Bangladesh
- System of government
- Last Updated : 2016-09-07
Unitary parliamentary constitutional republic
System of government-References:
- Total population
- Last Updated : 2016-09-07 171,700,000
Total population-References:
- Total area (in square kilo meters)
- Last Updated : 2016-09-07 147,570 km2
Total area (in square kilo meters)-References:
- Number of registered voters
- Last Updated : 2016-09-07 92,007,113
Number of registered voters-References:
- Number of registered political parties
- Last Updated : 2016-11-17
The three major parties in Bangladesh are the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Bangladesh Awami League and Jatiya Party. (and 20 minor parties)
Number of registered political parties-References:
- Number of polling stations
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Average number of voters per polling station
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Voting age
- Last Updated : 2016-09-07 18
Voting age-References:
- Elected Offices
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Election system
- Last Updated : 2016-09-28 Plurality (FPTP)
Election system-References:
- Terms of office
- Last Updated : 2016-09-28 In the Parliament 300 members are elected by plurality vote in single-member constituencies to serve 5-year terms.
Terms of office-References:
- Election
- Last Updated : 2016-09-07 Bangladeshi general election, 2014
Election-References:
- Date
- Last Updated : 2016-09-07 5 January 2014
Date-References:
- Political parties in the elections
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Number of elected candidates
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Voter turnout
- Last Updated : 2016-09-07 50%
Voter turnout-References:
- Number of ballots cast
- Last Updated : 2016-09-07 47,262,168
Number of ballots cast-References:
- Legal framework for elections
- Last Updated : 2016-08-19 Part of Constitution - Separate legislation
Legal framework for elections-References:
- Legal provisions
- Last Updated : 2016-11-04
Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy Procedures at the national level:
Power to amend any provision of the Constitution [(1)] Notwithstanding anything contained in this Constitution - (a) any provision thereof may by [amended by way of addition, alteration, substitution or repeal] by Act of Parliament: Provided that- (i) no Bill for such amendment 91* * shall be allowed to proceed unless the long title thereof expressly states that it will amend a provision of the Constitution; (ii) no such Bill shall be presented to the President for assent unless it is passed by the votes of not less than two-thirds of the total number of members of Parliament; (b) when a Bill passed as aforesaid is presented to the President for his assent he shall, within the period of seven days after the Bill is presented to him assent to the Bill, and if he fails so to do he shall be deemed to have assented to it on the expiration of that period. (1A) Notwithstanding anything contained in clause (1), when a Bill, passed as a aforesaid,, which provides for the amendment of the Preamble or any provisions of articles 8, 48, 56 or this article, is presented to the President for assent, the President, shall within the period of seven days, after the Bill is presented to him, cause to be referred to a referendum the question whether the Bill should or should not be assented to. (1B) A referendum under this article shall be conducted by the Election Commission, within such period and in such manner as may be provided by law, amongst the person enrolled on the electoral roll prepared for the purpose of election to [Parliament]. (1C) On the day on which the result of the referendum conducted in relation to a Bill under this article is declared, the President shall be deemed to have- (a) assented to the Bill, if the majority of the total votes cast are in favour of the Bill being assented to; or (b) Withheld assent therefrom, if the majority of the total votes cast are not in favour of the Bill being assented to.] 1D) Nothing in clause (1C) shall be deemed to be an expression of confidence or no-confidence in the Cabinet or Parliament] (2) Nothing in article 26 shall apply to any amendment made under this article.]"
Legal provisions-References:
- Referenda
- Last Updated : 2016-11-04
there are Legal Provisions for Optional Referendums at the national level.
