Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has briefed diplomats stationed in Dhaka at the State Guest House Sugandha in the capital.   

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday hosted the briefing on the just-concluded 12th National Parliamentary Election.

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen addressed the event titled 'Meet and Greet' attended by high commissioners and ambassadors of different countries. 

The briefing note is given bellow: 

The 12th Parliamentary elections of Bangladesh were held on 07 January 2024 in a free, fair, impartial and transparent manner with spontaneous participation of the voters. The people of Bangladesh as well as the international community have witnessed that the Bangladesh Election Commission, an independent and empowered constitutional body, supported by the incumbent government can effectively conduct free, fair and credible elections.

02.       The 2024 polls have set a new milestone in the history of the journey of parliamentary democracy in Bangladesh. People of Bangladesh have demonstrated their unyielding resolve to a rule-based democratic system and peace, progress and stability through their active participation. The incumbent government also manifested its unprecedented political commitment to take forward the democratic process, uphold the constitutional mandate and ensure people’s right to vote.

03.       This election 2024 was very crucial for sustaining economic growth, development and stability in the country. Despite the calls to boycott, violence and persistent intimidation by the BNP, the people of Bangladesh reinforced their commitment to and aspiration for a peaceful and ‘Smart Bangladesh’ vision.

04.       This is a new paradigm in Bangladesh’s electoral history within the Constitutional framework, based on trust, credibility and impartiality in the election process in line with people’s aspirations.

Number of candidates and outcome of the elections:

05.       A total of 28 political parties registered with the Election Commission participated in the 12th Parliamentary elections in 299 constituencies held on 07 January 2024. Election of Naogaon-2 constituency was postponed due to the death of one independent candidate where the elections will now be held on 12 February 2024. The total number of candidates was 1970 including 1533 candidates from 28 political parties and 437 independent candidates. Voting in a very few polling centres was cancelled/postponed due to reported irregularities that did not impact the overall result.

06.       Polling at 01 (one) centre in Mymensign-3 constituency was postponed due to irregularities. Since its result may impact the overall result of the constituency, its voting will be held on 13 January 2024.

07.       In the final unofficial results of 298 constituencies as of now, the Awami League has won 222 seats, Jatiya Party 11, Workers Party of Bangladesh 01, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) 01 and Bangladesh Kalyan Party 01 seat. The independent candidates have won a staggering 62 seats. 

Conduct of Elections:

08.       The Election Commission exercised its full executive authority in conducting the 12th Parliamentary Elections with the highest standard of fairness, neutrality and transparency.

09.       Mentionable, the EC has been strengthened through robust legal, administrative and logistical provisions. The outgoing Parliament enacted the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners’ Appointment Act, 2022 which is the first ever such law in the Subcontinent. The amended Representation of the People Order (RPO) 2023 authorizes the EC to postpone or cancel results or voting of one or more polling stations if irregularities are found among other drastic measures as and when necessary.

Executive control:

10.       For ensuring neutrality, the Commission, exercising its executive authority, transferred a large number of field officials (676). This includes 355 Officers-in-Charge of the police stations (more than 50% of such total positions) and 208 Upazila executive heads (nearly 50% of all the Upazilas). In addition, the Commission also transferred 04 Deputy Commissioners (Returning Officers), 02 Police Commissioners, 06 Superintendent of Police, and 01 Police Inspector.

11.       The Commission duly followed the election procedures starting from inviting all the registered political parties to preparatory dialogues following its roadmap. It also strictly complied with the relevant rules in scrutinizing the nomination papers and finalizing the candidates. It maintained due diligence in ensuring compliance of electoral laws by the candidates irrespective of their political affiliation.

Fairness in competition:

12.       A total of 2716 candidates submitted their candidacy in a total of 300 constituencies. The Returning Officers declared nomination papers of 731 candidates ineligible. A total of 558 candidates made appeals to the Election Commission against the decisions of the respective Returning Officers. A total 257 candidates regained their candidacy during the 5-day hearing at the Election Commission while 75 candidates regained their candidacy from the High Court Division of Bangladesh Supreme Court. In total, 1970 eligible candidates contested in the elections.

