Election atmosphere ‘so far, so good’: Nazrul Islam

BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan this evening said the overall atmosphere for tomorrow’s 13th National Election and referendum is “so far, so good.”

Asked about any attempt to disrupt the polls, he said, “That could be happening, but I’ve already said we are not involved. Such conspiracies are being carried out by others, so these incidents may also be attributed to them.”

He made these remarks while talking to reporters following a meeting between a BNP delegation and the chief election commissioner at the Election Commission’s headquarters in Dhaka’s Agargaon.

Responding to another query, he said, “We are heading into a complicated time. Our opponents are not weak -- they have ruled the country for long and have many beneficiaries here. Those who are worried about defeat may try to obstruct the election.”

He said some individuals simply seek to cause harm. “But despite these attempts, public interest is stronger. People want the election to be held fairly. We too believe it will be fair.”

He added, “At such a time, no person or institution should take a stance against the election. If anyone does, we will consider them opponents of the people.”

Regarding the arrest of Thakurgaon district Jamaat ameer with cash, the BNP leader said, “A senior officer of a special force claimed that the Thakurgaon Jamaat chief was permitted to carry money with customs’ clearance. But if there are no restrictions on internal money transport, why is permission needed? His first statement contradicts the second. And nobody even asked him about this.”

Asked about Jamaat’s allegation that BNP staged the incident to damage Jamaat’s popularity, he replied, “It was the police who arrested the Jamaat leader with money, not BNP. If it’s a drama, then they are the actors.”

Commenting on the allegations of burning 12 Jamaat election camps in the Dhaka-15 constituency, he said, “If anyone did this, it was very wrong. We demand a proper investigation and exemplary punishment. We did not do it. Others are conspiring.”

When reminded of Jamaat’s vow to resist any attempt to foil the election, he said, “Whoever tries to resist or create chaos, the people will stop them. If we did so, the people would stop us too.”

Asked if BNP is satisfied with the EC’s role, he said, “We believe the Election Commission could have played a stronger role.”