Deadline for nomination submission expires today

The deadline for submission of nomination papers in the 12th parliamentary elections will expire on Thursday. Aspirants can submit their nomination papers to the returning officers within 4:00pm on Thursday, according to the Election Commission. The nomination papers will be scrutinised on December 1-4 and then the candidatures can be withdrawn by December 17. The 12th national parliamentary election will be held on January 7, 2024, as per the polls schedule announced by Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal on November 15. The appeals against the decisions of the returning officers will be received and disposed of on December 5 to 15 and the electoral symbols will be distributed among the candidates on December 18. The electioneering can be conducted from December 18 to 8am on January 5 (48 hours before the balloting). A total of 11,96,91,633 voters under 42,103 polling stations throughout the country are eligible to cast their votes in the 12th National Parliamentary Election. The last 11th parliamentary election was held on December 30, 2018.

Trinomool BNP names candidates for 230 seats including 5 ex-MPs

Trinamool BNP has announced names of its candidates including five former lawmakers for 230 constituencies out of total 300 in the 12th parliamentary election slated for January 7. The party`s secretary general Taimur Alam Khandaker announced the names in a press conference at its central office in the capital`s Paltan area on Wednesday evening. The party will field candidates in 300 seats, he said. “We will finalize the names of the remaining names soon. We have sold more than 500 nomination forms. Those who are interested can still buy nominations," said Taimur. Trinamool chairman Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury and executive chairman Antara Selima Huda, daughter of veteran politician late Barrister Nazmul Huda, were present. Former lawmakers among the 230 candidates are MM Shahin for Moulvibazar-2, MA Awal for Lakshmipur-1, HM Golam Reza for Satkhira-4, Nuruddin Ahmed for Jhenaidah-2 and Abdul Gani for Meherpur-2 constituencies. Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury has been nominated for Sylhet-6 (Beanibazar-Golapganj), Antara Huda for Munshiganj-1 and Taimur Alam for Narayanganj-1 (Roopganj). Newly floated Pragatishil Ganatantrik Forum candidates will contest the national polls from alliance with Trinamool BNP. Forum`s chairman Najim Uddin got nomination from the alliance for Chittagong-5 constituency and its general secretary Azim Uddin for Feni-3 seat. Pragatishil Ganatantrik Forum is formed under the leadership of Chittagong North District BNP former vice-president and Chattogram University Central Students Union (CUCSU) former vice-president (VP) Nijam Uddin and CUCSU former general secretary (GS) MA Awal. The party is yet to get registered at the Election Commission so that it will take part in the polls in alliance with Trinamool BNP. A political alliance of 15-party named Pragatishil Islami Jote has also formed an electoral alliance with Trinamool BNP. The alliance convener former lawmaker MA Awal and member secretary Nurul Islam Khan have got Trinamool`s ticket for Lakshmipur-1 and Mymensingh-2 seats. BNP leader Tanvir Ahmed Siddiqui`s son Chowdhury Irad Ahmed Siddiqui got nomination from Gazipur-1. Famous Brahmanbaria lawmaker Ukil Abdus Sattar`s son Mainul Hasan got Trinomool`s ticket for Brahmanbaria-1 seat. Names of candidates for the rest of the parliamentary seats will be announced later.

Raushan: Not taking part in January 7 polls

Jatiya Party (JaPa) Chief Patron Raushan Ershad on Wednesday said she will not take part in the upcoming national elections slated for January 7. From a press conference at her Gulshan residence, she told the media that non-cooperation from the party’s chairman and the secretary general forced her to take such a decision. Raushan said: "I participated in the 2014 and 2018 elections for the sake of the country and its democracy. I have welcomed the announcement of the schedule. I was prepared to participate in the election.” She alleged that party Chairman GM Quader and General Secretary Mojibul Haque Chunnu did not cooperate with her in participating in the election. Also, the party`s seasoned leaders were ignored during the nomination. "In such a situation, it is not possible for me to participate in the election,” she said in a written statement, and she did not respond to media queries. In another development, the party on Wednesday said Mymensingh district JaPa General Secretary Abu Musa Sarkar will contest the national polls from the Mymnesingh-4 constituency, from which Raushan is the current member of parliament. On Monday, JaPa announced its candidates for 287 constituencies for the upcoming 12th parliamentary election. Raushan Ershad and her followers, including Moshiur Rahman Ranga, were not on the nomination list. GM Quader recently visited Raushan Ershad at her Gulshan residence. According to party sources, the duo discussed several issues relating to party nominations ahead of the elections.

