BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir came up with the remark while talking to reporters at the alliance chief’s chamber in the city’s Motijheel area on Sunday.
“We interviewed all the nomination seekers for four days and all the other parties of Jatiya Oikyafront and 20-party also took the interview of their candidates. Now, we’re in discussions to finalise the list,” he said.
The BNP leader further said, “We hope we’ll be able to reach a consensus over the nominations before the last date of nomination paper submission (Nov 28).”
He, however, said if they cannot finalise all the candidates by November 28, they will complete it before the last date of withdrawal of candidature.
Fakhrul, also the spokesman of Jatiya Oikyafront, said the victory of their alliance is certain if they can stay in the election till the last day.
He came down hard on the Election Commission (EC) saying it still could not manifest its neutrality through its activities. “Not only we, but also the civil society members and those who are working for a fair election are saying the Election Commission still could not take any step to prove its impartiality.”
The BNP leader said they submitted a list of factious cases to the Commission and another list of partisan officials, but no action was taken to this end.
“He (CEC) made a dangerous comment yesterday (Saturday) that police are now under their authority and they’re doing everything as per their directives. That means all the fictitious cases are being filed at their behest,” he observed.
Fakhrul said their party leaders and activists are being harassed in many ways as the EC could not create a level-playing field yet.
He said their chairperson Khaleda Zia has not been released while their party’s many prospective candidates are still in jail.
The BNP leader said the EC could not earn their confidence that the election will be held in a free and fair manner. “We’re working for a credible election and will continue our struggle till the last.”
Earlier, senior leaders of Oikyafront held a meeting at Kamal Hossain’s chamber and talked about finalising nomination of the alliance’s candidates.
Apart from Fakhrul, Krishak Sramik Janata League president Kader Siddiqui, Gano Forum general secretary Mostafa Mohsain Montu, executive president Subrata Chowdhury and Jatiya Oikya Prokriya’s Sultan Mohammad Mansur were present at the meeting with Dr Kamal Hossain in the chair.