Situation may worsen sans fair polls: Emajuddin

The government and the Election Commission (EC) will have to take all the responsibilities, if the city corporation elections are not held in a free, fair and credible way, said convenor of Shoto Nagorik Committee Dr Emajuddin Ahmed on Saturday.
"The government and EC will be responsible, if the elections are not free, fair and transparent. The situation of the country might worsen further. Even it might turn into an unliveable country."
He gave the warning to the government while campaigning with Afroza Abbas, wife of BNP-backed Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) mayoral candidate Mirza Abbas, at Mirhajaribag and Jatrabari in the city.  
"The BNP chairperson came under attacks three times. When she was about to move for electioneering after taking security preparations, EC sent notice to her, which proves that it is doing partiality in favour of the government," he added.
Afroza Abbas said, "The present situation is moving towards the direction of confrontation. We thought that the elections will be held in a free and fair manner. But the way the government is resorting to attacks on us and giving threats to our polling agents proves that the situation is moving towards clash," she said.  
"We don't want to do vote robbery, and will not allow anyone to do so," she added.
BNP standing committee member ASM Hannan Shah alleged on the day that the ruling party cadres are visiting the BNP polling agents' houses and giving them threats.
"The government wants to implement its numerous blueprints. And as part of that they are giving threats to our polling agents to keep them away from election duty."
Meanwhile, Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) and Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal (BASD) in a joint statement on the day alleged that EC has failed to take any deterrent against violations of the election code of conduct.
The DSCC, DNCC and Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) elections will be held on April 28.
UNB report adds: Pro-Awami League (AL) mayoral runner for Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Sayeed Khokon said on Saturday the Nagar Bhaban would be turned into a service centre for the citizens if he is elected in the city corporation election to be held on April 28.
"If I become a mayor, I'll ensure service for every citizen. The Nagar Bahaban would be a service centre. I won't let it to become a party office," Mr Khokon, also the organising secretary of Dhaka city unit AL, made the remarks while addressing a roundtable organised by The Daily Bangladesh Pratidin at East West Media Limited Conference room in the city.
Terming mass people his strength, Khokon said he will start working with the common people from the day one if he is elected mayor, and promised to reduce traffic jam in the city.
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