The BNP has called for deploying the army at least seven days ahead of voting in the Gazipur and Khulna city corporation polls.
It also wants the Election Commission to transfer ‘partisan and controversial’ officials of the administration and law-enforcement agencies before the election.
On Tuesday, a seven-member delegation of the party led by senior leader Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain had a meeting with the commission at its offices.
“We emphasized on a free, fair and credible election as it’s crucial before the national polls. These (Gazipur and Khulna) polls will reflect how the Eleventh National Election will be,” Hossain told the media after the meeting.
Explaining BNP’s stance over deploying troops, the BNP leader said, “We have seen in the past that citizens refrain from voting due to fear of violence, which can be addressed if the army is deployed.”
A member of the BNP’s National Standing Committee, Hossain said they were against the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), even as a test case. “There are a lot of controversies over EVMs, not only in Bangladesh, but several countries across the world.”
During their meeting with the EC, the BNP delegation also questioned the jurisdiction of coordination committees headed by divisional commissioners over the Gazipur and Khulna city elections.
“We have also told the EC that all-inclusive polls will not be possible with BNP chief Khaleda Zia in jail,” said Hossain.
Describing the two city corporation polls as a ‘crucial test for the EC to gain the people’s confidence’, he said. “The whole country is concerned over the 11th parliamentary election. Everyone wants a free, fair and all-inclusive election.”
BNP leader Nazrul Islam Khan echoed.
“We want to have confidence on the Election Commission and that’s why we have floated several proposals. Free and fair city elections will boost that confidence, eliminating a key obstacle for the national polls,” said Khan, who sits with Hossain at BNP’s policymaking Standing Committee.