The BNP has decided to not take part in the July 14 by-polls to Bogra 1 and Jessore 6 parliamentary seats saying that voting amid the pandemic is unacceptable.
The decision came after a virtual meeting of its policymaking National Standing Committee on Sunday, said Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
“We don't think the polls schedule is a time-befitting one as several thousand people are being infected with coronavirus and many people are dying every day. Voting is not acceptable at a time when the government is talking about social distancing and maintaining all health hygiene rules,” he told UNB.
He also said the Election Commission's decision to hold the by-polls amid cases coronavirus cases surging is ‘politically-motivated’. “That's why it’s not possible for us to participate in the by-polls.”
Fakhrul said they joined other elections in the past, but the prevailing virus situation has forced them to boycott the two upcoming by-polls.
On Saturday, the Election Commission (EC) said that it has set the July 14 for voting un the two constituencies.
The by-polls to the two constituencies were originally slated for March 29, but were postponed after the coronavirus pandemic unfolded in Bangladesh earlier the same month.
The commission said it has no option but to take such a decision as there is a constitutional binding to hold by-polls within 180 days after any constituency falls vacant.
Bogra 1 and Jessore 6 constituencies fell vacant following the deaths of ruling party MPs Abdul Mannan on January 18 and Ismat Ara Sadique January 21 this year.
