Md Joynal Abedin Khan :
Oikyafront and BNP campaigners will go fast for their polls campaign after deploying the Army as striking force ahead of the 11th parliamentary election to be held on December 30.
The so called anti-government front now follow the ‘slow motion campaign strategy’ to avoid repeated attacks by ruling party men in the presence of law enforcers.
The front leaders expressed their hope for level plying filed and electioneering atmosphere during Army personnel go on acts for polls.
They alleged that the election campaigners are barred by ruling party men and a vested quarters of law enforcers to seek vote to people.
The leaders and activists have no confidence on cops personnel as a major section of law enforcing agencies have been working for creating bar to campaign for polls like party men.
As per Election Commission (EC) decision, Army will be deployed as a striking force across the country from December 24 ahead of the general election. They will remain in the field till January 1, said Election Commissioner Rafiqul Islam.
The separate Army team will stay in every city and district from December 22 while they force personnel have started their racking works across the country, ISPR official source said.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said the ruling party has created a war-like situation, across Bangladesh, by continuously attacking their candidates and supporters; to frighten voters not to go to the polling stations.
He said BNP has instructed its party leaders and activists to campaign peacefully instead of respond to provocative acts by their opponents.
Fakhrul said, “The cadres of Awami League are trying to create trouble by instigating and attacking us.
“They are indulging in terrorism, but we are not doing it. We are peacefully going to people and calling upon them to go to polling stations on December 30 to cast their votes for Sheaf of Paddy.”
BNP Senior-Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed, said, “There is no alternative to deploying military to contain the extent of violence.”
We have long been demanding army deployment for holding a free, fair and credible election as most of the cops personnel are biased for the ruling party candidates, he said.
They fear of vote rigging by the ruling party, citing reasons that the election is going to take place under the partisan administration of Sheikh Hasina if Army not to deploy.
Earlier Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda said that army would be deployed as a striking force for aiding the civil administration
The deployment will pave a way for them to actively campaign just a week before of the election.
Wishing to remain anonymous, a BNP standing committee member said, “We know the ruling party will gradually get desperate and attack our candidates and supporters. So, we have decided to carry out our campaign peacefully, as much as we can, until the deployment of the army. We will intensify our campaign to full swing from December 24,” he said.
Nagorik Oikya Convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna said: “We know the government will not create a level-playing field. So, we have asked our leaders and activists to be patient until December 29, and endure all attacks and repression.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Javed Patwaryon Thursday said police are prepared better than ever to undertake responsibility during the upcoming eleventh national election scheduled to be held on December 30.
If the prevailing situation continues, we will be able to deliver a beautiful election.
Reflecting on the allegations of opposition parties against police, he said, “We are taking actions on specific allegations. Now, not only the police, but all the administration and the law enforcers are under the commission.”
