Dhaka: BNP on Monday voiced strong doubt about fair voting in Rajshahi, Sylhet and Barishal city polls as the party alleged that Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader has already hinted about rigging in the July-30 polls like Khulna and Gazipur ones.

Speaking at a press conference at the party’s Nayapaltan central office, BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi also alleged that the Election Commission is not taking any action against the ruling party men for indulging in ‘terrorism’ and widespread violation of the election code of conduct.

‘Obaidul Quader has said the three city polls will be fair like the ones in Khulna and Gazipur. Through such remark, he has given indication about a fair rigging in the upcoming election,’ he said.

The BNP leader alleged that the ruling party men have established their undue influence in the three cities while the opposition leaders and activists are being arrested and intimidated. ‘Police is also not sitting idle there. They’re wholeheartedly working in favour of Awami League as they did in Khulna and Gazipur.’

He said lodging any complaint with the Election Commission against the ruling party candidates and their supporters against the violation of the election code of conduct means crying in the wilderness.

Rizvi said the local administration in Rajshahi has been playing a biased role in support of the ruling party while the Awami League mayoral candidate’s supporters have created an appalling situation in the city with their unruly activities.

He also alleged that ruling party leader Abul Hasnat Abudllah roaming the Barishal city carrying the national flag in his vehicle and violating the election code of conduct to ensure his son’s victory. ‘Voters are now in doubt whether they’ll be able to cast their votes as there’s no atmosphere for fair balloting in three cities.’

The BNP leader strongly condemned and protested the attack on students, their guardians and teachers at the Central Shaheed Minar on Sunday reportedly by Bangladesh Chhatra League.

‘Chhatra League has now turned into an aggressive force devoid of conscience and sense of humanity on the educational campuses. They’re attacking the demonstrating students with sharp knives, hammers and sticks and assaulting them. The golden boys of the Chhatra league are also threatening the students to rape,’ he observed.