A day after Bangladesh's now-former prime minister Sheikh Hasina fled the country after resigning, the nation's president on Tuesday (August 6) dissolved the parliament.

This was a key demand of the protesting students. In a statement, Shiplu Zaman, press secretary of President Mohammed Shahabuddin said: "The president has dissolved parliament."

Furthermore, the Bangladesh President has also freed Hasina's arch-rival, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, a former prime minister from house arrest.

Also read |&nbsp;<a bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:8,&quot;y&quot;:164,&quot;w&quot;:685,&quot;h&quot;:34,&quot;abs_x&quot;:41,&quot;abs_y&quot;:1900}" href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/hasina-flees-to-india-awaits-asylum-modi-holds-high-level-meet-on-bangladesh-turmoil-747472">Hasina flees to India, awaits UK asylum; PM Modi holds high-level meet on turmoil in Bangladesh</a>

<h2 bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:8,&quot;y&quot;:217,&quot;w&quot;:723,&quot;h&quot;:26,&quot;abs_x&quot;:41,&quot;abs_y&quot;:1953}">Interim government</h2>

The dissolution of the Parliament paves the way for the formation of an interim government.

In a statement, the presidential office said that the order to dissolve the parliament was taken after meetings with the heads of defence forces, leaders of political parties, student leaders and some civil society representatives.

<h2 bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:8,&quot;y&quot;:365,&quot;w&quot;:723,&quot;h&quot;:26,&quot;abs_x&quot;:41,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2101}">Khaleda Zia 'is now free'</h2>

Zia, whom Reuters describes as an uncompromising PM, has been released from years of house arrest. In 2018, Zia, a bitter enemy of Hasina, was sentenced to 17 years in prison for graft.

The chairperson of the key opposition, Bangladesh National Party (BNP), Zia, is in poor health and is confined to a wheelchair with rheumatoid arthritis and struggling with diabetes and cirrhosis of the liver.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-unrest-president-orders-release-of-jailed-ex-pm-khaleda-zia-747504">Bangladesh unrest: President orders release of jailed ex-PM Khaleda Zia, student leaders</a>

Rejoicing her release, party spokesperson A.K.M Wahiduzzaman told AFP that she "is now freed".

<h2 bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:8,&quot;y&quot;:545,&quot;w&quot;:723,&quot;h&quot;:26,&quot;abs_x&quot;:41,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2281}">The enmity between Zia and Hasina</h2>

As per Reuters, the enmity between the two women popularly came to be known as the "Battle of Begums".&nbsp;

It has its roots in the murder of Hasina's father — Bangladesh's founding leader, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, along with her mother, three brothers and several other relatives in the 1975 military coup.

At the time, Zia's husband, Ziaur Rahman, was the deputy army chief and three months into the coup, he effectively took control of the nation. He was himself killed in another military coup in 1981.&nbsp;

The BNP mantle fell to his widow, Zia, and the two women in 1990 joined forces. However, there exists a mutual dislike between the two that has also been blamed for the 2007 political crisis in the country — when an emergency was imposed.

(With inputs from agencies)

 
&nbsp;

A day after Bangladesh's now-former prime minister Sheikh Hasina fled the country after resigning, the nation's president on Tuesday (August 6) dissolved the parliament.

A day after Bangladesh's now-former prime minister Sheikh Hasina fled the country after resigning, the nation's president on Tuesday (August 6) dissolved the parliament. This was a key demand of the protesting students. In a statement, Shiplu Zaman, press secretary of President Mohammed Shahabuddin said: "The president has dissolved parliament." Furthermore, the Bangladesh President has also freed Hasina's arch-rival, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, a former prime minister from house arrest. Also read | Hasina flees to India, awaits UK asylum; PM Modi holds high-level meet on turmoil in Bangladesh Interim government The dissolution of the Parliament paves the way for the formation of an interim government. In a statement, the presidential office said that the order to dissolve the parliament was taken after meetings with the heads of defence forces, leaders of political parties, student leaders and some civil society representatives. Khaleda Zia 'is now free' Zia, whom Reuters describes as an uncompromising PM, has been released from years of house arrest. In 2018, Zia, a bitter enemy of Hasina, was sentenced to 17 years in prison for graft. The chairperson of the key opposition, Bangladesh National Party (BNP), Zia, is in poor health and is confined to a wheelchair with rheumatoid arthritis and struggling with diabetes and cirrhosis of the liver. Also read | Bangladesh unrest: President orders release of jailed ex-PM Khaleda Zia, student leaders Rejoicing her release, party spokesperson A.K.M Wahiduzzaman told AFP that she "is now freed". The enmity between Zia and Hasina As per Reuters, the enmity between the two women popularly came to be known as the "Battle of Begums". It has its roots in the murder of Hasina's father — Bangladesh's founding leader, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, along with her mother, three brothers and several other relatives in the 1975 military coup. At the time, Zia's husband, Ziaur Rahman, was the deputy army chief and three months into the coup, he effectively took control of the nation. He was himself killed in another military coup in 1981. The BNP mantle fell to his widow, Zia, and the two women in 1990 joined forces. However, there exists a mutual dislike between the two that has also been blamed for the 2007 political crisis in the country — when an emergency was imposed. (With inputs from agencies)

Bangladesh Parliament dissolved by president; Hasina's rival Zia 'freed' after years of house arrest

The Bangladesh government has barred to the opposition leader and former two-time premier Khaleda Zia from leaving abroad for medical treatment.

Zia, who is under house arrest after being released from prison, has been hospitalised since early August with advanced liver cirrhosis, breathing difficulties, and diabetes. In 2008, she was jailed for 17 years on graft charges.

She also reportedly suffers from a heart condition, rheumatoid arthritis, and knee problems, her doctor has said, according to AFP news agency.

The move was criticised by the Zia-led Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), terming it as an act of "political vengeance".

But Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina justified her actions, asserting that she must serve her prison sentence before she&nbsp;gets permission to leave the country.

<h2>'Can't interfere in court affairs'</h2>

"She must go back to prison first if she wants to go abroad for treatment,” Hasina told VOA Bangla news outlet on Sunday (Oct 1) when asked about Zia.

"If they [BNP] want to take her [Khaleda Zia] abroad, they must go to court and apply for it. She can go if the court permits," Hasina said.

<h2>Gravitas: Ailing Bangladesh opposition leader barred from travelling abroad for treatment</h2>

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The PM asserted that her government won’t interfere in the affairs of the court, and added that if Zia wants to go abroad, she must plead to the court.

"We have no scope to interfere in the court's activities. All I have been able to do as the prime minister is suspend her sentence on humanitarian grounds and allow her to stay at home.

"She [Khaleda Zia] arranged the treatment herself. She is being treated at the most expensive hospital in Bangladesh," the prime minister added.

<h2>Oppn protests against govt&nbsp;</h2>

The South Asian country will go to polls in January 2024, where Hasina will be seeking her fifth term as the prime minister.

The move to bar Zia from leaving the country has reinforced concerns over the political climate in the country where the Hasina-led government has held power for more than four decades.

Last week, thousands of BNP supporters protested against the government's actions towards Zia.

The BNP and its allies have staged a series of protests since last year demanding Hasina step down and allow a caretaker government to oversee the elections.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The Bangladesh government has barred to the opposition leader and former two-time premier Khaleda Zia from leaving abroad for medical treatment. Zia, who is under house arrest after being released from prison, has been hospitalised since early August with advanced liver cirrhosis, breathing difficulties, and diabetes.

The Bangladesh government has barred to the opposition leader and former two-time premier Khaleda Zia from leaving abroad for medical treatment. Zia, who is under house arrest after being released from prison, has been hospitalised since early August with advanced liver cirrhosis, breathing difficulties, and diabetes. In 2008, she was jailed for 17 years on graft charges. She also reportedly suffers from a heart condition, rheumatoid arthritis, and knee problems, her doctor has said, according to AFP news agency. The move was criticised by the Zia-led Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), terming it as an act of "political vengeance". But Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina justified her actions, asserting that she must serve her prison sentence before she gets permission to leave the country. 'Can't interfere in court affairs' "She must go back to prison first if she wants to go abroad for treatment,” Hasina told VOA Bangla news outlet on Sunday (Oct 1) when asked about Zia. "If they [BNP] want to take her [Khaleda Zia] abroad, they must go to court and apply for it. She can go if the court permits," Hasina said. Gravitas: Ailing Bangladesh opposition leader barred from travelling abroad for treatment The PM asserted that her government won’t interfere in the affairs of the court, and added that if Zia wants to go abroad, she must plead to the court. "We have no scope to interfere in the court's activities. All I have been able to do as the prime minister is suspend her sentence on humanitarian grounds and allow her to stay at home. "She [Khaleda Zia] arranged the treatment herself. She is being treated at the most expensive hospital in Bangladesh," the prime minister added. Oppn protests against govt The South Asian country will go to polls in January 2024, where Hasina will be seeking her fifth term as the prime minister. The move to bar Zia from leaving the country has reinforced concerns over the political climate in the country where the Hasina-led government has held power for more than four decades. Last week, thousands of BNP supporters protested against the government's actions towards Zia. The BNP and its allies have staged a series of protests since last year demanding Hasina step down and allow a caretaker government to oversee the elections. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Zia must go to prison first before leaving for life-saving treatment abroad, says PM Hasina

A Bangladesh court sentenced the country's exiled opposition leader and his wife in absentia over corruption charges on Wednesday, the news agency AFP reported citing lawyers.

After the court's verdict, thousands of supporters of the Bangladeshi leader took to the streets to stage demonstrations calling the trial politically motivated.

55-year-old Tarique Rahman, who is the acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), was sentenced to nine years in prison on Wednesday and his wife Zubaida Rahman, was handed a three-year sentence, Anti-Corruption Commission lawyer Khushid Alam Khan told news agency AFP.

"He was sentenced to nine years in jail for concealing income and accumulating wealth disproportionate to his income, and his wife was sentenced to three years in jail for abetting her husband," Khan said.

BNP lawyer Masud Ahmed Talukder called the sentence "100 per cent politically motivated", saying the case was meant to keep Tarique Rahman "off from politics ahead of the December-January general election".

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<h2>What are the protesters demanding?</h2>

The opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its allies have staged multiple protests since last year and called for PM Hasina to step down. They have also demanded that the country hold general elections under a caretaker government.

Senior police official Rawshanul Huq Saikat said that around a thousand BNP supporters rallied outside party headquarters in Dhaka after the Rahmans' sentencing.

BNP’s demand to hold the next election, due in January 2024, by a neutral caretaker government has since been rejected by the incumbent government.&nbsp;

“BNP’s one-point demand is the restoration of democracy in Bangladesh....This can only be achieved through a free and fair election, which is not possible under the current regime,” senior BNP leader Abdul Moyeen Khan told Reuters.

He added, “This government must resign and make way for a free and fair election under an interim government, only through that we can restore a people's government in Bangladesh.”&nbsp;

Western governments have voiced concern over the political climate in Bangladesh, where the ruling party dominates the legislature and runs it virtually as a rubber stamp.

Tarique Rahman, who is based in London since the year 2008, had already been sentenced to life imprisonment in the year 2018 for his involvement in a 2004 grenade attack that claimed the lives of more than 20 people during a political rally for then-opposition leader Hasina. Rahman's mother Khaleda Zia was premier at the time.

Two-time former premier Zia is under effective house arrest after she was sentenced to 17 years in jail in two separate graft cases in 2018.

(With inputs from agencies)

 
&nbsp;

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A Bangladesh court sentenced the country's exiled opposition leader and his wife in absentia over corruption charges on Wednesday, the news agency AFP reported citing lawyers.

A Bangladesh court sentenced the country's exiled opposition leader and his wife in absentia over corruption charges on Wednesday, the news agency AFP reported citing lawyers. After the court's verdict, thousands of supporters of the Bangladeshi leader took to the streets to stage demonstrations calling the trial politically motivated. 55-year-old Tarique Rahman, who is the acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), was sentenced to nine years in prison on Wednesday and his wife Zubaida Rahman, was handed a three-year sentence, Anti-Corruption Commission lawyer Khushid Alam Khan told news agency AFP. "He was sentenced to nine years in jail for concealing income and accumulating wealth disproportionate to his income, and his wife was sentenced to three years in jail for abetting her husband," Khan said. BNP lawyer Masud Ahmed Talukder called the sentence "100 per cent politically motivated", saying the case was meant to keep Tarique Rahman "off from politics ahead of the December-January general election". Also read: India confirms PM Modi's in-person attendance at BRICS summit in South Africa What are the protesters demanding? The opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its allies have staged multiple protests since last year and called for PM Hasina to step down. They have also demanded that the country hold general elections under a caretaker government. Senior police official Rawshanul Huq Saikat said that around a thousand BNP supporters rallied outside party headquarters in Dhaka after the Rahmans' sentencing. BNP’s demand to hold the next election, due in January 2024, by a neutral caretaker government has since been rejected by the incumbent government. “BNP’s one-point demand is the restoration of democracy in Bangladesh....This can only be achieved through a free and fair election, which is not possible under the current regime,” senior BNP leader Abdul Moyeen Khan told Reuters. He added, “This government must resign and make way for a free and fair election under an interim government, only through that we can restore a people's government in Bangladesh.” Western governments have voiced concern over the political climate in Bangladesh, where the ruling party dominates the legislature and runs it virtually as a rubber stamp. Tarique Rahman, who is based in London since the year 2008, had already been sentenced to life imprisonment in the year 2018 for his involvement in a 2004 grenade attack that claimed the lives of more than 20 people during a political rally for then-opposition leader Hasina. Rahman's mother Khaleda Zia was premier at the time. Two-time former premier Zia is under effective house arrest after she was sentenced to 17 years in jail in two separate graft cases in 2018. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Tarique Rahman: Bangladesh's exiled opposition leader sentenced in absentia for graft

Bangladesh doctors who are treating ailing opposition leader and country's former prime minister Khaleda Zia said on Sunday that her life was in danger if she was not allowed to go abroad for medical treatment. Zia (76) is arch-rival of current Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Zia has been diagnosed with liver cirrhosis.

Her doctors said she suffered three massive internal bleedings in the past two weeks.

"We don't have the means and supportive technology... here to control and stop rebleeding," her chief doctor Fakhruddin Mohammad Siddiqui told reporters at her home, flanked by four other doctors on her medical team.

He said there was a 50 percent chance that Zia would suffer another internal bleeding in the next week, and a 70 percent chance it would occur in the next six weeks.

"The chances of controlling the rebleeding are slim," he said. "In that case, there is higher risk of her death."

"If we want to save the life of the patient, we need to do TIPS," he said, referring to a sophisticated medical procedure that he said was available only in developed countries such the United States, Britain and Germany.

Zia has been in the critical care unit of a Dhaka hospital since November 13, just five months after she recovered from Covid-19.

But the leader of the main opposition party has been barred by a court from leaving the country after being convicted on graft charges in 2018.

As her condition has worsened, activists and supporters of her Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) have staged protests across the country, demanding she be allowed to travel abroad for treatment.

(With inputs from agencies)

Bangladesh doctors who are treating ailing opposition leader and country's former prime minister Khaleda Zia said on Sunday that her life was in danger if she was not allowed to go abroad for medical treatment.

Bangladesh doctors who are treating ailing opposition leader and country's former prime minister Khaleda Zia said on Sunday that her life was in danger if she was not allowed to go abroad for medical treatment. Zia (76) is arch-rival of current Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Zia has been diagnosed with liver cirrhosis. Her doctors said she suffered three massive internal bleedings in the past two weeks. "We don't have the means and supportive technology... here to control and stop rebleeding," her chief doctor Fakhruddin Mohammad Siddiqui told reporters at her home, flanked by four other doctors on her medical team. He said there was a 50 percent chance that Zia would suffer another internal bleeding in the next week, and a 70 percent chance it would occur in the next six weeks. "The chances of controlling the rebleeding are slim," he said. "In that case, there is higher risk of her death." "If we want to save the life of the patient, we need to do TIPS," he said, referring to a sophisticated medical procedure that he said was available only in developed countries such the United States, Britain and Germany. Zia has been in the critical care unit of a Dhaka hospital since November 13, just five months after she recovered from Covid-19. But the leader of the main opposition party has been barred by a court from leaving the country after being convicted on graft charges in 2018. As her condition has worsened, activists and supporters of her Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) have staged protests across the country, demanding she be allowed to travel abroad for treatment. (With inputs from agencies)

Zia's life in danger if she doesn't fly abroad for medical care: Doctors

Bangladesh&nbsp;police fired tear gas and around 20 people were injured as thousands of opposition demonstrators demanded the government allow ailing ex-premier Khaleda Zia to fly abroad for treatment.

Zia, 76, arch-rival of current Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, was admitted to the critical care unit of a Dhaka hospital early this month after her health worsened, one of her doctors told AFP.

