The New Nation - Internet Edition

Electronic photo voter list by Int’l audit team

Staff Reporter

The electronic photo voter list, which will be used for December 29 polls to check vote fraud, got excellent rating from an international audit team.

An independent audit of the computerised voter list conducted by Washington-based International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), consisted of two nationwide surveys sampling nearly 17,000 individuals of voting age across the country.

It concluded that the list was compiled with a "high degree of accuracy." It also verified that "no 'ghost voters' were found on the 2008 photo voters list."

The audit concluded that all names on the roll are legitimate voters and nearly all-eligible voters are on the list, says an UNDP media release. This first ever computerised photo voter list in the country contains pictures of more than 80 million voters and it took 11 months to compile.

The new electoral roll was designed by the Election Commission, with support of the Bangladesh Army and financial assistance from Denmark, the European Commission, Republic of Korea, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

UNDP also provided technical and logistical support for the creation of the unprecedented voter roll. Preparation for the digital voter list required over 10,000 laptops, digital cameras and finger print scanners, all aimed at creating a fraud-proof voter roll.

"The upcoming election represents an historic opportunity for Bangladesh in re-establishing democracy. We are pleased that the current voter list has passed the scrutiny of an independent team of auditors because a credible voter list is an essential ingredient for all free and fair elections," says Renata Dessallien, UN Resident Coordinator.

The external audit found that the voter list was geographically uniform, suggesting that the registration process was administered evenly throughout the country. The audit reported that photographs were of good quality and will help ensure that all voters have the opportunity to exercise their voting right in the upcoming election. The audit also found that more than 99 per cent of respondents had confidence in the accuracy of the voter list and gave positive evaluations of the voter registration process. The results indicate that the list meets international standards and is a significant improvement from all previous voter lists.

The audit concluded that "in comparison with assessment of voter lists created during previous voter registration efforts in Bangladesh, the voter list for the December 2008 election has effectively registered the universe of eligible voters in Bangladesh, and accomplished this with a great deal of accuracy in capturing the particulars for individual voters."

The independent audit was designed, supervised and analysed by international election experts from IFES, a leading election assistance organisation working in more than 100 countries. The audit was conducted from September 15 to November 2, 2008, using statistical sampling methods with a ± 1.5 per cent margin of error. The independent external audit was sought by UNDP following the completion of the electronic registration of over 80 million people.

4 BNP leaders expelled

Staff Reporter

BNP leaders, including BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's adviser Syed Shahidul Haque Jamal, BNP law affairs secretary Advocate Joynul Abedin and party leaders Abdul Quiyum Chowdhury and Kabir Ahmed Bhuiyan, have been expelled from the party.

In a press release signed by BNP office secretary Ruhul Kabir Rizvi yesterday said that under the directive of the BNP chairperson, the party leaders have been expelled from their respective positions and their primary memberships cancelled under 5 (GA) section of the party constitution.

The leaders were found involved in various anti- organisational activities and creating obstacles to the election campaign by the BNP candidates in the parliamentary election violating the party discipline, the press release said.

BB annual report published: Economy may achieve 6.5pc GDP growth

Staff Reporter

Bangladesh Bank yesterday predicted that country's economy may achieve 6.5 per cent GDP growth in the current fiscal 2008-09 basing on the positive outcome of various reforms and improved performance by many productive sectors and application of better technology and skills in many other fields.

The central bank made the observation in its annual report 2007-08 released yesterday. It said based on continued positive development in various productive and service sectors, the country's GDP growth may also increase to 7.0 per cent next year to reach 7.2 per cent in 2010-2011.

To attain the targets, it said what the country needs is to ensure a smooth transition to democracy in the first place, while in the economic front; it should be able to keep inflation down.

The country would also require maintaining better macroeconomic stability, improved business and investment climate, achieving higher growth in industrial and service sectors and accelerated growth in agriculture to ensure food security, diversification of exports, skill development and application of better technology and continuation of financial sector reforms.

Bangladesh Bank said, all these factors will be able to bring about significant dent on the country's declining poverty level and improvement in the lot of the common people as envisaged in the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP), which now stands at the core of the country's development planning.

It also mentioned certain risk factors saying much of the growth forecast would depend on how the next government would be able to overcome them.

Some of these risks are inflationary build up, possible higher prices of fuel and other essentials in global market, impact of floods and climate change related disasters, infrastructure related impediments such as removal of gas,

electricity, port and transportation problems.

