Dhaka, Dec 23 – The BNP smells old conspiracy of government behind announcing the polls schedule of Dhaka south and north city corporations hurriedly to ensure winning of its candidates.BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir made the allegation while briefing reporters after party’s standing committee meeting at chairperson political office in Gulshan yesterday.
“We think the Election Commission has announced the polls schedule to Dhaka South and North city corporations hurriedly with a motive to ensure winning of ruling party candidates,” he said.
The BNP leader said as the party has a decision, in principle, to take part in local government elections they would take part the ensuing city polls slated for January 30.
“In line with the previous decision, we will take part in the elections…But the next course of action would depend totally on the prevailing environment and situation,” he cautioned.
Opposing the use of Election Voting Machine (EVM) in the city polls, holding of the total elections by EVM is objectionable and we condemn the EC decision.
“We want to make it clear that there would be a enough chance of manipulating the election results by using EVM…That’s why we are opposing the use of EVM in this elections,” he added.
He said the party nominations would be distributed among the aspirants candidates on December 26 and they would be able to submit their nomination papers by December 27.
The interview of the prospect candidates would take place at chairperson Gulshan office on December 28, he said.
Earlier on Sunday, Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda announced the poll schedule at a press conference at the Media Centre of the Nirbachan Bhaban in Dhaka.
According to the polls schedule, the elections to Dhaka North and South City Corporation will be held on January 30 next year.
Earlier, the BNP standing committee member had a meeting at chairperson Gulshan office where party acting chairman joined the meeting through Skype conversation from London.
Meanwhile, BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi at a press conference said that the party would observe Democracy Killing Day on December 30 to mark one year anniversary of December 30 parliamentary polls.
The party will hold protest rallies across the country including the capital city of Dhaka to mark the day, he said.
He said the party leaders and activists would wear black badges and black flags will be hoisted to mark the day. Staff Reporter
