BNP, like-minded parties stage demos protesting polls schedule

BNP and like-minded parties on Thursday staged demonstrations in different parts of the capital protesting the election schedule announced by the Election Commission to hold the next general election on January 7.

The opposition parties urged the Election Commission (EC) to immediately cancel the schedule which they think is meant for holding a lopsided election.

Leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies brought out sudden processions in different areas, including Rampura, Malibagh, Wari, Motijheel, Sayedabad and Segun Bagicha protesting the polls schedule.

Ganatantra Mancha, two factions of Gono Odhikar Parishad, and a 12-party alliance brought out separate processions in Bijoynagar area while LDP, Labour Party and Left Democratic Alliance staged demonstrations in the Purana Paltan area.

From these processions, the opposition leaders and activists chanted various slogans against the Election Commission and the government for their ‘attempt’ to hold a lopsided election.

On Wednesday evening, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal announced that the 12th parliamentary election of the country will be held on January 7.

The CEC came up with the announcement for the next election schedule while addressing the nation.

As in the previous days since October 29, BNP’s Nayapaltan central office remained locked on Thursday amid the presence of law enforcers on roads on both sides in front of the BNP central office.

Half an hour after the start of BNP‍‍`s much-talked-about grand rally at Nayapaltan, the party‍‍`s leaders and workers locked into a clash with some ruling party activists and the police at Kakrail. With the passage of time, Nayapaltan and its adjacent areas turned into a battlefield, foiling the programme. The BNP office remained closed since October 29.