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Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda addressing journalists while inspecting the media booth at the Result Announcement Centre of Nirbachan Bhaban in the city on Friday — Focus Bangla
Bangladesh is set to go to the polls tomorrow (Sunday).
Not only people of Bangladesh, foreign communities and key global bodies like the United Nations are also closely observing the polls that is being held under a political government.
A total of 1,840 candidates from major political alliances --Awami League (AL)-led 'Moha Jote' (grand alliance) and BNP-led Jatiya Oikya Front-- and independent ones are contesting the 11th parliamentary elections.
Of them, 68 are female candidates while 79 are contesting from the minority communities.
A total of 39 political parties are contesting the elections from 299 constituencies. The election to Gaibandha-3 constituency was postponed following the death of JOF candidate Dr Fazle Rabbi Chowdhury on December 20.
Nearly 104.20 million voters -- 52.54 million male, 51.64 million female and 12.30 million youths -- would exercise their voting rights to elect a new parliament for next five years.
It is believed that the participation of youth voters would leave a significant impact on the electoral race. The contesting political parties have included pledges like job creation and quality education in their election manifestos to attract young voters.
The Election Commission (EC) has already sent election materials like ballot boxes and papers to all the constituencies across the country.
The election campaign by the contenders ended on Friday morning 48 hours before the polls that would be held from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm on Sunday without any break
The AL-led grand alliance candidates were seen active in their campaign across the country, but the opposition candidates were rarely seen campaigning.
The opposition candidates in many constituencies could not even hang or distribute their posters and leaflets seeking votes.
Candidates and supporters of Jatiya Oikya Front led by BNP alleged that they could not take part in the election campaign due to attacks on them and arrests across the country.
According to them, a total of 844 cases were filed and over 10,000 leaders and supporters were arrested since the announcement of the polls schedule on November 08.
They claimed that a level playing field and a congenial environment for a free and fair election remained absent.
However, the EC downplayed the opposition allegations and the ruling AL made counter accusation.
On several occasions, leaders of the BNP and the Oikya Front blamed the Election Commission and law enforcers for their partial and biased role.
According to the security assessments by law enforcers and observers, nearly 60 per cent of the polling centres were identified as vulnerable to violence. And extra security measures have been planned for those centres.
Following demand for enough security for the contestants, the EC deployed armed forces in 407 upazilas since December 24. Besides, elite force RAB, paramilitary force BGB and Ansar and VDP have also been deployed across the country.
To observe the polls, a total of 25,900 local observers and 38 foreign ones from 10 overseas organisations will monitor the polls.
As the election nears, a good number of city dwellers have already left the capital for their homes to cast their votes.
The law enforcers including the army personnel were seen patrolling the city streets on Friday to keep the law and order under control.
The army personnel keep vigil as a striking force to fend off any untoward incidents during the election.
However, the members of civil society, election analysts and foreign diplomats have already expressed their views, suggestions and concerns over the upcoming general election.
The US ambassador in Bangladesh Earl Robert Miller in a recent meeting with the EC expressed his concern over the possibilities of violence on the polls day.
He also expressed the hope that voters would exercise their franchise freely on the December 30 election.
When asked, Dr Badiul Alam Majumder, secretary of Sushashoner Jonno Nagorik (Sujan), expressed dissatisfaction over the prevailing environment for the election.
"What can I say? Can anybody say a congenial environment (for holding the election in a free and fair manner) is present in the country?" he questioned.
He also said, "The election will be held in the way the government and the EC want it to be."
He, however, expressed the hope that the EC will play its due role and act accordingly to hold a credible election for the sake of democracy as well as the country's economic development.
Meanwhile, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda expressed his optimism of holding the 11th national election in a joyous and festive mood.
Asked about concern expressed by BNP-led Jatiya Oikya Front about the polls, he said, "It will be proved false. We (Election Commission) are ready and the voters will cast their votes freely."
He has already called upon the law enforcers to ensure safety and security of all voters and candidates during the election.