United News of Bangladesh

BNP Standing Committee Member Nazrul Islam Khan on Tuesday alleged that vote-buying and the production of special clothing for women are taking place ahead of the election, but the Election Commission has failed to act despite being informed. “We see in the media that special clothing is being produced for lakhs of women. Ballot papers are being printed and seized along with equipment. Even after seeing all this, the Election Commission is not taking visible action,” he said. A BNP delegation, led by Nazrul Islam Khan, met Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin at the Election Commission Secretariat in Agargaon on Tuesday, a day ahead of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad election and referendum. Senior EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed was also present at the meeting. Other members of the BNP delegation included Chairperson’s Advisory Council member and Election Steering Committee member Ismail Jabiullah and former EC Secretary Dr Mohammad Zakaria, among others. Briefing reporters after the meeting, Nazrul Islam Khan said BNP wants a free, fair and neutral election. “We have instructed our candidates and polling agents through WhatsApp messages so that the election is not obstructed in any way. We have urged the Election Commission to play its lawful role to ensure a peaceful and credible election,” he said. He also said that individuals who often speak on talk shows in a way that inspires confidence among people are allegedly distributing money to voters. We asked the commission how it views this. The commission said it would take legal action. We have clearly said that whoever is involved in unethical, immoral and illegal activities must be brought under the law, he added. Election atmosphere festive, no reason to worry: EC Nazrul Islam Khan questioned why such incidents are not coming to the EC’s notice beforehand, even though intelligence agencies and law enforcement forces are now under the commission during the election period. “These are not issues to be dealt with only on election day. Why are they not detected earlier?” he asked. He further said some individuals consider themselves powerful, which is not being received positively by the public. “Even after informing the Election Commission, action is not being taken. Everyone must strictly perform their duties as per the law,” he said. Referring to media reports claiming that certain deputy commissioners (DCs) are aligned with specific political parties, Nazrul Islam Khan said such reports could be rumours intended to mislead party activists. “We want to see these as rumours. But the Election Commission must ensure that no official acts in a partisan manner. If anything like this is noticed, immediate action must be taken,” he said. Responding to a question, he said no situation has yet emerged that could disrupt the election. “One day is still left. We hope there will be no problems. The party that does not want elections is not participating. All parties contesting the polls want a free and fair election,” he said, expressing optimism that BNP would win with a large margin through a credible vote. On the issue of ballot box deployment, he said he would have preferred ballot boxes to be sent to polling centres on election morning. “However, many areas in the country are remote and far from police station headquarters. Sending ballot boxes at night to those areas is safer. The ballot boxes will be transparent and have four locks, with an additional lock added once voting is completed. They will be opened in the presence of polling agents,” he said. Asked about the possibility of militant attacks, Nazrul Islam Khan said such threats are often exaggerated politically. “This cannot be solved by law alone. Social awareness must be increased and social resistance must be built,” he added.

BNP Central Election Steering Committee Spokesperson Mahdi Amin on Tuesday alleged that Jamaat-e-Islami’s attempts to buy votes reflect its political bankruptcy and a clear violation of the election code of conduct. “It is deeply disturbing that attempts to buy votes with money are taking place even in the constituency of that party’s own chief. If this is the situation there, one can easily imagine what is happening across the country,” he said. Speaking at a press conference at the BNP Election Office in Gulshan, Mahdi also said a party which claims to stand against corruption is now allegedly luring people, even children, with money as part of its election campaign, which he described as a serious violation of electoral rules. He said these tactics stem from fear of certain defeat due to a lack of public support. The BNP leader referred to the Dhaka-15 constituency, claiming that a senior lawyer and leader of that party was seen publicly distributing money to seek votes for the party’s symbol. Videos of the incident have already gone viral across the country and drawn widespread criticism, he said. Tarique regrets party’s past mistakes, seeks votes for BNP to build safe Bangladesh “If a party that speaks every day against corruption spreads money in the voting field — even in the constituency of its own chief — what greater example of hypocrisy and moral collapse can there be?” Mahdi said. He also cited provisions of the Election Commission-issued Code of Conduct for Political Parties and Candidates in Parliamentary Elections 2025, particularly Rule 4, which prohibits any political party, candidate or person acting on their behalf from providing or promising donations, grants or gifts—openly or secretly —to individuals or institutions during the pre-election period. Mahdi, also an adviser to BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman, also quoted Rule 27 of the code, which states that such violations are punishable offences under Article 91B (3) of the Representation of the People Order, 1972, carrying penalties including imprisonment and fines for candidates, as well as financial penalties for registered political parties. Drawing the attention of the Election Commission and Returning Officers, Mahdi urged them to take immediate legal action against such violations. BNP not to compromise on women rights: Fakhrul He also alleged that in the Khulna-1 constituency, a candidate of the same party was seen personally distributing money among voters, an incident already reported by several media outlets. Mahdi claimed that the party has adopted a nationwide plan to buy votes, including collecting voter ID details and mobile financial service numbers such as bKash, Nagad and Rocket through door-to-door campaigns for dishonest purposes. He also alleged the incidents of violence, saying that in Cumilla-11 (Chauddagram), armed activists of the party attacked BNP leaders and activists at night using homemade weapons. Similarly, Mahdi claimed that in the Bogura-4 constituency, BNP leaders were attacked in Thaltamajh village of Nandigram upazila, leaving several people seriously injured, while homes were vandalised and looted, creating widespread fear among local residents. The BNP leader urged immediate intervention by the local administration, Returning Officers and law enforcement agencies in all such incidents. Mahdi said the official campaign period lasted from January 22 until 7:30 am on Tuesday, and during this time, reports by local and international media, surveys by credible organisations, large turnouts at rallies addressed by BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman and ground realities clearly show that BNP enjoys the highest level of public support. He claimed that a nationwide wave of public support in favour of BNP has made its landslide victory inevitable if the election is held in a free, fair and credible manner. Realising this reality, the BNP leader alleged, a particular party has intensified propaganda, hinted at violence, misused religion to seek votes and shown signs of preparing for vote rigging — all of which, he said, are signs of political bankruptcy in the face of the people’s verdict. Mahdi said no amount of propaganda, conspiracy, financial manipulation or violence will be able to prevent BNP’s inevitable victory, as democracy-loving people will resist such attempts and establish their rights.