She is currently barred by a court from travelling overseas after being convicted on graft charges in 2018.

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"She is critically ill and now urgently needs treatment in developed countries such as the United States, Germany and Britain. There is no treatment for her in the region," doctor A.Z.M. Zahid Hossain said.

Organisers said a protest Monday outside Dhaka's National Press Club drew more than 15,000 activists and supporters of Zia's&nbsp;Bangladesh&nbsp;Nationalist Party (BNP), but police put the number at around 7,000.

Hundreds of police were deployed.

The BNP, which was last in power from 2001 to 2006, also staged demonstrations in dozens of other cities and towns across the country of 169 million people.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-army-protests-untrue-comments-against-its-chief-171319">Also Read:&nbsp;Bangladesh Army protests untrue comments against its chief</a>

In the northern district of Natore "about 20 people were injured including three journalists" when BNP activists clashed with police who tried to thwart a procession, a police inspector told AFP.

"They (BNP activists) threw rocks at police, who fired tear gas and (rubber bullets) from shotguns to disperse them," he said.

Hossain, who is a vice president of the BNP, said Zia was suffering from liver disease, chronic kidney disease and a heart complaint in addition to her existing conditions of rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes.

Hasina last week appeared to reject her family and party's pleas for treatment abroad.

"I have done whatever I can for Khaleda Zia. Now the law will decide the next course of action," Hasina told a press briefing.

"Using whatever (authority) is in my hand, I have managed to keep Khaleda Zia at her home (not in jail)," she said.

Zia was sentenced to 10 years in prison in February 2018 on graft charges that her party says were politically motivated.

But she was released in March last year as her condition worsened in a jail where she was the only inmate. She has since been barred from flying abroad.

"On February 8, 2018, she walked to the jail without assistance. But when she was released on March 25, 2020, she came out in a wheelchair. Now she can't move or do any normal activity without assistance," Hossain told AFP.

Bangladesh police fired tear gas and around 20 people were injured as thousands of opposition demonstrators demanded the government allow ailing ex-premier Khaleda Zia to fly abroad for treatment.

Bangladesh police fired tear gas and around 20 people were injured as thousands of opposition demonstrators demanded the government allow ailing ex-premier Khaleda Zia to fly abroad for treatment. Zia, 76, arch-rival of current Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, was admitted to the critical care unit of a Dhaka hospital early this month after her health worsened, one of her doctors told AFP. She is currently barred by a court from travelling overseas after being convicted on graft charges in 2018. Also read | Bangladesh faces quality issues with Chinese military equipment: Report "She is critically ill and now urgently needs treatment in developed countries such as the United States, Germany and Britain. There is no treatment for her in the region," doctor A.Z.M. Zahid Hossain said. Organisers said a protest Monday outside Dhaka's National Press Club drew more than 15,000 activists and supporters of Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), but police put the number at around 7,000. Hundreds of police were deployed. The BNP, which was last in power from 2001 to 2006, also staged demonstrations in dozens of other cities and towns across the country of 169 million people. Also Read: Bangladesh Army protests untrue comments against its chief In the northern district of Natore "about 20 people were injured including three journalists" when BNP activists clashed with police who tried to thwart a procession, a police inspector told AFP. "They (BNP activists) threw rocks at police, who fired tear gas and (rubber bullets) from shotguns to disperse them," he said. Hossain, who is a vice president of the BNP, said Zia was suffering from liver disease, chronic kidney disease and a heart complaint in addition to her existing conditions of rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes. Hasina last week appeared to reject her family and party's pleas for treatment abroad. "I have done whatever I can for Khaleda Zia. Now the law will decide the next course of action," Hasina told a press briefing. "Using whatever (authority) is in my hand, I have managed to keep Khaleda Zia at her home (not in jail)," she said. Zia was sentenced to 10 years in prison in February 2018 on graft charges that her party says were politically motivated. But she was released in March last year as her condition worsened in a jail where she was the only inmate. She has since been barred from flying abroad. "On February 8, 2018, she walked to the jail without assistance. But when she was released on March 25, 2020, she came out in a wheelchair. Now she can't move or do any normal activity without assistance," Hossain told AFP.

Bangladesh demonstrators demand foreign treatment for ailing ex-PM

Bangladesh government has rejected a petition by jailed former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia to go abroad on a medical visit, saying 'there is no judicial provision that permits a jailed convict to go abroad for treatment'.

Bangladesh: Jailed former PM Khaleda Zia’s plea for 'overseas treatment' rejected

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday, a year after she was released from jail temporarily amidst the pandemic, according to media reports.&nbsp;

The 75-year-old Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chief's samples were sent to the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh, for testing on Saturday, the Dhaka Tribune newspaper quoted Public Relations Officer, Health Ministry, Maidul Islam Prodhan as saying.&nbsp;

"It came back as positive today [Sunday], which has been updated on the database of the Directorate of Health Services," he told Dhaka Tribune.&nbsp;

The newspaper reported that one of Zia's relatives, who had met her last week, had later tested positive for the coronavirus.&nbsp;

"That is why madam's [Zia] family took steps for her COVID-19 test, though she has no major symptoms," a source close to the family told the Dhaka Tribune.&nbsp;

However, BNP leaders failed to confirm Zia's diagnosis.&nbsp;

Speaking to The Daily Star, Sayrul Kabir Khan, member of BNP press wing, said, "After talking to Khaleda Zia's physician Dr Mamun, I came to know that it was a regular health check-up. We have no information about the positive COVID-19 test report."&nbsp;

Zia has served thrice as the premier of Bangladesh since 1991. Her party suffered a miserable defeat in the 2018 elections bagging only six seats in the 300-seat parliament.&nbsp;

Her conviction on "moral turpitude" charges de-barred her from contesting the polls.&nbsp;

Zia is serving a 17-year prison term in two graft cases since February 8, 2018.&nbsp;

She was sent to jail by a local court on charges of embezzling foreign donations meant for an orphanage, named after her slain husband and president Ziaur Rehman, during her premiership between 2001 and 2006.&nbsp;

Rehman, a military ruler-turned-politician, was the founder of the BNP.&nbsp;

She was convicted in another corruption case later the same year, though her party claims both cases are politically motivated. &nbsp;

In March 2020, Zia was released from jail for six months on condition that she would stay at home, amid the coronavirus outbreak. Last month, the Bangladesh government extended the suspension of the sentence for a second time by six months.&nbsp;

The coronavirus has claimed 9,661 lives, along with 678,937 confirmed cases, in Bangladesh so far.&nbsp;

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday, a year after she was released from jail temporarily amidst the pandemic, according to media reports.

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday, a year after she was released from jail temporarily amidst the pandemic, according to media reports. The 75-year-old Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chief's samples were sent to the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh, for testing on Saturday, the Dhaka Tribune newspaper quoted Public Relations Officer, Health Ministry, Maidul Islam Prodhan as saying. "It came back as positive today [Sunday], which has been updated on the database of the Directorate of Health Services," he told Dhaka Tribune. The newspaper reported that one of Zia's relatives, who had met her last week, had later tested positive for the coronavirus. "That is why madam's [Zia] family took steps for her COVID-19 test, though she has no major symptoms," a source close to the family told the Dhaka Tribune. However, BNP leaders failed to confirm Zia's diagnosis. Speaking to The Daily Star, Sayrul Kabir Khan, member of BNP press wing, said, "After talking to Khaleda Zia's physician Dr Mamun, I came to know that it was a regular health check-up. We have no information about the positive COVID-19 test report." Zia has served thrice as the premier of Bangladesh since 1991. Her party suffered a miserable defeat in the 2018 elections bagging only six seats in the 300-seat parliament. Her conviction on "moral turpitude" charges de-barred her from contesting the polls. Zia is serving a 17-year prison term in two graft cases since February 8, 2018. She was sent to jail by a local court on charges of embezzling foreign donations meant for an orphanage, named after her slain husband and president Ziaur Rehman, during her premiership between 2001 and 2006. Rehman, a military ruler-turned-politician, was the founder of the BNP. She was convicted in another corruption case later the same year, though her party claims both cases are politically motivated. In March 2020, Zia was released from jail for six months on condition that she would stay at home, amid the coronavirus outbreak. Last month, the Bangladesh government extended the suspension of the sentence for a second time by six months. The coronavirus has claimed 9,661 lives, along with 678,937 confirmed cases, in Bangladesh so far.

Former Bangladesh PM Khaleda Zia tests positive for Covid-19 

Bangladesh Government is likely to extend suspension of the prison term of former premier Khaleda Zia by another six months. Family of Khaleda Zia, who is now the main opposition leader in the country, requested suspension of prison term for her medical treatment.&nbsp;

Khaleda Zia has been serving 17-year term but has been out of the jail for last six months. The six-month suspension currently in effect will end on September 24.

Zia's family had filed a plea with the government on August 25 for further suspension of the prison sentence.

Bangladesh law ministry spokesman told PTI that it had cleared the fresh proposal.

The official added that the fresh proposal had come from the home ministry and that it would now be forwarded to Bangladesh Primie Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Zia served thrice as the premier since 1991. Her party was routed in the 2018 election, bagging only six seats in 300-seat Parliament.

Her conviction on "moral turpitude" charges barred her from contesting the polls.

She was sent to jail in February 2018 by a local court on charges of embezzling foreign donations meant for an orphanage, named after her slain husband and president Ziaur Rehman, during her premiership between 2001 and 2006.

Rehman, a military ruler-turned-politician, was the founder of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party.

She was convicted in another corruption case later the same year, though her party claims both cases are politically motivated. 
&nbsp;

(With PTI inputs)

Bangladesh Government is likely to extend suspension of the prison term of former premier Khaleda Zia by another six months. Family of Khaleda Zia, who is now the main opposition leader in the country, requested suspension of prison term for her medical treatment.

Bangladesh Government is likely to extend suspension of the prison term of former premier Khaleda Zia by another six months. Family of Khaleda Zia, who is now the main opposition leader in the country, requested suspension of prison term for her medical treatment. Khaleda Zia has been serving 17-year term but has been out of the jail for last six months. The six-month suspension currently in effect will end on September 24. Zia's family had filed a plea with the government on August 25 for further suspension of the prison sentence. Bangladesh law ministry spokesman told PTI that it had cleared the fresh proposal. The official added that the fresh proposal had come from the home ministry and that it would now be forwarded to Bangladesh Primie Minister Sheikh Hasina. Zia served thrice as the premier since 1991. Her party was routed in the 2018 election, bagging only six seats in 300-seat Parliament. Her conviction on "moral turpitude" charges barred her from contesting the polls. She was sent to jail in February 2018 by a local court on charges of embezzling foreign donations meant for an orphanage, named after her slain husband and president Ziaur Rehman, during her premiership between 2001 and 2006. Rehman, a military ruler-turned-politician, was the founder of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. She was convicted in another corruption case later the same year, though her party claims both cases are politically motivated. (With PTI inputs)

Bangladesh likely to further extend suspension of Khaleda Zia's prison term

The family of Bangladesh's main opposition leader Khaleda Zia has sought an extension of six more months on her suspended prison sentence for the former prime minister's treatment, according to a media report.

The government in March released the 74-year-old leader for six months on condition that she would stay at home amid the coronavirus outbreak in the country, receive treatment and not travel abroad.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said that Zia was freed on humanitarian grounds after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's approval.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chief is serving a 17-year prison term in two graft cases since February 8, 2018.

Zia's family filed a plea with the government for an extension of the suspended prison sentence as the six months allotted to her in March will end on September 24, the Dhaka Tribune reported.

A M Ehsanur Rahman, one of Zia's counsels, said that an application, signed by the BNP chief's younger brother Shamim Eskander, was sent to the home ministry on August 25.

The BNP chairperson did not receive proper treatment due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, her family said. They also want another extension for her treatment, the counsel was quoted as saying in the report.

Home Minister Kamal confirmed that they have received an application which was sent to the law ministry for its consideration and "further steps will be taken after considering the legal basis of the application, the report said.

Zia served thrice as the premier since 1991. Her party was routed in the 2018 election, bagging only six seats in 300-seat Parliament.

Her conviction on "moral turpitude" charges barred her from contesting the polls.

She was sent to jail in February 2018 by a local court on charges of embezzling foreign donations meant for an orphanage, named after her slain husband and President Ziaur Rehman, during her premiership between 2001 and 2006.

Rehman, a military ruler-turned-politician, was the founder of the BNP.

She was convicted in another corruption case later the same year, though her party claims both cases are politically motivated.

The family of Bangladesh's main opposition leader Khaleda Zia has sought an extension of six more months on her suspended prison sentence for the former prime minister's treatment, according to a media report.

The family of Bangladesh's main opposition leader Khaleda Zia has sought an extension of six more months on her suspended prison sentence for the former prime minister's treatment, according to a media report. The government in March released the 74-year-old leader for six months on condition that she would stay at home amid the coronavirus outbreak in the country, receive treatment and not travel abroad. Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said that Zia was freed on humanitarian grounds after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's approval. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chief is serving a 17-year prison term in two graft cases since February 8, 2018. Zia's family filed a plea with the government for an extension of the suspended prison sentence as the six months allotted to her in March will end on September 24, the Dhaka Tribune reported. A M Ehsanur Rahman, one of Zia's counsels, said that an application, signed by the BNP chief's younger brother Shamim Eskander, was sent to the home ministry on August 25. The BNP chairperson did not receive proper treatment due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, her family said. They also want another extension for her treatment, the counsel was quoted as saying in the report. Home Minister Kamal confirmed that they have received an application which was sent to the law ministry for its consideration and "further steps will be taken after considering the legal basis of the application, the report said. Zia served thrice as the premier since 1991. Her party was routed in the 2018 election, bagging only six seats in 300-seat Parliament. Her conviction on "moral turpitude" charges barred her from contesting the polls. She was sent to jail in February 2018 by a local court on charges of embezzling foreign donations meant for an orphanage, named after her slain husband and President Ziaur Rehman, during her premiership between 2001 and 2006. Rehman, a military ruler-turned-politician, was the founder of the BNP. She was convicted in another corruption case later the same year, though her party claims both cases are politically motivated.

Khaleda Zia's family seeks extension on her suspended prison sentence

Former Bangladesh military dictator Hussain Muhammad Ershad died Sunday aged 89, after weeks in a Dhaka hospital, officials said.

General Ershad ruled Bangladesh for nearly a decade before being ousted from power in a pro-democracy upsurge in 1990 and was jailed for years on corruption charges.

He passed away due to complications from old age, Kazi Firoz Rashid, a longtime colleague and lawmaker from his Jatiya Party, told AFP. Armed forces spokesman Abdullah bin Zaid confirmed the death.

Ershad, who was also a prolific poet, was the head of the country's armed forces in 1982 when he took power in a bloodless coup after removing an elected government from power.

His rule was marked by a controversial decision to make Islam the state religion of the officially secular Muslim-majority nation.

In comments made to local reporters from jail in 1996, he said that his "greatest failure... was running the country softly with the heart of a poet".

Despite the slew of cases against him, Ershad emerged as one of Bangladesh's major power brokers in the 1990s after his Jatiya Party became the country's third-biggest political outfit.

Since his ouster at the hands of current Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and main opposition leader Khaleda Zia, the two women have become bitter rivals, with the government last year jailing Zia for a decade over graft charges.

The former general became a key ally of Hasina and remained hugely popular in his home district in the country's north from where he was elected member of parliament six times in a row.

Former Bangladesh military dictator Hussain Muhammad Ershad died Sunday aged 89, after weeks in a Dhaka hospital, officials said. General Ershad ruled Bangladesh for nearly a decade before being ousted from power in a pro-democracy upsurge in 1990 and was jailed for years on corruption charges.

Former Bangladesh military dictator Hussain Muhammad Ershad died Sunday aged 89, after weeks in a Dhaka hospital, officials said. General Ershad ruled Bangladesh for nearly a decade before being ousted from power in a pro-democracy upsurge in 1990 and was jailed for years on corruption charges. He passed away due to complications from old age, Kazi Firoz Rashid, a longtime colleague and lawmaker from his Jatiya Party, told AFP. Armed forces spokesman Abdullah bin Zaid confirmed the death. Ershad, who was also a prolific poet, was the head of the country's armed forces in 1982 when he took power in a bloodless coup after removing an elected government from power. His rule was marked by a controversial decision to make Islam the state religion of the officially secular Muslim-majority nation. In comments made to local reporters from jail in 1996, he said that his "greatest failure... was running the country softly with the heart of a poet". Despite the slew of cases against him, Ershad emerged as one of Bangladesh's major power brokers in the 1990s after his Jatiya Party became the country's third-biggest political outfit. Since his ouster at the hands of current Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and main opposition leader Khaleda Zia, the two women have become bitter rivals, with the government last year jailing Zia for a decade over graft charges. The former general became a key ally of Hasina and remained hugely popular in his home district in the country's north from where he was elected member of parliament six times in a row.

