Deputy commissioners, who have been made returning officers for the upcoming polls, were called in for a meeting at the PMO soon after they were briefed at the Election Commission on November 13, the BNP has alleged.

In a letter to the chief election commissioner (CEC) yesterday, the party also alleged that the ROs were briefed on "playing a role in favour of the ruling party in the upcoming election" at the Prime Minister's Office.

Such a meeting with the ROs at the PMO without the permission of the Election Commission (EC) is a "corrupt practice" as per a provision of the Representation of the People's Order (RPO) and a punishable offence, the letter said.

EC Secretary Helal Uddin Ahmed said they were not aware of the ROs having been briefed at the PMO. "We will investigate it. But since such an allegation has come up, the commission will send a directive to the cabinet division and other ministries concerned so that no one calls in anyone for a meeting," he said.

Around noon yesterday, a team of the BNP, led by its Joint Secretary General Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal, submitted a number of letters, signed by the party's Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, to the EC secretary.

After delivering the letters, Alal told the reporters, "The commission is failing to play its due role for creating a level-playing field."

According to one of the letters, as the ROs were heading back to their district headquarters after the EC had briefed them, they were phoned to come back urgently and be at the PMO.

"Getting the order, they [the ROs] rushed to the Prime Minister's Office. It was learnt that many Returning Officers had almost reached their workplaces, but they had to return to the PMO," read the letter.

"From reliable sources, it was also learnt that the Returning Officers were briefed on several issues for the purpose of them playing a role in favour of the ruling party in the upcoming 11th national election," it said.

The party questioned as to how the PMO could ask the ROs to come in for a meeting when the ROs were fully under the EC's control after the announcement of the election schedule on November 8.

It urged the EC to look into that day's telephone call records and CCTV footage of the PMO.

In another letter, the BNP placed a nine-point demand to the CEC. It demanded massive reshuffle in the administration for a free, fair and neutral election.

The party said seniority and merit must be respected in posting and transferring secretaries of the EC, pubic administration, home and other ministries concerned, and field-level police officials.

The party said all divisional commissioners, deputy inspectors general (range DIGs), and metropolitan police commissioners must be withdrawn and fresh postings be made as per “batch-wise seniority”.

In the letter, the BNP demanded withdrawal of deputy commissioners, police superintendents, and deputy police commissioners of metropolitan areas who had been on duty in one or several stations for more than two years.

All upazila nirbahi officers and officers-in-charge must be transferred to other districts, it said, adding that all contractual appointments have to be cancelled.

Responding to a query over the demands, the EC secretary said, "The EC will not accept such wholesale allegations. We will look into allegations if they are specific."

The BNP alleged that its potential nominees and their supporters were threatened to keep the BNP away from the polls, it said in a letter.

When the sale of party nomination forms was going on, a drone was intentionally flown near the BNP office at Nayapaltan to terrorise party activists, it said.

In another letter, the BNP sought punitive action against DMP Commissioner Asaduzzaman Mia and other police officials concerned for “instigating” a clash in front of its Nayapaltan office on November 14.

It also asked the same for the EC secretary and EC officials concerned. It said when the party nomination seekers had gathered at the office, confusion was intentionally created by an EC directive, EC secretary's comments as well as DMP commissioner's statement, regarding maintaining electoral code of conduct.

The EC, through its directive, disrupted the programme and instigated filing of false cases against innocent leaders and activists, the letter said.

When his attention was drawn to the matter, EC Secretary Helal Uddin said the secretary is the spokesperson of the commission and that he has no separate identity. "It is the commission that makes all the decision. The secretary implements those decisions and performs secretarial duties," he said.

In another letter, the BNP alleged that the government in an order on November 8 had appointed 45 secretaries and top officials of current and the immediate past government as mentors to influence the election and the ROs.

It demanded cancellation of the order.

The EC secretary said the appointment of mentors was a traditional system and routine. The commission was not aware of the order but it learnt that the order was suspended on November 13.

EC DIRECTIVE

In a circular yesterday, the Election Commission directed the local administration not to permit any waaz mahfil (religious gathering) until the polls ended.

“The EC has asked for nominating an executive magistrate in each district to monitor the issue,” a deputy secretary of the EC told The Daily Star last night.

The decision was made following a meeting with upazila nirbahi officials last week.

During the meeting, the UNOs said a lot of political remarks are made in such gatherings and therefore, it would be better not to allow such programmes during the polls time, the EC official said.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in parliament today (June 22, 2022) expressed hope that the next national parliamentary elections will be held in a free and fair manner with the participation of all political parties.

