Bangladesh Freedomfighters in California
15 years ago
Monday, October 13, 2008
Monday, October 6, 2008
it is imperative that we stay united
Dear All,
Lack of cohesive force in our Bangladeshi Community will never serve the purpose of BALA that we all have been aspiring for so many years. In order to get involved more effectively with mainstream activities in the USA, it is imperative that we stay united. Mutual respect and a true sense of democracy are among the prime factors to produce an acceptable leadership for our community. BALA is in crisis. This is a reality. We have so many talented people in our community who can propose some workable options to resolve this issue very easily in the interest of our community. Crisis management is a challenging task that most of us are used to handle at both professional and personal areas.
Under the leadership of Dr. B.D. Khan , we all commissioners took this voluntary task of holding BALA election in the hope of involving as many members of our community as possible. Any individual having no sense of mutual respect with true democratic values should not be the part of decision making process. There are many ways to salvage BALA .
Hope, Dr. Khan would reconsider his decision and all prominent community leaders should come forward with a concrete solution that will help to emerge an acceptable and strong leadership for BALA.
Thanks.
Toufique
Lack of cohesive force in our Bangladeshi Community will never serve the purpose of BALA that we all have been aspiring for so many years. In order to get involved more effectively with mainstream activities in the USA, it is imperative that we stay united. Mutual respect and a true sense of democracy are among the prime factors to produce an acceptable leadership for our community. BALA is in crisis. This is a reality. We have so many talented people in our community who can propose some workable options to resolve this issue very easily in the interest of our community. Crisis management is a challenging task that most of us are used to handle at both professional and personal areas.
Under the leadership of Dr. B.D. Khan , we all commissioners took this voluntary task of holding BALA election in the hope of involving as many members of our community as possible. Any individual having no sense of mutual respect with true democratic values should not be the part of decision making process. There are many ways to salvage BALA .
Hope, Dr. Khan would reconsider his decision and all prominent community leaders should come forward with a concrete solution that will help to emerge an acceptable and strong leadership for BALA.
Thanks.
Toufique
Sunday, October 5, 2008
AN OPEN LETTER TO THE "CHIEF ELECTION COMMISSIONER”
Dear Mr. Khan ,
You deserve big thanks for your press release. It was well explained and should clear the mind of the Bangladeshi community those who were confused about the extension of the dead line.
In that press release you mentioned your self the “just-resigned Chief Election Commissioner”. I was very surprise to see that.
This is shocking. I believe that you have the right to take your own decision but don’t you think that this decision involves more than just you & involves a big community?
The hope & aspiration of so many Bangladeshi – Americans who waited for 12 long years to see BALA functioning was shuttered by seeing only on word on the press realize.
Under such crucial time, Bangladeshi community needs a person with your skill & knowledge. The community needs strong leader like you.
As a Bangladeshi who feels for the community. I’m requesting you please don’t leave the leadership halfway. With your guidance knowledge it will only be possible to revive BALA.
This is our prestige. At least for once we should prove that we can be united.
The people, who do not want BALA to function, we cannot let them provoke us. They may have their own agenda in mind but we cannot let them win. BALA is above any one’s personal agenda, it is for a community.
We should identify those elements & their negative roles in the society. We must unmask those who want to destroy such a good initiative.
Please don’t abundant BALA. Majority of the people of our community believe that you are doing a good job. You are our only hope through which we can present our new generation a committee for BALA.
Hope you will understand our feelings & reconsider our request.
If I know you well, to you responsibility comes first and you have the responsibility vested upon you through the court.
Since there is no one to accept your resignation it seems that it is already null and void.
Please stop addressing your self as the just-resigned Chief Election Commissioner and continue your good effort.
My support and appreciation will always be there for you, and I’m sure that the rest of the community will do the same.
With best regards
Syed Ferdaus “Munna”
You deserve big thanks for your press release. It was well explained and should clear the mind of the Bangladeshi community those who were confused about the extension of the dead line.