Former Bangladesh military dictator Ershad dies at 89

Nine members of the main opposition party in Bangladesh were sentenced to death while 25 others handed life terms by a court for attempting to kill Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina 25 years ago, a government lawyer said.

Thirteen people were also jailed for 10 years for their part in the attack on a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/dhaka-residents-hope-for-development-after-sheikh-hasina-election-win-187457">train carrying Hasina</a> in 1994, prosecutor Aminul Islam said.

Hasina was opposition leader and her arch-rival, Khaleda Zia, was prime minister when the bid on her life took place. Now Zia and her Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) are the opposition.

"The accused threw bombs and fired on the coach of the train, targeting Hasina to kill her," Islam told reporters outside the court in the town of Pabna, where the attack happened, 160 km (100 miles) northwest of the capital, Dhaka.

Opposition parties have accused&nbsp;Hasina of<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sheikh-hasina-growth-oriented-iron-lady-for-some-authoritarian-for-others-187519"> suppressing dissent</a> and jailing critics, including supporters of the BNP. Zia is in jail on corruption charges that she said were politically motivated.

The rivalry between Hasina and Zia, both relatives of former rulers, has dominated politics in Bangladesh for years.

Masud Khandaker, a lawyer for some of the defendants, said that all of them would appeal the sentences.

Hasina was also targeted in 2004, when attackers threw grenades at a rally in Dhaka, killing 24 people and wounding more than 500.

In 2018, a court sentenced 19 people to death and 19 to life imprisonment for that attack. Those defendants have appealed to a higher court.

(With inputs from Reuters)&nbsp;

Nine members of the main opposition party in Bangladesh were sentenced to death while 25 others handed life terms by a court for attempting to kill Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina 25 years ago, a government lawyer said.

Nine members of the main opposition party in Bangladesh were sentenced to death while 25 others handed life terms by a court for attempting to kill Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina 25 years ago, a government lawyer said. Thirteen people were also jailed for 10 years for their part in the attack on a train carrying Hasina in 1994, prosecutor Aminul Islam said. Hasina was opposition leader and her arch-rival, Khaleda Zia, was prime minister when the bid on her life took place. Now Zia and her Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) are the opposition. "The accused threw bombs and fired on the coach of the train, targeting Hasina to kill her," Islam told reporters outside the court in the town of Pabna, where the attack happened, 160 km (100 miles) northwest of the capital, Dhaka. Opposition parties have accused Hasina of suppressing dissent and jailing critics, including supporters of the BNP. Zia is in jail on corruption charges that she said were politically motivated. The rivalry between Hasina and Zia, both relatives of former rulers, has dominated politics in Bangladesh for years. Masud Khandaker, a lawyer for some of the defendants, said that all of them would appeal the sentences. Hasina was also targeted in 2004, when attackers threw grenades at a rally in Dhaka, killing 24 people and wounding more than 500. In 2018, a court sentenced 19 people to death and 19 to life imprisonment for that attack. Those defendants have appealed to a higher court. (With inputs from Reuters)

Bangladesh court sentences nine to death for 1994 bid on PM Sheikh Hasina's life

Bangladesh's ex-premier and opposition BNP chief Khaleda Zia, serving a 10-year jail term, received a temporary relief on Tuesday after a high court granted her six-month bail in two defamation cases.&nbsp;

However, the 73-year-old three-time former prime minister cannot be released from jail as she has been convicted in two other cases.&nbsp;

A High Court bench of Justice Mohammad Abdul Habib and Justice Ahmed Sohel on Tuesday granted bail to Zia in two separate defamation cases after hearing bail pleas filed by her lawyers.

In 2014 and 2016, two cases were filed against Zia on the charges of hurting religious sentiment of Muslims and for making derogatory comments on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

AB Siddique, president of Bangladesh Jananetri Parishad, a front organisation of ruling Awami League, filed the cases.

He filed one case on October 21, 2014 claiming that Zia at a programme in Dhaka in the same year said "the ruling party's (Awami League) professed secularism was nothing but a sham,"&nbsp;adding that her remarks hurt religious sentiments of Muslims, the Daily Star reported.

In another defamation case filed with a Dhaka court, he claimed that Zia at a programme in Engineers Institution said Sheikh Mujibur Rahman did not want the independence of Bangladesh, rather he wanted to be the prime minister of Pakistan, the daily said.

The trial court issued arrest warrants against Zia on March 20, after which the BNP chairperson filed two petitions with the High Court, on May 22, seeking bail in those cases.

Zia was sentenced to five years in jail in February last year by a local court after being convicted in a corruption case in connection with the embezzlement of 21 million taka (about $250,000) in foreign donations meant for the Zia Orphanage Trust, named after her late husband Ziaur Rahman, a military ruler-turned-politician.&nbsp;

The High Court later doubled the jail term for imprisoned opposition leader from five to 10 years following a prosecution appeal.

Bangladesh's ex-premier and opposition BNP chief Khaleda Zia, serving a 10-year jail term, received a temporary relief on Tuesday after a high court granted her six-month bail in two defamation cases.

Bangladesh's ex-premier and opposition BNP chief Khaleda Zia, serving a 10-year jail term, received a temporary relief on Tuesday after a high court granted her six-month bail in two defamation cases. However, the 73-year-old three-time former prime minister cannot be released from jail as she has been convicted in two other cases. A High Court bench of Justice Mohammad Abdul Habib and Justice Ahmed Sohel on Tuesday granted bail to Zia in two separate defamation cases after hearing bail pleas filed by her lawyers. In 2014 and 2016, two cases were filed against Zia on the charges of hurting religious sentiment of Muslims and for making derogatory comments on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. AB Siddique, president of Bangladesh Jananetri Parishad, a front organisation of ruling Awami League, filed the cases. He filed one case on October 21, 2014 claiming that Zia at a programme in Dhaka in the same year said "the ruling party's (Awami League) professed secularism was nothing but a sham," adding that her remarks hurt religious sentiments of Muslims, the Daily Star reported. In another defamation case filed with a Dhaka court, he claimed that Zia at a programme in Engineers Institution said Sheikh Mujibur Rahman did not want the independence of Bangladesh, rather he wanted to be the prime minister of Pakistan, the daily said. The trial court issued arrest warrants against Zia on March 20, after which the BNP chairperson filed two petitions with the High Court, on May 22, seeking bail in those cases. Zia was sentenced to five years in jail in February last year by a local court after being convicted in a corruption case in connection with the embezzlement of 21 million taka (about $250,000) in foreign donations meant for the Zia Orphanage Trust, named after her late husband Ziaur Rahman, a military ruler-turned-politician. The High Court later doubled the jail term for imprisoned opposition leader from five to 10 years following a prosecution appeal.

Bangladesh: Former PM Khaleda Zia gets 6-month bail in two defamation cases

Jailed former prime minister Khaleda Zia is trapped between life and death as her health has massively deteriorated over the last week due to unhealthy environment, according to her Bangladesh Nationalist Party.

Demanding the immediate release of the 73-year-old three-time former prime minister, the BNP standing committee member Jamiruddin Sircar said that due to the loneliness and lack of proper treatment, Zia is suffering from various ailments including heart disease.

She is lodged in a 200-year-old prison in Dhaka since February last year, serving a 10-year jail term in two graft cases.

"Khaleda Zia is trapped between life and death. Keeping Khaleda in jail, depriving her of bail, is contrary to the Constitution and human rights since her conviction in any of the case had not been finally disposed off by the Supreme Court," Sircar was quoted as saying by the Dhaka Tribune.

The former parliament speaker asked the government to allow her to receive proper treatment at a hospital of her choice.

"The government had assured it would make proper arrangement for Khaleda Zia's treatment, but not enough initiatives were taken yet.

"It is a bad sign that they are not letting Zia out for treatment, even in this worsening condition," Sircar said, adding that she is at serious risk of sudden cardiac arrest.

He also claimed that the cases against Zia are "politically motivated".

BNP Vice Chairman and one of Zia's personal physicians AZM Zahid Hossain, said: "Zia is suffering from high blood sugar... And always needs to be on insulin. She has a sore tongue, which is not healing due to the high blood sugar. Her left shoulder and elbow joint have become insensitive.

"According to her doctors, Zia is a special care patient. It is important to ensure all the facilities needed for her personal care".

The committee claimed that the government has decided to hold trials of the pending cases against her at Dhaka Central Jail in order to prevent her release from jail.

Last year, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina accused Zia of "faking" her illness in jail to avoid appearances in court where graft cases are pending against her.

The Bangladesh government, citing security reasons, last week set up a new makeshift court adjacent to a prison outside Dhaka to try Zia who is facing several criminal and graft cases.

She was sent to jail in February last year by a local court on charges of embezzling foreign donations meant for an orphanage, named after her slain husband and president Ziaur Rehman, during her premiership between 2001 and 2006.

Rehman, a military ruler-turned-politician, was the founder of the BNP.

Jailed former prime minister Khaleda Zia is trapped between life and death as her health has massively deteriorated over the last week due to unhealthy environment, according to her Bangladesh Nationalist Party.

Jailed former prime minister Khaleda Zia is trapped between life and death as her health has massively deteriorated over the last week due to unhealthy environment, according to her Bangladesh Nationalist Party. Demanding the immediate release of the 73-year-old three-time former prime minister, the BNP standing committee member Jamiruddin Sircar said that due to the loneliness and lack of proper treatment, Zia is suffering from various ailments including heart disease. She is lodged in a 200-year-old prison in Dhaka since February last year, serving a 10-year jail term in two graft cases. "Khaleda Zia is trapped between life and death. Keeping Khaleda in jail, depriving her of bail, is contrary to the Constitution and human rights since her conviction in any of the case had not been finally disposed off by the Supreme Court," Sircar was quoted as saying by the Dhaka Tribune. The former parliament speaker asked the government to allow her to receive proper treatment at a hospital of her choice. "The government had assured it would make proper arrangement for Khaleda Zia's treatment, but not enough initiatives were taken yet. "It is a bad sign that they are not letting Zia out for treatment, even in this worsening condition," Sircar said, adding that she is at serious risk of sudden cardiac arrest. He also claimed that the cases against Zia are "politically motivated". BNP Vice Chairman and one of Zia's personal physicians AZM Zahid Hossain, said: "Zia is suffering from high blood sugar... And always needs to be on insulin. She has a sore tongue, which is not healing due to the high blood sugar. Her left shoulder and elbow joint have become insensitive. "According to her doctors, Zia is a special care patient. It is important to ensure all the facilities needed for her personal care". The committee claimed that the government has decided to hold trials of the pending cases against her at Dhaka Central Jail in order to prevent her release from jail. Last year, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina accused Zia of "faking" her illness in jail to avoid appearances in court where graft cases are pending against her. The Bangladesh government, citing security reasons, last week set up a new makeshift court adjacent to a prison outside Dhaka to try Zia who is facing several criminal and graft cases. She was sent to jail in February last year by a local court on charges of embezzling foreign donations meant for an orphanage, named after her slain husband and president Ziaur Rehman, during her premiership between 2001 and 2006. Rehman, a military ruler-turned-politician, was the founder of the BNP.

Former Bangladesh PM Khaleda Zia's health massively deteriorated: BNP

Bangladesh politics on Monday took a dramatic turn with four lawmakers-elect of the Opposition BNP taking oath on the last day of the 90-day constitutional deadline after jailed ex-premier Khaleda Zia's party overnight changed its decision to stay away from parliament over alleged irregularities in the December 30 elections.

The four lawmakers-elect of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party went to parliament late afternoon on the last day of the constitutional deadline and said they were taking oath as directed by the party's fugitive acting chief and Zia's elder son Tarique Rahman.

Six BNP nominees including the party's secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir were elected to 300-seat parliament. One of them took the oath last week, defying the party's decision to be dubbed by compatriots as "betrayer".

Alamgir later at a press briefing confirmed the party's decision of allowing the four lawmakers to join parliament but did not explain what barred him from taking the oath.

"This is our political decision...They took oath in line with our acting president Tarique Rahman's (Skype) meeting with the party's standing committee,"&nbsp;he said.

Alamgir, however, declined to comment on an unconfirmed report that he sent a letter to parliamentary Speaker Shirimn Sharmin Chowdhury, seeking an extended timeframe for him to take the oath under a constitutional provision exempting the 90-day deadline in particular situations.

"Wait to see what I do,"&nbsp;he said.

The four BNP MPs joined the ongoing session after the Speaker administered their swearing-in ceremony.

Media reports, meanwhile, suggested that the four lawmakers-elect mounted pressure on the party to allow them to take an oath.&nbsp;

BNP is now visibly exposed to a political wilderness as the party's chairperson Zia is now serving a 10-year prison term in two graft cases while a court declared as "absconding"&nbsp;her son and acting party chief Rahman, who stays in London to escape a life term imprisonment for masterminding a deadly grenade attack in 20014.

The December 30 polls elected a total of eight lawmakers of Opposition National Unity Forum (NUF) with BNP being its key partner.

The alliance had vowed to stay away from parliament, citing irregularities in the elections.

Two lawmakers elect of NUF partner Gano Forum earlier took an oath. The party expelled one of them for defying its decision but kept mum about the other.&nbsp;

Bangladesh politics on Monday took a dramatic turn with four lawmakers-elect of the Opposition BNP taking oath on the last day of the 90-day constitutional deadline after jailed ex-premier Khaleda Zia's party overnight changed its decision to stay away from parliament over alleged irregularities in the December 30 elections.

Bangladesh politics on Monday took a dramatic turn with four lawmakers-elect of the Opposition BNP taking oath on the last day of the 90-day constitutional deadline after jailed ex-premier Khaleda Zia's party overnight changed its decision to stay away from parliament over alleged irregularities in the December 30 elections. The four lawmakers-elect of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party went to parliament late afternoon on the last day of the constitutional deadline and said they were taking oath as directed by the party's fugitive acting chief and Zia's elder son Tarique Rahman. Six BNP nominees including the party's secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir were elected to 300-seat parliament. One of them took the oath last week, defying the party's decision to be dubbed by compatriots as "betrayer". Alamgir later at a press briefing confirmed the party's decision of allowing the four lawmakers to join parliament but did not explain what barred him from taking the oath. "This is our political decision...They took oath in line with our acting president Tarique Rahman's (Skype) meeting with the party's standing committee," he said. Alamgir, however, declined to comment on an unconfirmed report that he sent a letter to parliamentary Speaker Shirimn Sharmin Chowdhury, seeking an extended timeframe for him to take the oath under a constitutional provision exempting the 90-day deadline in particular situations. "Wait to see what I do," he said. The four BNP MPs joined the ongoing session after the Speaker administered their swearing-in ceremony. Media reports, meanwhile, suggested that the four lawmakers-elect mounted pressure on the party to allow them to take an oath. BNP is now visibly exposed to a political wilderness as the party's chairperson Zia is now serving a 10-year prison term in two graft cases while a court declared as "absconding" her son and acting party chief Rahman, who stays in London to escape a life term imprisonment for masterminding a deadly grenade attack in 20014. The December 30 polls elected a total of eight lawmakers of Opposition National Unity Forum (NUF) with BNP being its key partner. The alliance had vowed to stay away from parliament, citing irregularities in the elections. Two lawmakers elect of NUF partner Gano Forum earlier took an oath. The party expelled one of them for defying its decision but kept mum about the other.

Four Bangladesh Nationalist Party lawmakers take oath at last moment

Bangladesh Prime Minister <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sheikh-hasina-growth-oriented-iron-lady-for-some-authoritarian-for-others-187519">Sheikh Hasina</a> on Monday rejected opposition complaints of vote rigging and said people had gone to the polls enthusiastically in a largely peacefully general election that her ruling alliance swept with a landslide.

Hasina <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-pm-hasinas-party-registers-landslide-victory-in-parliamentary-polls-187416">won a third straight term in Sunday's election</a>, with alliance led by her Awami League winning 287 of the 298 seats for which results had been declared, the Election Commission said.

But the opposition rejected the result and called for a fresh vote, complaining of what it said was widespread rigging.

Hasina dismissed complaints of cheating and the chief election commissioner rejected the opposition demand for a re-run of the vote. He said voting had been held in a peaceful manner.

Also, Bangladesh’s chief election commissioner rejected the opposition demand for a fresh election.

“It is not possible to hold a fresh election as the election was held in a peaceful manner,” the commissioner, K M Nurul Huda said.

At least 17 people were killed during the vote, police said, after a violent campaign in which the opposition alleged the government denied it a level playing field.

Hasina's win follows a decade in power in which she has been credited with improving the economy and promoting development, while being accused of rights abuses, a crackdown on media and suppressing dissent.

The government rejects those accusations.

The main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which had boycotted the last general election in 2014 saying it would not be fair, won just six seats in the 300-seat assembly this time.

