BNP Central Election Steering Committee Spokesperson Mahdi Amin on Tuesday alleged that Jamaat-e-Islami’s attempts to buy votes reflect its political bankruptcy and a clear violation of the election code of conduct.
“It is deeply disturbing that attempts to buy votes with money are taking place even in the constituency of that party’s own chief. If this is the situation there, one can easily imagine what is happening across the country,” he said.
Speaking at a press conference at the BNP Election Office in Gulshan, Mahdi also said a party which claims to stand against corruption is now allegedly luring people, even children, with money as part of its election campaign, which he described as a serious violation of electoral rules.
He said these tactics stem from fear of certain defeat due to a lack of public support.
The BNP leader referred to the Dhaka-15 constituency, claiming that a senior lawyer and leader of that party was seen publicly distributing money to seek votes for the party’s symbol.
Videos of the incident have already gone viral across the country and drawn widespread criticism, he said.
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“If a party that speaks every day against corruption spreads money in the voting field — even in the constituency of its own chief — what greater example of hypocrisy and moral collapse can there be?” Mahdi said.
He also cited provisions of the Election Commission-issued Code of Conduct for Political Parties and Candidates in Parliamentary Elections 2025, particularly Rule 4, which prohibits any political party, candidate or person acting on their behalf from providing or promising donations, grants or gifts—openly or secretly —to individuals or institutions during the pre-election period.
Mahdi, also an adviser to BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman, also quoted Rule 27 of the code, which states that such violations are punishable offences under Article 91B (3) of the Representation of the People Order, 1972, carrying penalties including imprisonment and fines for candidates, as well as financial penalties for registered political parties.
Drawing the attention of the Election Commission and Returning Officers, Mahdi urged them to take immediate legal action against such violations.
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He also alleged that in the Khulna-1 constituency, a candidate of the same party was seen personally distributing money among voters, an incident already reported by several media outlets.
Mahdi claimed that the party has adopted a nationwide plan to buy votes, including collecting voter ID details and mobile financial service numbers such as bKash, Nagad and Rocket through door-to-door campaigns for dishonest purposes.
He also alleged the incidents of violence, saying that in Cumilla-11 (Chauddagram), armed activists of the party attacked BNP leaders and activists at night using homemade weapons.
Similarly, Mahdi claimed that in the Bogura-4 constituency, BNP leaders were attacked in Thaltamajh village of Nandigram upazila, leaving several people seriously injured, while homes were vandalised and looted, creating widespread fear among local residents.
The BNP leader urged immediate intervention by the local administration, Returning Officers and law enforcement agencies in all such incidents.
Mahdi said the official campaign period lasted from January 22 until 7:30 am on Tuesday, and during this time, reports by local and international media, surveys by credible organisations, large turnouts at rallies addressed by BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman and ground realities clearly show that BNP enjoys the highest level of public support.
He claimed that a nationwide wave of public support in favour of BNP has made its landslide victory inevitable if the election is held in a free, fair and credible manner.
Realising this reality, the BNP leader alleged, a particular party has intensified propaganda, hinted at violence, misused religion to seek votes and shown signs of preparing for vote rigging — all of which, he said, are signs of political bankruptcy in the face of the people’s verdict.
Mahdi said no amount of propaganda, conspiracy, financial manipulation or violence will be able to prevent BNP’s inevitable victory, as democracy-loving people will resist such attempts and establish their rights.