Hasina campaigning for election illegally, says BNP’s Moudud

BNP Central Committee member Moudud Ahmed says Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is violating the law by campaigning during rallies ahead of the upcoming election.

Senior Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 3 March 2018, 12:41 PM
Updated : 3 March 2018, 12:41 PM

The former law minister claimed the Awami League breached the Election Commission rules and says the BNP has submitted a complaint to the EC regarding the matter.

Ahmed made the remarks on Hasina’s visit to Khulna, during a discussion at the National Press Club.

The BNP had also accused the Awami League of illegal campaigning at rallies in Sylhet and Rajshahi.

The EC has responded that they cannot do anything until the election schedule is announced.

“The prime minister is going to Khulna today,” Ahmed said. “She will urge people to vote for the sake of development. She will make the trip on government funds, using a helicopter. The entire cost will be borne by the government.”

“They know that the Election Commission rules say development cannot be discussed after the election schedule is announced and they are taking advantage. Not only is it illegal, it is also immoral.”

While the prime minister holds rallies across the country, the BNP is not allowed to hold one, Ahmed said.

The opposition is being leashed and imprisoned, he said.

“This cannot continue and the people will respond in the coming election.”

He also criticised the EC for its passiveness.

“The Election Commission says it can do nothing. It has no power, it has no courage. They are not impartial. They are simply an arm of the government. That is why they say such things,” Ahmed said.

EC Secretary Helaluddin Ahmed says no-one is stopping the BNP from campaigning.