The Awami League-led Grand Alliance will win the upcoming general election with a two-third majority, the party's General Secretary Obaidul Quader said today.

The ruling party leader and contesting for Noakhali-5 constituency said this during an electioneering programme at Bashurhat HSC Govt High School ground in Companiganj upazila this noon.

“Sheikh Hasina is being praised by the entire world today. The mass public support generated in favour of ‘boat’ symbol from Sunamganj to the Sundarbans and from Tentulia to Kutubdia, it is apparent that the Grand Alliance, led by Sheikh Hasina, will defeat the evil, communal forces and win the December 30 polls with a two-third majority,” Quader said.

Expressing concern that the “evil, communal forces” may launch attacks at the polling centres, he said they would have to be resisted from the beginning of voting till the end of vote counting on the polls day.

“Oikyafront will try different tricks and instigations to thwart the polls. Beware of their trap and work on for the next three days for holding the election with patience,” Quader called upon the leaders and activists of his party.

Mentioning that Sheikh Hasina has given respect to the women, he said “Women have risen in support of Awami League. Youths have raised their voice in digital Bangladesh.”

“Women and youth will be the driving force for the victory of Awami League,” Quader added.

The United States is concerned on the high-level of pre-election violence over the last two weeks, which the oppositions have borne the brunt.

"All parties have been victims of violence including minorities and female candidates. However, it appears that the opposition candidates had borne the brunt of most violence,” US Ambassador Earl Robert Miller said.

He came up with the comments while briefing journalists after a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda at the Nirbachon Bhaban in Dhaka today.

He appreciated the opportunity to consult with the commission to see what plans it has made for a conducive atmosphere which would allow all people of every political affiliation to feel safe to go to the polling stations on the election day and cast their votes for their candidates of choice.

US wishes a free, fair and peaceful election will be held in Bangladesh on December 30, the statement said.

The Election Commission (EC)has decided to deploy army personnel in three hill districts during the second phase of upazila elections to be held on March 18.

“Army personnel will be in the field to ensure a free and fair election in Chittagong Hill Tracts,” EC Secretary Helal Uddin Ahmedsaid today.

He was talking to reporters after a view-exchange meeting with the officials of local administration at Chattogram Circuit House.

“We will send a letter to the local administrations in this regard,” he said.

The EC secretary also urged the tourists to avoid the hill districts during the upazila elections. A letter will be sent to the deputy commissioners in this regard, he said.

“No one will be spared if negligence found in their duties,” he said.

Election Commissioner Kabita Khanam was also present among others in the meeting.

The second phase elections will be held to 129 upazila parishads across the country.

UZ POLLS IN FIVE PHASES

On January 10, the EC secretary said the elections would be held in phases starting from the first week of March.

The first upazila polls were held in 1985, while the following three were held in 1990, 2009 and 2014. The last one was organised in six phases.

The decision was made at the 45th meeting of the commission held at the EC with Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda in the chair.

The election to 87 upazila parishads in 12 districts under Rangpur, Mymensingh, Sylhet and Rajshahi divisions was held in the first phase.

The second phase of the election is slated for March 18, the third for March 24, the fourth for March 31 and the fifth for June 18.

Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda yesterday said he wanted the upcoming by-polls to Dhaka North City Corporation mayoral post and councillor election to the 36 new wards under the DNCC and the DSCC to be free and fair.

“The 11th general election was held in a fair manner. We want the Dhaka city corporation elections to be held like the national election,” he said.

Huda made the comment while briefing returning officers and executive magistrates, who will carry out election duties for the February 28 polls, at his office in the capital's Agargaon.

The CEC thanked all returning officers and executive magistrates for performing their duties during the December 30 election.

“I congratulate you and all your colleagues across the country for their hard work, skills and gifting the nation a fair election,” he said.

Huda said if the officers and the magistrates could ensure that the electoral code of conducts was properly followed, most of their duties would be performed. “Who will win the election is none of your concern.”

“People love you and they have confidence in you. Because of this, you have to ensure that the electoral rules are followed,” he told the officers and the magistrates.

“I am sure you will not do any irregularities. There is no doubt that you won't compromise with neutrality,” he added.

According to the polls schedule, the last day for filing nomination papers for the election to the 36 new wards -- 18 under the DNCC and 18 under the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) -- is January 30.

The returning officers will scrutinise the nomination papers on February 2, and the last date for withdrawing candidacy is February 9.

The DNCC mayoral post fell vacant following the death of Annisul Huq on November 30, 2017.

He was elected on April 28, 2015.