Rangpur, Jan 25: Jatiya Party Chairman and Rangpur-3 constituency candidate GM Quader on Sunday alleged that the upcoming national election and referendum are being jointly managed by the interim government, Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizen Party (NCP), undermining electoral neutrality, constitutional order and parliamentary sovereignty.
Speaking to reporters at his ancestral residence, Skyview, in Senpara area of Rangpur city, GM Quader said the interim government had effectively been formed by Jamaat-e-Islami and the NCP and was now conducting the election under their leadership.
"The government is controlling the election environment together with Jamaat and NCP. Because of this, there is no neutrality in the election system. Therefore, a neutral election cannot be expected," he said.
He alleged that the government, Jamaat and NCP were acting as a single political bloc, using administrative control, intimidation and selective enforcement of the law.
"Many candidates are unable to go to their areas, many people are voting from jail, and false cases have been filed," he said, adding that elections cannot be free or credible without equal political opportunity.
GM Quader described the situation as unprecedented, claiming that the interim government was installed by student coordinators who later formed political parties with state patronage, while Jamaat declared itself their guardian.
"Therefore, the government, NCP and Jamaat are conducting the elections together," he said.
Despite these allegations, GM Quader expressed confidence about his party's electoral prospects in the 13th National Parliament elections.
"I am getting a huge response from the people. The Jatiya Party has come forward to save the country. People are eager to vote for the plough symbol. This enthusiasm encourages us," he said.
Turning to the referendum, GM Quader accused the government of misusing public funds and state machinery to secure a 'Yes' vote.
"The government is using government money and employees to win the referendum. Those who speak against it are being branded as allies of fascism," he said.
"If campaigning for a 'no' vote is considered complicity with dictatorship, then advocating a 'Yes' vote amounts to complicity with Nazism," he added.
He warned that a 'Yes' verdict would give the government an open-ended mandate.
"They could remain in power for six months, six years or even sixty years, destroying the independence and sovereignty of parliament," he said.
