Two leftist parties reject election results

Rejecting the results of the 11th parliamentary election, two leftist political parties yesterday demanded a fresh election under a non-partisan polls-time government.

Khalequzzaman, general secretary of Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal, and Moshrefa Mishu, general secretary of Ganatantrik Biplobi Party, came up with this demand in separate statements.

Raising allegations of widespread vote rigging and snatching people's voting right, Khalequzzaman demanded that the Election Commission (EC) do not publish the gazett of the election results.

“The December 30 election has proved once again that a free, fair and acceptable election is not possible under a partisan government. So, we demand a fresh general election under a non-partisan government,” he said.     

He also demanded that the EC introduce proportional representation and the “No Vote” option and urged it to ensure an election environment free of “black money and administrative bias”.

In a separate statement, Moshrefa Mishu alleged, “The ruling Awami League has banished people's voting right through illegal occupation [of polling centres], and spreading fear and terror during the December 30 election.”

“The authoritarian use of state organisations including the EC as their servant is against the spirit of the Liberation War… The unprecedented poll results have surprised the nation. The vote snatchers have been defeated ethically,” she added.

“We are rejecting the results. We demand cancellation of this farcical election.... We demand a fresh general election under a non-partisan government,” she said.

She also urged the people to wage a mass-movement to press home the demand.