Tarique confident of BNP's victory after casting vote

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Thursday, February 12, expressed satisfaction after casting his vote, saying he is fully confident about his party’s victory.

He cast his vote in the morning at Gulshan Model High School and College centre in Dhaka around 9:40 pm.

Talking to reporters afterwards, Tarique said people in Bangladesh have been waiting for this day for more than a decade.

He expressed the hope that the voters would exercise their franchise freely and help begin a new democratic journey for the country.

Referring to some unwanted incidents reported from different parts of the country on Wednesday night, February 11, Tarique said law enforcement agencies took strict steps to control the situation, which he found encouraging.

He urged voters and party leaders and activists to stay at the polling centres until the end of voting.

“If people remain at the centres throughout the day and exercise their rights, Inshallah any conspiracy can be resisted,” Tarique said.

When asked about the election outcome, Tarique said he and his party are '100 per cent hopeful' of winning.

About the priorities of a possible new government, he said improving the law-and-order situation would be the top focus.

“Our main goal will be to ensure that people feel safe in the country,” he said.

The BNP chief also stressed the importance of women’s participation and empowerment, saying half of the country’s population are women and development is not possible without them.

“Work to ensure proper evaluation and empowerment of women would begin from day one, in line with the party’s election manifesto," he said.

Asked about the overall voting environment, Tarique said it would not be appropriate to comment immediately. “After observing for some more time, I may be able to say more."

He expressed hope for a beautiful and stable future with everyone together.

Earlier, Tarique Rahman cast his vote at a ground-floor booth of the polling centre.

It is for the first time he voted at the centre. Previously, in 2001, he was a voter at Adamjee Cantonment Public School and College centre in Dhaka Cantonment.

Tarique is contesting the election with the 'Sheaf of Paddy' symbol from the Dhaka-17 constituency. He is also running from Bogura-6.

His wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and their daughter Zaima Rahman also cast their votes at the same centre. This is Zaima’s first time voting.

Around 9:40 am, Tarique entered the polling centre along with his wife and daughter.

His chief election agent Abdus Salam and Prof Farhad Halim Donar were present at the centre to welcome him.

Source: UNB