Jamaat collecting bKash and NID numbers door to door: Mirza Fakhrul

BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has alleged that Jamaat-e-Islami activists are going door to door collecting voters’ bKash numbers and National Identity Card, NID, numbers.

He said such activities are undermining the electoral environment and equality in voting, while also raising questions about the neutrality of the Election Commission.

Mirza Fakhrul made the allegations while speaking to journalists after a meeting with the Chief Election Commissioner at the Election Commission building in the capital on Sunday, January 18.

He said the BNP had placed several serious issues before the Election Commission. He described it as extremely concerning that Jamaat activists are collecting voters’ bKash and NID numbers from their homes, adding that the purpose of collecting this information remains unclear and could pose a threat to electoral transparency and security.

He also alleged that some recent actions of the Election Commission are questionable. Claiming that postal ballot management has not been handled properly, he said there are allegations that a particular party is being given undue advantage through the postal ballot system, which he said is unacceptable.

The BNP secretary general said the Election Commission is responsible for ensuring equal opportunities for all political parties, but this is not happening in practice. He said the level playing field has yet to be ensured, forcing the party chairman to cancel even personal travel plans.

Raising concerns over the commission’s neutrality, Mirza Fakhrul said they have information suggesting that some Election Commission officials are working in favour of a particular political party. He said such behaviour damages the commission’s image and weakens public trust in the election process.

He said the Election Commission must take effective action immediately, otherwise holding a free, fair and acceptable election would become difficult.