The New Nation - Internet Edition

Nightmare for BNP, Jamaat bigwigs

Staff Reporter

The 9th parliamentary election becomes nightmare for the bigwigs of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami.

The heavyweights, who were once supposed to be the nightmares for the rivals, become speechless after being beaten by the unknown Awami League candidates. The names of the so-called reformists of BNP are also in the defeated list.

The BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia however was able to win in three constituencies.

Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury, the high-profile BNP leader from Rauzan, who has been con troversial for his anti-Liberation War role, as well as remarks often verging on the edge of obscenity, and intimidation of the Hindu voters in order to gain electoral advantage, lost to grand alliance candidate Hasan Mahmud in Chittagong-6 and tasted defeat for the first time. He however has won in Chittagong-2.

BNP's Saifur Rahman who had an easy-sailing track record from his Sylhet constituencies surrendered to the grand alliance's AMA Muhith in Sylhet-1 and Syed Mohosin Ali in Moulvibazar-3. He lost his lustre by black money scandal, despite being finance minister for more than a decade.

Former law minister Barrister Moudud Ahmed suffered a marginal defeat at the hands of grand alliance's Obaidul Quader in Noakhali-5.

Polls signal new process of democracy: CA

UNB, Dhaka

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed yesterday said the December 29 ninth parliament election set high standards for all future elections and signaled the beginning of a new process of democracy and good governance in Bangladesh.

Dr Fakhruddin, whose interim regime had done the groundwork for two years under state of emergency for fair polls, said his government carried out institutional reforms to lay the foundation of democracy.

He noted that since the assumption of office, his government has worked hard for holding a free, fair and credible election to transfer power peacefully to an elected government. And the government was "on right track" and completed its task.

The head of the outgoing caretaker government made the remarks when a delegation of visiting Japan Election Observer team led by its leader Goji Sakamoto made a courtesy call on the Chief Adviser at his office in the morning.

Goji Sakamoto, Member of the House of Representatives of Japan, observed Monday's parliament election was conducted in a very systematic and nice manner.

The voting was "orderly and peaceful", he said and also termed the voters' list systematic.

The Japanese lawmaker appreciated the caretaker government's performance and the leadership of Chief Adviser Fakhruddin for all preparations in holding a fair and peaceful election.

Goji said this was the fourth-time visit of the Japanese election-observer team to Bangladesh and this time they were very impressed and pleased over the election.

Akihiro Nishimura, also Member of the House of Representatives, accompanied Goji as member of the mission.

Goji Sakamoto, chief secretary of the Japan-Bangladesh Parliamentarians League, said the winning party should take responsibility and work according to the manifesto while the losing party should cooperate.

"All should work together to build a better Bangladesh," he was quoted as saying.

Referring to their visits to many polling centers and talks with voters, he said election was well- maintained and voters were found "delighted and excited towards democracy".

The Japanese observers appreciated the law-and- order situation.

The CA said his government had worked for last two years, carrying out reform of electoral rules and election code of conduct, for holding an election without violence and practice of corruption by ensuring that voters can cast their vote without fear.

"The voters yesterday cast their votes peacefully amid festive mood," he said, adding that this was "one of the highest turnouts of voters so far".

Regarding voter list, the CA said this task is indivisible and the Election Commission with all-out support of the government prepared the voters' lists with photographs of over 80 million within less than a year.

"All our friends at home and abroad remarked it as the remarkable achievement of the caretaker government and Bangladesh should be proud of it," he was quoted as saying to the delegation.

The CA said the presence of the Japan's election- observer team gives an essence to show how strong and excellent friendship exists between the two countries. He hoped that the support of Japan as a big development partner would continue.

The Japanese team leader suggested forming similar Japan-Bangladesh Parliamentary League in Bangladesh parliament.

The CA welcomed the suggestion as excellent, saying that the new parliament can take initiative to this end.

CA's press Secretary Syed Fahim Munaim briefed newsmen about the meet.

