Rizvi condemns EC’s letter to home ministry regarding ban on political rallies

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has said the Election Commission, which has become an obedient and controversial state institution of the Awami League, has recently taken an unprecedented and anti-people decision regarding a ban on political rallies till January 7.

The BNP leader said this in a statement issued on Thursday. 

The Election Commission has written to the Ministry of Home Affairs that from December 18 till the date of the national elections, no political programs or gatherings will be allowed except for election campaigns. 

In the name of a so-called election scheduled for January 7, the Election Commission has taken the anti-people decision to sponsor the attempt to organize a dummy election through bifurcation, said Rizvi.

“In other words, it proves once again why there is universal doubt and mistrust of the Election Commission, and why no level playing field or fair elections are possible under this thoroughly biased commission,” said Rizvi.

In fact, this conspiracy of the Election Commission is unethical, illegal and unconstitutional, directed by Sheikh Hasina, who is blinded by the desire to retain power, and goes against the aspirations of the democratic people, said the BNP leader.

In the past, the Election Commission followed the directives of the fascist government by registering all the political parties and recognizing fake institutions as election observers, he added.

“This joint deception of Awami League and Election Commission by using people's hard-earned money, under the direct patronage of the state apparatus, creating so-called political parties to make the elections look a bit participatory and bringing local and foreign hired observers to legitimize the countrymen, has been clearly exposed in front of the nation.

“In the prevailing situation, as a political party representing the people, on behalf of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), we express our concern and condemn the new indiscretion of stopping political programs.”

This sinister initiative to block the right to democratic expression will intensify the ongoing political, economic and diplomatic crisis in Bangladesh, said Rizvi.

BNP's ongoing peaceful and non-violent movement to restore the voting rights of the people of the country is a constitutional and democratic right, said the BNP leader.

“The position taken by the Election Commission against the people's struggle for democratic rights and demands by disrupting the meetings… we hope that they will withdraw it for the greater interest of the country and the nation,” he further said.

Earlier, on Tuesday Deputy Secretary of the EC Md Atiar Rahman issued the letter to the home ministry.

In the letter, the EC said that the polling day for the 12th National Elections is scheduled on January 7 next year. Aspirant candidates will start their campaign from December 18.

From December 18 until the end of the polling period, it is recommended to refrain everyone from meetings, rallies or any type of political program that may hinder the electoral environment or discourage voters from voting.