Opposition BNP on Thursday demanded cancellation of the draft amendment to the election code of conduct enabling the Prime Minister and ministers to take part in electioneering during the general election, saying it will deepen the ongoing political crisis.“National dailies have run news that the government subservient Election Commission is going to approve an amendment to the election code of conduct keeping scope for the Prime Minister and her chosen 20 ministers to enjoy the privilege of taking part in the electioneering holding their posts and using the state security and identity,” said senior BNP leader Nazrul Islam Khan.
“This amendment proposal of the Election Commission is not only discriminatory but also contrary to the concept of a free and fair election,” he added.
Strongly opposing the amendment proposal, the BNP leader said the EC has added fuel to the fire with such a move when the country is struggling with political crisis. “It’ll also push the Commission towards public wraths.”
Nazrul Islam Khan, also a BNP standing committee member, came up with the remarks at a press conference at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office.
According to media reports, the EC has recently drafted an amendment to the election code of conduct.
As per the provision of the draft amendment, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 20 other ministers picked by her will be able to join the polls campaign without resigning from their posts if the general election is held under a party government.
Nazrul apprehended that the amendment will surely create another national crisis and make the whole election process questionable and uncertain.
He said a level-paying field will not be created if a party gets special privilege and the results of the election will not be acceptable to the nation.
“The Election Commission has turned into more dictated and subservient institution by taking such a dishonest and motivated move. It has also been proved true the allegation of the opposition that no free and fair election is possible under the incumbent Election Commission,” the BNP leader said.
Strongly condemning the move, Nazrul demanded the commission immediately scrap the move.
He also said the Election Commissioners should step aside if they cannot prove their neutrality by canceling the amendment proposal.
BNP joint secretaries general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Barkatullah Bulu, MP, Dhaka city unit member secretary Abdus Salam and Jubo Dal president Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal were, among others, present. – UNB
