Fair polls unfeasible under Hasina: BNP

BNP standing committee member Amir Khashru Mahmud Chowdhury has said a free, fair, participatory and violence-free election will not be possible under the present government.
The entire world is observing the situation unfolding here, according to the politician.
He was talking to the media after a meeting between BNP and the visiting European Union (EU) delegation at the party chairperson's Gulshan office on Saturday.
The meeting that kicked off at 9:00 am lasted an hour.
BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and members of the party's international affairs wing Shama Obaed and Asaduzzaman, and former secretary Ismail Jobiullah were present at the meeting.
Mr Khashru said they informed the EU delegation of their party's stance on the upcoming general election and the prevailing political situation.
About the evaluation of US undersecretary Uzra Zeya's visit, he said, "… They want to see a free, fair and participatory election in Bangladesh."
"Now you can understand their perception about Bangladesh and what they actually want. Is there anymore else to say through diplomatic language?"
The delegation asked the BNP whether a free, fair and participatory election would be possible, Mr Khasru maintained.
"We told them that participation in the elections under the government is not possible. There are so many reasons. The main reason is that the elections will not be held under them (government)."
He said there was no environment for holding any dialogue to fix the overheated political crisis here, calling for a level-playing field for holding political dialogues with parties.
Mr Khashru further said that a democratic order must be in place for holding a constructive dialogue.
Citing the reason for this tour by the EU delegation, he said the EU team needed not visit other South Asian countries for talking about elections.
They are here because of a controversy that surfaced regarding the holding of elections under the incumbent government.
He said controversies have arisen from the previous two elections (2014 and 2018) under the Sheikh Hasina-led government.
The entire world is observing the forthcoming electoral situation to see whether the people would be able to exercise their volition, according to Mr Khasru.
He accused the government of transferring deputy commissioners, police officials and UNOs with an eye to manipulating the polls.
He said BNP leaders and activists were being barred from joining rallies and their marches were being attacked by political opponents.
He alleged the government for giving jail terms to BNP leaders and activists by completing judicial procedures hastily, signifying the ruling party's efforts to steal votes again.
The Awami League would manipulate elections again to cling to power by brute force by keeping people away from elections, he maintained.
About election observers from the EU, Mr Khasru said it was up to the EU whether they would send election observers or not. "The question of sending observers comes when there are free and fair elections."
The EU wants to see better human rights, labour rights situation in Bangladesh.
talhabinhabib@yahoo.com