Staff Reporter :BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia on Monday asked the leaders and activists of the party to remain present in the polling centres during the Municipal polls across the country on December 30 and to protect their rights to franchise by all-out strength. “The government has made all arrangements to hold a farcical municipal election defeating the candidates of BNP. The ruling Awami League wants to show its popularity at home and abroad by snatching results in the December 30 municipal elections. So, I ask the leaders and activists to remain in field till last minute of the polls,” she said. Thew BNP Chief came up with these remarks while addressing a press conference at her Gulshan office in the capital on Monday afternoon. “We will be there in the election battle firmly. People’s united strength can foil any evil motive of the autocratic ruler,” she said. Khaleda Zia further said, “Those who snatched your voting rights, drove away your elected representatives through an evil design have no right to seek votes from people.”Bringing allegation that the BNP leaders and their election campaigns came under attack, she demanded deployment of the army during the polls. “The Election Commission has failed to create a good atmosphere in the election field as her party candidates and their agents for the polling centres are being harassed by the ruling party activists. Due to its (EC) ‘failure’ the deployment of Army during the election is a must,” she added. “Terrorists and the ruling party supporters are carrying out adverse activities in electoral areas but the EC is keeping mum,” she said. Khaleda Zia also alleged that the government is trying to control media and even social media. She called upon the countrymen to cast their votes in BNP’s electoral symbol ‘Sheaf of Paddy’ to bring back democracy in the country and establish people’s rights.Acting Secretary General of BNP Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Standing Committee members Barrister Moudud Ahmed, Dr Abdul Moin Khan, Brigadier General ASM Hannan Shah, Jubo Dal President Moazzem Hossain Alal and the leaders of 20-party alliance were present at the press briefing, among others.