She also said her government has taken 11 "remarkable measures" to make the next national elections more acceptable and inclusive.

The measures include ensuring an environment where party activities can be carried out smoothly.

The premier said this in reply to a query from the main opposition Jatiya Party MP Syed Abu Hossain.

The JP lawmaker from Dhaka-4 (Demra-Shyampur) asked PM whether she has any special plans as daughter of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to ensure participation of all registered political parties in a bid to make the next parliamentary elections more acceptable and inclusive.

In her written answer, Hasina, also Leader of the House said, as per Article 118 (4) of the Constitution, Election Commission is an independent and constitutional body.

"The chief election commissioner and other election commissioners carry out their respective work independently in line with the constitution and the law. The government assists the election commission as per requirement," she added.

"(I) hope that the next national parliamentary polls will be held in a free and fair manner with participation of all political parties," Hasina, also president of ruling Awami League said.

"The EC will remain independent in carrying out its activities and it will remain only under the jurisdiction of the constitution and the law. It is the duty of the government and the executive authority to assist the EC in carrying out its activities."

Saying that election is an essential element in the democratic system, PM said the role of Awami League in protecting Bangladesh's independence, sovereignty and democracy is historic and undeniable.

The PM said her government has formulated the election commission law in line with the Article 118 (1) of the Constitution to hold the local body and national election in an acceptable and neutral manner.

She also said 22 amendment proposals of opposition parties were accepted during placing of "Appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Bill" which is the first step of making the election acceptable, free, fair and neutral.

The PM said voter list with photographs have been prepared in a bid to ensure the election is fair and acceptable. Transparent ballot boxes and electronic voting machines have been introduced.

Over 110 people, mostly BNP leaders and activists, were arrested in five districts yesterday on charges of subversive activities and attempted sabotage.

Debidwar upazila BNP Secretary General Mohammad Giasuddin and Burichang upazila BNP Joint Secretary Salauddin Ahmed were among the 63 arrested in 17 upazilas of Cumilla. Most of the other arrestees were BNP-Jamaat activists.

Mohammad Azimul Ahsan, additional superintendent of Cumilla police, said they were arresting “miscreants” to maintain law and order.

In Jhenidah, police held 43 people, including BNP-Jamaat men, from six upazilas on the similar charges.

At least seven BNP activists were detained in Khulna, claimed Shafiqul Alom Mona, president of Khulna BNP.

However, Abdur Rashid, officer-in-charge (watch) of Special Branch, told The Daily Star that police arrested 35 people in sabotage and other cases filed with different police stations of the district. “Police didn't arrest them seeing their political   identities.”

The law enforcers arrested two Jamaat activists in Gaibandha and nine BNP-Jamaat men in Dinajpur.

On Thursday, the BNP alleged that more than 2,200 of its leaders and activists were held across the country in just three days after Tuesday's rally of the Jatiya Oikyafront, an alliance of the BNP and some other political parties.

In Dhaka, law enforcers picked up at least 372 people before and after the Oikyafront rally in the city's Suhrawardy Udyan. They were arrested on different charges, including attacking police with brick chips, assembling illegally, creating obstacles to police duties, creating anarchy and attempted murder. Many of them were on remand after being produced before different Dhaka courts.

The police action has triggered panic among the BNP activists as they have already been accused in different “political cases”.

Our correspondents in Cumilla, Jhenidah, Khulna and Dinajpur contributed to this report.

There was a lot of interest in US Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asia Donald Lu's visit to Dhaka. Before leaving early yesterday, he held a series of meetings with the top ministers, labour rights, and civil society leaders. What were the discussions and outcomes? 
Lu shared with Porimol Palma in detail.

TDS: After landing, you directly went to the foreign minister's home and met him over dinner. What did you discuss?

Lu: I was really honoured to be welcomed by the foreign minister right off of the aeroplane. It was a very frank discussion. We all agreed that we could work a little harder to prevent misperceptions on both sides, but work harder to focus on the future of our relationship. There's a lot that we're doing. Trade, investment, security, climate change. We have a lot of hard work going forward. I was very clear the US is going to continue to value democracy and human rights in this country. That it's important that when friends have concerns or questions that we're raising. But I think we can do that in a friendly environment. I certainly see on the part of the minister a desire to make this a constructive relationship.

TDS: In Washington, you had expressed concerns over the security of your ambassador over an incident on December 14 in Dhaka. Did you raise that issue in Dhaka? Has the issue been settled?

Lu: I have to say, we take very seriously the security of your Bangladeshi diplomats in the US. We spend a lot of time making sure that they are safe and well taken care of. We expect the same from the government of Bangladesh. I was given assurances from everyone we met, including the home minister, that they are very focused on the security of our team.

