Leaders of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in Chittagong at a press conference accused the Election Commission (EC) of not taking actions against breach of electoral code of conduct done by the ruling party Awami League.
Mir Mohammad Nasir Uddin, BNP Chairperson’s adviser and convener of Chittagong district municipal polls monitoring cell, came up with the allegation against the Election Commission at the press conference held at Chittagong Press Club, our Chittagong correspondent reports.
The former minister alleged that the BNP-nominated candidates and campaigners could not conduct electioneering in 10 municipalities in Chittagong in the face of obstruction created by the ruling party men.
“The ruling party men are intimidating BNP men. We have lodged complaints with the EC. However, the EC did not take any action in this regard,” said Mir Nasir, adding that they were taking part in the municipal polls to expedite the on-going democratic movement.
“We took part in the elections in 2008 to restore constitution. The country faced a constitutional crisis again after January 5, 2014 elections. We have decided to participate in local body polls as a crisis of public representatives was created. No government can stay in power for long without the participation of the people,” said the BNP leader.
“The BNP campaigners came under attack repeatedly in Chittagong and we readily notified the EC about it. However, the Election Commission did not take any punitive action against the assaulters,” added Mir Nasir.
“The ruling party Awami League and the EC assured of holding the polls in free, fair and credible manner. However, the EC is now acting as a subservient agency of the government. As a result, the EC has now become a failed institution. The government is out to stage another drama in the name of holding municipal polls slated for December 30,” said Nasir.
The press conference was attended by BNP north district convener Aslam Chowdhury, south district general secretary Gazi Shahjahan Jewel, city Juba Dal president Kazi Belal and secretary Mosharraf Hossain Dipti, among others.
Selina Rahman demands deployment of Army
Meanwhile, Begum Selima Rahman, senior vice-president of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, addressing a press conference urged the government to hold municipal election in a free and fair manner.
The central leader of the BNP said mayoral candidate of Patharghata municipality, motorcade of former minister Altaf Hossain, supporters of mayoral candidates at Baufal, Kuakata, Betagi, and Muladi municipalties came under attack receiving injuries that left scores of injured, reports Barisal correspondent.
“The government is also creating panic through mass arrest and indicting the BNP activists in false cases.
She also alleged that grass root level administration and police were not impartial.
“So deployment of armed forces with magistracy power is needed for holding a free fair election,” she said.
