Dhaka: Bangladesh Nationalist Party acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday alleged that the government has taken a ‘farcical election scheme’ in a bid to fool the country’s people and international community.

He came up with the remarks four hours after the beginning of voting in the first phase election to 717 unions.

‘They (govt) are holding a farcical election. Many people are now calling it as an election scheme. They want to fool the country’s people and global community by holding election under this project,’ the BNP leader said.

Fakhrul was talking to reporters after paying homage to party founder Ziaur Rahman by placing wreaths at his grave together with leaders and activists of Zia Parishad, marking its 28th founding anniversary.

The BNP leader said the government will not be able to make the country’s people and world community confused, no matter what efforts it makes.  

He said they have taken part in the UC polls as part of their democratic movement despite knowing that the ruling party will indulge in vote frauds and irregularities.

‘We don’t have any other alternative to joining the election. What else can we do? We’re not a rebellious party that we’ll resort to any other means. As a democratic party, we must take part in the polls,’ Fakhrul observed.

He said they are lodging their democratic protest through joining the polls. ‘These elections are also exposing the government’s mask of democracy.’

Mentioning that over 100 ruling party chairman candidates have already been elected unchallenged, the BNP leader said, ‘Did you see any time earlier that the UC polls were held without any rival candidates?

Fakhrul alleged the government has turned the election into a farce only to hang onto power. ‘They (govt) are trying to take the election results in their favour by resorting to violence, vote fraud and using the Election Commission and the administration.’