Winning, defeated parties urged to work together

Habibullah Mizan

Recognizing Monday's parliament election as most credible and peaceful common people yesterday urged both the wining and defeated parties work together for combating corruption, terrorism and arresting price hike.

While talking to this correspondent, Kayes Ahmed(45) , a businessman hailing from Sylhet said after testing jail life, the two top leaders of the country must take good lesson and kick out the controversial leaders who seriously demarked their long glorious political carriers.

If they fail to learn from the 1/11 change over, they must have to face people's anger, which may bring undemocratic forces in power again and again.

Delwar Hossain(36), owner of the Royal Touch, a cloth store at Elephant Road in Dhaka who claimed to vote for BNP said the election was held in fully peaceful atmosphere which was totally unimaginable before.

BNP will welcome it political rival Awami League for the betterment of the whole nation and work together to arrest the price hike, continue the present drive against corruption and combat the increasing threat of militancy from Bangladesh, he hoped.

He urged Awami League not to humiliate the BNP men for nurturing cherished democracy and continue the economic growth.

Rashedul Islam Ritu, a grass-root leader of BNP-backed student wing Jatiyatabadi Chattra Dal expressed his full satisfaction over the news report of Sheikh Hasina's instant order her party men not to take revenge against BNP activists.

''If Hasina's order is followed by her party men, country will get new experience of politics which may bring Awami League another landslide victory in the next general election,'' Ritu observed.

Like me, many grass roots level BNP leaders will definitely vote for Awami League supported candidates in the upcoming Upazila election if country see no political violence, he determined.

Nurul Haque(80) a retired private company officer said ,''For the first time I voted Awami League for their commitment of lower price of essentials and fight against militancy in the name of Islam.''

He however warned the coming Awami League government of facing such defeat for their own if people see the local terrorists active again misusing power of the ruling party.

Expressing her dissatisfaction over BNP- led four party alliance's false allegation of vote rigging, election engineering Rehena Sultana , a house-wife living at Savar said if BNP hesitate to accept election results and fail to start new politics of peace and development being instigated by it extremist alliance partner , BNP must face the same fate of Muslim League, which once was the most popular party.

She prayed to the Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia to follow the last presidential election in the United States , where the defeated Republican candidate MacCain instantly welcomed his rival Democrat Barack Obama and Obama also picked many Republicans in his team.

98 held on charges of trying to influence voters

Staff Reporter

Police arrested 98 persons in 11 districts on charges of trying to influence voters during the national election, according to a police report yesterday.

According PID handout 19 grand alliance members were arrested in seven districts for 'distributing money for votes', while several of the four-party alliance and polling officers were arrested for violating the electoral code of conduct.

According to police, 23 persons were picked up for distributing money and goods from Sunday midnight until yesterday in Chittagong, Noakhali, Moulvibazar, Kurigram, Satkhira, Netrokona and Pabna.

Police seized Tk 41 lakh from a car owned by a relative of a four-party candidate in Chittagong on the eve of election day.

Debidwar police picked up former BNP lawmaker Manzurul Ahsan Munshi on Monday evening at Mohonpur polling station in Comilla-4 constituency for violating the electoral code.

Satkhira police arrested a presiding officer and an election observer from Rupantor, an NGO, on charges of influencing a visually impaired voter.

Saidul Islam Milon, municipality councillor of Lalmohonpur, Bhola, was arrested for breaching discipline in a polling centre.

Police arrested a woman from Kalyanpur Girls' High School in city for trying to give a false vote.

Meanwhile, two polling officers were withdrawn from Kalia upazilla, Narail on charges of trying to campaign for a candidate.

An assistant presiding officer in Bagerhat was withdrawn as he allegedly compelled a disabled candidate to vote against his will.

Presiding officer Mahbubul Islam was also withdrawn and later taken into police custody for dereliction of duty at the Taluk Zamira Govt High School polling centre in Polashbari, Gaibandha.

