Zakir Hossain from Dhaka
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) senior leader Salahuddin Ahmed on Thursday said the upcoming national election still faces challenges as parties have yet to reach consensus on the democratic transition. “Although we are now free from fascism, we have perhaps not yet reached a consensus on the democratic transition process. There is still time and I hope we will be able to do so through discussions,” he said at a roundtable by Nagorik Coalition in Dhaka.
He stressed that an independent Election Commission, judiciary, caretaker system and free press were key safeguards. While noting the interim government is working “in the spirit” of the caretaker model, he said elections scheduled for early February are progressing on time, with the EC issuing a roadmap and delimitation gazette.
Salahuddin added reforms, trials and elections were not interdependent. “Some reforms can be implemented immediately… others should be initiated by the next government,” he said. On the 2024 mass uprising trials, he noted: “There can be no time limit for justice. Judicial proceedings must run independently.”
He reaffirmed BNP’s commitment to the July Charter and its 31-point reform plan, warning: “The interim government has both achievements and failures, but none will matter if it fails to hold a fair election.”
Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, speaking in Toronto, said expatriates with smart NIDs will be able to vote via a new app, “Postal Ballot BD.” He inaugurated overseas smart card distribution and urged expatriates to take part in the polls.
