BNP made its case for December polls to CA citing favourable climate, stability: Mosharraf

The BNP has pressed its case to Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus for national elections to be held by December, emphasising that the winter months offer the most conducive environment for polls and help prevent potential conspiracies by elements associated with the "fallen dictatorship", the party's Standing Committee Member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said today (1 June).

Speaking at a discussion at the National Press Club, Mosharraf said the party had been invited by the chief adviser last month to explain their preference for a December election. 

"December is winter, this is the election environment. The longer the elections are delayed, the more the allies of the fallen dictatorship will conspire at home and abroad. Some signs of conspiracy are being seen already," Mosharraf said.

BNP is also scheduled to meet with the chief adviser tomorrow (2 June) for another round of talks.

Elaborating on the unsuitability of holding elections from January to June, Mosharraf pointed out that February and March would be occupied by fasting and Eid celebrations. "April and May are crucial months for public examinations, including the SSC and HSC, which cannot be postponed." 

He stressed that conducting elections in schools serving as examination centres during these months would be impossible. 

Furthermore, Mosharraf noted that June marks the onset of the full monsoon season, a reality already evident this year, making it an impractical time for elections. 

"Therefore, we think elections are possible by December," he asserted.

He added, "We have demanded that the election date be announced on any day in December that the government deems appropriate."

He also noted that their explanation regarding the difficulties of the January-June period did not receive a "good response" from the chief adviser's side.

The senior BNP leader expressed confidence that announcing an election date would galvanise political parties and the public towards the polls, thereby allowing people to counter "petty conspiracies."

He further said, "Those currently in power privately conveyed to us that BNP would likely form the government with a two-thirds majority, regardless of whether elections happened in December or June."

Mosharraf quoted them asking, "So why are you pressuring us?"

The discussion meeting was organised by the Bangladesh Sammilita Peshajibi Parishad (BSPP) commemorating the 44th martyrdom anniversary of late president Ziaur Rahman. 

The discussion meeting was presided over by BSPP convener and BNP Standing Committee Member Dr AZM Zahid Hossain and moderated by the organisation's member secretary Quader Gani Chowdhury, with various political and professional leaders in attendance.