Staff Correspondent

BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Thursday said the people of Bangladesh are eagerly waiting for the national election to be held by December this year.

“People are ready to cast their votes, and they are not fools. The people of Bangladesh are aware of what’s happening. They’re eagerly waiting for the election to be held by December this year,” he said while talking to reporters after a meeting with Bam Gonotantrik Oikya at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office.

The BNP leader said an election is the only way to restore democratic order by establishing a democratic government through ensuring people's voting rights.He said a political party must come to power through elections. “Those who believe in democracy think there will be an election, and through this, they will come to power. I don't see any reason why it's difficult to understand.”

Responding to a recent comment by a political party that BNP is pushing for a quick election to return to power, Khosru said, "It is through elections that political parties come to power. This is the essence of democracy."

He also alleged that an anti-democratic force is currently active in the country. "We are witnessing efforts to suppress democracy. But people are closely observing everything," he added.Replying to a question about the completion of reforms before the election, the BNP leader said reform is an ongoing process and will continue even after the election.

He said there has been a consensus among political parties on several key reform proposals, which should be made public.

"What is the problem in announcing the election schedule based on this consensus? Even the Chief Adviser has said reforms will be implemented through a consensus. Then why are the recommendations submitted to the Reform Commission not being disclosed?" he questioned.

Bam Gonotantrik Oikya coordinator Abul Kalam Azad said democratic rights must not be stifled under the pretext of reform. "Since 2008, the people of Bangladesh have been deprived of their voting rights. Why should people be deprived of the right to vote even in a fascist-free Bangladesh?”

He said it is feasible to hold a national election by December to restore democracy and the rights of the people.

Later, Khosru, along with BNP Vice Chairman Barkatullah Bulu, also held a meeting with a delegation of Jano Odhikar Party as part of a series of meetings with the party’s alliance partners to seek their opinion on the national election.

The BNP began discussions with its alliance partners on April 17, also to work out its next course of action.