EC role to determine BNP’s poll participation

Says Fakhrul

BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir yesterday said that the Election Commission’s (EC's) role would determine whether his party would stay in the December 30 election race till the very end.

He was talking to reporters at his Uttara residence in the morning before leaving for Bogura and Rangpur to participate in electoral campaigns. Fakhrul said that the BNP would take a decision after reviewing the activities of the EC, law enforcers and the overall election situation. It would also consult  its alliance partners in this regard, he added.

The BNP leader accused the EC of being partial. He, however, said there was still time to create a congenial atmosphere for the polls. He alleged that the election would become questionable as the roles of the EC and law enforcers were not impartial.

He said his party and its alliance partners felt that with the deployment of the Army the situation would improve and a congenial atmosphere for the election would be restored, but it had not happened.

“Rather BNP standing committee member Goyeshwar Chandra Roy, Oikyafront candidate Subrata Chowdhury and BNP candidate Habibur Rahman came under attack. The ongoing violence and obstacles in carrying out electioneering is not helpful for a fair election,” he added.

Meanwhile, addressing an electoral public meeting at Baghopara Shahid Danesh Uddin School and College ground in Bogura in the afternoon, Fakhrul said that democracy would be restored and justice established through the December 30 election. He called upon the people to go to polling centres in groups and return home only after completion of the counting of votes.

Fakhrul, who is also contesting from Bogura-6 and Thakurgaon-1, said that the poll symbol of the BNP was born on the soil of Bogura and its victory would come from Bogura.

Earlier, he took part in a number of street rallies and electioneering in favour of his party candidates on his way to Rangpur via Bogura.

Speaking at the meeting, Nagorik Oikya convenor Mahmudur Rahman Manna, who is contesting from Bogura-2, accused the government of provoking the police against them to create panic among its workers.

Presided over by the president of the Bogura Sadar unit of the BNP, Maftun Ahmed Khan Rubel, the meeting was also addressed by AKM Mahbubur Rahman, Rezaul Karim Badsha, Joynal Abedin Chand and others.

Later, Fakhrul also spoke at electoral public meetings in Gujia and Daridah in favour of Oikyafront candidate Mahmudur Rahman Manna.

Meanwhile, BNP standing committee member Nazrul Islam Khan called upon the Army to take necessary steps to create a level playing field to hold a free and fair election.

Talking to reporters after a meeting of the 20-party alliance at BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office, Khan alleged that the EC did not take any steps even after lodging complaints. He said both the government and the EC had assured them of holding a fair election, but the current situation is a far cry from a congenial election atmosphere.

The BNP leader also alleged that there was no level playing field for a free and fair election.

 

EC role to determine BNPs poll participation

Says Fakhrul

BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir yesterday said that the Election Commissions (ECs) role would determine whether his party would stay in the December 30 election race till the very end. He was talking to reporters at his Uttara residence in the morning before leaving for Bogura and Rangpur to participate in electoral campaigns. Fakhrul said that the BNP would take a decision after reviewing the activities of the EC, law enforcers and the overall election situation. It would also consult its alliance partners in this regard, he added. The BNP leader accused the EC of being partial. He, however, said there was still time to create a congenial atmosphere for the polls. He alleged that the election would become questionable as the roles of the EC and law enforcers were not impartial. He said his party and its alliance partners felt that with the deployment of the Army the situation would improve and a congenial atmosphere for the election would be restored, but it had not happened. Rather BNP standing committee member Goyeshwar Chandra Roy, Oikyafront candidate Subrata Chowdhury and BNP candidate Habibur Rahman came under attack. The ongoing violence and obstacles in carrying out electioneering is not helpful for a fair election, he added. Meanwhile, addressing an electoral public meeting at Baghopara Shahid Danesh Uddin School and College ground in Bogura in the afternoon, Fakhrul said that democracy would be restored and justice established through the December 30 election. He called upon the people to go to polling centres in groups and return home only after completion of the counting of votes. Fakhrul, who is also contesting from Bogura-6 and Thakurgaon-1, said that the poll symbol of the BNP was born on the soil of Bogura and its victory would come from Bogura. Earlier, he took part in a number of street rallies and electioneering in favour of his party candidates on his way to Rangpur via Bogura. Speaking at the meeting, Nagorik Oikya convenor Mahmudur Rahman Manna, who is contesting from Bogura-2, accused the government of provoking the police against them to create panic among its workers. Presided over by the president of the Bogura Sadar unit of the BNP, Maftun Ahmed Khan Rubel, the meeting was also addressed by AKM Mahbubur Rahman, Rezaul Karim Badsha, Joynal Abedin Chand and others. Later, Fakhrul also spoke at electoral public meetings in Gujia and Daridah in favour of Oikyafront candidate Mahmudur Rahman Manna. Meanwhile, BNP standing committee member Nazrul Islam Khan called upon the Army to take necessary steps to create a level playing field to hold a free and fair election. Talking to reporters after a meeting of the 20-party alliance at BNP chairpersons Gulshan office, Khan alleged that the EC did not take any steps even after lodging complaints. He said both the government and the EC had assured them of holding a fair election, but the current situation is a far cry from a congenial election atmosphere. The BNP leader also alleged that there was no level playing field for a free and fair election.