The main opposition BNP, on Thursday, came down heavily on election commissioner Md Zabed Ali for his remarks that the EC was not spineless and it would show how to create a level playing field. BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, in her recent public rally in Rangpur and Rajshshi, termed the EC “spineless” and urged it to ensure a level playing field. Apparently to counter Khaleda’s remarks, the election commissioner told reporters, “See, I am 63 years old. As per medical reports, I have neither any disease nor any pain in my spine. I think the spines of other people, including the chief election commissioner, are also straight.” Responding to Ali’s comment, BNP joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi
said on Thursday, “Election commissioner Zabed Ali’s remark is not only of bad taste, but also a sign of utter disrespect to the leader of the opposition and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia.”
Rizvi, who is also the office secretary of the party, was addressing a press briefing at the party’s Naya Paltan central office in the capital on Thursday afternoon.Rizvi said that Zabed Ali’s gestures and attitude to criticise Khaleda Zia were discourteous and objectionable, and they were a violation of norms and etiquettes. He also criticised the EC as the number of women voters was shown as 14 lakh, which is less than what it was in 2008.
Referring to an audit report prepared by the EC working group in January this year, the BNP leader said at least 15 per cent voter registration cards were issued with fake identification numbers.
The EC has engaged partisan people in the renewal of voters’ lists ahead of the next general election, and that it was trying to gain people’s trust under the patronisation of the ruling AL, he alleged.
The EC had proved itself a spineless constitutional body as it had asked the government to reject Article 91(E) from the Representation of Peoples’ Order (RPO), which turned the EC into a dysfunctional body, he said.
“Following this move, confusion about the credibility and transparency of the Election Commission is still prevailing in the people’s minds,” he added.
With regard to the recent development of the Padma Bridge project scam, he said that relatives of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina were behind the scam. Their names and identities would come out soon, he added.
He criticised the PM for using officials of at least 26 ministries and public departments to launch her party’s election campaign ahead of the poll.
BNP leaders Abdus Salam, Khairul Kabir Khokan and others were present at the press meet.
-With The Independent input
