The Election Commission will take a decision over the video conference of the BNP’s fugitive acting chairman Tarique Rahman, who is convicted on various charges, after reviewing the relevant laws.
“If anyone complains to us with evidences about Tarique’s video conference over the scrutiny of party nomination papers, we will ask the concerned authorities to take action after reviewing existing laws,” Election Commissioner Md Rafiqul Islam told journalists at his office at the Election Commission headquarters at Agargaon on Sunday, reports BSS.
Rafiqul Islam said: “If there is no provision in the law over the issue, we will discuss the matter in the commission to take a decision about it.”
Asked whether Tarique could participate in election activities if he were in the country, the election commissioner said a convicted criminal would have been in jail.
“If anyone is in jail, they cannot hold a video conference, unless they are out on bail. But the perspective is completely different. We can take decision after reviewing the laws,” he said.
Asked about the list of cases against the BNP leaders and workers given to the commission, he said the commission will examine the list and if there are any politically motivated cases, the police will be given directives not to lodge harassment cases.
About the election campaign, Rafiqul Islam said all prior election campaign materials should be removed by Sunday. If any aspiring candidate does not do this, steps will be taken against them, he added.
As per the revised schedule of the 11th parliamentary election, voting will be held on December 30 while the last date of nomination paper submission is November 28.
The scrutiny of nomination papers will be held on December 2 and the deadline for withdrawal of candidature is December 9.
