Hasan urges BNP to join local polls

Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud urged BNP on Saturday to join the local government elections without making the Election Commission (EC) and the elections questionable, reports BSS.

"I think that the countrymen can get the polls results soon if the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) are used… There was no question or allegation against the EVMs in the last general election. But BNP always tries to make the role of EC questionable," he said, speaking at a reception at an auditorium of the National Press Club here.

Dhaka Sub-Editors Council (DSEC) organised the function welcoming the newly elected committee members with its president Jakir Hossain in the chair.

About an allegation of BNP leader Rizvi Ahmed, Hasan said they always want to make the role of the EC and the polls controversial.

Though BNP joined the last general election, they had quitted the polls as they did not run any campaign. As a result, they lost in the polls, he added.

The minister said the chief election commissioner (CEC) will give reply to his (Rizvi) comments.

"But I think that the CEC wants to say that there will be no scope to raise any allegation if the EVM is used in the polls. The way BNP is making the EC controversial is not expected."

Hasan, also the publicity and publication secretary of the ruling Awami League, said BNP will become a party isolated from the people in near future for their election phobia and they have already fallen into existence crisis.

"I urge BNP to join the polls dispelling polls phobia," he added.

Regarding another allegation of BNP leaders on its chief Begum Zia's treatment, Hasan said the politics of BNP is now struck into the treatment of Begum Zia. It seemed that some BNP leaders are specialised doctors, he added.

"But, she is now getting world class medical treatment. Every facility is being given to her. She gets her favorite housemaid. Everyday a doctor visits her in the jail for checkup. A physiotherapist and a nurse have been appointed for her," he said.

Pointing out the role of sub-editors in the media houses, the minister said their role in newspapers is very crucial. They edit a report and make its headline catchy through their bifocal mind.

"Journalists are the conscience of a nation. They play a vital role to run a society in right way. Their one report can open the third-eye of society," Hasan said.

Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) President Molla Jalal and Secretary General Saban Mahmud, Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) President Abu Jafar Suriya, Group Chairman of Omican Group Engineer Mehedi Hasan and Managing Director of Wecreate Limited Sajib Rashed, among others, addressed the meeting.