BNP will not take part in next Union Parishad elections: Fakhrul

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today said his party will not take part in the next Union Parishad elections.

The BNP leader announced the party's decision at a press conference at BNP chairperson's political office in Dhaka's Gulshan area this afternoon. Fakhrul also confirmed the party's decision to The Daily Star this evening.

"We thought that at least the government and the Election Commission will take steps to hold a fair election in the local government elections. But what has happened in the Union Parishad and municipality elections is so disappointing that we have decided not to participate in the next Union Parishad elections as a party," Fakhrul said.

It has been proven in the recently held elections that the Election Commission is not eligible for holding an impartial, free and fair election, Fakhrul said.

Responding to a query whether BNP will refrain from taking part in all elections in future, Fakhrul said they will inform everyone if they take any decision from the party's standing committee in this regard.