Photo : Daily Messenger
The Election Commission has declared that the 12th Parliamentary Election will be held on 7 January, 2024 amid street protests by the opposition BNP and its allies. Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal made the announcement in an address to the nation broadcast on TV and radio on Wednesday evening.
The announcement is expected to meet with intensified protests by the BNP. Party leaders said they will not allow any elections in Bangladesh with the Awami League in power.
The opposition party has been enforcing transport blockades marked by arson attacks targeting buses for over two weeks despite arrests of its central and local leaders over violence.
Meanwhile, the ruling party has prepared for celebratory marches to mark the announcement of the schedule. It refuses to step down and hand over power to any unelected administration, which it argues will be a violation of the constitution.
Claiming that there is an environment of holding free, fair and participatory polls, Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal, invited all parties to participate in the polls during a live telecast from the Nirbachan Bhaban.
As fears of a violent confrontation surrounding the announcement of the schedule have gripped Bangladesh, police have beefed up security in Dhaka and other parts of the country, especially the EC headquarters.
Messenger/Nargis
