The Chief Advisor announced the next national elections to be held in February next year and it has brought relief to the country's political arena. Political parties have responded to it very positively. Potential candidates have started to promote themselves in their respective constituencies. They are starting formal campaigns and activities.
Many are going to start their election campaigns by offering prayers and supplications in mosques and temples in their respective constituencies. Today and tomorrow are government holidays. It is learnt that many potential candidates have made preparations to spend these two days in the constituencies.
On August 5, the country's main political party BNP has already welcomed the July announcement and the announcement of the national election by Chief Advisor Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus. In the meantime, the party has also given a formal message to board the election train. However, although Jamaat-e-Islami, Jatiya Nagorik Party (NCP) and Islami Andolan are upset about some issues related to the July manifesto and the announcement of the election deadline, none of the three parties has objected to the announced time of the national election. In addition, they have demanded to ensure a level playing field and a suitable environment for the election.
This information was obtained after talking to leaders of various political parties. Meanwhile, the Election Commission has said that the election schedule will be announced in December.
Last Tuesday, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman thanked the interim government for announcing the 'July declaration’ and national election deadline at a rally in the capital. On the same day, the party welcomed the announcement of the Chief Advisor on behalf of the party, and party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said that they welcomed these initiatives of the interim government to realize the rights of the people.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, in his speech given by the chief advisor, specifically called the announcement of the national election in February 'historic' and said that through this, the political deadlock will be broken and the path to democracy will be smoothed. BNP hopes that the government and the Election Commission will take all measures to make this election fair, free, impartial and acceptable to all.
The leaders of various political parties are so confident about the announcement of the time for the election of the chief advisor that many of them are going to officially start their election activities in the respective constituencies from Friday.
BNP central joint secretary general Advocate Abdus Salam Azad is going to start his campaign in his constituency Munshiganj-2 (Louhjang-Tongibari) from Friday, after offering Friday prayers and supplications at the mosque and exchanging greetings with the elders of the area. BNP central research secretary Krishibid Shamimur Rahman Shamim is going to start his campaign in the same way. He is the potential candidate for Bagerhat-3 area. In addition, the potential candidate for Chandpur-4 (Faridganj) area, the party's Central Joint Information and Technology Secretary HM Saif Ali Khan is going to his constituency to start his formal campaign. As potential candidates, Shariful Alam, organizing secretary of the Central BNP of Kishoreganj-6 (Bhairab-Kuliarchar) constituency, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Iqbal of Kishoreganj-5 (Bajitpur-Nikli) constituency and Khaled Saifullah Sohel (VP Sohel) of Kishoreganj-1 (Hosseinpur-Kishoreganj Sadar) constituency, said that they are going to start their election campaign from Friday after Juma prayers and prayers in their respective areas and exchange greetings with the elders of the area.
The potential candidate of Jessore-6 (Keshabpur) constituency and the Central BNP's Joint Religious Affairs Secretary, Shri Amlendu Das Apu, and the potential candidate of Brahmanbaria-2 (Sarail-Ashuganj) constituency and the central joint general secretary of the Nationalist Youth Party and the secretary general of the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Welfare Front, Shri Tarun Dey, said that they are going to start their campaign anew by praying at the temple in their (Sarail) constituency. On the other hand, Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP) Chairman Barrister Andalib Rahman Partha has said that election campaign are starting in the capital's Dhaka-17 constituency.
Regarding these issues, BNP National Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed told The Bangladesh Pratidin, “The election atmosphere is being created across the country with the announcement of the time frame for the national election by the Chief Advisor. Apart from political leaders and activists, a sense of relief has also emerged among the common people. Through this, the political uncertainty and anxiety that was cemented among the people has been removed. I hope that the disappointment that was present among some leaders of a couple of parties will also gradually disappear. They have already emphasized on ensuring the election environment. I hope that the Chief Advisor of the interim government, Dr. Muhammad Yunus, will be able to overcome all obstacles under his leadership and present the nation with a free, fair and impartial election in mid-February.”
On the other hand, Jamaat-e-Islami's Nayeb-e-Ameer Abdullah Mohammad Taher has said on behalf of the party that Jamaat has no objection to holding the elections in February. However, he demanded that a 'level playing field' be created for the elections before that, and said that a suitable environment for the elections must be ensured.
Jatiya Nagorik Party member secretary Akhter Hossain has said on behalf of his party that NCP has no objection to the time frame in which the government wants to organize the elections between December and June. However, the government must ensure the impartiality of the field administration and a level playing field before the elections.
Jamaat-e-Islami and NCP leaders have already started their respective parties' election campaigns and seeking votes indirectly through various meetings across the country. As a result, the atmosphere of the national elections is now reaching its full potential in the country. The air of relief from the elections is blowing everywhere.
(Translated by Lutful Hoque)