Shakib: I am a class one student in politics

Cricket superstar and MP aspirant Shakib Al Hasan on Wednesday said that he considers himself a class one student in politics. “I am a class one student in politics. All the senior leaders of the district Awami League] have done PhDs in politics. I will proceed following their guidance," he said while exchanging greetings with Awami League leaders and activists at the Magura party office. "I have been playing international cricket for 17 years and received many receptions. But none of them are bigger than this reception in my life," he said. “You all know how well Saifuzzaman Shikhar Bhai has done in Magura-1 constituency. Even though I got the nomination here, it is actually his seat. We will work together. He took Magura too far. I hope we both can take Magura further in the next five years,” he added. Shakib Al Hasan was warmly welcomed by the locals on his maiden journey to his native district, Magura, after getting the nomination from the ruling Awami League to contest the upcoming 12th national parliamentary election Cricketer Shakib Al Hasan for Magura-1 seat. . The Magura residents embraced Shakib Al Hasan as he arrived at the Gorai Bridge on Wednesday. Fans and local Awami League leaders and activists orchestrated an impressive convoy, ushering Shakib Al Hasan into Magura town with grandeur. At this time, one of the vehicles in Shakib`s convoy took him to the Awami League party office located in Jamrultala in the city. There are several cricketers who have accompanied Shakib on his journey. In particular, cricketer Rony Talukdar has been seen taking a leading role. On Sunday afternoon, the Awami League announced the names of their nominated candidates for 298 parliamentary seats in the 12th parliamentary election. the Awami League announced the names of their nominated candidates for 298 parliamentary seats in the 12th parliamentary election.

Law Minister: Don’t want to comment on postponing election

Law Minister Anisul Huq has stated that he does not wish to comment on the postponement or otherwise of the upcoming national polls. Regarding the possibility of delaying the elections, the minister said: "Only the Election Commission can make that decision. I will not comment on this." He made the remarks after a meeting in Brahmanbaria on Wednesday. The minister also said: "My vision of development encompasses all levels. I am committed to continuing the development of schools, colleges, employment and communication in the Kasba Akhaura area" Referring to the responsibilities of the government, the minister said: "The people have entrusted the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina with a responsibility. It is our government`s duty to protect the lives, property, and peace of citizens. We will remain vigilant in this regard."

Nomination papers filed for Gopalganj-3 constituency on behalf of PM Hasina

Nomination papers have been submitted from Gopalganj-3 constituency (Kotalipara-Tungipara) on behalf of Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The Awami League leaders submitted nomination papers to Deputy Commissioner Kazi Mahbubul Alam on behalf of the prime minister at around 12pm on Wednesday. So far, two nomination papers have been submitted for this seat. One was submitted by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the other was submitted by NPP nominee Sheikh Abul Kalam. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been elected member of parliament six times from Gopalganj-3 (Tungipara-Kotalipara) constituency.

EU technical team to monitor election process in Dhaka

The European Union (EU) has sent a four-member experienced technical team to monitor the 12th National Parliamentary Election process. EU Ambassador to Bangladesh Charles Whiteley on Wednesday confirmed that the team has arrived. The team will start working on Sunday, said the Election Commission sources. Earlier, the EU conveyed to the Election Commission about its decision to send a technical team. The European Union is not sending its full-fledged election observation team to Bangladesh during the upcoming national election due to budget constraint, said Election Commission (EC)Secretary Md Jahangir Alam recently.

Resignation of 3 technocrat ministers, 3 advisers accepted

The resignation letters of three technocrat ministers and three advisers to the prime minister have been accepted. The Cabinet Division issued a notification in this regard on Wednesday. The three technocrat ministers -- Posts and Telecommunications Minister Mustafa Jabbar, Science and Technology Minister Yeafesh Osman and State Minister for Planning Dr Shamsul Ala -- resigned from their respective posts on November 19. Besides, Prime Minister’s Economic Affairs Adviser Dr Mashiur Rahman, Energy Adviser Dr Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury and International Affairs Adviser Dr Gowher Rizvi also resigned from their respective posts on the same day. After the resignation of the three technocrat ministers, there are now 44 cabinet members excluding the prime minister, and of them 23 are ministers, 18 are state ministers and three are deputy ministers. On November 15, Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal announced that the national election will be held on January 7.

