The Election Commission (EC) has decided to hold the fifth Upazila Parishad election in five phases. The first phase of the Upazila Parishad election will be held on March 10. The EC has also prepared a draft schedule for the remaining four phases. According to the EC's draft, the EC has decided to hold the Upazila elections in the remaining four phases on March 18, 24, 31 and June 18. This information was revealed by the EC Secretariat.

Sources said that according to the draft schedule, the second phase schedule will be announced on February 10. The filing of nomination papers is on February 19, the last day for withdrawal of candidature is February 28 and the voting is on March 18.

The schedule for the third phase will be February 16. The filing of nomination papers is February 26, the last day for withdrawal of candidacy is March 5 and the voting is March 24. The schedule for the fourth phase will be February 20. In this, the filing of nomination papers is March 4, the last day for withdrawal of candidacy is March 12 and the voting is March 31.

The final schedule for the fifth phase will be on May 12. In this, the submission of nomination papers has been set for May 21, the last day for withdrawal of candidatures for May 29 and the voting has been set for June 18. [The Election Commission (EC) has decided to hold the fifth Upazila Parishad election in five phases. The first phase of the Upazila Parishad election will be held on March 10. In addition, the EC has also prepared a draft schedule for the remaining four phases. According to the EC's draft, the EC has decided to hold the Upazila elections in the remaining four phases on March 18, 24, 31 and June 18. This information has been learned from the EC Secretariat.

The upazilas where voting will be held in the first phase on March 10 include: Sadar, Atwari, Boda, Debiganj and Tentulia in Panchagarh district. Sadar, Bhurungamari, Phulbari, Ulipur, Nageshwari, Rajarhat, Rajibpur, Chilmari and Roumari in Kurigram district. Sadar, Domar, Dimla, Jaldhaka, Syedpur and Kishoreganj in Nilphamari district. Sadar, Patgram, Hatibandha, Kaliganj and Aditmari in Lalmonirhat district.

Jamalpur Sadar, Sarishabari, Melanda, Islampur, Bakshiganj, Dewanganj and Madarganj. Netrokona Sadar Barhatta, Durgapur, Khaliajuri, Kalmakanda, Kendua, Madan, Mohanganj, Purbadhola. Sunamganj Sadar, Chhatak, Doarabazar, Jamalganj, Shalla, Dharmapasha, Bishwambhavpur and Tahirpur. Habiganj Sadar, Bahubal, Madhabpur, Chunarughat, Nabiganj, Ajmiriganj, Baniachong and Lakhai. Sirajganj Sadar, Belkuchi, Chauhali Kazipur, Raiganj, Shahjadpur, Tarash and Ullapara. Joypurhat District Sadar, Panchbibi, Akkelpur, Kalai and Khetlal. Natore Sadar, Bagatipara, Gurudaspur, Baraigram, Lalpur and Singra. Rajshahi's Tanore, Godagari, Paba, Mohanpur, Bagmara, Puthia, Durgapur, Charghat and Bagha.

Possible upazilas for voting in the second phase

Thakurgaon Sadar, Baliadangi, Ranishankail, Pirganj, Haripur, Gangachara, Taraganj, Badarganj, Kaunia, Pirgachha, Pirganj, Gobindaganj, Saghata, Palashbari, Gaibandha Sadar, Sadullapur, Fulchhari, Birganj, Kaharol, Birol, Bochaganj, Dinajpur Sadar, Khansama, Chirirbandar, Parbatipur, Fulbari, Nawabganj, Birampur, Hakimpur, Ghoraghat, Sadar, Adamdighi, Dupchanchia, Dhunat, Kahalu, Gabtoli, Nandigram, Sariakandi, Shajahanpur, Sherpur, Shibganj, Sonatala, Raninagar, Mahadevpur, Niamatpur, Sapahar, Patnitala, Badalgachhi, Naogaon Sadar, Atrai, Porsha, Dhamirhat, Manda, Sadar, Bagatipara, Gurudaspur, Baraigram, Lalpur, Singra, Kushtia Sadar, Bheramara, Kumarkhali, Mirpur, Khoksa, Daulatpur, Sharsha, Jhikargachha, Chougachha, Jessore Sadar, Bagharpara, Abhaynagar, Monirampur, Keshabpur, Dighalia, Koyra, Dumuria, Paikgachha, Rupsa, Terkhada, Fultala, Batiaghata, Dakop, Meherpur Sadar, Mujibnagar, Gangni, Rajbari Sadar, Goalanda, Pangsha, Baliakandi, Alfadanga, Boalmari, Madhukhali, Nagarkanda, Saltha, Sadar, Charbhadrasan, Sadarpur, Bhanga, Hatia, Mirsarai, Sitakunda, Sandwip, Fatikchhari, Rangunia, Raozan, Hathazari.

