Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday said the recent elections in five city corporations proved that polls can be held in a free, fair and neutral manner under her Awami League government, reports UNB.
"We've proved that elections are held in free, fair and neutral manner under the Awami League government," she said.
The premier said this at the oath-taking ceremonies arranged for the newly elected mayors and councillors of Gazipur, Rajshai, Khulna, Barishal and Sylhet city corporations at Shapla Hall of her office.
She said the polls to the city corporations were held one after another where the people cast votes freely as per their choice. "It happened due to the continuation of democracy," she said.
Hasina said, "You (newly elected mayors and councillors) have come here getting elected through votes. The people cast votes spontaneously."
She said the voting in the country was a pain in the past because of coercion and oppression on the voters.
The newly elected mayors are Jayeda Khatun of Gazipur, AHM Khairuzzaman Liton of Rajshahi, Talukder Abdul Khaleque of Khulna Abul Khair Abdullah of Barishal and Anwaruzzaman Chowdhury of Sylhet.
The prime minister first administered the oath of office to the new mayors of Gazipur, Khulna and Barishal. It was followed by the swearing in of the new mayors of Rajshahi and Sylhet.
Besides, some 230 newly elected councillors of general wards and female councillors of the reserved seats of the five city corporations also took oath at the two separate events in the same venue. Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Md Tazul Islam administered the councillors' oaths.
The number of councillors is 76 in Gazipur, 41 in Khulna, 40 in Rajshahi, 40 in Barishal and 36 in Sylhet.
PM Hasina asked the elected representatives irrespective of their political views to serve the people showing respect to public trust and confidence bestowed on them.
"You've come here getting elected with the votes of the people. The people have kept their trust on and confidence in you. So, it is your duty to serve the people, no matter what party you belong to," she said.
She said her government has attached priority to ensure development not only in the cities but also at the grassroots .
Hasina said her government announced a zero tolerance policy against terrorism, militancy and corruption.
Her government's goal is that a peaceful environment will prevail in the country and Bangladesh would be developed and prosperous.
The PM asked them to contribute to the overall development of Bangladesh by working sincerely in their respective areas.
"I want you to contribute to the overall development of Bangladesh," she said.
She asked them to work for tree plantation and boosting food production in their respective areas.
She also asked the respective public representatives to address the illiteracy rate in Sylhet and unemployment rate in Rajshahi.
The prime minister asked the public representatives to work to ensure development in each corner of the country.
She praised re-elected mayor AHM Khairuzzaman Liton for his role in the massive development of Rajshahi city.
Pointing at the arson violence unleashed by BNP-Jamaat during the 2013-2015, the PM said Bangladesh is to face manmade disasters alongside natural calamities.
"We don't want the recurrence of such a situation (manmade disasters) anymore in Bangladesh. We want the development trend to continue in Bangladesh and the people of Bangladesh to live in peace…. We want all the people to have an improved life," she said.
The PM also called upon them to devise plans for the overall development of their own areas.