Quader for MPs in city polls campaign

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader has said that the Election Commission should allow the lawmakers to carry out election campaign in the upcoming city corporation polls.

"We placed a proposal to the Election Commission in this regard. The commission can accept it if it wants. But, I think, it should provide the opportunity to the MPs," Quader said at a programme in Dhaka today.

About election campaign of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Quader said a prime minister can carry out electioneering in all elections in a country with parliamentary democracy.

"See, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi took part the recently held Bidhan Sabha elections of Tripura state. Then why, our ministers and lawmakers would not be able to take part the electioneering?"

About the recently held Rangpur City Corporation polls, Quader said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has carried out election campaign in favour of his party-nominated candidate.

"He (Fakhrul) is a secretary general and I myself is the same. Then why I could not carryout polls campaign. Is it called level playing field?" Quader said.

Quader, also road transport and bridges minister, said: “Khaleda Zia can run the election campaign but Sheikh Hasina will not be allowed? Is it called level playing field?"

On April 13, an AL delegation, led by Prime Minister's Political Affairs Adviser HT Imam, made the proposal to the commission arguing that allowing MPs' participation in election campaigns would ensure a level-playing field for all candidates.

Following the proposal, the commission held the meeting on Thursday where a committee, led by Election Commissioner Kabita Khanam, was formed to evaluate the issue and submit a report to the commission.