BNP accuses govt of violating electoral rules, demands Army

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(From left): 14-party alliance mayoral candidate Advocate Azmatullah Khan and BNP-led 18-party candidate MA Mannan are busy Wednesday campaigning in Gazipur City Corporation elections. — FE Photo

Accusing the government of trying to influence the polls in Gazipur City Corporation, opposition BNP reiterated its demand for deployment of army during the election to ensure fair balloting and voters' security, reports UNB. "Suffering a debacle in the four city corporations, the ruling party men have got desperate and crazy. They aren't abiding by any law. The government is trying to influence the polls in everyway possible…we're strongly demanding the deployment of the army so that voters can exercise their franchise without any fear," said BNP joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi. Addressing a press briefing at BNP's Nayapaltan central office, he alleged that the government is using the administrative officials from secretaries to DGs to influence the polls slated for July 6. He alleged that the Prime Minister (PM) is also trying to influence the election by opening an election monitoring cell at her office. The BNP leader said the Election Commission is not taking any action even after were brought various irregularities and violation of the election code of conduct to their notice. He was also critical of Narayanganj City mayor Selina Hayat Ivy for campaigning in favour of Awami League-backed mayoral runner Ajmat Ullah Khan, saying a responsible mayor cannot take part in the electioneering. Rizvi also alleged that the government through a special agency is distributing leaflets in Gazipur against BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia accusing her of working against the interest of RMG workers. He hoped that the government will retreat from evil-designs of manipulating the polls and ensure a proper environment for a free and fair election. Or else, he warned, it will have to face dire consequences. An FE report adds: The revenue board might confiscate properties of the opposition party-backed candidate MA Mannan if it could not realise the arrear tax from his bank account, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) chief said Wednesday. He said the NBR froze bank account of Mannan after urging him several times to pay the due tax. On June 13, the NBR froze a bank account of the opposition party-backed candidate in Gazipur City Corporation (GCC) polls for non-payment of tax. The NBR chairman said the tax authorities won in the legal battle and served notice several times as per existing procedures to realise the dues from Mr Mannan. He said Mr Mannan defaulted on payment of Tk 2.4 million income tax for 2007-08 to 2011-12 fiscal years. BNP-backed Mannan and Awami League-led 14-Party Alliance-backed Azmat Ullah Khan are among the seven candidates for the maiden polls in the GCC to be held on July 6. NBR seized his bank account four days before the deadline for withdrawal of candidature. Responding to a question on taking such steps before election, the NBR chief said Mr Mannan kept the dues for long and NBR has frozen the account on logical ground. Mr Mannan is a Director of Capital Properties Development (Pvt) Ltd and Managing Director of Gazipur Fashion. UNB adds: Mannan, however, said the move against him ahead of the city polls is part of a government conspiracy. The NBR chief also said Mannan was part of tax zone five and shifted to Gazipur later but he did not mention in his tax declaration. "This is to be mentioned in declaration if anybody changes tax zone."