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Sunday, May 29, 2016, Jaistha 15, 1423 BS, Shaban 21, 1437 Hijri


BNP slams UP poll violence
Published :Sunday, 29 May, 2016,  Time : 12:00 AM  View Count : 35

Apparently upset, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Saturday said there is nothing to say about the fifth phase of Union Parishad (UP) polls as those are being held in previous style.
"The four phases of UP elections have already completed amid rigging, ballot box snatching, unabated fake vote casting and flexing muscles by Awami League cadres. The fifth phase of the election to 713 UPs is being held the same way today (Saturday)," he said.
He came up with the remarks while speaking at a press briefing at BNP's Nayapaltan central office about the elections.
Narrating various election irregularities, the BNP leader said the common people's scope of exercising their right to franchise in a congenial atmosphere without any fear is now a history.
The balloting in the fifth phase of the UP polls started at 8am and continued till 4pm at 6,484 polling stations. At least six people were killed in violence in Jamalpur and Chittagong districts during the voting.
Rizvi said the ruling party 'cadres' were rigging vote with the help of law enforcers and the Election Commission (EC).
"The Election Commission has fully stigmatised the country's election atmosphere and process. It's working sincerely to help the government establish a one-party rule by snatching people's independence and all rights, including that of the right of expression," he observed.
The BNP leader alleged that the government could snatch people's democratic rights to franchise only because of the EC's subservient role.
Rizvi said the EC has apparently turned into a clubhouse forgetting its independent entity and constitutional power.
Like other phases of UP polls, he said the ruling party cadres obstructed voters and, intimidated them, captured polling stations at different UPs driving out BNP candidates agents from polling stations and attacked BNP leaders and activists.    ?UNB











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