BNP on Monday alleged that the misuse of religious beliefs and the influence of money are severely undermining the transparency, neutrality, and fair environment of the upcoming elections.
The allegations were made at a press conference at the party’s election conduction office in Gulshan, where election conduction committee spokesperson and BNP chairperson’s adviser Mahdy Amin briefed the media.
Amin claimed that candidates and activists from a specific political party are exploiting religious sentiments to influence voters. He highlighted that messages are being circulated on social media suggesting that voting for a particular symbol is an “Imani duty” (religious obligation) to protect one’s faith.
Describing this as a “misinterpretation of religion,” Amin stated that such actions are a clear violation of Article 77(1)(d) of the Representation of the People Order (RPO) and constitute a punishable offence. He called upon the Election Commission (EC) to take immediate and effective measures regarding this matter.
The BNP also raised concerns over “money games,” alleging that voters are being influenced through financial inducements.
Amin reported that workers of a certain party are visiting homes to collect copies of National Identity (NID) cards, mobile numbers, and Bkash details from female voters.
He expressed fears that this data could be misused for proxy voting or casting ballots in the names of deceased individuals, and sought urgent EC intervention to prevent the abuse of NID information.
Concerns over Ansar-VDP Deployment The party further objected to the planned deployment of 13 to 15 Ansar and VDP members at each polling centre. Amin pointed out that these members are typically local residents, which could compromise their neutrality.
The BNP demanded that these personnel be assigned to electoral duties outside their own police station areas to ensure impartiality.
Providing details on the party’s candidates, Amin noted that the BNP is contesting 287 seats. The lineup includes 85 former Members of Parliament and 19 individuals who previously held ministerial portfolios. Educationally, 237 candidates hold at least a graduate degree.
Regarding female empowerment, Amin stated that the BNP has nominated 10 women candidates. He expressed disappointment that some political parties failed to nominate a single woman despite women constituting half of the country’s population.
Victims of Repression The press conference also touched upon past state repression, asserting that the BNP was the primary target of enforced disappearances and torture during the previous “fascist” regime. It was revealed that three BNP candidates currently contesting the elections—Salahuddin Ahmed, Anisur Rahman Talukdar Khokon, and Hummam Quader Chowdhury are themselves survivors of enforced disappearance.
Additionally, two other candidates are family members of victims of enforced disappearance.
