No representation of people in the House

There is no representation of people in the 11th parliament and a “fresh election under a non-partisan supervisory government” is urgent, said leaders of Left Democratic Alliance (LDA) at a rally.

They also said that those who were involved in the “December 30 voting coup” will be “tried in a special tribunal”.

They were speaking yesterday in front of Jatiya Press Club in Dhaka as part of their protest procession and black flag rally in all divisional and district towns, marking the first session of the 11th parliament.

“The December 30 election has broken all previous records of vote rigging. Awami League no more has the right to criticise Ershad or BNP,” said LDA Coordinator Shah Alam.

“There is no alternative to a united movement for a neutral, caretaker government which will arrange a fresh election to restore the rights to vote and stop oppression,” he added.

Zonayed Saki, chief coordinator of Ganosamhati Andolon, said, “It [December 30 election] was a coordinated coup by the administration, law enforcing and intelligence agencies… We demand an election through which people can exercise their franchise.”

He also demanded constitutional amendments to end “the autocratic power structure” of the government.

In the 47 years of independence, people have never seen instances of 30-50 percent votes being cast the night before election, said Saiful Haque, general secretary of Biplobi Workers Party.

He also said the “farcical election” has made a mass upsurge inevitable, akin to the election in 1970 that provoked people to fight the Liberation War.

He criticised the celebration of election victory by different government bodies and said, “The invitation for a tea party on February 2 by the Prime Minister is nothing but adding salt to wound. We have rejected it already as part of our movement.”

The most difficult circumstance of this election was that the police and civil administration jointly rigged vote more than the AL men this time, said Abdus Sattar, who contested in election from Revolutionary Workers Party of Bangladesh from Barishal-5. He also alleged that some 1.86 lakh farmers were sued in different cases centring the election.

Speakers also said the announcement of “zero tolerance against corruption” doesn't suit the government, as they have nominated “corrupt persons” in the government.

They also blamed the government of “failing to solve the crisis with Myanmar and Teesta issue with India”.

Leaders of LDA including Abdus Salam, Hamidul Haque, and Bazlur Rashid Firoz, spoke at the programme.