The BNP-led 20-party alliance has decided to jointly take part in the election campaign for its mayoral candidates in the municipal election to ensure their victories.The decision was taken at a secretary general-level meeting of the alliance held at BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office.
The meeting also decided to locally reach an understating with independent candidates of Jamaat-e-Islami, one of the partners of the alliance, where they are in the race.
Speaking at a press briefing after the meeting, BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir briefed reporters about its decisions.
“The meeting has decided that the alliance partners will jointly extend all-out support to the 20-praty’s candidates in the polls. We’ll also carry out electioneering together in favour of our candidates in the remaining days left for it,” he said.
Fakhrul further said, “We launched the electioneering under the alliance’s banner in Rangpur and Dinajpur yesterday (Friday). “
Replying to a question how they will reach an understanding with Jamaat’s mayoral runners, he said they have elaborately discussed the matter at the meeting. “We’ve problems with Jamaat candidates at a few places and that will be resolved locally.”
The BNP leader said their alliance has joined the polls as part of their movement to restore democracy in the country, though no election under the current regime and the Election Commission was ‘fair’ in the past.
“We think this election will once again prove how the Election Commission is neutral and how it can work rising above any party interest. It’ll also demonstrate whether the Commission is capable of holding a free and fair election,” he observed.
Fakhrul said they will send a delegation of the 20-party to the Commission very soon with their suggestions to properly hold the elections to 234 municipalities on December 30.
He urged the Commission to take every necessary step so that a credible and acceptable election can be conducted and the voters can exercise their franchise in a congenial atmosphere.
The BNP acting secretary general alleged that the ministers and MPs are continuously violating the Election Commission. “The Commission can’t prevent the ministers from taking part in electioneering. It suggests that the EC is incompetent and failed one.”
He urged the government to stop the arrest of opposition leaders and activists and immediately and release the arrested ones for the sake of a fair election.
The meeting was arranged to work out the alliance’s work plan for the municipal election. Leaders of the all alliance partners, but Jamaat attended the meeting.
