There are only five months left for the 13th parliamentary election. But doubts and uncertainties about the elections are still not going away.
Rather, some of the activities of political parties, contradictory speeches and statements, and stubborn stances on some issues are increasing the uncertainty.
In such a situation, not only political analysts, but also the chief advisor himself, have expressed fears and concerns about the election.
There have also been allegations that various conspiracies are being hatched to thwart the election. Experts also say that elections must be held at any cost in the announced first half of February.
Otherwise, they are afraid of that instability may arise in the country and national security may be threatened. In this crisis, they suggest that all political parties have to play a united role in dealing with the situation.
However, in Bangladesh, we see the opposite. Currently, disagreements are rife among political parties.
We learned about the incident in Nepal, where a person was quickly appointed as the Prime Minister of an interim government and a small cabinet comprising four people was formed, and elections time were announced within six months.
As a result, the people of that country breathed a sigh of relief. But that is not the case here in Bangladesh with us.
Meanwhile, disagreements are growing among political parties on issues such as reforms, justice, electoral system and more. Seven parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami, are going on simultaneous programs to demand four points centering elections.
The demands include the legal basis and implementation of the July Charter, holding parliamentary elections based on it, holding national elections using the proportional representation (PR) system, and creating a level playing field for elections.
The demands also include ban the activities of the Jatiya Party (JaPa) and the 14 parties as allies of fascism. Meanwhile, the BNP and its allies, the 12-party alliance, and leftist organizations have also differing opinions on the July Charter.
But those who are working to prevent the election should keep in mind how the people will be empowered without elections. People must be given power so that through election they can determine who will govern us (People) and be answerable to us.
We think that national interests must be given priority over all others. The country must be protected from major instability. To that end, there is no alternative to holding national elections in February.
