BNP is demanding elections within six months.
BNP wants quick elections while the country’s situation remains favorable. For this, the party also wants electoral reforms to create a level playing field for political parties that have played a role in the mass uprising, openly and secretly.
BNP does not want to give much time in this regard. After the reforms are completed in December, the party is in favor of holding elections between March and June next year. An important leader of the party said that they will demand elections after seeing the government’s reform activities. For this, pressure will be increased on the government in the coming days.
An important leader of the party said that the fascist Sheikh Hasina government has destroyed every structure of the state in the last 15 and a half years. Due to this, the law and order situation has not improved or the government has not gained the expected momentum even though the interim government has taken charge for more than three and a half months. Due to this weakness of the government, foreigners, including people from the fallen government, are conspiring in various ways.
In this situation, it is important to quickly complete the electoral reforms and hold national elections before the situation gets out of control. Last Wednesday, Chief Advisor Dr. In the meeting held with Muhammad Yunus, the party also said that the situation in the country should be brought under control and a quick election roadmap should be announced. Otherwise, the BNP leaders believe that fascism will return due to the weakness of the government, given the direction the situation is heading.
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami also wants elections through minimum reforms. After a meeting with the chief advisor, Jamaat Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said on Thursday, our statement regarding the elections is that minimum reforms should be made. We have 41 points. We have given only 10 points for this government. We have also handed them over to them (the government). These reforms need to be done quickly. These reforms should be done and elections should be held quickly.
It is learned that BNP and Jamaat are not limited to just speeches. Both parties are also preparing the ground ahead of the 13th National Parliament elections. Potential candidates are now active in their respective constituencies. Leaders are also participating in social and religious programs along with public relations. They are giving messages of unity and peace and making various promises. This information was obtained through research.
The Awami League government fell on August 5 in the face of student and public uprisings. Then on August 8, an interim government was formed with Dr. Muhammad Yunus as its chief advisor. After taking office, the government has taken initiatives to reform various sectors of the state. A commission has already been formed to reform the constitution, electoral system, police, judiciary, public administration, anti-corruption, health, media, labor rights, women’s affairs and local government. The commission is expected to submit its report within 90 days of its formation. In the meantime, various political parties, including BNP, are also talking about elections.
At a press conference at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital on Thursday, Environment, Forest and Climate Advisor Syeda Rizwana Hasan and Advisor Mahfuz Alam said that the government will announce the date of the next parliamentary elections as soon as possible after completing the emergency reforms. However, it will be decided after discussing with all political parties and stakeholders.
BNP leaders are not getting confidence in such a position of the interim government. They said that if the government does not clarify its position on the roadmap issue, the situation may go against the forces supporting the mass uprising at any time. There is such a fear among BNP leaders. At a program last Thursday, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said that an attempt is being made to create a terrible situation in a planned manner. The movement (July-August) is being taken in a different direction. Some things are being done through which the possibility of fascism returning has increased.
In the meeting held with the chief advisor in the past few days, the leaders of the two parties expressed their concerns about the anarchy. They also called for taking initiatives to form national unity by discussing with all political parties to resist the forces destroying the country’s peace. There, they highlighted the relevance of the national election by carrying out reforms quickly.
BNP leaders said that they want the government to complete the electoral-centric reforms by December and hold the elections by March-April. If the government is formed through free, fair, and impartial elections, then that government will carry the essence of the Liberation War and the July-August Revolution and carry out other reforms to build a non-discriminatory state and society and run the country.
These leaders said that they demanded early elections from the interim government formed after the student-public uprising on August 5. After that, the party asked the government to give a reasonable time. Considering the situation, they are seeking a quick electoral roadmap after completing the electoral-centric reforms. Like-minded parties are also making the same demand.
When contacted, the leaders of BNP and like-minded parties said, we do not want the current government to fail in holding a free and fair election. They are seeking quick elections so that the situation does not get out of control. They have decided to put pressure on the government if the election is not held within the desired time. Accordingly, they are making statements to send a message to the government from now on.
BNP believes that the Election Commission has already been formed. Reforms of the state structure and election preparations can go hand in hand. Other like-minded political parties with BNP also want a clear announcement of the election along with reforms.
When asked, BNP National Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said, election-related reform activities, election roadmap and election preparations can go hand in hand. The Election Commission will have to prepare for the election by prioritizing election-oriented reforms, including the preparation of voter lists.
When asked, Mahmudur Rahman Manna, the top leader of the Democracy Mancha and President of Nagorik Oikya, said, the main task of the interim government is to organize an election. For this, some reforms are needed so that the election is fair by creating a level playing field. Therefore, electoral reforms must now be given priority.
Syed Ehsanul Huda, coordinator of the 12-party alliance and chairman of the National Party, said that the interim government has been formed for more than three and a half months. They should immediately announce their electoral roadmap.
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