BNP writes EC to stop PM’s campaign before polls schedule

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today said they have sent a letter to the Election Commission seeking its step so that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina cannot carry out electioneering expending public money before the announcement of election schedule.

BNP Assistant Office Secretary Monir Hosain handed over the letter to the commission today, he told The Daily Star.

The letter, undersigned by Fakhrul, was sent to Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda, he added.

“The prime minister cannot carry out election campaign before the announcement of the election schedule. It’s a violation of the electoral code of conduct. The election commission should take action against such electioneering,” Fakhrul said referring to the letter.

In the letter, the party elaborately described when and how the premier sought votes for her party during her tours across the country, Fakhrul said.

The BNP leader said such unilateral campaign is a major barrier for holding the next general election in a free and fair.

BNP leaders including its chairperson Khaleda Zia accused several occasions that the prime minister is carrying out election campaign with public money and using state facilities.

Contacted, Helaluddin Ahmed, acting secretary of the Election Commission, said that they are yet to get any such letter.

“The commission will take the decision if we get the letter.”