13.       In order to ensure level-playing field and compliance of electoral rules by the candidates, on 23 November 2023, the EC formed 300 Enquiry Committees one for each of the 300 constituencies comprising senior judicial officers. These committees took all kinds of allegations of violating the electoral laws and rules by the candidates, political parties and other persons into cognizance, enquired and transmitted their findings to the EC for appropriate measures. The Enquiry Committees did not spare anyone including the cabinet members and high-profile candidates from the ruling parties. On charges of pre-poll violation of the electoral laws and code of conduct during their campaign, the Commission has fined a large number of candidates and sent warnings.

Transparency in ballot distribution:

14.       The Election Commission maintained the utmost transparency during the 12th Parliamentary Elections where translucent ballot boxes were used in all polling stations. The ballot papers were transported to the respective polling stations in the morning of the Election Day in order to dismiss any groundless allegation of stuffing ballot papers before the voting began. Only the ballot papers to be used at the 2971 remote polling stations (out of 42,024 polling stations) were transported on the preceding day with sufficient security measures. The Presiding Officers signed and put seal on the overleaf of each ballot paper before handing it over to the voters to enhance the transparency of the process.

15.       The voters could freely exercise their voting rights upon presentation of either one of the two documents/ information: (i) the concerned individual’s serial number on the electronic voter roll; (ii) the Voter ID Card/the National ID Card. The counting of votes was ensured in the presence of polling agents of all concerned candidates, often in the presence of the media and polling observers.

Immediate actions against irregularities on the Election Day

16.       The EC took immediate actions whenever irregularities were reported during the voting. It canceled the candidacy of Awami league nominated candidate for Chittagong 16 constituency under specific allegation on the voting day. A few election officials (Presiding officers/Assistant Presiding officers) were withdrawn under specific allegations against them, and legal actions were taken. The Mobile Courts convicted 62 individuals with imprisonment and fines for forgery of votes and other electoral offenses. The Election Commission canceled polling at a very few polling centers as evidence of irregularities were found. 

Reflection in the results:

17.       At the 12th Parliamentary Elections, there have been instances where some of the Awami League central leaders and high-profile candidates including three incumbent Ministers of State lost to their opponents. Sixty-two independent candidates have won defeating their opponents from the Awami League and other major parties. This has again been reflective of the empowered Election Commission’s consistent non-partisan role where it ensured free, fair and impartial elections during a number of Parliamentary by-poll or local level elections where the ruling party candidates were defeated by their opponents from or backed by other political parties, including BNP. 

Role of the incumbent Government during Elections:

18.       The incumbent government was legally bound to assist the Election Commission in every possible way to conduct the free, fair and credible election in a peaceful manner. There was no interference in the work and authority of the Election Commission by the Executive, and the Commission was extended necessary cooperation by the incumbent government in order to enable the Election Commission to discharge its functions, as per Article 126 of the Constitution. 

19.       The incumbent government carried out routine work only since the declaration of the schedule of the 12th Parliamentary Elections on 15 November 2023. The cabinet members including the Hon’ble Prime Minister did not avail themselves of State protocol. At the recommendations of the electoral Enquiry Committees, the Commission penalized 1051 persons including cabinet members and MPs. for non-compliance of electoral laws.

20.       The 12th Parliamentary Elections have established the fact that even with elected representatives in office, Bangladesh has attained the maturity to hold credible elections in a peaceful manner without undue interference by the government.

BNP’s one-point demand and subversive activities:

21.       The Election Commission repeatedly called upon BNP to participate, and the EC was even agreeable to revise the election schedule if BNP joined. Although many leaders and activists of BNP were keen to participate, it is regrettable that its top leadership decided otherwise on the pretext of their unconstitutional demand for the provision of a caretaker government.

