There is no uncertainty regarding the upcoming national election scheduled for February, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said on Friday.
“All doubts and obstacles about the February election have been washed away,” he told journalists at a views-exchange meeting at the Mymensingh Press Club in the afternoon.
The press secretary said, “After many years, the country is set to witness a truly free and fair election. During the 16 years of Hasina’s rule, we saw only fake elections. We have moved away from that. This time it will be one of the most significant elections in history.”
He added that the electoral atmosphere had already begun to take shape. “In Jamalpur and Haluaghat, I’ve seen posters and banners of leaders. Political parties have started declaring nominations. Within two to three weeks, once all parties finalise their candidates, the campaign mood will become even more vibrant.”
Shafiqul Alam said all parties had reached consensus on the July Charter and would sign it on 15 October.
About the photographer and human rights activist Shahidul Alam, Press Secretary said the government of Bangladesh had closely monitored the matter and Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus had thanked Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for his role in securing Shahidul Alam’s release and safe return.
Mymensingh Press Club Vice-President Nawab Ali, General Secretary Saiful Islam, and Mymensingh Journalists’ Union President M Ayub Ali, along with representatives from print and electronic media, attended the meeting.
Meanwhile, renowned photographer and human rights activist Shahidul Alam has arrived safely in Turkey after being freed from Israeli custody.
According to the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing, Shahidul returned from Israel on a Turkish Airlines flight on Friday and was welcomed at Istanbul Airport by Bangladesh’s Consul General Mohammad Mizanur Rahman. He is expected to arrive in Dhaka at 4:55am on Saturday.
