BNP alleges bias in postal ballots, seeks corrective action
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has accused the Election Commission (EC) of questionable conduct in several areas, particularly regarding "favouring a certain party" in postal ballots.
Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin at the EC office in Agargaon this evening, Fakhrul said that BNP lodged complaints with the EC regarding the delivery of ballots to registered expatriate Bangladeshi voters and the printing of ballot papers.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. “We believe these ballot papers are not correct. The process reflects bias, and efforts have been made to favour a particular party,” he said.
He demanded that postal ballots within the country be distributed only after election symbols are allocated, ensuring fairness in voting.
Fakhrul said complaints had been received against returning officers, police officials, and other authorities for working in favour of one party. He requested their withdrawal to ensure free and fair elections. He also alleged that some senior EC officials were acting with bias.
On the question of a level playing field, Fakhrul said the EC has one in principle, but minor flaws remain that must be corrected.
Fakhrul also alleged that Jamaat-e-Islami activists were violating electoral codes by collecting copies of national ID cards, mobile numbers, and bKash details from households, which he described as a "criminal offence."
Despite these concerns, Fakhrul reiterated BNP’s commitment to cooperate with the EC.
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