BNP's Zahid urges EC to announce election roadmap without delay

BNP Standing Committee member Dr AZM Zahid Hossain has called on the Election Commission (EC) to announce a clear electoral roadmap immediately.

He made the call today (22 August) at a discussion organised by the World Human Rights Council-Bangladesh at the Abdus Salam Hall of the National Press Club in Dhaka.

"Enough delay has already taken place. The interim government has requested the chief election commissioner and the commission to prepare for the polls by mid-February. Now we want the Election Commission to announce the election roadmap without further delay," he said.

Zahid criticised the stance of certain political parties that have set conditions such as proportional representation (PR) before joining the polls.

"When you say you won't join without PR, have you thought about the implication? If the election is prolonged, if it is delayed, if it does not take place on time — who benefits? It benefits the fallen autocrats," he remarked.

Zahid further emphasised that free and fair elections were the only way to ensure democracy and human rights.

"We say elections are the only path to safeguard democracy and rights. For the sake of the nation, let us go to the people. The people's elected representatives will decide the country's governance system in the days ahead — how it will be run, debated in parliament, and how the next elections will be organised," he said.