Want to know which actions tarnish image of the country: Fakhrul

BNP yesterday demanded that a new election commission be constituted with competent persons. "The incumbent election commission is worse than loyal servant," Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, secretary general of the party, said.

Addressing a rally at Taltola in the capital's Khilgaon organised by the party demanding cancellation of the city corporation elections, the BNP leader demanded that the incumbent election commission step down immediately.

"The new commission should be formed with the competent persons."

Expressing anger that the government barred the party to organise rallies in divisional headquarters, Fakhrul said, "Why such fear? Why were people denied of casting vote? We know if people were allowed to vote then you (government) would not come to power."

Demanding cancellation of the Digital Security Act, the BNP leader said the incumbent government is morally "weak" and that's why they tried to protect themselves formulating various laws.

Referring to the chief justice's recent remark that the judiciary will not consider granting bail to those who tarnish the country's image in any manner, Fakhrul said, "We want to know what kind of action tarnish the country's image?"

Dhaka North city corporation mayor candidate of the party Tabith Awal presided over the meeting.

In his speech, Tabith said, "People are witnessing a mockery in the name of voting in the country. Our voting rights were snatched away. But what people wanted is clear. The attendance of today's meeting showed what they want."

He urged the people of the country to take to the streets and to get united to get relieved of such a suffocating situation. "If we don't get united then none will ensure our voting rights and peoples' welfare will not be ensured."

Terming Digital Security Act as "black law", the BNP leader demanded immediate scrap of the law as it gagged the freedom of expression and has become "a tool of torture the dissenting voices".

Another mayoral candidate of the party Ishraq Hossain said more than a thousand party leaders and activists were abducted in the fight of democratic rights.

"A vested quarter is siphoning off money from Bangladesh to abroad. We have to turn around against all odds to bring back democracy in the country," he added.