BNP senior leader Salahuddin Ahmed on Tuesday said holding the national election before December is possible as completing the necessary reforms based on a consensus could take less than a month.
“December is far too late. It is possible to hold the election before then. If the reform proposals, excluding those related to constitutional amendments, are accepted through national consensus, they can be implemented in less than a month,” he said.
Salahuddin made the comments while speaking at a discussion titled “Trail of Genocide, State Reform, and Election Roadmap” organised by the Gono Odhikar Parishad at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU).
Salahuddin Ahmed made this statement at a discussion titled “Genocide Trial, State Reform and Election Roadmap' organized by the Gono Odhikar Parishad at Dhaka Reporters Unity on Tuesday.
Salahuddin, a BNP Standing Committee member, noted that there is public opinion suggesting BNP may secure a majority in the election, though that will only be confirmed once the election takes place.
In light of this concern, he alleged that some new political parties have started considering ways to avoid this situation by delaying the election under various pretexts.
“But if we believe in democracy, if we believe in the right to vote, and if we want to establish a new democratically elected government, there is no alternative to democracy and election,” the BNP leader said.
Rizvi slams govt for retaining black money whitening provision in budget
He said democracy remains the most widely recognised system in the world. “We are all in favour of democracy and a prompt election to establish the people’s right to vote.”
Salahuddin reiterated that they have yet to find any valid argument to justify delaying the election beyond December. “There is not a single reason that justifies holding the election after December. Yesterday (Monday), we raised this issue…if there is even one reason, we urge you to present it.”
He said their party leaders have consistently been presenting their arguments as to why the national election should be held by December. “We hope the Chief Adviser will give the matter due consideration.”
The BNP leader said establishing an elected political government is the only way to halt efforts by both local and international conspirators to destabilise the country. “The sooner we recognise this and act on it, the better it will be for Bangladesh.”
He said those elected by the people through a credible election should govern the country as they would be the legitimate representatives chosen by the public.
Salahuddin urged all to remain alert so that the anti-fascism unity forged during the mass uprising last year is not destroyed by indulging in too much debate on the election and reform. “We all must remain vigilant so that division is not created among the democratic forces. The nation expects that we’ll move forward towards the democratic process by considering everything logically.”
He said there is now much discussion on national reforms, trials and elections. “But the election is a completely different matter from reforms and the trial. The trials will be conducted independently. Those who come to power after this government will have to carry that out.”
BNP wants only national election under 90-day caretaker govt: Salahuddin
The BNP leader said it will take a long time to try those who committed crimes against humanity, and the judiciary will continue the trial process independently.
“So, it would not be right to say that there is a direct relationship between the trial and the election. Setting a time for the trial is tantamount to injustice. Because we all know the long trial process and time has to be given to do justice,” he said.
Nagorik Oikya President Mahmudur Rahman Manna, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Secretary General Redwan Ahmed, Bangladesh Jatiya Party Chairman Andaleeve Rahman Partha, Biplobi Workers Party General Secretary Saiful Haque, 12-party Coordinator Syed Ehsanul Huda, Bhasani Janoshakti Chairman Sheikh Rafiqul Islam Babul, atiya Samajtantrik Dal General Secretary Shahid Uddin Mahmud Swapan, Ganosamhati Andolon's Executive Coordinator Abul Hasan Rubel, Jatiya Mukti Council General Secretary Fawzul Hakim, among others, spoke at the programme with Gono Odhikar Parishad president Nurul Haque Nur in the chair.
They all advocated for holding the national election by December to restore democracy and the people’s right to vote in the country.