BNP leader Khaleda Zia – Hasina's arch rival and a former prime minister - was jailed in February on corruption charges she says were politically motivated. This was the first election in which the BNP campaigned without her.

Hasina told reporters the opposition had done badly in the election as it lacked leadership. She also said she was surprised the opposition had not campaigned more actively.

The rivalry between the two women - both related to former leaders - has largely defined Bangladeshi politics for decades.

Raising minimum wages for workers in Bangladesh's robust garments industry, the world's second-biggest after China's, could be one of Hasina's first tasks, party leaders have said.

Opposition leader Kamal Hossain earlier said their alliance, the National Unity Front, led by the BNP, had called on the Election Commission to order a fresh vote under a neutral administration "as soon as possible", saying the vote was flawed.

"We've had bad elections in the past but I must say that it is unprecedented how bad this particular election was," 82-year-old Hossain told Reuters late on Sunday.

Candidates reported witnessing ballot-stuffing and vote-rigging by ruling party activists, who also barred opposition polling agents from voting centres, Hossain said.

"The minimum requirements of free and fair election are absent," he said.

Hasina won a third straight term in Sunday's election, with alliance led by her Awami League winning 287 of the 298 seats for which results had been declared, the Election Commission said.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday rejected opposition complaints of vote rigging and said people had gone to the polls enthusiastically in a largely peacefully general election that her ruling alliance swept with a landslide. Hasina won a third straight term in Sunday's election, with alliance led by her Awami League winning 287 of the 298 seats for which results had been declared, the Election Commission said. But the opposition rejected the result and called for a fresh vote, complaining of what it said was widespread rigging. Hasina dismissed complaints of cheating and the chief election commissioner rejected the opposition demand for a re-run of the vote. He said voting had been held in a peaceful manner. Also, Bangladesh’s chief election commissioner rejected the opposition demand for a fresh election. “It is not possible to hold a fresh election as the election was held in a peaceful manner,” the commissioner, K M Nurul Huda said. At least 17 people were killed during the vote, police said, after a violent campaign in which the opposition alleged the government denied it a level playing field. Hasina's win follows a decade in power in which she has been credited with improving the economy and promoting development, while being accused of rights abuses, a crackdown on media and suppressing dissent. The government rejects those accusations. The main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which had boycotted the last general election in 2014 saying it would not be fair, won just six seats in the 300-seat assembly this time. BNP leader Khaleda Zia – Hasina's arch rival and a former prime minister - was jailed in February on corruption charges she says were politically motivated. This was the first election in which the BNP campaigned without her. Hasina told reporters the opposition had done badly in the election as it lacked leadership. She also said she was surprised the opposition had not campaigned more actively. The rivalry between the two women - both related to former leaders - has largely defined Bangladeshi politics for decades. Raising minimum wages for workers in Bangladesh's robust garments industry, the world's second-biggest after China's, could be one of Hasina's first tasks, party leaders have said. Opposition leader Kamal Hossain earlier said their alliance, the National Unity Front, led by the BNP, had called on the Election Commission to order a fresh vote under a neutral administration "as soon as possible", saying the vote was flawed. "We've had bad elections in the past but I must say that it is unprecedented how bad this particular election was," 82-year-old Hossain told Reuters late on Sunday. Candidates reported witnessing ballot-stuffing and vote-rigging by ruling party activists, who also barred opposition polling agents from voting centres, Hossain said. "The minimum requirements of free and fair election are absent," he said.

Bangladesh polls: Voting held in peaceful manner, says PM Hasina as election commission rejects call for re-poll

In pics: Bangladesh PM Hasina wins third straight term despite vote-rigging claims

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-probes-vote-rigging-allegations-in-election-hit-by-violence-187362">Bangladesh Sunday deployed </a>electronic voting machines for the first time in <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/polls-close-in-bangladesh-election-marred-by-violence-12-dead-187346">a general election</a>, though only on a limited scale, a move which received mixed responses from the voters amid reports of glitches in some booths.

Out of the 299 parliamentary constituencies that went to polls, six saw the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs), a regular feature in neighbouring India since decades ago.

Voting for the 11th national election began with the machines being used in the six seats selected through a lottery. These are Dhaka-6, Dhaka-13, Chattogram-9, Rangpur-3, Khulna-2 and Satkhira-2. The six seats comprise over 2.1 million voters. The results from these six seats could be announced within hours after the voting ends, Bangladeshi media&nbsp;reported.

Electronic voting machines created problems across different voting centres in Dhaka-13 and Dhaka-6, slowing down voting process and leading to long queues, the Daily Star newspaper reported.

Voters in some areas have reported facing trouble when the machines could not recognise their fingerprints, BDnews24.Com reported.

Dhaka-13 voter Jagat Dashi Mondol, a septuagenarian, was smiling as she came out of the polling centre at Mohammadpur's Borabo Government Primary School.

When asked about how she felt using an EVM, said, "easy, very easy."

The polling centre's Presiding Officer Jayanta Chandra Deb said he replaced three EVMs when they stopped working.

Nazrul Islam, a retired engineer, said his fingerprint was not matching when he went to vote at the polling centre in Lalmatia Mohila College.

"But I got to vote using my voter ID. It didn't take much time."

Gazi Hossain, a former librarian of Lalmatia Mohila College, was unhappy with the EVM because of the time wasted in trying to match his fingerprint in the machine. "It wasn't matching, so it took more time, that's a problem," he said.

Bimal Chandra, a retired teacher, voted using EVM at the Mohammadpur Chand Community Centre.

"I just pressed two buttons on the EVM. One on the poll symbol, then another on a green button. It takes roughly ten seconds. It takes more time to be marked on the thumb with ink.

"It takes just 20 minutes to count the votes from EVM centres. This is good," said Chandra.

On December 27, the Election Commission organised mock voting at selected polling centres to educate voters on how to use EVMs.

The EVM technology is being used for the first time at the national election level, eight years after being introduced in local government elections in the country.

The machines were first used in the Chittagong City Corporation election of June 2010. However, the Election Commission stopped using the technology in 2015 due to some errors. The machines were later reintroduced in the Rangpur City Corporation election in 2016.

During this year's city corporation polls, EVMs were used in three polling centres in Khulna City Corporation with 10,000 voters; two centres in Sylhet City Corporation with 5,413 voters; 11 centres in Barishal City Corporation with 25,000 voters; and two centres in Rajshahi City Corporation with 3,383 voters, the Daily Star reported.

During the Election Commission's electoral dialogues, most of the 40 registered parties, including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party of former premier Khalida Zia and its allies, opposed the idea of using EVMs in the election.

However, five political parties, including the ruling Awami League of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, its allies Workers Party of Bangladesh, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal faction led by Hasanul Haq Inu and Bangladesher Samyabadi Dal (M-L) and Zaker Party supported the use of EVMs.

The BNP has all along been opposing the EC move, alleging that this might facilitate "the government's plan for election engineering".

The Bangladesh Machine Tools Factory (BMTF) imported parts of the EVMs and assembled them in Bangladesh ahead of the general election, media reports said.

"The EVM fingerprint scanner will be imported from America while Apple will supply the monitors. Other parts of the EVM machine will be imported from different countries," the Dhaka Tribune quoted Brig Gen Mohammad Saidul Islam, director general of the Election Commission's National Identity Registration Wing, as saying in September.&nbsp;

Out of the 299 parliamentary constituencies that went to polls, six saw the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs), a regular feature in neighbouring India since decades ago.

Bangladesh Sunday deployed electronic voting machines for the first time in a general election, though only on a limited scale, a move which received mixed responses from the voters amid reports of glitches in some booths. Out of the 299 parliamentary constituencies that went to polls, six saw the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs), a regular feature in neighbouring India since decades ago. Voting for the 11th national election began with the machines being used in the six seats selected through a lottery. These are Dhaka-6, Dhaka-13, Chattogram-9, Rangpur-3, Khulna-2 and Satkhira-2. The six seats comprise over 2.1 million voters. The results from these six seats could be announced within hours after the voting ends, Bangladeshi media reported. Electronic voting machines created problems across different voting centres in Dhaka-13 and Dhaka-6, slowing down voting process and leading to long queues, the Daily Star newspaper reported. Voters in some areas have reported facing trouble when the machines could not recognise their fingerprints, BDnews24.Com reported. Dhaka-13 voter Jagat Dashi Mondol, a septuagenarian, was smiling as she came out of the polling centre at Mohammadpur's Borabo Government Primary School. When asked about how she felt using an EVM, said, "easy, very easy." The polling centre's Presiding Officer Jayanta Chandra Deb said he replaced three EVMs when they stopped working. Nazrul Islam, a retired engineer, said his fingerprint was not matching when he went to vote at the polling centre in Lalmatia Mohila College. "But I got to vote using my voter ID. It didn't take much time." Gazi Hossain, a former librarian of Lalmatia Mohila College, was unhappy with the EVM because of the time wasted in trying to match his fingerprint in the machine. "It wasn't matching, so it took more time, that's a problem," he said. Bimal Chandra, a retired teacher, voted using EVM at the Mohammadpur Chand Community Centre. "I just pressed two buttons on the EVM. One on the poll symbol, then another on a green button. It takes roughly ten seconds. It takes more time to be marked on the thumb with ink. "It takes just 20 minutes to count the votes from EVM centres. This is good," said Chandra. On December 27, the Election Commission organised mock voting at selected polling centres to educate voters on how to use EVMs. The EVM technology is being used for the first time at the national election level, eight years after being introduced in local government elections in the country. The machines were first used in the Chittagong City Corporation election of June 2010. However, the Election Commission stopped using the technology in 2015 due to some errors. The machines were later reintroduced in the Rangpur City Corporation election in 2016. During this year's city corporation polls, EVMs were used in three polling centres in Khulna City Corporation with 10,000 voters; two centres in Sylhet City Corporation with 5,413 voters; 11 centres in Barishal City Corporation with 25,000 voters; and two centres in Rajshahi City Corporation with 3,383 voters, the Daily Star reported. During the Election Commission's electoral dialogues, most of the 40 registered parties, including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party of former premier Khalida Zia and its allies, opposed the idea of using EVMs in the election. However, five political parties, including the ruling Awami League of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, its allies Workers Party of Bangladesh, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal faction led by Hasanul Haq Inu and Bangladesher Samyabadi Dal (M-L) and Zaker Party supported the use of EVMs. The BNP has all along been opposing the EC move, alleging that this might facilitate "the government's plan for election engineering". The Bangladesh Machine Tools Factory (BMTF) imported parts of the EVMs and assembled them in Bangladesh ahead of the general election, media reports said. "The EVM fingerprint scanner will be imported from America while Apple will supply the monitors. Other parts of the EVM machine will be imported from different countries," the Dhaka Tribune quoted Brig Gen Mohammad Saidul Islam, director general of the Election Commission's National Identity Registration Wing, as saying in September.

Bangladesh uses EVMs for first time in general election

At least 12 people were <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-polls-ten-killed-in-election-day-clashes-following-violent-campaign-187334">killed in election-day clashes in Bangladesh</a> Sunday, after a bloody campaign overshadowed by a crackdown on the opposition by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is expected to win a historic but controversial fourth term.

Three men were shot by police while eight others died in clashes between activists from the ruling Awami League Party and opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), police said.

An auxiliary police member was killed after being attacked by opposition activists armed with guns and sticks, according to officials.

Voting, which ended at 4:00pm (1000 GMT), was held under tight security. Polls have predicted that Hasina will clinch a third-consecutive term and record fourth overall.

Bangladesh's leader has been lauded for boosting economic growth in the poor South Asian nation during an unbroken decade in power and for welcoming Rohingya refugees fleeing a military crackdown in neighbouring Myanmar.

But critics accuse her of authoritarianism and crippling the opposition -- including arch-rival Khaleda Zia who is serving 17 years in prison on graft charges -- to cling on to power.

The election campaign was marred by violence between supporters of Hasina's Awami League and Zia's BNP.

Some <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-deploys-600000-security-forces-ahead-of-elections-187152">600,000 security personnel were deployed </a>across the South Asian country, including at 40,000 polling stations.

Authorities ordered mobile operators to shut down 3G and 4G services until midnight on Sunday "to prevent the spread of rumours" that could trigger unrest.

The election-day deaths brought to 16 the official police toll for election violence since the ballot was announced on November 8.

Police said they acted "in self-defence" in the southern town of Bashkhali, when they opened fire on opposition supporters who attempted to storm a polling booth, killing one.

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-tv-station-taken-off-air-for-election-day-187312">Bangladesh TV station taken off air for election day</a>

In a separate incident another man was shot by police after he tried to steal a ballot box.

Free and fair?

Opinion polls show Hasina, who has presided over six per cent GDP expansion every year since she won a landslide in 2008, heading for a comfortable victory that would extend her reign as the country's longest-serving leader.

She needs 151 seats in the first-past-the-post system to control the 300-seat parliament but experts say a victory would be sullied by accusations that she hamstrung her opponents' campaign and scared people into voting for her.

The opposition says more than 15,000 of its activists have been detained during the weeks-long campaign, crushing its ability to mobilise grassroots support.

"We are getting disturbing reports outside Dhaka that overnight votes have been cast illegally," said Kamal Hossain, the 82-year-old architect of Bangladesh's constitution who is helming the opposition coalition.&nbsp;

Presiding officers at polling stations across Dhaka reported a low turnout.

Human Rights Watch and other international groups have decried the crackdown, saying it has created a climate of fear which could prevent opposition supporters from casting ballots.

The United States has raised concerns about the credibility of the Muslim-majority country's election while the United Nations called for greater efforts to make the vote fair.

Seventeen opposition candidates have been arrested over what they claim are trumped-up charges while another 17 were disqualified from running by courts, which Hasina's opponents say are government controlled.

"This is not (a) free and fair election. It is more a controlled selection," said a Western diplomat who asked not to be named.

Student protests

The Bangladeshi leadership has alternated between Hasina and Zia, allies-turned-foes, over the last three decades.

Hasina rejects accusations of creeping authoritarianism but analysts say she mounted the clampdown over fears that young voters were set to hand a victory to the BNP.

Her government was criticised this year for its heavy handling of weeks of massive student protests over the abolition of job quotas and poor safety standards on Bangladesh's dangerous roads.&nbsp;

Hasina, the daughter of Bangladesh's first president Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, was gifted victory in the 2014 election when the BNP boycotted the vote claiming it wasn't free or fair.

Since then, rights groups have accused her administration of stifling freedom of speech through the toughening of a draconian anti-press law and the enforced disappearance of government dissenters.

At least 12 people were killed in election-day clashes in Bangladesh Sunday, after a bloody campaign overshadowed by a crackdown on the opposition by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is expected to win a historic but controversial fourth term.

At least 12 people were killed in election-day clashes in Bangladesh Sunday, after a bloody campaign overshadowed by a crackdown on the opposition by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is expected to win a historic but controversial fourth term. Three men were shot by police while eight others died in clashes between activists from the ruling Awami League Party and opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), police said. An auxiliary police member was killed after being attacked by opposition activists armed with guns and sticks, according to officials. Voting, which ended at 4:00pm (1000 GMT), was held under tight security. Polls have predicted that Hasina will clinch a third-consecutive term and record fourth overall. Bangladesh's leader has been lauded for boosting economic growth in the poor South Asian nation during an unbroken decade in power and for welcoming Rohingya refugees fleeing a military crackdown in neighbouring Myanmar. But critics accuse her of authoritarianism and crippling the opposition -- including arch-rival Khaleda Zia who is serving 17 years in prison on graft charges -- to cling on to power. The election campaign was marred by violence between supporters of Hasina's Awami League and Zia's BNP. Some 600,000 security personnel were deployed across the South Asian country, including at 40,000 polling stations. Authorities ordered mobile operators to shut down 3G and 4G services until midnight on Sunday "to prevent the spread of rumours" that could trigger unrest. The election-day deaths brought to 16 the official police toll for election violence since the ballot was announced on November 8. Police said they acted "in self-defence" in the southern town of Bashkhali, when they opened fire on opposition supporters who attempted to storm a polling booth, killing one. Also read: Bangladesh TV station taken off air for election day In a separate incident another man was shot by police after he tried to steal a ballot box. Free and fair? Opinion polls show Hasina, who has presided over six per cent GDP expansion every year since she won a landslide in 2008, heading for a comfortable victory that would extend her reign as the country's longest-serving leader. She needs 151 seats in the first-past-the-post system to control the 300-seat parliament but experts say a victory would be sullied by accusations that she hamstrung her opponents' campaign and scared people into voting for her. The opposition says more than 15,000 of its activists have been detained during the weeks-long campaign, crushing its ability to mobilise grassroots support. "We are getting disturbing reports outside Dhaka that overnight votes have been cast illegally," said Kamal Hossain, the 82-year-old architect of Bangladesh's constitution who is helming the opposition coalition. Presiding officers at polling stations across Dhaka reported a low turnout. Human Rights Watch and other international groups have decried the crackdown, saying it has created a climate of fear which could prevent opposition supporters from casting ballots. The United States has raised concerns about the credibility of the Muslim-majority country's election while the United Nations called for greater efforts to make the vote fair. Seventeen opposition candidates have been arrested over what they claim are trumped-up charges while another 17 were disqualified from running by courts, which Hasina's opponents say are government controlled. "This is not (a) free and fair election. It is more a controlled selection," said a Western diplomat who asked not to be named. Student protests The Bangladeshi leadership has alternated between Hasina and Zia, allies-turned-foes, over the last three decades. Hasina rejects accusations of creeping authoritarianism but analysts say she mounted the clampdown over fears that young voters were set to hand a victory to the BNP. Her government was criticised this year for its heavy handling of weeks of massive student protests over the abolition of job quotas and poor safety standards on Bangladesh's dangerous roads. Hasina, the daughter of Bangladesh's first president Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, was gifted victory in the 2014 election when the BNP boycotted the vote claiming it wasn't free or fair. Since then, rights groups have accused her administration of stifling freedom of speech through the toughening of a draconian anti-press law and the enforced disappearance of government dissenters.