Possible upazilas for voting in the third phase
Chuadanga Sadar, Alamdanga, Damurhuda, Jibannagar, Magura Sadar, Sreepur, Shalikha, Mohammadpur, Narail Sadar, Kalia Lohagara, Jhenaidah Sadar, Shailkupa, Harinakundu, Kaliganj, Fakirhat, Mollahat, Chitalmari, Bagerhat Sadar, Kachua, Rampal, Mongla, Morelganj, Sharankhola, Asashuni, Shyamnagar, Kaliganj, Kalaroa, Satkhira Sadar, Tala Debhata, Bholahat, Gomostapur, Nachol, Shibganj, Puthia, Durgapur, Charghat, Baga, Sadar, Atgharia, Bera, Bhangura, Chatmohar, Faridpur, Ishwardi, Santhia, Sujanagar, Sadar, Tungipara, Kotalipara, Kashiani, Muksudpur, Shibchar, Kalkini, Rajoir, Sadar, Jajira, Naria, Bhedarganj, Damudya, Gosairhat, Nalitabari, Sribardi, Jhenaigati, Haluaghat, Dhobaura, Phulpur, Gauripur, Sadar, Muktagachha, Phulbaria, Trishal, Ishwarganj, Nandail, Gaforgaon, Bhaluka, Sylhet Sadar, Bishwanath, South Surma, Fenchuganj, Balaganj, Companiganj, Gowainghat, Jaintapur, Kanaighat, Zakiganj, Golapganj, Beanibazar, Baralekha, Juri, Kulaura, Rajnagar, Sadar, Kamalganj, Srimangal, Boalkhali, Patia, Anwara, Chandanaish, Lohagara, Banshkhali.

Possible upazilas for voting in the fourth phase
Barisal Sadar, Bakerganj, Babuganj, Banaripara, Uzirpur, Gournadi, Agailjhara, Muladi, Hijla, Patuakhali Sadar, Mirzaganj, Dumki, Baufal, Dashmina, Galachipa, Kalapara, Bhola Sadar, Daulatkhan, Borhanuddin, Lalmohan, Tajumuddin, Charfashion, Monpura, Barguna Sadar, Amtali, Betagi, Bamna, Patharghata, Pirojpur Sadar, Indurkani, Mathbaria, Bhandaria, Kaukhali, Nesarabad, Nazirpur, Jhalokati Sadar, Nalchiti, Rajapur, Kanthalia, Dhanbari, Madhupur, Gopalpur, Bhuiyanpur, Ghatail, Kalihati, Tangail Sadar, Delduar, Nagarpur, Mirzapur, Basail, Sakhipur, Kishoreganj Sadar, Hossainpur, Katiadi, Pakundia, Tarail, Karimganj, Itna, Mithamoin, Ashtagram, Nikli, Bajitpur, Kuliarchar, Bhairab, Dohar, Nawabganj, Keraniganj, Savar, Dhamrai, Kapasia, Kaliakoir, Sreepur, Kaliganj, Munshiganj Sadar, Tongibari, Louhajang, Sreenagar, Sirajdikhan, Gazaria, Sonargaon, Araihazar, Rupganj, Narsingdi Sadar, Palash, Shibpur, Monohardi, Belab, Raipura, Daulatpur, Ghior, Shivaloy, Singair, Harirampur, Manikganj Sadar, Saturia, Titas, Muradnagar, Debidwar, Burichang, Brahmanbaria, Chandina, Barura, Laksam, Nangalkot, Monoharganj, Chauddagram, Meghna, Homna, Kachua, Matlab North, Matlab South, Chandpur Sadar, Faridganj, Hajiganj Shahrasti, Chatkhil, Senbag, Companiganj, Kabirhat, Subarnachar, Begumganj, Sonaimuri, Nasirnagar, Ashuganj, Sarail, Sadar, Akhaura, Kasba, Nabinagar, Feni Sadar, Daganbhuiyan, Sonagazi, Fulgazi, Chagalnaiya, Parashuram, Laxmipur Sadar, Ramganj, Raipur, Kamalnagar, Ramgati, Pekua, Kutubdia, Maheshkhali, Cox's Bazar Sadar, Ramu, Ukhia, Teknaf.