C:142 "Power to amend any provision of the Constitution [(1)] Notwithstanding anything contained in this Constitution - (a) any provision thereof may by [amended by way of addition, alteration, substitution or repeal] by Act of Parliament: Provided that- (i) no Bill for such amendment 91* * shall be allowed to proceed unless the long title thereof expressly states that it will amend a provision of the Constitution; (ii) no such Bill shall be presented to the President for assent unless it is passed by the votes of not less than two-thirds of the total number of members of Parliament; (b) when a Bill passed as aforesaid is presented to the President for his assent he shall, within the period of seven days after the Bill is presented to him assent to the Bill, and if he fails so to do he shall be deemed to have assented to it on the expiration of that period. (1A) Notwithstanding anything contained in clause (1), when a Bill, passed as a aforesaid,, which provides for the amendment of the Preamble or any provisions of articles 8, 48, 56 or this article, is presented to the President for assent, the President, shall within the period of seven days, after the Bill is presented to him, cause to be referred to a referendum the question whether the Bill should or should not be assented to. (1B) A referendum under this article shall be conducted by the Election Commission, within such period and in such manner as may be provided by law, amongst the person enrolled on the electoral roll prepared for the purpose of election to [Parliament]. (1C) On the day on which the result of the referendum conducted in relation to a Bill under this article is declared, the President shal be deemed to have- (a) assented to the Bill, if the majority of the total votes cast are in favour of the Bill being assented to; or (b) Withheld assent therefrom, if the majority of the total votes cast are not in favour of the Bill being assented to.] 1D) Nothing in clause (1C) shall be deemed to be an expression of confidence or no-confidence in the Cabinet or Parliament] (2) Nothing in article 26 shall apply to any amendment made under this article.]"
Referenda-References:
- People’s Initiatives
- Last Updated : 2016-11-24 N/A
People’s Initiatives-References:
- Recall Votes
- Last Updated : 2016-11-24 N/A
Recall Votes-References:
- Official name
- Last Updated : 2016-08-31 Election Commission Bangladesh
Official name -References:
- Mission, Vision, Key Objectives, Functions
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Type of EMB(independent, governmental, mixed)
- Last Updated : 2016-08-31 Independent
Type of EMB(independent, governmental, mixed)-References:
- EMB budget source
- Last Updated : 2016-09-07 A national government department
EMB budget source-References:
- EMB expenditure audit
- Last Updated : 2016-09-28 A national government department
EMB expenditure audit-References:
- Number of EMB members (commissioners)
- Last Updated : 2016-08-31 1 - 10 members
Number of EMB members (commissioners)-References:
- Term of EMB members (commissioners)
- Last Updated : 2016-08-31 For a specified number of years
Term of EMB members (commissioners)-References:
- Who appoints members (commissioners)?
- Last Updated : 2016-08-31 Head of State
Who appoints members (commissioners)?-References:
- Selection of Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson
- Last Updated : 2016-08-31 Presidential/ Prime Minister appointment
Selection of Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson-References:
- Administrative divisions
- Last Updated : 2016-11-04
The administration of Bangladesh is divided into eight major regions called divisions. Each division is named after the major city within its jurisdiction that also serves as the administrative headquarters of that division.
Administrative divisions -References:
- Delimitation of constituencies(electoral district)
- Last Updated : 2016-11-04 constituencies are delimited for election purposes
Delimitation of constituencies(electoral district) -References:
- Criteria for drawing boundaries
- Last Updated : 2016-08-19 "Equality" of population - Conformity with local jurisdiction boundaries
Criteria for drawing boundaries-References:
- Body responsible for drawing boundaries
- Last Updated : 2016-08-19
Boundary Commission
Body responsible for drawing boundaries-References:
- Requirements on the right to vote
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Reasons for having the right to vote revoked
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Electoral Eligibility
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Reasons for having the eligibility revoked
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Requirements for party registration
- Last Updated : 2016-09-07 Signature requirement
Requirements for party registration-References:
- Candidate nomination
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Nomination by political parties
- Self nomination (independents)
- Candidate Registration (National Assembly members)
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Requirement
- Period
- Method
- Application form
- Acceptance and notice
- Restriction/Prohibition on candidate registration
- Candidate registration deposit
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Amount of fee
- Return of fee
- Uncontested Election
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Preparation of the voters list
- Last Updated : 2016-10-13 Created by the EMB using its own data collection and/or other sources of data
Preparation of the voters list-References:
- Whether the registration is compulsory (or not)
- Last Updated : 2016-11-24 No
Whether the registration is compulsory (or not)-References:
- Who is responsible for the voters list
- Last Updated : 2016-11-24 Election Management Body
Who is responsible for the voters list -References:
- Voters list preparation procedure
- Last Updated : 2016-10-13
First Phase: Data Collection
Primary Stage
- Preparation of area-based primary estimation of voters on the basis of previous electoral roll.
