Tendency of using state-owned resources in pre-election campaign rose among ministers and MPs, particularly from ruling party lawmakers, a civil society platform yesterday said.
Ministers and MPs of the ruling party have used state resources, particularly government vehicles, properties and government meetings for their pre-election campaign and seeking votes for the 10th parliamentary polls, Election Working Group, a platform of several civil organisations claimed yesterday through a press release.
“At least 34 such incidents, out of a total 41 were done by the Awami League lawmakers and ministers which is 82.9% of the total incidents,” it said adding that “The ruling party has asked for votes through billboards at major cities, including Dhaka where achievements of the ministries (health, education, foreign earning) were described thoroughly, which could interrupt creating a level playing field during the elections.”
With the coming 10th parliamentary polls, the EWG has done the pre-election campaign observation report through filed visits of its observers at 118 constituencies during September 25 to October 24 this year, and the report was released yesterday signed by its director M Abdul Alim.
During the surveillance process, EWG observers found the PM, with her visit to field-level sought votes for the ruling party several times while inaugurating development projects, laying foundation stones of projects or during rally, which could hamper equal participation for a free and impartial poll, it said.
It also said: “As part of the pre-election campaign, the political parties used other mediums including distribution of sacrificial animals’ meats, and clothes and cash where probable candidates of AL allegedly spent Tk1lakh while it was around Tk30,000 for leaders from other parties.”
The group also identified some challenges for the polls including current MP’s influence, debatable changes in administration, control of the overall situation, black money and muscle power.
