Moudud skeptic over move to amend election code

BNP Standing Committee Member Moudud Ahmed today blasted the Election Commission for its move to amend Election Code of Conduct Rules, 2016 and said it is part of the government's conspiracy.

"The present Election Commission is a subservient one. It does what the government wants. Now, it is going to amend the electoral code of conduct. It is part of the government's evil design," Moudud said.

He came up with the allegation a day after the Election Commission decided to allow lawmakers to participate in city corporation election campaigns by approving changes to 11 clauses of the existing City Corporation (Election Code of Conduct) Rules 2016.

Now, the amendment is in vetting.

The senior BNP leader was addressing a discussion arranged by Khaleda Zia Mukti Parishad at the National Press Club in Dhaka demanding immediate release of party’s chief Khaleda Zia.

The government is going to adopt a policy centering the next general election as it wants to keep the parliament intact, Moudud also a former law minister, said.

Referring vote regaining in the recently held Khulna City Corporation election, Moudud said, "We will invest our all efforts to resist the government if it heads to hold the Khulna style election in Gazipur City corporation."

About Khaleda Zia's release from jail, Moudud admitted that the release of his party chief will not be possible only through the legal battle, and said, a tougher movement on the streets is compulsory.

"No demand is met without movement. We will have to take to the streets after the month of Ramadan," he said.

About Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's India visit, Moudud said: “The countrymen expect that the prime minister will not return from India empty handed”.

"We expect that the prime minister would return home with the Teesta water sharing agreement in her hands," he said.     

He also blasted the government for disregarding the rule of law in the country and said the government is killing people in the name of anti-drug drives after failing to govern the country properly.