Mirza Abbas, the BNP candidate for the Dhaka-8 constituency, has issued a stern warning that any delay in announcing election results will not be tolerated.
Speaking at an electoral exchange meeting with businessmen in the capital’s Paltan on Saturday, the BNP standing committee member questioned the Election Commission’s assertion that three days would be required to declare the results.
Mirza Abbas demanded that the government identify those behind such a timeline, suggesting it might be an attempt to favour a specific party.
“If the delay exceeds 12 hours, it must be understood that there are dishonest intentions, which we will not accept,” he stated, adding that he would not permit the hard-earned right to vote to be undermined by any form of dishonesty.
He further instructed that polling agents must not leave their posts until the final results are announced.
Alleging that conspiracies against the BNP and the Dhaka-8 seat are still ongoing, Abbas said, “Conspiracies are being hatched regarding Dhaka-8, which will not be allowed to succeed. I am enduring it, but do not push my patience to the limit. We want a clean election.”
Mirza Abbas also criticised certain “upstarts” who frequently disparage him, contrasting their lack of contribution with his own long-standing reputation among the businessmen of Dhaka-8. He asserted that the country must be protected from these “immature boys” in the same way it was “saved” from Sheikh Hasina.
Reflecting on the political struggle, he emphasised that the current election was achieved through significant hardship and was not a gift.
Addressing the youth who focus on the events of July 2024, he questioned their oversight of the 17-year struggle that Mirza Abbas claimed provided the foundation for recent movements.
Urging voters to ensure a BNP victory, Mirza Abbas noted that the public’s expectations for a better life following Hasina’s departure have not yet been fully met.
He also expressed concerns regarding potential disturbances on 12 February, mentioning reports of a political party allegedly commissioning the production of 4 million burqas.
