People believe govt delaying polls on purpose

There is a public perception that the interim government is intentionally delaying the election process, said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

Speaking at an event in the capital yesterday, he said an unelected government should not remain in power for long.

“Reform is an ongoing process and it will continue. However, we can’t delay the election for the sake of reforms. We can’t allow an unelected government to remain in power for long under the pretext of completing reforms.”

The event was organised by a faction of the Jatiya Gonotantrik Party at the Jatiya Press Club.

Fakhrul alleged that Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus sparkedcontroversy by suggesting that the minimum voter age be lowered to 17, which has raised concerns about further delays in the election process.

“This means a new voter list will have to be prepared. People will now fear that more time will be wasted, and further delays will occur due to this [preparation of voter list].”

He criticised Yunus for making such a statement without consulting the stakeholders.

“You are the chief executive, and you suggested that 17 years is a more suitable age. When you say this, it becomes binding on the Election Commission.

The BNP leader said the government should allow the EC to make this decision independently.

Fakhrul emphasised that the current minimum voter age of 18 is widely accepted.

He said the BNP has no objection to reform initiatives. However, when an elected government takes office through a national election, the country’s instability is reduced.

Refuting claims that the BNP seeks early elections to go to power, he said, “There is a misconception that the BNP wants elections to be held soon just to return to power. The BNP had been in power two to three times before. If Allah wills, we will return to power again. But we have never pursued politics merely for power.”

Talking about six reform commissions, Fakhrul urged them to engage more with the ordinary people.

“Who are these commissions working with? They have consulted a few intellectuals, whom we know well, respect. But you should also engage with the people and listen to what they want.”

Fakhrul criticised some advisers of the interim government for failing to address the price spirals of essentials and getting involved in politics.

“Prices of essentials like rice, lentils, oil, salt, eggs, fish, and chicken have gone up. People’s lives have become unbearable. Yet, they [advisers] are not paying attention.

“We haven’t seen any adviser or official visit the markets to identify the problems behind the price hike. Instead of addressing the issue, many of them are getting involved in politics.”

Fakhrul urged the advisers not to make comments that undermine political parties and their leaders.

“You must remember that you are an interim government. Your primary responsibility is to implement reforms and hold an election that is acceptable to all.

Your main task is to transfer power to an elected government.”

He said political parties are not opponents of the interim government. “You are neither engaging with political parties nor cooperating with them.”

Fakhrul called upon the interim government to complete essential reforms in key areas, including the judiciary, the EC, and law enforcement agencies, to ensure credible and acceptable elections.

Mentioning that the BNP has no objection to the formation of new political parties, he said the nation will assess whether this truly benefits the country.

“We have no objection to the formation of new parties, be it 100 or 200. But the people will think how much this will benefit the nation. Do you know what a current problem in Bangladesh is? It is that we all are politicians.”

Fakhrul emphasised the urgent need for the government to focus more on governance issues to meet people’s demands, including cooling the prices of essentials, and ensuring safer roads.

Criticising the interim government, Fakhrul expressed concerns over previous corruption and mismanagement in the financial sector.

“All the money from the banks has been looted, but not a single case has been filed yet against those responsible. Instead, we see the same old tactics — cases are being filed against 1,000 or 1,500 unnamed suspects. A business arrangement has been made again in the same manner.”

“Unless these practices are stopped, you [chief adviser] won’t be able to achieve your goals,” he added.