Cast your votes avoiding threats, LDA urges voters

Left Democratic Alliance yesterday called upon voters to cast their votes on polls day “in order to save democracy”, avoiding panic and ongoing threats from the ruling quarter.

In a press statement, the coalition of eight left-leaning political parties also urged the Election Commission (EC) and other authorities concerned to ensure a congenial environment for the December 30 polls.

“There is no congenial environment for fair polls in the country. After killing democracy, the [Awami League-led] government is now using the party's goons and the administration to implement their plan to win the election,” LDA said in the statement.

The ruling party not only attacked opposition party leaders and activists, but also threatened people -- who are not their supporters -- to not go to the polling centres on the day of election, it alleged.

Citing several recent attacks on the LDA men, the alliance said the EC has “completely failed” to perform its duties.

LDA issued the statement after holding a meeting with the alliance's top leaders in the morning.

Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) President Mujahidul Islam Selim and General Secretary Shah Alam, Revolutionary Workers Party of Bangladesh (RWPB) General Secretary Saiful Huq, and Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal (BSD) central leader Bazlur Rashid Firoz were present there.

In a separate press statement, CPB urged voters to “guard their own votes” so that the Awami League-led government cannot implement its vicious plan to establish autocracy.

The government is afraid of a free and fair election, as it has lost public support after its misrule for the last 10 years. For this reason, it wants to remain in power by any means, CPB said in the statement.

In another press statement, RWPB said the EC will remain responsible if the upcoming national election turns into a farce. The party urged people to resist any kind of threat and pressure on the election day.