Dhaka: BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan today said the party will play the role required for holding a peaceful election. ‘We want to clearly state that our leader Tarique Rahman, upon returning to the country after 17 years, repeatedly spoke about peace at a massive public rally. Therefore, BNP will play the role required for holding a peaceful election. That is why our party and the Election Management Committee formed by the party will work for a free and fair election,’ he said. Nazrul made the remarks at a press conference at BNP’s election office in Gulshan.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, earlier, the first meeting of BNP’s Election Management Committee was held ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. Regarding the first meeting of the Election Management Committee, Nazrul Islam Khan said, ‘In today’s meeting, we have discussed the overall situation. Sub-committees will be formed on relevant topics under the leadership of these team leaders.’
Nazrul explained, ‘We have requested them to give us a proposal within the next two days about who can be in those sub-committees. After that, we will finalize those sub-committees through discussion, and they will start working more actively,’ he added.
He further elaborated, ‘Many election-related issues were discussed in the meeting. How we can assist our candidates. How we can play a role in holding a peaceful, free, and fair election. How we can motivate voters to come to the polling centers on time. And, how we can encourage them to vote for our party and our party’s candidates.’
Nazrul Islam Khan said, ‘Our sub-committees will work on their respective issues to address these matters. They will advise us and assist our candidates.’ He added, ‘Through the mass uprising of July-August 2024, we managed to oust the fascist government. But democracy was not established in the country. The restoration of democracy can only be fully established through a free and fair election, through people’s votes and public support.’
He expressed hope for the upcoming election by stating, ‘The upcoming February 12 election is the result of our long-standing movement. The people of the country could not vote for many years, they could not elect their chosen candidates. We hope that this time, the people will be able to elect their preferred candidates through votes and get a government of their choice.’
To ensure a smooth and coordinated election process, an Election Management Committee has been formed with experienced and responsible leaders. The committee includes BNP Standing Committee member Selima Rahman and Vice Chairman Shamsuzzaman Dudu as Vice Chairmen, with Md. Ismail Jabirullah taking on the role of Chief Coordinator.
Committee members include leaders from various levels, including the party’s Standing Committee, Chairperson’s Advisory Council, Joint General Secretaries, and Organizing Secretaries. Notable members are Moeazzem Hossain Alal, Bijan Kanti Sarkar, Habib Un Nabi Khan (Sohel), Ziauddin Haider, Manjur Hossain Alamgir, Mahdi Amin, Saleh Shibly, A K M Wahiduzzaman, Saimum Parvez, Rehan Asad, and Zubayer Babu.
Additional members also include Maj Gen (retd) Fazle Elahi Akbar, Abdul Qaiyum, Giasuddin Rimon, Humayun Kabir, A B M Abdus Sattar, Mohammad Zakaria, Mostakur Rahman, Belayet Hossain Mridha, Mehedul Islam, Farhad Halim Donar, Prof. Morshed Hasan Khan, Kamrul Islam Sojol, Prof. Harun-ur-Rashid, Engineer Shoeb Bashari Bablu, Kamruzzaman Kaiser, Ishtiak Aziz Ulfat, Abdul Moneym Munnah, Afroza Abbas, Monir Khan, A N M Khalilur Rahman Ibrahim, Yasin Ali, Abul Kalam Azad, Kazi Md. Selim Reza, Rakibul Islam Rakib, and Anwar Hossain.