Administration's behaviour is biased, NCP complains to EC

The National Citizen Party (NCP) has expressed grave concern to the Election Commission (EC) about "partisan influence" at various levels of the administration, the controversial role of law enforcement, and attacks on its leaders and workers across the country during the ongoing electoral period. The party claims that in many places, local administration and police are showing bias instead of taking action against attackers.

An NCP delegation made these allegations after meeting with the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) in Dhaka on Monday, February 3. They cited several examples, including a claim by former BNP home minister Altaf Hossain Chowdhury that surveys by police, NSI, and DGFI were used in their candidate selection. They also raised concerns about a Bangladesh Bank director allegedly seeking borrower information from banks after Tarique Rahman's announcement about writing off agricultural loans.

The NCP delegation referenced recent incidents in Hatiya and Sherpur, claiming police inaction despite video evidence of attacks on their and Jamaat-e-Islami's events in Noakhali. They also expressed alarm that the accused in the killing of a Jamaat leader in Sherpur secured anticipatory bail from the High Court.

Regarding the upcoming referendum, the NCP said disinformation is being spread that voting 'Yes' would remove 'Bismillah' or the spirit of the Liberation War from the constitution. They urged the EC to take strict action against such misleading propaganda.

While the EC assured them of taking measures, the NCP remained sceptical. Their spokesperson, Ayman Rahat, stated that when no one is arrested days after an attack, such assurances lose value, and questions remain about a level playing field.