BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi alleged that some political parties are attempting to influence voters by using religion and sending money through mobile financial services. He raised this concern on Saturday at the BNP central office in Naya Paltan, Dhaka, during a prayer gathering marking the 11th death anniversary of Arafat Rahman Koko, son of late President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. Rizvi questioned whether such actions violate the electoral code of conduct, emphasizing that buying votes with money or religious appeals is prohibited.

Recalling Koko’s death, Rizvi claimed it was not natural but the result of political oppression under a fascist regime. He described how Koko, then in Malaysia for heart treatment, witnessed the alleged persecution of his mother in 2015 and died in distress. Rizvi also recounted that after Koko’s body returned to Bangladesh, BNP leaders and sympathizers faced police cases for expressing condolences.

Rizvi reiterated BNP’s demand for a free and fair election under an interim government and said party chairman Tarique Rahman is following all electoral laws and maintaining respectful political conduct.