BNP sees February polls as chance to restore democracy

BNP senior leader Hafizuddin Ahmed said on Saturday that their party is waiting for the national election in February next as an opportunity to restore democracy and people's right to vote.

"We hope that in February, the government will hold a fair and credible election, and the Election Commission will make proper arrangements so that the people can express their opinions. We are waiting and hoping for such a fair election," he said.

Hafiz, a BNP standing committee member, made the remarks while addressing a football tournament event at Dhanmondi Sports Club ground, reports UNB.

BNP's Dhaka North City unit arranged the event as part of the party's month-long programme to mark the first anniversary of the July mass uprising.

Hafiz, also a valiant freedom fighter, said they fought the Liberation War in 1971 for democracy. "But even today, democracy has not been established in the country. There have been movements, and dictatorships have fallen several times, yet democracy is still far away."

"We hope this government will not create any more king's parties and will instead ensure an environment where people can safely exercise their right to vote," he said.

Calling on journalists to present the truth, Hafiz said their party wants to see a beautiful Bangladesh for which the martyrs of last year's mass uprising gave their lives. "The nation will forever remember and honour their sacrifice with pride."

On the other hand, BNP senior leader Nazrul Islam Khan on Saturday said every law must include strict provisions to hold those responsible for enforcing it accountable if they misuse their power or violate the law.

"I think one thing that should be included in all laws is that there should be provisions for punishment for those who are responsible for enforcing the law if they make deliberate mistakes in enforcing the law or unjustly violate the law and oppress the people," he said.

Nazrul, a BNP Standing Committee member, made the remarks while speaking at a seminar on the 'Cyber Security Ordinance, 2025' arranged by Nagorik Oikya at the Dhaka Reporters' Unity.

He said when people in powerful positions break the law or fail to protect public interests, there must be a legal mechanism to hold them accountable and ensure they are punished.

"Simply writing laws on paper or making the language beautiful is not enough. If people responsible for applying the law use it to oppress citizens, and if there is no way to bring them to justice, then the law serves no real purpose," Nazrul observed.

The BNP leader expressed concerns over the Cyber Security Ordinance, saying that although some changes were made, the law still falls short in meeting the needs of the people.

He also criticised the poor implementation of labour law in the country, saying there were many labour laws in the country before combining them into a single law known as the Labour Code or Labour Court Act in 2006. "If you read the law, it seems like a very good one. But if you look at its implementation, it is quite disappointing."

Nazrul said the law clearly states that every worker must be given an appointment letter, but 20 to 25 percent of workers in Bangladesh actually do not get it. "Most of them do not have clear terms of employment. They have no old-age benefits, no leave, and no other facilities that are written in the law."