BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury on Saturday afternoon said that the national election must be held by December this year.
He made the comment at a discussion meeting organized by the Zia Parishad at the National Press Club auditorium to mark the 44th death anniversary of BNP founder and martyred president Ziaur Rahman.
Amir Khasru said: “The election must certainly take place by December. Whenever anyone considers investing in Bangladesh, they ask when the next election is.”
He added: “I want to see an elected government, an elected opposition, and an elected parliament.”
He added that it is misleading to claim that only one party wants an election.
“Is it true that only one party demands an election? In fact, 52 political parties who have joined the movement against Sheikh Hasina in alliance with us want elections to be held by December,” he said.
“Statements suggesting otherwise are embarrassing and misleading for the nation,” he added.
Referring to a handful of parties that oppose elections, the BNP leader said: “There are just four or five such parties, and most of them are not even registered. They have no connection to the people of Bangladesh.”
“These are the kinds of king’s parties we saw during the 1/11 period. I hesitate to mention this because such remarks can deepen national division. Ziaur Rahman did not promote divisive politics, and Tarique Rahman also stands for unity,” he added.
In his special guest remarks, BNP Chairperson’s Adviser Moazzem Hossain Alal said the Election Commission has already declared its readiness to hold elections, so there is no reason for delay.
He added: “We want elections before December. In 1971, millions of people gave their lives for voting rights and independence. Why, then, is time now being wasted over the election?”
