BNP Standing Committee Member and Election Steering Committee Chairman Nazrul Islam Khan has said that various incidents, including the giving of money to voters, the making of special clothes for women, the printing of ballot papers, and the arrest of individuals with ballot papers, have occurred.
These matters have been reported to the Election Commission (EC), which assured that they would look into them, he added.
A BNP delegation, led by Nazrul Islam Khan, visited the EC Secretariat on Tuesday, one day before the 13th parliamentary election and referendum, and met with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasiruddin.
During the meeting, Election Commission Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed was also present. Members of the BNP Chairperson’s Advisory Council and Election Steering Committee, including Ismail Zabiullah and former EC Secretary Mohammad Zakir, were also present.
After the meeting, Nazrul Islam Khan said, “BNP wants a free, fair, and impartial election. We have instructed our candidates and agents via WhatsApp to ensure that the election is not disrupted in any way. We have requested the EC to play its legal role to ensure a peaceful election.”
He added, “We hear on talk shows that people are giving money to voters. We asked the EC how they are dealing with this. The commission said they will take legal action. We have said that anyone involved in unfair, unethical, or illegal activities must be dealt with.”
Nazrul Islam continued, “We see in the media that special clothes are being made for millions of women, and ballot papers are being printed.
People are being arrested with ballot papers. Despite seeing all this, the EC is not taking proper action. These incidents should not happen on election day; why is the EC not noticing them beforehand? All law enforcement agencies, including intelligence, are now under the EC. So, why is this not being detected earlier?”
“Despite informing the EC, no action has been taken. Everyone should carry out their role in accordance with the law,” he added.
He said, “Various media outlets have reported that certain deputy commissioners (DCs) in the field are associated with specific political parties. Reports are being circulated that lists of DCs and the number of their affiliations are being provided.
This may be a rumour. However, the EC needs to ensure that the actions of officials are not biased towards any particular political party. If any such activity is noticed, immediate action must be taken.”
In response to a question from journalists, Nazrul Islam Khan said, “No situation has arisen yet that could disrupt the election. I hope no issues will arise, as the party that does not want the election is not participating, and all parties are in the election. We all want a free and fair election. We are hopeful that our party will be elected with a massive vote through a fair election.”
Regarding another question, he said, “I would be happy if the ballot boxes reached the field level on the morning of election day. However, many areas of the country are remote and far from the police headquarters. It is not safe to send ballot boxes to such areas at night.”
In response to a question about the possibility of terrorist attacks, he said, “Terrorist attacks are often exaggerated politically. This will not be solved just by law. Social awareness needs to be increased, and a social resistance system needs to be built.”
