Level playing field still absent, says Shafiqur

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman. File Photo

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Opposition Leader Shafiqur Rahman on Saturday expressed concern over the lack of a level playing field for the upcoming local government elections, saying that partisan appointments to the Election Commission (EC) could undermine a fair electoral process.

Against this backdrop, he said the appointment of a pro-BNP retired officer as an additional secretary to the EC raises questions ahead of the elections beginning in phases on 21 January next year.

While exchanging views with journalists at Moulvibazar Circuit House, he informed that the chief whip, who is responsible for maintaining discipline within parliament, recently said that no government funds would be allocated to any area where BNP candidates fail to secure victory.

“It means the people are being intimidated in advance. If the elections take place amid such fear created by leaders and activists of a specific political party, there is no chance of holding the polls in a free and fair manner,” he said.

Calling upon the respective authorities to take steps to ensure a level playing field, he said that his party will not join the elections until it gets assurance from the incumbent administration.

“We don’t want to be a scapegoat as we are fighting for people’s rights. We want the person who will be chosen by the people through their votes to come to power,” he added.