EC sees rules violation

The Election Commission is going to impose restrictions on BNP chief Khaleda Zia's electioneering, as she is campaigning with motorcade and a huge number of people blocking roads in violation of the electoral code of conduct.

In a letter last night, the EC asked the returning officers of Dhaka south and Dhaka north city corporation polls to make sure that Khaleda stops doing so.

The returning officers will forward the letter to the Dhaka Metropolitan Police commissioner for actions. They will also write to Khaleda cautioning her of the rules violation, said EC sources.   

Under the law, motorcade showdown is prohibited in the polls campaign. Also, candidates and their supporters cannot create hindrance to public movement during electioneering.

"In the last couple of days, we have seen that traffic movements were severely obstructed as roads were almost blocked because of Khaleda Zia's motorcade and supporters during her campaign. It is a violation of the electoral code of conduct," EC Secretary Sirazul Islam said.

"That's why we have asked the returning officers and magistrates to look into the matter and make sure she does not break rules,” he added.

"She [Khaleda] can definitely run campaign. There is no objection in this regard. But she can't violate the electoral code of conduct," Sirazul said.

The EC's move came a day after Sahasra Nagorik Committee, a citizens' platform formed to campaign for Awami League-backed mayor candidates in Dhaka, requested Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad to take action against violations of election laws by the BNP chief.

However, the commission is yet to take any action against those who attacked Khaleda's motorcade at different spots in the last few of days during her campaign for BNP-backed mayor aspirants.

Her motorcade came under attack at Karwan Bazar on April 20 when she was campaigning for Tabith Awal, who is running for mayor in Dhaka north with BNP's support.

Two days later, her convoy was attacked again at Banglamotor when she was on her way to join the campaign for party-backed mayor candidate of Dhaka south Mirza Abbas.

The BNP has blamed the ruling Awami League and Chhatra League for both the attacks, which they deny.

On April 21, Tabith Awal wrote to the EC and the returning officer about the Karwan Bazar attack. But the EC has yet to take any action.

The CEC told a press briefing on the same day that they directed the police to probe the incident, but it was not clear how the EC followed up on it.

KHALEDA'S CAMPAIGN

Following the April 22 attack by alleged Chhatra League men, Khaleda refrained from campaigning on Thursday.

After the smashed window of her car was fixed, the former prime minister yesterday hit the campaign trail again in Bashundhara residential area and Banani, escorted by Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, a pro-BNP student body.

Around 40 motorbikes and six vehicles were escorting Khaleda, creating a tailback on the road for about 20 minutes till 6:00pm. 

Speaking during yesterday's campaign, she criticised the EC for its decision that the army would discharge election duties from inside cantonments.

"It is not possible to ensure security of voters keeping the army men inside cantonments … Our army holds elections in different countries. Then why can't they do it in our country? Why won't they ensure security of our people?” she said.

“The Dhaka city people have already made their decision … They want a change.”

Khaleda held the ruling party responsible for the attacks on her motorcade and said, "The Awami League is detached from people. That's why they attacked our motorcade. They tried to kill me.”

She called on voters to vote for the BNP-supported candidates for a crime-free, woman-friendly and business-friendly Dhaka city.