Belying
all uncertainty and concerns over the national election the 11th Jatiya
Sangshad polls is finally being held today in inclusive and
participatory spirit to ensure constitutional process and political
stability. The latest polls survey, media reports and public perception
indicate landslide victory to ruling Awami League and its alliance. It
is also set Sheikh Hasina will take oath as Prime Minister for the
fourth term, a record which probably no one can make in future.
Her
statesmanship, bold and visionary leadership, honesty and hard work for
the welfare of the people and unprecedented development of the country
will bring her political victory at the ballot boxes which she is sure
to get in today's election. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is destined to
get a fresh public mandate to run the country for the next five years.
Congratulations Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
A wise saying on
political leadership and elections is: leadership is not about the next
election, it's about the next generation. And in a quirk of fate, Prime
Minister Sheikh Hasina was not only born to be a politician but to shape
the new generation's political preference of this country.
And
voters by the millions are ready to give fresh mandate to her political
leadership once more, and for the fourth time, an unprecedented event in
the history of Bangladesh. Never before the public appeared so deeply
content with a political leader in post-independent Bangladesh and that
endorsement will be reflected in today's polls.
Not
that her victory was not anticipated beforehand, but this victory,
unlike all others in the past, is more significant for a new beginning
of Bangladesh politics. It's also a new beginning for revamped,
violence-free and participatory national elections in the country.
Beyond all, today's election outcome is also the tale of an
uncompromising leader's relentless struggle to re-establish free, fair
and participatory voting in Bangladesh. All credit goes to her when she
made it with her timely political dialogue from November 1 to 7 with 70
political parties, which in the past no head of government pursued.
However,
with victory come challenges and the challenges for 2019 and the days
ahead would be much greater in size. Among the challenges - in the face
of international community's inaction the fate of more than a million
Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh is still uncertain. Numerable mega
development projects lay incomplete. The communication infrastructure
requires both speed and funds. Promise to elevate Bangladesh in the
ranks of a middle income country by 2021, golden jubilee of country's
independence, is there. And there are 20 more election manifesto pledges
waiting to be materialized - colossal task indeed.
Given the
poll results are accepted peacefully, we believe, the re-elected leader
can live up to her promises to fulfil the unrealized dreams of Father of
the Nation Bangabandhu's Sonar Bangla. Not all politicians can realize
farsighted visions. Politicians can win elections, but not all can guide
a generation. In that case, a politician needs to thrive and uplift
his/her position of a statesman, and that opportunity and time has
arrived for her. Moreover, as much as at home, this 4th term is also
particularly important for her to emerge as a regional and global
leader. Bangladesh is no longer an insignificant country with a smaller
economy. Be it sports or economic progress, it's a power to reckon with,
and Sheikh Hasina's contribution to all achievements in today's
Bangladesh is indisputable and glaringly visible. This time her
statesmanship qualities will be tested even further.
Being the
daughter of the Father of the Nation, as she feels more proud than
adoring the Prime Ministership, she has walked on the prudent path
during her previous three terms. Notably the last two have been
thornier. And she has proved her commitment to her people time and time
again, we believe, this time her commitment would double for addressing
newer challenges. Her declaration of 'zero tolerance' against terrorism
and communalism earned her fame and faith within and outside the
country. During her fourth term she aims at showing 'zero tolerance' to
corruption, drugs and violence, which the country now needs most to
ensure peace, prosperity, sustainable development, political stability,
democracy, human rights, rule of law and good governance.
We, along with the nation have faith in Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
