Hossen Sohel of DOT
BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has expressed his hope that the deployment of the army will bring a change to the present election situation, reports bdnews24.com.
Rizvi made the remark at a press briefing yesterday, two days prior to the deployment of the armed forces for the 11th parliamentary election.
The army is scheduled to be deployed on December 24, six days prior to the election slated for December 30, and will continue to work until Jan 2.
The army will not have judicial power during the period, as the BNP had demanded, but will work under the civil administration.
“The armed forces are the symbols of our sovereignty and independence. The people in the country trust them. The criminals won’t be able to rig the polls in the middle of the night if they are deployed, the people believe,” Rizvi said.
“The opposition knew the army personnel will be able to uphold the trust people put on them and thus, has been demanding their deployment. But the government has been dillydallying on the issue and the army is yet to be deployed.”
“Now they are saying they will deploy the army on Dec 24. I believe the people will regain their trust and a fair election will be ensured,” said Rizvi.
The BNP has been complaining that its candidates and those of its allies are being prevented from campaigning. They have also complained that police are nabbing their leaders and activists.
The BNP hopes that the police will have their authority curbed once the army is deployed, Rizvi said.
Rizvi also spoke about the shutdown of Twitter and Facebook accounts for spreading false propaganda on the opposition.
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