City polls will be fair, assures Quader

Calling on all political parties to participate the upcoming elections to the two Dhaka City corporations, Minister of Road Transport and Bridges Obaidul Quader promised that the polls would be free and fair.

"I assure the government will extend its full support to the Election Commission to facilitate free and fair elections. Take part in the elections. It will be equal and friendly to vote in two city companies. It's going to be acceptable for people, "he said.

Quader, also Awami League's general secretary (AL), came up with the clarification on Wednesday while talking to journalists in the city's Cumilla Circuit Building.

Bringing charges against BNP that the party is running propaganda on the use of the Electronic Voting Machine (EVMs) in urban elections, he said, "Propaganda is false. Using this latest technology (EVMs) will make elections equal. Creating a congenial atmosphere for the polls can be beneficial."

"There is nothing to worry about the usage of EVMS as the government is not going to participate in the elections. In comparison, BNP won most of the votes, where in the recent past EVM equipment was used.

"There's democracy in the world, there's a lack of democracy in BNP," the AL leader said, adding, "Why they (BNP leaders) can create democracy in the country if it's missing in their community. In the group, BNP does not practice democracy."