City polls free, fair
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday observed that Tuesday's city polls were very much fair, saying it was the victory of democracy and people.
"This is the victory of democracy, this is the victory of people… at least this is not the victory of militants, terrorists and those involved in subversive activities," she said.
The PM made the remarks when two mayors-elect of Dhaka north and south city corporations Annisul Huq and Sayeed Khokan and some councillors-elect met her at Gano Bhaban in the capital.
Hasina, also chief of the ruling Awami League, mentioned that the win of the AL-sponsored mayors and councillors was people's victory against militants and terrorists.
"Considering everything, it can be said the city corporation elections were very much fair except for some stray incidents… we'll surely investigate these incidents," she said.
She also criticised the media's role in the election, particularly “for their sympathy to the militants and terrorists” who killed hundreds of people in the name of movement since January 5.
"The media should play a role against terrorists… they should play their role in favour of people, peace and security," the PM said.
There were some incidents in some polling centres, but the ratio was very insignificant, she said, adding, "If we consider the other polls that took place during Khaleda Zia's government, these elections were very much free and fair."
The PM also said the residents of three city corporations had rejected the BNP-Jamaat alliance for their subversive, militant and terrorist activities in the recent past.
She thanked voters, the Election Commission, law-enforcement agencies and all others concerned for holding a peaceful election.
About the BNP's election boycott, Hasina said, "This was very much unfortunate. The voting started at 8:00am. But without any reason they pulled out from the election stating irregularities and rigging.
“But they couldn't identify any centre. This was totally false allegation and it was planned… this was done to tarnish the country's image."
She also said in just a couple of hours Mirza Abbas of Dhaka south got 2,94,291 while Tabith Awal in Dhaka north got 3,25,080 votes.
"If there was any irregularity or rigging how did they get such huge votes in just a couple of hours."
The PM mentioned that the allegations were intended to hamper the democratic system of the country as it was moving forward on the democratic path.
"Many quarters do not want democracy to prevail in the country and people develop their socio-economic condition...," she said.
Earlier at another programme at the PMO, Hasina said the city polls were held in a fair and peaceful manner and the people of Dhaka and Chittagong rejected the BNP.
“The residents of Dhaka and Chittagong have rejected them [through the city polls] and the country's people will also reject them [BNP] in the future,” she added.
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