Govt resorts to violence, irregularities for win, says Rizvi

Accusing ruling party men of resorting to violence and widespread irregularities, including stuffing ballot overnight, driving out its polling agents and capturing polling stations across the country, BNP alleged on Sunday the government is trying to bring the election results in its favour through a lopsided election, report agencies.

."So far we have got a sign of a violent and one-sided election. They are trying to bring the election results in their favour through indulging in violence and holding a lopsided election," said BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.

He came up with the remarks at a press conference at BNP's Nayapaltan central office two hours after beginning of the voting.

Rizvi alleged Tangail Shimulia Union BNP leader Abdul Aziz was gunned down by ruling party men on Saturday night.

Besides, the BNP leader said his party candidate for Dhaka-4 constituency Md Salahuddin Ahmed was hacked by ruling party activists when he went to cast his vote at Shampur Model High School voting centre.

Apart from the ruling party activists, he said police, RAB and BGB members are also attacking BNP supporters and driving out its agents from different polling stations across the country. "This is the sign of peaceful election under Sheikh Hasina-led government."

Meanwhile, BNP alleged on Sunday ruling party activists with the help of law enforcers rigged votes at around 20 pc of the total polling stations as of 11 am.

"AL cadres didn't allow our polling agents to enter many centres across the country. As per the information I've received until 11:00 am, they rigged votes from around 20 pc of the polling stations," said BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.

He came up with the allegation at a press conference at BNP's Nayapaltan central office.

He alleged ruling party men with the help of police, Rab and BGB are obstructing voters from going to the polling stations and intimidating and attacking them.