BNP’s Main Focus: Fast Election Process
Dhaka: In the aftermath of the July uprising, the interim government has been actively involved in the trial process of those involved in the mass killings, along with various reforms in areas such as the constitution, public administration, judiciary, education, and healthcare. Six commissions have submitted their recommendations, but the implementation of these suggestions remains uncertain.
The BNP, alongside Jamaat and other anti-fascist groups, has been expressing support for this government since its inception. The BNP leaders are not only lending a hand in the reform process but also emphasizing the need for swift elections, citing economic conditions, investments, social instability, and various other reasons to argue that a rapid transfer of power to a stable political government through elections is necessary.
Recently, tensions flared up in Dhaka’s Dhanmondi 32 area when the ancestral home of Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina was fortified, causing a wave of unrest across the country. Behind this unrest lies the blame on the incumbent Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s administration, with BNP, Jamaat, and other groups actively opposing the tyranny and brutality seen in the government’s handling of student protests, national citizen committees, and various other factions. They claim that despite passing six months since the uprising began, there seems to be a complete lack of remorse or reflection within Sheikh Hasina or her party, the Awami League, towards the lives lost.
In a continuous display of intolerance, Sheikh Hasina, on February 5, hosted a virtual event for the banned organization Chhatra League, sparking outrage among students and the public, leading to further unrest in Dhanmondi. Amidst this turmoil, on February 10, the BNP held a meeting with the Chief Advisor to discuss the urgent need for elections. While the Chief Advisor reassured them of swift election arrangements, the BNP refuses to settle for mere verbal affirmations and has initiated a nationwide nine-day action plan starting from February 12.
### BNP’s Demands for Swift Elections
The BNP’s high command emphasizes that the government’s goal for elections is still vague, leaving political parties doubtful and concerned. Although a quick and fair election is seen as the only way to navigate the current turbulent situation under the interim government’s control, tensions among political parties persist. The BNP believes that only an elected democratic government can restore stability to the country.
### Preparation for the December Elections
As the BNP pushes for swift elections, the party is gearing up for a massive nationwide campaign to demand electoral roadmaps and confront various challenges posed by the rampant rise of fascism across the nation. With 67 organizational districts taking part in this campaign, the BNP’s top leaders are actively engaging in rallies and meetings, ensuring broad public engagement and a successful election process.
In accordance with their decision, the BNP’s involvement in these assemblies and meetings across the country aims to achieve the most effective outcome through comprehensive public involvement, ensuring a successful election process by guiding through extensive public engagement.
The BNP, through a series of meetings and discussions, is actively coordinating with the Election Commission and other relevant authorities to solidify their preparations for the upcoming elections. They are keen on ensuring comprehensive cooperation in the lead-up to the elections.
The BNP’s Secretary-General, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, emphasized the urgency of elections in navigating the country’s current situation, acknowledging that the only path to recovery lies in a timely and seamless election process. He reiterated the party’s commitment to a transparent and unbiased election to restore the genuine democratic process in the country.
The government’s Press Secretary, Shafiqul Alam, assured that if all political parties reach a consensus, conducting elections by mid-December poses no challenges. The BNP remains engaged with the Election Commission in preparing for the elections, seeking overall cooperation to ensure a successful electoral process.
In light of the ongoing political climate, there seems to be no alternative to elections in December. As such, the government is working diligently to prepare for the impending elections. In the absence of a fully reformed government, the BNP insists that focusing on key reforms and expediting the election process is crucial.
Former Professor at Jahangirnagar University’s Political Science Department, Dilara Chowdhury, highlighted that comprehensive reforms under the interim government are unfeasible. Therefore, focusing on essential reforms and expediting the election process is imperative. She stressed that a government elected by the people is the only way to achieve genuine reform. The urgency for elections in the current context underscores the need for swift power transition through an unobstructed and impartial ballot.
The Dhaka North BNP’s convener, Aminul Haq, stated that reform is an ongoing process, adapting as per the demands of the time and progressing with these changes. Thus, the BNP advocates for a democratically elected government to lead the country toward reform. While several vital reforms must be undertaken promptly, the elections must proceed without delay.
As the clock ticks away, BNP’s relentless pursuit of electoral reform and swift election arrangements continues to shape the political landscape, with hopes pinned on a transparent and efficient election process to steer the nation towards stability and democracy.
2048 hours, February 11, 2025.
