BNP may disclose candidate list this evening: Fakhrul

Dhaka: BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said they may make public the list of their party’s final candidates for the 11th parliamentary elections this (Wednesday) evening.
‘Hope, we’ll be able to finalise our list of candidates today. We’ll inform you about it after the evening if we can finalise the list,’ party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told reporters at BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office on Wednesday noon, reports the UNB.
He criticised the Election Commission for what he said its failure to ensure any level-playing field. ‘The election is going to be a farce. Instead of taking steps for ensuring a level-playing field, they’re making efforts to worsen the situation further.’
The BNP leader also alleged that various obstacles are being created constantly to keep BNP away from the election.
He said the Election Commissions (EC) is issuing various notices that are not conductive to a fair election.
Fakhrul said though it is restricted to holding any rally and election campaign before the allocation of the election symbol, the ruling party runners are regularly holding meetings and rallies without any obstruction.
He urged the Election Commission to let people know as to why they cannot work neutrally and independently. ‘Or else, you should step down.’
The BNP leader called upon the Election Commission to exercise their constitutional authorities to hold the election in a fair and credible manner. ‘We would like to tell the Commission that the election will not be acceptable to all if you work as per the directives of ministers and ruling party leaders.
He alleged that the ruling party is trying to hold a one-party and lopsided election by establishing its control over all the institutions of the country.
Fakhrul said their party’s several thousand leaders and activists have been kept in jail while law enforcers are arresting many others regularly in ‘false’ cases.
He demanded the release of their chairpersons Khaleda Zia and all other arrested leaders and activists immediately.
Fakhrul urged the voters to get ready to go to the polling stations to exercise their right to franchise under any circumstances and thus restore their ownership of the country.