22.       In 2011, our Supreme Court declared the unelected caretaker provision ultra vires and void as it conflicts with the spirit of democracy as a fundamental principle of our State Policy. Democracies have weaknesses, but they attain maturity only through practicing democracy. By now, Bangladesh’s democratic polity has reached a stage where smooth and peaceful transition of power between elected governments is ensured without any undemocratic arrangement.

23.       BNP made this irrational demand as its principal political capital and chose to take the lives and properties of the innocent and apolitical people hostage. The state of horrific violence that BNP and its allies unleashed throughout the country is only a vivid reminiscent of their drills in 2001, 2013, 2014 and 2018. Since 28 October 2023, they set ablaze nearly a thousand public and private vehicles and over two hundred establishments including police hospital premises and ambulances, vandalized nearly a thousand vehicles and many establishments including the residences of Hon’ble Chief Justice and other judges, caused injury to around fifteen hundred police personnel and around five hundred civilians, attacked reporters and camera personnel, killed 24 individuals including 02 police personnel – one of them mercilessly beaten to death in broad daylight. They sabotaged our railway system leading to tragic incidents claiming five precious lives including burning a mother and her 03 years old son alive and leaving many others severely injured.

24.       In the lead up to the elections, BNP geared up its violence in its efforts to spread fear and terror. On the preceding day of the elections, they carried out arson attacks on polling centres with a view to intimidating the voters. BNP called for a 48 hours’ nationwide strike to cut off the communication system and obstruct voters from traveling to their constituencies to cast their votes. The Benapole Express train was set on fire killing four passengers, causing severe injury to many and burning the passenger train to ashes.

Voter Turn-Out:

25.       According to the Election Commission, the number of registered voters is 119.69 million, and the nationwide ratio of casting votes is 41.80%. Although voter turnout was relatively lower in the city areas, it was as high as nearly 60 per cent in rural areas. 

26.       We have around thirteen million expatriates living and a significant number of students studying abroad. Majority of them are voters. Although there is a provision of postal ballot for the expatriate Bangladeshis, this has not gained much popularity as of now. It was practically difficult for the majority of approximately 4 million workers employed in the RMG sector and many others working in the informal sectors in the urban areas to travel to their constituencies. Again, we have a large chunk of elderly voters who find it difficult to cast their votes for physical reasons and their ratio to the total voters is increasing. Furthermore, over 1 million officials were engaged in election duties in different capacities far from their constituencies.

27.       Owing to the above factors, a practical and pragmatic approach needs to be taken in determining the voter turnout ratio. In terms of “practicality”, it can be safely said, the effective ratio of voter turnout would be ten percent higher than the absolute ratio. Additionally, a cold wave is now sweeping across the country especially in the Northern region resulting in lower temperature than usual.

28.       BNP and its allies persistently and systematically tried to subvert the elections. They put all efforts to intimidate people not to exercise their democratic voting rights. They continued their well-orchestrated acts of violence, terrorism, arson and sabotage throughout the country. On Election Day, crude bombs were exploded in front of some polling centres to create panic among common voters. In some centres, voters were attacked by the pro-strike supporters. As a blatant attempt to instill fear and panic among the masses just before the election, a Dhaka bound train was set fire in 04 of its compartments that killed 04 persons including 02 children.

29.       Despite all these, voters exercised their franchise in a free and spontaneous manner. Spontaneity in the women voters and the first-time voters was particularly notable. 

Law and Order Situation during Elections:

30.       By and large, the Election Day was peaceful, and the law-and-order situation was under control. On Election Day, only one person was killed in connection with election-related violence.

31.       12th Parliamentary elections remain one of the most peaceful nationwide elections in the history of Bangladesh in terms of election-related untoward incidents and death toll thanks to the necessary measures taken by the Election Commission. The Commission ensured utmost vigilance through deployment of law enforcement agencies comprising the Bangladesh Police (174,767), Border Guard Bangladesh (44,185), RAB (5,560), Ansar and Village Defense Party (520,000), Coast Guard (2,520) and the Battalion Ansar (44,212). A total of 653 Judicial Magistrates and 2,076 Executive Magistrates were assigned by the EC to maintain law and order situation and ensure the observance of the electoral laws and code of conduct and trial of electoral offenses.

