Published :
Updated :
For all latest news, follow The Financial Express Google News channel.
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has voiced concerns over several irregularities, including exploitation of religious sentiment, voter manipulation, and controversies over ballot papers at home and abroad ahead of the country's 13th National Parliament Election.
Speaking at a press briefing at the party's Gulshan office in the capital on Thursday, Mahdi Amin, spokesperson for BNP's Central Election Steering Committee, alleged that a political party has been exploiting religious sentiment by swearing voters on the Quran to secure ballots for its symbol.
He said such activities are both unethical and a violation of electoral conduct.
Amin also accused the party of collecting photocopies of national identity (NID) cards, phone numbers, and mobile financial service details, such as bKash accounts, from targeted sections of the population - especially the poor and less-educated - across the country in the name of election campaigns.
He further pointed to viral videos showing alleged mishandling of postal ballots overseas, particularly in several Middle Eastern countries.
Hundreds of ballots in Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia were taken by activists from one political party, he claimed.
He alleged that a seven-minute clip, filmed in Bahrain, shows more than 200 ballot papers being processed at the residence of a political party leader. Another video from Oman shows a man, identified as a political party activist named Humayun Kabir, handling numerous ballot papers on top of a car.
"The ballot paper is a sacred trust," Amin said, adding, "No one other than the voter has the right to see it. What we have seen is not only improper, it is illegal."
Concerns were also raised over the design of postal ballots, with BNP alleging that its symbol, the Dhaner Shish (sheaf of paddy), had been placed at the bottom, making it difficult to identify, while rival symbols were positioned more prominently.
Amin alleged that the layout - five columns and 14 lines - was deliberately structured to disadvantage BNP's symbol.
"Symbols like the Daripalla (scale), Shapla Koli (water lily bud), and Hatpaskha (hand fan) appear prominently on the first line, while our symbol is buried in the middle of the last line," he said.
"When folded, the Dhaner Shish symbol is split across the crease, making it difficult to recognise," he added.
He cited international research suggesting that symbol placement alone can sway between 1.0 and 10 per cent of votes.
BNP has demanded a reprint of the ballot papers before distribution begins.
The BNP leader also cited the postponement of BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman's personal tour until January 22 at the Election Commission's request, despite it not being election-related.
"While other parties openly campaigned with their symbols, BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman was requested to cancel personal visits to religious and historical sites," he alleged.
"This indifference and apathy are creating obstacles to a fair election environment."
Amin further highlighted the spread of misinformation and deepfake content on social media.
He confirmed that the verified Facebook and Instagram accounts of barrister Zaima Rahman are her only official platforms, while fake pages in the name of Dr Zubaida Rahman were spreading fabricated AI-generated videos.
Dr Zubaida Rahman does not have any social media account or page, he confirmed.
The party said more than 50 fake accounts had already been removed, with efforts ongoing to eliminate others.
To strengthen voter engagement, BNP announced the launch of a call center (16543) and introduced the "Match My Policy" initiative, allowing citizens to provide feedback on party policies ahead of the manifesto.
Tarique Rahman is scheduled to formally begin his election campaign with a visit to Sylhet on January 22, Amin informed.
"In line with the sincerity and seriousness with which BNP has advocated reforms at the National Consensus Commission, and as the historic bearer and initiator of reform in Bangladesh, BNP is taking a position in favor of 'Yes' in the referendum," the BNP leader said.
"Every democracy-loving individual, institution, and political party has a vital role to play in ensuring a fair, successful, and acceptable election," he added, urging collective action to build a transparent and accountable state system.
The BNP leader also urged the Election Commission to investigate all irregularities and take immediate legal action, warning that unless corrective measures are taken swiftly, the credibility of the election could be irreparably damaged.
Meanwhile, BNP on Thursday asked the Election Commission to use the constituency-based postal ballots inscribing the names of candidates and symbols for the In-Country Postal Voting in the upcoming national election scheduled for February 12 next.
The party sought a clear explanation from the Election Commission over the recent viral video regarding the postal ballots sent to Bahrain and how the postal ballots were sent to expatriates as it is a victim of flaw that took place in case of the out-of-country voting system.
A four-member BNP delegation, led by its Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed, placed their proposals and concerns on a number of issues at a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin at Nirbachan Bhaban in the city's Agargaon area.
Briefing reporters after the meeting, Salahuddin Ahmed said they discussed several important issues related to the code of conduct as well as the postal voting process.
He said they proposed the same ballot paper used for general voting in a constituency-containing the names and symbols of all contesting candidates-should also be used for postal voting in that constituency. "We have made a clear and logical proposal that postal ballots should include the names and symbols of all candidates of the respective constituencies, just like general ballots."
The BNP leader said the Commission assured them the proposals would be considered.
Raising concern again over the recent viral video over the postal ballots sent to Bahrain, Salahuddin said the proper consideration is not applied in the preparation and distribution of the postal ballots for expatriates.
azizjst@yahoo.com