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Published : 30 Mar 2014, 06:17 PM
The BNP chief has repeatedly said that the EC, headed by Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad, lacked spine and was overly loyal to the government.
The BNP had earlier boycotted the Jan 5 national election organized by the present Election Commission, alleging that the polls would not be free and fair under its management.
The party, however, appeared to change its mind and joined the Upazila Parishad of local government polls.
“Her party is now contesting the election under us," said Mobarak, who is standing in as the acting CEC while Ahmad is away on a tour abroad.
He said on Sunday the BNP had no qualms about taking part in an election managed by the EC even while complaining that the body lacked credibility.
He said this against the backdrop of the BNP casting aspersions on the EC's role in the ongoing Upazila polls.
On Sunday, a day before the fifth phase of Upazila polls, the BNP said it apprehended mass rigging by the ruling Awami League.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had last month demanded that the BNP chief apologise for going flip-flop on poll participation.
File Photo
Khaleda had said her party had chosen to join the Upazila polls under the Awami League-led government since it was a local election but had earlier stayed away from the parliamentary poll, demanding a non-party government to oversee it.
The Awami League, which trailed the BNP in the first three phases of the Upazila polls, surged ahead in the fourth round.
The BNP had complained about vote rigging in all the rounds held so far.
Mobark, who is supervising the polls in the absence of CEC Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad, said the unofficial party allegiance of Upazila candidates was not a matter of consideration to the EC in these elections.
He said measures had been taken whenever irregularities were found without discrimination.
“No candidate is being seen as a party nominee. The candidates have not mentioned their party affiliations. It is the media that is giving them party tags."
Mobarak criticised all parties, including the ruling Awami League, for their desperation to ensure victory of their candidates.
“This is not right. I request you to stop the candidates of your parties from resorting to violence.”
He said nobody found creating trouble would be spared.
The press conference was organised ahead of the polls to 74 Upazilas.