Bangladesh elections: Voting ends, 12 killed in poll-related violence

Bangladesh is set to vote on December 30 to decide whether to give a third successive term to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.&nbsp;

Over 10 crore Bangladeshis will vote in a single-phase general election on Sunday in country's 11th national parliamentary election.&nbsp;

Security has been stepped up ahead of the polls. Only vehicles belonging to journalists and police will be allowed to ply on roads. As per reports, around <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-deploys-600000-security-forces-ahead-of-elections-187152">600,000 security personnel have been deployed</a>.

The high decibel election campaigning ended on Thursday after weeks of violence. As the polling hour draws closer, here's taking a quick look at some of the key facts related to Bangladesh's national polls.&nbsp;

1. After 10 years, 39 registered political parties are participating in the general polls.&nbsp;

2. About 104.2 million voters will exercise their franchise in&nbsp;elections.&nbsp;

3. Over 1,800 candidates are contesting in 299 out of 300 parliamentary constituencies.

4. 299 of the total 300 constituencies will go to polls. Polling in one constituency will be conducted on January 27.

5. Rapid Action Battalion has been deployed as a striking force.&nbsp;

6. A total of 1,861 candidates are in the fray.&nbsp;

7. As many as 40,183 polling centres and 207,312 polling booths have been set up.&nbsp;

8. Of the total 40,183 polling centres, 25,827 (64%) have been identified as vulnerable.&nbsp;

9. EVMs will be used in six constituencies - Dhaka 6, Dhaka 13, Chittagong 9, Rangpur 3, Khulna 2 and Satkhira 2.

10.&nbsp;The Dhaka Metropolitan Police has set up a control room to monitor the situation closely. 
&nbsp; 
The primary Opposition party, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), is in a state of disarray owing to the absence of two of its top leaders.&nbsp;

Main opposition leader <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/khaleda-zia-bangladeshs-fighter-begum-and-former-premier-marred-by-controversies-185022">Khaleda Zia</a>, who is serving a 10-year jail sentence on corruption charges, has been barred from contesting.

Her son, BNP's acting chief, Tarique Rahman is on an exile in London after a Bangladesh court sentenced him to life in jail for masterminding a grenade attack in 2004 that killed 24 Awami League leaders and activists.

The emergence of the National Unity Forum as a joint Opposition platform was a landmark event in Bangladesh's political front this year after Zia's imprisonment in February.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, in Zia's absence, it is Kamal Hossain who is giving a tough fight to PM Sheikh Hasina and the ruling Awami League.

Kamal Hossain is the convenor of the opposition National United Front. In a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/its-not-between-sheikh-hasina-and-me-its-about-politics-of-value-kamal-hossain-187073">conversation to WION, Hossain</a> said that PM Hasina and her party have made the elections about money and power.

Bangladesh is set to vote on December 30 to decide whether to give a third successive term to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Over 10 crore Bangladeshis will vote in a single-phase general election on Sunday in country's 11th national parliamentary election.

Bangladesh is set to vote on December 30 to decide whether to give a third successive term to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Over 10 crore Bangladeshis will vote in a single-phase general election on Sunday in country's 11th national parliamentary election. Security has been stepped up ahead of the polls. Only vehicles belonging to journalists and police will be allowed to ply on roads. As per reports, around 600,000 security personnel have been deployed. The high decibel election campaigning ended on Thursday after weeks of violence. As the polling hour draws closer, here's taking a quick look at some of the key facts related to Bangladesh's national polls. 1. After 10 years, 39 registered political parties are participating in the general polls. 2. About 104.2 million voters will exercise their franchise in elections. 3. Over 1,800 candidates are contesting in 299 out of 300 parliamentary constituencies. 4. 299 of the total 300 constituencies will go to polls. Polling in one constituency will be conducted on January 27. 5. Rapid Action Battalion has been deployed as a striking force. 6. A total of 1,861 candidates are in the fray. 7. As many as 40,183 polling centres and 207,312 polling booths have been set up. 8. Of the total 40,183 polling centres, 25,827 (64%) have been identified as vulnerable. 9. EVMs will be used in six constituencies - Dhaka 6, Dhaka 13, Chittagong 9, Rangpur 3, Khulna 2 and Satkhira 2. 10. The Dhaka Metropolitan Police has set up a control room to monitor the situation closely. The primary Opposition party, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), is in a state of disarray owing to the absence of two of its top leaders. Main opposition leader Khaleda Zia, who is serving a 10-year jail sentence on corruption charges, has been barred from contesting. Her son, BNP's acting chief, Tarique Rahman is on an exile in London after a Bangladesh court sentenced him to life in jail for masterminding a grenade attack in 2004 that killed 24 Awami League leaders and activists. The emergence of the National Unity Forum as a joint Opposition platform was a landmark event in Bangladesh's political front this year after Zia's imprisonment in February. Meanwhile, in Zia's absence, it is Kamal Hossain who is giving a tough fight to PM Sheikh Hasina and the ruling Awami League. Kamal Hossain is the convenor of the opposition National United Front. In a conversation to WION, Hossain said that PM Hasina and her party have made the elections about money and power.

Bangladesh elections 2018: A look at key facts

Bangladesh polls 2018: Over 1,800 candidates in fray and other key facts

Bangladesh has a<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/more-violence-and-arrests-of-opposition-activists-mars-bangaldesh-election-187035"> general election </a>this weekend, but opposition candidate Abdul Moyeen Khan says he is yet to hold a single public meeting in his constituency about 30 miles (50 km) northeast of Dhaka, the capital.

Thousands of campaign fliers bearing photographs of the nuclear physicist with flowing grey hair lie in piles at his home because his supporters are too frightened to put them up in public places, the 72-year-old said.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), the Muslim majority nation's biggest opposition group, is fighting Sunday's election as part of an alliance cobbled together three months ago. But its leaders, candidates such as Khan, and workers say they are facing violent attacks and intimidation, including shootings and arrests, that have stunted their ability to campaign.

Posters of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League are plastered and hung up from utility poles across the country. But barely visible are those of its opponents, many of whom, including BNP chairperson and three-time premier Khaleda Zia, have been jailed on what the BNP calls trumped-up charges.

Not trusting Hasina to hold a fair election, the BNP boycotted the last vote in 2014. This time, it stayed in the race by banding together with smaller parties, but several BNP leaders say they are regretting that decision.

With over 100 million registered voters and 300 seats in parliament, this is one of the largest national elections anywhere in the world this year. But as campaigning came to an end on Friday, opposition leaders said they had barely stirred out of their homes.

"I am not even allowed to campaign, and they are threatening voters to stay away," Khan said at his home in Dhaka earlier this week, where he was visiting an assistant hospitalised after being assaulted.

In the first two days of this week, opposition workers in 88 constituencies had been attacked, Khan said. One candidate has sued police for shooting him eight times with pellet bullets while he was out seeking votes.

Hasina's Awami League, seeking a third straight term in power, has denied the allegations and blames the opposition for attacks that killed at least five of its workers and injured more than 300 in the past three weeks.

In a recent interview, Awami League leader HT&nbsp;Imam handed Reuters photographs of people he called opposition "thugs" vandalising shops, setting fire to vehicles, and burning Awami League posters in Dhaka in November.

Imam also listed steps Hasina had taken since coming to power to ensure free and fair elections, including strengthening the Election Commission, introducing see-through ballot boxes and empowering the police to act against political parties' use of money and muscle.

Divided election commission

Yet a rift has developed in the Election Commission, with Mahbub Talukdar, one of the five commissioners, saying last week there was no level playing field.

"It is not enough to hold a participatory election, it should also be free, fair and as per the law," Talukdar said in a statement on Wednesday.

His boss, Chief Election Commissioner KM&nbsp;Nurul Huda, has said Talukdar was lying and also rejected the opposition's allegations of bias. He did not respond to calls from Reuters seeking further comment. Police say they have been working under the orders of the Election Commission since last month.

More than 61 per cent of the opposition alliance's 287 candidates face criminal cases, compared with only around 7 per cent of the ruling party's 299, according to affidavits filed by candidates at the Election Commission that were analysed by the Dhaka-based civil society group Shujan.

Most cases against the opposition are "politically motivated", Shujan's Secretary Badiul Alam Majumdar said.

BNP says more than 8,200 leaders and activists of the opposition alliance, comprising around 20 parties, have been arrested since the election schedule was announced early last month. It added four workers had been killed and more than 12,300 injured in various assaults in that period.

Sohel Rana, a spokesman for the Bangladesh police, declined to give figures of arrests or attacks on political leaders and activists but said his department took allegations of mistakes in filing charges seriously and would take action against any officers found responsible.

Street politics has always been violent in Bangladesh, which won freedom from Pakistan in 1971 under the leadership of Hasina's father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Khaleda, who has served as prime minister for 10 years, is the widow of former president Ziaur Rahman.

A bitter decades-long rivalry between Hasina and Khaleda - often called "the two begums", or noblewomen - has frequently manifested itself in violence by their parties' student and youth wings.

Ataur Rahman, who chairs the bipartisan think-tank Centre for Governance Studies (CGS), said the dominance of the party in power, violence across the country, and police cases against the opposition were all concerns.

Hasina tipped to win

A Facebook poll by CGS this week showed nearly 80 per cent of 4,500 respondents were in favour of the opposition. Still, Rahman predicts Hasina will retain power. And other polls show her party remains popular.

Results released in September of a survey by the US-based nonprofit International Republican Institute showed 62 per cent of Bangladeshis said they thought the country was headed in the right direction, citing an improving economy. The country's garments industry that generates sales of $30 billion a year, is booming.

But the survey of 5,000 respondents also found that Bangladeshis were losing confidence in democratic institutions and processes, with only 32 per cent saying they believed this election would be free and fair.

Hasina has been lauded internationally for providing refuge to Rohingya Muslims fleeing persecution in Myanmar, but her government is accused of suppressing dissent and jailing critics. Many journalists say she has intimidated the media by using vaguely worded laws, which she denies.

US funded political observers who were scheduled to visit to monitor elections have been forced to cancel plans due to what Washington said was Bangladesh's "inability to grant credentials and issue visas within the timeframe necessary". Bangladesh's foreign ministry said it was following due process.

Where are the posters?

When a group of daily wage labourers gathered in Dhaka this week, supporters of both political groups said no other prime minister had helped build more roads and culverts than Hasina.

But they said they should be free to elect their leader, and that a lack of campaigning by the opposition was not helping them decide.

"Opposition people can't even put up election posters, can’t open election offices," said Musharraf Hussain Sharafat, 50, who works as a decorator at tents put up for weddings. "We think we won’t even be allowed to vote."

In Noakhali district, about 100 miles (160 km) south of Dhaka, opposition posters in two key constituencies are hardly visible.

In one of them, the Awami League’s General Secretary and Minister of Road Transport and Bridges, Obaidul Quader, was seen out seeking votes last weekend with a cavalcade of black SUVs and his area's top police officer for security.

Quader smiled down from posters hung from trees, electrical wires, and plastered on walls, as loudspeakers perched atop rickshaws blared Hasina’s praises.

His opponent Modud Ahmed, a former prime minister, said he had stayed in his home for most of this month out of fear of attacks. He said his supporters face assaults and threats from stick and gun-wielding Awami League student and youth wing activists.

"We don't call them students," said Ahmed, Bangladesh's first postmaster-general. "We call them Hasina's armed cadres. There is a reign of terror."

Quader declined to meet with Reuters despite repeated requests.

Nizam Uddin, local leader of the Awami League’s student wing, rubbished Ahmed's allegations, saying instead that his own members had been attacked by BNP workers.

Thousands of campaign fliers bearing photographs of the nuclear physicist with flowing grey hair lie in piles at his home because his supporters are too frightened to put them up in public places, the 72-year-old said.

Bangladesh has a general election this weekend, but opposition candidate Abdul Moyeen Khan says he is yet to hold a single public meeting in his constituency about 30 miles (50 km) northeast of Dhaka, the capital. Thousands of campaign fliers bearing photographs of the nuclear physicist with flowing grey hair lie in piles at his home because his supporters are too frightened to put them up in public places, the 72-year-old said. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), the Muslim majority nation's biggest opposition group, is fighting Sunday's election as part of an alliance cobbled together three months ago. But its leaders, candidates such as Khan, and workers say they are facing violent attacks and intimidation, including shootings and arrests, that have stunted their ability to campaign. Posters of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League are plastered and hung up from utility poles across the country. But barely visible are those of its opponents, many of whom, including BNP chairperson and three-time premier Khaleda Zia, have been jailed on what the BNP calls trumped-up charges. Not trusting Hasina to hold a fair election, the BNP boycotted the last vote in 2014. This time, it stayed in the race by banding together with smaller parties, but several BNP leaders say they are regretting that decision. With over 100 million registered voters and 300 seats in parliament, this is one of the largest national elections anywhere in the world this year. But as campaigning came to an end on Friday, opposition leaders said they had barely stirred out of their homes. "I am not even allowed to campaign, and they are threatening voters to stay away," Khan said at his home in Dhaka earlier this week, where he was visiting an assistant hospitalised after being assaulted. In the first two days of this week, opposition workers in 88 constituencies had been attacked, Khan said. One candidate has sued police for shooting him eight times with pellet bullets while he was out seeking votes. Hasina's Awami League, seeking a third straight term in power, has denied the allegations and blames the opposition for attacks that killed at least five of its workers and injured more than 300 in the past three weeks. In a recent interview, Awami League leader HT Imam handed Reuters photographs of people he called opposition "thugs" vandalising shops, setting fire to vehicles, and burning Awami League posters in Dhaka in November. Imam also listed steps Hasina had taken since coming to power to ensure free and fair elections, including strengthening the Election Commission, introducing see-through ballot boxes and empowering the police to act against political parties' use of money and muscle. Divided election commission Yet a rift has developed in the Election Commission, with Mahbub Talukdar, one of the five commissioners, saying last week there was no level playing field. "It is not enough to hold a participatory election, it should also be free, fair and as per the law," Talukdar said in a statement on Wednesday. His boss, Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda, has said Talukdar was lying and also rejected the opposition's allegations of bias. He did not respond to calls from Reuters seeking further comment. Police say they have been working under the orders of the Election Commission since last month. More than 61 per cent of the opposition alliance's 287 candidates face criminal cases, compared with only around 7 per cent of the ruling party's 299, according to affidavits filed by candidates at the Election Commission that were analysed by the Dhaka-based civil society group Shujan. Most cases against the opposition are "politically motivated", Shujan's Secretary Badiul Alam Majumdar said. BNP says more than 8,200 leaders and activists of the opposition alliance, comprising around 20 parties, have been arrested since the election schedule was announced early last month. It added four workers had been killed and more than 12,300 injured in various assaults in that period. Sohel Rana, a spokesman for the Bangladesh police, declined to give figures of arrests or attacks on political leaders and activists but said his department took allegations of mistakes in filing charges seriously and would take action against any officers found responsible. Street politics has always been violent in Bangladesh, which won freedom from Pakistan in 1971 under the leadership of Hasina's father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Khaleda, who has served as prime minister for 10 years, is the widow of former president Ziaur Rahman. A bitter decades-long rivalry between Hasina and Khaleda - often called "the two begums", or noblewomen - has frequently manifested itself in violence by their parties' student and youth wings. Ataur Rahman, who chairs the bipartisan think-tank Centre for Governance Studies (CGS), said the dominance of the party in power, violence across the country, and police cases against the opposition were all concerns. Hasina tipped to win A Facebook poll by CGS this week showed nearly 80 per cent of 4,500 respondents were in favour of the opposition. Still, Rahman predicts Hasina will retain power. And other polls show her party remains popular. Results released in September of a survey by the US-based nonprofit International Republican Institute showed 62 per cent of Bangladeshis said they thought the country was headed in the right direction, citing an improving economy. The country's garments industry that generates sales of $30 billion a year, is booming. But the survey of 5,000 respondents also found that Bangladeshis were losing confidence in democratic institutions and processes, with only 32 per cent saying they believed this election would be free and fair. Hasina has been lauded internationally for providing refuge to Rohingya Muslims fleeing persecution in Myanmar, but her government is accused of suppressing dissent and jailing critics. Many journalists say she has intimidated the media by using vaguely worded laws, which she denies. US funded political observers who were scheduled to visit to monitor elections have been forced to cancel plans due to what Washington said was Bangladesh's "inability to grant credentials and issue visas within the timeframe necessary". Bangladesh's foreign ministry said it was following due process. Where are the posters? When a group of daily wage labourers gathered in Dhaka this week, supporters of both political groups said no other prime minister had helped build more roads and culverts than Hasina. But they said they should be free to elect their leader, and that a lack of campaigning by the opposition was not helping them decide. "Opposition people can't even put up election posters, can’t open election offices," said Musharraf Hussain Sharafat, 50, who works as a decorator at tents put up for weddings. "We think we won’t even be allowed to vote." In Noakhali district, about 100 miles (160 km) south of Dhaka, opposition posters in two key constituencies are hardly visible. In one of them, the Awami League’s General Secretary and Minister of Road Transport and Bridges, Obaidul Quader, was seen out seeking votes last weekend with a cavalcade of black SUVs and his area's top police officer for security. Quader smiled down from posters hung from trees, electrical wires, and plastered on walls, as loudspeakers perched atop rickshaws blared Hasina’s praises. His opponent Modud Ahmed, a former prime minister, said he had stayed in his home for most of this month out of fear of attacks. He said his supporters face assaults and threats from stick and gun-wielding Awami League student and youth wing activists. "We don't call them students," said Ahmed, Bangladesh's first postmaster-general. "We call them Hasina's armed cadres. There is a reign of terror." Quader declined to meet with Reuters despite repeated requests. Nizam Uddin, local leader of the Awami League’s student wing, rubbished Ahmed's allegations, saying instead that his own members had been attacked by BNP workers.

