The Awami League yesterday questioned BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman's involvement in the party's nomination process for the upcoming national election.

In a letter to the Election Commission, the ruling party alleged the electoral code of conduct was violated as Tarique, who was convicted of corruption and money laundering, talked to nomination seekers through video-conferencing from London.

An AL delegation, led by its presidium member Faruk Khan, handed over the letter to EC Secretary Helal Uddin Ahmed in the evening, hours after Tarique, who has been living in the UK since 2008, talked to the aspirant lawmakers.

Yesterday was the first day of the nomination seekers' interview by the BNP's nomination board.

Talking to reporters after lodging the complaint with the EC, Faruk said Tarique's involvement in the nomination selection process was a violation of the electoral code of conduct and the existing law as he was a fugitive convict.

“The Supreme Court in an order had also barred media outlets and others to publicise any statement of Tarique Rahman. Therefore, his conversation with the party men through video-conferencing was a contempt of court.

“This will make the election controversial. We have urged the Election Commission to take steps in this regard,” the AL leader said.

Faruk also demanded that the EC take action against the BNP for allowing Tarique to talk to nomination seekers. 

Talking to reporters at the party chairperson's Gulshan office earlier in the day, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said, “It is our business to decide with whom we will discuss the selection of candidates.”

He was responding to AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader's comment that the EC should look into whether a fugitive convict can take part in the election process.

In the letter to the EC, the ruling party also complained that Jatiya Oikyafront, a newly formed opposition alliance comprised of BNP and some other political parties, violated the electoral code of conduct on Saturday by holding a daylong rally of lawyers on the Supreme Court premises from where “they carried out electoral campaign”.

The AL demanded prompt and stern actions against the BNP and Jatiya Oikyafront for flouting the electoral code of conduct which could hamper the election atmosphere, Faruk told reporters.

He said the EC assured the AL delegation of taking actions after investigation.

Earlier in the day, Election Commissioner Rafiqul Islam said the EC would take steps over Tarique's video-conferencing with nomination seekers if it received any complaint.

“You've heard about this and we've also learnt it from you. We don't have the capacity to monitor anything like this. Let me see what's in the law.

“If anyone files a complaint with evidence, we will examine and ask the authorities concerned to take actions,” he said.

'ARREST OF BNP MEN CONTINUES'

The BNP yesterday alleged that law enforcers were harassing and arresting its men even after the announcement of the polls schedule by the EC.

Salah Uddin Khan, who keeps records of cases against BNP men, handed over a letter, signed by the BNP secretary general, to the chief election commissioner's office.

“Although the law enforcers work under the Election Commission after the announcement of the polls schedule, they have been arresting BNP men in ghostly cases ignoring the commission's directives,” said Fakhrul in the letter.

The BNP claimed that law enforcers have arrested 773 party leaders and activists since the announcement of the polls schedule on November 8.

Asked about the matter, Election Commissioner Rafiqul said he was yet to see the list of arrestees. “The Election Commission will instruct the police not to harass people if it finds the cases to be politically motivated.”

'NO DIRECTIVES ON COLLECTING INFO'

Rafiqul said the EC didn't issue any directives to the law enforcement agencies to gather information about the possible presiding and assistant presiding officers.

The commission has already given necessary directives to the law enforcement agencies not to harass them, he added.

His remarks came in the wake of media reports that the potential presiding and assistant presiding officers were in panic across the country as the police and intelligence agencies started collecting information about the political backgrounds of the officials and their family members.

Many possible polls officials said they didn't face any such “police verifications” ahead of the previous elections.

About removal of all kinds of polls campaign materials, including banners and posters, Rafiqul said the EC would take legal actions against the people concerned if the campaign materials were not removed by midnight last night.