Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) yesterday alleged that the ruling party activists unleashed a reign of terror across the country ahead of the third and fourth phases of Union Parishad (UP) elections.
“Country’s people have become tired and terrorised with the farcical voting as the ruling the people have unleashed a reign of terror equipped with arms ahead of the next phases of UP polls,” said Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.
Addressing a press conference at party head quarters at Naya Paltan, he accused the Election Commission of not taking any effective measures to tackle the situation.“The poll violence is still continuing, but the EC has not taken any noticeable measures in this regard,” he said.
The BNP leader claimed that about 45 people were killed and over 5,000 others injured in the first two phases of the UP polls as the ruling party activists went on rampage.
The third phase of voting for the UP polls is scheduled to be held on April 23, and the fourth phase on May 3.
Rizvi said the BNP would not take part in the national polls without a neutral administration.
“Despite the BNP has been taking part in the local government polls but it will not participate in the next general polls without a non-partisan and neutral government,” he said.
“The national elections must be held under a non-partisan and neutral government which will have no political identity,” he added.
Terming the government as anti-people and vote decoit, he said it trampled the electioneering institution in the name of democracy,” he said.
He accused the government and the EC of hatching conspiracy to keep the Awami League permanently in power.
Rizvi claimed BNP candidates and their campaign efforts had been attacked in many areas including Narayanganj, Mymensingh, Bandarban, Munshiganj, Gazipur and Bogra ahead of the next phase of voting.
He also alleged that the ruling party activists keep on threatening BNP leaders and activists and voters to refrain them from going to polling stations.
BNP joint secretary general Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal, Khairul Kabir Khokan among others, were present on the occasion. – Staff Reporter