32.       The Armed Forces (Bangladesh Army-38,154; Navy-2,827) were deployed as striking forces. They remained available to intervene inside polling centre premises only at the behest of the Returning Officer or Presiding Officer.

International observers and media:

33.       Following the open invitation of the Election Commission, a total of 124 foreign observers and experts from 43 countries including Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Germany, India, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Russia, UK and USA etc. and different organizations, such as - EU, Commonwealth, IRI-NDI, OIC, Arab Parliament, ‘South Asia Democratic Forum (Brussels)’ and Forum of Election Management Bodies of South Asia (FEMBOSA) observed the election at different locations.

34.       Furthermore, 45 foreign journalists and correspondents from prominent international media houses sent their representatives to cover the elections, including the AP, AFP, Al Jazeera, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Ajkal (India), BBC, Reuters, NDTV (India), The Telegraph (India), ARD (Germany), Taz Die Tageszeitung (Germany), The Yuomiuri Shimbun (Japan), Nikkei Inc. (Japan), NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation), Paris Le Monde etc. and many freelancers.

35.       Apart from the international observers, election experts and journalists, more than 20,700 local observers were issued with local observer accreditation passes by the Election Commission. The local print and electronic media, including around 39 TV channels, 576 daily newspapers, 182 online portals covered various aspects of the elections in an extensive manner. 

36.       After the elections, in the evening of 7 January, some of the international observers shared their primary reactions and assessments. Independent observer, former US Congressman Jim Bates observed that the elections were ‘very peaceful, free and fair’. Mr. Alexander Gray from American Global Strategies commented that what he saw was ‘free and fair with a high degree of enthusiasm of the voters’ and the elections were conducted with ‘highest degree of professionalism and integrity’.

37.       Independent Canadian observers, Mr. Chandrakanth Arya, Member of the House of the Commons and Senator Victor OH, termed the elections as ‘free, fair and successful’ and congratulated the Election Commission for the great job done. They were impressed to see a large number of women voters coming out to cast their vote. They expressed satisfaction for the effective ‘grievance redress mechanism’ of the Election Commission to address the allegations and complaints lodged by the candidates or political parties.

38.       The OIC observer Mission in their primary remarks termed the election ‘free, fair and peaceful’. They noted the electoral officials at the polling stations well-trained and competent and noted the peaceful co-existence of the agents of different political parties and independent candidates and the polling centres.

39.       The team leader of the Observer Mission from Brussels-based think tank ‘South Asia Democratic Forum (SADF)’, former Portuguese MEP, Mr. Paulo Casaca, in his primary assessment called the election ‘free and fair conducted in a productive way’ by the efficient Election Commission. 

40.       British Independent Observer and Lawmaker Mr. Martyn Day found the election ‘very impressive’ and appreciated the overall election procedures.

41.       Observers from Russia, Palestine, Gambia, Nigeria termed the elections as open, transparent, neutral and peaceful.

Significance of the 12th Parliamentary Elections:

42.       The 12th Parliamentary Election is important for maintaining a seamless democratic transition process in the country as per the Constitution. This will further contribute to our efforts towards achieving the global threshold in democratic practices. Alongside our economic strides, Bangladesh will also succeed in building a democratic society which our future generations will take pride in.

43.       At the national level, the 12th Parliamentary Election results will usher in a fresh opportunity to infuse further dynamism into the impressive socio-economic performance sustained by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government during its past three tenures. Political stability under democratic rule has contributed a lot to these achievements.

44.       With the initiation of the new Government, Bangladesh would be geared at further enhancing cooperation with its neighbors to ensure shared economic prosperity in South Asia through promotion of greater regional security, integration and connectivity.

45.       The 12th Parliamentary Election also marks the continuation of a democratic Bangladesh polity that remains firmly committed to contribute to regional and global peace and security and to eliminating terrorism, and countering radicalization and extremism, while championing international development objectives.