Declare election date to end chaos

Staff Reporter :

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has called on the interim government, led by Professor Muhammad Yunus, to announce the election date immediately to end the prevailing uncertainty in the country.

“Right now, we are all in a state of uncertainty. We don’t know when or where something might happen. The situation is beyond our comprehension.

From this position, I urge interim government chief Professor Yunus-please do not keep the nation in turmoil. Announce the election date without delay,” Fakhrul said.

He made these remarks while addressing a public rally organized by the local BNP at Laksham Municipal Stadium in Cumilla on Thursday (February 20) afternoon.

Mirza Fakhrul also urged political parties to avoid statements that could disrupt national unity.
“I appeal to all political parties-please refrain from making divisive remarks.

We aim to act as a responsible political party, as we always have. We were in power before, and, Insha’Allah, we will return to power again with the people’s votes,” he said.

Fakhrul accused Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of dismantling state institutions during her 15-year tenure.

“Sheikh Mujib’s daughter has systematically destroyed every institution in this country. She has dismantled the electoral system, the judiciary, and the administration. In the last three elections, people were deprived of their voting rights. Ballots were stamped the night before the polls, and 154 candidates were elected unopposed.

The most recent election in January 2024 was nothing more than a staged contest, where Awami League’s opponents were none other than the Awami League itself. This is the current state of our electoral system-it has been completely dismantled,” Fakhrul said.

Referring to BNP’s ongoing movement, Fakhrul reiterated party leader Tarique Rahman’s slogans-“Take Back Bangladesh” and “Decisions Will Be Made on the Streets.”

“Where was the decision made? It was made on the streets! The ruling party fled in the face of student and public uprisings,” he claimed.

The BNP leader also raised concerns over enforced disappearances, specifically mentioning two missing BNP leaders from Laksham.

“Two leaders from Laksham-Hiru and Parvez-were forcibly disappeared. They were never found. Their children are here today, waiting for years to see their fathers again. This pain, this suffering, is unbearable. Many of our leaders have suffered the same fate,” he said.

Fakhrul reiterated BNP’s demand for early elections, emphasizing the need for a government backed by the people.

“We have repeatedly stressed the urgency of elections, yet many criticize our demand. Why are we insisting on an early election? Because only through a timely election can a new government be formed with the people’s mandate. No matter how powerful a government is, it cannot function without public support,” he argued.

He further urged authorities to reform key institutions before elections.
“The Election Commission needs restructuring, the administration needs reforms, and the police force must be fixed.

Address these issues, provide a roadmap-tell us when the elections will be held and when the reforms will be completed,” Fakhrul concluded.