In that press release you mentioned your self the “just-resigned Chief Election Commissioner”. I was very surprise to see that.
This is shocking. I believe that you have the right to take your own decision but don’t you think that this decision involves more than just you & involves a big community?
The hope & aspiration of so many Bangladeshi – Americans who waited for 12 long years to see BALA functioning was shuttered by seeing only on word on the press realize.
Under such crucial time, Bangladeshi community needs a person with your skill & knowledge. The community needs strong leader like you.
As a Bangladeshi who feels for the community. I’m requesting you please don’t leave the leadership halfway. With your guidance knowledge it will only be possible to revive BALA.
This is our prestige. At least for once we should prove that we can be united.
The people, who do not want BALA to function, we cannot let them provoke us. They may have their own agenda in mind but we cannot let them win. BALA is above any one’s personal agenda, it is for a community.
We should identify those elements & their negative roles in the society. We must unmask those who want to destroy such a good initiative.
Please don’t abundant BALA. Majority of the people of our community believe that you are doing a good job. You are our only hope through which we can present our new generation a committee for BALA.
Hope you will understand our feelings & reconsider our request.
If I know you well, to you responsibility comes first and you have the responsibility vested upon you through the court.
Since there is no one to accept your resignation it seems that it is already null and void.
Please stop addressing your self as the just-resigned Chief Election Commissioner and continue your good effort.
My support and appreciation will always be there for you, and I’m sure that the rest of the community will do the same.
With best regards
Syed Ferdaus “Munna”
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Press Release from BALA Chief Election Commissioner
Press Release from BALA Chief Election Commissioner
October 3, 2008
Over the past few days, there has been a controversy surrounding nominations for BALA Elections 2008. As the just-resigned Chief Election Commissioner, I am issuing the following statement to help clear this controversy.
As announced earlier, the deadline for submitting nominations for the 17 positions of the Executive Committee was set for September 25, 2008. Candidates were requested to mail nominations by midnight of September 25. At a Town Hall Meeting in the valley on Sunday, September 21, a few Election Commissioners and Advisors suggested another means of collecting nominations to make it convenient for candidates. It was agreed that nominations would be accepted in-person (in addition to mailing) at Shatto Recreation Center (which was later moved to Taurat Restaurant at 101 S. Vermont) between the hours of 7:00 PM and 9:00 PM. A few Election Commissioners would be present at Taurat to accept nominations.
During the last two weeks, requests were made to extend the nomination deadline. The reason for these requests was the holy month of Ramadan when people were fasting and attending special prayers which, according to those who requested extension, made it difficult to prepare the paperwork for nominations. I did not see any genuine reasons for an extension and stated so publicly. When more requests came to consider an extension, I asked all Election Commissioners on September 25 of their opinions. Six Election Commissioners (Mr. Jashim Ahmed, Mr. Saad Chowdhury, Dr. Toufique Choudhury, Mr. Rezaur Rahman “Mitu”, Mr. Ferdous “Munna”, and Mr. Mustafizur Rahman “Tufan”) agreed to extend the deadline. Two Election Commissioners (Mr. Syed Abed “Nipu” and Mohammad Alam “Khokon”) did not agree to an extension. One Commissioner (Mr. Safar Mansoor “Tarek”) could not be contacted. I remained neutral on the day of September 25, though I opposed an extension in the past. When I knew that a majority of Election Commissioners (six out of nine) were in favor of an extension, I agreed to extend the nomination deadline and communicated that to all Election Commissioners around 9:40 PM, ahead of the mid-night deadline.
According to the Constitution of Bangladesh Association of Los Angeles (Clause 30, page 9), the Election Commission is assigned the responsibility of setting rules for election, including various dates. Clause 30 specifically states “The Election Commission will set various rules for the election including the various dates for the entire process.” This Clause is not subject to different interpretations by different individuals. It has only one interpretation: the Election Commission is the sole authority to set the dates for the election process. Until and unless the Constitution is officially changed, the authority of the Election Commission remains unquestionable.
