BNP alleges inaction of Election Commission over irregularities in municipal polls

The BNP has alleged large-scale rigging of votes and take-over of polling centres in the third-phase of municipal elections and accused the Election Commission of inaction.

Party Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said this at a press conference hours after voting began at 8am on Wednesday.
 
He said, “Terror has been unleashed by armed Awami League goons in the municipal elections just as it was done during the union council polls.
 
“We are receiving information of the Election Commission’s inaction despite such violence in different places.”
 
Rizvi described the Commission as birds caged by the government. “They have nothing to do other than carry out government orders,” he said.
 
Elections were held in Ghorhashal and Raipura under Narsingdi, Lakshmipur Sadar, Kasba, under Brahmanbarhia, Sadar and Senbagh, under Noakhali, Chhagalnaiya, under Feni, Teknaf, under Cox’s Bazar, and Ramgarh, under Khagrhachharhi on Wednesday.
 
Rizvi alleged the seizure of polling centres and staffing of ballot boxes in Noakhali Sadar, Chhagalnaiya, and Kasba.
 
“We are getting information from different areas that armed Awami League terrorists are stuffing ballots after the seizing polling centres. They’re not letting opposition party candidates enter them.”
 
The BNP leader said the authorities had taken no steps to prevent the offences.
 
He called the polls a honeymoon of election officers, law enforcers and magistrates.
 
Rizvi said the issue of an arrest warrant for BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia was motivated.