The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Awami League yesterday accused the BNP-led four-party alliance of violating electoral code of conduct during their election campaign.

Awami League said they will inform the Election Commission about the "breach of code of conduct by the BNP-Jamaat alliance."

"After starting electioneering from Sylhet, BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia made election campaign till 1am, which is a major violation of the code of conduct. By holding election rallies blocking the streets, BNP is also breaching another code of conduct," said HT Imam, co-chairman of AL Election Steering Committee.

He was briefing journalists after nearly two-hour meeting between Awami League president Sheikh Hasina and US Ambassador in Dhaka James F Moriarty yesterday (Monday) morning.

Imam also blasted Jamaat leader Maulana Delwar Hossain Sayeedi for his reported remarks that people would not be able to wear cap and have beard if Awami League is voted to power. "Such negative and false campaign, which will hurt people's religious sentiments, is another big breach of law," he said.

The US Ambassador has been informed about such violations of electoral code of conduct.

Imam said the US Ambassador has highly praised the election manifesto of Awami League.

Sheikh Hasina particularly informed the US ambassador about 'Vision-2021' of the Awami League manifesto, he added.

Awami League's programmes for the new generation received "high appreciation" from the US Ambassador, HT Imam said.

When the US Ambassador wanted to know about the source of resources for implementing the long-term pledges made in the manifesto, Sheikh Hasina informed the envoy that Awami League would be able to implement the pledges with self-reliance.

"If we can increase food production, we won't need to import food. Price of oil in international market has also decreased and this will save huge money for Bangladesh," Imam quoted Hasina as saying.

Besides, sending highly skilled laborers instead of unskilled ones to different countries will be another big source of resources, Hasina said.

The former Prime Minister mentioned that by sending skilled manpower abroad, Bangladesh can earn three times more than the present amount of foreign exchange.

Moreover, Bangladesh's volume of export and import of capital goods is also increasing day by day. So, it will not be a problem to generate the necessary resources for implementing the pledges made in the Awami League manifesto, Imam said.

Even then, he said, Sheikh Hasina sought cooperation from the US government in some sectors like agro-based industries, constructing towns and suburbs outside of the main cities of the country.

HT Imam informed the journalists that Awami League has got another plan to decentralize the administration of trade and business as well as local administration across the country.

Sheikh Hasina informed Ambassador Moriarty about her plan to strengthen the district and upazila councils.

The former prime minister and the US Ambassador exchanged views about the drive against corruption and terrorism.

Earlier, talking to the reporters, Moriarty said the Unites States thinks of the general election in Bangladesh as "transformational" election through which the country will get a strong democracy.

Replying to a query about the upcoming election and the Election Commission, the US Ambassador said the general framework of the election has already been established. Now the implementation of various election-related rules and regulations is very much important.

There should not be any attempt to undermine the Election Commission right now, he said.