Bangladesh: BNP supremo sounds alarm over vote rigging; chaos ahead of the February 12 polls

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairman Tarique Rahman has said that the upcoming parliamentary elections could be disrupted without directly criticizing the interim regime and Jamaat-e-Islami.

At a campaign rally on Monday, Rahman virtually warned party leaders and activists of a possible plot to disrupt the February 12 election and urged them to remain vigilant to prevent any manipulation of the results.

There are fears that the radicals will try to disrupt the elections and deny the BNP a majority and push for a coalition government that includes the Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI). JeI was reinforced after outreach by the US and the UK. The US reportedly sought to guide JeI to navigate the complex politics of Bangladesh in order to consolidate its position.

Even if the BNP wins a majority in the election, it may not be able to take power immediately. All elected MPs can sit as a Constitutional Reform Council or Constituent Assembly for six months to rewrite parts of the constitution and pass certain laws. Until then, the interim administration will function, it was learnt. According to Bangladeshi observers, this will give the interim administration leverage and a time frame to manipulate the administration and policies.

As a precautionary measure to prevent election rigging, Rahman said on Monday that Muslims should perform Tahajjud prayers and then go to their respective polling stations early on February 12 and offer Fajr prayers in assembly there.

“Just casting your vote is not enough. You have to stay in the polling booth to make sure your vote is counted properly. I hope you can do it, Inshallah,” the BNP leader said.

Rahman called for unity among all communities, irrespective of caste, creed or religion, to work for Bangladesh.

Rahman also outlined the BNP’s plans if elected, including measures to prevent river erosion by building block dams and dykes, providing permanent land settlement for the landless and upgrading upazila health complexes to 150 beds.

He said the BNP plans to introduce a family card for economic empowerment of women and a farmer card for supply of fertilisers, seeds and pesticides. “Vocational institutes will be established to train young people and the unemployed. They will also be given loans to help them start businesses or find work abroad.”