SHUJAN President M Hafiz Uddin Khan expressed doubts over possibilities of free and fair elections on July 30.
Khan alleged not all candidates in the local government polls were enjoying equal opportunities.
SHUJAN Central Coordinator Dilip Kumar Sarker said the commission, law enforcers and the authorities worked properly in the elections to Rangpur City Corporation but that did not happen in the elections to Khulna and Gazipur city corporations.
“It appeared to us that they comply fully with the government’s proper message. But they do not work properly if the message is not sent properly,” he said.
Local government expert Tofail Ahmed, an executive member of SHUJAN, said the recent elections indicated an “inexplicable special model”.
“Doubt and mistrust remain despite the absence of violence.
“Is it a model based on fear? I can’t say. Is it happening because of indifference of the people to vote or aggressiveness of a particular party?” he asked.In another development, the Prime Minister’s Political Affairs Adviser HT Imam dismissed the BNP’s complaints and observers’ fear after meeting the election commissioners.
“The elections to Khulna and Gazipir were good. Those in the three cities (on July) will be better,” he said.
The BNP alleged rigging in Khulna and Gazipur and fears a repeat in Rajshahi, Sylhet and Barishal, where the outgoing mayors are from the party.
Source: News24.
