Jashore BNP protests constituency redefinition, submits memorandum to CEC

In protest against the proposal to redefine the boundaries of National Parliament constituencies No. 90 and 88, namely Jashore-6 and Jashore-3, the district unit of BNP organised a protest march, laid siege to the local Election Commission (EC) office, and submitted a memorandum to the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC).

According to concerned parties, if the proposed Jashore-6 constituency is to be implemented, Keshabpur upazila under this constituency must be incorporated with Jashore-5. On the other hand, Jashore-4 constituency would need to be redefined by including five unions of Sadar upazila, currently under Jashore-3, along with Bagharpara.

On 6 August, Sukriti Kumar Mandal, president of the Bangladesh Minority Janata Party, submitted a written application to the CEC for the reconstitution of Jashore-6. 

Highlighting the developmental exclusion of the Abhoynagar area, he argued that since Abhoynagar and its adjacent areas are divided among three separate constituencies of Jashore, government services cannot be delivered effectively.

To address long-standing issues such as waterlogging in the Bhabdaha, he proposed that Abhoynagar upazila, six unions of Monirampur: Dhakuria, Horidaskati, Kultia, Durbadanga, Nehalpur, and Monoharpur, and three unions of Keshabpur: Sufolakati, Panjia, and Gaurighona be incorporated under Constituency No. 90 (Jashore-6).

Ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election, the EC has announced hearing dates regarding the redefined boundaries of constituencies. Hearings will begin on 24 August at the Election Bhaban in Agargaon, Dhaka. 

The EC stated that hearings will be held on 1,760 objections and claims, including those concerning Jashore-3 and Jashore-6. Final decisions will be made after review.

Protesting the boundary redefinition proposal, BNP activists surrounded the local EC office with slogans. Later, a memorandum was submitted to the CEC through the District Election Officer. A press conference was also held at Jashore Press Club in the afternoon.

In a petition filed earlier on 19 May this year, citing the 2008 national election, Sukriti Kumar Mandal noted that there is a history of constituency reconstitution. 

During the election, Constituency No. 90 Jashore-6 comprised Abhoynagar and Keshabpur, while Constituency No. 88 Jashore-4 included Bagharpara and five unions of Sadar. 

At present, however, the region is divided into Jashore-4, 5, and 6 constituencies, administered by three separate MPs. As a result, the area's most critical issue, waterlogging in Bhabdaha, has not been resolved, the petition stated.

Opposing the proposal, District BNP President Saberul Haque Sabu alleged at Wednesday's press conference that the move to redefine constituencies is a conspiracy to delay the upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for February. 

Speakers at the press conference added that since Bangladesh's independence, elections in Jashore's six constituencies have been held based on their existing boundaries. The only exception was during the unelected government in 2008. 

They termed the redefinition a conspiracy and vowed that BNP would resist it both politically and legally.

The press conference was attended by senior BNP leaders, including Vice-Chairman Professor Nargis Begum, General Secretary Delwar Hossain Khokon, District Organizing Secretary Robiul Islam, and representatives of the Jubo Dal and Volunteer Front, among others.