BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday termed ‘meaningless’ the ongoing talks on the reconstitution of the Election Commission as he thinks it will not help restore people’s voting rights.
“The President has started inviting political parties for talks to arrange another election. Are the people of Bangladesh fools? We would like to clearly say this dialogue is meaningless. The problem relating to the election and democracy won’t be resolved through this dialogue,” he said.
The BNP leader said similar talks were held earlier and the government arranged an election in 2014 when 154 MPs were elected unopposed while the votes were snatched the night before the voting in 2018.
“They again initiated the talks, but it won’t help restore people’s voting rights. It’s the government, not the Election Commission, the main barrier to holding a credible election. It matters who’ll be there in power during the polls,” he said
Fakhrul said the election will not be fair and people will not be able to cast their votes if Sheikh Hasina’s government stays in power during the voting. “We respect the country’s President. But if the President creates a scope to deceive people, we can’t accept it.”
He said people’s problems will not be resolved by holding talks with the President and the current ‘fraud’ government. “So, stop maneuvering and take steps to hold a credible election under an impartial government quitting power.”
Manikganj district unit BNP arranged the rally in Manikganj Government Boys’ High School field demanding party chairperson Khaleda Zia’s treatment abroad.
President Abdul Hamid began talks with the registered political parties over the formation of the new Election Commotion on December 20.
The tenure of the current EC, led by KM Nurul Huda, is scheduled to expire on February 14 next year.
As per the constitution, a new Commission must be formed before the expiry of the present EC.
Govt days are ‘numbered’
Fakhrul said the government is trying to establish a one-party governing system in the country by destroying democracy and the hopes and aspirations of the freedom fighters.
The BNP leader said the government has ruined all the achievements of the nation and all the institutions of the state.
Referring to the US sanctions on Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and its current and former seven officials, he said it happened as the government turned Bangladesh into an undemocratic and repressive state. “It’s a matter of shame for us as a nation.”
Fakhrul said a strong unity of people from all walks of life must be forged like the 90s to remove the current ‘monstrous’ regime.
The BNP leader said the days of the current government are numbered as the UN and different democratic countries are also going to impose sanctions on it to restore democracy in Bangladesh.
Sending Khaleda abroad
Fakhrul said Khaleda has been now receiving treatment in a hospital in the capital standing at the crossroads of life and death.
“The leader who has long been working for democracy is not being allowed to go abroad for treatment by the government that usurped state power. They’re making false statements on her treatment. It’s a deception.”
He said the government can send the BNP chief abroad as per section 401 of the Criminal Code of Procedure (CrPC).
Fakhrul urged the government to immediately allow Khaleda to go abroad for treatment. “Or else, if anything bad happens to Khaleda Zia, this government will be held responsible for it.”
