Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) General Secretary Comrade Ruhin Hossain Prince has said that the national election must be held within this year following the implementation of necessary and visible reforms.
Delaying it until April could prolong the process further, giving reactionary forces an opportunity to exploit the situation and emboldening the arrogance of the illegitimate regime, the CPB leader claims.
He made these comments during a press briefing held on Thursday afternoon at the Khulna Press Club.
He noted that visible justice must also be ensured for the killings during the July uprising.
He also emphasized that without ensuring democratic rights and public confidence, any election would lack credibility and acceptance.
He warned that if the election is not announced within this year upon the chief adviser’s return from London, the CPB will initiate a movement.
CPB leaders Shahadat Hossain, S A Rashid, Mizanur Rahman Babu and other local representatives were also present.
Prince affirmed that the Communist Party will not participate in any election without prior reforms, stressing that the election must be held by December, preceded by visible and concrete steps toward justice.
Declaring an election date prematurely, without ensuring accountability and reform, would only obstruct the process.
Referring to the party’s reform proposal, he said that over 700–800 questions have been raised, of which 164 are currently under consideration.
While debates surrounding the Constitution and reform proposals are expected, he asserted that unnecessary and irrelevant discussions must be avoided.
He reiterated that the CPB has consistently maintained—since 1972—that the Constitution contains inconsistencies that must be addressed.
This demand is not new and remains central to their stance, he said.
Prince urged the need to continue the struggle for the restoration of full democratic rights.
Failure to ensure reforms and justice, he warned, will create opportunities for anti-people forces, allowing the illegitimate regime to gain further ground as the delay in election widens the path for its return to power.
He criticized the language of the current council members, saying that offering “passes” instead of “corridors” is merely a semantic difference—both imply the same unacceptable concession.
“No form of corridor or passage should be granted,” he said.
He further mentioned that meetings with Tarique Rahman in London are being held at the chief adviser’s behest and CPB sees no issue with that.
However, he firmly stated that the party remains steadfast in its position on the election issue and will take to the streets if necessary.
