AL to accept election results, says PM

Casting her vote in the city corporation election on Tuesday morning, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said Awami League will accept the election result whatever it is.

"We'll definitely accept the people's mandate," she said in response to a query by journalists as she emerged from Dhaka City College polling centre under Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) after casting her vote in the morning.

Expressing the hope that the pro-Awami League candidates will win the elections, the Prime Minister urged people to cast their votes peacefully.

The Prime Minister arrived at the centre at about 8:00am and came out of it around 8:02 am casting her vote.

Voting in the elections to the three city corporations -- Dhaka North City Corporation, Dhaka South City Corporation and Chittagong City Corporation -- began at 8:00am and it will continue till 4:00pm without any break.

Talking to the journalists, Sheikh Hasina said it is of course a matter of happiness to exercise one's franchise in a peaceful atmosphere which is free from any interference and fear as the nation had struggled for a long time to establish their voting rights.

She said the government has ensured the rights of expression of opinions by all and the voters are now enjoying freedom of casting their votes, she said.

In this connection, she urged the city dwellers to give their opinions through casting votes for the mayoral and councillor candidates of their choice.

Replying to a question, the Prime Minister said Awami League is always respectful of the people's mandate. But, BNP terms an election fair only when it wins it and rejects it if it goes against its favour.

Responding to another question, Hasina said a BNP movement means killing, burning people to death and arson attacks, and mass people have no involvement in such destructive politics.

She urged those supporting destructive politics to put their hands on candle fire and try to realise the pains of those suffered burn injuries.

Terming human being as the best creation, the Prime Minister questioned what kind of movement BNP was waging by burning bus drivers, helpers and innocent citizens to death and setting fire on trains and vehicles.

About any possible unwanted situation during the election, Hasina firmly mentioned that it is the responsibility of the government to protect lives and property of people, and the law enforcers will duly perform their duties to this end.

Talking about Khaleda Zia's call for taking money but not giving vote, she said, BNP leader exposed her character proving that she was used to do with bribed money whatever she wanted.

Mentioning the "yes"- "no" Vote of Ziaur Rahaman and the February 15 election of Khaleda Zia, Hasina said they destroyed the voting rights of people. "Awami League fought for a long time to establish the voting rights of people," she added.

The Prime Minister also narrated the 15th August tragedy accusing Zia of getting involved in the killing and 21st grenade attack by Khaleda Zia and Tareq in which 24 Awami League leaders and workers, including Ivy Rahman, were killed.

The Prime Minister said she is doing politics for the welfare of people, not for her own interest, and urged the BNP leader to go to people and work for their welfare.