Safety net cards being seized to intimidate voters: Rizvi

Three-day mass contact starts today

FE REPORT | Published: December 25, 2023 22:42:05

Cards of beneficiaries under different social safety-net programmes were being confiscated in an attempt to force them to vote on January 7, BNP senior joint secretary-general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed alleged on Monday
According to Mr. Rizvi, ruling party leaders, activists, and representatives of local governments were seizing the cards of disadvantaged individuals in different districts. He claimed that the Awami League was using this technique to deceive international quarters.
During a virtual conference on Monday evening, Mr. Rizvi expressed concerns that cards intended for providing allowances to widows, senior citizens, people with disabilities, and others were being confiscated by ruling party members and would only be returned if the cardholders go to polling centres and vote.
He also accused the government of continuing to oppress BNP and like-minded political party leaders and activists through mass arrests and harassment.
Mr. Rizvi urged the people of the country to help implement the ongoing non-cooperation movement against the government and boycott the upcoming election.
He announced that BNP and like-minded parties would initiate a three-day mass contact and leaflet distribution programme from today in support of the non-cooperation movement.
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