BNP awaiting national polls timeline after Yunus-CEC meeting: Rizvi

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi today (28 June) said their party expects an announcement of a specific timeframe for the national election following a meeting between Chief Adviser (CA) Muhammad Yunus and Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin.

"We believe that the expectations and aspirations of people will be reflected in setting the election date and the announcement of the election schedule," Rizvi said.

He made the remarks while speaking to reporters after visiting the China-Bangladesh Friendship Conference Centre, the venue for BNP's inaugural programme of a 36-day series of events to mark the first anniversary of the July-August mass uprising, scheduled to begin on 1 July.

When asked whether BNP expects a specific election date to be announced after the meeting between the CA and the CEC, Rizvi replied, "We certainly hope so."

Last Thursday, CEC Nasir had a courtesy meeting with CA Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna, which is the CA's official residence.

Rizvi said people's hopes and expectations about the timing of the next election have been widely discussed across various platforms.

He said the country's people and political parties have confidence that Yunus and the interim government will work for the welfare of the people and in the interest of democracy.

The senior BNP leader said they also believe that the chief adviser will make arrangements to hold a free and fair election within the stipulated time so that people can elect their representatives who will be accountable to them.

Rizvi voiced concerns that the nation is facing economic and social crises, with various forms of mob culture emerging.

"We have to free the entire nation from it. We need to ensure such democracy in the coming days, where public representatives are accountable to the people at every step.

"We need to create a situation where no one can become a godfather by becoming an MP, like during Sheikh Hasina's tenure," he said.

The BNP leader said the interim government should give more focus to the economy as growth is declining.

"Last year, our economic growth was 4.2%; this time it has come down to 3.9%. If the economic situation continues to deteriorate like this, if there is no investment, then it will be very sad.

"We hope that the interim government will look into the economic issues," he said.

As long as the interim government is in power, Rizvi said, they will have to work to ensure the overall welfare of the people and a better life for them.

"They [government] will have to hold the election after the necessary reforms, and it must be held within a logical time," he added.