A Jatiya Oikyafront delegation led by Dr Kamal Hossain yesterday walked out of a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda for what they said was "discourteous behaviour" of the CEC.

The CEC and leaders of the opposition alliance comprising BNP and some other parties were locked in a heated exchange at the meeting over the role of police during the electioneering.

“When we began to complain about the police role, he [CEC] took their side," Nazrul Islam Khan, a standing committee member of BNP, told reporters before leaving the Nirbachan Bhaban.

"We don't expect such behaviour.”

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir too said, "His [CEC's] behaviour was discourteous."

Later at night, the Oikyafront at a press conference demanded immediate resignation of the CEC and appointment of a “neutral person” to the post for the sake of a free and fair parliamentary election.

The alliance said it complained to the Election Commission with evidence of police showing unconstitutional and aggressive attitude, physically assaulting opposition candidates and supporters, harassing leaders and activists going to their houses and obstructing campaigns.

It added that the opposition leaders were not only outraged but also surprised and upset as the CEC rejected the allegations making indecent and biased statements.

The meeting, which lasted for about two hours, came amid the civil society's concerns about the absence of a level playing field and continued attacks on the opposition camps in different parts of the country.

The BNP and other opposition parties have long been alleging that a congenial atmosphere for polls is absent.

Even Election Commissioner Mahbub Talukdar twice said there was no level playing field. But the CEC never agreed on this and the discord between the two hogged the headlines as they publicly spoke against each other over the issue.

According to media reports, motorcades and campaigns of at least 45 candidates of Oikyafront and the BNP-led 20-party alliance have been attacked allegedly by AL men.

And over 1,050 people, mostly BNP men, have been injured in the electoral violence since campaigning began on December 10.

The BNP also alleges that its leaders and activists are being harassed and arrested throughout the country even while campaigning. The party has lodged a few dozen complaints with the EC.

FROM INSIDE THE MEETING

Yesterday's meeting began around noon.

Dr Kamal Hossain, who was leading the 10-member delegation, started briefing the CEC and other commissioners at the beginning of the meeting.

He alleged that the opposition leaders and activists were being arrested, attacked and even their posters were being torn in different parts of the country, several meeting sources told The Daily Star.

Top leaders of Jatiya Oikyafront, led by Dr Kamal Hossain, walk out of a meeting with the chief election commissioner in protest of the latter's “discourteous behaviour”. The photo was taken at Nirbachan Bhaban yesterday. Photo: Collected

The eminent jurist also said the opposition candidates came under attack by ruling party men and the role of police was questionable.

"You are the chief election commissioner. Right now you are more powerful than the prime minister with regard to election," he said, according to multiple sources.

"I am begging you that please take steps to hold a free and fair election. Save the country and uphold democracy.

 “I had the privilege to do politics with Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. I never saw such an election atmosphere in my life."

He also said some police officials were acting like "beasts".

The CEC told Dr Kamal, "You cannot label a force in such a way. Whatever police are doing are within the legal framework. Who do you think you are?"

Other commissioners tried to calm him down.

Dr Kamal then said, "You are the judge. You are not a witness. You should investigate the incidents and take action. You should not take any side.

"If you don't take any action within a day or two, I may get killed. But don't you attend my namaz-e-janaza."

DEMANDS, COMPLAINTS

After this altercation, Oikyafront leaders demanded withdrawal of four police officials -- officers-in-charge of Muradnagar and Nangalkot police stations and Detective Branch of Dhaka and a sub-inspector of Keraniganj Police Station.

BNP leaders Mirza Fakhrul, Abdul Moyeen Khan and Mirza Abbas, Gonoforum leaders Mostafa Mohsin Montu and Subrata Chowdhury shared their experiences.

They sought EC's intervention in ensuring a free and fair election and "restraining the police from terrorising and intimidating the opposition candidates”

The leaders cited 88 cases of attacks on candidates by the AL “where no protection was provided by the police”, the meeting sources said.

Gonoforum leader Mostafa Mohsin Montu, a candidate of Jatiya Oikyafront for the December 30 polls, talked about police excesses and showed the CEC injury marks in his hands.

BNP leader Mirza Abbas said he has never gone to anyone with complaints before. "But now I came here with complaints. Please take some steps."

Abdul Moyeen Khan said, "I never say anything to anyone. I want to campaign as a gentleman. My men were beaten up before my eyes. I could not save them at this age."

Hearing all this, the CEC said, "The allegations against police are baseless. If there is any such incident, show me."

Then a member of the delegation said, "Let's go to any constituency and see for yourself."

The CEC then responded, "I am rejecting your allegations."

Dr Kamal right away stood up and said, "I will not stay here anymore and will never come to you."

The delegation then left the conference room.

Gonoforum President Dr Kamal Hossain today said those making their own fortunes depriving people of their ownership of the country and voting rights using the name and portraits of Bangabandhu are committing the 'most grievous crime'.

"They (AL) are using the name and portraits of Bangabandhu, but indulging in acts contrary to his ideals. I think it's the most grievous crime to work against Bangabandhu's ideal and dreams using his name," he said.

Speaking at a discussion, Dr Kamal further said, "Instead of exercising people's power in protecting their interests, they (AL) are making their own gains showing his photos and using his name. It's completely contrary to Bangabandhu's dreams. So, we should make people understand what Bangabandhu's real dreams were. Then, they'll put up a resistance against the abuse."

Gonoforum arranged the discussion at the Jatiya Press Club on the occasion of National Mourning day commemorating the 44th martyrdom anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Dr Kamal, a close associate of Bangabandhu, said the Father of the Nation had struggled throughout his life for establishing pure democracy and making people owners of the country.

"If anyone thinks the country's power and ownership belong to an individual and a party it will be tantamount to disrespecting Bangabandhu and defying his instruction. Because, he made people owners of the country through the constitution signed by him," the Gonoforum chief said.

He said Bangabandhu even could not imagine an autocratic regime would rule Bangladesh. "Those who want to deprive people of their ownership of the country deviating from Bangabandhu's dreams are bound to fail."

Dr Kamal said those who are now exercising power, even at the grassroots level, are not elected with people's votes. "They're making their own fortunes instead of protecting people's interests. They're depriving people of their rights and power."

Referring to the December-30 national election, he said people were deprived of their voting right. An election system has been established which is completely opposite to a free and fair election.

Dr Kamal said Bangabandhu clearly defined in the constitution that democracy means a system where people at all levels will be the owners of the country, and all the representatives will be elected through people's votes in a credible election. "But his instruction has been ignored completely."

The Gonoforum president said those usurped power and indulging in plundering abusing power are not owners of the country. "People's ownership of the country will be ensured if they can freely exercise their voting rights through a fair and credible election."

He recalled that late autocratic ruler HM Ershad had tried to stay in power for a longer time, but he was ousted through a united and fierce movement.

The Gonoforum chief urged people to get united to realise their rights, restore their ownership of the country and materialise the dreams of Bangabandhu.

Gonoforum executive president Prof Abu Sayeed, general secretary Reza Kibria, presidium members Mokabbir Khan, MP, Mohsin Rashid and joint general secretaries Ameen Ahmed Afsary and Mostak Ahmed, among others, spoke at the programme.