A level playing field is yet to be ensured with weeks left for the national election, says the BNP.
“The parliament has not been dissolved. The media is not playing a neutral role. The BTV, news agencies, private sector media are reporting on the government’s so-called development,” Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said on Sunday (Nov 18).
Speaking to reporters at the party chief’s Gulshan offices, he said that despite several calls, the arrest of BNP activists across the country is yet to stop.
According to Alamgir, these factors will hinder a credible election. “We want a congenial atmosphere, where the parties will feel comfortable.”
The BNP is joining the polls slated for Dec 30 as part of its process to restore democracy and release party chief Khaleda Zia, he said before adding: “We are now completing the formalities and interviewing nomination seekers is a part of that.”
The senior BNP leader made it clear that they do not consider the existing atmosphere congenial for a credible and all-inclusive election. “The government continues to plot for a lopsided election.”
After selling and collecting nominations for the last five days, the BNP on Sunday (Nov 18) started interviewing aspirants at the party chief’s Gulshan offices.
Acting chief Tarique Rahman has taken part in screening aspirants through video conferencing from London, which prompted the ruling Awami League to urge the Election Commission (EC) to look into whether the law allows a fugitive convict to take part in the polls process.
Asked whether Tarique joining the process was a violation of the code of conduct, Mirza Fakhrul said, “The EC itself is violating the code. It’s solely a party’s decision how it will conduct interviews of the candidates.”