BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman has instructed party leaders and activists at all levels not to organise any victory processions or rallies, even as the party heads toward a major win in the 13th national election.
Instead, Tarique has asked BNP leaders, workers and supporters to offer special prayers across the country after Jumma prayers on Friday, according to a statement issued by his press secretary Saleh Shibli.
In a separate statement, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi congratulated the people of Bangladesh, including residents of Dhaka, as the party secured victories in a large number of parliamentary seats.
The statement said BNP will arrange special prayers at mosques nationwide after Jumma, seeking eternal peace for the late former prime minister Khaleda Zia, described by the party as the “Mother of Democracy,” as well as prayers for the wellbeing of the country.
Party leaders made it clear that no victory marches or public celebrations would take place despite the electoral success.
BNP leaders, activists, associate organisations and members of the public have been requested to join the prayers at mosques across the country.
People of other faiths have also been encouraged to offer prayers at temples, churches, pagodas and other places of worship.
Voting in Bangladesh’s national election ended on Thursday in a largely calm environment. Polling began at 7:30 am and continued until 4:30 pm at 42,659 polling centres in 299 constituencies, with nearly one million security personnel and around one million polling officials deployed to ensure a smooth voting process.
The election has raised expectations of restoring democratic governance and securing a strong mandate for national reforms.