Cautious voters cast 'no' vote in 299 constituencies

Staff Reporter

Cautious voters across the country, in all the 299 constituencies, have cast newly introduced 'No' votes who did not find their choice.

The Election Commission officials said 'No' votes were recorded in all constituencies with the highest being in Rangamati. Our correspondent said as many as 32,064 indigenous people in Rangamati cast 'No' votes to express their resentment to the candidates in Monday's polls.

Quite a big number though, the negative votes recorded in Rangamati did not however impact the final result of the constituency, which Awami League-led grand alliance contender Dipangkar Talukder won with 1,14,965 votes leaving the four-party alliance rival Moitree Chakma trailing with 66,429 votes.

The United People's Democratic Front, a hill people's organisation earlier campaigned for 'No' votes among the indigenous community.

More than one lakh nega tive votes were recorded nationwide till early hours of Tuesday, Election Commission officials said. However, the number of total 'no' votes is yet to get.

According to the new provision, 50 per cent or more 'no' votes recorded in a constituency would lead to re-election in the respective seat.

EC Deputy Secretary AKM Salimullah said, "Many voters who didn't find their choice among the candidates in the past elections didn't show up in the centres, but the new provision drew them to the polling booths as it allows them to say 'no."

1st Test against Lanka Tigers face daunting task

Mohammad Ashraful sweeps a delivery of Muralitharan
(not in the picture) during the fourth day of the first Test
between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla
National Stadium on Tuesday. Internet Photo

Sports Reporter

Bangladesh faced daunting task to win over Sri Lanka when the Tigers scored 254 for the loss of five wickets in the second innings against the touring side at the close of the fourth day's play of the first Test of the Grameenphone Test Series at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on Tuesday.

Earlier, Sri Lanka declared their second innings making 405 for the loss of six wickets on the fourth day.

Bangladesh were bowled out for 178 in the first innings in reply to Sri Lanka's first innings total of 293.

Sri Lanka set a total of 521 runs to win for Bangladesh in the second innings.

Bangladesh are now 266 runs behind from Sri Lanka and the Tigers have five wickets in hand.

for Bangladesh in the second innings.

Sri Lanka resumed their second innings with 291 for the loss of four wickets after a rest day. The fourth day's play was not held on Monday last due to national parliament elections.

Mahela Jayawardene and TM Dilshan resumed their innings with 129 and nought respectively and then they added 95 runs together in the fifth wicket stand before TM Dilshan was caught behind by Mushfiqur Rahim off Shakib Al Hasan scoring 47 when the visitors total was 386 for the loss of five wickets.

After dismissal of TM Dilshan, Mahela Jayawardene stayed at the crease for a short time as Mahela was dismissed by Mehrab Hossain (Junior) for 166. Mahela played 269 balls in his 392-minute innings, which was studded with 19 fours and a six.

Chaminda Vaas remained undefeated with 15. Bangladesh faced debacle as they lost their early two wickets for 72 runs.

Zunaed Siddique and Raqibul Hasan put on together 52 runs for the third wicket partnership before Zunaed was caught at the first slip by Mahela Jayawardene off Muttiah Muralitharan scoring 37 off 74 balls amid five fours and a six.

Earlier, opener Tamim Iqbal hit 47 off 53 balls including eight fours.

After dismissal of Zunaed, Muralitharan struck again as he cleanly bowled Raqibul for 24. At that time Bangladesh's total was 144.

Muralitharan got success again as Mehrab Hossain (Junior) was caught by substitute Chamara Kapugedara off Muralitharan. Mehrab returned to the pavilion scoring 23 and at that time the hosts total was 180 for the loss of five wickets.

Mohammad Ashraful and Shakib Al Hasan put up 74 runs in their unbroken sixth wicket stand.

Mohammad Ashraful remained undefeated with 70 runs. The skipper played 153 balls in his 170-minute knock, which laced with 11 fours.

