‘We will accept whatever election result is’

Staff Reporter :

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, also the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) nominee for the Thakurgaon-1 constituency with the Sheaf of Paddy symbol, said, “This time we have gained the freedom to express our opinions through voting independently. We hope the election will be free and fair.

However, there is still some concern. Even then, we are hopeful that there will be no scope for election engineering this time. Government officials and employees will carry out their duties properly.

Whatever the result is, we will accept it. You have seen that in the past as well, we did not reject election results.”

He made these remarks while speaking to journalists at a press conference held at his residence in Kalibari area of Thakurgaon at 11:00am on Tuesday.

He said, “For the last 16 years, we have been continuing movements and struggles to restore democracy. Through the upcoming election, there is an expectation of restoring people’s voting rights and democracy. If the election is held in a free and fair manner, it will create a major opportunity for state reform.

So far, we believe the election environment is favorable.” Regarding the acceptability of the election results, Mirza Fakhrul said, “We have always accepted election results.

In 2008, when BNP won only 30 seats, we still went to parliament. This time, we are hopeful that BNP will secure a majority.”

Speaking about Jamaat and other rivals organizing their campaigns, he said, “Jamaat is a very strategic party. They are carrying out various types of campaign activities strategically.

However, I do not think the people are foolish. On the other hand, BNP believes in positive and constructive politics.

Moreover, we never consider our opponents weak. Whoever they are, we treat them as strong and carry out our activities accordingly.”

Mirza Fakhrul further said, “Our position is that voters should vote for whomever they want. But the most important thing is that you must go to the polling centers and cast your votes.”

At the event, BNP’s Thakurgaon district general secretary Poygam Ali, other party leaders and activists, as well as journalists from print and electronic media, were present.