Terming Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus' statement regarding the timing of the national election as "vague," BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has demanded an immediate and clear "roadmap" for the upcoming elections.
Speaking after paying tribute at the grave of late President Ziaur Rahman in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar on Wednesday (26 March), Fakhrul criticised the ambiguous declaration that elections would be held between December and June.
"This [election will be held between December and June] is vague... It's an extremely unclear statement. December to June... six months. So, no roadmap has been provided," Fakhrul stated, accompanied by BNP Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas and party leaders and activists.
On 25 March, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus reiterated in a national address that the national election would be held between December this year and June next year.
“I have said before and I am reiterating again, the election will take place between December this year and June next year. We want the upcoming election to be the most free, fair, and credible in the history of Bangladesh,” Yunus said, adding that the Election Commission had begun preparations for the polls.
Despite this reaffirmation, Fakhrul expressed disappointment that Yunus did not provide further clarity or a comprehensive roadmap in his speech.
"I am deeply disappointed that the chief adviser did not mention anything about the election roadmap in his speech yesterday," he remarked.
Fakhrul also lamented the absence of any mention of Ziaur Rahman, the proclaimer of independence and hero of the Liberation War, in Yunus' address.
"We are disappointed that in his speech, he did not once mention the name of the proclaimer of independence, the late president Ziaur Rahman. This is part of our history," Fakhrul added, highlighting what he described as an ongoing distortion of historical facts by the ruling Awami League.
The BNP leader reiterated that the party’s call for elections was not driven by the desire to seize power, but rather by a commitment to safeguard the nation's independence, sovereignty, and democratic integrity.
"We... the BNP are not talking about elections to come to power. The BNP is demanding elections in the interest of the nation, to protect the nation, and to safeguard independence and sovereignty, and is calling for an elected parliament and government," he declared.
Fakhrul further called for the interim government to quickly implement necessary electoral reforms and announce the election date. "We hope that the interim government will quickly carry out the minimum reforms, that is, those necessary for the elections, and announce the election," he concluded.
