Govt rewarding officials for ‘vote robbery’: Oikya Front

Jatiya Oikya Front senior leader ASM Abdur Rab on Wednesday alleged that the government is now awarding those who helped it win the 30 December election through 'vote robbery', reports UNB.

Speaking at a 'black badge wearing' programme in front of the National Press Club, he also said their alliance will continue its movement with their demand for a fresh election annulling the results of the 11th parliamentary election.

As part of their planned programme, several hundred leaders and activists of Oikya Front registered their protest wearing black badges against what it said 'vote robbery' in the national election.

Oikya Front convener Kamal Hossain could not join the programme due to illness while BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Nagorik Oikya convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna and Gano Forum general secretary Mostafa Mohsin Montu are now abroad.

"A group of law enforcers with the help of the administration committed vote robbery in the national election on 30 December. State institutions have been brought under a party, while the administration, law enforcers, presiding officers and returning officers who indulged in vote robbery are being awarded," Rab said.

He also alleged that the law enforcers, returning officers, presiding and polling officers have been provided with thousands of cores of taka as bribe for their role in 'vote robbery'.

Rab, also the president of JSD, said they will come up with elaborate information about 'vote robbery' on 24 February by holding a public hearing with the participation of Oikya Front candidates and victimised voters.

He called upon the people of all walks of life to get ready for waging a movement to save the country and put up a strong resistance against the current autocratic regime and force it to hold a fresh election.

Explaining the reason behind the absence of the senior leaders of the alliance at the programme, Rab said Oikay Front is intact and there is no misunderstanding among them.

He demanded the government release BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia and all other political prisoners.

BNP standing committee member Abdul Moin Khan, Gano Forum executive president Subrata Chowdhury, Gonoshasthaya Kendra founder Zafrullah Chowdhury, among others, spoke at the programme.