DHAKA, Nov 15, 2023 (BSS) - Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal today announced the 12th Jatiya Sangsad election schedule in a televised address. Following is the verbatim of his address:

Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim.

Dear Countrymen. Assalamu Alaikum.

First of all, I pay my deepest respect to the memory of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the great architect of the independent sovereign People's Republic of Bangladesh, Father of the Nation.

The War of Liberation of 1971 came from democratic aspirations and emotions as well as spirit with values and in exchange of 30 lakh lives and sacrifice of the honor of 2 lakh mothers and sisters, the independent sovereign People's Republic of Bangladesh was established through the final victory (in the War of Liberation).

The Constitution of the Independent Sovereign People's Republic of Bangladesh was adopted on December 16 in 1972.

Since then, the multi-party democratic governance system in the country has been on the way. The constitution of Bangladesh is the ultimate expression of the will of the country's all people. 

The constitution declares all powers in the Republic belong to the people. Free and impartial parliamentary elections are one of the main means of establishing the people's ownership of state power. 

The countrymen desire that the state, parliament, government and public administration should be conducted in a democratic process that is enshrined in the pages of the Constitution of the Republic.

Dear Countrymen,

We have conducted thousands of local government elections at various levels including 16 parliamentary by-elections in the last 20 months after assuming office.

I have had several dialogues and exchanged views with all interested political parties, intellectuals, academics, civil society, senior journalists and election-experts. I listened to their opinion. I heard their recommendations.

I also explained our position. I have also invited all registered uninterested political parties several times. They declined the invitation.

As you know, general election to the National Assembly is usually held every five years. 
According to the provisions of Article 65 of the Constitution, the National Parliament consists of 300 general seats and 50 reserved seats for women (where they are elected on the basis of adult Franchise).

According to the provisions of Article 123(3) (a) of the Constitution, there is a clear direction to hold general election to the Parliament within 90 days before the completion of the tenure of the Parliament.

This directive containing the constitutional obligations is completed by the Election Commission (EC) with the help of the officers and employees of the executive division of the government and the law enforcement forces.

The government has repeatedly expressed its clear commitment to make the upcoming parliamentary elections fair, free, impartial, participatory and peaceful.
The commission will also discharge its duties with honesty, integrity and sincerity to the best of its ability and by taking all necessary assistance from the government to make the upcoming parliamentary elections free, fair and peaceful.

Dear Countrymen,

Election can be fair, free, impartial and participatory only through the concerted cooperation and participation of all in the process concerned.

When political parties are motivated by democratic spirit and contest elections effectively, balance is established at the centre and the elections become more fair and meaningful.

It also reflects public opinion more clearly. The election process is progressively integrated and sustainable. Democratic culture flourishes. I believe the people of Bangladesh are aware of politics.

All candidates and political parties participating in the elections must follow the electoral code of conduct. All officers engaged in electoral duties must also perform their duties with honesty and devotion by properly realising, following and applying the laws and rules and regulations. The Commission has implemented various training programmes to familiarise them with electoral laws and regulations. The law enforcing forces must ensure the overall security of the candidates, voters, election officials and the general public apart from ensuring security in the surrounding areas of the polling centres. Fake votes, vote rigging, ballot snatching, exchange of money and possible use of muscle power influence elections. People must resist it together at any cost.

Dear Countrymen

An expected favorable political environment is required for holding free, fair and participatory elections. But, on the question of elections, especially on the question of the institutional system of elections, the indifference of the country’s overall political leadership has been observed for a long time. In multi-party politics, there can be the indifference of ideology. But, if the indifference leads to conflict and violence, the instability resulting in it can have an adverse impact on the electoral process. Consensus and solutions are needed. I humbly request all the political parties, on behalf of the Election Commission, to look for amicable solutions avoiding the path of conflict and violence. I would request the people to come to the polling centres in a joyful atmosphere to freely exercise their precious right to vote by overcoming anxiety and fear. 

The Election Commission will always welcome the participation and contest of all parties in the elections. Reaching consensus and resolution through dialogue are not impossible avoiding mutual revenge, mistrust and non-confidence. Absolute tolerance, mutual trust and solidarity are the essential indicators for a sustainable and stable democracy.

Dear Countrymen

You know that the Election Commission has already almost completed the preparations for the 12th national parliamentary elections. The voter list has been updated. Demarcation of constituencies has been completed. The registration process of new political parties and interested local and foreign election observers has been completed. Total voters in the country are about 11,97,00,000. The number of polling centres is around 42,000. Voting will be held at 2,62,000 booths. The commission fixed the schedule for the 12th national elections by holding a meeting today. I am now announcing some key points of that schedule for your information.

On next January 7 in 2024, Sunday, the general election of the 12th national parliament will be held in 300 seats;
The appointment of 66 Returning Officers and 592 Assistant Returning Officers have been finalised;
Last date of nomination papers submission is November 30;
Nomination papers will be scrutinized from December 1 to 4;
Appeals against the order of the Returning Officers will be filed and disposed of in the Commission from December 6 to 15;
Last date for withdrawal of candidature is December 17;
Returning Officers will allot symbols on December 18;
The election campaign will continue from December 18 to 8am of January 5, 2024; And
Voting will be held on Sunday, January 7, 2024.

Dear Countrymen

General election of the Jatiya Sangsad is a large, difficult and critical event. Simplification and transparency of the election process is needed. The Election Commission recently launched two digital apps to facilitate voters and ordinary people to collect information and help observe poling activities throughout the day through smart phone. Apart from amending the law and rules-regulations, the Commission has recently introduced two digital apps so one could submit nomination paper online from anyplace to make the election process transparent, easy, efficient and orderly. The apps would facilitate voters and commoners in getting polling related information and observing election process throughout the day.

Transparency and visibility helps making purity and neutrality of elections. The role of mass media and election observers are pivotal in this regard. So we earnestly seek cooperation of the domestic and foreign media and observers. Delivery of news in objective and responsible manner with appropriate application of the digital technology could make voting process visible which could reflect credibility and neutrality of the polling. The commission will extend all its cooperation and support for the media to disseminate news in an objective manner. On the contrary, all out measures will be taken to prevent any attempt to influence voting through dissemination of untrue, false and fake information.     

Dear countrymen and respected voters 

I am urging all the respected voters to come to the polling station with enthusiasm, courage and confidence in the long-awaited general election of the National Parliament to be held on 7th January 2024 and freely exercise your valuable voting right and fulfill your civic rights to form the Parliament and the government. 

The vote is yours. Do not be influenced by anyone's interference or inducement in voting. If you face any kind of interference or obstacle, resist it individually or collectively. If necessary, immediately inform the presiding officer of the center. The Presiding Officer is legally responsible and bound to ensure the freedom of voter to exercise their right to vote by resisting any ill attempt at any cost.

Respected candidates, Effective competition is an integral part of elections. It is practically your responsibility to protect your rights and interests as candidates by appointing the required number of brave, honest, efficient and loyal polling agents at polling centres.

Contesting is an essential part in democratic election. 
 
All officers engaged in electoral duties will perform their duties honestly, impartially and steadfastly following the laws and regulations. We believe that the upcoming 12th National Parliamentary elections will be free, impartial, participatory and peaceful through performing the responsible behavior and necessary roles of all concerned from their respective positions.
Election will be lauded at home and abroad.  People's representation will be established in the country's public administration. Democracy will be consolidated.

I seek cordial participation and active cooperation of all levels of people including all the political parties and rival candidates in the election process. May the upcoming 12th National Parliamentary Elections be successful and fruitful. May Allah help us.

Khoda Hafez.  May Bangladesh live forever.