EC officials violating poll code: BNP

BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi yesterday accused Election Commission (EC) officials of violating its own code of conduct by working in favour of Awami League mayoral candidates in the July 30 elections to the three city corporations of Rajshahi, Barishal and Sylhet.

In addition to ruling party mayors, a number of lawmakers, university vice- chancellors, medical college principals, government college teachers, government employees, including the civil surgeon and law enforcers, were directly working for the AL in the three city polls, he claimed.

“Even on-duty electoral officers are working for the ruling party. The EC itself is violating the code of conduct,” he added.

Speaking at a press conference at the party's central office at Naya Paltan, Rizvi said the repression carried out by the ruling party indicated the nature of “better elections” in the three cities.

He mentioned that the Prime Minister’s political adviser, HT Imam, had said that the elections in Khulna and Gazipur were good, but there would be better election in the three cities.

He said although the BNP submitted allegations to the EC regarding the arrest of its leaders and activists, the EC secretary said all of were arrested on the basis of specific allegations. “The EC earlier told that none will be arrested during the three city polls. But its present statement is partial and hinders the holding of a free and fair election,” he added.

The BNP leader expressed concern over the three city polls, saying that there was no level playing field in any of the three cities and the EC could not create a congenial atmosphere for holding a fair election.

“People now have no confidence in the EC,” he added.

Rizvi criticised the government for concealing sensational

incidents including the disappearance of reserves money, gold from Bangladesh Bank, and tonnes of coal.

BNP vice-chairman Maj, (Retd) Hafizuddin Ahmed and chairperson’s adviser Abul Khair Bhuiyan, among others, were present on the occasion.

Meanwhile, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said that a stifling condition prevails in the country where ordinary people, along with political leaders and activists, are facing repression. “While we turn newspaper pages, we always find that people from different walks of life, including children and women, are being repressed everywhere. We are really shocked and stunned by such news,” he said.

Fakhrul was inaugurating the Shaplakuri 2018 competition at the Institute of Diploma Engineers in the city. The function, organised by the Zia Shishu Academy, was followed by a cultural programme.

The BNP leader said that brave freedom fighters earned the country’s independence with their blood. “This country has to be built by all. We have the responsibility to build it as a liveable country,” he added.

 

EC officials violating poll code: BNP

BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi yesterday accused Election Commission (EC) officials of violating its own code of conduct by working in favour of Awami League mayoral candidates in the July 30 elections to the three city corporations of Rajshahi, Barishal and Sylhet. In addition to ruling party mayors, a number of lawmakers, university vice- chancellors, medical college principals, government college teachers, government employees, including the civil surgeon and law enforcers, were directly working for the AL in the three city polls, he claimed. Even on-duty electoral officers are working for the ruling party. The EC itself is violating the code of conduct, he added. Speaking at a press conference at the partys central office at Naya Paltan, Rizvi said the repression carried out by the ruling party indicated the nature of better elections in the three cities. He mentioned that the Prime Ministers political adviser, HT Imam, had said that the elections in Khulna and Gazipur were good, but there would be better election in the three cities. He said although the BNP submitted allegations to the EC regarding the arrest of its leaders and activists, the EC secretary said all of were arrested on the basis of specific allegations. The EC earlier told that none will be arrested during the three city polls. But its present statement is partial and hinders the holding of a free and fair election, he added. The BNP leader expressed concern over the three city polls, saying that there was no level playing field in any of the three cities and the EC could not create a congenial atmosphere for holding a fair election. People now have no confidence in the EC, he added. Rizvi criticised the government for concealing sensational incidents including the disappearance of reserves money, gold from Bangladesh Bank, and tonnes of coal. BNP vice-chairman Maj, (Retd) Hafizuddin Ahmed and chairpersons adviser Abul Khair Bhuiyan, among others, were present on the occasion. Meanwhile, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said that a stifling condition prevails in the country where ordinary people, along with political leaders and activists, are facing repression. While we turn newspaper pages, we always find that people from different walks of life, including children and women, are being repressed everywhere. We are really shocked and stunned by such news, he said. Fakhrul was inaugurating the Shaplakuri 2018 competition at the Institute of Diploma Engineers in the city. The function, organised by the Zia Shishu Academy, was followed by a cultural programme. The BNP leader said that brave freedom fighters earned the countrys independence with their blood. This country has to be built by all. We have the responsibility to build it as a liveable country, he added.