TIB report on poll mirrors public views: BNP

Staff Reporter :
The main opposition party-BNP- on Friday vowed to restore democracy in the country through a strong street movement.

“Our movement is still ongoing. The BNP will restore democracy through a strong street movement in a peaceful way,” BNP Standing Committee Member Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan said after paying homage to the party founder Ziaur Rahman by placing wreaths at his grave, marking his 88th birth anniversary.

Leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies, led by the party standing committee members, also paid homage to Ziaur Rahmans on the occasion. Dr. Moyeen Khan said, “The democracy is dead in Bangladesh now.

It is not only the say of the BNP nor the people of the country, but it is voiced by the every democratic country and organisations of the world.”

Talking to reporters at the grave of Ziaur Rahman, another standing committee member of the party Nazrul Islam Khan, said the statement of the Transparency International, Bangladesh (TIB) on the 12th Parliamentary election is a reflection of public opinion.

He also said their party together with the people of the country will restore democracy by toppling the Awami League government through a street movement.

As his attention was drawn to the ministers’ comments opposing TIB’s statement on the national election, the BNP leader said, “Who didn’t say that this election was not fair… everyone said that the election was not fair. So what TIB has said is reflection of public opinion.”

Nazrul Islam Khan said what BNP has been saying about the election is also reflection of public opinion. “So, TIB did not say this (election was not fair) as BNP liked it. What it said was the fact.”

Earlier on Wednesday, TIB described the 12th parliamentary election as a one-sided one that was staged to appear competitive.

At a press conference, TIB also unveiled the primary findings of their study on the January 7 polls and said such an election was an ‘ominous sign’ for the country’s democracy and the future of elections.

The BNP leader appreciated the opinions given by local and foreign organisations disapproving the election held on January 7. “Fairly speaking, we’ll welcome those who speak on behalf of the people of Bangladesh. What we say matters, what people say matters.”

Nazrul Islam Khan said the country’s people do not like the autocracy of the current Awami League government which unjustly arrested the BNP leaders and activists, including Begum Khaleda Zia, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Mirza Abbas, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Shamsuzzaman Dudu and Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal. We condemn it. We also thank all those who criticise injustice, tyranny, repression and vote-stealing.”

The BNP leader said democracy restored by Ziaur Rahman was again destroyed by the Awami League government. “We’ll let you know various programmes of the ongoing movement to restore that democracy.

He said Ziaur Rahman brought back democracy by ending the despotic rule of Baksal while Khaleda Zia restored democracy by ending Ershad’s military dictatorship.

“We’re now fighting to restore democracy under the leadership of Tarique Rahman. On the birth anniversary of Ziaur Rahman, we take a fresh vow that we’ll restore democracy in the country as soon as possible with the help of the democracy-loving people of this country,” he said.

The BNP and its associated bodies were celebrating the 88th birth anniversary of its founder Ziaur Rahman on Friday with various programmes.