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Opposition Leader and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman has expressed concern over the prospects for fair local elections, saying the signs so far are not encouraging.
“A retired BNP cadre has been appointed as additional secretary of the Election Commission. The public wants to know why a party loyalist had to be brought in for the post,” he said.
He made the remarks at an exchange of views with journalists at the Moulvibazar Circuit House on Saturday (October 24).
Shafiqur alleged that the chief whip of parliament, who is responsible for maintaining discipline in the House, had said during a visit to his constituency that government allocations would be withheld from areas where BNP candidates failed to win.
“This is shameful. It means people are being intimidated in advance,” he said, warning that elections held amid such intimidation and partisan pressure would have little chance of being fair.
He said Jamaat would try to remove obstacles and ensure a level playing field before the elections.
“We want a level playing field. We will participate in the elections once we receive that assurance. We do not want to be anyone’s scapegoat; we want to fight for the people’s rights,” he said.
The opposition leader also criticised the government’s handling of law and order, questioning claims by senior officials that the situation had improved.
“We are fortunate to have a home minister who serves every ministry,” he said sarcastically, adding that there had been no effective action to control drugs and weapons or restore social order.
“There has been no visible improvement in law and order. Yet important government figures say the situation is better than before. I still do not understand the benchmark for this comparison,” he added.
Earlier, Shafiqur arrived at the Moulvibazar Circuit House at 9am, where he was welcomed by district representatives. The administration later accorded him a guard of honour.
The meeting was chaired by Moulvibazar Jamaat Ameer Engineer Md Shahed Ali and moderated by district secretary Md Yamir Ali. Central Assistant Secretary General Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubayer and Habiganj Jamaat secretary Kazi Mohsin Ahmed were also present.