Bangladesh heading towards elections, dispelling rumors
Rumors that the next national election will not be held and a state of emergency will be declared in the country ha ve been spreading everywhere since last Sunday. News about these rumors has been spread on various social media.
These rumors were spread firstly about Army Chief Waqar-uz-Zaman’s meeting with Chief Justice Syed Rifat Ahmed, and secondly, his meeting with President Mohammad Shahabuddin and Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus.
It is alleged that the leaders and activists of the banned Awami League, which was overthrown in the July Mass Uprising, and political parties that do not want elections on the date announced by the government, they are spreading these rumors in a planned manner.
Their goal is to create chaos by spreading rumors and take the country to an uncertain destination.
However, Army Chief Waqar-uz-Zaman has firmly refuted these rumors.
During his meeting with Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Waqar-uz-Zaman unequivocally told the chief adviser, “The entire army is committed to making all the government’s initiatives and programmes successful.”
On the other hand, Dr. Yunus said, “I have pledged to the nation to deliver an election that will increase voter turnout, participation of new and female voters.” He also reiterated the same in his address to the nation on 5 August.
Allegations have also been made against Awami League leaders and activists and a section of the police for their involvement in the attack on Gono Odhikar Parishad President Nurul Haque Nur.
Reportedly, foreigners are also aware of the rumor-mongering. The United States Charge d’Affaires in Dhaka, Tracy Ann Jacobson, told reporters after a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasiruddin on Monday that there are a lot of rumors and conspiracy theories circulating right now in the country.
The US position is, therefore, that we support the efforts of the interim government and the Election Commission, led by Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus, to hold a free and fair election early next year.
To protect the country’s independence and sovereignty and to continue its democratic journey, all must rise above party interests.
They must also remember that the interests of the party are greater than individual interests, and the interests of the country and the nation are much greater than the interests of the party.
Ignoring petty interests for the sake of the country is the hallmark of patriotism. It should be tackled unitedly. There is no alternative to this to stabilize the election environment.
