BNP candidate decries ‘unfair’ environment for Gazipur City Corporation election

Hasan Uddin Sarker, the BNP mayoral candidate in the Gazipur City Corporation polls, has expressed his concern over the fairness of the election atmosphere on the last day of the campaign.

Masum Billah from Gazipurbdnews24.com
Published : 24 June 2018, 11:08 AM
Updated : 24 June 2018, 11:08 AM

“I do not think the situation is favourable at this time,” he said in a media briefing at the party’s main electoral office in the Tongi area on Sunday.

“I have been informed by a reputable source that the law-enforcement agents from the Khulna City Corporation polls have also been deployed in Gazipur to ensure the same outcome as in Khulna,” Sarker said.

“The ruling party will try to blend the police personnel in with BNP agents in order to show that it was a fair election. But their true nature will be exposed after votes are counted.”

“Awami League leaders have been seen using police cars for their campaign. The newspapers have published the photos.”

He pointed to photographs from two daily newspapers, saying: “Our activists are being arrested. Some of them are sent to Narsingdi, Dhaka or Narayanganj. We have yet to hear from them.”

But Sarker said he is still determined and will compete in the polls despite the challenges.        

The BNP candidate has alleged that at least 50 party leaders and activists have been arrested ahead of the election. He urged the media to focus on this.

“BNP agents are being threatened every day. They aren’t even safe at home. Why shouldn’t we be scared?” 

“The ruling government had issued the rules and regulations for the polls,” Sarker said. “We want to urge the Election Commission to maintain them.”