Dhaka: BNP Standing Committee member Major (retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed today stated that fair and free elections are not feasible by retaining elements of autocracy within the administration. “Associates of the autocrat are still active in the administration, and a fair election isn’t possible by keeping them in different administrative positions,” he remarked.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Hafiz Uddin made these comments during a discussion titled ‘There is no alternative to the national parliament election’, organized by the Jatiyatabadi Muktijoddha Dal and the Muktijoddha Projonmo at the Zahur Hossain Chowdhury Hall of the National Press Club. He emphasized that Bangladesh has not taken necessary steps on the electoral map because the autocrat’s associates remain in the current administration without any efforts to remove them.
Hafiz Uddin asserted that for the sake of a neutral election, the current administrative system must be made impartial. “We cannot go to an election with autocrat’s associates on the field,” he added. He also issued a warning against conspirators, stating that BNP will resist election saboteurs on the streets. Criticizing those who predict the election will not occur, he stressed, “BNP is not a weak party. We want to see on the streets-Insha Allah, who will prevent the election. Seventeen years of sacrifice cannot fail.”
Regarding the Proportional Representation (PR) system, Hafiz Uddin noted that elections cannot proceed under the PR system as the populace lacks understanding of it. He urged those campaigning for PR to include it in their manifesto and election promises, and to implement it only if given a mandate by the people. The event was presided over by the President of the Jatiyatabadi Muktijoddha Dal, Syed Ishtiaq Aziz Ulfat.