The ruling Awami League has urged the Election Commission not to allow Jamaat-e-Islami leaders to contest the 11th national election with ‘Sheaf of Paddy’ symbol.
The party has also complained that Jamaat candidates gave ‘false’ information in their affidavits.
Prime Minister’s adviser and Election Conducting Committee Co-chairman of Awami League HT Imam, speaking to the press on Friday after meeting with Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda at the commission Secretariat, said
A 10-member delegation led by HT Imam submitted a letter containing their complaints to the commission in the afternoon and held a meeting.
To the media, HT Imam said: “We have informed the EC that Jamaat leaders have filed nomination papers as BNP candidates. But the website of their party mentions their names and party posts they hold. It is a clear violation of the electoral code of conduct, as they have provided false information in their affidavits. So, they cannot remain in the election race.”
Imam further said: “BNP is attacking Awami League candidates and supporters. We have informed the commission of everything, as everything is in their hands.”
The party also alleged that BNP was violating the code of conduct rules on posters and banners.
“We have complained about the use of photos of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and Vice Chairman Tarique Rahman in election posters. As per the rules, only the photographs of the existing chief of a party and the candidate concerned should be on a poster. But, the BNP candidates have printed posters containing photographs of both Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman,” said HT Imam.
He also expressed their concerns over four NGOs out of 118 enlisted as election observers, which are Khan Foundation, Democracy Watch, Lighthouse and Manobadhikar Shomonnoy Parishad, saying these NGOs are working directly under the command of BNP leaders.
“From my past experience, I have seen that these NGOs tried to influence the election environment on the election day, working for them. They must be banned and we have drawn the EC's attention to it,” he added.
Asked about the allegations of BNP that many police officers were working for the ruling party, HT Imam said: “All law enforcement agencies are under the Election Commission. If there is any complaint against anyone, EC will take action against after investigation. We have nothing to say about this.”