Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairman Tarique Rahman has urged citizens to cast their votes responsibly in the upcoming national election on February 12, describing the ballot as a hard-won right regained after years of political struggle.
Addressing a large election rally in the early hours of Friday at the Begum Anwara Degree College ground in Araihazar, in Narayanganj district, Rahman said the opportunity to vote had returned following prolonged movements and sacrifices. He called on voters to honour that struggle by participating fully and carefully in the election process.
Tarique Rahman emphasised unity across religious and social lines while speaking at the gathering that marked the close of the BNP’s first day of campaign rallies, which began in Sylhet. He said Bangladesh’s long history of coexistence among Muslims, Hindus, Christians and Buddhists must continue, and he added that national reconstruction would only be possible through collective effort.
Tarique Rahman informed his supporters that citizens had not had meaningful electoral participation for over a decade. He said the forthcoming vote represented a chance to restore both democratic choice and freedom of expression, placing responsibility on the electorate to select candidates capable of ensuring national stability.
The BNP leader also issued a warning about alleged attempts to influence the election outcome. He claimed that certain groups were gathering national identity cards and mobile phone numbers from women and had interfered with the voting rights of expatriate Bangladeshis. He urged the public to remain alert and cautious in the days leading up to polling.
Outlining his party’s policy priorities, Tarique Rahman highlighted proposals aimed at economic and social development, including job creation for young people, support mechanisms for women and farmers through targeted identification cards, and a nationwide programme to excavate canals to improve water management.
The rally was chaired by Narayanganj district BNP convener Mamun Mahmud and featured speeches from several parliamentary candidates contesting seats in the district, as well as senior leaders from BNP-affiliated organisations. Thousands of supporters attended the event, reflecting strong local engagement as campaigning intensifies ahead of the vote.
With less than two weeks remaining before polling day, Tarique Rahman’s remarks underscored the central themes of the BNP campaign: voter participation, vigilance against alleged irregularities, and a promise to rebuild democratic institutions through what the party describes as a free and inclusive election.
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