BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday stated that there is no room for ‘engineering’ the upcoming national election, as government officials and employees are expected to carry out their duties impartially.
“We have finally regained the freedom to express our opinions through independent voting. The election will be neutral, though some concerns always remain.
However, we are hopeful there will be no opportunity for ‘election engineering’ this time,” he said at a press briefing at his Thakurgaon residence.
Fakhrul highlighted that BNP has been leading a movement for the restoration of democracy over the past 16 years, and expressed optimism that the February 12 election will help restore citizens’ voting rights and democracy.
“If the election is held in a free and fair manner, it will create a major opportunity for state reform. So far, we believe the overall election environment is favourable,” Fakhrul added.
On the acceptability of the election results, the BNP secretary general affirmed that his party has always respected election outcomes. “Even in 2008, when BNP won only 30 seats, we joined Parliament. This time, we are hopeful that BNP will secure a majority,” he stated.
Regarding BNP’s rivals, including Jamaat, Fakhrul said Jamaat is a strategic party often using religion to propagate its agenda. “They are trying to spread disinformation through various campaigns,” he said.
Fakhrul further stressed that BNP believes in positive and constructive politics and never underestimates its opponents, regardless of who they are.