TDS: There was a rumour that more sanctions were coming. Is it so?

Lu: I hope not. Normally, we impose sanctions on the anniversary [December 10]. We would have designated more individuals from the Rab to face individual sanctions. We didn't do that because we recognise the progress being made by the government and by the Rab itself to reform. We would like to see more reforms, but we mean to encourage this process going forward … [ so that] they are an effective law enforcement unit  without human rights violations.

TDS: What more did you discuss on sanctions?

Lu: We have seen over the last year a dramatic reduction in the number of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances. This is extraordinary and something that should be celebrated. There was a killing in November. It is Shaheen Mia. Immediately, the government appointed a magistrate to investigate the incident. This is important to show that Rab is going to be held accountable. In fact, you have structures in place to make sure that nothing inappropriate is being done. I encourage the government to report on such cases. This is a sign that Rab can function in a way that all Bangladeshi should be proud of. We want to encourage Rab to continue the progress. I have heard from the government that they're very interested in making reforms.

TDS: You have reiterated your commitment to democracy and free, fair and participatory elections. What was the feedback?

Lu: Well, let me say the main focus of my visit is to show that the US is a reliable partner and that we share the vision of Bangladeshi people for a stronger democracy, more prosperity and stability in this important country. Bangladesh is an important democracy in South Asia. Like all of us, Bangladesh has an imperfect democracy. I hope Bangladesh will be working hard to make sure that as it moves towards elections, they're focused on the ability of the government and opposition to work peacefully together, to protect freedom of assembly so people can gather peacefully, but also freedom of speech. As Americans, we'll condemn violence where we see it -- if it's on the part of opposition or the part of government and security forces. At the same time, we are going to focus on whether there's intimidation during these elections, and if either side attempts to intimidate the voters or the leaders, we will say so publicly. I think it's important as democracies that we provide that sort of feedback and really encourage each other to be better democracies. I have every confidence that Bangladesh will be able to rise to the occasion and have a good election.

TDS: What was the feedback?

Lu: Well, everyone I talked to pointed to the prime minister's commitment to free and fair elections without violence or intimidation. And so that's what we would like as well. I hope there will be that same commitment on the part of the opposition.

TDS: Bangladesh wants the GSP (Generalised System of Preferences) facility back and funding under the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) but both are tied to labour reforms. How can you help here?

Lu: The US is the number one destination for exports from Bangladesh. So, labour rights are really important for you and the US as a consumer. We could provide technical assistance in terms of labour laws including the EPZ law. We are willing to support Bangladesh in improving the process of trade unions' registration. There are some unions that have tried to register but were unable. Improving labour rights means your reputation going up. It can also open the door to new financing from the DFC and the GSP reinstated.

TDS: Recently, a Russian ship with equipment for the nuclear power plant in Bangladesh was redirected to India because the ship was sanctioned. What is the magic that it could be unloaded in India and not in Bangladesh?

Lu: Let me broaden the question. The US does not ask Bangladesh or anyone else to choose between Russia and the US, or China and the US. We want to compete and show that we are a reliable and constructive partner for Bangladesh. We want Bangladesh to see value in our relationship. This is important for us. The war in Ukraine has caused some very unfortunate consequences for Bangladeshis, Americans, and certainly for Ukrainians. We see high energy prices, and high food prices. So, the international community has imposed some sanctions on Russia. The point is to prevent Vladimir Putin and his military from gaining more money and power for them to use in the war. It is not to punish Bangladeshi people. And, we are talking to the Bangladesh government about how to minimise the effects of these sanctions on Bangladeshi people. About the ship. I would just pray that Bangladesh can avoid secondary sanctions. The sanctions oriented at Moscow may become a bilateral issue for us or cause problems for Bangladeshi businesspeople who might take things off of ships that were under sanction. I've had long discussions with our Indian partners about these very same issues and we're working through them.

TDS: Dhaka has said that foreign diplomats speaking about Bangladesh's elections and politics violates the Vienna Convention. How do you respond?

Lu: I have been in government service for 33 years. In all the places we served, we encourage our partners to live up to their democratic values. That's just what means to be an American diplomat. It's not something specific to Bangladesh or South Asia. It is because we believe that our partnership is stronger when your democracy is stronger; when people have the right to free speech and freedom of assembly. I believe this is what Bangladesh wants as well. We, Americans, have our own problems with democracy, but I am proud that our two countries can talk about these issues openly. We will also welcome support for improving our democracy.