The Jatiya Oikyafront candidates in the six constituencies of Khulna are heavily depending on female activists for their campaigns as most of the men are either on the run or under cover fearing police.

Male leaders and activists are seldom seen campaigning. They remain silent or in hiding to avoid police harassment, locals said, adding that using female activists in the campaigns is a strategy of the alliance.

Jamaat leaders have been nominated by the Jatiya Oikyafront in two constituencies of Khulna.

More than half the constituents in Khulna are women and it makes sense to deploy female activists, BNP leaders said.

Meanwhile, the Awami League campaign has gathered significant momentum. Alongside the nominees, AL leaders and activists are campaigning. Women leaders and activists are also seeking votes going door to door.

In the BNP tent, Principal Tarikul Islam, joint-secretary of city BNP, said, “Male activists are engaged in hanging posters and outdoor activities. So, we wanted to involve women in the campaigns more.”

“It should not be considered as our strategy. It is the reality,” said the BNP leader.

Azizul Bari Helal, the BNP nominee in Khulna-4 (Rupsha, Terakhada, Digholia), said AL activists were attacking BNP leaders and activists campaigning for him and they were also facing police harassment.

He alleged that female AL activists were visiting the homes of women who got benefit under VGF and VGD programmes.

BNP activist Zorina Khatun said, “Our male members are on the run to avoid police harassment. They cannot run their businesses and are even forced to shut their business establishments. We are campaigning to get out of this anarchy.”

The 23-year-old along with similarly aged Tanzila sheikh were distributing leaflets of Rokibul Islam Bokul, the BNP candidate for Khulna-3 (Khalishpur, Daulatpur and Khanjahan Ali), at Boikali in the morning after dropping off their children at school.

Clad in burqas, their faces were covered and they were wearing gloves. Several other women were accompanying them.

“Bokul is my brother of the neighbourhood. So, I am distributing leaflets for him,” she said.

Tanzila alleged that the AL did not give the BNP and other political parties any space for political activities. “Is the country only for the AL?” she asked.

On Friday night, these correspondents visited WAPDA Slum in Rupsha Stand Road and talked to 10 women voters who said female  activists were visiting their home every day.

The Jatiya Oikyafront, if voted to power, will form an all-party truth and reconciliation commission to investigate the extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and false cases of the last 10 years.

The commission will also include eminent academics, social workers and lawyers, and the politically motivated cases would be settled through individual pardons and compensations.

This comes in the 35-point pledge the Oikyafront made in its election manifesto seeking to establish peace and national unity, end the culture of vengeance and prevent recurrence of one-party rule.  

The Oikyafront, an alliance of the BNP and some other parties, promises to bring sweeping reforms in governance if it comes to power through the December 30 parliamentary polls.

The reforms include introduction of a constitutional provision for an election-time government, upper chamber of parliament, complete separation of judiciary from the executive, an independent commission to appoint the Supreme Court judges, and appointment of the ombudsman and officials to other constitutional posts.

Addressing the programme to unveil the manifesto at a city hotel yesterday, top alliance leader Dr Kamal Hossain said they look to repair the state as the students demanded in the recent road safety movement.

“Students during their recent road safety movement demanded repair of the state. We also want to repair the state if we get elected.” 

On the national polls, the eminent jurist warned that the situation may take a serious turn anytime if obstacles are created to a fair and credible election.

Mahmudur Rahman Manna, convener of Nagorik Oikya and a leader of the alliance, read out the manifesto. He said their principles of running the government will be “consensus, inclusion of all and free from vengeance”.

BALANCE, DECENTRALISATION

The opposition alliance said it will take necessary measures to bring a balance between the powers of the president and the prime minister. No person will hold the post of prime minister for more than two consecutive terms.

For decentralisation of power, it pledged to strengthen the local government by increasing the budgetary allocation, introducing direct Zila parishad polls and a city government system led by mayors.

The Oikyafront said an all-party national commission will be formed to examine the pros and cons of provincial government system.

It will amend article 70 of the constitution that imposes stringent restrictions on lawmakers in taking stance against party policies. An MP will be free to vote against his own party in the House on any issues -- except for finance bill and no-confidence motions. 

The deputy speaker will be chosen from the opposition lawmakers and heads of the parliamentary standing committees will be from all parties.

The alliance said the number of reserved seats for women in parliament will be reduced from 15 percent to 10 percent. And all parties will have to nominate at least 20 percent women candidates for parliamentary polls.

