BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Monday warned party leaders and activists of fresh attempts to disrupt the February 12 national election, urging voters to remain vigilant and safeguard their ballots to ensure a credible democratic process.
Addressing separate election rallies virtually in Noakhali’s Hatiya and Narayanganj’s Kanchpur, Tarique said that although those responsible for denying people their voting rights over the past 15–16 years had left the country, “another quarter is again plotting to create obstacles to the election.”
“For years, people could not exercise their right to vote, and freedom of speech was taken away. Now conspiracies have started again,” he said, calling on citizens to unite and assert full guardianship over their voting rights.
At the Hatiya rally, held in support of BNP candidate Mahbubur Rahman Shamim in the Noakhali-6 constituency, Tarique urged voters to turn out early on election day to prevent any manipulation of results. As a precaution against vote rigging, he called on Muslim voters to perform Tahajjud prayers and then go to polling centres early to offer Fajr prayers there, before standing in line to vote.
“Casting your vote alone is not enough. You must stay at the polling station to ensure your vote is counted properly,” he said, adding that people of all faiths should queue together so that everyone can vote freely.
Emphasizing national unity, Tarique said Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Christians and people of other faiths must work together to rebuild the country. “This country is our first and last home,” he said.
The BNP chief also outlined a series of development pledges for Hatiya, saying local residents had seen many leaders in the past but their problems remained unresolved. “To solve these problems, the victory of the Sheaf of Paddy is essential,” he said, referring to the party’s electoral symbol.
If voted to power, Tarique said BNP would take steps to curb river erosion through block dams and embankments, provide permanent land settlements for the landless, and upgrade Upazila health complexes to 150 beds. He also pledged to develop Jajamara Union into a new Upazila and transform Nijhum Island into a modern tourist destination.
Highlighting persistent challenges in the area, he cited shortages of safe drinking water, inadequate healthcare and educational facilities, agricultural constraints, unemployment and economic hardship faced by women. “These problems can be solved if BNP comes to power,” he said.
Tarique also reiterated plans to introduce a family card to economically empower women and a farmer card to ensure access to fertiliser, seeds and pesticides. Vocational institutes would be set up to train youths and the unemployed, alongside loan facilities to help them start businesses or seek employment abroad, he added.
At the Kanchpur rally in Narayanganj, Tarique again urged voters to show the same presence at polling centres as they did at campaign events. “On the day of voting, you must go to the polling centre, offer Fajr prayer there and stand in the voting line,” he said, describing the past elections as “dummy polls” that deprived people of their franchise.
Referring to law and order, he said BNP, if elected, would act strictly to restore public safety in Narayanganj. “Action will be taken according to the country’s laws regardless of party opinion,” he said, noting that ordinary citizens as well as political activists had been unsafe in the district for years.
He also vowed to tackle corruption and drug abuse, claiming there were at least 20 drug trading spots in Narayanganj city. “We will take measures to eradicate these,” he said.
Calling on women to play a key role in the election, Tarique recalled BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s initiatives for free education, particularly for girls from working-class families. Building on that legacy, he said BNP now plans to introduce a “Family Card” program to provide monthly cash or food assistance for seven to 10 days to working-class families, with cards issued in women’s names.
He further pledged employment generation through professional and language training for youths, honorariums and training for Imams and Khatibs to improve their livelihoods, and nationwide canal excavation programmes to address waterlogging and protect rivers and canals from floods.
The Narayanganj rally was chaired by district BNP Convenor Prof Mamun Mahmud and moderated by Joint Convenor Mashukul Islam Rajib. Several BNP leaders and parliamentary candidates also addressed the programme.
Meanwhile, the BNP media cell said Tarique Rahman will continue his campaign today with visits to Mymensingh, Gazipur and Uttara. He is scheduled to address a public meeting at the Mymensingh Circuit House ground at 2:30pm, followed by rallies in Gazipur’s Rajbari ground at 6pm and Uttara’s Azampur Eidgah ground at 7pm, before returning to his Gulshan residence.