‘Govt, EC conspiring to influence polls’

BNP today alleged that the government and the Election Commission are jointly conspiring to influence December 30 municipal election results in favour of the ruling party.

“The prevailing situation indicates that the government and the Election Commission are forging a partnership and trying to grab the mayoral and councillor posts in the municipal polls,” BNP Joint Secretary General Rizvi Ahmed said at a press briefing at the party’s Nayapaltan central office.

He also alleged that the only objective of the Awami government’s “game plan” is to eliminate its opponents in the election race.

Rizvi criticised the EC for what he said not taking any visible action against those ruling party men who are violating the election code of conducts.

“Our party candidates and leaders are lodging various complaints with the EC regularly across the country, but there’s no remedy.”

He alleged that the ruling party lawmakers and ministers are violating the election code of conducts, while BNP candidates and their supporters are being barred from electioneering and attacked in different areas, including, Noakhali, Joypurhat, Kushtia, Natore, Narayanganj, Chittagong, Bhola, Jhenidah, Mymensingh, Comilla, Barguna and Jhalakathi.

Apart from intimidating the voters and BNP leaders and activists, Rizvi alleged that the ruling party lawmakers are trying to persuade voters by inaugurating different development activities in different areas.

He also alleged that the government is arresting opposition leaders and activists using law enforcers as it does not believe in people’s power and accountability.

“The government has become desperate to snatch people’s verdict as it has become shameless,” he observed.