By-polls: BNP slams EC for ‘subservient role’

BNP today alleged that the Election Commission has "deceived the people" with its "inactive and subservient role" during Saturday's by-polls to Dhaka-5 and Naogaon-6 seats.

"Awami League cadres snatched votes with the help of law enforcers in the by-polls by indulging in vote robbery, casting fake votes and driving out agents of the candidates of opposition parties the way they did during the 2018 national election," claimed BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

Speaking at a press conference at the BNP chairperson's Gulshan office, Fakhrul said, "The Election Commission played the role of a silent spectator. Returning officers didn't accept the complaints of candidates. Around 162 complaints were given only in Dhaka, but the chief election commissioner lied without any hesitation by saying that they didn't receive any complaint."

He alleged that a reign of terror was established in the election areas by "ruling party men" to prevent voters from going to polling stations. "The government has deceived people once again with the tactic of vote robbery to implement its blueprint for the establishment of a one-party rule," he said.

Fakhrul also said the government is indulging in unprecedented corruption by snatching people's rights using the state machinery. EC has been used as a government weapon to restore one-party rule by depriving people of their voting rights, he said.

Awami League-backed candidates were unofficially elected in the by-elections to the Dhaka-5 and Naogaon-6 seats as per the results announced by the returning officers concerned.

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