At a meeting of Election Commissioners on Sunday, September 28, attended by nine Election Commissioners (including a newly appointed replacement Election Commissioner, Mr. Masud Chowdhury), we came to know that a few irregularities occurred during in-person submission of nominations. Nominations were not submitted in sealed envelopes and some information on submitted nominations was disclosed to those present at the site. These are serious violations of any nomination procedure and could be used as grounds for invalidating those nominations. I received only one nomination by mail. It was post-marked September 24. I did not open that envelope. Nomination procedure requires that all nominations be opened in presence of all or a quorum of Election Commissioners.
The Election Commission has always held the view that BALA election should be “inclusive” rather than “exclusive”. We wanted more participation rather than less participation. To that end, we relaxed the voter registration requirements and simplified the process of registration. Though we initially wanted all registration by mail, we agreed to hold a mass voter registration day on October 19 at Shatto Recreation Center where people could come in person for registration during the hours of 12:00 noon and 6:00 PM. We reduced the number of required documents for voter registration. These steps were taken to make it easy for all Bangladeshis and Bangladeshi-Americans to participate in the coming election. The nomination deadline was extended in the same spirit so that more people could contest for the various positions.
The extension of the nomination deadline was done legally and according to the BALA Constitution. I hope that our community will understand the rationale behind the extension and will evaluate the actions of the Election Commission as objectively as possible.
October 3, 2008
Over the past few days, there has been a controversy surrounding nominations for BALA Elections 2008. As the just-resigned Chief Election Commissioner, I am issuing the following statement to help clear this controversy.
As announced earlier, the deadline for submitting nominations for the 17 positions of the Executive Committee was set for September 25, 2008. Candidates were requested to mail nominations by midnight of September 25. At a Town Hall Meeting in the valley on Sunday, September 21, a few Election Commissioners and Advisors suggested another means of collecting nominations to make it convenient for candidates. It was agreed that nominations would be accepted in-person (in addition to mailing) at Shatto Recreation Center (which was later moved to Taurat Restaurant at 101 S. Vermont) between the hours of 7:00 PM and 9:00 PM. A few Election Commissioners would be present at Taurat to accept nominations.
During the last two weeks, requests were made to extend the nomination deadline. The reason for these requests was the holy month of Ramadan when people were fasting and attending special prayers which, according to those who requested extension, made it difficult to prepare the paperwork for nominations. I did not see any genuine reasons for an extension and stated so publicly. When more requests came to consider an extension, I asked all Election Commissioners on September 25 of their opinions. Six Election Commissioners (Mr. Jashim Ahmed, Mr. Saad Chowdhury, Dr. Toufique Choudhury, Mr. Rezaur Rahman “Mitu”, Mr. Ferdous “Munna”, and Mr. Mustafizur Rahman “Tufan”) agreed to extend the deadline. Two Election Commissioners (Mr. Syed Abed “Nipu” and Mohammad Alam “Khokon”) did not agree to an extension. One Commissioner (Mr. Safar Mansoor “Tarek”) could not be contacted. I remained neutral on the day of September 25, though I opposed an extension in the past. When I knew that a majority of Election Commissioners (six out of nine) were in favor of an extension, I agreed to extend the nomination deadline and communicated that to all Election Commissioners around 9:40 PM, ahead of the mid-night deadline.
According to the Constitution of Bangladesh Association of Los Angeles (Clause 30, page 9), the Election Commission is assigned the responsibility of setting rules for election, including various dates. Clause 30 specifically states “The Election Commission will set various rules for the election including the various dates for the entire process.” This Clause is not subject to different interpretations by different individuals. It has only one interpretation: the Election Commission is the sole authority to set the dates for the election process. Until and unless the Constitution is officially changed, the authority of the Election Commission remains unquestionable.
