Jatiya Oikyafront will brief media this evening on overall situation of today’s general election.

The press conference will be held at his Paltan office after 8:00pm today, the party sources said.

Earlier at a press briefing around 2:30pm, Oikyafront convener Dr Kamal Hossain said he was concerned over the election atmosphere.

The voting in the 11th parliamentary election ended in all the 300 constituencies across the country at 4:00pm.

No one believes that BNP and Jatiya Oikyafront can do anything after they were defeated both in their movement and the election, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader said today.

Quader made the remarks in reply to queries by journalists at the ferry terminal in Louhajang upazila of Munshiganj.

The ministers of the new government on their way to Tungipara in Gopalganj on January 9, 2019. Photo: Star

The ministers of the new government were on their way to Tungipara in Gopalganj to pay homage to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu.

“The opposition could not even wage a movement for ten minutes in the last ten years, what will they do now?” Quader questioned.

The ministers, along with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina later paid homage to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in Gopalganj’s Tungipara on the occasion of installation of her government for the third consecutive term.

Awami League President Sheikh Hasina took oath as the prime minister for the fourth time, the third in a row, heading a 47-member council of ministers on Monday, a week after the Awami League-led grand alliance’s landslide victory in the 11th parliamentary election held on December 30.

The new cabinet comprising 24 ministers, 19 state ministers and three deputy ministers took oath at a state ceremony at Bangabhaban Darbar Hall on Monday afternoon.

President M Abdul Hamid administered the oath of office and oath of secrecy to Sheikh Hasina and members of her council of ministers.

There were no polling agents of main opposition parties anywhere throughout Dhaka. The Daily Star went about several constituencies in the capital, but could only find polling agents of Awami League everywhere wearing the badge of the ‘boat’.

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The Daily Star visited Kakoli High School, Dhaka City College, Teachers’ Training College, Dhaka College, University Laboratory School and College, Dhanmondi Government Boys School and College, New Model School and College voting centres.

While plenty of ‘boat’ supporters were seen displaying badges, only the centre at Dhaka City College, where Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina cast her vote, had one or two polling agents of ‘Tiger’ and ‘hand fan’ there.

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The Daily Star visited Mohammadpur Government Primary School, Mohammadpur Girls High School, Rayerbazar Community Centre, Shyamoli Ideal Technical Institue, and Primrose Kindergarden polling stations in the constituency which is witnessing electronic voting for the first time.

There too, no opposition polling agents could be seen anywhere. However, ruling party supporters and polling agents were found roaming around aplenty.

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The Daily Star visited Ispahani School, Viquarunnisa Noon School, and Tejgaon Govt Girls High School voting centres. No polling agents other than those from the ruling Awami League could be seen there in the morning.

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The Daily Star visited five polling centres including Rashid Ideal High School, Al Quran Academy, and Bangabndhu College to find only one polling agent of the ‘sheaf of paddy’ who did not seem very convincing.

Shafiqur Rahman, who claims to have been driven out of Bangabandhu College, alleged that false BNP polling agents were filled in Shahidbagh Girls School. "I was supposed to provide polling agents there. But this morning, it was already filled."

Jatiya Oikyafront Convener Dr Kamal Hossain yesterday called upon the voters to go to polling centres early in the morning and cast votes without fear.

“I urge the voters to go to polling stations early in the morning and cast ballots. Don't be afraid. If you go there, criminals will flee. They cannot withstand the people's strength,” he told a press conference at Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU).

Replying to a query, the eminent jurist hoped people would vote for the Oikyafront candidates if today's election is held in a free and fair manner.

“If you talk to people, they will tell you that they want a change. We hope and believe that people will vote in our favour.” 

In a statement distributed at the briefing, the Gonoforum president called upon the young first-time voters to exercise their franchise.

“Keep in mind that if you are afraid, you are done; if you turn around, you are Bangladesh.”

Dr Kamal claimed that there are apprehension and confusion among people over the polls, and said this needs to be removed immediately.

“The polls will be held as the day breaks. There should have been a festive atmosphere now across the country. Instead, there are worries and confusion in people's mind.”

Dr Kamal, an architect of the country's constitution, called upon members of the army, the navy, police, Rab, Border Guard Bangladesh, Ansar, the VDP and Coast Guard to play a glorious role in the election like in the past.

“Your role in peacekeeping is being praised worldwide, and this has increased your scopes across the globe. You will remain careful so that it is not hampered in any way.”

The Oikyafront convener also urged Election Commission officials, returning officers and assistant returning officers to ensure people's voting rights.

“If you violate anyone's rights, remember that someone else is violating the rights of your mother, father, wife and children. If you do that, people, history and the law will not forgive you.”

Pointing to government employees, he said they do not belong to any party, and they serve people. “People are the owners of the country. Don't deprive them of the joy of casting votes.”

He also urged public officials not to abide by “any unlawful order”.

Responding to a query, the jurist said there is no division among the components of the Oikyafront. “Rather, our unity has been strengthened.”

About recent attacks on a number of Oikyafront candidates, he said, “I never saw or heard about such attacks and oppression in my life.”

He also reiterated that they would not quit the polls under any circumstances.

Speaking at the briefing, BNP Standing Committee Member Nazrul Islam Khan claimed that till Friday, 11,506 Oikyafront leaders and activists were arrested since the announcement of the election schedule on November 8.

He also alleged that Oikyafront men faced at least 2,896 attacks that left nine people dead and 13,252 others injured. 

Later, Dr Kamal and other top Oikyafront leaders held a view-exchange meeting with foreign journalists at the DRU. 

He briefed them about the attacks, cases and arrests of Oikyafront leaders and activists from November 8 to December 25.

The Oikyafront leader alleged that 2,833 attacks were made on the opposition men by Awami League men and police. At least, 12,923 people, including 49 Oikyafront contenders, were injured.

“Instead of being a time of festive competition, the campaign trail turned into a nightmare. The election road is pitted with serious obstacles, threats, intimidation and violent attacks against the opposition men,” he said.