BNP slams EC ‘silence’ over rivals’ polls code violations

The BNP yesterday alleged that the Election Commission is failing to take action against candidates and supporters of some rival parties who are campaigning in violation of the electoral code of conduct.

“The Election Commission’s indifference and the silence of election officials are creating obstacles to a fair election environment. This is inappropriate, and we hope they will change their ways,” said Nazrul Islam Khan, chairman of BNP’s Central Election Steering Committee, at a press conference in Gulshan last night.

Calling for a level playing field and equal opportunity for all parties, he pointed out that the EC issued a show-cause notice to a less prominent BNP leader for seeking votes using the sheaf of paddy symbol at a prayer gathering.

He also said a BNP-nominated candidate and his daughter were served show-cause notices over a Facebook post.

“But the same standard is not being applied to other parties. Important leaders, even top leaders, are continuing election campaigns openly. No action is being taken,” he told reporters at the party’s Election Steering Office.

Drawing the EC’s attention to what he described as further violations of the electoral code of conduct, Nazrul alleged that leaders and activists of a political party are going door to door of voters from low-income and less educated households to collect their NID numbers, “mobile phone numbers and bKash numbers”, with the intention of committing vote fraud.

“We fear they may attempt to create fake NIDs and cast fake votes. They may also use bKash numbers to give money to voters to influence them to vote in their favour. This is not only unethical, it is illegal and a serious barrier to holding a fair election.”

Despite these allegations conveyed recently, Nazrul said the EC has yet to take any visible action.

Nazrul also alleged irregularities in the printing and distribution of postal ballots sent to expatriate voters in different countries.

He claimed that the BNP’s name and its electoral symbol, the sheaf of paddy, were deliberately placed along the folding line of the postal ballots, making them less visible.

“In the same ballots, the names and symbols of certain other political parties have been placed prominently on the first line, while ours were positioned in the middle, where they become less visible once the paper is folded.”

Raising concerns over the distribution of postal ballots abroad, Nazrul said videos circulating on social media show activists of a Jamaat-e-Islami handling large numbers of ballot papers in Bahrain and Oman.

“We again found today that a person was handling a large number of ballot papers on top of cars at a garage in Oman. His name is Humayun Kabir. Local residents there have said he is an activist of Jamaat. These incidents are extremely worrying,” Nazrul said.

He warned that similar incidents could occur in other countries as well, using the same methods.

“We requested the EC to treat this as an illegal act. If swift punitive action is taken against those involved, others may become cautious.

“But if no action is taken and such reports continue to emerge from other countries, the credibility of elections conducted through postal ballots will come under serious question.”

Stating that the BNP wants a free and fair election, Nazrul said the party does not want any allegation that the government formed through the election came to power through manipulation.

Nazrul said that at the request of the EC, BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman postponed his scheduled tour of the northern region.

“We want the election to be held on time on February 12, and we want all political parties to participate. To avoid any confusion about our conduct, our chairman postponed his programme.”