Screening Hasina’s docudrama violates code of conduct: BNP

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Saturday demanded that the screening of docudrama titled ‘Hasina, A Daughter’s Tale’ be stopped to check the violation of the electoral code of conduct, reports UNB.

“Sheikh Hasina took interviews of her party’s nomination seekers at Ganabhaban by violating the section 14 (B) of the election of conduct. Now a docudrama, ‘Hasina, A Daughter’s Tale’, is being screened at different theatres in the capital and Chattogram,” said BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.

“The prime minister is an election candidate and a political personality. Different historical events, political contexts, change of power, her political experience and the country’s overall situation and her views have been presented in the docudrama unilaterally and this is a serious violation of the electoral code of conduct. So, it’ll have to be withdrawn from the cinema halls immediately.”

Hasina, A Daughter’s Tale’, a 70-minute docudrama on the eldest child of father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, was released in Dhaka and Chattogram on Friday.

Rizvi said it is not comprehensible how the PM being an election candidate is violating the code of conduct.

As per the code of conduct, he said, no candidate can start election campaign three weeks before the voting and carry out any electioneering through any photo or statement of the candidate. “Isn’t this docudrama a promotional one?”

Rizvi said a campaign is being carried out with posters having Sheikh Hasina’s photos at different theatres, and it is also a violation of the code of conduct.

The BNP leader criticised the Election Commission for what he said playing a role of silent spectator about such violation of the electoral code of conduct.

Besides, he said, the prime minister’s development activities are being screened at different points of the city violating the election code of conduct.

Rizvi urged the Election Commission to take prompt action against the violation of the code of conduct and create a level-playing field. “Otherwise, the election to be conducted by you will turn into a farce to people.”