BNP on Sunday told European Union (EU) Ambassador to Bangladesh Michael Miller that holding the next national elections within this year is crucial to restore democratic process in the country.

“The issues important in the current context of Bangladesh were discussed, particularly the election—when it will be held, our views on it, and our stance on the reforms that have been discussed,” party senior leader Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said while addressing a press briefing after the EU envoy’s meeting with BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir at the party chairperson’s Gulshan office.

The BNP leader said they also discussed the election roadmap for Bangladesh’s 13th parliamentary election. "What we’ve said from our side is that it is very important to hold the election within this year."

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Khosru, a BNP Standing Committee member, said the interim government should focus directly on organising the national election, rather than considering other options, to hand over power to an elected government and ensure the continuation of the democratic process in Bangladesh.

He said a country cannot function for a long time under an undemocratic system as such a government lacks political weight, a connection with people, and an effective mobilisation process.

The BNP leader said the people are also unable to voice their opinions or give feedbacks in an undemocratic system. "So, we insist on returning to a democratic process as soon as possible.”

The EU envoy came to the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office around 3:30pm and held an hour-long meeting with Fakhrul.

BNP Standing Committee members Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and Organising Secretary Shama Obed attended the meeting.

Regarding reforms, Khosru said they told the EU envoy that reforms on which a consensus has been reached can be implemented immediately without further delay. "The reforms on which consensus has not been reached will be presented to the people during the election in the coming days to seek the public mandate," he viewed.

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The BNP leader said the party that receives the public mandate will present the reform proposals in Parliament and will be passed after discussions and debates.

He said they also discussed the country’s economy, as the EU has close economic ties with Bangladesh.

In response to a question, Khosru said if BNP comes to power, it will implement effective programmes to revive the economy. "We will also definitely support such programmes if the current government initiates them. Our party has economic programmes that we’ll implement if the people elect us."

He said the EU envoy informed them that European investors are eager to come to Bangladesh and BNP welcomes the investors.