Staff Reporter :
Terming the recently held Gazipur City Corporation (GCC) polls as “Khulna style”, citizen’s rights platform Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (Shujan) yesterday apprehended that the three upcoming city polls in Rajshahi, Sylhet and Barishal would be held in the similar manner.
While explaining the term “Khulna style” election, Sujan upheld following aspects of Khulna City Corporation (KCC) election taken place in May:
1. Removing the main opponent from the field with help of law enforcers, 2. Obstructing polling agents of BNP candidates, 3. Using of muscle power during the polls, and 4. Inaction by the Election Commission (EC).
These patterns of irregularities first took place in Khulna city polls and Gazipur was a step ahead as those irregularities were implemented there in a large scale, Shujan’s President Hafiz Uddin Khan said at a press briefing at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU) yesterday.
If the EC does not take necessary measures, then the rest of three city corporation elections in Rajshahi, Sylhet and Barishal will be held in the same style, Hafiz Uddin apprehended.
On May 15, Awami League mayor candidate Talukder Abdul Khaleque won the KCC polls, marred by irregularities such as heavy showdown by the ruling party in and around polling stations, ballot stuffing and driving out polling agents of rival group.
The Election Commission did not conduct the election in Gazipur in the manner, which it is responsible to, Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar, secretary of Shujan: told the Press briefing.
