Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman yesterday said the national election can be held only after basic reforms, the trial for crimes against humanity committed in July, and the establishment of a proper election system.
BNP leaders believe that the government is trying to cater to the interests of multiple political groups, which may explain the conflicting statements.
Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus in an interview with BBC published yesterday said the election would be held between December 2025 and March next year, depending on how quickly the government could institute reforms necessary for free and fair elections.
The government has assured the BNP of working to hold the national election by December this year, the party’s Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said yesterday.
He added that his party would in no way accept any local government elections before the national election
The BNP is set to take to the streets demanding general elections by the end of this year and protesting the rising prices of essentials, said several standing committee members of the party.
The BNP yesterday demanded that the interim government arrange the next national election by August this year in the country’s best interest.
The BNP wants the national election by the middle of this year and local government polls afterwards.
There is a public perception that the interim government is intentionally delaying the election process, said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
Begum Zia will now have to take on the responsibility of transforming BNP into a truly democratic, secular and dynamic political party. She will have to renounce dynastic politics and empower honest and committed leaders.
