AL accuses 4-party of violating code of conduct

Awami League yesterday accused the BNP-led 4-party alliance of violating electoral code of conduct during their campaign.
The party said it will inform the Election Commission about the “breach of code of conduct by the BNP-Jamaat alliance.”
“After starting electioneering from Sylhet, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia campaigned for vote until 1:00am, which is a major violation of the code of conduct. By holding election rallies blocking the streets, BNP is also breaching another code of conduct,” said HT Imam, co-chairman of AL Election Steering Committee.
He was briefing journalists after nearly two-hour meeting between Awami League President Sheikh Hasina and US Ambassador in Dhaka James F Moriarty in the morning.
Imam also blasted Jamaat leader Maulana Delwar Hossain Sayeedi for his reported remarks that people would not be able to wear cap and have beard if Awami League is voted to power.
“Such negative and false campaign, which will hurt people's religious sentiments, is another breach of law,” he said.
The US ambassador has been informed about such violations of electoral code of conduct.
Imam said the US envoy has highly praised the election manifesto of Awami League.
Sheikh Hasina particularly informed the US ambassador about `Vision-2021' of the Awami League manifesto, he added.
Awami League's programmes for the new generation received “high appreciation” from the US ambassador, HT Imam said.
When the US ambassador wanted to know about the source of resources for implementing the long-term pledges made in the manifesto, Hasina informed the envoy that Awami League would be able to implement the pledges by taking some measures.
“If we can increase food production, we won't need to import food. Price of oil in international market has also decreased and this will save huge money for Bangladesh,” Imam quoted the AL chief as saying.
Besides, sending highly skilled laborers instead of unskilled ones to different countries will be another big source of resources, Hasina said.
Moreover, Bangladesh's volume of export and import of capital goods is also increasing day by day. So, it will not be a problem to generate the necessary resources for implementing the pledges made in the Awami League manifesto, Imam said.
Even then, he said, Sheikh Hasina sought cooperation from the US government in some sectors like agro-based industries, constructing towns and suburbs outside of the main cities of the country.
HT Imam informed the journalists that Awami League has got another plan to decentralise the administration of trade and business as well as local administration across the country.
Hasina informed Moriarty about her plan to strengthen the district and upazila councils.
The former prime minister and the US ambassador exchanged views about the drive against corruption and terrorism.
Earlier, talking to the reporters, Moriarty said the Unites States thinks of the general election in Bangladesh as “transformational” election through which the country will get a strong democracy.
Replying to a query about the upcoming election and the Election Commission, the envoy said the general framework of the election has already been established. Now the implementation of various election-related rules and regulations is very much important.
There should not be any attempt to undermine the Election Commission right now, he said.