Gazi Ataur Rahman, senior joint secretary general of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, has alleged that chiefs of a few political parties are receiving VIP protocol, terming it an obstacle to a level playing field.
He made these remarks to journalists on Tuesday after a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin at the capital’s Nirbachan Bhaban.
Ataur alleged that nomination papers of several of their candidates were cancelled due to solvable clerical errors, such as having a one-month overdue electricity bill, not writing the opening date on a bank statement, and missing signatures in a few places on the form.
He stated that clerical mistakes could be amended in the past, but this time aspirants have been rejected. “There has been discrimination here. Concessions were given in the cases of some candidates, but not in the cases of our candidates. We believe there has been misconduct,” he said.
Ataur further said that when a candidate’s nomination is cancelled, it creates an image crisis and subjects them to harassment.
Regarding the law and order situation, Ataur said, “The looted arms have not been fully recovered yet. They (the EC) told us that about 70 percent have been recovered. Illegal arms are usually recovered before every election. This time, the pace is somewhat slower.”
Noting that they discussed the level playing field with the Election Commission, he said, “We said that some political parties are getting preference in various areas, and chiefs of one or two political parties are receiving VIP protocol. This is an obstacle to a level playing field.”
Referring to surveys being conducted to spread confusion, he said, “These surveys mislead people. Surveys are conducted without following international standards, and the media in our country laps them up. In the past, the media worked in favour of fascist forces.
“Now, the media is presenting various elements in new ways to create a new fascism. If the media works to spread confusion, then our participation in the election here will become redundant.”
Ataur said, “BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has passed away. We are also mourning this. But it is being overdone. All that is fine. But no political party should be allowed to overdo this. We have also told the chief election commissioner this.”
Pointing out that the Election Commission is not focusing on the referendum, Ataur said, “We said the matter of the referendum must also be brought into focus so that it is not neglected in this way.
“We had earlier warned that if the national election and the referendum are held together, there will be no campaign for the referendum. No one will be very enthusiastic about building public opinion in favour of the referendum.
“We are seeing the outcome heading in that direction. People are forgetting about the referendum. The Election Commission is not active in that regard. That is why we have emphasised this.”
Ataur continued, “He [the CEC] told us to campaign regarding the referendum. It will not be enough if only we campaign. Strong steps must be taken by the government and the Election Commission on this matter.”
In response to a question on whether any resolution has been reached regarding seat-sharing with Jamaat, he said, “Discussions are ongoing. We hope a solution to this matter will come soon.”
