BNP on Sunday alleged that an unusually large number of voters had been migrated to certain constituencies in Dhaka city and other parts of the country, and demanded constituency-wise data on voter migration from the Election Commission.
The allegation came as a BNP delegation, led by Election Steering Committee Chairman Nazrul Islam Khan, met Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin at Nirbachan Bhaban in the city.
“A large number of voters migrated to some specific constituencies, which is unusual,” said Nazrul Islam Khan while briefing reporters after the meeting.
In response, the EC told them the number of migrated voters to each constituency is not more than 2000-3000, he said.
The BNP leader said they are not happy with the EC’s reply as the number is not true and the EC was not provided with exact data from the department concerned. “We think they were not provided with untrue information. In fact the number of migrated voters is so high…. We demanded for the constituency-wise migration.”
Nazrul Islam Khan alleged that leaders and activists of a particular party are carrying out campaigns using the sentiments of religious belief which is a clear violation of the Representation of the People Order.
“Someone of a party was heard telling that a Muslim would have to answer the 4th question in the grave if he or she casts votes for a specific symbol. They are doing this using religious belief and sentiment, which is a clear violation of RPO,” Nazrul Islam added.
He said BNP also raised objections over reports that BNCC cadets might be engaged in election duties.
“We’ve heard that BNCC cadets, who are students, may be involved in election work for the first time. We told the Commission that involving young students in a complex process like a parliamentary election is not appropriate,” he said.
He warned that such involvement could make both the cadets and the institution controversial, adding that it could eventually lead to demands to involve Scouts or Girl Guides.
Nazrul Islam, also the BNP standing committee member, said they expressed concern over reports that a so-called “peace committee” might be formed in every election area to maintain order during the election.
“The term ‘peace committee’ itself is unpleasant to us, although we are peace-loving people,” he said, adding that the EC told them it is not aware of any such decision.
Regarding the restriction on election campaigning 48 hours before the balloting, Nazrul Islam said activists of some political parties are now working outside their constituencies, which is not illegal. “We requested that to ensure that they leave those areas at least two days before the balloting,”
The BNP leader also said the party raised concerns over the EC’s approval of more than 55,000 local observers from 81 domestic organisations to monitor the upcoming national election and referendum scheduled for February 12 next.
“Some of these organisations are not well known, and we noticed a large number of observers under their names. We asked the EC whether these approvals were given after thorough proper consideration,” he said.
Other BNP delegation members are BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, BNP election steering committee chief coordinator Ismail Jabiullah, and its member Dr Mohammad Zakaria.
The Election Commission on December 11 announced the polls schedule to arrange the 13th parliamentary election and the referendum on the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order simultaneously on February 12, 2026.