Ahead of Bangladesh vote, opposition says it faces 'a reign of terror'

Bangladesh will go to polls this Sunday, December 30, to pick its next government. Incumbent prime minister Sheikh Hasina seems to have an edge in the electoral tussle, some even suggest her comeback for a record fourth time. &nbsp;

But, Hasina' campaign faces a threat from Pakistan. In the past few weeks, WION has reported serious claims of election meddling in the neighbouring country.

Now, the government of Bangladesh has unearthed a plot to pump in huge sums of money to tilt the scales against Hasina in the upcoming polls. Country's anti-crime and anti-terrorism unit, the Rapid Action Battalion, claims to have seized local currency worth more than $20 million.&nbsp;

The agency claims to have raided the offices of United Corporation - a firm allegedly carrying out hawala transactions in connivance with a candidate belonging to the Opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/opinions/why-are-bangladesh-elections-important-186782">Why are Bangladesh elections important?</a>

Reports suggest, Tarique Rahman, Zia's son and BNP's acting chairman, was engineering this funding operation with the help from Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Rahman has been living in London under self-imposed exile.

Bangladesh's Opposition has been critical of PM Hasina's government. They say this election is not a fair fight. Three main Opposition parties, including Zia's BNP, have come together to contest this year's polls, they call themselves the United National Front.

The Opposition claims that more than 10,000 of their members have been rounded up and put in jail.

Since her return to power in 2008, Sheikh Hasina has led a campaign to uproot every terror module in Bangladesh.&nbsp;

In an <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pakistan-and-isi-trying-to-sabotage-elections-with-bnp-help-bangladesh-pm-sheikh-hasina-to-wion-186762">exclusive interview with WION</a>, the Bangladeshi PM affirmed that Bangladesh believes in zero tolerance for terrorism in the country, indirectly hinting at Pakistan’s soil being misused by terror groups to promote terrorism on foreign land.&nbsp;

“There is zero tolerance for terrorism in our country. We are working with other countries, especially with our neighbouring countries, to counter terrorism across the country. Terrorism is a global problem and all stakeholders should work with each other. One thing we are sure of and have taken steps towards is that we are not going to allow our land to promote terrorism on foreign soil,” said Hasina.&nbsp;

Bangladesh will go to polls this Sunday, December 30, to pick its next government. Incumbent prime minister Sheikh Hasina seems to have an edge in the electoral tussle, some even suggest her comeback for a record fourth time.

Bangladesh will go to polls this Sunday, December 30, to pick its next government. Incumbent prime minister Sheikh Hasina seems to have an edge in the electoral tussle, some even suggest her comeback for a record fourth time. But, Hasina' campaign faces a threat from Pakistan. In the past few weeks, WION has reported serious claims of election meddling in the neighbouring country. Now, the government of Bangladesh has unearthed a plot to pump in huge sums of money to tilt the scales against Hasina in the upcoming polls. Country's anti-crime and anti-terrorism unit, the Rapid Action Battalion, claims to have seized local currency worth more than $20 million. The agency claims to have raided the offices of United Corporation - a firm allegedly carrying out hawala transactions in connivance with a candidate belonging to the Opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Also read: Why are Bangladesh elections important? Reports suggest, Tarique Rahman, Zia's son and BNP's acting chairman, was engineering this funding operation with the help from Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Rahman has been living in London under self-imposed exile. Bangladesh's Opposition has been critical of PM Hasina's government. They say this election is not a fair fight. Three main Opposition parties, including Zia's BNP, have come together to contest this year's polls, they call themselves the United National Front. The Opposition claims that more than 10,000 of their members have been rounded up and put in jail. Since her return to power in 2008, Sheikh Hasina has led a campaign to uproot every terror module in Bangladesh. In an exclusive interview with WION, the Bangladeshi PM affirmed that Bangladesh believes in zero tolerance for terrorism in the country, indirectly hinting at Pakistan’s soil being misused by terror groups to promote terrorism on foreign land. “There is zero tolerance for terrorism in our country. We are working with other countries, especially with our neighbouring countries, to counter terrorism across the country. Terrorism is a global problem and all stakeholders should work with each other. One thing we are sure of and have taken steps towards is that we are not going to allow our land to promote terrorism on foreign soil,” said Hasina.

Bangladesh polls 2018: PM Hasina eyes another term; set to challenge Opposition, counter terrorism

Bangladesh is poised on the threshold of momentous elections. The contest is believed to be a close one. Sheikh Hasina has been in power for over a decade and though she continues to be popular she will have to contend with the anti-incumbency sentiment. She has relentlessly pursued the accomplices of her father’s murderers and those who collaborated with Pakistani Soldiers in 1971. Execution of some senior leaders in Opposition has triggered an interesting debate. 
 
Shouldn’t there be a closure to the tragic events that occurred half a century back? Should revenge give way to reconciliation?&nbsp;

Among the young who comprise the majority of the population in Bangladesh today, not many care about justice for the victims of 1971 and 1975. &nbsp; 
 
The issues that weigh heavy on their mind and agitate them are employment, healthcare, infrastructure and the state of law and order. There is also grave concern about creeping intolerance and brutal annihilation of dissenters and persecution of minorities.&nbsp;

While Begum Khaleda &nbsp;Zia has been accused of corruption, Hasina can't be absolved totally of incompetent management of the economy and administrative lapses. Her benign image hasn’t always coincided with actions. Minorities are 10 per cent of the country’s population. Of this 7-8 &nbsp;per cent are Hindus and the rest Christians, Buddhist and Animists. The Hindus feel that Hasina can protect their interests better as Khalida has fostered up her support by pandering to fundamentalist Islamic elements in the country. 
 
But Hasina’s handling of the Chakma Problem and the Rohingya refugees hasn’t inspired confidence in her capability to balance contending interests in a plural society. This is the reason that Khaleda’s supporters have been able to create a rift among the minority vote bank of Awami League. The Armed Forces claim to be apolitical, but a section remains strongly sympathetic towards Khaleda. An Army General’s widow - she is perceived as ‘one of our own.’

Ironically, neither Hasina nor Khaleda has made the least effort to prepare a second line of leadership or trained successors to take over. For both ladies, the hands of the clock are firmly stuck in past.&nbsp;

Khaleda Zia today realises the folly of boycotting the last elections that gave a walk over to Sheikh Hasina. She is desperate to forge a Mahagathbandhan of her own to oust her arch-rival from power.&nbsp;

It is for the people of Bangladesh to choose the Party and the leader whom they wish to rule over the land. India can't afford to be taking sides even slightly or remotely. But at the same time, it can't remain blind to machinations by inimical forces in its backyard. ISI, as well as Wahhabis financed by Saudi patrons, have long been active in Bangladesh.&nbsp;

This can only result in a vitiation of climate against friendship with India. China too lurks in the shadows with promises of economic aid and technical assistance. This too is part of that belligerent neighbour's strategy to encircle India. Whatever be the outcome these elections impinge on our strategic concerns. We must carefully weigh all options.&nbsp; 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) 
&nbsp;

Bangladesh is poised on the threshold of momentous elections. The contest is believed to be a close one. Sheikh Hasina has been in power for over a decade and though she continues to be popular she will have to contend with the anti-incumbency sentiment.

Bangladesh is poised on the threshold of momentous elections. The contest is believed to be a close one. Sheikh Hasina has been in power for over a decade and though she continues to be popular she will have to contend with the anti-incumbency sentiment. She has relentlessly pursued the accomplices of her father’s murderers and those who collaborated with Pakistani Soldiers in 1971. Execution of some senior leaders in Opposition has triggered an interesting debate. Shouldn’t there be a closure to the tragic events that occurred half a century back? Should revenge give way to reconciliation? Among the young who comprise the majority of the population in Bangladesh today, not many care about justice for the victims of 1971 and 1975. The issues that weigh heavy on their mind and agitate them are employment, healthcare, infrastructure and the state of law and order. There is also grave concern about creeping intolerance and brutal annihilation of dissenters and persecution of minorities. While Begum Khaleda Zia has been accused of corruption, Hasina can't be absolved totally of incompetent management of the economy and administrative lapses. Her benign image hasn’t always coincided with actions. Minorities are 10 per cent of the country’s population. Of this 7-8 per cent are Hindus and the rest Christians, Buddhist and Animists. The Hindus feel that Hasina can protect their interests better as Khalida has fostered up her support by pandering to fundamentalist Islamic elements in the country. But Hasina’s handling of the Chakma Problem and the Rohingya refugees hasn’t inspired confidence in her capability to balance contending interests in a plural society. This is the reason that Khaleda’s supporters have been able to create a rift among the minority vote bank of Awami League. The Armed Forces claim to be apolitical, but a section remains strongly sympathetic towards Khaleda. An Army General’s widow - she is perceived as ‘one of our own.’ Ironically, neither Hasina nor Khaleda has made the least effort to prepare a second line of leadership or trained successors to take over. For both ladies, the hands of the clock are firmly stuck in past. Khaleda Zia today realises the folly of boycotting the last elections that gave a walk over to Sheikh Hasina. She is desperate to forge a Mahagathbandhan of her own to oust her arch-rival from power. It is for the people of Bangladesh to choose the Party and the leader whom they wish to rule over the land. India can't afford to be taking sides even slightly or remotely. But at the same time, it can't remain blind to machinations by inimical forces in its backyard. ISI, as well as Wahhabis financed by Saudi patrons, have long been active in Bangladesh. This can only result in a vitiation of climate against friendship with India. China too lurks in the shadows with promises of economic aid and technical assistance. This too is part of that belligerent neighbour's strategy to encircle India. Whatever be the outcome these elections impinge on our strategic concerns. We must carefully weigh all options. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Why are Bangladesh elections important?

Bangladesh police have arrested more than 10,500 opposition activists in a crackdown ahead of elections this week, opposition parties said Tuesday.

The figures were released after the United States urged <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/disappointed-with-bangladesh-over-inability-to-provide-visas-to-poll-monitoring-team-us-186238">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's</a> government to do more to ensure free polls on Sunday when she is aiming to win a record fourth term.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/silent-opposition-counts-on-viral-votes-in-bangladesh-election-186318">Opposition parties</a> said the arrests since the election was called on November 8 were intended to create a "climate of fear".

The main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), whose leader Khaleda Zia is serving a 17-year jail term, said 7,021 of its activists had been detained.

Its Islamist ally, Jamaat-e-Islami, said more than 3,500 followers were in custody. Jamaat-e-Islami is banned from contesting elections but has candidates taking part as individuals with the BNP.

"Every day 80 to 90 of our activists have been arrested nationwide. These arrests have created a climate of fear," Jamaat secretary general Shafiqur Rahman told AFP.

Police spokesman Sohel Rana did not confirm any figure for arrests but said they did not make "unnecessary arrests" without warrants.

"We never target any individual unless they break the law. These people have specific warrants against them," he told AFP.

Candidate attacks&nbsp;

Rizvi Ahmed, a BNP spokesman, said the charges laid against party activists were "fictitious" and "ghost" cases" aiming for "a lopsided election" in favour of Hasina.

Hasina and Zia have been political foes since the introduction of democracy in 1991. They have traditionally alternated in power but Hasina's current rule has lasted since 2009 and Zia's jail term this year prevented her from taking part in the election.

The BNP and its allies have also accused police and ruling Awami League party activists of attacking their activists and candidates.

The BNP had hoped the deployment of 30,000 troops on Monday would improve security across the Muslim-majority majority country of 165 million.

"The Awami League activists along with the law enforcing agencies attacked our candidates at 28 constituencies (in the last 24 hours). Nineteen of our candidates and over 100 activists were injured in the attack,” Ahmed told a press briefing.

He said that since the election campaign started at least 152 BNP candidates were attacked and hundreds of activists were injured in clashes.

Police spokesman Rana denied police had attacked any opposition activists, acknowledging only that "isolated incidents" were possible.

"If we receive any clear and evident allegation against any police member, we will surely take stern action," Rana said.

Hasina won the 2008 poll by a landslide and the BNP boycotted the 2014 election — saying it was not free and fair — gifting her a return to power.

Civil society and rights groups have accused Hasina's government of silencing dissent and muzzling the press through a strict digital-security law.

The US State Department also raised concerns about Sunday's vote after it cancelled a planned observer mission by the Asian Network for Free Elections, which is funded by the US government because Bangladesh held up visas and credentials.

State Department spokesman Robert Palladino said democratic elections must have "space for peaceful expression and assembly, for independent media to do its job covering electoral developments, for participants to have access to information and for all individuals to be able to partake in the electoral process without harassment, intimidation or violence."

"We encourage the government of Bangladesh to uphold its commitment to a democratic process by ensuring all Bangladeshis are free to peacefully express themselves and participate," he added in a statement.

Bangladesh police have arrested more than 10,500 opposition activists in a crackdown ahead of elections this week, opposition parties said Tuesday. The figures were released after the United States urged Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government to do more to ensure free polls on Sunday when she is aiming to win a record fourth term.

Bangladesh police have arrested more than 10,500 opposition activists in a crackdown ahead of elections this week, opposition parties said Tuesday. The figures were released after the United States urged Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government to do more to ensure free polls on Sunday when she is aiming to win a record fourth term. Opposition parties said the arrests since the election was called on November 8 were intended to create a "climate of fear". The main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), whose leader Khaleda Zia is serving a 17-year jail term, said 7,021 of its activists had been detained. Its Islamist ally, Jamaat-e-Islami, said more than 3,500 followers were in custody. Jamaat-e-Islami is banned from contesting elections but has candidates taking part as individuals with the BNP. "Every day 80 to 90 of our activists have been arrested nationwide. These arrests have created a climate of fear," Jamaat secretary general Shafiqur Rahman told AFP. Police spokesman Sohel Rana did not confirm any figure for arrests but said they did not make "unnecessary arrests" without warrants. "We never target any individual unless they break the law. These people have specific warrants against them," he told AFP. Candidate attacks Rizvi Ahmed, a BNP spokesman, said the charges laid against party activists were "fictitious" and "ghost" cases" aiming for "a lopsided election" in favour of Hasina. Hasina and Zia have been political foes since the introduction of democracy in 1991. They have traditionally alternated in power but Hasina's current rule has lasted since 2009 and Zia's jail term this year prevented her from taking part in the election. The BNP and its allies have also accused police and ruling Awami League party activists of attacking their activists and candidates. The BNP had hoped the deployment of 30,000 troops on Monday would improve security across the Muslim-majority majority country of 165 million. "The Awami League activists along with the law enforcing agencies attacked our candidates at 28 constituencies (in the last 24 hours). Nineteen of our candidates and over 100 activists were injured in the attack,” Ahmed told a press briefing. He said that since the election campaign started at least 152 BNP candidates were attacked and hundreds of activists were injured in clashes. Police spokesman Rana denied police had attacked any opposition activists, acknowledging only that "isolated incidents" were possible. "If we receive any clear and evident allegation against any police member, we will surely take stern action," Rana said. Hasina won the 2008 poll by a landslide and the BNP boycotted the 2014 election — saying it was not free and fair — gifting her a return to power. Civil society and rights groups have accused Hasina's government of silencing dissent and muzzling the press through a strict digital-security law. The US State Department also raised concerns about Sunday's vote after it cancelled a planned observer mission by the Asian Network for Free Elections, which is funded by the US government because Bangladesh held up visas and credentials. State Department spokesman Robert Palladino said democratic elections must have "space for peaceful expression and assembly, for independent media to do its job covering electoral developments, for participants to have access to information and for all individuals to be able to partake in the electoral process without harassment, intimidation or violence." "We encourage the government of Bangladesh to uphold its commitment to a democratic process by ensuring all Bangladeshis are free to peacefully express themselves and participate," he added in a statement.

