz, in his inaugural speech, hoped that honest and qualified candidates would be elected in the upcoming general elections to lead the country towards democratic boom.

Zaglul Ahmed Chowdhury said freedom of media is basically the freedom of people. It is not unusual for the media to support any political party in the elections but we make the mistake whenever we mix news with views, he added.

He urged the media to play a responsible and impartial role during the elections irrespective of their political affiliation.

Prof Arefin Siddique said without unreliable or incompetent source should be published as news. The role of media is very important to wipe out the incredibility from mindset of people over holding the elections. Demanding autonomy of BTV and Bangladesh Betar, he said the media wouldn't be media if it were muzzled.

Journalist Shawkat Mahmud strongly criticized the code of conduct for media prepared by the EC saying this would hamper holding free and acceptable election. He said journalist community rejects this restriction on media.

Regretting the partiality in circulating news, Prof Asif Nazrul in his keynote paper said, media should project objective and impartial news during election.

The New Nation editor Mostafa Kamal Mojumder, journalists of many national dailies, different student wings leaders and students of the DU also were present in the seminar.

In the afternoon, DUJA accorded a reception to its founding and former members at the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC) auditorium. DU Pro-VC AFM Yusuf Haider was the chief guest at the function while DU Treasurer Syed Abul Kalam Azad was the special guest. A cultural function was held in the evening.

UN team meets advisers: Political, media freedom must for polls climate

UNB, Dhaka

A UN appraisal team took an overview of election affairs in a meeting with three advisers of the caretaker government Tuesday and expressed the hope the state of emergency would be lifted before the parliament elections now slated for December 29.

Talking to reporters after the meeting with the advisers at the Secretariat, leader of the UN election-assessment team Francesc Vendrell admitted that the emergency is a "concern" for holding free and fair elections."We're hopeful that the state of emergency will be lifted before the elections," he told a correspondent.

Being pressed over the critical question of holding election under or without emergency, Vendrell said general sense is "positive". Explaining the point, he said unless there is untoward incident, they don't think that the emergency would be in place in the run-up to the polls.

Asked whether they received any assurance from the advisers, the team leader said they did not seek any assurance.

"What we like to see is ensure a right climate that requires political freedom, access of media, freedom of expression and level playing field," he told another correspondent.

Vendrell is former Special Representative in Afghanistan of the European Union and previously Personal Representative of the UN Secretary-General for the same country.

Other members are Bhojraj Pokharel, Chief Election Commissioner of Nepal, and Ms. Aracelly Santana, former Deputy Director of the UN's Electoral Assistance Division and most recently Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Nepal.

UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative Reneta Lok Dessallien, who is closely associated with a long-drawn process of preparing the ground for this election through comprehensive reforms, also present accompanied the UN reconnaissance team.

Earlier, they exchanged views with Advisers Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman, Hassan Ariff and Maj Gen (retd) Ghulam Kader on pre-election situation at the Works Ministry.

The UN assessment team was dispatched to Dhaka by UN secretary-general Ban ki-Moon in response to a request made by the caretaker government during his recent Bangladesh tour amid a tug-of-war over the polls that were previously slated for January 22, 2007 but cancelled following the 1/11 changeover.

The team is tasked with assessing the preparations and conduct of the elections through visits to Bangladesh before and during the elections.

They will report to the Secretary-General with their key findings and recommendations after holding talks with government and political leaders as well as the election commission and civil society before their departure on November 29.

The team will return for about a week at the time of the high-stake electoral race.

Approval of nat'l urbanisation policy underscored

Staff Reporter

Environment activists, architects, lawyers and city planners yesterday underscored the need for the approval of proposed ' National Urbanisation Policy' with a view to helping full implementation of urbanisation and best utilisation of land in the country.

Their observation came at a press conference on " Review on Detailed Area Plan (DAP) of Dhaka City" at the Planners Towers in the city.

Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP), Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA), Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA), Institute of Architect Bangladesh (IAB) and Centre for Urban Studies (CUS) have jointly organised the event.

Prof Mozaffar Ahmad, President, architect Iqbal Habib, joint secretary of BAPA, Syeda Rezwana Hasan of BELA, architect Mobashher Hossain, President, architect Md Ferozuddin, member of IAB, Prof Sarwar Jahan, President, Ishrat Islam, member, planner Akhter Mahmud of BIP and Prof Nurul Islam Nazem, General Secretary of CUS, among others, attended.

Speakers said the whole proposals of DAP report is 'non-specific' in terms of definition, identification and proposition. Most of the proposals are suggestive type in nature. Contradictions and inconsistencies between draft plan report and relevant drawings must be removed before finalisation of DAP of the city.

They called upon the RAJUK to remove anomalies of DAP.

A proper and rational development plan of RAJUK could ensure all basic amenities for dwellers in the city, they added.

They called upon the RAJUK to save the city's canals and water bodies from illegal occupation and take suggestions from different stakeholders before finalising the DAP of the city.

They put forward a charter of demands to RAJUK that include initiative to form ' technical committee' and 'DAP Implementation Cell' with the assistance from technical persons and public suggestions for successful completion of DAP and promulgate 'National Urban Planning Act'.

HC bar ads on powder milk till Jan 3

UNB, Dhaka

The High Court Tuesday asked the advertisers to refrain from publishing media advertisements on suspected melamine-tainted powdered milk Dano, Red Cow, Diploma, Nido and Anlene until January 3 next.

