Opposition BNP on Saturday lodged complaints with the Election Commission about various irregularities, including intimidation and driving out of polling agents, at different places during elections to the four city corporations.
A delegation of BNP MPs, led by opposition acting chief whip Shaheed Uddin Chowdhury Anee, went to the EC Secretariat in the city around noon when the voting was progressing and lodged the written complaints.
The delegation alleged that supporters of the ruling party-backed candidates were intimidating and threatening voters with the help of local administration in the four city corporations — Rajshahi, Khulna, Barisal and Sylhet.
They also alleged that the ruling party men were forcing out the agents of 18-party-supported candidates of the polling centers.
The Commission said they are yet to receive the proof of the allegation and assured the delegation of taking steps in this regard if allegations are found true.
When the BNP delegation went to the EC Secretariat, Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad was not present at his office.
Later, the BNP MPs met Election Commissioner Abdul Mobarak and told him that the officer-in-charge of Kotwali Police Staion of Khulna beat BNP supporters and wife of a former DIG were trying to influence the balloting.
They also alleged that the polling agents of BNP supported mayoral candidates in Barisal City Corporation were forced out of many polling centers.
In Sylhet, the delegation alleged, chairman of Sylhet Sadar Upazila was trying to influence the polls abusing his power.
Abdul Mobarak said that they would investigate the matter and will take action if the allegations are found true.
Later, the delegation met the CEC when he came to the office and put forward written complaints to him.
The other members of the delegation are Mahbub Uddin Khokon, Abul Khair Bhuiyan and Syeda Asifa Asrafi Papia.
Earlier, talking to reporters at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, BNP joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said the government is conspiring in many ways. The ruling party men are terrorising the voters and forcing out the agents of the BNP-supported candidates.
Rizvi identified Barisal City as the most vulnerable as what he said the armed ruling party cadres are carrying out terrorist activities there and beating up and harassing the supporters of BNP-backed candidate.
Meanwhile, Anne expressed dissatisfaction over the monitoring activities of the EC. “The commissioners have been absent since morning. There was no monitoring by the commission. We’re not happy over the activities of the Commission.”
Rejecting the EC’s claim that the elections are being held fairly, the BNP MP said they think the voting was not cent percent fair.
Source: UNBConnect