Ashraful was the second Bangladeshi batsman who crossed the two thousand run land-mark in Test cricket.

Earlier, Habibul Bashar was the first batsman for Bangladesh who crossed the two thousand run land-mark.

Shakib Al Hasan hit 34 (not out).

Muralitharan was the day's most successful bowler with the cherry bagging three wickets for 85 runs in his 28 overs amid seven maidens.

Election duty 1m security men failed to cast votes

Staff Reporter

More than a million security enforcement officials including police and para-military forces were deprived of casting vote for the 9th parliamentary election, Forum Asia, an Asian Forum for Humans Rights and development yesterday said.

Subodh Raj Pyakurel, Chairperson of Forum Asia said that the persons who made substantial contribution to the smooth functioning of the election process were denied of their right to vote.

No facility was provided to the officers and the members of the police and para-military force, to exercise their right to vote he said and added the number of these deprived persons would come to more than a million.

The election observation mission was actively assisted and provided with information from the Forum Asia, Resource Integration Centre (RIC), Ain Salish Kendra, Odhikar and Madaripur Legal Aid Association.

Forum Asia congratulated the people of Bangladesh for their his toric achievement in completing the election to the Bangladesh Parliament on December 29 in a peaceful manner. A new opportunity for a return to the democratic rule is dawn upon Bangladesh, said Subodh Raj.

The zeal and fervour of ordinary citizens, especially of young people towards democratic form of governance was clearly visible on the polling day. On the day of polling the observation team visited nearly 30 polling booths under 8 polling centers representing urban, semi-urban, rural and industrial areas.

Israel shuns truce calls

Palestinian students studying in Dhaka University
stage a demonstration at the TSC area yesterday protesting
the Israeli air-strike on Gaza. FocusBangla

BSS, Gaza City

Israel on Tuesday shunned world appeals for a truce, massed forces on the Gaza border and warned that its deadly assault on Hamas could last for weeks as jets pummelled Islamist targets for a fourth day.

Despite the devastating aerial pounding that has killed at least 363 Palestinians, Hamas militants continued to fight back, firing deadly rockets deep inside Israel.

Children again fell victim to the Jewish state's "all-out war" on the Islamist Hamas movement, with two sisters dying when a missile slammed into their donkey cart in the northern Gaza town of Beit Hanun.

In Gaza City, residents picked through rubble and broken glass after a night which saw Israel hammering the overcrowded territory with some 40 strikes targeting Hamas buildings, training camps and rocket launching sites.

"We are scaredt that we can die at any moment," said 11- year-old Mohammed Ayyad who lives near a government compound blasted in the overnight raids.

Despite pleas by UN chief Ban Ki-moon for a stop to the "unacceptable" violence that has sparked outrage in the Muslim world and protests in many countries, Israel waved aside calls for a truce.

"There is no reason that we would accept a ceasefire at this stage," Infrastructure Minister Benjamin Ben-Eliezer told AFP.

"If there is a ceasefire, that will allow Hamas to regain strength, recover from the shock and prepare an even stronger attack against Israel."

With tanks and troops massed on the Gaza border, the Israeli military said "ground forces are ready" to join what politicians have warned would be a prolonged offensive.

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said the bombardment so far was "the first of several stages approved by the security cabinet."

Deputy Defence Minister Matan Vilnai warned the offensive-one of Israel's deadliest against Gaza-could turn into "weeks of combat."

Defence Minister Ehud Barak has said the "all-out war" against Hamas "will be intensified as necessary" to "deal a severe blow to Hamas so that it stops firing against Israeli citizens and soldiers."

The four days of intensive bombardment, which have killed several senior Hamas officials and reduced much of its infrastructure in Gaza to rubble, have failed to stop rocket fire from the territory.

Three Israelis-two civilians and one soldier-were killed on Monday by rockets fired from Gaza, with one slamming into the southern port city of Ashdod more than 30 kilometres (18 miles) from the border.

