Scrap ‘politically motivated’ polling stations: Rizvi to EC

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi today urged the Election Commission to scrap polling stations set up during the Awami League’s tenure “for political advantage.”

“Polling centres established for political purposes must be cancelled. The Election Commission should redraw polling stations in line with the actual distribution of the population. This is both our expectation and our demand,” Rizvi told reporters after paying tribute to BNP founder Ziaur Rahman.

He alleged that during the “fascist regime” of Sheikh Hasina, many polling stations were created to serve the political interests of the Awami League.

“There have been three major elections — one held without voters, another in the middle of the night, and the last one was a dummy election. People have not forgotten these polls,” he said.

The BNP leader said people may move on from these elections only if the Election Commission and the interim government can ensure a free and fair election in February.

“If the Election Commission acts on the demands of the people and democratic political parties, voters will feel confident to go to polling centres safely after nearly 16 to 17 years,” he said.

Rizvi, along with leaders and activists of Jatiyatabadi Swechchhasebak Dal, placed a floral a wreath at the grave of Ziaur Rahman in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, marking the 45th founding anniversary of the BNP’s voluntary affairs wing.

They also offered fateha there and prayed for the salvation of Ziaur Rahman’s soul.

Speaking about the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) election, Rizvi alleged that a mob was created to prevent BNP’s student wing, Chhatra Dal, from buying nomination forms.

“Why is there a mob in every area when Prof Dr Muhammad Yunus’ government is in power? Why is mob culture being allowed to grow in every locality, village and district? Lawlessness is rising and some unruly people are taking the law into their own hands,” he said.

Rizvi also criticised the government for allowing loan defaulters to reschedule and renew loans. “During Sheikh Hasina’s rule, defaulters were allowed to reschedule Tk 3.5 lakh crore worth of loans. Even under the current government, around Tk 1.5 lakh crore in bad loans have been rescheduled and renewed.”

He said those who looted public money and became loan defaulters should not be rewarded in this way.

Rizvi also demanded the arrest of those who looted money from banks. “People like Mahiuddin Khan Alamgir looted crores of taka through Farmers Bank, and Nafiz Sarafat did the same with Padma Bank. These corrupt individuals must be arrested and brought to justice.”

He called upon the government to take strong and effective steps to recover the looted public money.