Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said her government has been working to transform Bangladesh Army into a time-befitting, technologically well-equipped and modern force.

“We always want Bangladesh Army to be a time-befitting, modern and technologically well-equipped and we are working to attain the target,” she said.

The premier simultaneously said after assuming office her government established newer military units including new infantry divisions, brigade unit and training institutes as well for overall development of the army.

She said this while addressing a ceremony as the chief guest at the parade ground of the Bangladesh Military Academy (BMA), Bhatiary, Chattogram marking the President Parade 2019 of the passing out cadets of the 77th BMA Long Course.

The premier earlier distributed various prizes among 265 promising young officers who are stepping out of the Academy and entering into army career after successful completion of the course.

Of them, 234 are from Bangladesh including 27 women, 29 from Saudi Arabia, one each from Palestine and Sri Lanka.

Battalion senior under officer of the 77th BMA Long Course Sabir Nawaz Shaon has been awarded with the decorated “Sword of Honour” as the best all round cadet.

Besides, company senior under officer Md Barkat Hossain has got the “Army Chief Gold Medal” award for his best performance in the military subjects. The cadets also took formal oath on the occasion.

Bangladesh Army arranged a spectacular parade marking the occasion which the premier inspected from an open jeep and took salute.

She also joined an epaulette wearing ceremony and joined a photo session with the fresh army officers.

Cabinet members, chiefs of the three services, lawmakers, diplomats of foreign missions in Dhaka, political leaders, distinguished personalities, and high civil and military officials were present on the occasion.

Earlier on her arrival at the Academy, the prime minister was received by Chief of Army Staff General Aziz Ahmed.

Law Minister Anisul Huq yesterday said Jatiya Oikyafront's demand for holding a re-election is unconstitutional and “very illogical”.

“Jatiya Oikyafront's demand is an expression of disrespect to the people,” the minister said while talking to reporters after attending a programme, organised to accord a farewell to Zafrul Hasan, outgoing director of National Legal Aid Services Organization (NLASO), at its Bailey Road office.

The law minister said Oikyafront has no right to dishonour the people, who have cast their votes in the December 30 general election.

Replying to a question, Anisul Huq also said, Hefajat-e-Islam Chief Ahmad Shafi's comment about girls' education is opposing to the positive development of the country.

“Last year, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina recognised Dawra degree of Qawmi madrasa as equivalent to master's degree, which was a positive step. Allama Shafi is a senior person. With due respect to him, I want to say that his comment will be opposite to the country's positive development. It will be better if such a statement is retracted,” the law minister said.

“The government will not bring any change in running the country or its [government] policies. The Sheikh Hasina-led government is committed to upholding the rights of women. The commitment will be strengthened and the country will move forward; and it's the government's policy and belief,” he said.

Acting director of NLASO Bikash Kumar Saha presided over the function, where Law Secretary ASSM Zahirul Haque Dulal and its Joint Secretary Golam Sarwar also spoke.

Jatiya Oikyafront Convener Dr Kamal Hossain yesterday said it was a mistake on the part of his party Gonoforum to have joined the December 30 polls with Jamaat-e-Islami leaders contesting under the alliance banner.

He also said they would put pressure on the BNP to sever its ties with Jamaat in order to keep the unity of the Oikyafront intact and strong. 

Dr Kamal made the statements following a meeting of his party's central committee at its office in the capital's Arambagh.

"I've already publicly said that I was not aware of Jamaat's participation in the election [under the banner of the Oikyafront]. When I gave consent [to contesting the polls under the alliance's banner], I was not informed about Jamaat. I think you can call it a mistake," he told journalists.

Around 70 leaders from the Gonoforum's central committee participated in its first meeting after the 11th parliamentary polls. It began at 10:00am and concluded around 3:45pm.

The meeting was organised to discuss the party's next course of action following the election.

The Awami League-led grand alliance won the polls bagging 288 out of the 299 seats. The election to the remaining seat of Gaibandha-3 will be held on January 27.

The Jatiya Oikyafront won eight seats, including six for the BNP and two for the Gonoforum.

Twenty-two Jamaat leaders contested the election with the “sheaf of paddy”, the BNP's electoral symbol.

