Special medical teams have been formed at all government-run hospitals to tackle any emergency case on the election day on December 30, director general of the Directorate General of Health Services says.

Some 614 administration cadre officials are appointed as executive magistrates to check the violation of the electoral code of conduct and other crimes, and maintain the law and order during the forthcoming general election.

Canada has encouraged all involved in the electoral process to work together in fostering a peaceful campaign environment, enabling the people of Bangladesh to participate safely in free, fair, inclusive and credible elections.

Natore-2 Awami League candidate and lawmaker Shafiqul Islam Shimul said no one other than the voters of the “boat” symbol would go to the polling centres on December 30 and instructed his party to ensure victory of the boat symbol by only letting boat voters into the vote centres.

The United Nations has said it is closely following the situation ahead of the upcoming general election in Bangladesh scheduled for December 30.

Violence during election campaign is part of the country's political culture, Election Commissioner Rafiqul Islam said yesterday.

Awami League in its election manifesto pledges to form a National Minority Commission to ensure safety of the minority communities.

Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda says action will be taken after investigation against those who launched an attack on Gono Forum President and Jatiya Oikyafornt key leader Dr Kamal Hossain.

Jatiya Party has pledged to “bring back democratic atmosphere” and establish good governance in the country if voted to power in the December 30 national election.

Human Rights Watch urges the international community to press the government of Bangladesh to create conditions conducive to a free and fair national election slated for December 30.

Parliamentary aspirants along with their supporters hit the campaign trail yesterday as electioneering formally kicked off soon after the candidates were allocated polls symbols.

The BNP yesterday announced the final list of 298 candidates, including 60 for its allies in the 20-party and the Jatiya Oikyafront.

Ruling Awami League (AL) grants 15 candidates of its six alliance components to compete the upcoming parliamentary election with its electoral symbol “boat”.

The Election Commission (EC) declares 17 candidates valid after hearing 40 petitions filed against the rejection of their nomination papers by the returning officers during scrutiny on December 2.

The High Court yesterday ordered the returning officer of Kishoreganj-2 constituency to receive and scrutinise the nomination paper of

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed the Election Commission that several Western countries, along with some reputed regional and international groups, expressed their interest in sending election observers for the December 30 polls.

The combined wealth of environment, forest and climate change Minister Anisul Islam Mahmud and his wife has more than doubled since the last election, driven mainly by bank deposits.

The Election Commission has received a record number of appeals by parliamentary aspirants whose nomination papers were rejected by returning officers.

The BNP's strategy of fielding multiple candidates in almost every constituency has worked effectively. Otherwise, the party would not have any candidates in a large number of seats, say senior party leaders.

The BNP had as many as 141 nominations rejected while their rival the ruling Awami League only had three, sources in the Election Commission said.