“Our chairperson Khaleda Zia used to visit every constituency for electioneering in favour of our candidates during previous elections. But she is now in jail, and our leader Tarique Rahman is staying outside the country. Now our party’s many leaders’ involvement has become necessary to do that job,” he said.
Speaking at a press conference at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, Nazrul further said, “Rizvi and I myself didn’t even seek nomination. Our party has decided that those of us who aren’t there in the election race will help the candidates. So, our some competent leaders didn’t file nomination papers because of election strategy.”
Though the trio got nominations from their party, BNP vice-chairman Abdul Awal Mintoo and joint secretaries general Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal and Habibun Nabi Khan Sohel -- refrained from filing nomination papers to contest the election.
Nazrul, a BNP standing committee member, alleged that their party candidates and their supporters were harassed and obstructed by the ruling party men at different parts of the country during their submission of nomination papers.
“Our leaders from the top to bottom are being implicated in different cases and arrested. Some of our leaders remained missing. These activities are barriers to holding a credible election,” he said.
The BNP leader said the government has got crazy and it is indulging in foul games as BNP and its alliance partners joined the election. “But the Election Commission is playing a silent role.”
He alleged that the Commission’s statements and the ruling party’s remarks are similar as it has been working as an auxiliary force of the government instead of exerting its constitutional power. “If it continues, holding a fair and credible election won’t be possible.”
Nazrul urged the EC to take steps to stop the arrest and harassment of their party leaders and activists and take action against those involved in such activities.