They also include possible market shrinkage of apparel products in the USA and other major markets consequent upon the current recessionary trend, slowdown in the flow of development assistance in the backdrop of global economic recession.

The economy may also face further risks if the forthcoming government fails to ensure food security, improve productivity and diversify exports to reduce dependence on limited number of exportable.

The report dwelt on the central bank's performance in many fronts in running a prudent, cautious monetary policy supportive to economic and business growth, alongwith various reforms to restructure the country's banking sector.

It put emphasis on maintaining a stable monetary and fiscal policy as well as adequate subsidy to farm inputs and allocation to social safetynet programmes.

The Bangladesh Bank identified labour unrest in the garment sector as a highly critical issue and emphasized the need for better owner-worker relations to avoid crisis that may bring setback to this highly competitive sector in the global market.

The report further stressed the need for improving the design and fashion wing of the garment sector, removal of infrastructural problems affecting production and shipments and creating a long term buyer-seller relation to plan its future growth.

The industry should also take step, it said, to widen the market access to countries like Australia and Japan, which now allow limited duty-free access but have bigger market prospects for Bangladesh exports.

Shujan’s disclosure: Wealthy persons got priority in nomination

Staff Reporter

Speakers at a press conference yesterday underscored the need of participation of the candidates from every stratum of the society in the country to establish a representative democracy.

They came down heavily on the existing political parties and the political system saying as that the political parties nominate candidates considering one's economic background.

Shushashoner Janya Nagorik (Shujan) organised the briefing to reveal the information about the competing candidates in the forthcoming national elections at DRU in the capital.

Secretary of Shujan, Badiul Alam Majumder in his keynote paper disclosed that both the parties Awami league and BNP, nominated more than 50 per cent businessmen in the upcoming polls. The 8th parliament did not function properly as it contained two-thirds businessmen as parliamentarians, he stated.

Prof Mozaffar Ahmad, Chairman of Shujan said the political system did not create any situation as representation of many professions could which the poll could bring out.

Speakers also disclosed that murder cases are hanging on the shoulder of at least 100 candidates competing in the forthcoming polls. Some alleged loan defaulters were also competing, they stated.

They also said candidates, who concealed information about them might be punished according to the existing law of the country.

Criticizing the Election Commission (EC), Mozaffar added, it seemed that the commission felt relieved after selecting the candidates in the forthcoming elections. If honest people did not get nomination, evil power would be voted to power, he said.

Speakers urged the candidates, if they are voted to power they need to make the parliamentary activities transparent to the people.

2 militants taken on 16-day remand in Comilla

Staff Reporter

Two militants held at Debidwar in Comilla with homemade grenades and explosives were yesterday awarded 16-day police remand for further interrogation.

Ayub Ansari Masud and Nayeem were brought before the Judicial Magistrate court in Comilla in the afternoon and police sought 10-day remand for two separate cases against each. The court granted 8 days.

On secret information, RAB raided Barokamta and Nabiabad village in Devidwar upazila and held the militants with five grenades and 15kg explosives on Tuesday. Earlier the militants attacked the RAB team with grenade that missed the target.

A report from Nilphamari said: Abdul Aleem alias Nayeem hails from Satnai Balapara village in Dimla upazila. His father Ahmed Ali who runs a small grocery told newsmen that Aleem is third of his six children. Aleem left home four years ago when he was student of Aleem class in Barobisha Madrasa.

The father of Aleem said did not come home nor was in touch with them

for the last four years. "I do not mind much for him," said the poor father in an emotional voice. "But his mother often laments for the son."

Campaign scenario in N. dist: Voter pin hopes on better candidates

BSS, Rangpur

Voters, specially the newly registered young ones, have been showing more interest in franchising their rights to elect better and committed leadership through the December 29 polls everywhere in northern Bangladesh.

The authorities have taken adequate measures in holding the polls in a peaceful, impartial and free-fair and festive manner ensuring a sound law and order situation in the districts including the frontier areas.

Meanwhile, last-stage poll battles in all 72 seats with 317 candidates in the region has reached its highest peaks as the candidates and their supporters have been making their all possible efforts in attracting the common voters.

Most of the conscious and educated voters have apparently made their choice though some others are still undecided when the contest has been taking mostly bilateral shape almost everywhere between candidates of the major alliances.

Common voters including farmers, day- and farm-labourers and the young generation, are expecting sky-touching changes after the December 29 polls amid huge commitments made by the major alliances and their candidates.

