The government would have to face unimaginable “punishment” if it did not meet the Jatiya Oikyafront's demand for fair polls, said Dr Kamal Hossain, a top leader of the alliance, at a rally in Chattogram yesterday.

The Election Commission yesterday exhibited the Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) in eight districts amid ongoing criticism and protests by opposition parties regarding its use in the upcoming national polls.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday sought reelection of Awami League to uphold the global recognition of Bangladesh as a role model of development.

Keeping in mind the last parliamentary election that saw 154 candidates elected uncontested, the ruling Awami League now considers fielding dummy contenders alongside the party nominees in all the 300 constituencies.

With multiple MP hopefuls in each constituency of Khulna division, the Awami League may have to deal with a serious problem of possible rebel candidates, while the BNP is in a better position with fewer MP hopefuls.

History says it has been a swing division since 2001. The first two national polls results, since democracy was restored, show none of the two major parties enjoyed absolute supremacy here.

With around two months left for the 11th national polls, the ruling Awami League is yet to finalise decisions on many key issues, including whether it will join the election under the 14-party or the grand alliance.

Leaders at the Jatiya Oikyafront's maiden public rally yesterday asked people to unite for ensuring a free and fair election and “restoring” their right to vote.

Among the 19 constituencies in Sylhet division, Sylhet-1 has always been the general election bellwether for parties. Every party that had won this constituency since the restoration of democracy in 1991, went on to form the government.

The Awami League high command is worried as almost all the 300 constituencies have four to five party leaders each vigorously campaigning for nominations in the parliamentary polls, according to AL insiders.

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.

In their manifestos for the next national polls, the Awami League wants to focus on the government's "success stories" while the BNP on its “goal to restore democracy", insiders say.

With the BNP virtually on the sidelines, leaders of the ruling Awami League and the main opposition in parliament Jatiya Party are running their campaigns in full throttle for the general election in the 33 constituencies of Rangpur division.

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader says there is no necessity for a dialogue with any political party.

A new committee of Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh is announced relieving its President AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury, Secretary General Maj (retd) Abdul Mannan and Joint Secretary General Mahi B Chowdhury from their posts.

BNP data on police cases filed against its leaders and activists in about five weeks reveal a surprising number of unidentified accused, making the party extremely worried about its grassroots ahead of the upcoming parliamentary polls.

With about two weeks left before the announcement of schedule of the upcoming national polls, the Awami League's election campaign in Rajshahi division goes on in full swing but the picture is quite the opposite for the BNP.

They are archrivals but there is one thing in common for both the camps.

The Awami League does not want Election Commissioner Mahbub Talukdar to resign, said party's General Secretary Obaidul Quader yesterday.

The ruling Awami League is preparing to beef up electioneering across the country in the next two weeks before the Election Commission announces the schedule of the upcoming parliamentary polls.