JP candidate calls for level playing field, secy-general says all is fine

Jatiya Party (JP-Ershad) candidates have urged the Election Commission (EC) to ensure a level playing field, whereas the JP secretary general  claimed that a level playing field is already prevailing. JP candidate SM Fakhar-uz-Zaman Jahangir of the Rangpur-5 (Mithapukur) constituency gave a 24-hour ultimatum to electoral officials to ensure a level playing field. He gave the ultimatum at a press briefing at his Mithapukur residence in Rangpur yesterday (Tuesday).

"There is a level playing field in the country. Jahangir should have discussed the issue with me before holding the press conference,” Mashiur Rahman Ranga, secretary general of the JP, told The Independent yesterday. When asked about allegations like tearing down of posters and harassment of JP leaders and supporters by Awami League (AL) activists, the JP secretary general replied: “None of the candidates or activists has made such complaints to me.”

The JP candidate of Rangpur-5 did not do the right thing by holding a press conference without informing him, Ranga said in reply to a query.

“There is a level playing field in my constituency. If there is any such queering of the pitch, I can always take action through the police or local administration,” he added. He further said tearing down of posters is an isolated incident and it is happening everywhere, even in his constituency.

“The 11th parliamentary polls are going to be held amid a festive mood after a long period. A section is against the peaceful electoral process,” the JP secretary general observed. Isolated incidents centring polls happen around the world, said JP presidium member Prof. Delwar Hossain, who is also chief of the election monitoring cell of the party.

“We have to do politics amid such incidents,” he added. He further said they have received many allegations from party candidates, leaders and activists regarding harassment by ruling party men and tearing down of posters. “We have resolved such problems through the police and administration,” he said in reply to a query.

However, SM Fakhar-uz-Zaman Jahangir said at the press briefing that his activists were being harassed by ruling party men and the police. He said electoral officials would have to take the responsibility if such incidents take place. “We don’t want any violence. We want a peaceful environment for holding the national polls,” he added. He also alleged that ruling party candidates were harassing JP activists and even getting the police to search their houses. The authorities concerned are yet to take any action despite the submission of a written complaint to withdraw the assistant returning officer and stopping the arrest of JP leaders and activists, he said.

He also alleged that the Election Commission has appointed presiding officers and assistant presiding officers on political considerations.

JP candidate calls for level playing field, secy-general says all is fine

Jatiya Party (JP-Ershad) candidates have urged the Election Commission (EC) to ensure a level playing field, whereas the JP secretary general claimed that a level playing field is already prevailing. JP candidate SM Fakhar-uz-Zaman Jahangir of the Rangpur-5 (Mithapukur) constituency gave a 24-hour ultimatum to electoral officials to ensure a level playing field. He gave the ultimatum at a press briefing at his Mithapukur residence in Rangpur yesterday (Tuesday). There is a level playing field in the country. Jahangir should have discussed the issue with me before holding the press conference, Mashiur Rahman Ranga, secretary general of the JP, told The Independent yesterday. When asked about allegations like tearing down of posters and harassment of JP leaders and supporters by Awami League (AL) activists, the JP secretary general replied: None of the candidates or activists has made such complaints to me. The JP candidate of Rangpur-5 did not do the right thing by holding a press conference without informing him, Ranga said in reply to a query. There is a level playing field in my constituency. If there is any such queering of the pitch, I can always take action through the police or local administration, he added. He further said tearing down of posters is an isolated incident and it is happening everywhere, even in his constituency. The 11th parliamentary polls are going to be held amid a festive mood after a long period. A section is against the peaceful electoral process, the JP secretary general observed. Isolated incidents centring polls happen around the world, said JP presidium member Prof. Delwar Hossain, who is also chief of the election monitoring cell of the party. We have to do politics amid such incidents, he added. He further said they have received many allegations from party candidates, leaders and activists regarding harassment by ruling party men and tearing down of posters. We have resolved such problems through the police and administration, he said in reply to a query. However, SM Fakhar-uz-Zaman Jahangir said at the press briefing that his activists were being harassed by ruling party men and the police. He said electoral officials would have to take the responsibility if such incidents take place. We dont want any violence. We want a peaceful environment for holding the national polls, he added. He also alleged that ruling party candidates were harassing JP activists and even getting the police to search their houses. The authorities concerned are yet to take any action despite the submission of a written complaint to withdraw the assistant returning officer and stopping the arrest of JP leaders and activists, he said. He also alleged that the Election Commission has appointed presiding officers and assistant presiding officers on political considerations.