Monju still unsatisfied with polling environ, warns of another uprising

AB Party Chairman Mojibur Rahman Monju. UNB

Dhaka, Jan 25 – Amar Bangladesh (AB) Party Chairman Mojibur Rahman Monju on Sunday said the environment for a free and fair election has not yet been fully ensured, warning that failure to hold an acceptable election would lead to another mass movement.

“An environment conducive to a fair election has not yet been fully ensured. If BNP wants, half of the election will be fair. The BNP chairperson should intervene in this regard,” Monju told reporters after a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin at the Election Commission’s Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital.

During the meeting, Monju placed a series of complaints before the CEC regarding the overall election situation.

He alleged that the electoral code of conduct is being violated in many areas, while returning officers are not properly following the EC’s directives.

He stressed the need to install CCTV cameras in every polling booth, saying that a credible election would not be possible otherwise.

The AB Party Chairman alleged that the Election Commission is still overly dependent on the Ministry of Home Affairs, warning that such dependence could tarnish the hard-earned democratic victory achieved through bloodshed during the 2024 mass uprising.

He asked the EC to conduct a special drive to recover illegal arms. “Without a credible election, the country could witness another mass movement,” he added.

Monju particularly raised concerns about alleged harassment and intimidation of candidates and activists of the 10-party electoral alliance (led by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami) in several constituencies in Feni district and Barishal-3 constituency.

He said activists of the alliance in Feni have been threatened, discouraged from going to polling stations and even warned of killings.

He further alleged that supporters of the BNP candidate in Feni-1 are pressuring general voters to attend party rallies and obstructing activities of 10-party alliance workers.

Monju claimed that widespread violations of the code of conduct are taking place openly, with numerous colourful billboards installed illegally but the administration remains inactive.

Referring to Barishal-3, the AB Party Chairman said that campaign activities of AB Party Secretary General Barrister Asaduzzaman Fuad have come under attack twice. “Intimidation still continues,” he said.

Calling the CEC for intervening immediately, Monju said that if a fair environment cannot be ensured, holding the election would become meaningless. - UNB