BNP wants to get polls deferred by a week

Camera rolls during a poll campaign in Bhola: The Election Commission has decided to record two rival candidates' campaign events using video cameras to find out individuals responsible for violence or other irregularities in the April 24 by-election. Inset, Chief Election Commissioner Shamsul Huda talks to locals of Lalmohan upazila in the district on pre-election situation yesterday. Photo: Rakib Hasnet Suman

With election campaigns scheduled to end at midnight today, BNP has raised a demand for deferring the Bhola-3 by-poll by a week, while its rival ruling Awami League is alleging that BNP has been conspiring to foil the poll.
BNP, the main opposition in the parliament, is claiming that an extra week is required to ensure a congenial polling atmosphere. It asked the Election Commission to seize all illegal arms, and oust all outsiders from the parliamentary constituency during the period, to ensure a free and fair poll.
AL has been terming the demand as a BNP conspiracy to foil the election sensing a 'confirmed defeat'.
Meanwhile, the home ministry yesterday opened a special cell to monitor the law and order situation in the constituency.
In the capital, a BNP delegation led by its Senior Joint Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir met the Election Commissioner seeking the commission's permission for its senior leaders to observe the by-poll.
In Bhola, tension between the rival camps, and panic among voters are mounting, with the voters wondering whether they will be able to reach the polling centres safely.
Ruling party supporters however said they think the by-election will be absolutely peaceful.
BNP alleged a number of its activists were attacked in different areas of the constituency, and its candidate Maj (retd) Hafiz blamed the ruling party for the attacks.
AL leaders denied the allegation bringing a counter allegation against BNP that the latter itself staged the attacks in a bid to make the April 24 by-poll controversial.
Against such a backdrop Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) ATM Shamsul Huda visited a number of unions in the constituency including Romaganj, Raichad, Charvuta, and Lord Harding under Lalmohan upazila since Monday.
Yesterday he talked to the residents of Lord Harding, where minority communities had faced brutality after the 2001 election.
At a views exchange meeting with local people at Panchapalli Secondary School in Shambhupura union of Tajumuddin upazila, the CEC said all steps have been taken, so voters may reach the polling centres and return home safely after casting their votes.
Saying that the constituents want a peaceful election the CEC added, "In fact both parties are the same, both are creating problems as they look at everything with their partisan eyes." He left Bhola in the afternoon.
MEDIA BRIEFINGS
BY BNP, AL
Maj (retd) Hafizuddin Ahmed at a media briefing in his Lalmohan residence yesterday asked the Election Commission to defer the by- poll for seven days.
"The law and order situation has not improved at all. Illegal arms have not been seized, and criminals have not been arrested yet. These problems must be solved after deferring the poll for a week," he said.
Asked what he will do if his demand is not met, he said he will take a decision in consultation with his party Chairperson Khaleda Zia. "We want to stay in the election, but a fair election is not possible if outsiders are not ousted, and illegal arms are not seized," he added. Some BNP lawmakers and central leaders were also present at the briefing.
Earlier, at another media briefing in AL candidate Nurunnabi Chowdhury Shawon's residence, AL's central Joint General Secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif alleged that BNP wants to foil the election.
"BNP is trying to make the election controversial through raising false issues. They are attacking our activists, but we are not taking revenge as we respect the law," he said adding that the situation in the constituency is quite well.
ATTACKS, CLASHES
Clashes have been continuing between AL and BNP activists in the constituency centring the by-election campaigns over the last few days. At least 10 persons were injured during clashes that took place in the last two days. AL activists vandalised BNP activist Delwar's house in Badarpur union of Lalmohan upazila yesterday, said local residents. They also beat another person named Oliullah, the residents added.
Maj (retd) Hafiz visited the spot after the incident, and police detained an AL activist from the area, who was later released by the magistrate as he was found innocent by an investigation. "Police could not arrest the real culprit," Hafiz said.
Delwar Hossain Khan, officer in charge of Lalmohan police station, told The Daily Star that no complaint was however lodged till last evening regarding the incident.
Maj (retd) Hafiz at the press briefing alleged that at least 250 BNP workers have been injured by their opponents in the last few days.
Abdur Rab, a BNP worker of Farashganj union, who is now under treatment, alleged that AL men attacked a few of them on Tuesday night leaving at least 5 persons injured.
Many voters expressed their doubts about whether they will be able to go to the polling centres without facing obstructions on the polling day. They however said they do not think there will be any trouble at the polling centres, once they get there.
Abdul Haque, 40, a voter of Shambhupura union told The Daily Star that both party's cadres are in fighting mood. He feared post election violence.
Mukunda Das, 65, of Lord Harding said they were still receiving threats from BNP supporters.
Serajul Islam of Romaganj union accused ruling party activists and supporters of spreading threats that pro-BNP voters will not be allowed to go to the polling centres.
ALLEGATIONS ABOUT PRESIDING, POLLING OFFICERS
BNP and AL both raised allegations about some presiding and polling officers' political affiliations.
AL submitted a letter to the Election Commission alleging that a presiding officer, and at least 17 polling officers are people of BNP and Jamaat.
BNP candidate Maj (retd) Hafizuddin Ahmed alleged many polling officers are actively involved in AL politics. He said his camp will submit a list of such officials to the Election Commission.