BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has demanded army deployment for the municipal polls to guarantee a free and fair election.
The Election Commission has already denied the possibility of unfairness in the elections.
BNP does not expect the polls to be free and fair, as the EC is not taking action against ruling Awami League candidates in cases of ‘breach’ of the electoral code of conduct, Khaleda argued.
“The army will have to be deployed to keep the election truly fair and impartial,” she said at a discussion of Jatiyatabadi Muktijoddha Dal on Monday.
The BNP chief also hopes mayoral candidates of her party will sweep in most of the municipalities that are going for the polls on Dec 30.
“I can say we will get 80 percent of the votes if the election remains fair,” she said.
Muktijoddha Dal organised the discussion titled, ‘No alternative to the unity of the brave or to the movement for restoration of democracy’. It took place at the Institution of Engineers as part of Victory Day celebrations.
Several hundred freedom fighters from different districts took part in the discussion, wearing red and green sashes and caps.
Khaleda was honoured with a sash and a cap of the same colours.
She urged the freedom fighters to vote for the BNP candidates.
Hours before she made the demand, Election Commissioner Md Jabed Ali had said the commission does not think there is a‘situation’ for army deployment.
“The overall condition is good so far,” he said.
After meeting with law-enforcing agencies two days ago, Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad had brushed away any possibility of army deployment in the election.
“BGB and RAB said they will deploy more personnel from their forces. Law and order are under their control. There is no situation that requires army deployment now,” he had said.
The CEC had also refuted allegations of breach of the electoral code of conduct. The campaign is underway with ‘one or two separate incidents’, he had observed.
Source: Bd news24
