Citing what they have called irregularities in the past few elections, two senior BNP leaders have expressed their doubts about the fairness of the ensuing Union Parishad (UP) polls.

However, both of them have said the BNP wants to participate in the local government elections.

BNP Standing Committee member Mahbubur Rahman was speaking at a discussion in the capital on Friday morning, while party Vice Chairman Abdullah Al Noman was addressing another meeting.

“The BNP is not against elections.  We want to take part in elections. But we doubt whether they will be free, fair and impartial because in the past people have seen how their voting rights were trampled upon,” Mahbubur Rahman said.

For his part, Noman stated, “We want to take part even in the Union Council elections. We are interested in taking part in this election. But considering past experience and the bias of the Election Commission, everyone doubts the fairness of the UP elections.”

“This election will be meaningless for us and the people if it is held like the previous municipal and Upazila elections.”

bdnews24.com/RI