BNP writes to Election Commission to object to UP polls on party lines

The BNP has objected to Union Parishad elections being held on party lines.

The party’s Acting Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has written a letter to Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad in this regard.

The Election Commission, however, has made it clear it has nothing to do in this regard.

BNP Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi handed the letter over to EC Secretary Sirazul Islam on Sunday.

Rizvi told the media later that holding UP polls on party lines would be ‘illogical’ and have a ‘negative impact’ on society.

He said the party, though it is concerned about the ‘one-sided’ elections to the lowest tier of the local government structure, is taking part in the polls ‘in the interest of democracy’.

“The candidates in UPs are known as individuals, not as political figures,” he argued.

Asked why the party was objecting now after the schedule had been announced, he said, “We earlier objected before the municipal elections. But the EC paid no heed.”

The BNP suffered a heavy defeat in the municipal polls held at the end of last year.

These were the first local government elections on party lines held after amendments had been brought about to the relevant laws.

About the BNP’s objections, Election Commissioner Md Shah Nawaz said the commission had nothing to do after the announcement of the schedule in line with the law.

“It is Parliament that passes laws. It has decided to hold UP [elections] on party lines. We have nothing to do at this stage,” he said.

He claimed the municipal elections had not experienced any ‘bad situation’.

“I don’t think there will be violence in the UP vote,” he added.

The elections to the UPs will be held in six phases from Mar 22 to June 4.

Candidates nominated by political parties for positions of chairmen are campaigning with party symbols.