The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Awami League (AL) yesterday accused the BNP-Jamaat alliance of breaching electoral code of conduct during the election campaign for the upcoming parliamentary elections.

HT Imam, Co-Chairman of the AL election Steering Committee, told newsmen that they would place allegation against the BNP-Jamaat alliance to the Election Commission for violating the code of conduct.

Imam was briefing journalists after two-hour long meeting between the AL chief Sheikh Hasina and United States Ambassador in Dhaka James F Moriarty at Sudha Sadan.

He said that after starting electioneering from Sylhet, BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia held rallies blocking streets for a long time which is a gross violation of electoral code of conduct framed by the EC.

Imam also criticised Jamaat leader Maulana Delwar Hossain Sayeedi for his misleading statement at a meeting that the people of the country would not be able to wear holy cap and keep beard if the AL-led alliance was voted to power.

He said such reckless comment of Sayeedi hitting the religious sentiment of the people was another violation of the electoral code of conduct.

"We have informed the US Ambassador of such this kind of violation of law,",he noted.

Imam said the US Ambassador has highly praised the election manifesto of Awami League especially charter for the new generation and the `Vision-2021'.

When the US ambassador wanted to know the sources of resources to implement the pledges incorporated into their manifesto, Hasina referred to

several measures for this purpose. These include steps to increase food

Production to make the country self-reliant. Achievement of self-reliance on the food front and decrease in the prices of fuel in international market would enable the country to save huge sum of money.Besides. sending of skilled manpower abroad will also add to the resources of the country, Iman quoted Hasina as telling the US ambassador.

He said Sheikh Hasina sought cooperation from the US government in some sectors such as agro-based industries and building of towns outside the main cities of the country.

Sheikh Hasina and the US Ambassador also exchanged views on vigorous drive against corruption and terrorism, Imam said.

Earlier talking to reporters, Moriarty said, " The US hopes that the national election of Bangladesh would be held in a free, fair and credible manner 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.