Peaceful barring stray incidents: AL
The Awami League joint general secretary, Mahbubul Alam Hanif, has claimed that the fifth phase of union parishad (UP) elections were held in a free, fair and peaceful manner, barring stray incidents. Except some stray incidents in two or three places, we can say that overall the UP elections were held peacefully, he told reporters at Sheikh Hasinas Dhanmondi political office yesterday. He said whatever violent incidents took place was the result of social conflict. Besides, the BNP has a hand in the violence as it wants to make the election and the Election Commission controversial. And thats why the BNP did not nominate candidates in over hundred unions. Actually, the BNP came to know that people would not vote for the party, for which it wants to make the elections controversial, at any cost, he said.
He said the government and the Election Commission is trying heart and soul to minimise violent incidents in UP polls. Law enforcement agencies have been asked to take steps to prevent such incidents. About the killings in the fifth phase of UP elections, Hanif said the killings took place due to the strong stand of the law enforcement agencies, as the EC is committed to holding peaceful polls. Replying to a question on the recent meeting between Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, and Israeli Likud Party leader, Mendi N Safadi, that went viral on the social media, Hanif said it was not true. He said the BNP staged the drama to hide its conspiracy to oust the government by joining hands with the agent of the Israeli intelligence agency, Mossad. Replying to another question, he said the government will send a protest note to the BBC Bangla authorities for airing the false story.
