BNP Standing Committee Member Mirza Abbas on Wednesday expressed doubt that the next general election would be held on time under the interim government.
“The Election Commission should conduct the elections in line with public expectations. Dr Yunus initially said December, and then mentioned June. That shift has put us in an awkward position. First, he said December, then suddenly it was June. Right after he mentioned December, someone else brought up June—and he endorsed it. There’s enough reason to be suspicious—it almost seems like they don’t want the election to take place at all,” the BNP leader said.
Mirza Abbas made these remarks at a discussion event held at the Zahur Hossain Chowdhury Hall of the National Press Club in Dhaka.
He continued: “We want reforms, and we want elections too. But what kind of reforms? Reforms that are necessary for the people of the country. We do not need unnecessary reforms that will bring more trouble.”
Emphasizing the importance of holding elections promptly, he added: “The only alternative to elections is an election itself- nothing else. Now, I don’t understand why, whenever I speak, people say that Mirza Abbas is speaking against reforms, that he doesn’t want reforms. That’s not true. We want the reforms that are necessary for us, for the elections, for the country, for the people.”
The BNP leader said: “I’m not believing, I’m hoping. I don’t think they will hold the election very soon. I see no signs of it. A few parties have started saying: 'if this doesn’t happen, there won’t be an election; if that doesn’t happen, there won’t be an election.' If things keep going like this, what kind of election will it be? Some are already saying they won’t even participate.”
Mirza Abbas added: “I noticed, one guy from the NCP said it’s not possible to hold an election right now because the administration is full of BNP people. The Awami League has ruled the country for 17 years—where did you find BNP people in the administration? I don’t get it.
"In 17 years, the BNP people have practically turned into ghosts. There isn’t a single one left. And now you’re saying the entire administration is run by BNP? These kinds of comments sound like they’re coming from kids.”
