Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday welcomed the decision of all the political parties, including Jatiya Oikyafront, to participate in the forthcoming national election.
“We want the election to be held in a free, fair and neutral manner. In the election, those who’ll get the mandate will form the government,” she said.
The Prime Minister said this while speaking at a meeting of Awami League Parliamentary Board (ALPB) held at the party central office at Bangabandhu Avenue here in the afternoon.
Awami League President Sheikh Hasina presided over the meeting.
“We want the continuation of democratic trend in the country. We together with all will contest the election. We’ll make the arrangements so that people can cast their vote as per their choice,” the Prime Minister said.
Sheikh Hasina said the people of the country will decide which the party will form the government.
“We’ll keep special attention so that all can participate in the election. We also want the election to be free, fair and neutral. Because, we know those who’ll get people’s mandate (votes) will form the government,” she said.
She said Awami League will initially field candidates in all the 300 constituencies.
“If Awami League contests the election in alliance, then some seats will be given to candidates of its alliance partners,” Hasina said.
Pointing out her weeklong dialogue with different political parties from November 1, 2018 to November 7, 2018, she said they discussed the ways of holding a free and participatory election in the talks.
The Prime Minister said a total of 234 political leaders from 70 political parties and alliances took part in the dialogue that lasted for 24 hours and five minutes.
Mentioning that she had two rounds of talks with Jatiya Oikyafront, the Prime Minister said, “They placed seven-point demand and we’ve accepted much of the five demands.”
“I would like to welcome all as they’ve given opinion in favour of participation in the election,” Hasina said.
Noting that Bangladesh is marching forward, she said her party always wants the continuation of the current development pace and this trend will in no way be stopped.
The ALPB members, including AL general secretary Obaidul Quader, Amir Hossain Amu, Tofail Ahmed, Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim and Rashedul Alam were present.
