Fakhrul questions EC’s role, accuses officials of favouring a party
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday accused the Election Commission of “questionable behaviour,” alleging that several officials are working to benefit a particular political party.
His remarks came after he and a BNP delegation met Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin at the Election Commission office in Agargaon.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Fakhrul said the party has received complaints that returning officers, assistant returning officers, police superintendents, officers-in-charge and other field-level officials in multiple constituencies are acting with political bias. “We have brought these issues to the attention of the EC and urged them to take steps to ensure a fair, free and impartial election,” he said.
Fakhrul criticised the handling of postal ballots, alleging irregularities in printing and distribution for voters at home and abroad. “We have asked the Commission to fix these issues. Postal ballots should be distributed only after symbols are allocated,” he said.
He also raised concerns about campaign violations, claiming that Jamaat-e-Islami workers were collecting voters’ NID and bKash numbers during door-to-door visits, which he said breaches privacy and electoral rules.
According to him, a certain political party in several Dhaka constituencies has engaged in unethical tactics to secure victory for its candidates, including transferring voters from other districts into Dhaka. “We have requested the complete list of transferred voters, the reasons behind the transfers, and the constituencies involved,” he said.
Fakhrul added that BNP has filed complaints seeking the withdrawal of certain returning officials after investigation, and also urged action against some EC officials accused of similar bias.
He reiterated that the BNP wants a level playing field. “Our chairman cancelled his personal trip for this reason. Meanwhile, chiefs of other political parties and influential individuals continue to violate the code of conduct by running campaigns. We have asked the EC to act immediately.”
The BNP leader warned that partisan measures could undermine the credibility of the election. “We have always cooperated with the Commission, but we are seeing behaviour that threatens fairness,” he said.
Fakhrul also commented on the recent Chhatra Dal demonstrations, saying the Commission’s decision to allow university elections after previously suspending them could create further complications.
The BNP delegation included Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan, Chairperson’s Advisory Council member Ismail Zabiullah, former acting EC secretary Mohammad Zakaria and senior lawyer Barrister Md Ruhul Quddus Kajal.