Attacks on pro-BNP candidates on rise

BNP leader Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury yesterday alleged that criminal activities "in favour of the ruling party-backed mayor candidate" were rising in Chittagong city, which he said might destroy the environment conducive to a free, fair and acceptable election.

He referred to two attacks on the 20-party affiliated candidates and accused the law enforcement agencies of being apparently inactive. The city BNP president reiterated his demand for deployment of army one week before the April 28 election to ensure a fair voting.

Addressing a press conference at his residence, Khasru cited the April 11 attack on an electoral office of BNP-backed candidates in Jalalabad (Ward 2) and the April 16 assault on female campaigners of a 20-party affiliated councillor aspirant at Pahartali (Ward 13).

He also said BNP-backed mayor candidate M Mnajur Alam was yet to plan visits to at least 17 areas in Ward 2, as ruling party goons were resisting BNP campaigners and tearing posters in Jalalabad, Pahartali and Lalkhan Bazaar.

The BNP leader also alleged that criminals from different regions like Feni, Raozan upazila were being brought to the city with the aim to occupy polling centres on election day.

However, Ishak Mia, convener of Nagorik Committee, which supports the pro-Awami League candidates, dismissed the allegations as BNP's propaganda to make the election controversial.

Saying that the general people are eagerly waiting to vote in the city polls, Khasru urged the government not to snatch their democratic right again as in the January 5 parliamentary election.

He criticised Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader for his comments opposing deployment of army, saying he was not authorised to make such remarks.

Khasru said the minister had been frequently visiting Chittagong in the last few weeks and giving speeches on development projects, which might influence election and was a violation of electoral rules.

CCTV CAMERAS

Apart from deploying army during the election, the government should install closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras at every polling station to ensure fair voting, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's adviser Khandaker Mahbub Hossain told an opinion sharing meeting with professionals in Chittagong city yesterday.

He said army would stay outside and there was possibility of rigging in the poll centres. "If CCTV cameras are installed, it will be easy to monitor what the golden boys (the ruling party men) are doing in the polling centre."

Bangladesh Sammilito Peshajibi Parisad, Chittagong organised the programme at a community centre.