Staff Reporter :
BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Sunday warned that growing doubts over whether the upcoming national election will take place as planned could put Bangladesh’s democratic transition at risk.
“During the rule of the fallen autocrat, people had lost faith in elections. Now, under the interim government, the public is again asking whether the polls will be held on time.
This situation should not have arisen,” Tarique said while inaugurating the BNP’s membership renewal and online payment gateway at a city hotel.
He cautioned that uncertainty over the electoral process might “make the path of democracy more difficult,” urging the interim administration to uphold public confidence.
Tarique accused the Awami League of destroying the electoral system over the past 15 years to prevent BNP’s victory.
“Even after the fall of fascism, coordinated efforts are being made to block BNP’s possible win,” he alleged.
Reaffirming his faith in popular support, Tarique said, “If believers in Bangladeshi nationalism remain united, no conspiracy can separate the BNP from the people, InshaAllah.”
He said the BNP has pursued a path of compromise to preserve national unity and has cooperated with the interim government “as much as possible.”
However, he noted that “new conditions are being added one after another,” warning that such moves could endanger the democratic process.
Tarique called on all democratic political parties to remain vigilant against “evil attempts” that might push the nation back into undemocratic practices. “If we fail to distinguish between strategy and deception, we may end up surrendering to evil forces,” he said.
Referring to the government’s announcement to hold elections in February next year, Tarique said the Election Commission would issue the official schedule in due course.
He confirmed that BNP was finalizing its nominations in all 300 constituencies, and that some seats would be shared with allied democratic forces who had joined the anti-fascist movement.
He urged party members to accept the final nomination decisions “in the greater interest of the country, the people, and democracy,” recalling the words of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman: “The party is greater than the individual, and the country is greater than the party.”
Tarique instructed party activists to remain united, saying, “If the BNP’s symbol ‘Sheaf of Paddy’ wins, you win, democracy wins, and the country wins.”
Launching www.bnpbd.org , Tarique said the new platform would allow members and supporters-both at home and abroad-to register, renew membership, and donate online, describing it as a step toward “digital transformation.”
He welcomed the inclusion of expatriate Bangladeshis in voting for the first time and promised to simplify the process further if BNP comes to power.
Highlighting women’s safety, he said that recent reports of rising sexual violence were alarming. “A society where women and children are not safe cannot be called civilised,” he said, urging social and political initiatives to protect women and children across Bangladesh.
