Accusing the ruling party of resorting to widespread vote rigging in Tuesday’s city polls, Sammilita Peshajibi
Parishad, a platform of pro-BNP professionals, on Thursday demanded annulment of the elections’ results and resignation of the Election Commission.
“The entire nation was stunned and worried over the open and massive vote rigging and dacoity in Dhaka and Chittagong city corporations’ polls… We demand re-elections to the three cities cancelling the stigmatised and farcical elections and resignation of the entire Election Commission, including its Chief Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad,” said platform’s convener Ruhul Amin Gazi.
He came up with the demand at a press conference at the Jatiya Press Club.
Gazi said alleged that the EC, administration, law enforcers and ruling party men rigged vote together to ensure the victory of the ruling party-backed candidates.
Claiming that even 10 percent voters did not go the polling stations to cast their votes, he wondered as to how the EC showed 44.9 percent voter turnout. “It’s ridiculous and shameful role of the EC.”
The EC has played a role of villain in the polls, said the Peshajibi Parishad convener adding that the failure of the Commission to hold a credible election is unpardonable. “The CEC’s open and shameless flattering has totally dented the image of a constitutional body like the Election Commission.”
Gazi said, the Commission ensured the victory of the ruling party candidates while made sure the defeat of democracy through holding the farcical election only to fulfil the government’s desire.
“We think the possibility of a fair election has been destroyed due to the EC’s subservient role and waywardness. We also think the lack of confidence of the political parties in each other has further been cemented through this election,” he observed.
The BNP-professional’s leader denounced the assaults on journalists and ex-Dhaka University VC Prof Emajuddin by the ruling party men on during the voting on Tuesday.
