Information Minister Hasan Mahmud said BNP is always opposed to use of latest technology, so they are opposing the Election Commission’s decision to use Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in the city corporation polls.
“BNP always tries to make the polls and the election process controversial and questionable as they have realized that the countrymen are not with them,” he told the media at the meeting room of his ministry at Secretariat in Dhaka on Tuesday (Jan 7).
The minister said the EVMs are being used in India, our neighbouring country, the USA and other countries. “But, I don’t know why BNP is always against the use of EVMs. Not only EVMs, they will also make allegations even if the polling will be held through ballot papers. Actually, they could sense their imminent defeat in the polls,” he added.
Hasan said the then prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia refused a proposal of taking submarine free of cost when BNP took power for the first time in 1991. “Later, we set the submarine with huge amount,” he said.
The minister said their (BNP) statements underlined the BNP’s defeat in the upcoming polls. “Their (BNP) main target is to put the city polls into question and impede the ongoing democratic process,” he added.
Replying to a query on Dr Kamal Hossain’s comments on Begum Khaleda Zia’s health and her release, the minister said he (Dr Kamal) always relates constitution to every issue.
He said not only Dr Kamal Hossain, BNP is also doing ill-politics over the health issue of Begum Zia.
“The release of Begum Khaleda Zia is possible only through the judicial process. There is no other way. The government has no jurisdiction as regard her release,” said Hasan, also joint general secretary of Awami League.
He said, “BNP is continuously doing ill-politics over the health and treatment of Khaleda Zia. Actually, the government is making its all-out efforts to ensure the best medical treatment for her.”
Hasan said Khaleda Zia is being treated by the doctors of the country’s highest medical educational institution, the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU).
“I’ve already talked with the concerned doctors. They told me that she (Khaleda) is suffering from age related problems. Besides, pain at her knee and waist is due to Begum Zia’s prolonged health problems. The doctors are trying to give the best treatment to her,” he added.