BNP Chairman’s Adviser and spokesperson for the party’s Election Steering Committee Mahdi Amin on Tuesday warned that a coordinated campaign of rumours and disinformation is being carried out with the aim of disrupting the electoral environment and misleading voters ahead of the upcoming national election.
Speaking at a press conference at the BNP Election Steering Office in Dhaka’s Gulshan, Mahdi Amin said a series of false narratives and misleading information have recently been circulated targeting BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman, coinciding with what he described as a surge in public support for the party.
“Fact-checking platforms have identified at least 29 instances of rumours and disinformation spread within a short period,” he said, adding that such activities reflect an organised attempt to confuse voters using similar language, slogans and tactics.
Mahdi Amin said the overwhelming turnout at recent BNP rallies in Khulna and Jashore demonstrated a growing public mandate in favour of the ‘Sheaf of Paddy’ symbol, which, he claimed, has unsettled political rivals.
“Instead of engaging in democratic competition, certain quarters have reverted to propaganda, personal attacks and the recycling of false narratives used during past authoritarian periods,” he alleged.
He also expressed concern over election-related arrangements, particularly the proposed deployment of Bangladesh National Cadet Corps (BNCC) members during the parliamentary election and public referendum. Mahdi Amin argued that involving students with potential political leanings could undermine neutrality and public confidence in the electoral process.
“In this regard, BNP has formally requested the Election Commission (EC) not to deploy BNCC cadets to preserve the credibility of the election,” he said.
The BNP spokesperson also questioned the approval of a large number of election observers, noting that a disproportionate share had been allocated to a limited number of organisations.
He urged the EC to review observer lists carefully, remove politically affiliated individuals and regulate observer access to polling centres.
Reiterating BNP’s commitment to institutional reform, Mahdi Amin said the party has consistently advocated structural changes, including a bicameral parliament, term limits for the prime minister and quota reforms.
He confirmed BNP’s support for voting “yes” in the upcoming referendum as part of broader state reform efforts.
He further said the party’s election manifesto is nearing completion and is expected to be unveiled next Friday.
Concluding his remarks, Mahdi Amin emphasised that BNP’s central demand remains a free, fair and credible election.
“If all stakeholders, including the EC, act responsibly, the people’s right to vote can be protected and a legitimate government formed through the ballot,” he said.
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