BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said uncertainty still lingers among the people over whether the national election will be held in February. He, however, stressed that if the government is sincere, it can organise the polls within that timeframe.
Currently in the United States to attend the 80th United Nations General Assembly as part of the chief adviser’s delegation, Fakhrul made the remarks in an interview with a New York-based news media.
The BNP leader pointed out, “For nearly two decades, people have been deprived of their voting rights. The deposed Sheikh Hasina never allowed a free and fair election. Even after the fall of the Awami League government, people’s doubts remain.”
He argued that it is now the responsibility of the interim government to remove such doubts. “People in Bangladesh are uncertain whether the election will take place. A crisis of confidence has emerged.
“But many elections have been held in the country within the last three months. Holding an election is not the problem. If the government wants, it is certainly possible.”
According to him, the chief adviser is sincere about holding elections, which is why politicians were included in the delegation to the UN General Assembly to convey that message to the world.
On questions raised by some political parties about whether the police and civil administration are prepared to conduct the polls, the BNP leader said these should not be seen as major obstacles.
He urged the interim government to focus on organising the election, saying that the people of Bangladesh are now demanding a return to the ballot.
