Tahmima Anam argues in Guardian that voters turning out in their millions to rout a corrupt regime heralds a new era of reform
Also below is a clip from Aljazeera English that has quotes from the public and Election observers.
Hasina commits to War Criminals’ Trial
Prime Minisiter Elect Sheikh Hasina has made a commitment to the legal trial of 1971 War Criminals.
On Hasina’s press conference
Some quick thoughts on Hasina’s press conference.
1. Clear message of tolerance and discipline to the party and rank and file. In 2001, BNP-JI victory was followed by a series of scores-settling. In the previous five years, BNP leaning people were booted out of every sphere of life, often unjustly. And in 2001, BNP folks went overboard in reclaiming their turf. This is independent of the terror inflicted on the marginalised communities across the country. This happened in university halls, bus stands, government offices, school committees, and local clubs. In the years since, AL activists have accumulate similar, in fact more, grievances. But if we witness another series of ‘turf reclamation’ and ’score settling’, then we will be back to 2002. Reports from Dhaka University are worrying, but Hasina’s categorical message of tolerance is welcome.
2. A lot of talk about South Asian Task Force to fight terror. What is this beast? Eita ki khay, na mathai makhe? Can anyone enlighten us on this? Political violence — whether in the form of hartal-oborodh or grenade attacks – is something we need to end. Violence in the name of religion, or directed against the minorities or heterodox views has to stop. But let’s not get involved in other people’s wars. We don’t want suicide attacks in Dhaka hotels.
Idle speculation 1: Awami League’s next generation
During Hasina’s press release (scheduled at 11am, started nearly an hour later), TV channels (I flicked between Channel I, ATN Bangla, Ekushey) kept showing Radwan Mujib Siddiq, his lovely bride, and Sheikh Fazle Noor Tapash. Missing was of course the party chief’s kids, neither of whom were in Dhaka. Tulip Siddiq featured prominently in the campaign, courting the youth vote.
Is it too early to speculate about the new Awami scions — the three present in Dhaka and the two absent?
Madam, Please accept the results
Please accept the results, Madam Khaleda Zia. It is a really a bad time for your party and your family, no doubt. And it is extremely difficult to view anything positive out of these results, we know. And it also nearly impossible to give a positive spin to this whole debacle. Still you have the chance to score a major victory out of these devastation. You would have been the ultimate victorious if you accepted the results and congratulate the winner. People of Bangladesh don’t forget, unless you let them forget (Exactly the way you let them forget great Zia and culprit Ershad and remember Syed Iskander, Shameem Iskander, Shahrin Islam Tuhin, your sons and all the sycophants). If you would have come out graciously this time, they would have remembered this five years later. Read more…
International Media – Day After
A piece on Guardian CIF by Asif - Daring to Dream
Also the reaction by Asif at a CNN interview.
If you can’t see the following video, click here
Election 2008: The Day After (Open Thread)
7:15 pm: ETV is reporting that BNP central leadership are in Gulshan office, waiting for Khaleda Zia to arrive for strategy meeting.
7:00 pm: 32000 no votes counted in Rangamati.
4:05 pm: Election observer reporting 80% turnout. I seem to recall a 70% number quoted earlier?
4:01 pm: Advisor Anwarul Iqbal says power handover will happen within seven days.
4:00 pm: DS website is reporting AL has a press conference at 4 pm. Anyone in front of a TV?
3.24pm: Jyoti: There is no statement from either party chiefs yet. TV channels are showing Bangla films. I wonder if Mrs Zia will have a concession or rejection speech.
1:43 pm: BBC is reporting “Awami League insiders are stunned at the size of the victory”
12:15 pm: Moeen U Ahmed’s brother came in third, in the seat he was contesting. Interesting result.
8:00 am: Khagrachari was announced at dawn. AL candidate came in first. BNP second. UPDF candidate came in third.
3:00 am: AL Landslide. Your Reactions ?
Election 2008: LIVEBLOGGING The Results
2:09 AM: Signing off. Parting thoughts. I will start an open thread for people to comment.
2.01: AM: Pothik: Shuchinta reports: 191-24-08.
2 AM: Naeem: Nurul Kabir on Channel 1. Saying that this verdict is a vote for seperation of religion and state. I am noticing that the Seat Tally bug on top right of screen is sponsored by PRAM Chanachur. Results tally teo sponsor? Bit much
1:51 AM: We will closing off our live blogging session in 10 minutes. Thank you all for joining. Hope you enjoyed it as much as we did.
1:44 am: Asif: An AL source says that victory processions are prohibited by AL until results are official.
1:43 am: A source has confirmed that Channel I reporter was told to stop reporting results from Khagrachari as there has definitely been irregularity with poll counting. Another source said, the instruction to not report results may have come from EC as they are investigating reports of irregularity, but it cannot be confirmed on the record.
Election 2008: TV Coverage
A look back @ major TV stations at 4:02 pm yesterday, as the polls closed.
Read more…
What happens now (BNP edition)?
Mrs Zia has said the election results are not acceptable (grohonjoggo noi). Is that a non-rejection rejection? What can she actually do? I don’t think JI wants to go for an andolon. More than anything else, they seek legitimacy. Andolon denies them that. I’m sure BNP stalwarts — the biggest losers — will want a defiant stance, they are not in parliament, so why should they care what happens there? But these bigwigs had never led an andolon themselves. Where are the people who were in the forefront of anti-Ershad movement? Are they going to lead a street movement? Based on what? If she doesn’t join the parliament, then it seems to me that Mrs Zia runs the risk of becoming like Maolana Bhasani — a popular leader with no party or platform. Read more…
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Posted in BNP, Election 2008, Politics