EC rejected 80 nominations to confirm Awami League victory in polls: BNP-led alliance

The 20-Party Alliance led by the BNP has attacked the Election Commission, saying it has shut 80 of the coalition’s nominees out of general elections “to confirm the ruling Awami League’s victory”.

Liberal Democratic Party chief Oli Ahmed, the chief coordinator of the alliance, expresses doubt about their contesting in the election in the long run.

The EC on Sunday scrutinised nomination papers and rejected many leaders’ applications, including those of BNP chief Khaleda Zia, for jail terms, default loans, unpaid bills and other issues.

The 20-Party alliance convened at Khaleda’s Gulshan offices after the EC announced the nominations.

“The election field has been emptied. The opposition candidates have been driven out. It has been done to clear their (Awami League’s) path to victory,” Oli remarked after the meeting.     

“It may not be possible for us in the opposition to be in the race until the end if things are done this way.

“We want to contest in the election. But how shall we if we don’t have any candidate. Already 80 are gone,” he added.

He alleged that the commission was “acting on government orders”. 

The LDP chief alleged the law-enforcing agencies were arresting opposition leaders and activists on a large scale because the EC and the government were not eager to even the playing field.

“How will we contest in the election if such threats and arrests continue?” he asked.  

“We shall, by the grace of Allah, contest in the election,” BNP Standing Committee Member Nazrul Islam Khan said at the time.