The BNP has sought clarification regarding the “dependent children” clause in candidate nomination forms for the 13th parliamentary election.
On Sunday, a three-member delegation of the party, led by BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan, met with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin at the Election Building in Agargaon to discuss the matter.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Nazrul said, “Despite not being mentioned in the RPO, the requirement to include children’s income details in the nomination form has been included.
“This has raised questions everywhere because many candidates’ children are earners, not dependents. Some live abroad. Many submit tax returns separately. The issue has become a hurdle, which is why we wrote to the Election Commission and discussed it today [Sunday].
Nazrul added, “The chief election commissioner explained to us that it refers to dependent children only.”
The BNP leader added that the issue of AI misuse on social media was also discussed. He said, “Technology is crucial for development and prosperity. However, its misuse is damaging to society, civilisation, and all development.
“Therefore, if anyone uses AI or other technological means for propaganda or defamatory acts, we urged the Election Commission to take a strong stance. The EC, along with various institutions and government bodies in Bangladesh, has its own mechanisms. They assured us they would collectively monitor this matter and become more active.”
Nazrul continued, “We stated that the process to stop this is time-consuming. But if fact-checking and identification of fakes are done very quickly, the damage from such negative campaigning would be reduced.
“Mere gentlemanly conduct isn’t enough. So, we requested that legal action be taken against those who engage in such acts.”
When asked if there was any discussion about extending the nomination submission deadline, he said, “Our party has no decision on this matter. We did not have a mandate to discuss this.”
Replying to a question about Jamaat’s upcoming rally, he said, “As a politician, I understand that electoral campaigning is currently suspended. But organisational activities of any political organisation are not suspended.
“Whether what they do violates the electoral code of conduct is for them and the Election Commission to determine.”
Asked if BNP’s negotiations with its alliance partners were finalised, he replied, “Final? Well, until the last day… is anything ever truly final?”
When asked how the BNP views the reported alliance between the NCP and Jamaat, he said, “The BNP is a democratic political party. As such, it acknowledges the right of all political parties to make independent decisions.
“If any political party wishes to associate with another based on its declared principles, they have that right. However, we have also seen that many leaders have announced leaving the party, disagreeing with this move. It seems this new thinking may not align with their declared principles or stated position. Anyway, that is their matter.”
Asked if there had been any discussion between the BNP and the NCP, he said, “I cannot comment on that for you. Because it is a political decision of the party. We believe all are patriotic political parties.
“We believe in democracy and the country’s development. However, if we agreed on everything, we would be one party. There would be no separate parties.”
In response to a question about the BNP’s Acting Chairman collecting nominations from two constituencies and which seat he would contest, Nazrul Islam Khan said, “It is confirmed he is contesting from Bogura. Regarding Dhaka, you will know when our party officially announces it.”
When asked about new leaders getting nominations while many dedicated veterans in those constituencies are not, the BNP standing committee member said, “I have also been in the party from the beginning. I did not seek a nomination.
“The party and country’s interests come first. Even more so for dedicated leaders. If nominating someone better secures the party’s and country’s interests, the dedicated leaders are the first to welcome it.”