Hamas has warned it could launch suicide attacks inside Israel for the first time since January 2005.

Since the massive aerial attack was unleashed on Saturday in a bid to halt persistent rocket fire from Gaza, at least 363 Palestinians, including 39 children, have been killed and 1,720 wounded, Gaza medics say.

Palestinian militants have also fired more than 250 rockets, killing four people inside Israel and wounding around two dozen more.

Rebuffing Arab appeals, Israel's main ally Washington gave the offensive strong support but said it was also working behind the scenes to forge a truce.

"The United States understands that Israel needs to take actions to defend itself," White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe said.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was speaking to key world leaders and diplomats to find a lasting way to end the violence, officials said.

At the United Nations, Ban said he was "deeply alarmed" by the "unacceptable" escalation of violence. "Both Israel and Hamas must halt their acts of violence andt a ceasefire must be declared immediately," he said.

EU foreign ministers were set to meet in Paris later on Tuesday to discuss how they can work to help ease the crisis in Gaza.

In Brussels, the European Union's executive arm sounded the alarm about the "plight of civilians" in the battered territory, and called "for an immediate halt to military hostilitiest (and) to the rocket attacks."

Concern is growing about the humanitarian situation in the aid-dependent enclave of 1.5 million which Israel has virtually sealed off since Hamas seized power in June last year.

The Israeli military opened the Kerem Shalom crossing to allow more than 100 trucks filled with humanitarian aid to enter Gaza on Tuesday, a military spokesman said. On Monday, dozens of trucks were allowed to pass through.

Israel's offensive followed days of rising violence after a tenuous six-month truce in and around Gaza ended on December 19. It also comes ahead of early parliamentary elections in Israel called for February 10.

Deceptions main cause of BNP’s disaster in Ctg

Chittagong Correspondent

Chittagonian people probably have turned about from the politics of the BNP led four-party alliance as the answer to the gross negligence and deceptions made to them mainly during its misrule until 2006 from 2001.

According to a senior political analysts here in the port city, the overwhelming victory of the Awami League led grand-alliance candidates especially in the stronghold of the BNP-Jamaat alliance may easily be dubbed as vote revolution against the misrule of the alliance government.

Candidates of the Awami League led grand-alliance this time clinched 11 of the 16 constituencies in Chittagong setting new records of popular votes drawn in their favour where as the four-party alliance had acquired 12 of the 15 seats in 2001 elections.

Seven of the candidates in the region have seen first-time win. Four of which are fresh contestants while four former members of the parliament retained their respective seats.

The BNP started gaining popularity in this region after the fall of military autocrat HM Ershad regime in 1990. It bagged eight of the 15 seats in 1991 and 10 seats in 1996 elections respectively where as the Awami League had only five seats at both the elections.

Most of the successful candidates of the grand-alliance this time bagged on an average over one lakh votes and defeated their contenders at a margin of 10 to 25 thousand votes, while the members of the 8th and 7th parliaments bagged well bellow 100 thousand votes.

"Higher turn out of the voters is the main reason of the margin between the first and second candidates," an official of the Election Commission said adding that this election would certainly guide the future elections what was not only clam and disciplined but also most credible one.

Making the commercial capital of the country here in the port city had been a farce what was mostly promoted by the alliance government. The alliance government neither addressed the long standing demands of the port city nor did it pay adequate heed to the basics of the city that had been generating highest revenue for the national exchequer.

"It is grossly hoped that the upcoming government will not make the similar mistake and get them away from the people," Mohiuddin Ahmed, a senior college teacher said referring to the defeats of the heavyweight candidates of the four-party alliance - Abdullah Al Noman, Amir Khashru Mahmud Chowdhury, Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury and Wahidul Alam.

Many of the citizens are hopeful of relatively better governance of the state this time by the grand-alliance and over all development of the region.

Situation in Barisal peaceful

Barisal Correspondent

The citizen of Barisal passed the first post-election day without any unhappy major incident and victory procession on Tuesday. It was unprecedented in the election history of the region, said the local election observers and citizens.

