Dhaka: BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday alleged that the government is making the next general election ‘uncertain’ by filing

‘ghostly’ cases against their leaders and activists.

‘The government is filing several thousand ghostly cases across the country against opposition leaders and activists and those who hold alternative opinions ahead of the national election. We’re now worried whether we’ll get any scope to restore democracy in the country,’ he said, reports the UNB.

Speaking at a press conference at BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office, the BNP leader further said, ‘We think such cases are becoming the biggest obstacle to a free, fair, credible and neutral election. The entire election is being made uncertain by filing the cases against our leaders and activists.’ 

Fakhrul claimed that around 3,736 ‘ghostly’ cases have so far been filed against their 3.13 lakh leaders and activists from September 1 to September 18. ‘Over 2.33 lakh unidentified people have also been made accused in the cases while 3,690 arrested during the period.’

He alleged that the government is filing such cases so that people cannot cast their votes and join the election. ‘They’re doing it to keep people and opposition parties away from the polls.’

The BNP leader called upon the government to come straight to the democratic path by shunning its repressive acts.

‘We urge the government to find out a way for holding a fair and acceptable election through discussions with political parties,’ Fakhrul said.

Otherwise, he warned, people will not forgive the ruling party. ‘People will surely put you on trial someday for snatching their rights and violating the constitution.’

The BNP leader also called upon people to get united to get rid of the current situation of the country.

He criticised the government for passing the Digital Security Bill 2018 in parliament, saying it will hamper press freedom and people’s right of expression.

Fakhrul also strongly condemned and protested Thursday’s police attack on leaders and activists of Left Democratic Alliance when they were moving to lay a siege to the Election Commission’s Agargaon office.

BNP standing committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Moudud Ahmed, Rafiqul Islam Miah, Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Nazrul Islam Khan and Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury were present at the press conference.