Staff Correspondent:

Thanking Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus for his fresh instruction on the national election, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday expressed the hope that the Election Commission will complete its election preparations promptly.

“I would like to thank Professor Dr Yunus from this programme as he has instructed the Election Commission to complete all the work by December. This is a very positive matter,” he said while speaking at a discussion.

“We hope that the Election Commission will complete this work very quickly and create an environment for the election,” the BNP leader added.

He said their party wants the Election Commission to work in such a way that it can present the nation with a free, fair, neutral and acceptable election. “We hope they will work in that way.”

The Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) and the Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) organised the programme titled ‘Journalists’ Role in the July Uprising by Students and Masses’ at the Jatiya Press Club.”

Expressing strong optimism, Fakhrul dismissed concerns raised by some quarters about whether the election will be held on time.

“Why wouldn’t the election be held? The people of this country want the election. They have sacrificed their lives for the election. They want a parliament with elected representatives,” he said.

Fakhrul said that attempts have been made by a certain quarter to label BNP as a party that opposes reforms, but in reality, it is the BNP that has introduced all major reforms in Bangladesh.

“Reform is in our blood and DNA. We were born through reforms. So, it is unfair to say that BNP is against reforms….Nothing could be a greater distortion of the truth than claiming BNP is obstructing reforms,” he said.

The BNP leader, however, said that is the people who will ultimately decide on reforms. “Why should we expect everything from this interim government?”

Speaking about the July Charter, Fakhrul said BNP had earlier shared their opinions on it and finalised their formal response on Wednesday night after receiving a draft on it from the government. “So, where is the problem?”

Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar said political parties may have different opinions, but they should stay united in the interest of the nation and democracy.

He also urged political parties to use careful and respectful language while speaking or criticising their opponents, so that people do not get the wrong message about the unity among anti-fascist forces.

The Jamaat leader called upon all pro-democratic parties to stay alert, warning that any disunity among them could help fascist forces to rise.

Describing journalists as the barometer of civilisation, he requested the media to play a more responsible role by practising fair and objective journalism.

Parwar alleged that some media outlets are spreading false and misleading information about Jamaat, BNP and other parties to create division among the democratic forces.

BNP Standing Committee member Dr AZM Zahid said he is concerned about the future of freedom of speech and freedom of the press, as there has been no change in the mindset and attitude of the young leaders who played a role in ousting the autocratic and fascist regime of Awami League.

He urged young leaders to show more restraint and patience, and to avoid arrogance in their actions and words. “You should remain alert so that your words and actions do not reflect the mindset of fascists and autocrats.”

Nagorik Oikya President Mahmudur Rahman Manna said there has been no major progress in the discussions of the National Consensus Commission regarding reform proposals.

However, he praised the Chief Adviser for instructing law enforcers to complete all preparations by December for the election.

Manna said the election should be held as soon as possible, warning that any delay may push the country into a dark future. “The mass uprising will succeed when democracy is restored in the country through a fair and credible national election,” he said.