Members of law enforcing agencies including armed forces, RAB and police intensified patrol in different areas as precautionary steps to prevent any untowards incidents.

On other hand some AL activists locked the Sakura and Druti bus counters at Gournadi bus stand owned by Manir Hossain and Badiuzzaman Mintu, two Jubo Dal leaders on Tuesday morning.

Advocate Talukdar Muhammad Yunus, the newly elected law maker of Barisal-1 hearing the news rushed to the spot and opened the counters.

Same type of incident was occured in Agoiljhara bus stand where a bus counter owned by Jubo Dal leader Maznu Mia was locked by rival political activists. Talukder Yunus being informed about the incident ordered local AL leader Gias Molla to open the counter immediately.

Advocate Shakhawat Hossain Jummon, president of Jatiotabadi Ainjibi Forum, former president and secretary of Barisal District Bar Association and special public prosecutor, alleged that political rivals used filthy languages against him on Tuesday night.

To the contrary Mezbahuddin Sabuj, Jamaat activists and ward commissioner of Mehendiganj municipality was physically assaulted by political rivals after Mezbahbahuddin Farhad, BNP candidate declared as winner for Barisal-4 (Mehendiganj-Hizla) on Tuesday morning.

Meanwhile Syed Anis, district Publicity Secretary of AL, denying any connection with the incidents and cautioned that action would be taken against them who stern would be involved with such kind of incidents.

On other hand after declaring BNP candidate Majibor Rahman Sarwar as winner of Barisal-5 constituency, AL office and 'boat' symbol at Kawnia area of the city were ransacked on Tuesday morning.

Abdul Awal Molla, former BCC ward commissioner, BNP leader recently joined in AL, alleged political rivals for the incident which was denied by Advocate Nazrul Islam Rajon, district BNP secretary.

46 candidates lost security deposits

Staff Reporter

Forty-six candidates in the parliamentary elections held on December 29 from Brahmanbaria, Nilphamari and Gaibandha lost their security deposits as they failed to secure the minimum number of votes.

24 candidates in six constituencies in Bramhanbaria district, while 12 candidates in five constituencies in Gaibandha, 10 out of 19 candidates in four constituencies in Nilphamari district have lost the security deposit.

Some of the remarkable unsuccessful candidates are from least known political parties and independent candidates.

Japanese observers find free, fair election

UNB, Dhaka

Japanese poll observers Tuesday said the parliament election in Bangladesh was conducted in a free, fair, peaceful and orderly manner.

Briefing reporters on their election observation at the National Press Club, leader of a 7-member Japanese observation mission Goji Sakamoto said their mission visited 18 constituencies in five districts-Dhaka, Narayanganj, Manikganj, Gazipur and Munshiganj. And everywhere they found peaceful elections and cooperation among polling agents to make the election successful.

Asked about BNP allegation of irregularities in 72 constituencies, Sakamoto said they visited eight polling stations in Dhaka city and did not witnesses any such thing as alleged by the losing party.

"We found cooperation among polling agents to prevent any forged action and efforts to make the election successful," he said.

He noted that a flawless voter list and reforms by the caretaker government and the election commission contributed to holding free and fair polls.

However, the Japanese mission leader suggested that the present voter list need to be updated regularly for the future elections.

Sakamoto, Member of the House of Representatives of their parliament, hoped that the will of the people would be respected and majority and minority parties would work together for democratization and economic development of Bangladesh.

He said Japan would continue its support to Bangladesh for further development of the country.

Other members of the mission were Akihiro Nishimura, Member of the House of Representatives, Matsushshiro Horiguchi, former Ambassador to Bangladesh, Mosaaki Obashi, Professor of Keisen University, Masato Otaka, Director of South Asia division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Koji Sugiyama, Deputy Director, Southwest Asia Division of the Foreign Ministry. Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Masayuki Inoue was present.