BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Thursday said his party will accept the results of the ongoing national election, provided the voting is conducted in a free, fair, impartial and peaceful manner.
“If the election is free, fair, impartial, and without controversy, then why shouldn’t we accept it? We will accept it,” he told reporters at the Gulshan BNP chairman’s office after visiting several polling centres in Dhaka. “If the people cast their votes freely, today can mark a democratic beginning for the country.”
Tarique Rahman again said that his visits to polling centres showed that voters were exercising their franchise in a peaceful and enthusiastic environment after being deprived of the right for more than a decade.
He urged citizens to vote calmly and take part in building a “desired Bangladesh together.”
Expressing confidence in his party’s prospects, he added, “Alhamdulillah, I’m optimistic about victory. We are expecting to win as many seats as possible to be able to run the country effectively.”
On forming a national government, he said, “I want to work with everyone with whom I have struggled and fought together.”
Acknowledging reports of isolated incidents at some polling stations, he criticised political actors allegedly trying to create unrest.
“We do not want such incidents. People are the owners of the country. If they exercise their rights, conspiracies of any party will be foiled,” he said.
Tarique also emphasised that the counting process should not be delayed.
“The Election Commission will convey the results as soon as possible. We have seen fair elections in 1991, 1996 and 2001, and we hope this time will be no different,” he added.
He concluded by condemning actions aimed at misleading voters, saying, “Such things cannot be accepted by anyone.”
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