BNP wants voters' security, not only of candidates
Tuesday, 20 April 2010
As the Election Commission (EC) has taken security measures for the candidates of by-election to Bhola-3 parliamentary constituency, opposition BNP has demanded security to the voters as well, reports UNB.
BNP standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said the Bhola-3 by-election was an "acid test" for the government.
"If the government interferes to implement its blue print in Bhola-3 and forcibly snatch away public opinion by grabbing the polling centres, the BNP will be forced to forge movement against the wrongdoings," he said at a press briefing at the party's Nayapaltan central office Monday.
Replying to a question, the front ranking BNP leader said that only security to the candidates was not enough. "Who will give security to the voters in the Bhola-3 constituency? Safety of the voters will also have to be ensured."
He, however, wondered if the EC's assurance to provide security to the candidates would remain confined to a mere announcement. "If it is truly implemented things will be a little better," he said.
Dr Mosharraf termed the ruling Awami League (AL) candidate in Bhola-3 ((Lalmohan-Tajumuddin)) by-polls an identified terrorist.
The AL candidate, he alleged, brought around 1,000 armed cadres and terrorists from Dhaka there to create panic in the constituency to discourage voter turnout in polling centres and also to grab the polling centres for putting seal in ballots in favour of AL candidate.
He also accused the local administration of working in favour of the ruling party candidate.
Mentioning the transfer of superintendent of police (SP) of Bhola two days back, Dr Mosharraf said: "It has been done with a political motive to implement the ruling party's blue print."
He also mentioned that local administration blocked the movement of senior BNP leaders when they went to Bhola-3 constituency Sunday.
He said five of the 10 cars of the BNP senior leaders were obstructed by local administration in Lalmohan. As a result, they were stranded for five hours and ultimately had to return to Dhaka. Those obstructed include BNP central leaders Selima Rahman, Mojibur Rahman Sarwar MP and Fazlul Huq Milon.
On the other hand, Dr Mosharraf alleged that the local administration allowed a motorcade of 15 cars of Tofail Ahmed in the election campaign in Lalmohan on the same day.
BNP standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said the Bhola-3 by-election was an "acid test" for the government.
"If the government interferes to implement its blue print in Bhola-3 and forcibly snatch away public opinion by grabbing the polling centres, the BNP will be forced to forge movement against the wrongdoings," he said at a press briefing at the party's Nayapaltan central office Monday.
Replying to a question, the front ranking BNP leader said that only security to the candidates was not enough. "Who will give security to the voters in the Bhola-3 constituency? Safety of the voters will also have to be ensured."
He, however, wondered if the EC's assurance to provide security to the candidates would remain confined to a mere announcement. "If it is truly implemented things will be a little better," he said.
Dr Mosharraf termed the ruling Awami League (AL) candidate in Bhola-3 ((Lalmohan-Tajumuddin)) by-polls an identified terrorist.
The AL candidate, he alleged, brought around 1,000 armed cadres and terrorists from Dhaka there to create panic in the constituency to discourage voter turnout in polling centres and also to grab the polling centres for putting seal in ballots in favour of AL candidate.
He also accused the local administration of working in favour of the ruling party candidate.
Mentioning the transfer of superintendent of police (SP) of Bhola two days back, Dr Mosharraf said: "It has been done with a political motive to implement the ruling party's blue print."
He also mentioned that local administration blocked the movement of senior BNP leaders when they went to Bhola-3 constituency Sunday.
He said five of the 10 cars of the BNP senior leaders were obstructed by local administration in Lalmohan. As a result, they were stranded for five hours and ultimately had to return to Dhaka. Those obstructed include BNP central leaders Selima Rahman, Mojibur Rahman Sarwar MP and Fazlul Huq Milon.
On the other hand, Dr Mosharraf alleged that the local administration allowed a motorcade of 15 cars of Tofail Ahmed in the election campaign in Lalmohan on the same day.