Over 10,500 opposition activists arrested ahead of Bangladesh polls

Shut out by mainstream media and too scared to hustle on the streets, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/bangladesh">Bangladesh</a>'s main opposition party has been reduced to social media lobbying for votes in this week's national elections.

Two weeks into the campaign, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pm-sheikh-hasina-on-top-in-battle-of-the-bangladesh-begums-186170">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina</a> has addressed hundreds of thousands of people in rallies across the country as she seeks a record fourth term.

Public gatherings by the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) are tiny by comparison.&nbsp;

Its leader <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/khaleda-zia-bangladeshs-fighter-begum-and-former-premier-marred-by-controversies-185022">Khaleda Zia</a> is serving a 17-year jail term for a graft conviction, which the party says is a politically motivated attempt to sideline Hasina's chief rival.&nbsp;

The BNP says many of its candidates have been too scared to campaign in public and fear violent intimidation by ruling party followers or arrest by authorities.

More than 150 of its candidates have been attacked, 15 arrested and thousands of party activists injured in clashes with rivals from the ruling Awami League, according to the BNP.

At least six supporters from both parties have been killed in election clashes.

Fearing bloodshed, the BNP has instead turned to Facebook to canvass support from Bangladesh's 100 million voters ahead of Sunday's election.

An online plea by BNP secretary general Fakhrul Islam Alamgir to the nation's younger voters went viral in recent days.

The three-minute video was released on Friday night and was shared tens of thousands of times over the weekend.

The Awami League wants to "create an environment of fear so that you lose interest in voting on the morning of December 30," he says in the post.&nbsp;

"You can prevent vote robbery. Democracy must be saved."

Poetic plea&nbsp;

A recording of a poem recited by young voters urging them to condemn a violent government crackdown on student protests earlier this year also spread like wildfire online.

Pro-Awami League groups have responded by flooding Facebook with videos of Bangladeshi celebrities, each lauding the country's solid economic growth since Hasina's second stint in office began in 2009.

State-run media and many private television stations do not run opposition adverts for fear of government reprisals, said BNP spokesman Sayrul Kabir Khan.&nbsp;

While Awami League campaign ads are ubiquitous on television, "the only medium where we can post our video is Facebook," Khan said.&nbsp;

Authorities last week blocked the BNP website, claiming it contained "indecent" and "obscene" material&nbsp;a move that prompted outrage and accusations of censorship from the opposition. The party's Facebook page was also down for several days.

At the same time, the government has run its own online influence campaign in a bid to shore up votes ahead of the Sunday poll.

Facebook last week said it had suspended nine pages and six accounts linked to "individuals associated with the Bangladesh government" which posted anti-opposition content while masquerading as independent news sources.

Civil society and rights groups have accused the government of silencing dissent and the press with an onerous digital-security law.

Motiur Rahman Chowdhury, the editor of the Bangladeshi tabloid Manabzamin, said Facebook was the last refuge for voices critical of the Awami League's increasing slide towards authoritarianism.

"The opposition is too afraid to campaign freely. The media has been cornered as well. This is the reality," he said.

Shut out by mainstream media and too scared to hustle on the streets, Bangladesh's main opposition party has been reduced to social media lobbying for votes in this week's national elections.

Shut out by mainstream media and too scared to hustle on the streets, Bangladesh's main opposition party has been reduced to social media lobbying for votes in this week's national elections. Two weeks into the campaign, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has addressed hundreds of thousands of people in rallies across the country as she seeks a record fourth term. Public gatherings by the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) are tiny by comparison. Its leader Khaleda Zia is serving a 17-year jail term for a graft conviction, which the party says is a politically motivated attempt to sideline Hasina's chief rival. The BNP says many of its candidates have been too scared to campaign in public and fear violent intimidation by ruling party followers or arrest by authorities. More than 150 of its candidates have been attacked, 15 arrested and thousands of party activists injured in clashes with rivals from the ruling Awami League, according to the BNP. At least six supporters from both parties have been killed in election clashes. Fearing bloodshed, the BNP has instead turned to Facebook to canvass support from Bangladesh's 100 million voters ahead of Sunday's election. An online plea by BNP secretary general Fakhrul Islam Alamgir to the nation's younger voters went viral in recent days. The three-minute video was released on Friday night and was shared tens of thousands of times over the weekend. The Awami League wants to "create an environment of fear so that you lose interest in voting on the morning of December 30," he says in the post. "You can prevent vote robbery. Democracy must be saved." Poetic plea A recording of a poem recited by young voters urging them to condemn a violent government crackdown on student protests earlier this year also spread like wildfire online. Pro-Awami League groups have responded by flooding Facebook with videos of Bangladeshi celebrities, each lauding the country's solid economic growth since Hasina's second stint in office began in 2009. State-run media and many private television stations do not run opposition adverts for fear of government reprisals, said BNP spokesman Sayrul Kabir Khan. While Awami League campaign ads are ubiquitous on television, "the only medium where we can post our video is Facebook," Khan said. Authorities last week blocked the BNP website, claiming it contained "indecent" and "obscene" material a move that prompted outrage and accusations of censorship from the opposition. The party's Facebook page was also down for several days. At the same time, the government has run its own online influence campaign in a bid to shore up votes ahead of the Sunday poll. Facebook last week said it had suspended nine pages and six accounts linked to "individuals associated with the Bangladesh government" which posted anti-opposition content while masquerading as independent news sources. Civil society and rights groups have accused the government of silencing dissent and the press with an onerous digital-security law. Motiur Rahman Chowdhury, the editor of the Bangladeshi tabloid Manabzamin, said Facebook was the last refuge for voices critical of the Awami League's increasing slide towards authoritarianism. "The opposition is too afraid to campaign freely. The media has been cornered as well. This is the reality," he said.

Silent opposition counts on viral votes in Bangladesh election

Members of Bangladesh's opposition BNP-NUF alliance on Tuesday walked out of an Election Commission meeting, alleging that the behaviour of its chief was "inappropriate" and he was not taking their arguments into consideration during the talks.&nbsp;

The opposition delegation led by National Unity Front (NUF) convenor and eminent jurist Kamal Hossain met Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Nurul Huda to discuss the alleged arrests of the coalition's supporters in police crackdown ahead of the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-at-least-10-journalists-attacked-ahead-of-poll-186456">general elections</a> this week.&nbsp;

In the meeting, the alliance also raised the issue of debarring it from holding its wrap up election rally in the capital. It also accused police of playing a "biased role" against <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/10500-arrests-ahead-of-bangladesh-poll-opposition-186427">opposition supporters</a>.&nbsp;

"We walked out of the meeting as the CEC was not taking into consideration our words," BNP's secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told reporters after coming out of the meeting within half-an-hour it began.&nbsp;

The CEC's "behaviour was inappropriate", he added.

Alamgir is leading the party in the absence of jailed BNP chairperson and ex-premier Khaleda Zia and her convicted "fugitive" son and party's acting chief Tarique Rahman.&nbsp;

The opposition alleged police have arrested about 10,500 of their activists in a crackdown ahead of elections this week with an intention to create a "climate of fear". However, police said no one was detained without specific charge and warrant.

BNP spokesman Rizvi Ahmed called the charges "fictitious" and an attempt to expose their activists to "ghost" cases" to favour the ruling Awami League party of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Hasina and Zia have been political foes since the introduction of democracy in 1991. They have traditionally alternated in power but Hasina's current rule has lasted since 2009 and Zia's jail term this year prevented her from taking part in the election.

Members of Bangladesh's opposition BNP-NUF alliance on Tuesday walked out of an Election Commission meeting, alleging that the behaviour of its chief was "inappropriate" and he was not taking their arguments into consideration during the talks.

Members of Bangladesh's opposition BNP-NUF alliance on Tuesday walked out of an Election Commission meeting, alleging that the behaviour of its chief was "inappropriate" and he was not taking their arguments into consideration during the talks. The opposition delegation led by National Unity Front (NUF) convenor and eminent jurist Kamal Hossain met Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Nurul Huda to discuss the alleged arrests of the coalition's supporters in police crackdown ahead of the general elections this week. In the meeting, the alliance also raised the issue of debarring it from holding its wrap up election rally in the capital. It also accused police of playing a "biased role" against opposition supporters. "We walked out of the meeting as the CEC was not taking into consideration our words," BNP's secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told reporters after coming out of the meeting within half-an-hour it began. The CEC's "behaviour was inappropriate", he added. Alamgir is leading the party in the absence of jailed BNP chairperson and ex-premier Khaleda Zia and her convicted "fugitive" son and party's acting chief Tarique Rahman. The opposition alleged police have arrested about 10,500 of their activists in a crackdown ahead of elections this week with an intention to create a "climate of fear". However, police said no one was detained without specific charge and warrant. BNP spokesman Rizvi Ahmed called the charges "fictitious" and an attempt to expose their activists to "ghost" cases" to favour the ruling Awami League party of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Hasina and Zia have been political foes since the introduction of democracy in 1991. They have traditionally alternated in power but Hasina's current rule has lasted since 2009 and Zia's jail term this year prevented her from taking part in the election.

Bangladesh polls: Opposition storms out of Election Commission meeting

Thousands of army troops were deployed across <a href="http://www.wionews.com/bangladesh">Bangladesh</a> on Monday to provide security and help conduct <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-elections-a-rocky-road-ahead-for-all-parties-185923">parliamentary elections</a> on December 30, amid concerns that violence could happen.

The Election Commission on December 13 announced that the army will be deployed as a striking force across the country during the 11th parliamentary elections and it will remain in the field until January 2.

Election Commission's Joint Secretary Farhad Ahmed Khan said that about 400-450 platoons of the armed forces are deployed in 389 areas in 270 constituencies across the country.

The army will work in 389 designated areas and the navy in 18. It will also be in charge of operating the electronic voting machines (EMVs) to be used at 845 voting centres in six constituencies, the Dhaka Tribune reported.

Earlier this month, authorities deployed paramilitary border forces in 87 bordering areas to control the law and order situation.

Election Commissioner Rafiqul Islam said the forces have been deployed to remove the fear of all including the political parties.

Major opposition parties including jailed former prime minister <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/khaleda-zia-bangladeshs-fighter-begum-and-former-premier-marred-by-controversies-185022">Khaleda Zia</a>'s Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its alliance Jatiya Oikyafront (National United Front) have long been demanding army deployment for free and fair elections.&nbsp;

The opposition parties have alleged that thousands of its leaders and activists have been arrested to weaken them.&nbsp;

The BNP has welcomed the Election Commission's decision to deploy army in the country ahead of the elections.

"We welcome the decision to deploy army during the 11th Jatiya Sangsad polls. We sincerely believe that the deployment of the army will help create a fair and neutral environment for the election which so far has not been in effect, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam said in a press statement on Sunday.

Stating that Bangladesh Army has always been dedicated to serving the nation and its people, Fakhrul said the army won't let its image be tarnished by working in a partisan way.

We hope every proud member of the Bangladesh Army would work for the sake of the countrymen in an effective way, and not in favour of any individual or any particular group, he said.

We strongly urge the Bangladesh Army to ensure equal scopes for all political parties and candidates in the election, Fakhrul added.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is seeking to return to power for a third consecutive time in the December 30 elections, which the opposition has alleged could be rigged.

Zia, 73, who is serving a 10-year jail sentence on corruption charges, has been barred from contesting the polls.&nbsp;

The Election Commission on Sunday allowed <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-ec-allows-hardline-islamist-party-to-contest-upcoming-general-election-186045">Jamaat-e-Islami</a>, a crucial ally of BNP, to contest the general elections, two months after it scraped the fundamentalist party's registration.

The Jamaat will contest from 25 seats in the parliamentary polls with 'sheaf of paddy', the electoral symbol of the BNP.

The EC's decision came after the High Court earlier this week directed it to swiftly decide on a plea of 25 leaders of the unregistered party to contest the election as independent candidates on behalf of their alliance partners.

The hardline Islamist party is now in a dilapidated state with most of its senior leaders executed in the past five years after being convicted by special tribunals on 1971 war crimes charges.

Jamaat was opposed to Bangladesh's 1971 independence from West Pakistan and its leaders and workers sided with Pakistani troops in carrying out atrocities and genocide in then East Pakistan (now Bangladesh).

Bangladesh's post-independence government banned Jamaat but the subsequent regimes withdrew the ban allowing the party to re-emerge in politics.

The party became a crucial partner of Zia's BNP-led four-party alliance government in 2001 and its chief Moti-ur-Rahman Nizami and secretary general Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujaheed became ministers

Thousands of army troops were deployed across Bangladesh on Monday to provide security and help conduct parliamentary elections on December 30, amid concerns that violence could happen.

Thousands of army troops were deployed across Bangladesh on Monday to provide security and help conduct parliamentary elections on December 30, amid concerns that violence could happen. The Election Commission on December 13 announced that the army will be deployed as a striking force across the country during the 11th parliamentary elections and it will remain in the field until January 2. Election Commission's Joint Secretary Farhad Ahmed Khan said that about 400-450 platoons of the armed forces are deployed in 389 areas in 270 constituencies across the country. The army will work in 389 designated areas and the navy in 18. It will also be in charge of operating the electronic voting machines (EMVs) to be used at 845 voting centres in six constituencies, the Dhaka Tribune reported. Earlier this month, authorities deployed paramilitary border forces in 87 bordering areas to control the law and order situation. Election Commissioner Rafiqul Islam said the forces have been deployed to remove the fear of all including the political parties. Major opposition parties including jailed former prime minister Khaleda Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its alliance Jatiya Oikyafront (National United Front) have long been demanding army deployment for free and fair elections. The opposition parties have alleged that thousands of its leaders and activists have been arrested to weaken them. The BNP has welcomed the Election Commission's decision to deploy army in the country ahead of the elections. "We welcome the decision to deploy army during the 11th Jatiya Sangsad polls. We sincerely believe that the deployment of the army will help create a fair and neutral environment for the election which so far has not been in effect, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam said in a press statement on Sunday. Stating that Bangladesh Army has always been dedicated to serving the nation and its people, Fakhrul said the army won't let its image be tarnished by working in a partisan way. We hope every proud member of the Bangladesh Army would work for the sake of the countrymen in an effective way, and not in favour of any individual or any particular group, he said. We strongly urge the Bangladesh Army to ensure equal scopes for all political parties and candidates in the election, Fakhrul added. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is seeking to return to power for a third consecutive time in the December 30 elections, which the opposition has alleged could be rigged. Zia, 73, who is serving a 10-year jail sentence on corruption charges, has been barred from contesting the polls. The Election Commission on Sunday allowed Jamaat-e-Islami, a crucial ally of BNP, to contest the general elections, two months after it scraped the fundamentalist party's registration. The Jamaat will contest from 25 seats in the parliamentary polls with 'sheaf of paddy', the electoral symbol of the BNP. The EC's decision came after the High Court earlier this week directed it to swiftly decide on a plea of 25 leaders of the unregistered party to contest the election as independent candidates on behalf of their alliance partners. The hardline Islamist party is now in a dilapidated state with most of its senior leaders executed in the past five years after being convicted by special tribunals on 1971 war crimes charges. Jamaat was opposed to Bangladesh's 1971 independence from West Pakistan and its leaders and workers sided with Pakistani troops in carrying out atrocities and genocide in then East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). Bangladesh's post-independence government banned Jamaat but the subsequent regimes withdrew the ban allowing the party to re-emerge in politics. The party became a crucial partner of Zia's BNP-led four-party alliance government in 2001 and its chief Moti-ur-Rahman Nizami and secretary general Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujaheed became ministers

Thousands of troops deployed in Bangladesh ahead of general elections

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-slams-us-statement-over-polls-observers-186042">Bangladesh's Election Commission</a> on Sunday allowed Jamaat-e-Islami, a crucial ally of jailed former prime minister Khaleda Zia's Opposition BNP, to contest the December 30 general elections, two months after it scraped the fundamentalist party's registration.

