Although Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) hasn’t given a specific timeframe for the 13th National Parliament Election, it wants election to be done by 2025.
The leaders of BNP, one of the biggest political parties in the country, say that all its activities now are election-centered. One of the formidable reasons behind it is that there is a fear that this interim government may have a strategy to eliminate two leading political parties like one-eleven government. While another reason the challenge of holding public support for the party.
When asked, BNP standing committee member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan told Bangladesh Pratidin: “We are looking forward to 2025. The new year will bring a new message for the people of Bangladesh.”
He added: “Taking the expectations of 180 million people into account, we expect the interim government to restore public rights through impartial election by 2025 with the aim of re-establishing democracy.”
However, BNP has adopted a strategy of keeping its leaders and activists in the field uninterruptedly until the next election. In addition to keeping its leaders and activists busy through various programs, the party will be vocal in demanding the announcement of an election roadmap.
Public issues will get priority as the party plans to take initiatives to get closer to the country people through programs. The party also took the initiates to promote the party’s ideology, policies, and promises made in country reforms. Following the strategy, the party wants to occupy the field until the next election.
The interim government announced reforms in six sectors to prevent a repeat of dictatorship and ensure free and fair election. Six more commissions were formed aiming to reform several other sectors including media.
However, BNP is willing to give a “reasonable” time for reforms necessary for a free and fair election. It doesn’t want interim government to carry out all the reforms. Not only BNP, the other parties involved in election have demanded for the election roadmap.
In the meantime, a meeting of the highest policy-making forum of BNP decided that if the roadmap is not announced by December, the party will go on a movement program from next March-April.
The leaders of BNP believe that the one-eleven government formed the Kings Party to undermine two leaders. However, it was not successful at the end. There has a concern in the political spheres that there may be an issue this time too.
Officials said: “BNP wants quick election while the country’s situation remains favorable. For this, the party also wants electoral reforms to ensure a level playing field for political parties involved in the mass uprising.”
BNP does not want to give much time in this regard. After the necessary reforms in December, the party wants a roadmap early next year and votes within the year.
A leader of the party said that they will demand elections after scrutinizing the government’s reform activities. BNP will increase pressure on the government in the coming days, the leader added.
If the government doesn’t clarify its stance by announcing election roadmap, the situation may go against the forces in favor of the mass uprising at any time.
He added: “If the government is formed through free, fair, and impartial elections, then that government will carry the essence of the Liberation War and the July-August Revolution in its heart and carry out other reforms to build a non-discriminatory state and society and run the country.”
If asked, BNP Chairperson’s advisor Mohammad Abdus Salam said: “The statements of some advisers have created confusion in the public mind about the election about the vote’s timeframe.”
We are also saying that if the election is prolonged, there will be an opportunity for the fallen dictatorship to return. Our demand is that a roadmap for the election be given quickly”: he furthered.
Translated by Bangladesh Pratidin English/ Afsar Munna
