Bangladesh Nationalist Party Chairman Tarique Rahman on Monday said people must assert their own rights and be entrusted with full guardianship of their voting rights to ensure a truly democratic process.
Addressing an election rally at Kanchpur in Narayanganj, he urged voters to turn up at polling centres in large numbers on voting day and remain present until they can cast their ballots.
He said the country has witnessed “dummy elections” over the past 15 to 16 years, during which people were deprived of their voting rights.
Warning that conspiracies have begun again, he called on people to stay united against them and to exercise their right of franchise on February 12 to reclaim their rights.
He said success would only be possible if people stood firmly with the party.
Referring to law and order, he said a BNP government would act strictly to improve the situation, with action taken in accordance with the country’s laws regardless of party affiliation.
He said law and order in Narayanganj has remained poor over the past 15 to 16 years, leaving ordinary citizens as well as political leaders and activists unsafe.
Citing corruption and drug abuse as major challenges, he said the party would take measures to eradicate both, claiming there are about 20 locations in Narayanganj city where drugs are traded.
He said women must play a decisive role in ensuring the BNP’s victory in the election.
Recalling the tenure of Khaleda Zia, he said free education arrangements for children of working-class families, especially girls, enabled millions of women to gain access to education.
He said the BNP has now prepared a plan titled the Family Card to support women and homemakers from working-class families in both rural and urban areas.
Through the card, he said, each family would receive cash or food assistance for seven to 10 days every month.
On employment, he said the party would create job opportunities for young people at home and abroad by providing professional training, including language training for destination countries.
He said the BNP would also provide honorariums and training to imams and khatibs of mosques and madrasas nationwide to help increase their lawful income.
He added that a BNP government would launch canal excavation programmes across the country, including Narayanganj, to address waterlogging and protect rivers and canals from floods.
The rally was chaired by Narayanganj District Bangladesh Nationalist Party Convenor Professor Mamun Mahmud and moderated by Joint Convenor Mashukul Islam Rajib.
Bangladesh Nationalist Party Dhaka Divisional Associate Organising Secretary Nazrul Islam Azad and Narayanganj constituency candidates Mostafizur Rahman Bhuiyan Dipu, Azharul Islam Mannan, Monir Kasemi and Abul Kalam also spoke at the programme.
