Staff Reporter:
National Citizen Party (NCP) spokesperson Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan on Monday alleged that some activities of the Election Commission (EC) appear to be influenced by certain quarters.
“Some activities of the Election Commission give us the impression that they are being carried out under influence,” he said, citing an example that the EC came away from engaging Bangladesh National Cadet Corps (BNCC) cadets in the polling stations following a demand from a particular party.
Asif Mahmud made the remarks while briefing reporters after a meeting between a delegation of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islam led 11-party alliance and Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin at Nirbachan Bhaban in the city.
He said the Election Commission informed them that the BNCC issue is under reconsideration, but the NCP has clearly demanded that BNCC members be allowed to remain deployed at polling centers.
“This election is going to be different to some extent. In that context, having additional forces will be helpful in maintaining law and order,” he added.
The NCP spokesperson also accused that the EC acted as per the recommendations of the BNP in case of administrative reshuffle.
“Administrative reshuffles are supposed to be conducted through a normal and neutral process. But we are seeing that a particular party is being given special facilities. In some cases, when a candidate from a specific party proposes the withdrawal of an officer, that officer is removed on the same day or the following day,” he claimed.
Asif Mahmud also alleged that when NCP candidates submitted written complaints to the Election Commission against certain officials, no replies are coming from the Election Commission.
