BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Saturday said their party expects an announcement of a specific timeframe for the national election following a meeting between Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMN Nasir Uddin.
“We believe that the expectations and aspirations of people will be reflected in setting the election date and the announcement of the election schedule,” Rizvi said.
He made the remarks while speaking to reporters after visiting the China-Bangladesh Friendship Conference Centre, the venue for BNP’s inaugural programme of a 36-day series of events to mark the first anniversary of the July-August mass uprising, scheduled to begin on July 1.
When asked by a journalist whether BNP expects a specific election date to be announced after the meeting between the Chief Adviser and the CEC, Rizvi replied, “We certainly hope so.”
Earlier on Thursday, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMN Nasir Uddin had a courtesy meeting with Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus at the state guesthouse Jamuna.
Rizvi said people’s hopes and expectations about the timing of the next election have been widely discussed across various platforms.
He said the country’s people and political parties have confidence that Prof Yunus and the interim government will work for the welfare of people and in the interest of democracy.
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The BNP leader said they also believe that the Chief Adviser will make arrangements to hold a free and fair election within the stipulated time so that people can elect their representatives who will be accountable to them.
Rizvi voiced concerns that the nation is facing economic and social crises, with various forms of mob culture emerging.
“We have to free the entire nation from it. We need to ensure such democracy in the coming days where public representatives are accountable to the people at every step. We need to create a situation where no one can become a godfather by becoming an MP, like during Sheikh Hasina's tenure,” he said.
The BNP leader said the interim government should give more focus to the economy as growth is declining.
“Last year, our economic growth was 4.2%; this time it has come down to 3.9%. If the economic situation continues to deteriorate like this, if there is no investment, then it will be very sad. We hope that the interim government will look into the economic issues,” he said.
As long as the interim government is in power, Rizvi said, they will have to work to ensure the overall welfare of the people and a better life for them.
“The (government) will have to hold the election after the necessary reforms, and it must be held within a logical time,” he added.