AL won’t win 30 seats in fair polls: Fakhrul

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today said that ruling Awami League will not win more than 30 seats in a free and fair election.

“You (govt) give a free and fair election, let’s see who wins,” Fakhrul said in response to remarks of Obaidul Quader about his control over BNP.

“They (AL) know that they won’t be able to win more than 30 seats that’s why they have started this game,” he added, while talking to the media.

Fakhrul was addressing a press conference at the BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office. He asserted that BNP will cling to the election race despite apprehension of a biased election.

He alleged that the they (AL) are trying to take control over the elections by creating problems as the prime minister is fearful of impartial polls.

“If fictitious cases do not stop and the arrested party leaders and activists are not freed, the government and the Election Commission will have to take the responsibility of the political crisis that may arise as consequence,” he warned.

WHEN IS THE ELECTION?

Election Commission has revised polls schedule, deferring the 11th general election by a week to December 30 – a decision taken earlier this week.

The authorities have fixed November 28 as the deadline for filing nomination papers, December 2 for scrutiny and December 9 last date of withdrawal.

The move came following demands from several opposition political parties.

IS EVERYONE PARTICIPATING?

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

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.