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Army presence makes no difference: BNP

Polling atmosphere all the same


FE Report | December 26, 2018 00:00:00


Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) alleged on Tuesday that the electoral atmosphere has not improved despite the deployment of army in the polling field.

Ruling-party goons and law-enforcement agencies attacked over 100 people, including 19 candidates vying with 'sheaf of paddy', in 28 constituencies in the last 24 hours, it claimed.

BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi made the allegations at a press briefing held at the party's Nayapaltan central office.

"Military has been deployed but the situation in the election field hasn't improved that much," he said.

Dr Kamal also termed the current situation unexpected on Monday, Mr Rizvi mentioned.

"We all expected that the situation would improve considerably following army deployment. We still believe the environment would be sound," he said.

The BNP leader urged members of the armed forces to take appropriate steps to ensure a peaceful ground for a free and fair election on December 30.

He termed Monday the most violent day after the announcement of election schedule.

Mr Rizvi said the Awami League men along with police made the highest number of attacks on the campaigns and rallies of 'paddy sheaf' candidates on the day.

Stating that police are more hostile to opponents, he said, "Earlier, they (police) were charging batons, but now they're firing on us randomly."

Mentioning a terrifying environment prevailing across the country, Mr Rizvi said attack on BNP candidates and supporters continues only to clear them off the polling field.

"Those who are the guardians of public safety have made the electoral atmosphere insecure," he alleged.

Police, Rapid Action Battalion and Border Guard Bangladesh have happened to be the panic-makers among the countrymen now, Mr Rizvi said.

Several election commissioners, including their chief, are patronising the law-enforcement units, he made the accusation emphatically.

Mr Rizvi said attacks were made on the BNP contestants, including Maudud Ahmed, Dr Moyeen Khan, Mahbub Uddin Khokon, Md Aktaruzzaman and Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anny, among others.

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