Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) yesterday demanded cancellation of the polls and announcement of a fresh schedule for the 10th parliamentary elections, claiming that the country’s people have rejected the ‘lopsided’ polls, reports UNB. It also asked the government to quit and take initiatives for holding the election under a non-party caretaker government through dialogue with the opposition parties.
“People have rejected election with hatred… thus showed their no-confidence in the government,” said BNP chairperson’s adviser Osman Farroque.
The BNP leader made the remarks while giving his party’s reaction to the 10th parliamentary elections at a press conference at his Gulshan residence.
Referring to the thin presence of voters at polling stations, Osman Farroque said people extended their support to the 18-party demand for holding the election under a non-party caretaker government.
“The Election Commission is absolutely spineless and subservient to the government. It’s a puppet of the ruling party (AL). So, their data are totally unacceptable. We have data from various polling centres. According to that only 3 to 5 percent votes were cast,” he said.
He said they will continue their ongoing movement until the fall of this regime and achievement of their desired goal for holding the general election under a non-party caretaker government.
Farrqoue also announced a 48-hour countrywide shutdown from 6am Monday demanding cancellation of the election results and protesting the killing of opposition activists during the voting.
He claimed that at least 22 opposition leaders and activists were killed in firings by law enforcers and attacks by ruling party “cadres. Besides, several hundred opposition men were also injured.”
On behalf of opposition leader Khaleda Zia, he tanked the country’s people for not appearing at the election centres.
-With UNB/The Independent input
