Opposition chief Khaleda Zia has questioned the ability of the Election Commission to stage a free and fair general election.
“The incumbent Election Commission is good-for-nothing and spineless. It lacks the quality to organise a neutral election,” She said while addressing an iftar gathering organised by the Islami Oikya Jote on Monday.
”A free and fair election would be possible if the Election Commission remained strong,” she added.
She attacked the constitutional body a day after a BNP team met with Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad to lodge a written complaint following news that a new outfit, BNF, might get ‘Sheaf of wheat’ – eerily similar to her party’s ‘Sheaf of paddy’ polls logo – if it secures registration
The BNP Chairperson reiterated her party’s demand for restoration of the caretaker government system to oversee the next general election.
Khaleda was optimistic about sweeping the election and added,” The people will give a befitting proper answer to the ruling party.”
She also talked about out fresh anti-government programmes after the Eid to press for their demand for the caretakers.
Khaleda highlighted the need for revival of the unelected caretaker regime citing the recently held local government elections as an example.
The BNP-backed mayoral candidates swept all the city corporation elections in Rajshahi, Khulna, Sylhet, Barisal and Gazipur.
The BNP chief alleged the government conspired to do several ‘irregularities’ in those elections.
She claimed the government rigged votes in the Brahmanbaria and Kishoreganj by-polls which the BNP did not contest.
“Ninety percent of the people want election under a non-partisan government,” she claimed but did not refer to any study.
”The country is going to a tough phase. The government has destroyed the economy. Corruption is all pervasive,” she added.
The former Prime Minister alleged the “deterioration of bilateral relationships with the Middle East countries” have affected Bangladesh’s international labour market.
She slated the government for its ‘falsehood’ in the name of religion and claimed,” The Prime Minister has committed falsehood in the Parliament.”
Khaleda also criticised Sheikh Hasina for her threat to the protesters who want abolition of all quotas including those for freedom fighters in government jobs.
About the recent vandalism at the Dhaka University by anti-quota demonstrators, Hasina recently said, “Can such unruly people be eligible for government job?”
She had warned that action would be taken against them after they were identified.
Source: Bd news24
