The New Nation - Internet Edition

Chittagong Correspondent

The Election Commission (EC) did not find offices or activities of at least nine tiny or letter-head-based political parties here in the port city and its adjacent suburban areas.

The EC's regional office in Chittagong reported the headquarters about the findings of its recent field survey and verification of information furnished in the registration form.

The report said that no existence of eight 'name-only' political parties other than the Gono Forum (GF) had been found at the addresses given in the registration form as their offices in Chittagong or at the adjacent Upazilas.

Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP), National Peoples Party (NPP), Samajik Rajnaitik Andolon (SRA), Bangladesh Biplobi Workers Party (BBWP), Oikkyobaddah Nagarik Andolon (ONA), Islamic Front Bangladesh (IFB), Jatiya Ganotantrik Party (JAGPA) and Bangladesh Kalyan Party (BKP) were among the political parties without office and worker in Chittagong.

Though the investigators found the name of the Gono Forum (GF) written on the shutter of a closed shop on the third floor of CDA Market on Kazir Dewri Crossing, the EC men did not see any of its leaders or workers in its three visits.

Neighboring shop owners informed the EC men that the shop cum office of the Gono Forum did not open after Eid-ul-Fitr. They never saw any political man at the shop.

A pharmacy, a doctor's chamber and a coaching center was found at the address of the Bangladesh Kalyan Party (BKP) at Quashem Bhaban at 27/A, Mahim Das Road while the party's office was also not found at Mirsarai, Chandanaish, Banshkhali and Lohagara.

Though a small signboard of the Jatiya Ganotantrik Party (JAGPA) was found at 75, Baptist Mission Road at Firingi Bazar in the city, the building owner also shared the small room. No political activity was ever carried out from there.

Office of the Islamic Front Bangladesh was hired at Pirole area in Patiya couple of days ago. The office has no door and furniture. It has no office in Anwara and Banshkhali either.

A pharmacy is on operation at the address of the Oikkyobaddah Nagorik Andolon at KB Bazar of Chechuria in Banshkhali. None was found to ascertain it as a political party office. No office of the party was found at Mirsarai Upazila as well.

A tin-shed house rented to a family was detected at the address of Bangladesh Biplobi Workers Party (BBWP) at 99/B, Chatteshawari Road. Residents denied existence of any political party office at that house.