The young and female voters are expecting huge changes and a better, competent, patriotic, dedicated, committed and educated leadership after the general elections to build a happy, prosperous, peaceful, corruption-free and democratic Bangladesh.

Such hopes and aspirations among the voters have apparently put most of the prospective candidates under tremendous pressure as they are really facing tough challenges in building a corruption-free society to fulfill the peoples' aspirations.

The electioneering goes on peacefully so far though the prospective candidates of the AL led Mohajote and BNP led 4-party Alliance and a few independent candidates were putting in their best efforts to ensure victory in their respective seats.

The competing candidates, leaders and workers of the alliances have put ultimate efforts for victories as election fever has further gripped the region after recent rallies addressed by Sheikh Hasina, Begum Khaleda Zia and Alhaj HM Ershad in the region.

According to local political observers and common voters, neck and neck contests are expected between the candidates of the major alliances in most seats of the region excepting a fewer seats where the contests might be tri-lateral or quadrangle. Some special dimensions have been added to poll arena of the region where AL President Sheikh Hasina, BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and JP Chairman Alhaj Hussein Muhammad Ershad are contesting.

Most of the constituencies have worn festive looks with massive round-the-clock campaigning by utilization of all legal means including postering, leaflet distribution , door-to-door visits, canvassing through loud speakers, rallies and processions.

Election Commission sources today told BSS that, out of the total 72 seats in Rajshahi Division, the BNP-led four-party alliance topped the list through bagging 49 seats, JP was in the second position with 14 seats and AL bagged nine seats in 2001 polls.

Observers said that it might be tough for the BNP-led alliances to repeat the last results this time because of the 'changed scenario', formation of Mohajote and other reasons when the Mohajote has put in its all-out efforts in capturing some more constituencies.

Among the candidates, former Prime Minister, AL chief and Mohajote leader Sheikh Hasina is competing in Rangpur-6, former Prime Minister, BNP chairperson and Four-party Alliance leader Begum Khaleda Zia in Bogra-6 & 7, former President and JP chairman HM Ershad in Rangpur-3 & Kurigram-2 and Jamaat Ameer Matiur Rahman Nizami in Pabna-1 seats in the region.

Local observers said, in Rangpur-6 seat, AL President Sheikh Hasina is in a better position to compete with BNP candidate Nur Mohammad Mandal though Kamruzzaman (CPB), Shahjahan Ali (IAB), Humayun Ijaj Levin (GF) are also contesting.

BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia is in a better position against Mamtaj Uddin (AL), Mamunur Rashid (IAB), Abduallah Al Waki (BDB) and Saifuzzaman (BSD) in Bogra-6 and Altaf Ali (JP), Mesbahul Alam (BDB) and Shamsul Alam Dulu (BSD) in Bogra-7.

In Rangpur-3, former President and JP Chairman HM Ershad might easily win without notable challenges though Abdul Quayum Mandal (BNP), Abdul Kuddus (JSD), ATM Golam Mostafa (IAB), Sayed Ali (BKSJL), Sekandar Rahman Dudu (JSD), Shahadat Hossain (CPB) are in the race.

Besides, in Kurigram-2 seat, JP chairman HM Ershad has a better position against Tajul Islam Chowdhury (BNP) though Zahedul Huq Milu (BSD), Bhudev Chakrabarti (BDB), Mustafizur Rahman (IAB) and Sultan Ahmed (LDP) are contesting.

In Pabna-1, there might be tough contests between Jamaat Ameer Matiur Rahman Nizami and Mohajote candidate Shamsul Huque Tuku (AL) though Abdul Matin (IAB) and Rezaul Karim (NPP) are also in the fray.

According to observers, the Mohajote candidates could do better in greater Rangpur having 22 parliamentary seats, which is known to be the stronghold of JP (Ershad) while the 4-party alliance candidates would try to bag seats as much as possible.

On the other hand, they said that the results might be almost similar to that of the 2001 general elections in greater Bogra, stronghold of BNP, and there would be some possible changes in greater Rajshahi and Pabna districts comprising a total of 39 seats.

The AL-led Mohajote can jolt the Four-party Alliance in Dinajpur and there might be tough competitions between the Mohajote and Four-party Alliance candidates in Thakurgaon and Panchagarh districts in greater Dinajpur with 11 seats this time.

