BNP mayor candidate for Dhaka North City Corporation Tabith Awal yesterday said the ruling Awami League activists have made their stance clear that they are going to occupy the polling centres to manipulate votes.

“They [AL] openly announced to guard and occupy the centres [the night before the election day]. They have made their intentions clear,” Tabith said, while talking to journalists at BNP chairperson’s office in Gulshan.

Asked what they are going to do in this regard, he said, “Our main target is to protect the country’s democracy and people’s voting rights.”

“That’s why we, at any cost, will try to encourage and help voters go to the polling centres and cast their votes,” he added.

The BNP candidate also said voters hold the supreme power, so they should practice their rights by taking part in the election.

“I believe if voters can cast their votes tomorrow [today], they will make me and my party the winner,” he said.

Tabith went to the Gulshan office in the afternoon to update BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir about his preparations for the city polls.

Speaking on the occasion, Fakhrul said, “The government’s intention is not letting the voters go to the polling centres [on the polls day]. To do so, they have taken various vicious measures.”

He also criticised the government for its “attempts” to influence the polls, including carrying out election campaign, the Prime Minister’s ICT Advisor Sajeeb Wazed Joy’s prediction on Awami League’s landslide victory and ploy to occupy the election centres.

“The AL general secretary said their men will guard the polling centres, which means they will occupy the centres in the name of guarding,” alleged Fakhrul.

The BNP candidate for north Dhaka in his manifesto, unveiled on January 27, gave priority to turning Dhaka into an “intelligent city”.

He said he will also focus on tackling the mosquito menace, curbing air pollution and improving traffic management.

Tabith unveiled his 95-point manifesto, which had 19 sections. In it, he also highlighted the importance of improving the city’s public transport and waste management systems.

Today, Tabith will cast his vote at Manarat Dhaka International School and College in Gulshan around 8am.