No 'boat' symbol on ballot for first time in 30 years in Bangladesh's election
Dhaka (PTI): For the first time in 30 years, the election symbol of deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League – boat – has not appeared on the ballot paper in Bangladesh's crucial general election, voting for which is being held on Thursday.
This is the first election since Hasina was ousted after massive nationwide protests in August 2024.
The Interim government banned all party activities of the Awami League on May 12 last year and soon afterwards, the Election Commission suspended the party’s registration.
One of the country's oldest political parties, the Awami League, has boycotted parliamentary elections twice in the past. This time, however, it is unable to take part at all, as its registration remains suspended, BDNews24 reported.
The government has said the ban will remain in place until trials at the Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal (BD-ICT) are completed.
As a result, the party's symbol will not feature even on the postal ballots, the report said.
However, this is not the first time. The Awami League boycotted elections in 1988 and again in 1996 amid political movements.
In total, the boat symbol has been absent from the ballot paper in three of Bangladesh’s 13 parliamentary elections, it said.
Since the introduction of the political party registration system in 2008, a total of 63 parties have been registered. Of these, registration of three parties has been cancelled, while one remains suspended this year.
Of the remaining 59 registered parties, 51 are contesting the 13th parliamentary election. Including both party-nominated and independent candidates, there are a total of 2,009 candidates across 299 out of 300 parliamentary constituencies in the country.
Bangladesh faced an upheaval after 77-year-old Hasina's ouster following weeks of student-led protests over a controversial quota system in government jobs that escalated into a nationwide campaign calling for the end of her 16-year regime.
Hasina left Bangladesh for India on August 5, 2024, months after she had secured a fourth straight term as prime minister.
The interim government imposed a ban on all activities of the party on May 12 last year. Soon afterwards, the Election Commission suspended the party’s registration.
The BD-ICT handed her the death sentence after trial in absentia last year accusing her of committing crimes against humanity to tame the violent protest, dubbed July Uprising, that toppled her government.
The cases relate to allegations including enforced disappearances, killings, people being burned alive, illegal detention, inhuman torture, looting, arson and crimes against humanity committed during efforts to suppress the uprising.
As a result, the party, which governed Bangladesh for more than two decades across six separate terms, has been barred from contesting the election.
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Iran says no response to US outreach for talks amid escalating conflict
Tehran: Iranian officials have claimed that they have not responded to private communication from the United States seeking talks, even as public statements from US President Donald Trump suggest that Tehran is keen to negotiate amid the ongoing conflict.
According to a report by Drop Site News, two Iranian officials said US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff had sent messages to Iranian authorities, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, last week exploring the possibility of resuming negotiations. The officials said Iran did not respond to these messages and also received communication routed through third countries.
A senior Iranian official was quoted as saying that the decision not to respond was taken at the highest level. “The message here is clear: Iran has once again closed the window for any direct negotiations,” the official said, adding that any decision on ceasefire rests with the country’s Supreme Leader.
In contrast, President Trump has repeatedly stated in public that Iran is seeking talks. “They want to negotiate. They want to negotiate badly,” he said, while also claiming that Iran’s military capabilities have been significantly weakened.
The White House, responding to the report, dismissed the claims as false and criticised the publication. It said the US operation against Iran would continue until its objectives are achieved.
Meanwhile, conflicting accounts have emerged. A US official told Axios that it was Iran that had initiated contact, a claim denied by Araghchi, who said his last communication with Witkoff took place before recent military strikes. “Any claim to the contrary appears geared solely to mislead oil traders and the public,” he said.
Araghchi also rejected the suggestion that Iran is seeking a ceasefire or negotiations, stating in an interview that the country would continue to defend itself. Iranian officials have maintained that they will not consider any ceasefire arrangement unless it ensures an end to future attacks.
The report also indicates that multiple countries have attempted to mediate between the two sides, but Iran has conveyed that efforts should instead be directed towards the US administration.
Amid the conflict, global oil markets have been affected. Iran has threatened to target vessels linked to the US and its allies passing through the Strait of Hormuz, leading to a sharp drop in shipping traffic through the route. Iranian officials said the strait remains open in general but restricted for certain countries.
US officials, however, said Iranian ships have been allowed to pass through without being targeted. Rising oil prices and disruptions in supply have led to concerns among global energy companies, with industry leaders reportedly warning of severe economic consequences if the situation continues.
The US has also moved to strengthen its military presence in the region, including deploying additional troops and exploring options to secure maritime routes. President Trump has called for international participation, including from NATO countries and China, though several nations have expressed reservations.
On the ground, the conflict has intensified, with continued missile and drone strikes reported across the region. Iran has indicated that it is prepared for a prolonged confrontation and may expand its strategy to apply pressure on US and allied interests.
Iranian officials have also warned against any attempt to target key infrastructure such as Kharg Island, which handles a major portion of the country’s oil exports. They said any such move would escalate the situation further.
At the diplomatic level, divisions remain visible. While some Gulf countries have blamed Iran for the escalation, Tehran has criticised them for not condemning US and Israeli actions.
The report also notes that the conflict has led to significant casualties in Iran, with authorities claiming over 1,400 deaths and thousands injured. At the same time, regional tensions remain high, with concerns that the conflict could widen further involving other actors.
Iran has indicated that any future ceasefire would need to include broader conditions, including guarantees against further attacks and international oversight.