'No possibility of further inflation’

Staff Reporter

No possibility of further increase of price of essential commodities is there in the month of Jatiya Sangsad election as the price of oil in the international market had fall and the stock of rice in the local market is good, economists said.

According to current report of Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, inflation stood at 6.12 per cent on November which was 7.26 per cent on October. The inflation was double digit on April.

General Secretary of Bangladesh Economic Association (BAE) Prof Abul Barakat yesterday said that the government's positive approach made it possible to keep trend of inflation in the market. Barakat said that the government has huge stock of rice as well as fall of price in oil market are main reasons in this trend.

"The next elected government would face challenge from the people if this trend of inflation continued," he said.

According to Directorate of Food, the Government has so far built a record foodgrain stock of 12.70 lakh tonnes by Boro procurement. Besides the crude oil is selling at $35 in the international market.

Another economist Prof Moinul Islam of Chittagong University (CU) said that the price of essential commodities in international market are reducing day by day due to world economic recession. "It affected the local market as well," he said.

"But the prices of essentials was not reduced in accordance with the international market," he alleged adding, " The inflation would continue over few months."

The limited money flow in the market after Eid-ul-fitre also constricted the inflation trend, he further said.

519 polling centries of out 568 a Barisal identified as risky

Barisal Correspondent

As many as 519 polling centres out of total 568 in six constituencies

of Barisal district have been identified by the local administration as more or less risk-prone.

In Barisal -1 constituency comprising Gournadi and Agoiljhara Upazilas, only 15 polling centres out of 81 have been marked risk free.

In Barisal- 2 seat consisting of Uzirpur and Banaripara Upazilas, four polling centres out of 99 are risk-free.

Barisal- 3 seat comprising Muladi and Babuganj Upazilas has 78 polling centres. Of them, only 4 polling centres are risk-free.

Barisal -4 seat covers Hizla and Mehendiganj Upazilas having 98 polling centres. 44 centres are risk-free in this constituency.

All the 121 polling centres in Barisal-5 seat comprising the Barisal City Corporation and sadar upazila have been identified as more or less risky.

Barisal- 6 seat covers only Bakerganj Upazila with 91 polling centres. Only 18 of them were found risk free.

Khan Sayeed Hassan, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Barisal Range , said effective measures have been taken to ensure peaceful holding of the national election at all the centres of this district on December 29.

Each polling centre will have at least 5 armed police,10 Ansars and adequate number of village deffence personnel under one assistant sub inspector of police. Besides, armed force, coast guard and RAB teams will be deployed as mobile and striking force, according to

Local administration sources.

Some 39 candidates are in the election race in six seats of Barisal district.

Measures taken to ensure fair elections

BSS, Dhaka

The government and the Election Commission (EC) have taken allout measures for holding the December 29 Jatiya Sangsad (JS) election in a free, fair and credible manner, and fixed the polling time from 8 am to 4 pm.

Official sources said today the government has declared the election day a public holiday. Moreover, all post offices across the country will remain open for 24 hours on the day to facilitate delivery of postal ballots.

The EC has, meanwhile, appointed 286 judicial magistrates to try people guilty of electoral offences during the polling period. As per the criminal code, the judicial magistrates can give imprisonment to offenders from two to seven years.

Moreover, 319 executive magistrates will carry out election duties with law-enforcers. The EC has also set up a coordination cell for the first time to monitor the law and order situation.

The cell will keep the EC informed of the law and order situation allover the country on the election day and on the following day.

The EC has taken steps this year to hang election results of every polling centre on the spot after counting the votes. After counting all the votes of a particular constituency, the EC will announce the election results of that constituency from its premises in the city.

In the Noakhali-9 constituency, the polling will take place on January 12, 2009, following the death of Ganatantri Party chairman and Awami League-led grand alliance nominee Nurul Islam.

In the remaining 299 constituencies in the country, a total of 1,552 candidates are taking part in the parliamentary election.

The EC statistics said a total of 8,10,58,698 voters have been registered this time with photo identity cards. The number of new voters stands at 31 percent of the total voters. The female voters are higher at 4,12,29,149 against 3,98,22,449 males this year.

The voters will cast their votes at 35,216 polling centres where a total of 1,77,107 polling booths will be set up.

A total of 5,66,537 election officers will run the polling. The number of presiding officers is 35,216, assistant presiding officers 1,77,107 and polling officers 3,45,214.

Each polling centre will facilitate 2,302 voters while each booth will serve 458 voters on an average, the official figures said.