BNP asks election commissioners to step down

29 October 2011, 18:00 PM

Staff Correspondent

The opposition BNP-backed mayoral candidate Taimur Alam Khandaker at a late night press conference at his Maijdar Para residence in Narayanganj where he announced his last minute withdrawal from the race.Photo: STAR

The main opposition BNP early today demanded resignation of the election commissioners for failing to make the government deploy the army in the Narayanganj City Corporation elections. The party also slammed the Election Commission for saying that it will not take the responsibility for any violence during the vote. The demand came at a press briefing where BNP Vice-chairman Abdullah Al Noman announced the party's decision to boycott the polls. Referring to expert opinions, the BNP leader said the government had violated article 126 of the constitution by not deploying the army in the polls in line with the EC's request. BNP also demanded that the government resign. "The army has not been deployed. Voters have been threatened in their homes. We are rejecting this farcical election in advance," Noman said. BNP backed mayoral aspirant Taimur Alam Khandaker made a similar announcement at another press conference at his Narayanganj residence. Party insiders said BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia held a meeting with some senior party leaders before the briefings and discussed the latest polls situation in Narayanganj. The meeting decided to withdraw the party's support for Taimur. Noman, a former minister, also read out Taimur's statement at the briefing. He said the ruling Awami League-backed candidate Shamim Osman had established a reign of terror in Narayanganj. "The ruling party's support for Shamim Osman proves that the government is trying to establish control over Narayanganj City Corporation through violence." Earlier in the day, BNP said the real face of the government and the Election Commission will be exposed through this election. Speaking at a press briefing at the party's Naya Paltan headquarters, Abdullah Al Noman said, “We know the election will not be free and fair. But the BNP-supported candidates will participate in the polls since it is their democratic right."