The Election Commission (EC) will take a decision over the videoconference of BNP’s ‘fugitive’ acting chairman Tarique Rahman, who is convicted on various charges, after reviewing the relevant laws, Election Commissioner Md Rafiqul Islam said on Sunday (Nov 18).
“If anyone complains to us with evidence about Tarique’s videoconference over the scrutiny of party nomination papers, we will ask the concerned authorities to take actions after reviewing existing laws,” he told journalists at his office reports BSS.
Rafiqul Islam said, “If there is no provision in the laws over the issue, we will discuss the matter in the commission to take a decision over it.”

Asked whether Tarique could make videoconference if he stayed in the country, the election commissioner said a convicted criminal should have been in jail.
“If anyone is in jail, he or she could not do that. If he does it after getting released on bail, this could not be any problem. But the perspective is completely different. We can take a decision after reviewing the laws,” he said.
About the list of the cases against BNP leaders and workers given to the EC after the announcement of the parliamentary polls schedule, he said the commission will examine the lists and if there is any harassment case, the police will be given directives not to lodge those.
About the election campaign, Rafiqul Islam said all prior election campaign materials should be removed by today. If any intending candidate does not do this, steps will be taken against him, he added.
As per the revised schedule of the 11th parliamentary election, voting will be held on December 30 while the last date of nomination paper submission is November 28.
The scrutiny of nomination papers will be held on December 2 and the deadline for withdrawal of candidature is December 9.