There is no local or international pressure on the government to bring the ousted Awami League (AL) into the electoral race, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said on Friday.
Talking to reporters after placing a wreath at the July Memorial along the banks of the Nabaganga River in Magura Sadar, he said the Election Commission has repeatedly stated that the AL will not be able to participate in the upcoming national polls.
He said everyone is questioning the atrocities committed by the AL during July and August, when hundreds of students and ordinary people were killed.
“Even after so many deaths, the AL has shown no remorse,” he said.
Referring to previous elections, Shafiqul said the Representation of the People Order (RPO) is being amended to prevent a repeat of uncontested seats.
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Voters will have the option to cast a ‘No Vote’ if only one candidate contests in a constituency, he added.
Recalling the one-sided 2014 election, in which 154 AL candidates were declared elected unopposed, Shafiqul Alam said people were deprived of their right to vote at that time.
He reiterated that all political parties have agreed to hold the next national election in February and that the July Charter was signed as part of that commitment.
Additional District Commissioner Abdul Kadir, Officer-in-Charge of Sadar Police Station Ayub Ali, and local dignitaries were also present at the memorial event.