SM Mizanur Rahman :
Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jatiya Party (JP) on Tuesday again expressed their doubt about holding of free, fair and credible municipality elections.
Apart from harassment by the law enforcers, BNP leaders accused the ruling party of breaching the election code of conduct at many places across the country, while Jatiya Party leaders expressed doubt about fair polls.
But the ruling Awami League believed that the Election Commission would be cent percent successful in arranging fair and credible polls.
“We think that this polls will not be held in free, fair and impartial manner. Then question may be raised as to why are we going to take part in the polls? We are participating in the elections because we believe in democracy,” BNP Acting Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told journalists at party Chairperson’s Gulshan office in the city.
He termed the BNP as a liberal democratic party, which has been trying to bring change in democratic process.
When asked whether BNP will boycott the municipality polls or not, Mirza Fakhul said, “That will depend on the circumstances.” “Dinajpur Municipality Mayor Jahangir Alam has been terminated few days ago. You (journalists) know very well about the country’s democracy. We know that people will not be able to cast their votes,” Mirza Fakhrul said. Echoing the same arguments, JP Chairman HM Ershad on Tuesday said that his party-backed candidates were not allowed to submit their nomination papers.
“Our candidates are receiving threats as they filed nominations. Even they are being issued threat with arson attacks on their houses if they don’t withdraw their candidatures. This is not a democratic behaviour,” he told journalists at his ‘Palli Nibash’ residence in city.
Ruling Awami League-led 14-party alliance spokesman and AL Presidium Member Mohammad Nasim on Tuesday claimed that the upcoming municipality polls would be held in a free, fair and peaceful manner. “As the Election Commission and administration are set to play neutral role in conducting the municipality polls, we are hopeful that they will be 100 per cent successful,’ after a meeting he told journalists in a briefing at Awami League President’s Dhanmondi office in city. Replying to a query whether subversive activities will take place during the polls, he said they do not think so. However, it depends on BNP. Better you (journalists) should ask BNP leaders ,” Mohammad Nasim said.
He, nevertheless, thanked BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia for taking part in the polls. “You (Khaleda) have understood now that the boycotting of polls is not a good sign. That is why you are participating in the election with party symbol under the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,” he said.
