President Abdul Hamid has invited Awami League President Sheikh Hasina to form government as she has gained the confidence of the majority of the members of the Parliament.

The invitation came after the current Premier Sheikh Hasina went to meet him at the Bangabhaban this afternoon, said Press Secretary to the president Joynal Abedin.

Earlier, Sheikh Hasina was unanimously elected chief of the Awami League Parliamentary Party (ALPP) for the 11th Jatiya Sangsad during the first session of ALPP this afternoon.

THE ELECTION RESULT

The Awami League-led Grand Alliance secured a landslide victory in the national election held on Sunday, December 30, winning in 288 out of 300 seats in the Jatiya Sangsad.

Ambassador of Switzerland to Bangladesh René Holenstein today said Switzerland commended all parties for their participation in 11th Parliamentary Elections in Bangladesh.

“Switzerland took note of the results of the 11th Parliamentary Elections and commended all parties for their participation in the process,” said Holenstein during a meeting with Bangladesh Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque today.

The Swiss ambassador deplored the violence that occurred before and during the elections causing unnecessary suffering and pain, according to a statement.

Referring to reported accounts of intimidation, irregularities and further obstacles to a level playing field throughout the process, which have tainted the electoral campaign and the vote, Ambassador Holenstein underlined the need to address these reports in full transparency and according to the rule of law.

“Switzerland trusts that the new Government of Bangladesh will uphold the democratic values it was elected upon and that it will support the people’s will to move towards democracy in full respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms,” he said.

He assured the foreign secretary that Switzerland looked forward to its continued partnership with Bangladesh.

The Jatiya Oikyafront has come up with several laudable promises in its manifesto, but making good on the pledges would be a big challenge, if the alliance comes to power, said experts.

Terming some of the proposals time-befitting, they said the alliance had touched many socio-political and economic problems but had not outlined the strategic plans to solve them.

The Oikyafront unveiled the election manifesto yesterday, promising, among other things, to form an all-party truth and reconciliation commission in order to investigate and resolve the incidents of enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings and false cases filed in the last 10 years.

If voted to power, the alliance will bring balance of power between the president and prime minister.

Former cabinet secretary Ali Imam Majumder lauded the pledges of forming a truth commission and bringing balance of power.

"But the commission has to work impartially," he told The Daily Star.

However, on the election-time government, he said the proposal seemed incomplete.

He also praised the proposal of introducing an upper chamber in parliament. There would be checks and balances in enacting laws if the upper chamber is consisted on the basis of proportionate representation of voting. In that case, the government would not be able to pass laws arbitrarily.

"All the political parties come up with lofty promises in their manifestos, but they do not fulfil the pledges after coming to power. We hope Oikyafront will fulfil its promises if it comes to the power," the former cabinet secretary said.

Prof Nizam Uddin Ahmed, an expert on parliamentary affairs, termed the proposal of reconciliation commission a historic one.

"It would be a good initiative if such a commission is constituted and allowed to function properly. Because our politics has become vengeful," he said.

But the alliance did not make it clear who would be in the commission and how it would function, he said.

Regarding the pledge of bringing balance of power between the president and the prime minister, he said many political parties had made similar promises but had not kept them.

Besides, bringing the balance of power will be very difficult. The parliament has to be empowered by ensuring the prime minister's accountability to the House, he added.

However, the promise of introducing an upper chamber to the parliament is not feasible in the present context, he said.

Noted rights activist Sultana Kamal also said the proposals of the manifesto were very good.

The Oikyafront talked about rule of law, women empowerment and zero tolerance towards corruption and extrajudicial killings. The proposals resemble the spirit of the Liberation War, she said.

"My biggest concern is that BNP and Jamaat are with the Oikyafront. The proposals do not match their past records. They do not even believe in these promises," she said.

Theoretically, the proposals are very good but questions remain about the implementation, she added.

Transparency International Bangladesh Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman said the manifesto was a crafty collection of lofty promises, too good to be believed as deliverable, especially bearing in mind the political culture and track record of the largest component party of the Oikyafront.

"As the saying goes, the taste of the pudding is in the eating. Nevertheless, one can at least give them the benefit of the doubt that perhaps this time they are attempting to take the voters to a dreamland!" he added.

Prof Al Masud Hasanuzzaman, a teacher at Jahangirnagar University, said the Oikyafront came up with several good proposals, but how those proposals would be implemented was missing in the manifesto.

One good thing is that they showed a positive gesture and pledged to end the politics of vengeance, he added.

Regarding the pledges about the financial sector, Khondker Ibrahim Khaled, former Bangladesh Bank deputy governor, said, "If other parties [after coming to power] want to implement the pledges, they [the Oikyafront] should support them," he said.

Claiming the December 30 election to be “farcical”, Jatiya Oikyafront Convener Dr Kamal Hossain yesterday called for a national dialogue to find out ways for holding a fresh election as per the constitution.

“We had to witness a farce in the name of an election. It won't bring any legality and stability. This can, in no way, be accepted,” said the noted jurist.

He came up with these remarks while addressing a discussion organised by the Gonoforum at the Dhaka Reporters Unity, marking the historic Homecoming Day of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Dr Kamal, who presided over the discussion, urged all the political parties to sit for a dialogue in a bid to discuss the formation of an elected government by holding a fresh election as per the constitution.

Dr Kamal, who is also the president of the Gonoforum, said, “A sane person cannot play such a game with the country's 17 crore people. This can't be done unless a person is mentally imbalanced.”

He also questioned if there was anyone who could call the election a free and fair one.

“It's regrettable what happened in the name of election even after 48 years [of the country's independence]. It was not supposed to happen.”

The eminent jurist said the election was held on the night of December 29 instead of December 30.

 “Why did they do that? I would like ask them what is the necessity of doing such an unusual act?  Is it a game? Is it fair to play a game with the country's 17 crore people?”

Dr Kamal also said the December 30 election was a good example of political tricks. “I would like to request you, please refrain from resorting to political tricks and do everything through talks and as per the constitution. There can be no alternative to that.”

Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal President ASM Abdur Rob, Gonoforum Executive President Subrata Chowdhury, Gonoforum General Secretary Mostafa Mohsin Montu, Gonoforum MP-elect Mukabbir Khan, Gonoforum leader Maj Gen (retd) Amsa Amin, also spoke among others in the discussion.

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.