Jatiya Oikyafront Convener Dr Kamal Hossain yesterday called upon the voters to go to polling centres early in the morning and cast votes without fear.

“I urge the voters to go to polling stations early in the morning and cast ballots. Don't be afraid. If you go there, criminals will flee. They cannot withstand the people's strength,” he told a press conference at Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU).

Replying to a query, the eminent jurist hoped people would vote for the Oikyafront candidates if today's election is held in a free and fair manner.

“If you talk to people, they will tell you that they want a change. We hope and believe that people will vote in our favour.” 

In a statement distributed at the briefing, the Gonoforum president called upon the young first-time voters to exercise their franchise.

“Keep in mind that if you are afraid, you are done; if you turn around, you are Bangladesh.”

Dr Kamal claimed that there are apprehension and confusion among people over the polls, and said this needs to be removed immediately.

“The polls will be held as the day breaks. There should have been a festive atmosphere now across the country. Instead, there are worries and confusion in people's mind.”

Dr Kamal, an architect of the country's constitution, called upon members of the army, the navy, police, Rab, Border Guard Bangladesh, Ansar, the VDP and Coast Guard to play a glorious role in the election like in the past.

“Your role in peacekeeping is being praised worldwide, and this has increased your scopes across the globe. You will remain careful so that it is not hampered in any way.”

The Oikyafront convener also urged Election Commission officials, returning officers and assistant returning officers to ensure people's voting rights.

“If you violate anyone's rights, remember that someone else is violating the rights of your mother, father, wife and children. If you do that, people, history and the law will not forgive you.”

Pointing to government employees, he said they do not belong to any party, and they serve people. “People are the owners of the country. Don't deprive them of the joy of casting votes.”

He also urged public officials not to abide by “any unlawful order”.

Responding to a query, the jurist said there is no division among the components of the Oikyafront. “Rather, our unity has been strengthened.”

About recent attacks on a number of Oikyafront candidates, he said, “I never saw or heard about such attacks and oppression in my life.”

He also reiterated that they would not quit the polls under any circumstances.

Speaking at the briefing, BNP Standing Committee Member Nazrul Islam Khan claimed that till Friday, 11,506 Oikyafront leaders and activists were arrested since the announcement of the election schedule on November 8.

He also alleged that Oikyafront men faced at least 2,896 attacks that left nine people dead and 13,252 others injured. 

Later, Dr Kamal and other top Oikyafront leaders held a view-exchange meeting with foreign journalists at the DRU. 

He briefed them about the attacks, cases and arrests of Oikyafront leaders and activists from November 8 to December 25.

The Oikyafront leader alleged that 2,833 attacks were made on the opposition men by Awami League men and police. At least, 12,923 people, including 49 Oikyafront contenders, were injured.

“Instead of being a time of festive competition, the campaign trail turned into a nightmare. The election road is pitted with serious obstacles, threats, intimidation and violent attacks against the opposition men,” he said.

Jatiya Oikyafront leaders want to meet President Abdul Hamid and seek his intervention to improve the current political situation in the run-up to the December 30 polls.

On Thursday, the party sent a letter in this regard to the Bangabhaban which sought an appointment with the president for the leaders of Oikyafront -- alliance of the BNP and several other opposition parties -- on December 17, alliance sources said.

A 10-member delegation, led by Oikyafront's top leader Dr Kamal Hossain, also the president of Gonoforum, will meet the president if they get the appointment, the sources added.

"We will draw his [president] attention to the continued attacks on opposition candidates and activists during electioneering and the mass arrest of opposition activists. We will seek his intervention to improve the situation," Mahmudur Rahman Manna, a top leader of the Oikyafront, told The Daily Star yesterday.

The BNP and the Jatiya Oikyafront have been accusing the government of using law enforcement agencies to arrest and harass their nominees, leaders and activists across the country.

Since the announcement of the election schedule, the BNP has kept lodging complaints with the Election Commission (EC) seeking its action to stop the arrests and harassment.

But according to opposition leaders, this has not helped improve the situation.

Against this backdrop, the Oikyafront leaders have decided to meet the president, who they think can play a significant role in advising the EC to take necessary measures to ensure equal opportunities for all candidates, party leaders said referring to section 5 (2) of the Representation of the People Order (RPO).

The section 5 (2) of the RPO says: "All executive authorities of the government shall assist the commission in the performance of its functions, and for this purpose the president may, after consultation with the commission, issue such directions as he may consider necessary."  

Jatiya Oikyafront today decided to hold a mass hearing programme on February 24, bringing allegations of vote rigging, balloting stuffing and violence in the December 30 national election.

The Oikyafront leaders took the decision in a steering committee meeting with Gonoforum President Dr Kamal Hossain in the chair at their Paltan office, according to a press release.

The steering and coordination committee members of the Oikyafront will hold a preparatory meeting on February 17 to make the mass hearing programme a success, it said.

Besides, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today describing the BNP-led Oikyafront’s decision to boycott parliament as “politically wrong” reiterating her call to them to join the Jatiya Sangsad.

BNP-led Jatiya Oikyafront took part in the December 30 national election and secured a total of eight seats including six of its key partner BNP.

Soon after the election, both the BNP and the Oikyafront rejected the polls result bringing numerous allegations including vote rigging, ballot stuffing and widespread violence during the election.

The eight leaders elect in the election have yet taken oath as the lawmakers of the 11th parliament.

Under article 67 (1) (a) of the constitution, lawmakers' seats fall vacant if they fail to take oath within 90 days from the date of the first sitting of the House.

Jatiya Oikyafront leader Dr Kamal Hossain yesterday expressed “sincere regret” for his sharp reaction to some reporters' queries regarding the combine's position on Jamaat-e-Islami.

"If my words hurt or embarrassed anyone in anyway, I sincerely regret that," he said in a statement.

On Friday morning, Kamal, along with other leaders of the opposition alliance, paid homage to the martyred intellectuals at the Martyred Intellectuals Memorial in the capital's Mirpur.

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Oikyafront wants the president's intervention

When asked by a reporter about the participation of some Jamaat leaders in the December 30 polls despite the cancellation of the party's registration, he apparently lost his temper.

"How much have you been paid to ask these questions? Who pays you to ask such a political question at such a place?” he asked the enquirer.

When the question was repeated, Kamal asked the reporter to “shut up”.

In the statement, Kamal explained, “Standing at the altar of the memorial, I was talking about how we achieved our independence after losing so many meritorious sons. That is when I was suddenly asked about Jamaat's position in the Jatiya Oikyafront.”

Kamal said he initially responded humbly by saying he didn't want to make a comment on the issue at that moment and repeated this answer the second time he was asked the same question.

"But when I heard the word 'Jamaat' for the third time from the crowd, I felt very bad and tried to stop the enquirer," his statement read.

"All my life I have spoken for the freedom of the press and the rights of journalists," he added.