AL claims credible polls, BNP alleges rigging
AL claims credible polls, BNP alleges rigging
Awami League today has claimed that the third phase of upazila election was held in a “largely peaceful and credible manner” although the ruling party supporters faced attack by BNP-Jamaat men and law enforcers.
BNP, on the other hand, has claimed that the ruling AL “controlled” elections at all the 81 upazilas with the help of administration and law enforcers as what the party said criminal activities have crossed all the limits this time.
It also claimed the ruling party “cadres” seized over 1,100 voting centres in different upazilas beating BNP-led 19-party-backed supporters, snatched ballot boxes, forced out their agents and rigged votes in a random manner.
BNP demanded re-election at all the “troubled” voting centres.
AL Election Management Committee co-chairman HT Imam and BNP joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed at separate press conferences came up with the reactions after end of today’s elections.
In the AL president's Dhanmondi office, HT Imam alleged that in different parts of the country the party activists faced “political and administrative attacks” as BNP-Jamaat men and police attacked on them.
"As the administration acted neutrally, they did not even spare our candidates and we didn't interfere over the activities of law enforcing agencies as well as the administration," Imam added.
Turning down BNP's claim about increasing their popularity, Imam, also establishment adviser to Sheikh Hasina said that popularity of BNP has rather declined while AL’s popularity has increased.
He however said although AL's popularity increased, but AL-backed candidates were defeated by BNP-supported candidates due to organisational weakness. "In the coming phases of upazila election, we will ensure lone candidates," Imam asserted.
He accused BNP-Jamaat activists of creating “unwanted situation” at some places.
Meanwhile, Rizvi in his reaction at the BNP’s Nayapaltan central office said the ruling AL has become “an organisation of dacoits” instead of a pro-people party.
He also went on heavily with the Election Commission for not taking any action despite lodging complaints against ruling party-backed candidates and their supporters.
Rizvi claimed as part of its evil design, AL rigged votes in BNP’s strongholds Noakhali and Feni to give people an impression that Khaleda Zia is not popular in her own areas.
He also claimed: “Deputy Inspector Generals and Superintendents of Police, hand in hand with Awami League criminals, went on festivity to seize vote centres, obstruct voters to go to poll centres and to attack on opposition men.”