BNP will boycott election under Hasina, Khaleda says, wants army deployment

The BNP has once again made it clear that they will not take part in the next general elections under the Awami League administration.

"A fair election is not possible with Hasina in power. I tell the chief election commissioner that it's your responsibility to hold a credible election in the country," BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia told a rally in Dhaka on Sunday, when she reiterated her demand for a 'neutral government' for the polls.

"You'll have to create the environment in which the people can exercise their voting rights without any fear," she said.

The 13th constitutional amendment scrapped the provision of  a polls-time caretaker government and paved the way for the election under the elected government.

The BNP has no representation in parliament now after boycotting the 2014 election demanding a 'non-partisan government'.

It now wants a government that can support fair polls for the 11th parliamentary elections due between late 2018 and early 2019.

Ruling Awami League leaders, however, say the elections will be held with Hasina as prime minister in line with the constitution.

In her first public address in one and a half years, Khaleda sent a clear message to supporters and activists that they will not take part in an election under the current administration.

She demanded deployment of the army for the polls. "Not only that, they should be given magistracy powers."

The former prime minister also said they do not want electronic voting machines or EVMs in the next election.

Khaleda addressed a rally at Suhrawardy Udyan for the last time on May 1 last year. Jatiyatabdi Sramik Dal organised the programme. Before that, she spoke at a public meeting in front of the BNP headquarters in Naya Paltan on Jan 5, 2016.

Though Sunday’s rally was meant to commemorate Nov 7, which the BNP celebrates as ‘National Revolution and Solidarity Day’, the party had made it clear that the event would also address current political concerns.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told the media on Saturday Khaleda would convey an 'important message' through her speech.

The rally kicked off at 2pm and Khaleda arrived at the venue an hour later when supporters welcomed her with cheers.

The banner on the stage read: "Rally demanding restoration of multiparty democracy, and free and fair election, marking Nov 7 National Revolution and Solidarity Day".

The party deployed over 2,000 volunteers from its youth, student and volunteer fronts to keep order at the rally.

Colourful festoons were hung in the area with photos of party founder Ziaur Rahman, Khaleda and their son and party's Senior Vice-Chairman Tarique Rahman.

In her speech, the BNP chief called for a 'national unity to resolve the current political crisis'.

She reiterated the claim that 'neutral election' is not possible under a partisan government. "And no polls will be held under Hasina," she added

Khaleda said she believed the party will succeed over its demands and win the election.

She alleged the ruling Awami League obstructed BNP leaders and activists from joining the rally. "The government has shown how mean it is. They can't do politics and serve people with such meanness."

"I challenge you. Let’s organise rallies at two places -- one of the BNP and the other of you -- without barring the people. You could see where the people go," she said.

She also demanded release of BNP leaders, including Abdus Salam Pintu, Lutfozzaman Babar, Moshiur Rahman, and Aslam Chowdhury, arrested or convicted in different cases.

In the speech of around an hour, she spoke about corruption by government officials, hike in prices of essential commodities, law and order situation, and Rohingya crisis, among other issues.

She mentioned her 'Vision 2030' plan to say how the BNP would reduce unemployment rate, work for education of women, and extend medical services, if it came to power.

Mirza Fakhrul chaired the rally. BNP Standing Committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Moudud Ahmed, Rafiqul Islam Mia, Zamiruddin Sircar, Mirza Abbas, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Abdul Moyeen Khan, Nazrul Islam Khan, and Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury also spoke.

The others who delivered speeches included Vice-Chairmen Hafizuddin Ahmed, Abdullah Al Noman, Shahjahan Omar, Barkatullah Bulu, Mohammad Shahjahan, Khandaker Mahbub Hossain, AZM Jahid Hossain, Ahjmed Azam Khan, Zainul Abedin Farroque, and Shawkat Mahmud.

Members of Chairperson's Advisory Council Amanullah Aman and Abul Khayer Bhuiyan also addressed the rally.