There will be no reserved seats for women after two elections, but the number of women MPs to be elected through direct polls will be increased to 25 percent.

GRAFT, SCAMS 

The Oikyafront promised stern actions against persons responsible for banking scams. Bangladesh Bank will enjoy “full autonomy” in running the banking sector with the dissolution of the finance division under the finance ministry.

"Corruption that took place during the current government's tenure will be investigated and the persons found involved will be brought to justice by setting up special tribunals. The Anti-Corruption Commission will be made independent in real sense," it said.

The provision of the Civil Service Act, which makes government permission mandatory before arresting civil servants, will be scrapped.

Effective measures will be taken to stop capital flight, and money already laundered will be brought back. Besides, actions will be taken against share market scamsters.

No ongoing projects will be cancelled but a committee will be formed to review those taken up hurriedly in the last two years.

Citing statistics of Washington-based organisation Global Financial Integrity, Nagorik Oikya chief Manna said around Tk 6 lakh 6 thousand and 868 crore has been laundered between 2005 and 2014.

In 2014 alone, Tk 72,873 crore has been laundered, he added.

Manna further said the Oikyafront will give priority to curbing corruption in various service sectors as well as mega projects.

POLICE, JUDICIARY

The Oikyafront says it will take measures to bring an end to extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and torture in police remand.

"Incident of extrajudicial killing and enforced disappearance will be investigated," it said.

The practice of filing false cases by police will be stopped and nobody will be arrested without warrants. The Police Bureau of Investigation will enjoy full freedom.

The alliance promised to increase retirement age of the SC judges to 70 from 67 and set up permanent benches of the High Court at divisional headquarters.

"Wealth statements of judges and their close relatives will be made public every year."

The alliance promised to ensure freedom of expression, freedom of speech and freedom of press. For this, it will scrap the Digital Security Act and will impose no restriction on social media users. It will form an “independent” press council and encourage investigative journalism.

It promised to continue the war crimes trials and prepare a list of freedom fighters under the supervision of the army.

It will keep up the work of building professional and skilled armed forces keeping them above the political influence. The activities of DGFI will be limited to the defence affairs. A national security council will be formed under political leadership.

EMPLOYMENT, SERVICE 

The Oikyafront seeks to introduce an unemployment allowance for those above the age of 30. A commission will be formed to examine the state's ability to introduce such a system.

There would be no age limit for joining government services except for police and defence forces. And there would be no quota except that for the backward communities and physically challenged people. All vacant posts in government services will be filled in the next three years.

The alliance said a minimum allowance will be given to educated aged persons and they would be provided with part-time jobs.

UTILITY

Electricity price will not increase in the next five years for consumers using up to 100 units a month. Rural, small and cottage industries and all public and private hospitals will get electricity at concessionary household rates instead of commercial.

The alliance promised that the price of electricity and gas will not be hiked in the first year if it is voted to power.

EDUCATION

The Primary Education Completion Certificate exams for class-V students and Junior School certificate for class-VIII students will be cancelled. A single admission test will be introduced for admission to all public universities, promised the alliance.

Madrasa students will be given technical trainings and also foreign jobs. A commission will be formed for reform of madrasa education with focus on employment.

FOREIGN POLICY

The Oikyafront manifesto reads relationship with India will be strengthened further on the basis of equality.

"The water-sharing of Teesta and other common rivers and Rohingya issue will be resolved through bilateral discussions at the earliest," it said, adding steps will be taken to strengthen Saarc and other regional groups.

Bangladesh will join the projects beneficial to it under the “One Belt, One Road” initiative by China.

Election watchdog Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (Shujan) yesterday alleged that the December 30 national polls, won by the ruling Awami League, was marred by massive irregularities.

Hundred percent turnout in polling stations, cent percent vote for AL MP contenders and “abnormal” vote difference between AL and Oikyafront candidates proved that irregularities indeed took place during the polls last year, it said.

At a press conference at the Dhaka Reporters’ Unity, Shujan also demanded formation of the Supreme Judicial Council to investigate the irregularities and take actions against those involved in them.

“We urge the president to form a Supreme Judicial Council in order to probe the irregularities and take measures against those involved, especially the Election Commission,” said Shujan Secretary Badiul Alam Majumdar.

Shujan President Hafizuddin Khan and eminent jurist Shahdeen Malik echoed Majumdar’s view while speaking at the briefing.

