Three top leaders of BNP today failed to meet their party chief Khaleda Zia, now in Dhaka's old central jail, as the jail authorities did not allow them to enter the jail.

Fakhrul, along with the party's standing committee members Mirza Abbas and Nazrul Islam Khan went to the old jail on Nazimuddin Road in Dhaka around 3:00 pm.

“Based on prior permission, we came here to meet our party chief Khaleda Zia, but failed as the jail authorities didn’t allow us,” BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told reporters in front of the jail gate this afternoon.

"Inspector General of Prisons Brig Gen Syed Iftekhar Uddin went to Khasimpur jail in Gazipur and thus the jail authority didn’t give permission to meet her (Khaleda Zia),” Fakhrul said quoting a jail official.

BNP Chief Khaleda Zia landed in the jail on February 8 after a special court sentenced her to five years' rigorous imprisonment in Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case.

The BNP has submitted a 17-point recommendation to the Electoral Reform Commission, including changes to party registration policies, electoral code of conduct, and transferring control of the National Identification (NID) server back to the EC.

Addressing a press briefing at the BNP chairperson's office in Gulshan yesterday, Standing Committee Member Abdul Moyeen Khan outlined the party's recommendations, highlighting the significance for creating a level playing field.

"We believe electoral reform is the most important issue right now. Of the 17 points we've raised, 10 are particularly critical for ensuring transparent and credible elections."

For the 13th national polls, the BNP prefers "upgrading" the voter list over the method of "door-to-door visits".

"Honestly, we want a true and accurate voter list to be prepared. Instead of door-to-door campaign, we proposed using computer and AI … Today, if we give instructions to a computer, it can do the work on its own ... and it will be absolutely accurate," said Moyeen.

"A computer can even determine when someone turns 18. For that, there is no need to visit the homes of 18 crore people in Bangladesh. Door-to-door visits are extremely time-consuming, unnecessary, and prone to errors."

About the delimitation of parliamentary constituencies during the 1/11 caretaker government, the BNP expressed concerns whether there were any political motives behind it.

"Previously, the Election Commission controlled the NID server. The last government handed its control to the home ministry. We proposed that the control of NID server be returned to the Election Commission immediately," the BNP leader said.

The BNP has also suggested measures to ensure neutrality of government officials during the election process, Moyeen added.

"We have recommended that after investigations, steps be taken against those responsible for their misdeeds during the July-August uprising and it be ensured that they could not take part in the upcoming election process," said Nazrul Islam Khan, another BNP standing committee member, while speaking at the press briefing.

Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said it would not take more than two-three months to scrutinise fake voters, appoint election officials, and settle the delimitation issue.

He added that they do not think the government would need over three-four months to hold elections after completing the necessary reform work in the administration, judiciary, and police.

Moyeen said the BNP also submitted proposals on election observation policies and the media code of conduct during polls. 

BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today alleged that the government has resorted to filing false cases as it has failed to tackle BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia politically.

Addressing a press conference at the party’s Nayapaltan central office this afternoon, the veteran BNP leader made the comment.

“To stay in power and establish one party rule, the illegal government has filed a sedition case against Khaleda Zia, the most popular leader in the country.”

This case is a proof that the government wants to keep Khaleda away from politics, Fakhrul observed.

Claiming that the government wants to eliminate the opposition, Fakhrul mentioned that hundreds of cases have been filed against BNP leaders and activists, including Tarique Rahman.

“If the natural and democratic process is hampered, radicalism will get the chance to rise in the country,” Fakhrul observed.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today spoke of a mass revolt to free the party’s chief Khaleda Zia, who is currently serving jail term on graft charges.

Alleging that it is all part of a “conspiracy” to keep her from the upcoming parliamentary election, Fakhrul said “Khaleda will be freed from jail through a mass revolt”.

“A conspiracy is at play to keep Khaleda Zia from the election,” he said at a human chain programme held near Jatiya Press Club, organized by Sammilita Peshajibi Parishad.

“This illegal government is going ahead with its long-term blueprint – which is to put Khaleda on the sidelines of politics,” Fakhrul alleged.

The senior BNP leader added: “Khaleda Zia must be freed from jail through the combined and united efforts of all; and that democracy must be restored in the country through establishing a government elected through the voting rights of the government.”

He also called upon the government to free Khaleda Zia and convene the next parliamentary election in a democratic atmosphere, under supervision of the Election Commission and a neutral government.

Leaders of the 12-party alliance, who previously organised joint movements with the BNP against the former Awami League government, have expressed support for the BNP's position on holding the next parliamentary elections by 2025.

They argue that failing to conduct the elections within this timeframe could lead to further delays. As a result, they have agreed to exert pressure on the interim government to ensure the elections take place by next year.

This stance was shared during a meeting with the BNP's liaison committee at the party chairperson's Gulshan office last evening.

The alliance leaders also reiterated their commitment to supporting the BNP's decisions regarding the national election and the formation of a new political party by student leaders involved in the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement in July and August.

A source from the meeting told The Daily Star that the meeting agreed to demand the election be held by December 2025.

"We heard their [the BNP's] views on the formation of the new political party, which appears to have support from the interim government. While everyone has the right to form a political party, doing so with state backing is unacceptable," the source, speaking anonymously, said.

This dialogue marks the beginning of the BNP's consultations with like-minded parties that stood with them during the anti-Awami League movements. The talks aim to solidify unity among political parties and gather their opinions on the upcoming general election.

After the meeting, BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan told reporters that no final decisions had been made regarding the meeting's agenda.

"We have initiated the dialogue, and the parties have assured us of their continued support, as they did during the anti-Awami League movements."

He added that the meeting focused on the country's current political and economic situation, with further discussions planned with other like-minded parties. "We will make decisions after these talks conclude."

Mostafa Jamal Haidar, chairman of Jatiya Party (Kazi Zafar), noted that the meeting also addressed the possibility of organising joint programmes between the BNP and its allied parties.

"The need for unity remains. We must strengthen this unity moving forward. We will announce our joint programmes soon," he said.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Bangladesh LDP Secretary General Shahadat Hossain Salim, Bangladesh Jatiya Dal Chairman Syed Ehsanul Huda, Bikalpadhara Bangladesh Chairman Nurul Amin Bepari, and Jatiya Ganatantrik Party President Rashed Pradhan, among others, were also present at the meeting.