Awami League’s Election Steering Committee Co-Chairman HT Imam has said BNP’s demands for changes in the administration are irrelevant.
He was speaking to the press after a meeting with Election Commission officials on Sunday.
Imam, also political adviser to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, said: “BNP has already agreed to contest the elections under this government and its administration; therefore it is irrelevant for them to demand any kind of change in the administration.”
Imam also lodged a complaint at the Election Commission against BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir for violating the electoral code of conduct.
He said: “We have heard that Mirza Fakhrul has conducted a public rally at the Saidpur Airport jetty in Rangpur, which is a clear violation of the electoral code of conduct. It is a punishable act; he wasn’t supposed to do it. We have submitted a formal complaint about it; the Election Commission said they will take action about it.
“We want a level playing field. If any of us does the same then it is also a punishable act.”
Imam also said: “The law is equal for everyone. Some BNP leaders have said things like ‘We’ll see where the Election Commission will go after December 30’ or ‘We’ll see where Awami League will go after the election.’
We have asked them (Election Commission) to give a proper directive about things BNP leaders have said over time about Awami League and the Election Commission.”
About BNP Standing Committee Member Moudud Ahmed’s complaint to the Election Commission that not everyone is getting the same facility, Imam said: “Moudud Ahmed lies all the time, it’s his nature, he has been doing this over a long period of time.”
Imam said there has been provocative speech directed at the government and the commission from various places, “which needs to stop.”
“We have said it before that if we want to make the Election Commission strong and believe they can, they will organize a free and fair election,” Imam added.
He further said: “The most astonishing thing is that every political party for the first time is taking part in the election under the government and leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
“All we need is support and cooperation from everyone. We have never made any provocative comments from Awami League.”
On a different topic Imam said there are many online news portals and local television channels with no licence or proper registration. “We have to be alert so that no one can spread rumours or indulge in terrorist activities.”
Imam mentioned: “We have informed the Election Commission about a BNP candidate who was convicted under the banking law in London, England, according to the Daily Telegraph newspaper. Still this man has come to Bangladesh to contest the polls.”