- Recruitment of required numbers of assistant registration officers (AROs), and one supervisor for every five enumerators and one enumerator for every 300-400 voters on the basis of the estimations.- As such recruitments get underway, building awareness among the people about the process by using mass media.
- Forming various committees comprising local public representatives, and representatives of local administration and civil society to further coordination.- Publishing advertisements for the recruitments of area-based data entry operators, team leaders etc., sorting through the received job applications, taking exams and giving appointments.
- Printing and distribution of Form-2 for data collection.
- Preparing registrar books, voter slips and procuring stamp pads for enumerators. Handing the procured goods over to district election officers.
- Taking steps to enroll voters in jails under special arrangements.Middle Stage
- Arranging one-day orientation for assistant registration officers.
- Imparting three-day training to supervisors and enumerators.
- Imparting 3-10 days of training to data entry operators and team leaders.
- Giving the Form-2 and other required items out to enumerators.
- Collecting of data in Form-2 through door-to-door visits by the enumerators at least 7-10 days ahead of schedules set for photograph-taking. Keeping detailed records of seriousely ill and physically or mentally challenged people in registrars.
- Handing over the collected data to the supervisors and scrutinizing the data received by the supervisors.- Handing the scrutinized data by the supervisors to the AROs and upon scrutiny by the AROs. compiling the data in accordance to areas.
- Setting up voter registration centres and Upazila/ Thana server stations with assistance from army.- Handing over the registration forms to the registration-centre team leaders by the AROs.
- Informing AROs about the dates, time and numbers by the team leaders for photograph-taking. Passing the information to enumerators through supervisors by the AROs.
- By distributing chits/slips, enumerators inform the voters about time, datesand names of the centres for photographs-taking.- Making all arrangements ready at the centres for photograph-taking.
Last Stage
- Making the registration centres and server stations operational.- Procuring and setting up the laptops, webcams. finger-print scanners, photocopy machines, generators etc.
Second Phase: Re-scrutinizing the Forms
- Obtaining and scrutinizing forms at registration centres.
- Serializing the forms in laptops.
- Making entries of the forms in logbooks.Third Phase: Data Collection and Identity Scrutiny at Reg. Centres
- Voters visiting the centres and handing over the slips to persons on duty.
- Collecting respective form and reaching out to the data entry operators.
- Identifying the voters by scrutinizers present at the centres.
- Making entries of data in the laptop (unless already entries are made) by the data entry operators.
- Taking of photographs, finger prints, signatures and handing over the receipts.
- Completing of any incomplete entries by the data entry operators.
- Daily handover of data in laptops to the team leaders and transfer the same through them to the upazila-level server stations.Fourth Phase: Registration of Physically Challenged. Jail Inmates, Missed-out Voters and Ailing People
- Identifying and informing about the voters missed out the registration.
- Registering the missed-out voters following the process described in Third Phase.
- Completing the registration of the physically challenged and seriousely ill people by door-to-door visits (in last three days).
- Informing the team leaders about the data of physically challenged and seriousely ill people and transferring the data to upazila servers through them.
- Collecting data of jail inmates under special arrangements. Completing the registration process by visiting jails and taking the eligible inmates' photographs, fingerprints and signatures.Fifth Phase: Data Processing at Upazila Sewers
- Sending the data of jail inmates to concerned voter areas and entry those into computers.- Processing all data at upazila servers.
- Scrutinizing and improving the standard of data servers.- Matching the data preserved at servers.
- Identifying the duplicate voters. Informing the team leaders.- Correcting the errors.
- Preparing the draft national ID cards and exhibiting the same.
- Correcting the errors in draft national ID cards.- Preparing the national ID cards and distribution.
Sixth Phase: Draft Voters List Printing and Finalizing
- Preparing draft voters' list following Form-1.- Exhibiting the draft voters' list.
- Accepting objections on draft voters' list.- Hearing on the objections and ordering of corrections by revising authority.
- Correcting the errors in draft voters' list in accordance to such orders.
- Preparing the final voters' list.- Authenticating the final voters' list by registration officer.
