Fakhrul: No election keeping opposition leaders in jail

No election will be held in Bangladesh if the incumbent government does not withdraw false cases against opposition leaders and activists, said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. “The government will have to withdraw the false cases against opposition leaders and free them from prisons. A level playing field will have to be ensured for an election,” said Fakhrul while attending a cloth distribution program marking the 82nd birth anniversary of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman on Monday. He also warned that his party will not allow the government to hold the next national election keeping their leaders and activists in jail. “A fair election cannot be held in a situation where Khaleda Zia has to go to the court at least thrice a week and Sheikh Hasina uses a helicopter for seeking vote for her party,” he said. He also said: “We want the next general election to be held as early as possible under a neutral administration. A level playing field must be created for all before the polls.” In the program, Fakhrul harshly criticized the government for its failure to check the soaring prices of daily essentials. He also called upon people from all walks of life to wake up to restore “democracy” in the country.