BNP hails polls schedule as ‘new chapter’ in Bangladesh politics

BNP on Thursday, December 11, welcomed the schedule for the long-awaited national election and the referendum on the Reform Charter, describing it as a ‘new chapter’ in Bangladesh’s political landscape.

“BNP has never had any fear regarding elections. We have always said that elections are the only way to overcome the crisis. Now that the formal journey on this path has begun, we welcome the announced schedule,” party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told UNB.

Giving his party’s initial reaction, the BNP leader said the schedule shows that Bangladesh has started its journey toward a desired democracy for which the people have risked their lives and struggled for more than a decade and a half.

“We are happy with the schedule announced by the Chief Election Commissioner… There may be minor inconsistencies, but we consider them insignificant. The important thing is that the announcement of the election and referendum schedule is undoubtedly a significant moment in Bangladesh’s political history,” he said.

“We also hope a new chapter will begin in Bangladesh’s politics through this announcement,” Fakhrul added.

He expressed hope that all pro-democracy parties would take part in the upcoming election and that voting would take place peacefully.

Fakhrul said it is now the responsibility of the Election Commission to ensure that the election is free, fair, neutral, and credible.

The Election Commission on Thursday evening announced that the national election and the referendum will be held simultaneously on February 12 (Thursday) under a non-political government.

Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin unveiled the schedules in a pre-recorded speech aired on state-run Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar.

Source: UNB