The BNP-led 20-party Alliance claims nominations of its 80 candidates were cancelled by the Election Commission to ‘ensure the ruling Awami League wins the election’.
Addressing a media call on Sunday (Dec 2), the coalition’s chief coordinator and LDP President Oli Ahmed said, “We think the opposition was pushed out of the election through the scrutiny process giving the Awami League a head start. If it continues, it may not be possible for us to stay in the election till the last.”
The coalition has taken part in the polls to remain till the last day, he said before adding: “But how will we be there in the race if we don’t have candidates as 80 of them have already been declared ineligible?”
The LDP chief said their candidates’ nominations were revoked on various excuses as the government wants to hold an uncompetitive election.
He said many candidates who resigned from their post of upazila chairman and submitted their resignation copies with their nomination papers. “But, their nominations were annulled showing an excuse that those were not accepted by the government.”
Oli said some candidates’ nominations were cancelled on charge of loan default, but many of them never took loan.
Speaking to reporters at the BNP chief’s Gulshan offices after a meeting of the allies, Oli said opposition activists and supporters are not being able to stay in their houses and localities due to arrest and drive by the law enforcers.
“There’s no election atmosphere and level-playing field. How will we hold the election if such arrest and intimidation continues? We want a clear announcement about it from the government.”
Coming down hard on the Election Commission for not taking steps to ensure a level-playing field, Oli said, “We don’t think this Commission has any authority. It seems they they’re working at the government’s behest.”