Dhaka: BNP on Thursday alleged that the Election Commission (EC) is moving ahead with the government’s prescription to hold another lopsided voter-less election as in 2014.

Speaking at a press briefing at the party’s Nayapaltan central office, BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi also voiced deep concern over the EC’s move to amend the election code of conduct imposing restrictions on digital election campaign during the parliamentary polls, saying it is contrary to a fair and credible election, reports the UNB.

‘As per the amended rules, no campaign can be conducted on electronic media, social media, including Facebook, Twitter, and Viber from the announcement of election schedule to gazette notification of the results,’ he said.

The BNP leader said the EC has taken the move to hide the terror attacks, irregularities, ballot box stuffing and snatching, and vote rigging to be carried out by Awami League. ‘They’re making the new rule at the behest of the Prime Minister so that people at home and abroad can’t know the misdeeds and terrorist acts of Awami League during the polls.’

Rizvi also said the restrictions on digital campaign are also part of the government’s master plan to hush up its evil acts and to stop the free flow of information. ‘I, on behalf of BNP, strongly condemn and protest the move and urge the Commission to retreat from it.’

He said although most political parties and civil society members during the talks with the EC laid emphasis on army deployment for a fair and credible election, CEC KM Nurul Huda has become desperate to remove the name of army from the definition of law enforcers.

‘Observing the overall situation, it seems that a grand plan is being made, led by the CEC, to hold another election according to a blueprint. And that election will be unilateral one only to ensure the victory of the Prime Minister and her party,’ Rizvi added.

Since the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner, Rizvi said they have been saying that Huda would not do anything without the green signal of the government. ‘His main responsibility is to implement the Prime Minister’s agenda.’