Rashidul Hasan

The Election Commission seems to be in an unusual hurry to announce the schedule for the next parliamentary polls.

The state of politics in the run up to the upcoming parliamentary polls looks quite different from what prevailed in 2006 and 2013. The first week of the 90-day timeframe from October 31 for holding the polls saw some positive signs like talks between the ruling and opposition parties and deferral of the election schedule by the Election Commission.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said there would be no technocrat in the polls-time cabinet in line with the constitution.

Jatiya Oikyafront submits a letter to the Election Commission (EC) urging it not to announce the schedule for the 11th parliamentary election until the end of the ongoing dialogue.

The 10th parliament sits for the last time today, with the main opposition Jatiya Party setting a rare example in the history of the country's parliamentary democracy.

The Election Commission is likely to announce polls schedule following its meeting with President Abdul Hamid at the Bangabhaban on November 1.

The Election Commission yesterday rejected a proposal for amending the electoral code of conduct so that people in managing committees of educational institutions cannot run in the general election.

Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda yesterday said the overall atmosphere ahead of the upcoming parliamentary election was “satisfactory”.

An election commissioner yesterday walked out of the election preparatory meeting for what he said was not being allowed to speak on how to hold the 11th parliamentary polls in a free, fair, and inclusive manner. Mahbub Talukder also submitted a “note of dissent” before leaving the Election Commission meeting, held at the Nirbachon Bhaban in the capital's Agargaon with Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda in the chair.

The grenades used in the August 21 attack to kill Sheikh Hasina were supplied by former deputy minister Abdus Salam Pintu's brother Maulana Tajuddin.

Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda has finally moved to end his “go alone” policy that used to leave the four other election commissioners in the dark while running the EC.

Two small political parties are upbeat about having its members in the polls-time cabinet as the prime minister recently announced that an election-time government will be formed comprising political parties that have representation in parliament.

Several top BNP leaders shared the stage with Dr Kamal Hossain and Prof Badruddoza Chowdhury at a citizens' rally in the capital yesterday and extended full support to Jatiya Oikya Prokriya's three-point demand including formation of a polls-time neutral government.

The much-debated Digital Security Bill 2018 was passed in parliament last night with a harsh provision allowing police officials to search or arrest anyone without any warrant.

A parliamentary body yesterday finalised its report on the much-debated Digital Security Bill without addressing some concerns of journalists and media owners.

Since its inception four decades ago, the BNP formed government four times -- once under the leadership of its founder Ziaur Rahman and thrice under the leadership of his widow Khaleda Zia.

Amid strong opposition from one election commissioner, the Election Commission yesterday decided to send a proposal to the government for amending the electoral laws so it can use electronic voting machines (EVMs) in the December national polls.

Just about four months before the national polls, the Election Commission is planning to use electronic voting machines (EVMs) in around 100 out of the 300 constituencies.

With only a few months left before the national elections, the Election Commission is planning to use electronic voting machines in the polls amid opposition from different political parties including the BNP. The commission has even initiated a move to procure 1.5 lakh EVMs at an estimated cost of Tk 3,821 crore, EC sources told The Daily Star yesterday.

The Biman Bangladesh Airlines yesterday started hajj flight operation, but around 11,000 seats remain unsold, creating uncertainty over performing of hajj by many pilgrims.