Staff Reporter :
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) reiterated its call for comprehensive political reforms, emphasising the need for urgent electoral changes to ensure a fair and free national election.
BNP leadership conveyed this message during a meeting with United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Saturday at the Intercontinental Hotel in Dhaka.
In a press conference following the meeting, BNP Secretary-General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir stressed that the party had been the first to advocate for reforms in the political system, noting that the necessary changes for holding elections must be expedited.
“The UN chief held roundtable talks with political party leaders and heads of the reform commissions.
We reiterated our previous stance, stating that we support reforms, but only election-related reforms should be made before the national elections, while the rest should be completed by the next parliament.
However, I didn’t quite understand the purpose of today’s roundtable,” he said.
The roundtable discussion, initiated by the United Nations, centred on electoral reforms, with Mirza Fakhrul confirming that the BNP had conveyed its position on the matter to Guterres.
“We told the UN Secretary-General what we’ve been saying all along – reforms are crucial for a fair election,”Alamgir explained. He stressed that while reforms needed to be made quickly, the national elections should proceed promptly, with additional reforms to be addressed by the new parliament after the elections.
The meeting, which included various political figures and heads of reform commissions, aimed to discuss Bangladesh’s electoral system.
BNP leadership has been vocal about the need for reforms to ensure a level playing field for all political parties in the upcoming elections.
When asked whether Guterres had provided any specific comments during the meeting, Alamgir stated that the UN Secretary-General did not make any remarks.
“He did not comment on the matter,” Alamgir said, further remarking that the purpose of the roundtable had been misunderstood by the Secretary-General, implying that the UN lacked clarity on the political nuances in Bangladesh.
The conversation also touched upon the timing of the elections. Alamgir stressed that BNP leadership remained in constant communication with the reform commission and was providing all necessary input for the changes to be made.
“Why would we provide a timeline to the UN Secretary-General?” he questioned.
Salah Uddin Ahmed, a senior BNP leader and standing committee member, who also attended the meeting, commented on the UN’s stance regarding Bangladesh’s internal political affairs.
According to Ahmed, the UN Secretary-General recognised that the reform process was an internal matter for Bangladesh, encouraging local political stakeholders to determine the scope of reforms.
“The UN expressed hope that a strong democratic government would emerge from these reforms,” Ahmed said.
He added that Guterres was optimistic about the potential for the upcoming election to set a global precedent for democratic processes.
The BNP’s push for reforms comes amidst a tense political landscape in Bangladesh, where the ruling Awami League party has been accused of stifling opposition parties and limiting democratic freedoms.
As the country prepares for the national elections, the focus on electoral reform remains a contentious issue, with both the government and opposition vying for influence over the process.
The international community, including the United Nations, has repeatedly called for free and fair elections in Bangladesh, but many observers remain sceptical about whether the reforms can be implemented in time to ensure a credible election outcome.
