Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday said the 15th amendment to the constitution strengthened the country's democracy, and empowered the people to choose public representatives by stopping the path of grabbing state power illegally.
"Stability is prevailing in the country due to bringing the 15th amendment to the constitution and continuing the democratic process for a long time. So, now, no unelected person can capture state power illegally," she said.
She was speaking at the oath-taking ceremony of the newly-elected Mayor of Rangpur City Corporation (RpCC) and its ward councillors, including those from reserved seats for women at her office in Dhaka.
The prime minister said the apex court had declared it illegal to grab state power by issuing martial law after violating the country's constitution which has ensured the voting and democratic rights of the Bangladeshi people.
She said, "We have strengthened the country's democracy by bringing the (15th) amendment to the constitution following the declaration (the apex court verdict).
"This democracy is meant to reinforce the power of the people and empower them to decide who will or won't go to power."
But, the people's empowerment has become a matter of heartache for a section of so-called intellectuals, as they never come to power through the people's vote, she said, adding that they repeatedly try to hamper the democratic process.
"The ones who were never elected by the people's vote, and fear facing the masses, have inner burning due to this reason," she added.
The prime minister reminded all that the Awami League (AL) government was the only government which handed over power peacefully after the completion of its 1999-2001 tenure in Bangladesh's history.
She however mentioned that the transparent ballot box and preparing voter lists with photographs had been introduced in accordance with the proposal of the Awami League-led grand alliance, to hold elections in a free and fair manner.
She also said the then Prime Minister Khaleda Zia had prepared a voter list with 1.23 crore fake voters to hold a farcical election.
The Election Commission (EC) has been constituted through a search committee following a law enacted by her government that has made it more transparent and accountable, she said.
The government has also given complete financial independence to the commission so it can present the nation with a free and fair election, she added.
The prime minister administered the oath to the new RCC Mayor Mostafizar Rahman Mostafa, while newly elected councillors were sworn in by LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Md Tazul Islam.
State Minister for the LGRD and Cooperatives Ministry Swapan Bhattacharjee was present on the dais while Secretary Muhammad Ibrahim moderated the function.
Jatiya Party-backed candidate Mostafa won the mayoral race for the second consecutive term in the Rangpur City Corporation elections held on 27 December.
