The BNP on Saturday told the visiting Election Exploratory Mission from the European Union (EU) that it is not possible for their party to join the next national election under the current Awami League government.
“We've told them that there’s no question of going to elections under this regime, it is not possible. There are so many reasons behind it,” said BNP standing committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury.
Talking to reporters after the meeting with the EU team, he said they informed the EU delegation that the people of Bangladesh will not be able to cast their votes and elect their representatives through the election under the current regime. “These things are as clear as the daylight. Everyone knows these.”
The BNP leader said the entire world has an eye on Bangladesh’s election as they know the elections under this government were questionable and not acceptable. “That’s why they’re expressing their concerns.”
“Why should the EU team come to Bangladesh and take opinions on the election? They don’t have to go to any country in South Asia to this end. Even, they hardly go to any country in the world for this purpose. So, why did they have to come to Bangladesh? Like everyone else, they may have the same question about the elections under this regime,” Khosru observed.
He said the EU team wanted to know whether the people of Bangladesh will be able to cast their votes in the elections in the days to come.
Read: EU Election Exploratory Mission holds meeting with BNP
The BNP leader said the government indulged in vote stealing in the past and they are still doing the same thing and will continue it in the future too. “They’ll go to power again through this process by controlling the election and keeping the people out of voting. These issues have been naturally discussed (in the meeting).”
The visiting EU Election Exploratory Mission came to the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office at 9 am and had a meeting lasting almost an hour-and-a-quarter with a BNP delegation led by party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
Apart from Fakhrul and Khosru, the party chairperson’s adviser Ismail Jabiullah, Organising Secretary Shama Obaed, and Human Rights Affairs Secretary Advocate Asaduzzaman Asad were present at the meeting.
Khosru said they discussed all the issues, including BNP’s position regarding the election, their demands, and the current political situation with the EU delegation.
Read: Fakhrul to govt: ‘Time’s up, resign’
He said they told the EU team that no credible election can be held under the Awami League regime as stealing votes is going on unabated in the country.
The BNP leader said the government is changing the DCs and SPs and OCs of police with new postings. “It has continued arresting BNP leaders, obstructing our rallies. Our yesterday’s (Friday’s) march programme was attacked. It’s going on continuously.”
He also said the government has taken steps to sentence the BNP leaders and workers by promptly holding the trials of the cases filed against them so that they cannot contest the election. “They're are doing these things every day to steal votes.”
Replying to a quarry by the journalists about talks, Khosru said there is no democratic atmosphere in Bangladesh while human rights, media freedom, the rule of law, and safety of life are in question.
“There’s also no democratic environment here… There is no level-playing field in Bangladesh, where people have no democratic, constitutional, and political rights. So, a proper atmosphere has to be created first and then the question of dialogue will come," he observed.
In response to another question, the BNP leader said it is up to the European Union whether they will send observers during the next elections. “The question of observers arises only when a fair election is held.”
He said the people of Bangladesh and the global community at present do not see any possibility of a credible election. “It’s up to them (EU) what decision they will take in this context.”
Meeting with Jatiya Party
After the meeting with the BNP, the EU delegation sat with representatives of the Jatiya Party, led by Chairman GM Quader, at the residence of one of its leaders, Masroor Mawla, around 10:30am.
Talking to reporters after the meeting, party Secretary General Mujibul Haque Chunnu said they told the EU delegation that JP and the country’s people want a free, fair, and neutral election.
"Awami League and BNP both placed their one-point demands. BNP wants the government to resign while Awami League wants the election to be held under Sheikh Hasina. Our one-point demand is a fair election," he said.
Read: Countdown begins for govt's downfall, says BNP Leader Rizvi
Chunnu said they told the EU team that the Election Commission and the government need to play the biggest roles for holding a credible election.
He said their party thinks the current political problem over the election can be resolved through talks. “The main step needs to be taken by the government.”
Replying to a question, the Jatiya Party leader said their party wants dialogue as there will be no solution without talks.
Asked whether there was any discussion about the polls-time government, Chunnu replied in the negative. “They (the EU team) are not interested in it.”
The EU delegation also held meetings with the ruling Awami League and some other parties today.