In the first parliament 45 years ago, none of the parties was recognised as official opposition due to their poor strength in the House.

The resounding victory of ruling Awami League-led alliance in Sunday's polls has diminished the scope for emergence of an official opposition in the new parliament.

The AL-led alliance together grabbed 288 seats out of 298 with the ruling party alone bagging 259 seats. The BNP-led alliance managed to secure only seven seats. [Election to Gaibandha-3 was rescheduled to January 27 following the death of a candidate and re-polling will take place in three centres in Brahmanbaria-2 on January 9.]

Against this backdrop, Jatiya Party may sit on the opposition bench in the new parliament to be formed with MPs-elect swearing in tomorrow.

The JP, a key component of the AL-led grand electoral alliance, emerged as the second largest party by obtaining 20 seats.

It needs at least five more to get official recognition as the opposition, according to the verbal directive given by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman during a debate in the first parliament on April 12, 1973.

In the first parliamentary election held in 1973, the AL won 293 seats. The opposition parties -- Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, Bangladesh Jatiya League, National Awami Party and others obtained only seven seats.

They extended their support to Jatiya League leader Ataur Rahman Khan and demanded that he be recognised as the leader of the   opposition.   

During the debate over recognition as opposition, Bangabandhu said a party could not be recognised as opposition if it did not have at least 25 MPs.

If any group has less than 25 MPs and at least 10 MPs, it can be termed a parliamentary group, not a parliamentary party, said Bangabandhu.

"The speech delivered by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is the only directive," wrote Khandaker Abdul Haq in his book "Parliamentary Practice and Procedure" published by the Jatiya Sangsad Secretariat in 2001.

"His directive has been derived from experiences of the Pakistan National Assembly and East Pakistan Provincial Assembly and it is consistent with the parliamentary culture of India and this sub-continent," wrote Haq, who was a senior official at the Parliament Secretariat.

If Bangabandhu's directive is taken into consideration, JP would need five more seats to qualify to become the opposition party in the new parliament. If JP is not the official opposition, none of its MPs could be the leader of the opposition.

The JP became the main opposition in the current parliament formed through the 2014 election, which the BNP-led alliance boycotted. It won 34 seats and its senior leader Raushan Ershad was recognised as the leader of the opposition with a status of a minister. Three JP MPs were also made ministers.

Their dual role has been criticised. The party could not play its due role as the main opposition in parliament in the last five years.

JP Secretary General Mashiur Rahman Ranga yesterday said his party would hold a joint meeting of the party's presidium members and MPs-elect today to decide whether it would join the government or sit on the opposition bench.

"We will also discuss it with the grand alliance," he said at a discussion at the party's Banani office.

Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda yesterday said he wanted the upcoming by-polls to Dhaka North City Corporation mayoral post and councillor election to the 36 new wards under the DNCC and the DSCC to be free and fair.

“The 11th general election was held in a fair manner. We want the Dhaka city corporation elections to be held like the national election,” he said.

Huda made the comment while briefing returning officers and executive magistrates, who will carry out election duties for the February 28 polls, at his office in the capital's Agargaon.

The CEC thanked all returning officers and executive magistrates for performing their duties during the December 30 election.

“I congratulate you and all your colleagues across the country for their hard work, skills and gifting the nation a fair election,” he said.

Huda said if the officers and the magistrates could ensure that the electoral code of conducts was properly followed, most of their duties would be performed. “Who will win the election is none of your concern.”

“People love you and they have confidence in you. Because of this, you have to ensure that the electoral rules are followed,” he told the officers and the magistrates.

“I am sure you will not do any irregularities. There is no doubt that you won't compromise with neutrality,” he added.

According to the polls schedule, the last day for filing nomination papers for the election to the 36 new wards -- 18 under the DNCC and 18 under the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) -- is January 30.

The returning officers will scrutinise the nomination papers on February 2, and the last date for withdrawing candidacy is February 9.

The DNCC mayoral post fell vacant following the death of Annisul Huq on November 30, 2017.

He was elected on April 28, 2015.

Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda has instructed lawmen to remain neutral during the city corporation and upazila parishad elections.

“Don’t let the election to be questionable,” he said during a coordination meeting at Nirbachan Bhaban arranged today ahead of the polls.

“Our parliamentary election was exemplary in the aspects of free and fairness,” he said. “We expect the same atmosphere in upazila and city polls.”

He instructed the law enforcing agencies to provide security to the voters and agents of different political parties during the voting process.

The CEC also praised the role of police force in curbing untoward situation during the national election and instructed the same vigilance in the upcoming elections.

Reflecting on major parties like BNP boycotting the upazila parishad polls, he said: “We can’t do anything if all parties do not participate. Still, we hope the election will be competitive.”

Among others present in the meeting were principal staff officer of the armed forces, inspector general of police, director general of Rapid Action Battalion, high-ups of the intelligence units and other ministry officials.

To be noted, the by-elections to Dhaka North City Corporation will be held on February 28.  

Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda yesterday directed law enforcers to deal with the law and order situation with an iron fist in case there was any violence on the polling day today.

“If anyone tries to create any sort of disorder at the polling centres, law enforcers will bring the situation under control,” he said at a press conference at the capital's Nirbachan Bhaban.

“We will investigate and take action in case we find any negligence on part of the law enforcement agencies or their attitude remains indifferent while performing election duties,” he said.

A total of 6.08 lakh law enforcers, including police, Ansar and VDP personnel, have been deployed for polls duties.

The CEC also asked all election officials to work in a neutral manner so that the election did not become questionable. “Perform duties rising above your personal views and likings for parties. We don't want a questionable election.”

“You should bear in mind that a candidate may face harm because of your attitude towards him or her,” he said.

Huda then citied different media reports that said many polling agents of different political parties were being harassed. “Police should not harass any polling agents … polling agents should get all-out security during the election.”

He urged all polling agents not to leave the polling stations before the announcement of results from the voting centres. “If anyone asks you [polling agents] to leave the polling station, take help from executive magistrates and law enforcers.”

About the incidents of violence during electioneering, the EC chief said, “Those were unexpected … We urged all not to create any violence but it is unfortunate that there were some during campaigning.”

He said they had directed the authorities concerned to investigate those incidents.

According to media reports, motorcades and polls campaigns of at least 56 candidates, mostly of the BNP, came under attack; some 1,190 people were injured and over 800 BNP-Jamaat men arrested during electioneering between December 10 and 28 for the parliamentary polls.

The CEC urged all voters to cast their votes without any fear and influence. “Your vote is valuable, cast it without any fear and for candidates of your choice.”

He also urged all candidates and their supporters to abide by the electoral code of conduct while voting.

He added that today's election was a participatory one as candidates from all registered parties were taking part. “This election will be held amid festivities”.

The remarks came at a time when many are doubtful about casting their votes freely after electioneering was marred by violence.

Election commissioners Mahbub Talukdar, Rafiqul Islam, Kabita Khanam and Brig Gen (retd) Shahadat Hossain Chowdhury were also present at the briefing where the CEC did not take any questions. 

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