Rejecting the municipal polls result, the BNP-led 20-party alliance yesterday demanded resignation of the government and the Election Commission.
“The incumbent government’s undemocratic, fascist behaviour and Election Commission’s failure to carry out its constitutional duty proves that no election would be free, fair and acceptable under this government.
“For this reason BNP and its 20-party alliance rejected yesterday’s municipal polls result,” said Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, acting secretary general of the BNP.
“At the same time we demanded resignation of the government for cheating with people’s expectations and Election Commission for their failures to carry out constitutional duty.”
Addressing a press briefing, the BNP leader alleged that the government had snatched away people’s verdict by using its subservient Election Commission, partisan administration and law enforcers.
There were reports on allegation of vote rigging, illegal ballot stuffing and sporadic violence in many places while the Election Commission said the election was peaceful except for some stray incidents.
According to unofficial results, mayoral candidates running with the Awami League’s election symbol “Boat” won 178 municipalities, seven of whom uncontested. On the other hand, those contesting with BNP’s polls symbol “Sheaf of Paddy” won just 23.
The main opposition in parliament Jatiya Party bagged just one mayoral seat.
Fakhrul said the Election Commission held a faulty and unacceptable election ignoring the demand for army deployment during the election.
“It was the objective of the government to prove its popularity abroad holding a so-called election under party banner ... in reality, through this election the government, Election Commission, electoral process and democracy were defeated.”