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Deadline for nomination submission expires today

Law Minister: Don’t want to comment on postponing election

Trinomool BNP names candidates for 230 seats including 5 ex-MPs

Raushan: Not taking part in January 7 polls

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Govt trying to thwart BNP’s Wednesday rally: Rizvi

The government has started a “nonsensical operation” from behind the scenes to stop the BNP`s rally scheduled to be held on Wednesday, the party`s senior joint secretary general, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, has said. “The government is creating confusion to foil the rally… It has started an operation so that BNP activists are unable to gather [at Naya Paltan] from Dhaka and surrounding areas and join the rally. They are trying to create an obstruction through nonsensical activities,” Rizvi said while addressing an emergency press briefing on Tuesday night at the BNP`s Naya Paltan office in Dhaka. “Bus and truck owners have already returned us vehicle fares that they took as advanced payment.” He also claimed a statement, seemingly signed by him and Organizing Secretary Emran Saleh Prince, was circulating on social media, which said the date of the rally had been changed to July 22, before terming it fake and alleging that the government had done it to mislead the masses. Referring to it as a planned move by the government, he said Wednesday`s BNP rally would be historic. The government was spreading fake information as it was afraid of the BNP rally, he added.

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South Asia

India Hosts 6th Session of the International Solar Alliance Assembly in New Delhi

The Sixth Assembly of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) convened in New Delhi today, presided over by Raj Kumar Singh, Minister of Power and New & Renewable Energy, Government of India, who serves as the President of the ISA Assembly. Ministers from 20 countries and delegates representing 116 Member and Signatory countries gathered for this important event, according to a press release. In his opening remarks, Raj Kumar Singh emphasized the crucial role of renewable energy sources in addressing global energy challenges. He stated that renewable energy has the potential to supply 65 percent of the world`s total electricity by 2030 and decarbonize 90 percent of the power sector by 2050. The International Solar Alliance is committed to making solar energy the preferred energy source, attracting investments, and ensuring ample energy availability to meet growing global demands. To support this, ISA has expanded its Viability Gap Funding (VGF) mechanism, increasing the grant to 35% of the project cost based on the capacity and needs of member countries. Co-President of the Assembly, Chrysoula Zacharopoulou, France`s Minister of State for Development, Francophonie, and International Partnerships, emphasized France`s commitment to the ISA. France has provided significant financial support for solar projects, including the construction of the Onigbolo solar power plant in Benin, bringing 25 megawatts of clean energy to the people of Benin. She emphasized the importance of supporting partner countries in their energy transition plans, said the release. Dr Ajay Mathur, Director General of the International Solar Alliance, stressed the need to accelerate the deployment of solar energy, particularly in developing countries and for applications that enhance the daily lives of those without reliable energy access. ISA is facilitating over 9.5 GW of solar applications in 55 developing countries and providing training to thousands of people in supporting solar energy. The organization is working on establishing STAR Centers as hubs of technology, knowledge, and expertise in solar energy, it said. The Assembly also discussed the ISA`s initiatives, including the development of solar mini-grids to provide universal energy access and mechanisms to attract private sector investment through guarantees provided by the Global Solar Facility. In May 2020, ISA initiated Demonstration Projects in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to showcase scalable solar technology applications and build the capacity of beneficiary member countries. Four projects, including solarization of the parliament building of the Republic of Malawi, solarization of health care centers in Fiji, installation of solar-powered cold storage in Seychelles, and solarization of a school in Kiribati, were inaugurated, it added. Singh dedicated these projects to the respective countries, highlighting ISA`s commitment to advancing the cause of energy transition through solar energy. The Assembly serves as the apex decision-making body of ISA and meets annually to assess the progress of solar energy deployment and discuss key initiatives related to energy access, energy security, and energy transition. The Sixth Assembly of the International Solar Alliance demonstrated the commitment of member countries to harnessing solar energy to address global energy and environmental challenges, the release also said.