Voters list preparation procedure -References:
- Inspection and objection procedure
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Definition
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Period
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Methods
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Prohibited forms of campaigning
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Who is not permitted to campaign
- Campaign Finance
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Campaign expense limit
- Income and expenditure of campaign expense
- Report, public inspection, and open of income and expenditure
- Investigation on income and expenditure of campaign expense & actions
- Reimbursement of campaign expense
- Presiding officers
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
① How many of officers in a polling station
② Roles of each officer
③ How we nominate the officers
- Facilities or items a polling station is equipped with
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Polling station location criteria
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Voting hours
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Voting
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
① Is compulsory or voluntary?
② How many ballot papers are distributed to each voter?
- Ballot Paper
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
① Determination of the order of candidates on ballots
② What has to be included in the ballot paper?
③ Ballot paper design or sample ballot paper
④ Valid and invalid ballot paper
- Voting Procedures
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Start ofvoting
- Process of voting
- End of voting
- Marking method
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Special voting (Absentee / Early / Proxy / Assisted / Postal / etc)
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
① Who are subjected to do
② Voting procedures
- Counting Location
- Last Updated : 2016-08-19 The polling stations
Counting Location-References:
- Counting period
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Vote counting method
- Last Updated : 2016-08-23 Counted by hand
Vote counting method-References:
- Counting Procedures
- Last Updated : 2016-08-23
Tallying by party representative and/or observers as votes are being called out
Counting Procedures-References:
- When are ballots recounted?
- Last Updated : 2016-08-19
By request - Court order
When are ballots recounted?-References:
- Who is eligible to vote for overseas voting?
- Last Updated : 2016-10-13 Diplomatic staff
Who is eligible to vote for overseas voting?-References:
- Overseas voters list preparation
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Where to vote
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Voting procedure for early voting
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Methods used to transport ballot papers
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Counting procedure
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- How is the elected candidate chosen in the case of a tie?
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Apportioning of National Assembly seats
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Results Announcement
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Is the announcement of preliminary result required?
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Deadline for announcement of final results
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Reason for holding a by- or re-election
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- By-election dates
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Electoral process
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Criteria for allocating free broadcast time
- Last Updated : 2016-11-04 Registered political parties are entitled to free air time by state-owned media outlets during the general election period. Only registered political parties are entitled to this benefit however.
Criteria for allocating free broadcast time-References:
- Television debates
- Last Updated : 2016-11-24 N/A
Television debates-References:
- Blackout period for release of election survey results
- Last Updated : 2016-11-24 N/A
Blackout period for release of election survey results-References:
- Electoral dispute resolution body
- Last Updated : 2016-11-04 The High Court Division
Electoral dispute resolution body-References:
- Electoral dispute resolution mechanism
- Last Updated : 2016-11-24
CHAPTER V ELECTION DISPUTES
49.(2) Anelection petition shall be presented to the High Court Division within suchtime as may be prescribed.
(3) An election petition shall be accompanied byas many copies thereof as there are respondents mentioned in the petition andevery such copy shall be attested by the petitioner under his own signature tobe a true copy of the petition.
...
51. (1) Every election petition shall contain-
(a) a precise statement of the material facts onwhich the petitioner relies;
(b) full particulars of any corrupt or illegalpractice or other illegal act alleged to have been committed, including as fulla statement as possible of the names of the parties alleged to have committedsuch corrupt or illegal practice or illegal act and the date and place of theommission of such practice or act; and
(c) the relief claimed by the petitioner.
