BNP Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi earlier demanded a judicial investigation be launched to allegations of ballot manipulation raised by BNP candidate Shakhawat Hossain Khan, after the Thursday Narayanganj City Corporation (NCC) election results went against them.
Awami League Secretary General Obaidul Quader, who is also the road, transport and bridges minister, dismissed the BNP allegations as absurd, calling the NCC elections a model for future polls.
Quader said: “The elections are proof of the EC’s capability to hold free and fair polls.”
The AL secretary general made the statement while talking to reporters after paying his respects at the grave of late AL leader Abdur Razzak on the fifth anniversary of his death.
Minister Quader said the victory was due to the popularity of Selina Hayat Ivy and the success of Sheikh Hasina.
Later in the day, AL Publicity and Publication Affairs Secretary Hasan Mahmud called BNP’s claim “delirious.”
He said BNP was positive about the election up until the moment they found out their candidate had lost.
Mahmud’s remark came at a discussion at Shipakala Academy organised by Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote to observe Abdur Razzak’s death anniversary.
In the same programme, Food Minister Kamrul Islam said: “The NCC election is proof the AL does not interfere in EC affairs, and will continue to cooperate for fair future elections as well.”
Commerce Minister and AL Advisory Council Member Tofail Ahmed echoed Quader on the BNP allegations at a seperate press briefing in the afternoon.
Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed has urged BNP to contest the 2019 general elections unconditionally, stating the Narayanganj polls were proof of a free and fair election.
The minister said: “The next national election will be free, fair and transparent like the recent mayoral polls in Narayanganj. BNP should refrain from making any political demands and boycotting the polls.”
He made the statement at a press briefing held at the Dhaka Reporters Unity auditorium.
He further called for BNP to participate unconditionally in the upcoming general elections in 2019, rather than boycotting as they did in the last national elections.
