CCC Election

BNP blames PM for violating electoral rule

10 June 2010, 18:00 PM

Staff Correspondent, Ctg

Chittagong city BNP President Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury brought allegations of violation of electoral code of conduct against Prime Minister Sheikha Hasina. In a letter faxed to the Election Commission (EC) yesterday, he urged the chief election commissioner to take necessary steps in this regard to ensure a free and fair election free from any kinds of influence, thereby setting an example of model election. Referring to reports published in two local dailies, the Azadi and the Dainik Purbokone, the BNP leader, in the letter, said the prime minister talked to Hindu community leader and elderly anti-British movement veteran Binod Bihari Chowdhury and Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Oikya Parishad leader Advocate Rana Dasgupta over phone on Wednesday seeking votes of a certain community for the ruling Awami League-backed mayoral candidate ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury. Exerting such influence on a certain community is a violation of the electoral code of conduct, Amir Khasru said at a press briefing at his Mehedibag residence yesterday. “We are now waiting for the response from the Election Commission in this regard,” he said, adding that his party also gave a copy of the letter to the returning officer concerned. “Since the prime minister is also the chief of Awami League, we would not raise any objection if she talked to AL leaders or AL-backed mayoral candidate Mohiuddin Chowdhury,” he said replying to queries from reporters.