‘ Polls to follow constitution, not prescriptions’

City Desk  :
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader has said the upcoming general election will not be held in accordance with anyone’s “prescription,” rather it will be held according to the constitution.
Quader, who is also general secretary of the ruling Awami League, was speaking to journalists at the Secretariat on Sunday, the first working day after the Eid-ul-Azha holidays, reports UNB.
“The election in Bangladesh will not be held as per anyone’s prescription; it will be held following the constitution, keeping an election-time government like other democratic countries in the world,” he said.

Asked whether there has been any “foreign intervention” regarding the election, Quader replied in the negative, saying perhaps some are giving suggestions and sharing their thoughts.
“Many [foreigners] talk about fair elections, and we are listening. We will listen and accept suggestions, but there is no need to be concerned. We will not follow anyone’s directives,” he said.
“The government wants the BNP’s participation in the election… We want a participatory election; it will not be participatory unless the BNP joins the election,” the Awami League general secretary said.
The minister also suggested that those who raise questions about the 2014 or 2018 elections in Bangladesh should concentrate on their own countries’ democracy.
The minister claimed that journey during Eid-ul-Azha was comfortable, as during Eid-ul-Fitr earlier this year, due to initiatives taken by the government.