DHAKA: The opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has been denied pretext to launch their much-vaunted ‘oust-government movement’ threatened by top leaders of the party over anticipated manipulation of the Chittagong polls, political observers said.

They said the election was so peaceful and no elections in recent years were like this one, as both the major political parties---the ruling Awami League and the main opposition BNP--- made no allegation about it.

A day before the polling, BNP Secretary-General Khondoker Delwar Hossain had told a discussion meeting that the ruling party was attempting to hold the CCC polls in line with their blueprint and, to that end, the party is pressuring the Election Commission and the local administration.

“They want to take the election results in their favour. If they forcibly take the election results in their favour, the consequence will be grave,” Delwar had said in a forewarning.  

The BNP leader said the rulers would not be able to escape people’s wrath.
During another discussion meeting, BNP Standing Committee member MK Anwar said the planned oust-government movement would be launched if any irregularities and rigging in the Chittagong City Corporation polls took place.

Chief Election Commissioner Dr. ATM Shamsul Huda said the Chittagong election was held freely and peacefully thanks to fair conduct of the contesting candidates.
In a post-poll reaction to the media at the EC office, the CEC thanked the candidates and city-dwellers for their cooperation.

He also praised successful introduction of the electronic voting system to a CCC ward for piloting and said the modern voting system will be introduced in more wards in the upcoming Dhaka City Corporation polls.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in a message of felicitation to Mayor-elect Manjur Alam Manju also gave a pat on the backs of the Election Commission, law-enforcing agencies, local administration and democracy-loving people of the port city for getting through the election “in a free, fair, neutral and acceptable manner”.

Sheikh Hasina said the election also proved the government’s sincerity and commitment towards ensuring an independent and strong Election Commission.

In this regard, Hasina said, “The present government is people’s government. The people have voted us to power. That’s why we are fully committed to establishing people’s rights and upholding people’s verdicts in the election,” she said.

“We will continue to give our best to establish people’s rights,” she added.

Ruling Awami League General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam said the CCC election proved the BNP allegations false.

Islam, also Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, said it is possible for a strong EC to hold free, fair and acceptable elections. The AL general secretary also claimed all elections under AL were free and acceptable and will be so in future.

Election observers, who oversaw the polls, expressed satisfaction over the Chittagong electoral fray in an atmosphere of peace that had been a rarity in this country’s polity for so long.

“The overall environment during the polls was peaceful. Supporters of both the main mayoral candidates were mostly calm and quiet,” co-chairman of Election Working Group Abdul Awal said Friday.

A total of 180 members of the EWG under 25 teams put up a watch over 250 polling stations to see no irregularities in the balloting.

In the end, the belligerent BNP made no allegations against the election officially.

Political observers hope the CCC election will act as model for next elections to be held to give democracy an institutional shape in the country.    

BDST 1605 HRS. JUNE 20, 2010.
EH/MUA