Govt determining results of Jan 7 polls: Dr Moyeen Khan

BNP senior leader Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan on Thursday said the results of the January 7 election are being determined by the government through the distribution of seats before the voting.

"The election slated for January can’t be any polls as vote and seat sharing is going on here openly. The results of this election are being determined in Dhaka (by the govt). What is happening now is not an election as it is just like distribution of befits among the beneficiaries,” he said.

Talking to reporters at the Martyred Intellectuals Memorial in the capital’s Mirpur, the BNP leader also said the government is tarnishing the image of the nation by holding such an election of seat distribution.

Dr Moyeen, a BNP standing committee member, also said the Election Commission will only announce on January 7 the results that have been determined by the government now in the capital.

“So, it has become clear to the 18 crore people of Bangladesh today that there will be no election on January 7,” he said.

Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan along with some party senior leaders tributes to martyred intellectuals by placing wreaths at the Martyred Intellectuals Memorial at Mirpur in the city, marking the Martyred Intellectuals’ Day.

“Paying respect to the intellectuals, we appeal to the government to leave the path of conflict. The people of this country love peace and they want to live in peace...step down for fair elections to end the political deadlock peacefully,” Moyeen said.

He said the BNP has long been on the streets and will be there until the restoration of the people’s right to vote.

The BNP leader bemoaned that though over 50 years have elapsed since the independence of the country, people don‍‍`t have freedom of speech, voting rights and democratic rights as one-party rule has been established by the Awami League regime.

“People (those belonging to BNP) now can’t stay in their own houses and can’t express different opinions. Everyone now has to speak in favour of Bakshal (one-party rule)," he said.

The BNP leader said those who raise their voice against the one-party rule are being subjected to enforced disappearance, political killing, suppression and oppression.

He said the government may try to gag people with bullets, tear gas, and sound grenades, but BNP will continue to register its protest against the one-party rule democratically and peacefully as it has been doing the same for the last one and a half years.

"We want this political conflict in Bangladesh to end peacefully. The government claims that they have carried out huge development activities, then why are they afraid of holding a free and fair election?” Dr Moyeen said.

He called upon the government to face the people by leaving the path of restrictions, repression, and oppression. “Restore all the fundamental rights and hold a fair and credible election. If you win a fair election, I will be the first to congratulate you. But the reality is, you are afraid of the people of the country and afraid of fair elections.”