BNP fears ‘tampering’ of ballot papers

The BNP fears that ballot papers may be tampered on the eve of the GCC election. Speaking at a press conference, BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir yesterday said: “The BNP is taking part in the civic polls for being a political party. We'd like to continue our democratic practice and see that the voting rights of common people is being maintained.” Terming the GCC poll as a test case for the Election Commission (EC), Fakhrul said the party would decide on its participation in the next three city polls scheduled for July 30. He demanded that the EC take all necessary measures to hold the poll in a free and fair manner. “Otherwise, the EC has to be disbanded,” he added. Fakhrul said the EC has proved itself to be an utterly inefficient body and questioned its ability to conduct a national poll. He alleged that the EC turns each election into a farce. He expressed regret that the EC has been working in line with “a blueprint designed by the government”.

He called upon voters to go to the polling booths defying all hindrances and exercise their franchise. Expressing hope that the BNP candidate would win the election, Fakhrul said: “If there is a free and fair poll, our candidates will surely win. Of course, a lot will depend on whether our polling agents would be allowed to stay inside the polling booths.”

Meanwhile, the BNP yesterday reiterated its demand to withdraw the superintendent of police (SP) of Gazipur for the sake of holding a free and fair poll. The demand was made at a meeting with chief election commissioner KM Nurul Huda at the EC’s office at Agargaon in the city.

“There will be a conducive atmosphere for the election if the SP is removed,” said BNP standing committee member Dr Abdul Moin Khan, who led a BNP delegation visiting Nurul Huda. Replying to a question, Abdul Moin Khan said they made the demand as they apprehended that there might not be a free and fair poll. “If the voters of Gazipur can’t cast their votes without fear, it will have an adverse impact on the national election as well,” he added.

BNP fears tampering of ballot papers

The BNP fears that ballot papers may be tampered on the eve of the GCC election. Speaking at a press conference, BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir yesterday said: The BNP is taking part in the civic polls for being a political party. Wed like to continue our democratic practice and see that the voting rights of common people is being maintained. Terming the GCC poll as a test case for the Election Commission (EC), Fakhrul said the party would decide on its participation in the next three city polls scheduled for July 30. He demanded that the EC take all necessary measures to hold the poll in a free and fair manner. Otherwise, the EC has to be disbanded, he added. Fakhrul said the EC has proved itself to be an utterly inefficient body and questioned its ability to conduct a national poll. He alleged that the EC turns each election into a farce. He expressed regret that the EC has been working in line with a blueprint designed by the government. He called upon voters to go to the polling booths defying all hindrances and exercise their franchise. Expressing hope that the BNP candidate would win the election, Fakhrul said: If there is a free and fair poll, our candidates will surely win. Of course, a lot will depend on whether our polling agents would be allowed to stay inside the polling booths. Meanwhile, the BNP yesterday reiterated its demand to withdraw the superintendent of police (SP) of Gazipur for the sake of holding a free and fair poll. The demand was made at a meeting with chief election commissioner KM Nurul Huda at the ECs office at Agargaon in the city. There will be a conducive atmosphere for the election if the SP is removed, said BNP standing committee member Dr Abdul Moin Khan, who led a BNP delegation visiting Nurul Huda. Replying to a question, Abdul Moin Khan said they made the demand as they apprehended that there might not be a free and fair poll. If the voters of Gazipur cant cast their votes without fear, it will have an adverse impact on the national election as well, he added.