BNP chief Khaleda’s campaign did not violate election code: Tabith

BNP-endorsed Dhaka North City Corporation mayor candidate Tabith Awal believes he will have an edge over his opponents in the ensuing polls if party chief Khaleda Zia campaigns for him.

“She commands huge popularity and her campaign will take the election to a new level,” he told reporters on Sunday at Mirpur.

Awal, son of Khaleda’s adviser Abdul Awal Mintoo, believes her involvement will help him garner more support from the voters.

Although local government polls are largely non-partisan, political parties endorse candidates and make the polls as political as it can get. 

Khaleda formally introduced BNP-supported Dhaka mayor candidates during a Bangla new year event on Apr 14.

She called on the people to stage a “silent revolution of ballots” to give a fitting reply to the government’s “tyranny”.

Media reports said she met Hifazat-e Islam leaders on Friday night ahead of the Apr 28 polls.

Ruling party’s ‘Sahasrya Nagarik Committee’ questioned whether Khaleda’s seeking vote at the Pahela Baishakh event and the alleged meeting with Hifazat had violated the election code.

Awal brushed off the allegations saying they were abiding by election rules while canvassing.

“We don’t think her (Khaleda) campaigning flouted any rule,” he said.

Electoral rules prevent Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Opposition Leader Raushon Ershad to engage in city polls campaigns.

File Photo

But former prime minister Khaleda, who boycotted the 2014 general elections, is free to campaign.

So, she has campaigned for her party-endorsed candidates in Dhaka on Saturday.

Candidates will be able to campaign until midnight of Apr 26.

“I think we have enough time,” the BNP mayor candidate said hoping to reach voters within the deadline.

The last mayors of Chittagong and undivided Dhaka were backed by the BNP.

Awal has instead levelled charges that ruling Awami League-backed Mayor aspirant Annisul Huq has been violating the election code.

He said they had formally complained to the Election Commission.

“Now it’s up to the commission,” Awal said. “We hope they’ll take action against [those violating polls code].”