Electoral dispute resolution mechanism-References:
- Alternative electoral dispute resolution mechanism
- Last Updated : 2016-12-12 N/A
Alternative electoral dispute resolution mechanism-References:
- Direct public funding
- Last Updated : 2016-10-13 Chapter 2, Section B (page 10): "There is no provision of direct public subsidy for the funding of political parties." (Transparency International Bangladesh (2009) Transparency in Political Finance in Bangladesh, Transparency International Bangladesh, Dhaka)
Direct public funding-References:
- Private funding of political parties
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- If so, is there limit on the amount a donor can contribute to candidate or political party
- Regulation, monitoring and investigation
- Last Updated : 2016-10-13
Article 44CC, Clause 5 (page 20): "If any political party contravenes any provision of this Article, it shall be punishable with fine which may extend to taka ten lakh." Article 44CCC, Clause 5 (page 20): "Commission may, subject to payment of a fine of taka ten thousand, extend the time for another fifteen days, and if such registered political party fails to submit its statement within that extended time, the Commission may cancel its registration." Article 73 (page 24): "A person is guilty of corrupt practice punishable with [rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years and shall not be less than two years, and also with fine] if he- 4[(2) has met any election expenses from any source other than sources specified by the contesting candidate in the statement or' the supplementary statement submitted under Article 44AA; (2A) Contravenes the provisions of Article 44B; (2B) is guilty of bribery, personation or undue influence;] (3) makes or publishes a false statement- (a) concerning the personal character of a candidate or any of his relations calculated to adversely affect the election of such candidate or for the purpose of promoting or procuring the election of another candidate unless he proves that he had reasonable grounds for believing and did believe, the statement to be true; (b) relating to the symbol of a candidate, or not such symbol has been allocated to such candidate; or (c) regarding the withdrawal of a candidate. (4) calls upon or persuades any person to vote, or to retrain from voting" (Representation of the People Order (Amendment) Act, 2009)
Regulation, monitoring and investigation-References:
- Regulation, monitoring and investigation bodies
- Last Updated : 2016-10-13
EMB:
Art 91E, "(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Order or rules, if it appears to the Commission on receiving an information from any source or written report that, any contesting candidate or his agent or any other person on his behalf, by his order or under his direct or indirect consent, engages or attempts to engage in any serious illegal activity or violates or attempts to violate any provision of this Order or rules or Code of Conduct for which he may be disqualified to be elected as a member, the Commission may pass an order for an investigation of the matter giving the contesting candidate a reasonable opportunity of being heard." (Representation of the People Order (Amendment) Act, 2009)
Regulation, monitoring and investigation bodies-References:
- Which electoral processes are using ICTs?
- Last Updated : 2016-10-13
Digital voter registration kits/computers, online connected to central database are used for collecting registration data
both fingerprint scans and photos are captured during registration
Which electoral processes are using ICTs? -References:
- When it was introduced
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Gender equality
- Last Updated : 2016-11-24 Female Population: 77,796,175 (2013)
· Is Bangladesh a signatory to CEDAW: No
· Has Bangladesh ratified CEDAW: Yes, accession (6 November 1984)
· Gender Quota: Yes
· Female candidates in this election: Yes
· Number of Female Parliamentarians: 69 (following the 2014 election)
· Human Development Index Position: 142 (2014)
· Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) Categorization: Very High (2014)
Gender equality-References:
- Aids for disabled or handicapped voters
- Last Updated : 2016-11-24 Is Bangladesh a signatory to CRPD: Yes (9 May 2007)
· Has Bangladesh ratified CRPD: Yes (30 November 2007)
· Population with a disability: 24,548,229 (est.)
Aids for disabled or handicapped voters -References:
- Voter education
- Last Updated : 2016-08-19 Election time only
Voter education-References:
- National civic education
- Last Updated : 2016-08-19 No
National civic education-References:
- EMB Staff education
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Domestic observation
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- International observation
- Last Updated : 2016-11-17 Following invitations from the Government and the major political forces in Bangladesh, the Commission
contesting parties and candidates endorsed “the advisability of an EU Election Observation Mission (EOM) in the light of the criteria set out in the Council’s resolution of 28 June 1998”, observing that the four conditions for advisability were adequately met: universal franchise (also if there were allegations that names of non existent voters had been added to the voters’ list), political parties and individual candidates able to take part in the elections, freedom of expression and right to free movement and assembly, reasonable access to media for all
contesting parties and candidates.?
International observation-References:
- Partnerships/MoUs
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- International Activities
- Last Updated : 2016-11-24 NDI observed parliamentary elections in Bangladesh in 1991, 1996, 2001 and 2008, as well as by-elections and local polls. Ahead of the 2014 parliamentary elections, NDI provided Bangladeshi citizen observers with intensive training on the Declaration of Global Principles for Nonpartisan Election Observation and Monitoring by Citizen Organizations (DoGP) to prepare them to effectively monitor and report on the elections. Domestic observers in Bangladesh play an important role in bolstering the integrity of the electoral process. These local organizations have a long history of monitoring elections, but established groups have not gained full acceptance by the political parties and the Election Commission of Bangladesh (ECB), both of which have often challenged such organizations’ neutrality.
International Activities-References:
- Major challenges to elections
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Measures taken to deal with those Challenges
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03