BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday said their party did not join the Zila Parishad polls as it was ‘contradictory’ to the Constitution, UNB reports.

“There’s a direction in the Constitution for holding the local body polls with direct balloting (of common people). But, the current zila parishad election is indirect one,” he said.

The BNP leader further said, “We think the indirect zila parishad election is contradictory to our Constitution and also not suitable for democracy. That’s why we’ve boycotted it.”

He came up with the remarks after visiting ailing Jatiya Ganatantrik Party (Jagpa) President Shafiul Alam Pradhan at Mirpur National Heart Foundation.

Pradhan was admitted to the hospital on Monday after he complained of chest pain.

Voting in the maiden election to 59 Zila Parishads (district councils) across the country began at 9am and ended peacefully at 2pm on Wednesday.

Fakhrul alleged that the current Election Commission has failed to hold even the indirect zila parishad polls properly.

“We don’t have any knowledge that a fair and proper election was held under Awami League and the current Election Commission. Even, they have failed to appropriately conduct an indirect election. They destroyed the country’s entire election system,” he observed.

Replying to a question, the BNP leader said their party will observe its programmes marking the third anniversary of the January-5 election in a democratic manner.

He hoped that the government will not obstruct their party leaders and activists from observing their scheduled programmes to mark the anniversary.

Asked about their party’s major successes in the current year, Fakhrul said holding BNP’s national council overcoming various obstacles and overhauling the party are their main achievements.