Tarique warns against vote manipulation, urges vigilance

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Saturday warned of attempts to manipulate votes ahead of the February 12 elections, recalling what he described as the “magic of the box” in 2008 when results were allegedly altered.

Speaking at an election rally in the Darun Charjana bypass area of Tangail, Tarique said voters must remain alert so that the election outcome cannot be changed this time. 

He alleged that certain groups were trying to disrupt the voting process by collecting national identity (NID) cards and bKash numbers, particularly from women, to mislead and confuse voters.

“The country does not belong to any individual or any party. It belongs to millions of people. The people are the true owners of Bangladesh, and Bangladesh must come first,” he told the rally.

The BNP chief said the politics of the future must focus on national development and changing people’s lives, rather than manipulation and repression. Referring to the last 15-16 years, he claimed people across towns and villages had been deprived of development, while “mega corruption” had taken place in the name of mega projects. He also cited enforced disappearances, false cases and repression.

“If we fail to protect the spirit of change that emerged on August 5 and cannot establish democracy through voting, then the democracy we want to build – one that ensures good governance and people’s rights – will once again be obstructed,” he said.

Tarique urged voters to go to polling centres early and remain vigilant to prevent fake voting. He also called on families to immediately report any attempts to collect NID or mobile financial service details before the election.

Regarding the opponents, he said, “I could talk a lot about them. If I scold the opponent, then you will not get any benefit. Rather, we who are electing should clearly present before you what we will do for the country. This is the job of a political party, to present what they will do for the people if they get the opportunity in the future. Today, I have presented those words before you. The plan is all before you. The power to implement is also before you. That is, if you win the rice harvest on the 12th, we will do the work from the 13th.”

Outlining BNP’s pledges, he said the party would introduce family cards to support women and make them economically self-reliant, provide farmers’ cards, and waive agricultural loans up to Tk 10,000 with interest. He also promised monthly honorariums for mosque imams, muezzins and khatibs, alongside broader support for people from all professions.

Addressing development issues in Tangail, Tarique said BNP would work to unlock the region’s economic potential, including expanding handloom and agro-based industries, creating jobs through small industries, developing jute mills and fruit-processing factories, and exploring the construction of a barrage on the Jamuna River.

During the rally, he introduced BNP candidates for eight constituencies in Tangail and asked voters to ensure their victory with the party’s election symbol, the sheaf of paddy.

The rally was chaired by Tangail district BNP president Hasanuzzaman Shahin, with speeches from central and local party leaders. With the Tangail programme, Tarique concluded his election campaign in the northern region before returning to Dhaka.