Upazila elections to be held in free, fair atmosphere: Quader

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader said on Thursday said the upazila parishad election will be held in a free, impartial, fair and peaceful environment though BNP leaders are making  confusing statements over the polls going beyond political etiquette.

"Bangladesh Awami League is determined to develop democratic culture. Elections at different tiers of local government are immensely important for empowerment of people. Upazila Parishad elections will be held in a free, neutral, fair and peaceful environment," he said.
Quader, also the Road Transport and Bridges Minister, said this in a statement sent to the media to protest the 'false and fabricated' remarks of BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and its other leaders.

He alleged that BNP leaders are making confusing statements about the upazila elections, going beyond political etiquette.

"BNP as always has taken a stance against the elections and the country's democracy. That is why people have turned away from them," said the AL leader.

Noting that Awami League had to take a strategic stance regarding the upazila election in the context of BNP's an anti-election stance, he said Awami League is not allocating it's symbol (Boat) this time.

"Awami League expects that persons, who are acceptable to the party (AL) and the people outside the party, would be elected," said Quader.

He said Awami League has given strict organisational instructions so that ministers, MPs and party leaders can’t make any sort of interference in the upazila parishad elections.

Extensive electoral campaigns and spontaneous participation of the people are being noticed in the first phase upazila election, said the AL general secretary.

"When the people of the country are spontaneously participating in the elections, the BNP leaders are taking steps to question the country's democratic system and elections as always. BNP wants to disrupt the electoral system and destroy the democratic process," he said.

Quader said BNP leaders including BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir have been continuously lying.

"In fact, they have no respect towards democracy and the rule of law. On one hand they are nurturing arson terrorists and on the other hand they are raising false allegations of suppressing the opposition when the law enforcement agencies take legal action against the terrorists. BNP has continuously been engaged in conspiracies to destroy the continuation of democracy and stability of Bangladesh," he said.

The AL leader alleged that BNP leaders are trying to protect terrorists by making false allegations of suppression of opposition parties.

"We want to say in an unequivocal voice that Awami League does not believe in suppressing the opposition parties. But there is no exemption for terrorists and they must face justice no matter what party they belong to," he said.

The AL general secretary urged everyone to be aware and alert about the anti-democratic activities of BNP.

Besides, he asked his party's leaders and activists to extend full cooperation to the Election Commission for arrangement of free, fair and peaceful elections.

END/SZA