The Elction Commission (EC) has decided to use Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in up to 150, out of 300 parliamentary seats in the next general election at the directive of Awami League, alleged BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday (August 24, 2022).
He said the Awami League wanted EVMs in 300 constituencies, but the EC has brought it down at 150 compromising with the ruling party secretly.
"It proves that the current Election Commission is working for the Sheikh Hasina-led government. But, the BNP is not thinking about the EC. Rather, its demand is that the next general election must be held under an election-time neutral government," he said.
Fakhrul was speaking at a press conference following a joint meeting at the party's central office at Nayapaltan in the capital on the occasion of the BNP's 44th founding anniversary on Wednesday (August 24).
He said BNP has gone through many ups and downs. Its founder late President Ziaur Rahman was assassinated. The Bangladeshi nationalism has been destroyed at different parts of the country in various ways. But, BNP has emerged again under the leadership of Begum Khaleda Zia. But, she is now under house arrest.
Mirza Fakhrul said the Awami League government has clinged to power forcibly destroying all the institutions and snatching all the rights of people. They talk in one way, but do in the other. The prime minister said the government would allow all the opposition parties to hold rallies and meetings, but killed two Jubo Dal activists in Bhola by firing.
He said game is taking place as per the remarks of Obaidul Quader, but it is happening at people's homes and on opposition political parties. They are not allowed to hold meetings and rallies.
The press conference was also attended by BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, vice-chairman Ahmed Azam Khan, joint secretary general Khairul Kabir Khokon, Habib un Nabi Khan Sohel, assistant organising secretary Selim uz Zaman Selim, Dhaka City South convener Abdus Salam and Dhaka City North convener Amanullah Aman, among others.
