No polls in Bangladesh sans caretaker govt: BNP

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam on Saturday said the government’s “threats” will not work anymore, as people will not return home until their victory is ensured in the movement for the restoration of their voting rights.

Speaking at the party’s divisional rally in Sylhet, he also said the next election must be held under a non-partisan caretaker government and warned that those who oppose this election system will turn into “enemies of the enemies”.

“The prime minister has issued a threat that we’ll face the fate of Hefajat if we try to wage a movement. We would like to say that people have woken up this time. So, these threats won’t work this time. People who have taken to the streets, won’t return home without realising their demands,” Fakhrul said.

The BNP leader said their party’s main goal is to restore people’s rights that “have been lost, including the right to vote.” “We’ll establish a government of people through people’s votes...our movement can’t be stopped by opening fire and gunning down our leaders and activists.”

Referring to the ruling party leaders’ remarks that the election will be held as per the constitution, he said their party (BNP) does not accept the charter that was amended by the current government.

Referring to the events of 2011 leading up to the 15th amendment to the constitution, Fakhrul said that the government had annulled the caretaker government system using the judiciary, creating a scope for holding elections under a partisan government.

Fakhrul said the caretaker government that was included in the constitution by Khaleda Zia, must be restored to ensure a credible national election. “No election will be held in Bangladesh without the caretaker government.”

He said the restoration of the caretaker government system is the only way to resolve the country’s political crisis.

As part of the party’s planned divisional rally, Sylhet city unit BNP organised the programme in the Government Alia Madrasa ground.

Tens of thousands of leaders and followers of BNP and its associate bodies from four districts--Sunamganj, Moulvibazar, Habiganj and Sylhet--under the division joined the rally, overcoming various obstacles and the bus strikes that began on Friday morning.

Fakhrul said the government will not be able to manipulate the election at night again by using police and government agencies or by using the EVMs. “People will this time take proper account of their votes.”

Stating that they want peace in the country, he urged the government to quit immediately, dissolve parliament and hand over power to a caretaker government.