Dhaka: BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has declared that the forthcoming national election, alongside a referendum scheduled for February 12, 2026, will be a landmark event in Bangladesh's political history. He emphasized the significance of this simultaneous occurrence, viewing it as a major milestone.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Fakhrul expressed these views following the announcement of the schedule for the 13th National Parliamentary Election by the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) this evening. He noted that the address by the CEC demonstrated a unified commitment among the Election Commission, the government, and political parties to conduct the election and safeguard the people's voting rights.
Fakhrul mentioned that the BNP is generally content with the announced election schedule, acknowledging minor differences in wording but dismissing them as insignificant. He stressed the crucial role of the Election Commission in ensuring a neutral, fair, free, and acceptable election process.
Highlighting the challenges democracy has faced in Bangladesh over the past fifteen years, Fakhrul described the upcoming election as a new opportunity. He expressed hope that, through a collective movement of students and the public, a truly representative parliament could be established.
Fakhrul also shared that extensive discussions over state reforms have taken place over the last nine months. While political parties have reached consensus on some issues, those lacking agreement will be decided through a referendum.
Addressing potential misunderstandings with political allies regarding candidate selection, Fakhrul downplayed concerns, explaining that such issues are common in political circles and that the candidate list has yet to be finalized. He assured that participants in past movements would be duly recognized and that cooperation would prevail to ensure a neutral election that upholds democratic values.
Regarding the logistics of conducting the referendum and national election simultaneously, Fakhrul acknowledged the anticipated challenges but remained optimistic that collaborative efforts would overcome these obstacles. Reflecting on his time in prison, he reiterated his steadfast belief in the necessity of elections to reinforce the people's voting rights.