People suffering from ‘digital phobia’: BNP

BNP today said that the countrymen are now suffering from “digital phobia” as the government has recently enacted much-talked-about Digital Security Act 2018 to “restrict” freedom of expression.

“You (government) have incorporated various black laws, including the Digital Security Act, to gag people’s voice and to suppress the freedom of expression,” Rizvi Ahmed, senior joint secretary general of BNP, said.

Addressing a press conference at the party’s Nayapaltan central office, Rizvi also alleged that people now cannot say anything openly out of fear of repression.

“People are indeed now suffering from digital phobia,” the BNP leader said.

Referring to a media report on the procurement of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), he said, “The cat has come out of the bag as the EVMs were purchased at 11 times higher prices than India.

The main motive behind procuring the EVM is nothing but to plunder a huge amount of public money ahead of the national election, Rizvi said.

Referring to the incident of boycott of Election Commissioner Mahbub Talukder from an election preparatory meeting, Rizvi said, it was a right decision against the commission’s attempt to snatch his freedom of expression.

“The chief election commissioner doesn't listen to anyone as he discharges his duties based on the message comes from the prime minister’s office,” Rizvi alleged.