BNP accuses government of obstructing appeals against nomination rejections

The BNP has accused the government of obstructing its nominees’ appeals against nomination rejections.

Senior Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 4 Dec 2018, 08:37 AM
Updated : 4 Dec 2018, 09:19 AM

Returning officers have plotted to keep noted BNP leaders away from the election following a directive from the government, said BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.

BNP candidates in Rajshahi Barrister Aminul Haque and Nadim Mostafa are yet to receive the certified copies of their nomination rejections, but Wednesday is the last day for appeals, said Rizvi in a press briefing in Dhaka on Tuesday.

“That means the returning officers have plotted to keep the BNP leaders away from the election following a directive from the government and thus rejecting the BNP aspirants’ nominations on flimsy excuses.”

The returning officers in different districts are not allowing the BNP nominees to speak, Rizvi said.

“The law is applied in one way for the Awami League but it is then changed for the BNP.”

Rizvi criticised Attorney General Mahbubey Alam for his remarks that the convicts would have to wait five years after their jail terms to qualify for the election.

“Now the question arises if the positions of Minister Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya and Cox’s Bazar MP Abdur Rahman Bodi are illegal or not,” Rizvi said.

The attorney general has been explaining the constitution and laws with his ‘colourful imagination’ to please the head of government, said Rizvi.

“The attorney general is acting like Rasputin in the court. He is implementing the government’s agenda to wipe out the opposition by threatening the court.” 

Rizvi raised questions on Haji Mohammad Salim and Muhiuddin Khan Alamgir after election officials accepted their nominations even after their convictions.

“The election is far from having a level-playing field. Police have been arresting our leaders and activists indiscriminately and also naming them in innumerable cases after the poll schedule was announced. They are not acting as a law-enforcement agency should do,” Rizvi said in the press briefing as he presented a list of leaders and activists arrested by the police.    

“The Election Commission is responsible for whatever is happening now. They are just reflecting the government’s mentality—the BNP leaders and activists should be arrested and only that will serve the government’s interest. The EC is busy doing that.”