BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has thanked the Election Commission (EC) for creating an opportunity for expatriate Bangladeshis to cast their votes in the upcoming national election.
He said, “Expatriate Bangladeshis have long been demanding the right to vote in national elections. In the upcoming election, a significant part of that hope is going to be fulfilled.”
For the first time, around five million expatriates from various countries will be able to vote in the national election. “I sincerely congratulate and commend the Election Commission on behalf of our party for introducing this opportunity,” Tarique added.
He made the remarks as the chief guest while virtually inaugurating the online payment system for renewal of primary membership and enrolment of new members of the party from abroad. The event was held at La Vita Banquet Hall of Lakeshore Hotel in Gulshan with BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir in the chair.
Tarique Rahman said the initiative to allow expatriates to vote is a respectful recognition of their rights and contributions to the country. He acknowledged that, since it is the first time such an opportunity has been created, the voting process might seem a bit complicated, but assured that if the BNP comes to power, steps will be taken to simplify the system.
Expressing concern over women’s safety, he said, “Women constitute nearly half of our population, both at home and abroad. Yet, the indifference of the state and society towards their security seems to have become more pronounced lately. A society where women and children are unsafe cannot be considered civilised.”
He urged everyone to “talk to our daughters, mothers and sisters, create local-level proposals regarding their issues, and seriously think about ensuring women’s safety.”
Tarique said the BNP is a trustworthy political institution that has faced domestic and foreign conspiracies several times. “However, due to the support of democracy- and freedom-loving people, those conspiracies have mostly been rejected,” he added.
He alleged that propaganda and foul play aimed at preventing the BNP’s victory in the upcoming national election have already begun. “The defeated and fugitive dictator established fascism to prevent BNP’s victory and destroyed the country’s electoral system over the past 15 years. Even now, organised propaganda to stop the BNP’s victory is becoming visible,” he said.
Tarique observed that during the previous regime, people lost interest in elections, but under the current interim government, public curiosity is beginning to grow again.
He said the BNP will support and allocate some seats to those who stood by the party during the anti-fascist movement. “Even though BNP has multiple qualified and popular candidates in every constituency, it is not possible to nominate everyone. The party has decided to support candidates from different political parties who were our companions in the movement. Some BNP candidates may, therefore, be deprived of nomination,” he said, urging all to accept the decisions and work in unity.
BNP Standing Committee members Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Dr AZM Zahid Hossain, Selima Rahman, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Nazrul Islam Khan, and BNP Media Cell Convener Prof Dr Moudud Hossain Alamgir Pavel also spoke at the event.
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