Mirza Fakhrul highlights need for quick reforms before elections at UN roundtable

A roundtable discussion took place on Saturday, March 15, at the Intercontinental Hotel in Dhaka, where United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres met with members of the National Consensus Commission and political leaders from various parties. 

The meeting, held at 1 PM at the hotel in Shahbagh, aimed to address key political issues in the country.

Representing the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) were Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, the party‍‍`s Secretary-General, and Salahuddin Ahmed, a Standing Committee member. 

When asked about the UN Secretary-General’s opinion on the proposed reforms, Mirza Fakhrul explained, “The UN Secretary-General did not make any comments on this issue; it is our internal matter.”

Mirza Fakhrul further shared, "We informed the UN Secretary-General about the reforms and the commissions that have been set up. Our legal advisor, Asif Nazrul, briefed him on the matter. We reiterated the points we’ve been consistently raising in our statements.”

The BNP leader emphasized that reforms are crucial, stating, “BNP has always been the first to advocate for reforms. But the reforms need to be completed as quickly as possible. Our position is clear — first, the reforms related to elections should be carried out, and then elections should take place. Afterward, any additional reforms can be made through a newly elected parliament. Reforms are a continuous process, and that’s what we’ve been saying.”

Also present at the meeting were Jamaat-e-Islami leaders, including Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher and Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar. 

Other attendees included Nahid Islam, convener of the NCP, Asaduzzaman Fuad, General Secretary of the Amar Bangladesh Party, and Mahmudur Rahman Manna, President of Nagarik Oikko.

This meeting marks an important moment in the ongoing discussions on electoral reforms and the political landscape in Bangladesh.