BNP will consider participating in 5 city polls: Fakhrul

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today said his party’s participation in the upcoming five city corporation elections will depend on the prevailing electoral atmosphere.

"If the electoral atmosphere is not ensured, then we will consider our participation in the polls," Fakhrul said after praying at the grave of late Khandaker Delwar Hossain in Manikganj.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda has said elections to five city corporations – Gazipur, Rajshahi, Khulna, Barisal and Sylhet city corporations – will be held by July this year.

"The true meaning of such election is nothing but strengthening the arms of the ruling quarter. People will not pay necessary heed to such election," Fakhrul said.

Bangladesh is facing a major setback, an absence of democracy and human rights, Fakhrul said, adding that the country's democracy will not be strengthened only by holding such polls.

The BNP leader also underscored the need for level playing field and said the electoral atmosphere will not be created until ensuring equal political rights of all political parties.