Dhaka: BNP on Saturday alleged that the Election Commission (EC) is out to hold a stage-managed election using Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) ignoring public opinions.

Speaking at a press conference at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, party senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi also rejected the EVM fairs that are being held in 8 regions of the country Saturday, reports the UNB.

‘The Election Commission wants to hold a stage-managed election using EVM, a controversial technology discarded by different countries,’ he said.

The BNP leader said though the EVM fairs are being held in Khulna, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Faridpur, Chattogram, Sylhet, Mymensingh and Comilla today, their party leaders and activists will not join those. ‘BNP turns down such EVM fairs.’

‘The EC is holding the EVM fairs to use the technology in the next polls ignoring public opinions. The move has been taken at the behest of the government to rig votes,’ he added.

Rizvi said it is not possible to hold a credible election under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as no election was fair under her in the past.

Reiterating their party’s strong stance on not joining the next polls under Sheik Hasina, he said BNP will participate in polls only under a neutral government under the leadership of Khaleda Zia.

Stating that all the elections under the current Prime Minister were marred by ‘terrorism and vote frauds’, he alleged that people’s voting right has been stanched in those polls through rigging.

The BNP leader said the government is making various blueprints to hold a lopsided national election as the ruling party will face a debacle in fair polls.

He said people will not allow the government to hold any election in the country without accepting Jatiya Oikyafront’s seven-point demand, including installation of an election-time neutral government and dissolution of parliament.

Rizvi hailed Indian Shillong court’s verdict acquitting BNP standing committee member Salahuddin Ahmed in a case filed over illegally entering Indian territory. ‘Our respect for India’s neutral and independent judiciary has increased further through the verdict.’

He also thanked the Indian government for ensuring a transparent and impartial trial process in the case.

The BNP leader hoped Salahuddin Ahmed will now be sent back home through proper legal process.