Staff Reporter :
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has distanced itself from the Election Commission’s decision to reintroduce the “no vote” option in the upcoming national polls, saying the initiative did not originate from them.
“This did not come from us. It followed recommendations from some noted individuals. We have no position on what is being done now,” BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan told reporters on Sunday, after a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin.
The BNP delegation, which met the CEC at the commission’s Agargaon headquarters from 4:00pm to 5:40pm, also included the party chairperson’s adviser Ismail Jabiullah and Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.
Nazrul said discussions with the EC centred on election preparations, including constituency delimitation and law and order issues.
Asked about speculation over the February election schedule, he said: “Some say the election will not be held then, but only they can explain their authority. As far as we know, the election will be held in February. The chief adviser has confirmed it, and the commission is preparing accordingly.”
On expatriate voting rights, he said efforts were underway to enable citizens with NID and e-passports to cast ballots. The BNP requested that those holding regular passports also be included, subject to proper verification to prevent misuse through fake documents.
Regarding constituency boundaries, Nazrul noted that the EC was following district and upazila units as well as voter distribution, while reminding that the law permits only aggrieved individuals, not political parties, to lodge complaints on delimitation.
He added that BNP had not yet engaged in seat-sharing talks with other parties, saying such discussions generally take place after the poll schedule is announced.
Nazrul also confirmed that the party had already submitted its feedback on the draft code of conduct sought by the commission, which is now under review.
On security, he said the EC had voiced concern about law and order but assured that measures were being taken. “Those of us in politics also have a responsibility to prevent deterioration,” he remarked.
The BNP leader further said that the commission was prepared to deploy additional army personnel during the polls if necessary.
