BNP Vice-Chairman Abdul Awal Mintoo on Wednesday said that party Chairperson Khaleda Zia will contest in the upcoming national election, asserting that she is now in good health.
Speaking to journalists at a programme held at the Grand Sultan Convention Hall in Feni city, Mintoo said, “Feni’s electoral history is well known. If a fair election is held, inshaAllah, BNP will win here. Our leader (Khaleda Zia) will also contest the polls. She is in good health, and we have no worries about the election in Feni.”
He further mentioned that following discussions in London with BNP’s acting chairman, a joint statement was issued with the interim government regarding the timing of the polls.
“We believe the election will be held in the first week of February. But considering the current situation in the country, it could take place even earlier — possibly in January — as a case on the caretaker government is pending in the Supreme Court,” he said.
Mintoo stated that if the caretaker system is reinstated through the court, the interim government would function as such and an election would be required within 90 days.
Criticising the current administration, he said, “A government that is not accountable to the people cannot deliver good governance. We have been enduring oppression and fighting for fair elections for the past 19 years. Anyone who claims that we are suddenly seeking elections is not stating the truth. We’ve been demanding elections since 2006.”
He reiterated BNP’s stance that the 2008 election was neither free nor fair. “There hasn’t been an election-time government in place since 2006. If a nation goes without an elected, accountable government for over two decades, there can be no real improvement in people’s lives or in the economy. Elections must be overseen by a government accountable to the people,” he added.
