The Bangladesh Nationalist Party on Tuesday expressed concern over the Election Commission’s approval of 34,442 local election observers from just 16 organisations, alleging that individuals holding top leadership positions in some of these organisations are linked to a particular political party.
A total of 34,442 observers had been approved from just 16 organisations, out of a total of 55,454 local observers from 81 organisations nationwide.
Speaking at a press conference at the BNP’s election steering committee office in Gulshan, party spokesperson Mahdi Amin said the party was concerned to find that members of a particular political party were involved at the leadership level of several observer organisations.
‘We fear that a section of these observers could be used for improper purposes on election day,’ he said.
To ensure a level playing field, the BNP called on the EC to verify the full list of observers through relevant government agencies and exclude individuals linked to political parties or candidates.
Mahadi demanded that the number of observers from organisations with limited election-monitoring experience be reduced and that clear instructions be issued to ensure no more than two local observers are allowed to enter a polling centre at the same time.
He also voiced strong objection to the reported decision to deploy Bangladesh National Cadet Corps cadets in election-related duties for the 13th national parliamentary election and referendum.
He argued that many BNCC cadets, who are college and university students, are affiliated with political parties or ideologies, which could undermine the prospects of a free, fair and neutral election.
He said the BNP had already sent a letter to the election commission urging it not to involve BNCC cadets in the electoral process.
Earlier, BNP election steering committee chairman Nazrul Islam Khan raised similar concerns during a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin at the Nirbachan Bhaban on Sunday.
He objected to the proposal to engage BNCC students in election duties and questioned whether proper scrutiny had been conducted before approving more than 55,000 local observers, including from several lesser-known organisations.
Nazrul Islam said only organisations with proven capacity and credibility should be allowed to observe elections.
At Tuesday’s press conference, Mahdi also alleged that at least 29 pieces of fake and misleading information targeting BNP chairperson Tarique Rahman had been circulated over the past week, citing reports by various fact-checking platforms.
He claimed activists of a rival political party were reviving false narratives from the past and using similar language and slogans to mislead the public.
Mahdi Amin said that the BNP would campaign in favour of a ‘yes’ vote in the referendum on state reforms alongside the upcoming national election.
He also announced that BNP chairperson Tarique Rahman would visit Barishal and Faridpur on Wednesday as part of his election campaign.
