BNP candidate urges int’l observers to visit Khulna polls

Opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) mayoral candidate Nazrul Islam Manju on Friday urged foreign election observers and foreign missions in Bangladesh to visit Khulna and oversee the local elections slated to be held 15 May.

Addressing a press conference at his residence in Miyapara area of the southern city of Khulna Friday morning, Manju also alleged that the election commission is doing “nothing to make sure that the Khulna mayoral polls are held in a free and fair manner”.

He rather claimed that the election organising body is working in favour of ruling Bangladesh Awami League (AL) candidates.

“EC is even rejecting the facts that various government agencies are harassing opposition activists. It is high time for me to carry out my electioneering whereas I need to visit different police stations to see the arrested party men till late night every day,” alleged Manju and hastened to note that the government is revealing nothing but its “hideous face by doing this”.

Citing the ensuing Khulna city polls to be a precursor to the upcoming national election, Manju said, Khulna polls would for sure increase the pressure on the government to make the national election fair and free.

He said police have arrested at least 17 BNP leaders and activists from Thursday noon to midnight and conducted raids in more than 500 residences. More than 100 activists were arrested in a week only.

Manju urged to stop such “harassment against them”.

The BNP leader also alleged that the police conduct drives in every city ward shortly after he holds election campaign there. The detectives follow him and record names and photos of his party men, he alleged.  

“I am a candidate and yet I am being harassed this way,” he told the media.

“Government is trying its best to snatch the election results by keeping BNP leaders and activists out of the election process forcibly.”

Calling on the foreign election observers to see the local government polls, he said, “All the foreign observers and foreign missions stationed in Bangladesh -- I am inviting you all to visit Khulna and to personally see what types of elections are held under the current government.”

Many other party leaders and activists of 20-party alliance were present at the press conference on Friday.