Key highlights
- January 7, 2024, declared a public holiday for voting
- Friday, January 5, marks the end of official campaigning at 8 am
- Ballot Papers transported morning of the election; remote areas prepped in advance
- Navy monitoring 11 constituencies across six remote districts
The upcoming twelfth national election in Bangladesh, scheduled for Sunday, January 7, 2024, marks the culmination of a journey filled with various challenges and uncertainties. The official campaign for this parliamentary election draws to a close on Friday at 8 am (January 5). Political parties and their supporters are deeply engaged in these last efforts, gearing up for significant showdowns in their respective constituencies. However, the voting day has been declared a public holiday.
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Amidst this, the Election Commission officials have declared a ban on candidates’ participation in rallies, processions, gatherings, or parades. Moreover, due to the unfortunate demise of a candidate in the Naogaon-2 constituency, the Election Commission has invalidated voting in that area.
Under Article 78 of the Representation of the People Order (RPO) 1972, no rallies, assemblies, or related events are permissible within the electoral zones 48 hours before the commencement of voting and for 48 hours after the voting concludes.
To ensure the overall law and order at polling stations, ballot papers will be transported on the morning of the elections. However, for over four thousand remote polling stations, arrangements for ballot paper transportation have been made in advance, considering logistical needs for these areas.
Armed Forces Deployed in Advance of Elections
The armed forces have been deployed (3 January) across the country to assist the local civil administration ahead of the national polls.
Earlier, on December 29th, members of the police, RAB, BGB, and Coast Guard were present at the election grounds. They are actively involved as mobile and striking forces. The police and Ansar members will be present within the polling centers for security tomorrow (Friday, January 5).
According to Article 126 of the Constitution, members of the army, navy, and air force will assist the local civil administration during the elections. Besides, in some areas, coordination has been established with BGB and the Coast Guard to fulfill responsibilities. Security forces will extend support to the Election Commission and local civil administration until January 10th.
In the meantime, arrangements have been made for the navy to oversee eleven constituencies in six remote districts. They include Bhola-1, 2, 3, and 4, Cox’s Bazar-2 and 4, Chattagram-3, Noakhali-6, Barishal-1 and 2, and Bagerhat-3.
Pre-Election Activities
In preparation for the upcoming 12th national parliamentary elections, Sheikh Hasina, the President of Awami League and Prime Minister, is scheduled to address the nation at 7 pm on Thursday. The party’s office editor, Barrister Biplob Barua, confirmed this through a signed press release. During this address, she will reaffirm Awami League’s commitment to the January 7 elections.
Earlier, President Mohammed Shahabuddin cast his vote on January 3 via postal ballot from Bangabhaban, emphasizing the importance of voting for democratic leadership selection. He expressed optimism for a peaceful electoral environment with broad participation.
The Election Commission Secretariat has established categories for voters unable to physically attend polling centers, enabling them to vote through postal ballots, aiming for inclusive elections. The Commission has actively promoted this method, urging relevant bodies, including Bangladesh’s missions abroad, to facilitate postal voting.
To utilize postal ballots, interested voters must apply to their constituency’s returning officer, including their name, postal address, and voter list serial number. The Returning Officers will assess received postal votes within the specified period, and final results will incorporate these ballots.
12th Bangladesh National Election 2024
The 12th national election of Bangladesh is set for January 7, 2024, following a tumultuous journey that has quelled various uncertainties. This election sees 27 registered political parties vying for 300 seats, with a total of 1,895 candidates, including 382 independents. Nearly all political factions, except BNP and allied groups aiming to replace the current government with a caretaker one, are participating. Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, linked to anti-independence acts and deemed ineligible by a Supreme Court ruling, is barred from this election, impacting BNP, its closest political ally.
In this election, approximately 120 million voters, nearly an equal number of men and women, will contribute across 42,149 centers and about 262,000 polling booths. Past election data suggests an average 59% voter turnout, with a record low of 21% in the February 15, 1996 election, and a high of 86% in 2008. Data from referendums during the military regimes of Ziaur Rahman and HM Ershad weren’t considered in this analysis.
As voters evaluate the promises outlined in this document, the upcoming election will undoubtedly be important for the continuation of democracy but also in shaping the nation’s journey to be a developed country.
