Staff Reporter :
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Tuesday renewed its call for the immediate declaration of a clear and concrete roadmap to ensure a free, fair, and impartial national election by December this year.
“We urge the immediate unveiling of a definitive roadmap for forming a new national parliament through a transparent and credible election by December 2025,” stated Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, a member of the BNP Standing Committee.
Speaking at a press conference held at the BNP Chairperson’s office in Gulshan, Dhaka, Dr Mosharraf underscored that ensuring a fair election – an aspiration deeply rooted in public demand – must remain a top priority for the current administration.
The briefing was attended by other senior BNP leaders, including Mirza Abbas, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Salahuddin Ahmed, Selima Rahman, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, and Hafizuddin Ahmed.
“Failure to act accordingly will make it increasingly difficult for BNP, as a party committed to public interest, to continue extending its cooperation to this government,” Mosharraf cautioned.
Referring to the historic student-led mass movement in July, he stressed that the foremost national imperative is the prompt establishment of an elected political government that genuinely reflects the will of the people and restores their lost democratic, constitutional, and human rights-chief among them, the right to vote.
Expressing disappointment over recent remarks made by the press secretary to Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus regarding political dialogue, Mosharraf noted the absence of any mention of a specific electoral roadmap.
He clarified that BNP and its alliance partners have not demanded the resignation of the Chief Adviser, nor do they currently seek such an outcome.
“Our consistent demand has been for a detailed plan to hold a fair and neutral general election by December 2025 under the supervision of the current interim government,” he reiterated.
Mosharraf further observed that reform and the electoral process can move forward simultaneously, describing reform as an ongoing endeavour.
He also reaffirmed the BNP’s stance that trials related to the ousted authoritarian regime, its collaborators, political allies, and individuals accused of crimes against humanity must continue unhindered.
In response to statements by the advisory council suggesting that the government is being obstructed by conspiracies from defeated forces and foreign influences, Mosharraf argued, “The most effective way to counter these destabilising elements is to hold a free and impartial national election as soon as possible. The immediate presentation of a specific election roadmap is, therefore, not optional – it is essential.”
He concluded by calling for the interim government to function based on national consensus, underlining its responsibility to maintain political stability, uphold law and order, control essential commodity prices, and revitalise investment, trade, and business activity.
