Results will be accepted if election is free and neutral: Tarique

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman said the party would accept the election results if the polls are held in a free, fair and neutral manner.

"If the election is held in a free, fair, impartial manner and without controversy, then why shouldn't we accept it? We will accept it," Tarique told journalists at the Gulshan BNP chairman's office today (12 February) after visiting several polling centres in the capital.

He said people had been deprived of their voting rights for more than a decade and expressed optimism after touring centres in Dhaka.

"I have visited some centres in Dhaka city. People are casting their votes in a peaceful environment, and there is visible enthusiasm," he said, adding that public participation could mark a democratic beginning for the country.

Urging voters to exercise their rights peacefully, Tarique said, "Let us take the initiative to build the desired Bangladesh together."

Replying to a query, he said, "We are confident, Alhamdulillah. I'm optimistic about victory."

When asked about the number of seats BNP expects to win, he said, "We are expecting this much — that we will be able to run the country well if we win as many seats as we can."

Responding to another question on forming a national government, Tarique said he wanted to run the country with "more or less everyone with whom I have fought and struggled together."

He said he had spent five hours visiting polling centres and had not yet received reports from across the country.

"I just came to the office. Five hours have passed as I was visiting various centres. Based on what I saw in Dhaka city, it seemed people were voting in a festive atmosphere," he said.

However, Tarique said he had also seen reports of unexpected incidents in different areas while following media coverage on his mobile phone.

"A political party is repeatedly causing some unexpected incidents. We do not want such incidents," he said.

He added, "We believe the people are the owners of the country. If they come out and exercise their rights, voter turnout will increase and all conspiracies will be thwarted."

Tarique warned that public resentment would grow against those creating unrest.

"These incidents are not good. They are trying to do immoral things in various ways," he said.

Asked about the timing of vote counting, he said he saw no reason for delays.

"People across the country will want quick results wherever they voted. The Election Commission will try to convey the outcome of the people's votes as soon as possible," he said.

Referring to past elections, Tarique said, "We saw fair elections in 1991, 1996 and 2001. There is a normal time for announcing results. We hope this time too we will know the results as soon as possible."

"We are witnessing some undesirable events; some are trying to mislead the people. Such things cannot be accepted — no one will accept them," he added.