Khaleda says polling fair so far, but alleges some mismanagement

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Former prime minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia said the polling in Monday's general election has been fair so far as she witnessed in the city's Adamjee Cantonment College Centre and heard from elsewhere, reports UNB.
"It seems to me that the polling has been fair so far as I've seen," she told reporters after casting her vote at the centre just at 12:00 noon. She flashed the V-sign after dropping the ballot paper.
"Inshaallah, the 4-party alliance will win the election with a massive margin of votes if the election is free and fair," Khaleda told reporters, adding that she witnessed huge support across the country for BNP and the 4-party alliance.
She, however, expressed her readiness to accept the result of the crucial election, "whatever it is, if the election is fair."
Meanwhile, Khaleda Zia while visiting different polling centres in the capital found mismanagement in taking votes and slow casting, and suggested that the time for voting be extended to allow all voters to exercise their franchise.
Talking to reporters at Motijheel Ideal School and College centre, she expressed doubt whether all voters would be able to cast votes due to slow casting.
Khaleda also noted that some polling booths were set up on the third floor without lift facility where elderly voters cannot go. She herself helped an elderly and sick female voter at Rajuk Model School centre to cast her vote.
The BNP chairperson also alleged that BNP workers and supporters were facing harassment at different places and some were arrested in the name of recovering money. Referring to the recovery of Tk 4.10 million (41 lakh) from Shamsul Islam's car in Chittagong Sunday night, she said the money was meant for his business purposes.
"We'd expectations that the administration will remain neutral, but we don't see that," Khaleda said.
Asked if she feels that the polling is not taking place in free and fair manner, the BNP chairperson said: "I can't say that at this point of time."
After casting her vote at Adamjee Cantonment College centre, Khaleda visited BAF Shaheen College centre, Uttara Rajuk Model School and College centre, Kurmitola High School centre, Al-Jamiatul Islamia Orphanage and Madrasah centre, Rampura Ekramunnessa School centre, Kamalapur School and College centre, and Qamrunnessa School centre.