Oikyafront's pledges in its election manifesto, to continue the trial for war criminals and end corruption, are “nothing but a joke”, Awami League joint general secretary Abdur Rahman said yesterday.

Speaking at a press conference at the AL president's Dhanmondi political office, Rahman also said Oikyafront has paved the way for more than 23 successors of war criminals to participate in the election under the symbol of “sheaf of paddy”.

“So, when they say they'll continue the trial of war criminals, it's not only a matter of joke but also an inconceivable matter,” he said.

The AL leader said, “Who has given shelter to war criminals and nominated them? How will they stand against these war criminals?”

He also claimed that Oikyafront is misleading the nation with its confusing manifesto.

Rahman went on to say, “Dr Kamal has proven that they're making a plan to foil the election. I would like to let them know that the election will be held on December 30 at any cost.”

About the pre-election violence, Abdur Rahman said, “Our party men were not engaged in attacking the opponents and vandalising anyone's campaign office.”

Major opposition alliance Jatiya Oikyafront has promised mass reforms in the health sector, including bringing down the cost of medical treatment.

• 31 bed Upazila health complex to become 50 bed hospitals
• Mandatory 1yr deployment of intern doctors in rural areas
• Reducing cost of medicine, medical tests
• Establishment of Ombudsman for discipline in health sector
• Health cards for all citizens

Mahmudur Rahman Manna, Nagorik Oikya convener and a leader of Oikyafront, read out the charter of the opposition alliance in Dhaka city today.

WHAT IS JATIYA OIKYAFRONT?

The Jatiya Oikyafront is an alliance of the BNP, Dr Kamal Hossain-led Jatiya Oikya Prokriya, ASM Abdur Rob’s Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, and Mahmudur Rahman Manna’s Nagorik Oikya.

The Oikyafront was formed on October 13 with the demands of a national election under a neutral government after dissolution of parliament and release of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia from jail.

WHAT ARE OIKYAFRONT’S AGENDAS?

Formed with major political oppositions to ruling alliance, the Oikyafront includes ruling Awami League’s arch opposition BNP.

Currently, they are campaigning with a seven-point charter including freedom for BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and election under a nonpartisan government.

WHAT ARE OIKYAFRONT’S DEMANDS?

The 11-point goal announced by the alliance includes ensuring checks and balances in the state power, decentralisation of administration, freeing MPs from the stringent restrictions imposed on them under article 70 of the constitution, formation of a constitutional commission to make appointments to all constitutional and other important posts and full independence of the judiciary.

The alliance also announced a seven-point demand, including the one for holding the next parliamentary election under a nonpartisan government, dissolution of parliament before the polls and reconstitution of the Election Commission.

Jatiya Oikyafront, in its election manifesto, promised that the price of electricity and gas will not be hiked in the first year if they are voted to power.

Electricity price will not increase in the next five years for consumers using the highest of 100 units a month, Mahmudur Rahman Manna, convener of Nagorik Oikya and a leader of the Oikyafront, said while reading out the manifesto at a press briefing at a hotel in Dhaka.

Rural, small and cottage industries and all public and private hospitals will get electricity at concessionary domestic household price instead of commercial rate, Manna said.

WHAT IS JATIYA OIKYAFRONT?

The Jatiya Oikyafront is an alliance of the BNP, Dr Kamal Hossain-led Jatiya Oikya Prokriya, ASM Abdur Rob’s Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, and Mahmudur Rahman Manna’s Nagorik Oikya.

The Oikyafront was formed on October 13 with the demands of a national election under a neutral government after dissolution of parliament and release of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia from jail.

WHAT ARE OIKYAFRONT’S AGENDAS?

Formed with major political oppositions to ruling alliance, the Oikyafront includes ruling Awami League’s arch opposition BNP.

Currently, they are campaigning with a seven-point charter including freedom for BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and election under a nonpartisan government.

WHAT ARE OIKYAFRONT’S DEMANDS?

The 11-point goal announced by the alliance includes ensuring checks and balances in the state power, decentralisation of administration, freeing MPs from the stringent restrictions imposed on them under article 70 of the constitution, formation of a constitutional commission to make appointments to all constitutional and other important posts and full independence of the judiciary.

The alliance also announced a seven-point demand, including the one for holding the next parliamentary election under a nonpartisan government, dissolution of parliament before the polls and reconstitution of the Election Commission.

With Bangladesh Parliament Elections closing in, the local cyberspace has been heated up with 'Nirbachan' fever. And to go with the 'nirbachani' feel, we have compiled a list of three interesting election related services and apps that you might find interesting. Here they are:  

Amar.vote

Type: Website

Developer: Preneur Lab - Social Good Company

Amar.vote is an interesting piece of website where by logging in, you can create your own manifesto. According to Preneur Lab, the creator of the website, the sole ambition of this website is to encourage the new and young voters to vote and to allow them to express their expectations while also helping candidates to understand demands of the young voters.

JS Poll interactive maps

Type: Website

Developer: The Daily Star

The website is an interactive website by The Daily Star which allows you to get up to speed with everything associated with the upcoming JS election in a single portal. From news to interactive maps to candidate's manifesto to constituency details, you can find everything in this single microsite. To visit the site go now: www.thedailystar.net/bangladesh-national-election-2018.

Sangshad Nirbachan

Type: App

Developer: Lotus Technologies BD

Songshad Nirbachan is a paid android app which can be considered as the holy grail of elections of Bangladesh. Don't be fooled by the unimpressive visuals as it contains the details for every Bangladesh election. The app sources information from a lot of journals and websites.