After hearing both sides, a division bench comprising Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain and Justice Quamrul Islam Siddiqui passed the interim order upon a petition filed by the Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB), whose writ petition is pending for disposal. On Sunday (Nov 23), the petitioner prayed for immediate halt to publication of "false" advertisements on melamine-tainted powdered milk, and sought legal action against those responsible.

The HC bench disposed of the first part of the petition and held in reserve for order on the last part for taking legal action against the offenders for breaching the Pure Food Ordinance 1959.

Section 19(1) of the Pure Food Ordinance 1959 prohibits any false advertisement on food products, which is a punishable offence.

Advocate Manzill Murshid appeared for the petitioner, while Barrister Rokan Uddin Mahmud for the other side.

DSE share prices plunge

Staff Reporter

Share price in the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) experienced sharp fall yesterday again.

During the day's trading in the country's premier bourse the General Index

(DGEN) fell by 60 points or 2.26 per cent to 2618 from Monday's 2678. The DSI Index also tumbled by 48 point or 2.1 per cent at 2165.

On total 235 issues traded, 30 advanced, 197 declined and 8 remained unchanged.

Uttara Bank, Beximco Pharma, Beximco, Titas gas, National Bank Ltd, Dutch Bangla Bank, Square Pharmaceuticals, ACI, Brack Bank and AB Bank were the market leaders in terms of value. The top gainers are Northern General Insurance, Zeal Bangla, Shaympur Sugar, Dhaka Fish, Janata Insurance, Fine Foods, hakkani Pulp and Paper, United Insurance, Gulf Foods and Beach Hatchery Ltd.

The top losers of the day were BD Zipper, Wonder Toys, Renwick Jajneswar, Ranga Food, Tallu Spinning, Bengal Biscuit, Bangas, Monno Ceramic, Apex Footwear and Delta Spinning.

Bangladesh-SA 2nd Test from today

Sports Reporter

Bangladesh National Cricket team will meet South Africa in the second and last Test match, which begins today at the SuperSport Park in Centurion of South Africa. The match starts at 2.30 PM (Bangladesh Standard Time) everyday.

Earlier, Bangladesh tasted a bitter taste in the first Test as the Tigers were defeated by the Proteas by an innings and 129 runs in the first Test on November 22.

Bangladesh faced South Africa in seven Test matches so far. Of them, Bangladesh lost to their stronger counterpart in all the games.

South Africa clinched the ODI series 2-0.

South Africa have a target to win the last Test match and clinch the Test match series 2-0.

HC clears way for Khoka to contest JS election

UNB, Dhaka

The High Court yesterday stayed operation of the election-disqualification provision for City Corporation mayors made by the Election Commission (EC), clearing the way for Dhaka mayor Sadek Hossain Khoka to contest the December 29 parliamentary election.

Ordering a four-week stay on the EC decision upon a writ petition, a division bench comprising Justice Tariq ul Hakim and Justice Farah Mahbub issued a rule asking the EC to explain in four weeks why the impugned decision disqualifying the incumbent City Corporation mayors from contesting the parliamentary election should not be declared to have been made without lawful authority. On November 17, the EC took the decision that as the City Corporation mayors hold office of profit they would not be eligible for contesting the general election unless three years pass after the expiry of their tenure.

Emerging from the court, senior advocate Khondker Mahbubuddin Ahmed told the media that the HC stay order would only be applicable for Khoka as he secured the order through a writ petition challenging the legality of the EC decision. "If any other incumbent City corporation mayor wants to participate in the general election, he has to follow Khoka."

Mayor Sadek Hossain Khoka was earlier elected Member of Parliament thrice on BNP ticket.

'Dy Speaker from opposition if AL voted to power’

Staff Reporter

Awami League (AL) president Sheikh Hasina yesterday told a foreign delegation that if voted to power AL would pick an additional deputy speaker from the opposition to make the parliament more effective.

This was stated by Hasina's Assistant Secretary Dr Hasan Mahmud while briefing newsmen on the outcome of Hasina's meeting with UN delegation headed by Francese Vendrell at her Sudha Sadan residence.

The AL chief informed the delegation that her party is completely ready for the upcoming parliamentary polls to uphold democracy, regardless of BNP's conditional participation. "The UN delegates asked Sheikh Hasina if AL will run the election in case BNP finally decides not to go for it. She said her party is always ready for the polls for upholding and safeguarding democratic practices," Hasan said.

During the meeting Hasina further told the delegation that they will invite different parties to nominate chairmen for various parliamentary committees and work cohesively to render the parliament more effective, he added.

Francese Vendrell told reporters that they had met the AL president to discuss the pre-polls situation with her.

"What we have observed so far seems quite all right. The UN will not send any observer to cover this election. The EU and the Commonwealth will be sending election observers instead,' he added.

Replying to a query, Francese said, "We want the state of emergency to be lifted before the polls; no one would like an election to be held under the emergency and if the emergency is unavoidable, it might be there just superficially."

AL presidium member Motia Chowdhury, two former ambassadors Muhammad Zameer and Ziauddin and Hasina's information secretary Abul Kalam Azad were present.

Britain launches ID cards for foreigners

AFP, London

The government launched the first phase of a controversial new identity card scheme Tuesday, forcing certain foreign nationals to start carrying the documents from later this week.

The government has stuck with the programme, claiming it will help fight terrorism and illegal immigration, despite criticism from opposition parties and civil liberties groups who argue that ID cards threaten individual privacy.

Those thought most likely to abuse the immigration system, individuals applying for marriage or student visas, will be the first to apply for the cards, which will be issued from later this week.