Bias visible in higher levels of administration: Mirza Abbas
He claimed that some candidates were already declaring victory, with hints from government officials that certain individuals were being preselected for parliament.
BNP Standing Committee member and Dhaka-8 candidate Mirza Abbas has alleged that a section within the government and higher levels of the administration was showing favouritism towards certain individuals ahead of the election.
"I have heard that a group within the government has prepared a list of people who must be made to pass. There appears to be weakness in the higher levels of the administration toward certain individuals," Abbas said during a campaign outreach after meeting with apartment owners at Haque Castle in Kakrail in the capital.
He claimed that some candidates were already declaring victory, with hints from government officials that certain individuals were being preselected for parliament.
"A participatory election is going to be held, but bias is visible. Whether they receive votes or not, they will be sent to parliament; this is not acceptable," he added.
At a separate meeting with polling agents, Mirza Abbas emphasised that BNP leaders and activists have spent years in jail and led movements over decades, and no single group could claim sole credit for the 2024 movement.
"Yet some are behaving as if they have liberated the country a second time," he said.
The former minister also warned of potential influence by external forces on Bangladesh's stability.
He noted that the BNP, after 17–18 years out of power, is attempting to return through elections, while certain groups are allegedly working to install preferred candidates.
"Historically, the people of Bangladesh have made the right choice whenever they have been allowed to vote," Abbas said.
