The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) yesterday complained to the Election Commission (EC) that their candidates were being prevented from campaigning and demanded immediate army deployment. BNP vice-chairman Selima Rahman said, “Our candidates are facing obstruction in their election campaign. They are being stopped while going to hang posters. If we resist, violence will erupt. So, the BNP is requesting the EC to deploy the army right away.”

She said this while speaking to journalists after submitting written complaints to the Commission at the Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital. “Our candidate Golam Mawla Rony from Patuakhali-3 was attacked while campaigning. Eight BNP leaders and workers have been arrested in Habiganj. City BNP vice-president was arrested while campaigning on behalf of Shadat Hossain in Chattogram-1,” she added.

She also said eight of their leaders and workers had been detained in Phulpur, Mymensingh.

Selima said, “We, in the letter, said that police are not paying heed to the Commission. The EC is a puppet. So, the army should be deployed right now.”

She said there only 13 days were left for the election but they were unable to campaign to seek votes.

“It seems police are our rival. They are not allowing us to stay in the field.

The government wants to hold a one-sided poll like the 2014 election,” she added.

The letter requested the EC to prevent such harassment for the sake of holding free, fair and participatory polls.

Earlier, the EC said the army would be deployed for 10 days, starting from December 24, to assist the civil administration in conducting the polls.

The Commission had also instructed the magistrates and election officials to ensure a level playing field for all candidates to ensure a free and fair poll. Th BNP and its ally the Jatiya Oikyafront are repeatedly complaining to the Commission that their election campaign was being obstructed.

Meanwhile, Barrister Sakib Mahmud, on behalf of BNP candidate Barrister AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon, urged the EC to immediately withdraw the Officer in Charge of the Sonaimuri Police Station Abdul Majid for allegedly firing at poll campaigners in Noakhali-1 constituency on December 15, leaving 40 BNP workers and supporters injured.

He requested the EC to take legal action against the guilty after conducting an investigation.