AL urges EC not to allow Jamaat leaders in polls

Ruling Awami League on Friday urged the election commission not to allow Jamaat-e-Islami leaders to contest the 11th national election with ‘sheaf of paddy’ symbol, reports UNB.

“Jamaat leaders filed nominations as BNP candidates. But, the website of their party mentions their names and party posts they hold. It’ a clear violation of the electoral code of conduct as they provided false information in their affidavits,” said AL election conducting committee co-chairman HT Imam.

While talking to reporters at the Nirbachan Bhaban after a 10-member AL delegation, led by him, held a meeting with the election commission, he also said, “So, they (Jamaat leaders) can’t remain in the election race.”

The AL team submitted a letter containing their complaint to the commission in the afternoon.

HT Imam alleged that BNP activists were attacking AL candidates and their supporters across the country. “As everything is in the hands of the commission, we’ve approached them with detailed information so that it takes action in this regard.”

Claiming that AL activists are always nonviolent, he said, “The party which holds the liberation war spirit is always attacked.”

HT Imam, also prime minister’s adviser, said they informed the commission about BNP’s violation of the electoral code of conduct in posters and banners. “As per the rules, only the photographs of the existing chief of a party and the candidate concerned should be on a poster. But, the BNP candidates have printed posters containing photographs of both Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman,” he said, urging the commission look into it whether a fugitive convict’s image can be used in poster.

He also expressed their concerns over four NGOs out of 118 enlisted as election observers — Khan Foundation, Democracy Watch, Lighthouse and Manobadhikar Shomonnoy Parishad—saying these NGOs are working directly under the command of BNP leaders.

“From my past experience, I’ve seen that these NGOs tried to influence the election environment on the election day. They must be banned and we’ve drawn EC’s attention to it,” HT Imam said, adding that they want a free, fair and internationally accepted election.