BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed has promised to end enforced disappearances if the party comes to power.
Speaking at election rallies in Chakaria’s Saharbill Union on Wednesday, Salahuddin, the BNP candidate for Cox’s Bazar-1 (Chakaria-Pekua), said the party aims to build a Bangladesh where no one goes missing and no mother has to endure the pain of losing a child.
“We want a Bangladesh where no one goes missing. Those who fought for democracy must be honoured,” he said.
He also predicted a “landslide victory” for the BNP in the national election scheduled for 12 February.
Salahuddin said the party would form a government that belongs to the people and restore public ownership of the state through the election, urging voters to cast their ballots freely for their preferred candidates and strengthen democracy.
He said BNP’s programmes and policies are designed to serve public interests and urged the electorate to evaluate party manifestos.
“If people like BNP’s plans, they will vote for us. Other parties will also present their plans, and if the public prefers them, they can vote for them. That is the beauty of democracy,” he said.
However, he warned against parties that he accused of misleading voters by promising divine rewards for votes, and asked voters to be cautious. Referring to past political struggles, Salahuddin said democratic space was limited and people could not freely express themselves or exercise their voting rights.
“Now voters will be able to vote freely and choose their preferred candidates,” he said.
The rally at BMS High School field was attended by district BNP office secretary Yusuf Badri, Matamuhuri Upazila BNP president Jamil Ibrahim Chowdhury, general secretary Hefazatur Rahman Tipu, and organizational secretary Shuaibul Islam Shabuj, among others.
