Jatiya Party Chairman and Rangpur-3 MP candidate, former MP GM Quader, has warned that the current government is manipulating the upcoming 13th national election to push through a ‘Yes’ vote, threatening the sovereignty of Parliament.
Speaking at a press briefing at his Skyview residence in Rangpur on Sunday, Quader claimed that the government, its appointing party NCP, and its patron party Jamaat are controlling the entire process.
He claimed elections held under a government and its own party have never been free, fair, or acceptable, and this one would be no exception.
Presidium member Azmal Hossain Lebu, SM Yasir, and other central and local leaders were present at the briefing.
“Elections under a partisan government have never been free, fair, or neutral,” Quader said.
“This election is being held under a clearly partisan interim government. The interim government itself has admitted that the people did not appoint them. A faction appointed them, and they call that faction their patron. A party has been formed with that faction, fully under government patronage.”
He added, “Jamaat has openly stated that ‘we led the movement.’ The public was not informed of their role. Coordinators, helmet brigades, and infantry brigades have carried out sabotage and killings. For this reason, Jamaat is the government’s appointing authority, its patron.”
Quader argued that this combination of government, appointing party, and patron authority manages the election.
“Our experience shows elections under such conditions are never free or fair. This election will not be free, as not all parties and citizens can participate. It will not be fair, as equal opportunity cannot be guaranteed” he added.
He claimed many Jatiya Party candidates are contesting from inside jail and facing numerous false cases. “Party workers are threatened. I was warned I would be arrested, based on fabricated cases known to the government, judiciary, and all concerned,” Quader said.
Quader also criticised the government’s performance over the past one and a half years. “The country has been destroyed. The economy, law and order, job system, and public security have collapsed. Everything Bangladesh once took pride in is disappearing.”
He further alleged that authorities are manipulating the ‘Yes’ vote. “People are being pressured to vote ‘Yes,’ with promises of solving all problems and creating a paradise in Bangladesh. These are lies. Government money and staff are being used illegally to propagate them. Opposing the ‘Yes’ vote is being treated as a punishable crime.”
Quader warned of long-term consequences if the ‘Yes’ vote passes. “The government will claim a mandate to push amendments indefinitely, potentially taking six months, six years, or even sixty years. Parliament will be subservient, unable to debate pros and cons. The people cannot express independent opinion, and the sovereignty of Parliament will be undermined. Then why was a new government or parliament formed?”
He concluded, “All their arranged decisions will be passed under this control. Parliament will not be sovereign or independent. The referendum will not reflect people’s genuine choice. This election under the current government will neither be free nor fair.”
