Staff Reporter:
BNP yeaterday told European Union (EU) Ambassador to Bangladesh Michael Miller that holding the next national elections within this year is crucial to restore democratic process in the country.
“The issues important in the current context of Bangladesh were discussed, particularly the elec-tion—when it will be held, our views on it, and our stance on the reforms that have been dis-cussed,” party senior leader Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said while addressing a press brief-ing after the EU envoy’s meeting with BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir at the party chairperson’s Gulshan office yesterday.
The BNP leader said they also discussed the election roadmap for Bangladesh’s 13th parliamentary election. “What we’ve said from our side is that it is very important to hold the election within this year.”
Khosru, a BNP Standing Committee member, said the interim government should focus directly on organising the national election, rather than considering other options, to hand over power to an elected government and ensure the continuation of the democratic process in Bangladesh.
He said a country cannot function for a long time under an undemocratic system as such a gov-ernment lacks political weight, a connection with people, and an effective mobilisation process.
The BNP leader said the people are also unable to voice their opinions or give feedbacks in an un-democratic system. “So, we insist on returning to a democratic process as soon as possible.”
The EU envoy came to the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office around 3:30pm and held an hour-long meeting with Fakhrul.
BNP Standing Committee members Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and Organising Secretary Shama Obed attended the meeting.
