Co-chairman of Awami League’s election conducting committee HT Imam on Tuesday said there is no guarantee that the January 5 general election will be held in a cent percent peaceful manner.
“The guarantee of holding the election in a complete peaceful manner amid the present situation can’t be given. But we’ll try our best so that the election could be peaceful and voters can exercise their franchise without any fear,” he said.
The Awami League was talking to reporters at the Election Commission Secretariat after a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad.
A 12-member AL delegation, led by HT Imam, had a 90-minute meeting with the CEC at the latter’s office at 4pm.
HT Imam said they came to the commission to know whether it will be a violation of the election code of conduct if they hold a rally at Suhrawardy Udyan on January 2 where huge loudspeakers will be needed to reach tens of thousands of people. “But the CEC suggested us not to organise the rally saying that use of more than three loudspeakers is a violation of polls code,” he said.
Replying to a query whether the Prime Minister’s rallies are being held in different places of the country as per laws, HT Imam said most of the rallies she holds are street rallies. Besides, she addresses the rallies abiding by rules.
About the January 5 elections, he said they have information that the polls in the 147 constituencies of 59 districts will be competitive.
On Monday, the number of constituencies that got single candidates came down at 153 from 154 as independent candidate Kamrul Islam of Comilla-8, whose nomination papers earlier was rejected during scrutiny, got back his candidature following the court order.
He said the opposition alliance unleashed violence in many ways. It now called blockade. “But we believe that we can break the blockade. It is our duty to remove fear among the voters.”
Blaming Jamaat-e Islami for political violence, the former bureaucrat said it is not the opposition party rather Jamaat-Shibir is carrying out violence in the country now. “Jamaat-Shibir wants to create instability in the country. Their main goal is to save war criminals, not to thwart the election.”
Asked whether he meant that BNP is not engaged in the current violence, HT Imam said BNP serves the interest of Jamaat and called the blockade programme according to the demand of Jamaat. “So, BNP is also involved in the violence. Actually, they started a war against the state.”
In reply to a query about Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad, he said though Ershad is not carrying out electioneering, other top leaders of his party are engaged in the election campaign. “Hence, we can say that he has the consent to contest the election.”
Responding to another question if the state-owned Bangladesh Television violates the polls code broadcasting only election manifesto of the ruling Awami League, HT Imam said not only BTV but also other TV channels telecast the manifesto.
Prime Minister and AL President Sheikh Hasina will address to the nation through BTV and Bangladesh Radio on January 3 after the Election Commission’s permission, he noted.
PM’s former adviser Dr Moshiur Rahman was among the delegation members.
Source: UNB Connect