Staff Reporter :
Senior BNP leader Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan stated that while the BNP has not ruled out election participation in principle, they refuse to engage in any staged, biassed, or fraudulent elections under the current regime.
“The upcoming upazila elections will be no different from the past ones, offering no real opportunity for fair competition,” he remarked.
Dr. Khan expressed these views during a visit to the residence of Jubo Dal’s former vice president, SM Jahangir, in Uttara on Wednesday, who was recently released from jail.
He criticised the Awami League’s decision to prohibit the use of party symbols in the upazila elections, interpreting it as an admission of the party symbol’s rejection by the populace.
“This move is a clear indication that the Awami League fears defeat in the upazila polls, effectively sinking their own ‘boat’ symbol,” he added.
As a member of the BNP’s standing committee, Dr. Khan emphasised the party’s desire for a democratic process.
“The BNP, having formed the government several times through electoral wins, seeks a free, fair, and participatory electoral process. We are committed to serving the people rather than ruling over them,” he stated.
The responsibility to restore the people’s right to vote and uphold democratic principles lies with the government, according to Dr. Khan.
He also questioned the effectiveness of the BNP’s movement, citing the overwhelming boycott of the January 7 “dummy” election by 95% of the populace as evidence of widespread discontent with the current political climate.
“The BNP aspires to serve the people through peaceful and constructive politics, in stark contrast to the Awami League’s power-centric approach. Our call to the people to abstain from the January 7 elections was heeded, demonstrating a collective rejection of these sham elections,” he explained.
Dr. Khan highlighted the unprecedented legal challenges faced by political dissenters in Bangladesh, pointing out, “The filing of one lakh lawsuits and the accusation of 50 lakh individuals for their political beliefs is unparalleled. Even in autocratic regimes, the suppression of opposition is not as severe as it is in Bangladesh.”