The Jamaat will contest from 25 seats in the parliamentary polls with 'sheaf of paddy', the electoral symbol of the BNP.&nbsp;

"The Commission does not have a legal option to cancel their (Jamaat leaders) candidacies. Their candidatures will, therefore, stay in place," EC secretary Helal Uddin Ahmed told reporters here.&nbsp;

The EC's decision came after the High Court earlier this week directed it to swiftly decide on a plea of 25 leaders of the unregistered party to contest the election as independent candidates on behalf of their alliance partners.

On October 29, the EC formally scrapped Jamaat's registration as a political party in compliance with an order of the Supreme Court.

A high court bench in 2013 declared Jamaat's registration with the EC illegal on a writ petition filed by several Islamic groups, saying the party's ideology was contrary to Bangladesh's Constitution.

The Supreme Court upheld the high court judgment when Jamaat challenged the verdict in the apex court.

The hardline Islamist party, however, is now in a dilapidated state with most of its senior leaders executed in the past five years after being convicted by special tribunals on 1971 war crimes charges.

Jamaat was opposed to Bangladesh's 1971 independence from West Pakistan and its leaders and workers sided with Pakistani troops in carrying out atrocities and genocide in then East Pakistan (now Bangladesh).

Bangladesh's post-independence government banned Jamaat but the subsequent regimes withdrew the ban allowing the party to re-emerge in politics.

The party became a crucial partner of Zia's BNP-led four-party alliance government in 2001 and its chief Moti-ur-Rahman Nizami and secretary general Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujaheed became ministers.

The incumbent Awami League government assuming power after its victory in the 2008 elections and initiated a process to bring to justice the Bengali perpetrators of the 1971 war crimes.

Both Nizami and Mujaheed were sentenced to death along with several other party stalwarts by special courts.

Bangladesh's Election Commission on Sunday allowed Jamaat-e-Islami, a crucial ally of jailed former prime minister Khaleda Zia's Opposition BNP, to contest the December 30 general elections, two months after it scraped the fundamentalist party's registration.

Bangladesh's Election Commission on Sunday allowed Jamaat-e-Islami, a crucial ally of jailed former prime minister Khaleda Zia's Opposition BNP, to contest the December 30 general elections, two months after it scraped the fundamentalist party's registration. The Jamaat will contest from 25 seats in the parliamentary polls with 'sheaf of paddy', the electoral symbol of the BNP. "The Commission does not have a legal option to cancel their (Jamaat leaders) candidacies. Their candidatures will, therefore, stay in place," EC secretary Helal Uddin Ahmed told reporters here. The EC's decision came after the High Court earlier this week directed it to swiftly decide on a plea of 25 leaders of the unregistered party to contest the election as independent candidates on behalf of their alliance partners. On October 29, the EC formally scrapped Jamaat's registration as a political party in compliance with an order of the Supreme Court. A high court bench in 2013 declared Jamaat's registration with the EC illegal on a writ petition filed by several Islamic groups, saying the party's ideology was contrary to Bangladesh's Constitution. The Supreme Court upheld the high court judgment when Jamaat challenged the verdict in the apex court. The hardline Islamist party, however, is now in a dilapidated state with most of its senior leaders executed in the past five years after being convicted by special tribunals on 1971 war crimes charges. Jamaat was opposed to Bangladesh's 1971 independence from West Pakistan and its leaders and workers sided with Pakistani troops in carrying out atrocities and genocide in then East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). Bangladesh's post-independence government banned Jamaat but the subsequent regimes withdrew the ban allowing the party to re-emerge in politics. The party became a crucial partner of Zia's BNP-led four-party alliance government in 2001 and its chief Moti-ur-Rahman Nizami and secretary general Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujaheed became ministers. The incumbent Awami League government assuming power after its victory in the 2008 elections and initiated a process to bring to justice the Bengali perpetrators of the 1971 war crimes. Both Nizami and Mujaheed were sentenced to death along with several other party stalwarts by special courts.

Bangladesh EC allows hardline Islamist party to contest upcoming general election 

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-opposition-alliance-demands-action-over-election-attacks-185453">Bangladesh</a>'s main opposition website has been shut down, the party said Saturday, amid accusation the government is muzzling dissent ahead of next week's <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/facebook-and-twitter-remove-pages-and-accounts-in-bangladesh-ahead-of-election-185612">general election.</a>

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) said authorities had closed the site since last week when they shut 54 news portals and websites for what they claimed were security reasons.

"We've written to the Election Commission to open the website. But it has not been opened yet," BNP spokesman Nazrul Islam Khan told AFP.

The shutdown has hit the party's election campaign just days before the December 30 polls.

"We cannot communicate with our supporters," he said.

The BNP is part of the opposition National Unity Front alliance, which is contesting the polls after boycotting the 2014 election. It has emerged as the main challenger to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's bid for record fourth term in office.

Hasina's government has been accused by civil society and rights groups of drifting towards authoritarianism, silencing dissent and the press by using an onerous digital-security law.

At least six people have been killed in election campaign clashes between supporters of Hasina's ruling Awami League and the BNP, whose incarcerated veteran leader Khaleda Zia was last month handed another stiff jail term.

The Bangladesh Telecommunications Regulatory Commission could not confirm whether the BNP website was among the 54 sites it blocked last week.

But commission chairman Jahurul Haque accused the website of bad taste. "It is obscene and indecent," he said.

In an email to the Election Commission, the BTRC, however, said the website was closed following orders from two intelligence agencies for containing "outlawed" materials, according to a report by the online edition of the mass-circulation Bengali daily Jugantor.

BNP spokesman Khan rejected allegations that the website contained obscene materials.

Last week the government blocked more than 50 websites and news portals for what it said were security reasons, prompting an outcry from rights advocates.

BTRC spokesman Zakir Khan said the websites were "spreading propaganda" and "destabilising the state".&nbsp;

A BNP spokesman has said 18 of its online activists have been detained in recent months, including a former air force officer who was arrested on Thursday.

Human Rights Watch said the arrests and the crackdown on free speech including widespread surveillance contributed to "a widely described climate of fear" ahead of the election.

"The authorities have used a number of broadly worded laws arbitrarily to constrain journalists, restrict the free speech of ordinary citizens, and target the government's opponents and critics," the New York-based group said.

"The government has ordered several units and agencies to censor the internet, monitor online communications, and detain users accused of 'spreading rumours' or 'anti-state activity'," it said.

This week Facebook said it had suspended nine pages and six accounts it had linked to "individuals associated with the Bangladesh government" and which posted anti-opposition content while masquerading as independent news sources.

Bangladesh's main opposition website has been shut down, the party said Saturday, amid accusation the government is muzzling dissent ahead of next week's general election.

Bangladesh's main opposition website has been shut down, the party said Saturday, amid accusation the government is muzzling dissent ahead of next week's general election. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) said authorities had closed the site since last week when they shut 54 news portals and websites for what they claimed were security reasons. "We've written to the Election Commission to open the website. But it has not been opened yet," BNP spokesman Nazrul Islam Khan told AFP. The shutdown has hit the party's election campaign just days before the December 30 polls. "We cannot communicate with our supporters," he said. The BNP is part of the opposition National Unity Front alliance, which is contesting the polls after boycotting the 2014 election. It has emerged as the main challenger to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's bid for record fourth term in office. Hasina's government has been accused by civil society and rights groups of drifting towards authoritarianism, silencing dissent and the press by using an onerous digital-security law. At least six people have been killed in election campaign clashes between supporters of Hasina's ruling Awami League and the BNP, whose incarcerated veteran leader Khaleda Zia was last month handed another stiff jail term. The Bangladesh Telecommunications Regulatory Commission could not confirm whether the BNP website was among the 54 sites it blocked last week. But commission chairman Jahurul Haque accused the website of bad taste. "It is obscene and indecent," he said. In an email to the Election Commission, the BTRC, however, said the website was closed following orders from two intelligence agencies for containing "outlawed" materials, according to a report by the online edition of the mass-circulation Bengali daily Jugantor. BNP spokesman Khan rejected allegations that the website contained obscene materials. Last week the government blocked more than 50 websites and news portals for what it said were security reasons, prompting an outcry from rights advocates. BTRC spokesman Zakir Khan said the websites were "spreading propaganda" and "destabilising the state". A BNP spokesman has said 18 of its online activists have been detained in recent months, including a former air force officer who was arrested on Thursday. Human Rights Watch said the arrests and the crackdown on free speech including widespread surveillance contributed to "a widely described climate of fear" ahead of the election. "The authorities have used a number of broadly worded laws arbitrarily to constrain journalists, restrict the free speech of ordinary citizens, and target the government's opponents and critics," the New York-based group said. "The government has ordered several units and agencies to censor the internet, monitor online communications, and detain users accused of 'spreading rumours' or 'anti-state activity'," it said. This week Facebook said it had suspended nine pages and six accounts it had linked to "individuals associated with the Bangladesh government" and which posted anti-opposition content while masquerading as independent news sources.

Bangladesh opposition website shut down ahead of polls: Report

Bangladesh's politics has been more of a tussle between two women who have ruled over the country, taking turns, for nearly three decades now. Incumbent Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her arch-rival Khaleda Zia belong to families that had men fight for the cause of Bangladesh's liberation but with time the two women led separate camps to contest the general polls.

Begum Khaleda Zia was Bangladesh's First Lady when her husband Ziaur Rahman served as the President.

Born in northwestern Bangladesh in 1945, Khaleda married General Ziaur Rahman, one of the country’s liberation war heroes, in 1960. Her husband became president in 1977, and founded the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), but was assassinated in an attempted coup in 1981.

Described as a shy housewife, Zia was devoted to raising her two sons and didn't bat an eye before taking over the reins of BNP when she was elected as the chairperson in August 1984, two years after army chief Hossain Mohammad Ershad seized power in 1982.

Zia joined other anti-Ershad groups in a seven-party alliance and was detained several times during his autocratic nine-year rule. In December 1990, Ershad was forced to resign after a popular uprising and Khaleda won the 1991 elections. Zia became country's first female leader, second in Muslim majority nations after Pakistan's Benazir Bhutto.

She was ousted from power by her rival Sheikh Hasina and her Awami League party in 1996, only to return to office in 2001. In October 2006 her five-year term ended and she handed over power to a caretaker administration ahead of elections that were subsequently delayed.

The general elections of 2014 were boycotted by the BNP, Sheikh Hasina emerged victorious and assumed office as the Prime Minister.

Zia’s political journey has been marred by controversies and allegations of corruption.

Khaleda suffered a big blow after an army-backed interim government took power in January 2007 amidst political instability and street violence, cancelling a planned election. She struggled to keep the BNP united.

Khaleda’s rival and incumbent Prime Minister Hasina accused Khaleda’s BNP and its Islamic allies of having links to outlawed Islamist groups.

Khaleda and her son Tarique Rahman were accused of orchestrating a grenade attack on Hasina’s political rally in 2004, although Hasina was unharmed in the attack, as many as 24 people were killed with around 500 injured.

Zia’s son Rahman was jailed for life in the 2004 blast case this October. The special court in Dhaka also gave the death penalty to several other members of the BNP, including former junior home minister Lutfuzzaman Babar for the attack on a public rally in 2004, news agency Reuters reported. Rahman is now living in London ostensibly to evade the law after a court sentenced him to life imprisonment for masterminding a grenade attack in 2004.

In February 2018, Khaleda was jailed for five years on corruption charges that she alleged were part of a plot to hamper her political career. On October 30, her jail term was doubled to 10 years over an appeal by Bangladesh’s Anti Corruption Commission. Last month, Bangladesh’s top law officer said that said that Zia cannot run for office in December’s general polls.

Her ability to contest the polls has been in doubt since her incarceration but colleagues in her Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) have said they were hoping she would be released ahead of the elections on December 30.

Attorney General Mahbubey Alam said that according to the law, even if Khaleda was released from jail, she would not be allowed to contest the polls, news agency Reuters reported.

Zia challenged the decision as a result of which, the Bangladesh High Court on December 11 delivered a split verdict over Zia’s candidacy in the upcoming general election.

One of the judges of the two-member High Court bench favoured Zia's candidacy while the other ruled that she was disqualified from the polls for being a convicted prisoner serving a 10-year jail term in two graft cases, news agency PTI reported.

The BNP forged an alliance with three smaller parties last month, seeking to unseat Hasina from her decade-long reign, however, with the absence of two of its top leaders, the party has fallen into a state of disarray.

Analysts say political and legal considerations have forced the BNP to take part in the upcoming polls as it could lose its registration with the Election Commission as a political party if it boycotted polls for the second consecutive time.

If Khaleda is barred from running, it would be the first time the BNP will go to polls without her at the helm.

Bangladesh's politics has been more of a tussle between two women who have ruled over the country, taking turns, for nearly three decades now. Incumbent Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her arch-rival Khaleda Zia belong to families that had men fight for the cause of Bangladesh's liberation but with time the two women led separate camps to contest the general polls.

Bangladesh's politics has been more of a tussle between two women who have ruled over the country, taking turns, for nearly three decades now. Incumbent Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her arch-rival Khaleda Zia belong to families that had men fight for the cause of Bangladesh's liberation but with time the two women led separate camps to contest the general polls. Begum Khaleda Zia was Bangladesh's First Lady when her husband Ziaur Rahman served as the President. Born in northwestern Bangladesh in 1945, Khaleda married General Ziaur Rahman, one of the country’s liberation war heroes, in 1960. Her husband became president in 1977, and founded the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), but was assassinated in an attempted coup in 1981. Described as a shy housewife, Zia was devoted to raising her two sons and didn't bat an eye before taking over the reins of BNP when she was elected as the chairperson in August 1984, two years after army chief Hossain Mohammad Ershad seized power in 1982. Zia joined other anti-Ershad groups in a seven-party alliance and was detained several times during his autocratic nine-year rule. In December 1990, Ershad was forced to resign after a popular uprising and Khaleda won the 1991 elections. Zia became country's first female leader, second in Muslim majority nations after Pakistan's Benazir Bhutto. She was ousted from power by her rival Sheikh Hasina and her Awami League party in 1996, only to return to office in 2001. In October 2006 her five-year term ended and she handed over power to a caretaker administration ahead of elections that were subsequently delayed. The general elections of 2014 were boycotted by the BNP, Sheikh Hasina emerged victorious and assumed office as the Prime Minister. Zia’s political journey has been marred by controversies and allegations of corruption. Khaleda suffered a big blow after an army-backed interim government took power in January 2007 amidst political instability and street violence, cancelling a planned election. She struggled to keep the BNP united. Khaleda’s rival and incumbent Prime Minister Hasina accused Khaleda’s BNP and its Islamic allies of having links to outlawed Islamist groups. Khaleda and her son Tarique Rahman were accused of orchestrating a grenade attack on Hasina’s political rally in 2004, although Hasina was unharmed in the attack, as many as 24 people were killed with around 500 injured. Zia’s son Rahman was jailed for life in the 2004 blast case this October. The special court in Dhaka also gave the death penalty to several other members of the BNP, including former junior home minister Lutfuzzaman Babar for the attack on a public rally in 2004, news agency Reuters reported. Rahman is now living in London ostensibly to evade the law after a court sentenced him to life imprisonment for masterminding a grenade attack in 2004. In February 2018, Khaleda was jailed for five years on corruption charges that she alleged were part of a plot to hamper her political career. On October 30, her jail term was doubled to 10 years over an appeal by Bangladesh’s Anti Corruption Commission. Last month, Bangladesh’s top law officer said that said that Zia cannot run for office in December’s general polls. Her ability to contest the polls has been in doubt since her incarceration but colleagues in her Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) have said they were hoping she would be released ahead of the elections on December 30. Attorney General Mahbubey Alam said that according to the law, even if Khaleda was released from jail, she would not be allowed to contest the polls, news agency Reuters reported. Zia challenged the decision as a result of which, the Bangladesh High Court on December 11 delivered a split verdict over Zia’s candidacy in the upcoming general election. One of the judges of the two-member High Court bench favoured Zia's candidacy while the other ruled that she was disqualified from the polls for being a convicted prisoner serving a 10-year jail term in two graft cases, news agency PTI reported. The BNP forged an alliance with three smaller parties last month, seeking to unseat Hasina from her decade-long reign, however, with the absence of two of its top leaders, the party has fallen into a state of disarray. Analysts say political and legal considerations have forced the BNP to take part in the upcoming polls as it could lose its registration with the Election Commission as a political party if it boycotted polls for the second consecutive time. If Khaleda is barred from running, it would be the first time the BNP will go to polls without her at the helm.

Khaleda Zia: Bangladesh's fighter Begum and former premier marred by controversies

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