BNP has nominated the highest number of female candidates for the upcoming 13th parliamentary election, party election steering committee spokesperson Mahdi Amin said on Monday, criticising Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and several other parties for ‘unfortunately’ not nominating a single woman.
“BNP has nominated the highest number of 10 women candidates in the upcoming election, which reflects our party’s commitment to women’s empowerment,” he said while speaking at a press briefing at BNP’s Gulshan Election Office.
Mahdi said BNP is firmly committed to increasing this number further in the days ahead.
“You are aware that despite women making up half of the country’s population, there are political parties that have not nominated even a single woman, which is both disappointing and unfortunate,” the BNP spokesperson said.
In the forthcoming national parliamentary election, he said BNP candidates are contesting in 292 constituencies with the ‘Sheaf of Paddy’.
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Among these candidates, the BNP leader said. 85 are former members of parliament who have direct experience of working for the people. “They have served the people and stood by them.”
Besides, Mahdi said 19 former ministers are also contesting the polls this time with the BNP symbol. “Their past experience in state administration and public engagement gives BNP a distinct advantage.”
According to him, 237 BNP candidates hold at least a bachelor’s degree.
Mahdi said BNP candidates include individuals who were victims of enforced disappearance during what he described as the ‘fascist period’.
He named three candidates—Salahuddin Ahmed, Anisul Rahman Talukder Khokon, and Hummam Quader Chowdhury—who were themselves victims of enforced disappearance.
Besides, the BNP spokesperson said the wives, siblings, or relatives of victims of enforced disappearance have also been nominated, including former MP Ilias Ali’s wife Tahsina Rushdir Luna and Sanjida Islam Tuli, sister of Sajeedul Islam Suman and coordinator of Mayer Daak.
Mahdi said almost all BNP candidates are facing multiple cases, with many having more than a hundred cases filed against them.
Exploiting Religious Sentiments
He also criticised Jamaat for using religious sentiment to influence voters during its election campaign.
“The candidates of a particular political party, along with their leaders, activists and supporters at various levels, are conducting election campaigns by abusing religious sentiments. Some such posts and videos circulating on social media have come to our attention. In those, it is being claimed that ensuring the victory of their election symbol means ensuring the victory of one’s faith, and that sacrificing life and property to make that symbol win is a religious obligation,” Mahdi said.
The BNP spokesperson said it is unfortunate that claims are being made suggesting that one would even be able to say in the grave that they voted for a particular symbol to establish religion. “Such attempts to seek votes by misinterpreting religion are undesirable.”
He also said efforts to influence voters by exploiting religious beliefs and emotions are seriously damaging the transparency, neutrality, and free and fair environment of the election.
“Such activities clearly violate Article 77(1)(c) of the Representation of the People Order, 1972, and amount to a punishable offence of exerting undue influence under the law. So, we demand swift action,” the BNP leader said.
NID, Mobile Number Collection
In an indirect reference to Jamaat, Mahdi alleged that activists of a political party are collecting photocopies of women voters’ NID cards, mobile numbers and bKash account details from households.
“We have informed the Election Commission, and we thank them for taking note of the matter,” he said.
However, the BNP spokesperson warned that such data could be misused for fake or fraudulent voting, voting in the names of deceased persons, or offering financial inducements through mobile financial services.
“As you know, these are punishable offences under Section 14 of the Voter List Act 2009, Sections 416 and 420 of the Penal Code 1860, and Section 2 of the Digital Security Act 2018. So, we urge the Election Commission to immediately stop these illegal activities and take prompt measures to prevent the misuse of NID information,” he said.
Ansar-VDP Deployment
Mahdi also questioned the plan to deploy 13 to 15 Ansar and VDP members at every polling centre, many of whom are local residents.
“We have learned that 13 to 15 Ansar and VDP members will be appointed in each polling centre under the volunteer categorisation, a large portion of them are local residents. We believe that appointing locally based individuals to perform election duties raises questions about neutrality,” he said.
Mahdi urged the Election Commission to ensure the impartial role of Ansar and VDP members by assigning them election duties outside their own police station areas.
Responding to a question, he said BNP believes the country’s internal affairs are closely linked to sovereignty.
“We believe the democratic world will respect that sovereignty and encourage Bangladesh to conduct its electoral process freely and independently,” Mahdi said.