Possible upazilas for voting in the fifth phase
Atpara, Sherpur Sadar, Nakla, Naldanga, Sadar, Kamarkhand, Rangpur Sadar, Sundarganj, Mehendiganj, Rangabali, Taltoli, Kotchandpur, Maheshpur, Gazipur Sadar, Bandar, Madaripur Sadar, Kalukhali, Shayestaganj, Bancharampur, Bijoynagar, Haimchar, Adarsh Sadar, Sadar South, Satkania.

Incidentally, Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmed's commission announced the schedule for the upazila elections two weeks (January 19) after the 10th National Parliament elections held on January 5, 2014. Voting for those elections took place in a total of six phases from February 19 to May.

Amjad Hossain Amu, Lakshmipur): A steel bridge built over the Bhulua River in Char Kadira Union in Kamalnagar, Lakshmipur. There is no public safety in moving on this bridge.

It can be seen on the ground that the common people are suffering from insecurity on the dilapidated bridge. The bridge is so dilapidated, the steel seats are rusty and have holes. Which is very inconvenient for movement. Major accidents can happen on it at any time. Yet thousands of villagers have to move every day taking risks. Because this bridge is the only means of communication in Kamalnagar-Sonapur-Noakhali Sadar. The people of this region are being economically affected due to constant disruption in communication.

In addition, people in these areas almost always have to go to the hospital in Noakhali Sadar for medical services. This route saves time and money. Therefore, locals feel that the bridge needs to be renovated quickly.

Since the bridge is the only means of communication, the farmers here cannot sell their agricultural products at a fair price in the market. Because of the traffic, large trucks carrying goods are at risk of traveling over the bridge. The movement of large vehicles creates loud noise. Which is causing panic. This makes the small students in the school feel insecure. Since the bridge is empty, the distance below can be seen. Which often scares the children traveling along with the school students.

Due to this, young children do not go to school. This road is the only means of transportation. Moreover, from this area, almost all students have to go to various educational institutions including Noakhali College and University for secondary and higher secondary education. Due to large holes in the bridge, the movement of bicycles, rickshaws, autos, and CNG vehicles is being hampered at great risk. Often, accidents occur when wheels fall into the holes.

It is learned that a steel bridge was built over the Bhulua River in the Hat area of the upazila. The steel seats of the bridge have also rusted and become holes. Many people have been injured by falling into the holes. The bridge has been in this condition for the last 6-7 years. It is not being renovated or new communication is being built. Residents of several villages have to travel at their own risk. About 5,000 villagers are suffering. They have to suffer every day while traveling.

Talking to the locals, it was learned that this bridge over the Bhulua River is very important for transportation as it is the only means of communication between Kamalnagar and Noakhali Sadar. But since it is unusable for vehicles, they have to suffer a lot. The people of these areas are being economically affected due to disruption in transportation. Rapid renovation or construction of a new bridge is of great importance. This will cause sorrow to the people of remote areas.

