BNP on Wednesday alleged that the Election Commission’s preparation for holding the next general election is questionable as it could not yet appoint election officials to 85 upazilas.
Speaking at a press conference at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, party senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi also alleged that people’s apprehension over a credible election is gradually deepening due to the activities of the Commission and the ruling party leaders.“The Election Commission’s overall preparation for the election is questionable. We’re observing that all signs for holding a unilateral election are getting clear with the passage of time,” he said.
The BNP leader further said, “The Election Commission still didn’t appoint election officials at 85 upazilas. A move is on to appoint pro-government officials from different ministries to those upazilas to conduct the election as part of a government plot.”Rizvi said the ruling party leaders are regularly holding meetings with government officials to turn the election results into their favour.
He said Awami League’s game plan is very clear that only the ruling party and its cohorts will be there in the politics of Bangladesh.The BNP leader also said the ruling party leaders’ statements have indicated that they are planning to rig votes indulging in ‘terrorism’.
He claimed that deputy secretary Niyamat Ullah Bhuiyan, who was sent on forced retirement, was taken to the Rab-2 office from his residence on Tuesday night for an hour, but he did not return home until Wednesday morning. ”It’s an appalling message.”The BNP leader demanded that the government ensure safe return of Bhuiyan to his home.
Rizvi alleged that police raided the Shantinagar residence of late BNP leader Tariqul Islam’s son and party candidate Aninda Islam Amith on Tuesday night. “We strongly condemn it.”He said police continued harassing their party leaders and activists at different parts of the country by raiding their houses.
The BNP leader also criticised Attorney General Mahbubey Alam for his remark that BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia cannot participate in the election. “His remark is ill-motivated. The country’s people have got stunned with his comment.”
He claimed that their chairperson is eligible for contesting the election, saying there is no legal bar in this regard as some ruling party leaders and ex-president HM Ershad earlier joined the election when their appeal was pending with the court.
source: UNB
