Apprehending manipulation in the first phase of upazila elections, BNP threatened on Tuesday that the 19-party supporters will give a befitting reply if the government resorts to any irregularity to change the election results.
“The 19-party alliance is ready to take up any harsh programme in case of irregularities in the elections,” said BNP joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.
The BNP leader issued the threat at a press briefing at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office.
Mentioning that their party is taking part in the polls as part of their movement strategy, he said they will take immediate steps to face any conspiracy.
He alleged that the ruling party cadres with the help of the law enforcers are trying to take the election results in their favour by repressing, killing and arresting opposition leaders and activists.
Rizvi accused the ruling party men of intimidating opposition leaders and activists for not going to polling stations to ensure their candidates’ wins in the elections.
He also narrated some attacks and incidents by the ruling party men on the BNP leaders and activists at different parts of the country to create panic among the voters.
An information desk will be set up at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office on the election days to collect information about the upazila polls, he added.
Earlier in the day, a three-member BNP delegation, led by Rizvi, submitted a letter to the Election Commission alleging that the houses of BNP-backed candidates are being attacked and looted across the country, and their family members and even women and children are not spared in many places.
Talking to reporters at the EC secretariat, he said many candidates and incumbent chairmen are on the run to escape arrests as an arrest spree is going on in the election areas, but the Election Commission is silent and inactive about taking any remedial measure.
“If the commission thinks it’s independent in any way, it’s its duty to arrange this local government body election freely and neutrally,” he added.
Source: UNB Connnect