One of the framers of the country's constitution, Dr Kamal had earlier been criticised for allowing Jamaat leaders to take part in the polls under Oikyafront's banner.

Jamaat-e-Islami had opposed the country's 1971 Liberation War and its top leaders were involved in crimes against humanity.

The BNP has claimed that whoever contested the election with the “sheaf of paddy” symbol were candidates of their party, not of Jamaat's.

The AL said that one of the reasons for the Oikyafront and the BNP's defeat in election with a margin so huge was that they allowed Jamaat leaders to participate in it.

Jatiya Oikyafront rejected the election results, alleging widespread polls irregularities and rigging. They also demanded fresh polls following a national dialogue with all stakeholders.

The AL rejected the demand.

After Gonoforum's meeting, Dr Kamal told reporters that he never did politics along with Jamaat and would not do so in the future either.

"My position is clear. We never did politics along with Jamaat nor [are we] thinking of doing so in the future. Whatever you've said about our politics involving Jamaat, we were not aware of it," he said.

When asked what the Gonoforum's position would be if the BNP did not sever its ties with the Jamaat, he said, “We will talk about it if it happens.”

Gonoforum General Secretary Mostafa Mohsin Montu said their party forged the alliance with the BNP, not with the 20-party or the Jamaat. 

He said, “We raised our objection when the 22 Jamaat leaders were nominated to contest the election with the 'sheaf of paddy'. The BNP's secretary general told us they [the Jamaat leaders] were nominated as BNP candidates.”

Asked whether his party's two elected MPs would take oath, Montu said they would discuss it and decide later.

At the meeting, he said their leaders discussed the post-election atmosphere and worked out their party's future course of action.

Montu said their leaders strongly believe that to wage a democratic movement in the days to come and to “restore democracy”, there was no other alternative to national unity.

Dr Kamal said there was no disagreement among the people regarding the formation of the parliament through a fair and acceptable election.

“No one apart from the ruling party spokesmen are saying that a fair election was held on December 30, while there is no scope for saying it. I don't think it's a big deal to resolve such a problem. The government should hold a fair election within two to three months, enabling everyone to cast votes in the interest of the country and the constitution.

“People should be given a chance so that they can cast their votes as per their will. If you get the majority of the votes in a fair election, it'll be meaningful. If a government is formed through a fair and credible election, it will be easier for it to discharge its duties properly.”

Speaking to The Daily Star, several Gonoforum leaders who were present at the meeting said they discussed the strengthening of the Oikyafront in such a manner that no one can “malign its reputation because of the Jamaat and the BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman.”

The meeting also decided to hold its central council on March 23 and 24.

There were no polling agents of main opposition parties anywhere throughout Dhaka. The Daily Star went about several constituencies in the capital, but could only find polling agents of Awami League everywhere wearing the badge of the ‘boat’.

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The Daily Star visited Kakoli High School, Dhaka City College, Teachers’ Training College, Dhaka College, University Laboratory School and College, Dhanmondi Government Boys School and College, New Model School and College voting centres.

While plenty of ‘boat’ supporters were seen displaying badges, only the centre at Dhaka City College, where Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina cast her vote, had one or two polling agents of ‘Tiger’ and ‘hand fan’ there.

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The Daily Star visited Mohammadpur Government Primary School, Mohammadpur Girls High School, Rayerbazar Community Centre, Shyamoli Ideal Technical Institue, and Primrose Kindergarden polling stations in the constituency which is witnessing electronic voting for the first time.

There too, no opposition polling agents could be seen anywhere. However, ruling party supporters and polling agents were found roaming around aplenty.

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The Daily Star visited Ispahani School, Viquarunnisa Noon School, and Tejgaon Govt Girls High School voting centres. No polling agents other than those from the ruling Awami League could be seen there in the morning.

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The Daily Star visited five polling centres including Rashid Ideal High School, Al Quran Academy, and Bangabndhu College to find only one polling agent of the ‘sheaf of paddy’ who did not seem very convincing.

Shafiqur Rahman, who claims to have been driven out of Bangabandhu College, alleged that false BNP polling agents were filled in Shahidbagh Girls School. "I was supposed to provide polling agents there. But this morning, it was already filled."