Govt wants to avoid foreign polling observers: BNP

Major opposition BNP today alleged that the government wants to avoid the participation of foreign polling observers in the general elections.

“The election has been set on such a date so that the foreign observers can’t come,” alleged the party’s Senior Joint Secretary General Rizvi Ahmed.

“December 25 is Christmas and December 31 is New Year eve… the foreign observers can’t come for the election on December 30,” he said.

Speaking at a press briefing in BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, Rizvi demanded the election be “deferred by a month to create level-playing field for all”.

WHEN IS THE ELECTION?

Yesterday, a fresh election schedule was announced by the Election Commission.

According to the latest updates, the election will now be held on December 30, what was previously on December 23. Accordingly, the last date of nomination filing has been extended to November 28.

Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda has said the deferral has been made in perspective of opposition parties seeking delay in the election.

IS EVERYONE PARTICIPATING?

Chief Election Commissioner has said that there is a congenial atmosphere in the country – echoing the words of the ruling party.

However, major opposition alliances like the Jatiya Oikyafront, which includes BNP, and the Bikalpa Dhara-led Juktafront have sought for delaying the schedule.

Until thus far, it seems that the coming parliamentary election will not be the “non-participatory election” that was its predecessor.

All the major political parties are gearing up to contest in the election and there has been no threats of a boycott or withdrawal unlike the last time.