London, 29 November 2018

A total of 3056 candidates submitted nomination papers to contest in 300 constituencies on the last day of submission of nomination paper yesterday for the next parliamentary election slated for December 30 this year. Election Commission Secretary Helaluddin Ahmed said this to the media at Nirbachan Bhaban in Dhaka.

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court has upheld a High Court order that barred persons convicted and sentenced for more than two years by a lower court from taking part in the election. The Appellate Division full bench headed by Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain passed ‘no order’ upholding the order of the High Court.

Road Transport and Bridges Minister and Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader has said, the Election Commission will honour the final verdict of the court on the issue of participation of any convicted person in the polls. The Minister expressed the hope while speaking to the media at AL President's political office in Dhaka yesterday.

Finance Minister A M A Muhith has said, a congenial election environment is now prevailing in the country. The Minister said this while attending nomination paper submission ceremony on the premises of the Deputy Commissioner’s Office in Sylhet yesterday.

The European Union delegation has expressed the hope that the next parliamentary election in Bangladesh will be free, fair and competitive. EU Ambassador to Bangladesh Rensje Teerink said this to the media after a meeting with the Election Commissioners at Nirbachan Bhaban in Dhaka yesterday. The EU is looking towards the upcoming polls and trying to send a team of polls experts, she added.

The 14-party alliance will hold a meeting with leaders of different professional bodies at 11am tomorrow at Awami League Office at Bangabandhu Avenue in Dhaka yesterday. AL Presidium Member and Health and Family Welfare Minister Mohammed Nasim have requested all concerned to attend the meeting.

Japanese Prime Minister’s Spouse Akie Abe while attending the cover unveiling ceremony of the graphic novel 'Mujib' at the Bangladesh Embassy in Tokyo on Monday described the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as a great leader and the architect of the independent Bangladesh. Bangabandhu’s younger daughter Sheikh Rehana, Japanese State Minister for Foreign Affairs Toshiko Abe were present on the occasion. Graphic novel 'Mujib' based on the autobiography of Bangabandhu has been published in Japanese language with a view to portraying the life and works of Bangabandhu before the Japanese children and juveniles.

United States Congressman Jim Banks has placed a resolution in the House of Representatives expressing concern about the threat pose to the democratic process by theocratic groups operating in Bangladesh. The resolution placed on November 20 called on the Government of Bangladesh to stop radical organizations such as Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Chhatra Shibir, and Hefazat-e-Islam who pose an ongoing threat to the country’s stability and secular democracy.

Bangladesh will take on West Indies in their 2nd and final test match tomorrow at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka with the Tigers leading the two-match Test series 1-0.

The government has appointed Brigadier General A K M Mostafa Kamal Pasha as the Inspector General of Prisons. The Ministry of Public Administration issued a notification in this regard yesterday.

Press Wing