Upazila Engineer Sohel Anwar said that a 75-meter-long design has been prepared for the construction of the bridge. The estimate work is underway. The work will be approved very soon.

In continuation of the 10th Parliament, there has been a strong demand for MPO (Monthly Payment Order) for educational institutions at the beginning of the 11th Parliament. Senior parliamentarians have demanded that the promise of MPO for 2,000 listed educational institutions be implemented without creating bureaucratic complications. Taking part in an unscheduled discussion in the National Parliament on Monday, Awami League senior parliamentarian Mohammad Nasim and JSD president and former information minister Hasanul Haque Inu raised the demand for MP inclusion. Stating that the government is committed to MPO for teachers and officials of private educational institutions, they said, addressing the finance and education ministers, 'The promise of MPO must be implemented without creating bureaucratic complications. Otherwise, we will break the promise made to the people.' They also mentioned in their speech that teachers have cooperated with the government in various ways in the past elections.

If you join the MPO, you get 100% of the basic salary of the government scale, along with some other benefits. 97 percent of educational institutions in Bangladesh are private.

After forming a parliamentary committee on the supplementary agenda in parliament on Monday (February 4), Mohammad Nasim took the floor and said about the MPO of educational institutions, "Lakhs of teachers in Bangladesh have been protesting for MPO a few days ago. We MPs were committed to the people regarding the MPO of teachers. The time has come to implement our election promise."

He said, "Teachers worked very hard during the election. They sincerely helped us in the election. This should not be forgotten."

Nasim said, a list of educational institutions from different regions has been given for MPO participation. A survey has also been done. About 3 thousand crore taka will be required for MPO participation. The Finance Minister gave 432 crore taka in this sector, but it did not happen. He said that he will request the new Finance Minister and Education Minister to implement it. It will have to be implemented through the supplementary budget in the current financial year. Otherwise, we will break our promise to the people.

He said, "All the MPs of the opposition party will admit that there can be no alternative to MP participation. MPO participation has been banned for a long time. Now is the time to do it. We have to do it."

Stating that the teachers are dilapidated and unenrolled, Nasim said, "During the teachers' movement for MPO, we had promised to enrol them in MPO. The elections are over. On the instructions of the Prime Minister, the Finance Minister and the Education Minister will be kind. They will take action by being kind. I request you to implement this MPO without keeping it hanging and without keeping it in their promises. Otherwise, our promise will be broken. We will back away from the promise we made."

Addressing the Minister of Finance and Education, he said, "Implement the promise of MPO for 2,000 listed educational institutions without creating bureaucratic complications."

Hasanul Haque Inu said, the demand for teachers to be included in the MPO has expanded unprecedentedly under the leadership of the Prime Minister in the education sector. Education has been expanded extensively. Universities and medical colleges have been established in each district. One school and one college have been governmentized at the upazila level. Lakhs of teachers have been nationalized in primary schools. Infrastructure has been developed by investing crores of taka. But the demand for teachers to be included in the MPO has been ignored.

Raising the demand for MPO for teachers, he said, "We, as members of parliament, have spoken about MPO for teachers every time we have stood in the last 5 years. But the Finance Minister has not allocated the money. It was not possible to distribute the money allocated before the last election. Therefore, MPO has not been implemented. At such a stage, it is time to focus on improving the quality of education. It is time to focus on improving the quality of life of teachers. MPO is the primary step to improve their quality of life. It is our national duty to give dignity to teachers. Their MPO is essential to implement the guidelines of the constitution. Teachers will not be MPOed for just 3 thousand crore taka. This cannot happen. The government of my country is now wealthy and efficient."

