Election result delay beyond 12 hours to signal dishonest intent: Mirza Abbas

Any delay beyond 12 hours in announcing the upcoming national election results would indicate dishonest intentions, BNP senior leader and party-nominated candidate for Dhaka-8 Mirza Abbas said today (31 January).

"I have heard it may take a long time to announce the results. If results cannot be declared within two hours after voting ends, it may take 12 hours at most. Beyond that, we will assume there are evil motives," he said while speaking at an election views-exchange meeting with leaders of the Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies (BAIRA) and two other organisations at Ananda Community Centre in Nayapaltan.

Mirza Abbas, also a BNP Standing Committee member, said that BNP polling agents will not leave polling centres until the results are officially announced.

"We cannot accept claims that it will take three days to announce results. Previously, results were completed by evening. Why three days now, and whom do you want to make win?" the BNP leader questioned.

Expressing concern over possible irregularities on polling day, Abbas warned that any attempt to cast fake votes using 'burqas' would be resisted. "We respect the burqa—my mother used to wear one. But we will not tolerate fake voting under the cover of a burqa."

He said the country is going through an uneasy period and that while police harassment has declined after Sheikh Hasina's departure, people are still not living in comfort or peace.

Narrating his political experience, Abbas said age does not mean ineffectiveness; rather, experience is an asset for the younger generation. "If experience is not utilised, the new generation will not be able to move forward.

Mentioning his long-standing familiarity with the area, the BNP leader said that the poor and distressed people of the area, as well as wealthy individuals and businesspeople, know him well. "No businessman in this city can say that they were able to even buy me a cup of tea for their own interest."

On election strategy, Abbas said rallies and processions are easy, but securing votes is the real task, urging party leaders and activists to go door-to-door to convince voters.

He also alleged that conspiracies against BNP have not stopped and warned of possible attempts to create instability in Dhaka-8 to disrupt the election.

"They [NCP candidate and his supporters] are provoking us in many ways. My leaders and activists are exercising patience. I thank Allah for giving me the strength to remain patient. I am enduring unspeakable abuse and staying in the field with the activists, clinging to the ground," Abbas said.

The BNP leader said the election has been achieved through long struggles and sacrifices and is not a gift.

"Just as independence was not gifted, voting rights are not donated either," he said, urging party workers to remain alert against any attempts to manipulate the election.

After the meeting, he carried out door-to-door campaigning in Bhasani Gali, Jonaki Cinema Hall Gali and the lanes opposite Paltan Police Station.

Later in the afternoon, he offered prayers at Old Paltan Jame Mosque and campaigned in the surrounding areas.