Asked about the allegation, Election Commissioner Rafiqul Islam said they organised a proper election.

“There is an election tribunal to deal with polls irregularities. The court can take any decision, it can even cancel any election,” he said.

At the press conference, Dilip Kumar Sarker, central coordinator of Shujan, said many allegations of irregularities, involving nomination trade, obstruction to polls campaign, assault of polling agents, stuffing of ballots the night before the election, barring voters from going to the voting booths and forcing people to vote for a particular party, surfaced after the polls.     

 “Following the review of the centre-wise results, all these allegations seem to be logical,” he said.

Shujan said data provided by the EC shows that 213 polling centres of 103 constituencies had 100 percent of the votes cast, which is unbelievable.

Of the 213 centres, AL candidates won in 181, Jatiya Party candidates in 21, BNP leaders in eight and others in three.

Dilip said it was not logical and acceptable that there would be 100 percent turnout.

Some of the enlisted voters had died, some were abroad while some could have been ill or away from their areas for emergency works during the election, he said.

Terming the cent percent votes being cast absurd, Shahdeen said, “None but a lunatic will say that people’s will was reflected in the election.”

Columnist Syed Abul Maksud said there had been no record of 100 percent turnout anywhere in history.

“No one will forgive the chief election commission … he will be questioned on the Day of Judgement,” he said.

Of the total 40,155 polling stations, 99 percent of the votes were cast at 127 centres, 98 percent at 204 centres, 97 percent at 358 centres and 96 percent at 516 stations, according to Shujan.

The polls watchdog also found that 100 percent of the votes were cast for a single symbol at 587 polling centres of 75 constituencies.

Of the 587 centres, all votes went for AL candidates in 586 centres. The other centre was won by a BNP contender.

AL leaders secured victory in 74 constituencies while the other one was won by a leader of the Workers Party of Bangladesh.

Shujan further alleged that it found discrepancies in the centre-wise results and those signed by returning officer (RO) in at least four constituencies.

For example, it said data provided by the RO showed that the turnout in Dhaka-10 was 69.92 percent. However, the centre-wise results showed it was 73.09 percent.

The case was similar in Chattogram 8.

The RO said 74.44 percent voters exercised their franchise, but the centre-wise data said the number was 76.72 percent.

Shahdeen said, “This shows that the Election Commission resorted to forgery in regard to the results.”

Badiul said, “We also found discrepancies in the information provided by returning officers and the EC. Which one will people believe?” 

Also, Shujan officials said there was a huge difference in the turnout percentage between constituencies using Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and ballot papers.

The average turnout of the six constituencies where EVMs were used was 51.42 percent while it was 80.80 percent in the other 294 constituencies.

“Why is there such a difference? Is it because ballot stuffing could not take place in the constituencies where EVMs were used?” Badiul asked.

“The EC should come up with an explanation.”  

Shujan also said BNP candidates got abnormally low percentage of vote in 16 constituencies where they had won four straight times in the past.

For example, BNP leaders won in Lakshmipur 1 and 3 in the national polls since 1991 to 2008. But in the December 30 election, candidates from the party got only 2.02 percent and 5.68 percent vote respectively.

BNP candidates did not get a single vote in 1,285 polling centres and less than one percent vote in 6,075 polling stations.

“It is believed that each of the Awami League and the BNP has support of 30 to 40 percent of the country’s people,” Badiul said.

Speaking at the briefing, local government expert Tofail Ahmed said, “Election Commission’s data is consistently inconsistent.”

He observed that EC should not be allowed to hold any elections unless the allegations against it were investigated.

Okiyafront candidate for Chattogram-5, Sayed Mohammad Ibrahim was attacked during electioneering near Chittagong University today.

His motorcade came under attack in front of Gate No. 1 of the university as his motorcade was passing through, our local correspondent reports.

The motorcade of Oikyafront candidate of Chattogram-5 constituency came under attack on December 23, 2018. Photo: Rajib Raihan

At a post-attack press conference held at Chattogram Press Club, Ibrahim blamed his rival Awami League candidate Barrister Anis for the attack.

“They wanted to kill me so that Anis can win in the election,” he accused. “We are preparing to submit a written complaint to the returning officer.”

Oikyafront candidate for Chattogram-5 constituency came under attack on December 23, 2018. Photo: Rajib Raihan

He claimed, four Oikyafront activists were injured in the attack.