While preparing the list of city polls candidates having criminal cases filed against them, police have found that most of them are backed by the BNP.
The Dhaka Metropolitan Police has already sent a list of mayor candidates to the EC since on Wednesday it started scrutinising the nomination papers submitted for Dhaka north and south city corporation elections.
Two separate teams of the DMP are assisting the returning officials in the process.
Monirul Islam, joint commissioner of the DMP, told the Dhaka Tribune that they would be able to complete the list within the next couple of days. “But so far we have found that maximum number of BNP-backed candidates are facing criminal cases.”
As per the primary data, at least 250 candidates backed by the BNP for the Dhaka’s city polls are facing criminal cases. Of them, over 100 candidates have been named in charge sheets pressed by police in the cases, said sources.
On the other hand, around 100 candidates supported by the ruling 14-party alliance are facing criminal charges.
As per the EC’s directives, the police are preparing list of candidates giving information on the number of cases, filing date, case status, and whether the candidates are absconding or not.
The police are also verifying whether the candidates have Bangladeshi citizenship and linked to criminals.
Moreover, the police are also asked to inform the EC if any candidate served jail terms in criminal cases, or made accused or convicted for war crimes, said sources.