Jatiya Oikyafront Convener Dr Kamal Hossain yesterday called upon the voters to go to polling centres early in the morning and cast votes without fear.

“I urge the voters to go to polling stations early in the morning and cast ballots. Don't be afraid. If you go there, criminals will flee. They cannot withstand the people's strength,” he told a press conference at Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU).

Replying to a query, the eminent jurist hoped people would vote for the Oikyafront candidates if today's election is held in a free and fair manner.

“If you talk to people, they will tell you that they want a change. We hope and believe that people will vote in our favour.” 

In a statement distributed at the briefing, the Gonoforum president called upon the young first-time voters to exercise their franchise.

“Keep in mind that if you are afraid, you are done; if you turn around, you are Bangladesh.”

Dr Kamal claimed that there are apprehension and confusion among people over the polls, and said this needs to be removed immediately.

“The polls will be held as the day breaks. There should have been a festive atmosphere now across the country. Instead, there are worries and confusion in people's mind.”

Dr Kamal, an architect of the country's constitution, called upon members of the army, the navy, police, Rab, Border Guard Bangladesh, Ansar, the VDP and Coast Guard to play a glorious role in the election like in the past.

“Your role in peacekeeping is being praised worldwide, and this has increased your scopes across the globe. You will remain careful so that it is not hampered in any way.”

The Oikyafront convener also urged Election Commission officials, returning officers and assistant returning officers to ensure people's voting rights.

“If you violate anyone's rights, remember that someone else is violating the rights of your mother, father, wife and children. If you do that, people, history and the law will not forgive you.”

Pointing to government employees, he said they do not belong to any party, and they serve people. “People are the owners of the country. Don't deprive them of the joy of casting votes.”

He also urged public officials not to abide by “any unlawful order”.

Responding to a query, the jurist said there is no division among the components of the Oikyafront. “Rather, our unity has been strengthened.”

About recent attacks on a number of Oikyafront candidates, he said, “I never saw or heard about such attacks and oppression in my life.”

He also reiterated that they would not quit the polls under any circumstances.

Speaking at the briefing, BNP Standing Committee Member Nazrul Islam Khan claimed that till Friday, 11,506 Oikyafront leaders and activists were arrested since the announcement of the election schedule on November 8.

He also alleged that Oikyafront men faced at least 2,896 attacks that left nine people dead and 13,252 others injured. 

Later, Dr Kamal and other top Oikyafront leaders held a view-exchange meeting with foreign journalists at the DRU. 

He briefed them about the attacks, cases and arrests of Oikyafront leaders and activists from November 8 to December 25.

The Oikyafront leader alleged that 2,833 attacks were made on the opposition men by Awami League men and police. At least, 12,923 people, including 49 Oikyafront contenders, were injured.

“Instead of being a time of festive competition, the campaign trail turned into a nightmare. The election road is pitted with serious obstacles, threats, intimidation and violent attacks against the opposition men,” he said.

Gonoforum President Dr Kamal Hossain today said those making their own fortunes depriving people of their ownership of the country and voting rights using the name and portraits of Bangabandhu are committing the 'most grievous crime'.

"They (AL) are using the name and portraits of Bangabandhu, but indulging in acts contrary to his ideals. I think it's the most grievous crime to work against Bangabandhu's ideal and dreams using his name," he said.

Speaking at a discussion, Dr Kamal further said, "Instead of exercising people's power in protecting their interests, they (AL) are making their own gains showing his photos and using his name. It's completely contrary to Bangabandhu's dreams. So, we should make people understand what Bangabandhu's real dreams were. Then, they'll put up a resistance against the abuse."

Gonoforum arranged the discussion at the Jatiya Press Club on the occasion of National Mourning day commemorating the 44th martyrdom anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Dr Kamal, a close associate of Bangabandhu, said the Father of the Nation had struggled throughout his life for establishing pure democracy and making people owners of the country.

"If anyone thinks the country's power and ownership belong to an individual and a party it will be tantamount to disrespecting Bangabandhu and defying his instruction. Because, he made people owners of the country through the constitution signed by him," the Gonoforum chief said.

He said Bangabandhu even could not imagine an autocratic regime would rule Bangladesh. "Those who want to deprive people of their ownership of the country deviating from Bangabandhu's dreams are bound to fail."

Dr Kamal said those who are now exercising power, even at the grassroots level, are not elected with people's votes. "They're making their own fortunes instead of protecting people's interests. They're depriving people of their rights and power."

Referring to the December-30 national election, he said people were deprived of their voting right. An election system has been established which is completely opposite to a free and fair election.

Dr Kamal said Bangabandhu clearly defined in the constitution that democracy means a system where people at all levels will be the owners of the country, and all the representatives will be elected through people's votes in a credible election. "But his instruction has been ignored completely."

The Gonoforum president said those usurped power and indulging in plundering abusing power are not owners of the country. "People's ownership of the country will be ensured if they can freely exercise their voting rights through a fair and credible election."

He recalled that late autocratic ruler HM Ershad had tried to stay in power for a longer time, but he was ousted through a united and fierce movement.

The Gonoforum chief urged people to get united to realise their rights, restore their ownership of the country and materialise the dreams of Bangabandhu.

Gonoforum executive president Prof Abu Sayeed, general secretary Reza Kibria, presidium members Mokabbir Khan, MP, Mohsin Rashid and joint general secretaries Ameen Ahmed Afsary and Mostak Ahmed, among others, spoke at the programme.

 

 

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’.

DHAKA-10

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.

DHAKA-13

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.

DHAKA-12

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.

DHAKA-16

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."

Dr Kamal Hossain today called upon all to take to the streets to bring down the government instead of just holding indoor meetings.

“No more indoor meetings. We will unite and take to the streets to keep the movement going,” said Dr Kamal Hossain, Jatiya Oikyafront convener, while speaking at a meeting demanding BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s release on the occasion of the second anniversary of her imprisonment.

The meeting was organised by Oikyafront at Dhaka Reporters Unity.

Khaleda was sent to jail after a lower court sentenced her to five years’ imprisonment in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case on February 8, 2018.

He said they are tolerating a farce in the name of election. “Unelected people usurped power and are ruling the country. People will not accept that,” said Dr Kamal, also president of Gonoforum.

“A government should be formed through a free and fair election. A party that secures majority [votes] in a real election should form the government. Raising demands of resignation are not enough. Rather the government should be brought down. People who are owners of the country should act as true owners,” Dr Kamal said.

The Jatiya Oikyafront top leader said that if people are deprived of freedom they become victims of corruption and looting. “None can give autocracy an institutional shape. People who had tried faced dire consequences,” he added.

He said that celebrating 50 years of independence, while depriving people of their rights, is nothing but a farce.

Speaking about Khaleda Zia, Dr Kamal Hossain said, “The term political prisoner sounds strange 48 years after independence. It is unimaginable that demand of release of Khaleda Zia need to be placed and meetings are held for that.”

BNP standing committee member Abdul Moyeen Khan urged all to unite and wage a movement to oust the government.

Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal President ASM Abdur Rab at the programme cautioned the government that if they want to leave power peacefully, they have to release Khaleda Zia.

Oikyafront leader and Gonoshasthaya Kendra trustee Zafrullah Chowdhury opined that it would not be wise to take part in the any elections without the release of Khaleda Zia.

Among others, Nagorik Oikya convenor Mahmudur Rahman Manna, Gonoforum executive president Subrata Chowdhury and Bikalpadhara president Nurul Amin also spoke at the programme.