UNB, Dhaka :
BNP on Wednesday said it will welcome if India offers to help Bangladesh create a congenial election atmosphere for ensuring people’s voting rights in the next general election.
Speaking at a discussion, BNP senior leader Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, however, said people will come up with a strong resistance if the neighbouring country wants to help a particularly party cling to power as it did in the 2014 election.
“Indian High Commissioner has said they’ll help us hold our election. We want to know what kind of help it is. As a neighbouring country, we want their assistance, but not that kind of help they did on January 5, 2014 to keep Awami League in power,” he said.
Mosharraf further said, “We want people to cast their votes as per their wish. We’ll welcome if India wants to create such an election environment to enable people to freely exercise their right to franchise.”
Swadhinata Forum, a pro-BNP platform, arranged the programme at the Jatiya Press club in memory of Jagpa president Shafiul Alam Prodhan who died on Sunday at the age of 67.
Earlier on Tuesday, Indian High Commissioner Harsh Vardhan Shringla said their country has no intention to get involved in Bangladesh’s domestic politics as they are focusing on broadening relations in a ‘sustained’ way through ensuring mutual benefits and respect.
Talking to diplomatic correspondents at a function at the Jatiya Press Club titled ‘DCABtalk’, the High Commissioner, however, said India can extend technical support for Bangladesh elections (Electronic Voting Machine or Digital Voting Machine). “But such request has to come from Bangladesh side.”
Mosharraf, a BNP standing committee member, said their party expects that India will come up with assistance for ensuing a credible and inclusive election under a neutral administration.
About the Election Commission’s Roadmap for 11th parliamentary elections, the BNP leader said, “It’s good that the Commission has announced its roadmap. But it’s necessary to first determine that the election will be held under a neutral government to ensure a level-playing field.”
The BNP leader said DC, SP, UNO, OC and other government officials will not be able to work neutrally during the election if it is held under a partisan government
Mosharraf said, their party chief Khaleda Zia will place BNP’s proposal on election-time supportive government just after Ramzan. He hinted that their party will respond positively if the Election Commission invites the party to join talks.
The BNP leader urged the Election Commission to shelve its plan for using EVM in the next election as the country’s major party is deadly against it.
BNP on Wednesday said it will welcome if India offers to help Bangladesh create a congenial election atmosphere for ensuring people’s voting rights in the next general election.
Speaking at a discussion, BNP senior leader Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, however, said people will come up with a strong resistance if the neighbouring country wants to help a particularly party cling to power as it did in the 2014 election.
“Indian High Commissioner has said they’ll help us hold our election. We want to know what kind of help it is. As a neighbouring country, we want their assistance, but not that kind of help they did on January 5, 2014 to keep Awami League in power,” he said.
Mosharraf further said, “We want people to cast their votes as per their wish. We’ll welcome if India wants to create such an election environment to enable people to freely exercise their right to franchise.”
Swadhinata Forum, a pro-BNP platform, arranged the programme at the Jatiya Press club in memory of Jagpa president Shafiul Alam Prodhan who died on Sunday at the age of 67.
Earlier on Tuesday, Indian High Commissioner Harsh Vardhan Shringla said their country has no intention to get involved in Bangladesh’s domestic politics as they are focusing on broadening relations in a ‘sustained’ way through ensuring mutual benefits and respect.
Talking to diplomatic correspondents at a function at the Jatiya Press Club titled ‘DCABtalk’, the High Commissioner, however, said India can extend technical support for Bangladesh elections (Electronic Voting Machine or Digital Voting Machine). “But such request has to come from Bangladesh side.”
Mosharraf, a BNP standing committee member, said their party expects that India will come up with assistance for ensuing a credible and inclusive election under a neutral administration.
About the Election Commission’s Roadmap for 11th parliamentary elections, the BNP leader said, “It’s good that the Commission has announced its roadmap. But it’s necessary to first determine that the election will be held under a neutral government to ensure a level-playing field.”
The BNP leader said DC, SP, UNO, OC and other government officials will not be able to work neutrally during the election if it is held under a partisan government
Mosharraf said, their party chief Khaleda Zia will place BNP’s proposal on election-time supportive government just after Ramzan. He hinted that their party will respond positively if the Election Commission invites the party to join talks.
The BNP leader urged the Election Commission to shelve its plan for using EVM in the next election as the country’s major party is deadly against it.
