The BNP-led 20-party alliance on Sunday night claimed that the nominations of its 80 candidates were cancelled by the Election Commission.
"The nominations of around 80 candidates, including Khaleda Zia, were cancelled during today's (Sunday's) scrutiny. The move came to ensure Awami League's victory in the 11th parliamentary election,” said 20-party chief coordinator Oli Ahmed.
I think the opposition was pushed out of the election through it," he added, reports UNB.
Briefing the press after a meeting of the BNP-led 20-party alliance at BNP chairperson's Gulshan office, he further said: "It means they (Awami League) have been taken forward in their path to victory. If it continues, it may not be possible for us to stay in the election till the end."
Oli, also the president of Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), said that they have taken part in the polls to remain till the last day. "But now, how will we be there in the race if we don't have candidates as 80 of them have already been declared ineligible?"
Besides, he said, their party leaders and activists cannot stay in their houses and areas due to arrests and drives by law enforcement agencies. "There is no election atmosphere and level-playing field. How will we hold the election if such arrests and intimidation tactics continue? We want a clear announcement regarding this from the government."
The LDP chief alleged that their candidates' nominations were revoked on various excuses as the government wants to hold an uncompetitive election.
He said many candidates resigned from their post of upazila chairman and submitted their resignation along with nomination papers. "But, their nominations were annulled with an excuse that they were not accepted by the government."
Oli said some nominations of the candidates were cancelled on charges of loan default, but many of them never took loans.
He also came down hard on the Election Commission for not taking any steps as per their demands to ensure a level-playing field. "We don't think this Commission has any power. It seems like they are working as per the government's orders, deceiving people."
Earlier, the top leaders of the 20-party alliance had an hour-long meeting where they discussed various issues relating to election, including seat sharing with BNP.