The MPO (government portion of salary and allowance) cheques for the month of January (2019) of school and college teachers were released on Monday (February 4). Eight salary cheques have been sent to the branches of four banks distributing the prescribed grant. It is learnt that a total of 6 percent has been deducted as contribution for the retirement and welfare fund. Deputy Director of the Secondary and Higher Education Department Md. Shafiqul Islam Siddiqui confirmed this information to Dainikshiksha.com.

Teachers and employees will be able to withdraw the government portion of their salaries and allowances from their respective bank accounts until February 11. Memorandum No. 37.02.0000.102.37.003.2018/945/4.

Kamalnagar: Rebecca Mohsin, the only female candidate contesting for the post of chairman in Kamalnagar, Lakshmipur in the upcoming Upazila Parishad elections, is trying to get nominated as a party candidate for the post of Kamalnagar Upazila Chairman.

Rebecca Mohsin is the Women's Affairs Secretary of Kamalnagar Upazila Awami League. She is serving as the Vice-President of the Upazila branch of the 14-party alliance's Terrorism and Militancy Eradication Committee. She was also the former President of the Greater Ramgati Upazila Women's Awami League. She is the wife of the late freedom fighter Hazirhat Millat Academy's Headmaster Md. Mohsin.

On November 27, 2005, he completed training in political activities and received a certificate signed by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Talking to party leaders and activists, it has been learned that Rebecca Mohsin is actively carrying out all party activities with the grassroots leaders and activists of the Awami League. She used to organize various events at her personal residence in Char Lorench Bazar of the upazila during the difficult times of different parties. She is always supporting the leaders and activists.

Rebecca Mohsin is in charge of several mosques, madrasas and social organizations in the upazila.
When asked, Rebecca Mohsin said, "The country is moving forward on the highway of development with the efforts of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Women have a role in all these developments. Women have contributed to education, politics, culture and development. I believe that I will be nominated for the post of chairman in Kamalnagar Upazila as the only woman candidate in the district."

The Election Commission (EC) has announced the schedule for the first phase of upazila elections. According to the schedule, the first phase of voting will be held on March 10. Election Commission (EC) Secretary Helaluddin Ahmed gave this information at the commission building in Agargaon on Sunday.

The EC secretary said that the last day for filing nominations for the upazila elections as per the schedule is February 11. The selection is on February 12, and the last day for withdrawal is February 19.

Election Commission (EC) Secretary Helaluddin Ahmed said, "We want to hold elections first in all the districts and upazilas where peaceful conditions are prevailing."

He made these remarks at the inauguration ceremony of the training of trainers for election officials and training on voting through the use of EVMs on the occasion of the 5th Upazila Parishad elections at the ETI Bhaban in Agargaon this morning.
The EC secretary gave an example and said, 'Greater Comilla, Noakhali and then Chittagong district - there were disturbances in many centers during the local government elections and the national parliament elections. So we will do those later. We will start in the areas where there is peace, in those earlier.'

The EC secretary said, "We will hold elections together in the three hill districts. Since there are some terrorist groups there, we can finish them off if we do it together. This is how we have made a plan. Today (Sunday) we will present it in the commission meeting. If they approve it, we will inform you about it."

ETI Director General Mostafa Farooq presided over the meeting, while Election Commissioner Mahbub Talukder, ETI Directors Md. Farhad Hossain and Belayet Hossain were present.

Amjad Hossain Amu, Kamalnagar (Lakshmipur):

Five shops and houses have been gutted in a massive fire at Fazil Bepari Hat Bazaar in Torabganj area of Kamalnagar, Lakshmipur.

The arson incident took place at 3 am on Sunday (January 27). Five shops in the market were gutted, causing damage worth several lakhs of taka. In addition, about 8-10 shops in the vicinity were also damaged. The affected shops include a grocery shop,
There was a poultry farm, a wooden furnisher, a CNG store. The CNG store had two CNGs and an autorickshaw.

Upazila Fire Service Leader Md. Ismail said that upon hearing about the arson, they immediately rushed to the spot and brought the fire under control. However, the cause of the arson was not known.