Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam has said there is no doubt over holding the parliamentary election in February.
He said, “No one can halt the election. There is no mob violence now. There used to be, but it has been firmly suppressed. The election will be held under this government. This year’s national parliamentary election will be the country’s best election.”
He made the remarks at an exchange meeting with local journalists at the Netrakona Circuit House.
Shafiqul Alam said political parties would ultimately come to power through the ballot. “Democracy is the solid foundation of politics. Parties will take power through elections, and the national election will be held under the interim government,” he added.
Addressing concerns about February polls, he said election campaigns were already underway nationwide. “Parties are announcing candidates, holding rallies and meetings. There is no reason to doubt the election timeline.”
On the election schedule, he said the Election Commission would provide detailed guidance. He also said security forces were continuing drives to recover illegal weapons.
Responding to rumours that Consensus Commission Co-Vice Chairman Ali Riaz embezzled Tk83 crore, he dismissed the claims as “propaganda by the fallen government.” “Those who benefited from the previous regime are spreading lies, including on talk shows. Some media outlets are also circulating these false narratives,” he said.
The press secretary also criticised media houses that fail to pay salaries or dues to rural journalists.
“Some outlets talk big, but many do not pay honorariums or advertisement commissions on time. They do not consider how journalists survive, even though thousands work day and night in harsh conditions to gather news. This is very unfortunate,” he said.
Netrakona District Commissioner Mohammad Abdullah Al Mahmud Zaman, Superintendent of Police Mirza Sayem Mahmud and journalists from different media were present at the meeting.
