The Jatiya Oikya Front has started its public hearing regarding the “irregularities” during the 11th National Election.
The hearing started on Friday (Feb 22) at the Supreme Court Bar Association Auditorium.
“We are not judges and have neither the power nor the obligation to judge,” said the coalition convener Dr Kamal Hossain.
“The public hearing is an opportunity for the candidates to address the people. The trial will take place in the tribunal,” he added.
He said that the speeches at the hearing will be recorded and published in the form of a book.
Saying that the purpose of the public hearing is to honour the constitution, Hossain added, “We fought for our voting rights during the War of Independence.
“Many of the candidates filed cases with the tribunal over the election. The party members feel that the people should know what really happened during the election.”
Meanwhile, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said that the Dec 30 polls were “farcical.”
“BNP chief Khaleda Zia has been wrongfully imprisoned. Since there is no democratic atmosphere, the government is not being held accountable for anything,” Fakhrul said.
The seven-member judge panel is being headed by Dr Kamal Hossain. Dr Emazuddin Ahmed, Dr Nurul Amin Bepari, Dr Mohsin Rashid, Dr Anisur Rahman Khan, Professor Dilara Chowdhury and Dr Asif Nazrul are also part of the panel.
The paddy sheaf candidates who contested the 298 constituencies during the national polls were invited to the hearing.
However, the BNP led 20-party ally Jamaat-e-Islami were candidates didn’t turn up.
Many top leaders of the alliance including JSD chief Abdur Rab, Krishak Janta League chief Quader Siddiqui, Nagorik Oikkya convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna, Ganashashtha chief Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury and BNP Standing Committee member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan.