Dhaka – BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia on Friday alleged that the government snatched people’s votes during Wednesday’s municipal polls by using the administration, law enforcers and presiding officers.
Addressing a discussion at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh, she also rejected the results of the municipal elections in which her party candidates only won 22 in municipalities out of 233.“We reject the Hasina-Rakib style election results. The country’s people and no other party have accepted this election…there’s no reason to be happy by snatching, stealing and robbing of mayoral posts in municipalities,” the BNP chief said.
“You [govt] know it very well who’ve abetted you in stealing votes and stuffing ballots. You’ve damaged the image of law enforcers, administration and presiding officers by using them like party men,” she further said.
The BNP chief regretted that the law enforcers and officials of the administration had to work in favour of ruling party candidates in the polls only to save their jobs.
Khaleda also said journalists through televisions and newspapers depicted what exactly happened during the polling. “It has clearly manifested how fair the lection was. They (govt) have proved once again that Hasina-Rakb style elections are no longer effective in Bangladesh. No election can be fair under them.”
She, however, hoped credible election must be held in near future. “I believe the sacrifices of those who had been killed, made disappeared and the tears of so many brothers and sisters wouldn’t go in vain. I want to say polls will be held in future under a non-party government so that people can cast their votes as per their will.”
Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal arranged the programme marking its 37th founding anniversary.
In her 50-minute speech, the BNP chief spoke about the country’s overall situation, ‘government’s misrule’, corruption and terrorism in educational institutions.
Mentioning that the country is going through a very critical time, Khaleda said, “There’s no democracy in the country. It’s not only autocracy, but also monarchy has been established now in the country as everything is happening as per one person’s will.”
The BNP chief said many BNP and JCD leaders and activists were killed and made disappeared during the movement for restoring democracy. “Awami League cadres are not only terrorists, but also blood thirsty. We’ve lost our many leaders and activists during our movement to free the country from them (AL).”
Khaleda demanded immediate release of all arrested leaders and activists of Chhatra Dal and BNP, including JCD president Rajib Ahsan. – UNB
