EC acted as puppet in 3rd-phase ‘meaningless’ UP polls, BNP claims

The BNP has alleged ‘widespread’ irregularities and rigging in the third phase of the union council polls, accusing the Election Commission of playing the role of a puppet.

Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan raised the allegation while talking to reporters after a BNP delegation met EC officials on Saturday afternoon, soon after the voting for third-phase had ended.

“From violence to rigging, they resorted to everything to secure the ruling party’s win. The administration and police did not prevent them, rather they helped them,” he said.

Voting was held in 614 unions under 48 districts on Saturday in the third leg of the six-phase union council elections.

Khan alleged that ruling party supporters captured booths at almost all centres and obstructed BNP candidates and agents from going to the centres. 

He demanded cancellation of the polls results and a rerun of the third-phase elections.

“It’s a meaningless election in which opinions of the people have not been reflected. The EC has played the role of a puppet,” he said.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, speaking at a press conference at the party headquarters, also alleged widespread irregularities in the voting.

He said the EC had failed to play its designated role despite the instruction of the prime minister for holding fair elections.