BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday alleged that the government has turned the Jatiya Sangsad into a 'one-party club' by destroying the country’s electoral system. “They (govt) have destroyed all the democratic institutions. Is it a Parliament that they have formed? They’ve created a one-party club.  It’s a club of Awami League,” he said. Speaking at a discussion meeting the BNP Secretary General also said the government has ruined the electoral system to cling to power by force. Stating that the electoral system is the gateway of democracy, he said the Parliament and cabinet are supposed to be formed to run the country through a credible election. “But they've destroyed the electoral system. People now do not go to cast their votes.” Fakhrul alleged that Awami League has also destroyed the state structure by hanging onto power through a ‘unilateral’ election with 154 uncontested MPs and through vote robbery and taking votes the night before the polling date. “They have taken all steps to take all the state machinery to their favour.” Under the current circumstances of the country, he said their party placed a 27-point proposal to reform the state and fix the state institutions.  “The 27-point outline is BNP’s dream and we’ll explain it before people. One can never succeed without a dream.  We’ll move forward with the dream.” Bangladesh Sammalita Peshajibi Parishad arranged the programme titled “The 27-Point Framework for State Reform:  Explanation and Analysis” at the Jatiya Press Club.  On December 19, BNP announced the 27-point framework for state reform. Fakhrul said their party has been able to create a mass wave of people against the government through their recent 10 divisional rallies and other programmes.   "The stormy wave that has begun will wash away the current regime since people are not with them.” Read more: 5 BNP MPs’ resignation: Election to vacant seats within 90 days, EC says He said the first demand of their 10-point proposal is the resignation of the Awami League government by dissolving the Parliament for constituting a caretaker government, which will oversee next election. After that election, the BNP leader said they will form a national government with the partners of their simultaneous movement to implement the 27-point outline. He urged the BNP leaders and activists not to be frustrated as they are fighting to restore democracy and people’s lost rights, and to protect the country from misrule and fascism. “Why would we be disappointed? We are being successful, and we are moving forward. Hundreds of our leaders and workers went to jail. I have never seen any type of despair on their faces.” Fakhrul said they have been in an imbalanced fight since their opponents are very powerful having the entire state apparatus, guns, and pistols in their hands. “Indiscriminately they attack us using those and then file cases against us.” He said a Swechchasebak Dal leader activist Mokbul was killed in police action on December 7 last in front of BNP’s Nayapaltan central office. “On the contrary, a case was filed against our 450 leaders and workers. So, the bottom line is, we have to protect our existence and save our people.” The BNP leader also alleged that the government has politicized the entire judicial system, depriving people of justice. He bemoaned that the media also now cannot enjoy the freedom as they are being forced to exercise self-censorship. “One detective has been attached to every media house. They dictate what to write, create headlines and what to prioritise and what not to prioritise.” Read more: 5 BNP MPs submit resignation to JS Speaker Fakhrul, however, praised journalists for what he said and their efforts to present the truth amid so many limitations. “Can you imagine that the editors are facing cases, including for murder charges?”

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal on Sunday called for changes in electoral system to make the balloting acceptable to all. The CEC said this during a dialogue with Jatiya Party (Japa) at the EC Bhaban on Sunday. “Under the current system, no matter how much competency I demonstrate, it is very difficult to come up with an election that is absolutely acceptable to everyone," he said. He said it is also a disappointment because everyone will not sincerely help the EC to properly perform its duty. Also read: An EC under partisan govt can’t hold credible election: BNP The CEC also suggested holding workshops to find out the way out and have an acceptable vote. The 14-member Japa delegation was led by its secretary general Mujibul Haque Chunnu. Chunnu proposed staggering the upcoming national elections for seven days to make it free from rigging and violence. Also read: CEC calls for all-party participation in next national election He also proposed distribution of the seats of the Parliament based on the percentage of votes (proportional election). The party opposed  use Electronic Voting Machine (EVM). Four election commissioners and senior officials of the EC were also present at the dialogue.

Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Monday alleged that the incidents of killing in the name of election have become a regular feature in Bangladesh as the electoral system here has just collapsed. “The Election Commission seems helpless and weak. Killings are happening in the name of elections. The Election Commission can in no way avoid the responsibility for its failure,” he said. The Jatiya Party chief said the Election Commission should take into account even if one percent people of the country say the election was not fair. READ: Bangladesh becoming ‘uninhabitable’, bemoans GM Quader “The Election Commission shouldn’t announce election results, if necessary, and it can arrange re-election. If it can’t do it, then the Election Commission should step down,” he said. GM Quader, also the deputy opposition leader in parliament, made the remarks while addressing a views-exchange meeting with the newly formed convening committee of Jatiya Party’s Dhaka north city unit at the party chairman’s Banani office. He said people know who has become the champion in manipulating the election. “If it continues, the country will not be able to move forward in any way.” The Jatiya Party chief said among the four basic principles of the constitution, only secularism now remains in place in the country. “People do not have the rights now in the country as there’s no democracy. Without democracy, accountability can’t be ensured either.” He said the country abandoned socialism by adopting the free market economy. “Nationalism is getting lost while we’re also losing our own identity. Foreign culture is invading us.” Stating that the nation achieved independence by fighting against discrimination of Pakistanis, GM Quader said the main spirit of independence was to build a prosperous society free from exploitation and discrimination. “Even after 50 years of independence, we’ve not been able to materialise the basic spirit of independence. Inequality prevails at all levels of society. Laws are enforced differently for ruling party men and for the common people. It’s difficult to do business and get jobs for those who don’t belong to the ruling party,” he observed. READ: Liberation War: GM Quader says martyrs’ dreams remain unfulfilled The Jatiya Party chief said most of the people of the country are struggling to make ends meet for lack of jobs amid the growing price hike. “But some people have amassed huge money and assets. They’re siphoning off money abroad in many ways.”

Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Thursday said the country’s current electoral system will have to be reformed in the interest of multi-party democracy.   “The current electoral system is not effective in many cases. Real democracy will be established and all parties’ participation in Parliament will be ensured if MPs are elected in proportion to the number of votes,” he said.   Under the current electoral system, the representation of only two-three major parties is ensured in Parliament.   GM Quader made the remarks at a discussion arranged by Jatiya Chhatra Samaj at the Jatiya Press Club, marking the Upazila Day.   He said the federal government system should be introduced since it is not possible to ensure good governance for 18-20 crore people with a unitary government system.   Stating that the federal government system exists in most countries of the world, the Jatiya Party chief said if eight provincial governments are established in the country, they will be able to fulfill the hopes and aspirations of people.   “It’ll help to ensure all services and justice for people properly,” he said.   The Jatiya Party Chairman said article 70 of the constitution needs to be revoked as MPs cannot vote against the party's decision only because of it. “The article 70 helps establish a dictatorship or autocracy in Parliament.”   He said article 70 is also a barrier to making the government accountable to the Parliament. “Good governance is not ensured without accountability,” he said.   Quader said their late party founder HM Ershad carried out many reforms during his rule, breaking the colonial system for the welfare of people. “He (Ershad) appointed the first-class officers in the Upazila Parishad under the elected representatives and made the administration functional under the elected Zila Parishad chairman.”   During Ershad’s rule, GM Quader claimed that there was good governance in the country and people could do business without any influence and got jobs irrespective of party affiliation and religion.   He urged the government to fully implement the Upazila system as dreamt by Ershad to empower the public representatives.