CC News: BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, who sat out the 2014 national polls, alleged ruling party backed candidates of violating the election code and ‘using cash to buy votes’.
Her latest claim came at a media conference on Sunday, a day after the Election Commission formally warned her of flouting electoral norms.
Referring to the attacks on her during campaign, Khaleda said: “There’s no doubt that the attacks were aimed to kill me. Government supporters including Juba League and Chhatra League activists were behind the attacks, instigated by the prime minister and other ministers.”
The former prime minister said that the government lost its right to stay in office as it has “failed to provide security to the people”.
She urged people to vote for BNP-backed mayor candidates in the Apr 28 polls in Dhaka and Chittagong.
“Your vote is the power against the injustice. Use it properly for a silent revolution.”
Khaleda asked people to protest if they see any irregularities happening at the voting centres.
Alleging Awami League-backed aspirants of spending money on voters, she said: “Take the money, but vote according to your conscience.”
“I call the citizens to guard the polling stations after the voting finishes. Return home after results, make sure the results cannot be tampered with,” Khaleda told the media briefing at her Gulshan office.
She had stayed there for three months since January after failing to get out to lead anti-government agitations.
It’s her first press conference since leaving the office in early April.
Khaleda reiterated her demand for army deployment during the city polls alleging the government was “creating panic” to prevent voters from reaching polling stations.
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