At a meeting of Election Commissioners on Sunday, September 28, attended by nine Election Commissioners (including a newly appointed replacement Election Commissioner, Mr. Masud Chowdhury), we came to know that a few irregularities occurred during in-person submission of nominations. Nominations were not submitted in sealed envelopes and some information on submitted nominations was disclosed to those present at the site. These are serious violations of any nomination procedure and could be used as grounds for invalidating those nominations. I received only one nomination by mail. It was post-marked September 24. I did not open that envelope. Nomination procedure requires that all nominations be opened in presence of all or a quorum of Election Commissioners.
The Election Commission has always held the view that BALA election should be “inclusive” rather than “exclusive”. We wanted more participation rather than less participation. To that end, we relaxed the voter registration requirements and simplified the process of registration. Though we initially wanted all registration by mail, we agreed to hold a mass voter registration day on October 19 at Shatto Recreation Center where people could come in person for registration during the hours of 12:00 noon and 6:00 PM. We reduced the number of required documents for voter registration. These steps were taken to make it easy for all Bangladeshis and Bangladeshi-Americans to participate in the coming election. The nomination deadline was extended in the same spirit so that more people could contest for the various positions.
The extension of the nomination deadline was done legally and according to the BALA Constitution. I hope that our community will understand the rationale behind the extension and will evaluate the actions of the Election Commission as objectively as possible.
Monday, September 22, 2008
ANNOUNCEMENT OF ELECTIONS 2008-10 AND COMMUNITY CELEBRATION
BANGLADESH ASSOCIATION OF LOS ANGELES (BALA)
ANNOUNCEMENT OF ELECTIONS 2008-10
AND COMMUNITY CELEBRATION
Bangladesh Association of Los Angeles (BALA) will hold its Elections 2008-10 and a community celebration on October 26, 2008. In order to be able to vote, Bangladeshi-Americans, US permanent residents (Green Card holders) and others of Bangladesh descent living in any of the seven counties of California (Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Diego, San Bernardino and Ventura) and 18 years or older must become members of BALA.
DAY OF MASS VOTER REGISTRATION: OCTOBER 19, 2008 FROM 12 NOON UNTIL 6:00 PM AT SHATTO RECREATION CENTER (4th AND SHATTO PLACE EAST OF VERMONT)
VOTING DATE: SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2008
VOTING LOCATION: SHATTO RECREATION CENTER
HOURS OF VOTING: 10:00 AM TO 6:00 PM
NEEDED DOCUMENT FOR VOTING: CA DRIVER’S LICENSE OR CA STATE ID
ADDED ATTRACTIONS: MUSIC, FOOD, MOVIES, AND MANY MORE
Voter Registration (BALA membership) and Nomination forms are available from the election website: www.balaelection.info.
http://balaelection.blogspot.com
ANNOUNCEMENT OF ELECTIONS 2008-10
AND COMMUNITY CELEBRATION
Bangladesh Association of Los Angeles (BALA) will hold its Elections 2008-10 and a community celebration on October 26, 2008. In order to be able to vote, Bangladeshi-Americans, US permanent residents (Green Card holders) and others of Bangladesh descent living in any of the seven counties of California (Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Diego, San Bernardino and Ventura) and 18 years or older must become members of BALA.
DAY OF MASS VOTER REGISTRATION: OCTOBER 19, 2008 FROM 12 NOON UNTIL 6:00 PM AT SHATTO RECREATION CENTER (4th AND SHATTO PLACE EAST OF VERMONT)
VOTING DATE: SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2008
VOTING LOCATION: SHATTO RECREATION CENTER
HOURS OF VOTING: 10:00 AM TO 6:00 PM
NEEDED DOCUMENT FOR VOTING: CA DRIVER’S LICENSE OR CA STATE ID
ADDED ATTRACTIONS: MUSIC, FOOD, MOVIES, AND MANY MORE
Voter Registration (BALA membership) and Nomination forms are available from the election website: www.balaelection.info.
http://balaelection.blogspot.com
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
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