Desired level playing field absent for fair election: IAB chief

Islami Andolan Bangladesh Ameer Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim today said the desired standard of level playing field required for a fair election does not exist at present in the country.

“The level playing field is a multidimensional issue. The attitudes, inclinations and tendencies of field-level officials have a significant impact on the level playing field. An overall assessment shows that the desired level playing field necessary for a fair election is absent,” he said.

Rezaul Karim, also known as Charmonai Pir, made the remarks at a meeting held at the party’s central office in Dhaka today, according to a press release.

He also said people’s confidence has not been restored as Sharif Osman Hadi’s killer has yet to be arrested.

“The law enforcement agencies’ efforts to recover illegal arms have also not been encouraging,” Rezaul Karim said.

He further said the conduct of some returning officers during the scrutiny of nomination papers has worried them. “However, we are still hopeful that the government will create equal opportunities for all and treat everyone equally. It will prioritise the recovery of illegal arms and take effective measures to improve the law and order situation,” he added.

Senior Nayeb-e-Ameer Mufti Syed Muhammad Faizul Karim, Secretary General Principal Maulana Yunus Ahmad, Presidium Member Maulana Mosaddeq Billah Al Madani, and Joint Secretaries General Maulana Gazi Ataur Rahman, Ashraful Alam and Maulana Sheikh Fazle Bari Masud, among others, were present at the meeting.