BNP senior leader Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said on Thursday that holding the next parliamentary election by December is crucial to setting the country on the right track, as it is widely considered the cut-off time for the polls.
"Everyone understands that delaying the election beyond December is not an option. Many even believe December is already too late, but it is still seen as the final deadline. If the election is held by then, we will be moving in the right direction," Khosru stated.
He made the remarks while briefing reporters on the outcome of a meeting between European Union (EU) Ambassador Michael Miller and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
The hour-long meeting, held at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office, covered various topics, including Bangladesh’s upcoming elections, reform initiatives, and bilateral matters.
Khosru, a BNP standing committee member, stressed the importance of restoring democracy in Bangladesh, stating that the party has been fighting for 17 years to return power to the people. "The only way to achieve this is through a fair election," he added.
He said discussions with the EU ambassador focused on Bangladesh’s political and economic situation, electoral reforms, and the restoration of democratic processes. According to Khosru, the EU is keen to support Bangladesh in strengthening its electoral system and institutions through reforms.
He further mentioned that while there is consensus on some reform issues, others remain debated. "Political parties have the right to present their views to the people during the election. After that, discussions, debates, and parliamentary proceedings will determine the final decisions," he said.
Khosru noted that both domestic and international observers are focused on the timing of the election and the restoration of democratic governance. "There is a government in the country, but democracy has not yet been restored. No administration that relies solely on law enforcement can sustain itself without public support," he remarked.
He emphasized that working with an elected government would benefit all, including foreign partners, who prefer engaging with a government accountable to the people. "Many challenges can be resolved with a government that has a mandate from the people and a functional parliament. Without political will, these problems will persist," he said.
Highlighting Bangladesh’s strong trade ties with the EU, Khosru noted that discussions also covered future relations and cooperation with the bloc.
In response to a question, he confirmed that BNP would submit its views on key reform proposals to the National Consensus Commission on Sunday.
