EC failed to create level playing field for Dhaka and Chittagong city polls: BNP

The BNP has alleged that the Election Commission has failed to create level playing field for candidates backed by it in Dhaka and Chittagong city corporations elections.

“We have noticed with anxiety that the election commission has not been able to ensure equal scope for opposition parties candidates,” Asaduzzaman Ripon, who is currently acting as the party’s spokesperson, said on Monday.
 
He also claimed at a media briefing in BNP’s Naya Paltan headquarters that some of the opposition candidates were not being able to campaign due to politically motivated cases.
 
“Law enforcers are barring their supporters from campaigning. Some of them are being assaulted by them.”
 
The party’s international affairs secretary went on to say that EC was not taking any steps.

He expressed hope that the commission and government would make sincere effort to win the opposition parties trust by creating an environment for a free, fair and acceptable local government election.  

Pointing out that some Dhaka South candidates left the EC-organised views exchange programme on Sunday, he said, “It means that the credibility of the Election Commission has hit zero.”

He also criticised the commission for expressing satisfaction over the Jan 5 National Elections.

The BNP leader further decried chief election commissioner for leaving country while Upazila elections were being held.

The acting BNP spokesperson however hoped that the commission would try to regain its constitutional stature.