14-party alliance demands action against BNP, Jatiya Oikya Front
The 14-party alliance demanded that immediate action be taken against the BNP for associating a fugitive criminal such as Tarique Rahman in the electoral process
A delegation from the 14-party alliance has submitted a written complaint to the Election Commission against the BNP and Jatiya Oikya Front over violation of electoral rules and regulations.
A team led by Bangladesher Samyabadi Dal General Secretary Dilip Barua delivered the letter to Election Commissioner Rafiqul Islam on Friday.
The letter read: “According to media reports, fugitive convict Tarique Rahman is interviewing prospective candidates who are seeking to contest in the upcoming parliamentary election, through video conference from an unknown location.
“However, this move is a direct violation of the country’s constitution. Tarique Rahman is disrespecting the constitution and is breaching the existing electoral rules and regulations.”
It continued: “We (the 14-party alliance) demand that the Election Commission take immediate action against the BNP for associating a fugitive criminal such as Tarique Rahman in the electoral process.”
‘Campaign of misinformation’
Adding that the BNP and Jatiya Oikya Front are engaged in a campaign of spreading misinformation and lies for the sole purpose of disrupting the 11th parliamentary election, the letter condemned them for demanding the release of Tarique Rahman and Khaleda Zia, and electioneering inside a court premises.
The 14-party alliance requested the commission to take action against the BNP for reportedly allowing more than 50 Jamaat leaders to collect nomination form.
On October 28 this year, the Election Commission cancelled the registration of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami as a political party, which had opposed Bangladesh’s independence during the Liberation War of 1971.
The 14-party alliance also urged the commission to ensure safety and security of minority communities across Bangladesh, so that they can cast their votes peacefully.
The letter called upon the commission to be more vigilant against any possible polls-time interference caused by foreign and domestic entities, in the guise of election observers.
‘Engaged in conspiracy’
In the complaint, the 14-party alliance strongly denied and condemned the allegation that the prime minister recently held a meeting with returning officers and urged the commission to take action against the BNP and Jatiya Oikya Front for spreading falsehood and rumors.
The letter further read that the BNP and Jatiya Oikya Front are engaged in a conspiracy for creating doubt over the integrity of Election Commission and its officials, with the end goal of foiling the upcoming election.
The letter concluded with the 14-party alliance demanding the commission to take action against BNP and Jatiya Oikya Front for their reported illicit activities.
Speaking to reporters after delivering the written complaint to Election Commissioner Rafiqul Islam, Dilip Barua said: “Dr Kamal Hossain, despite being a veteran lawyer, is yet to make a statement against the BNP and Jatiya Oikya Front’s trend of violating electoral rules and regulations.”
