Salahuddin suspects plot behind prioritising local govt polls

BNP senior leader Salahuddin Ahmed has alleged that those advocating for a proportional representation (PR) system and prioritising local government elections may have intentions to delay or obstruct the upcoming national election, reports UNB.

"Those who are talking about a proportional election system have a motive. Those who want local government elections before the national election also have a motive. Either they want the election to be delayed, or they want no election at all in Bangladesh. This could be their intention," he said.

Salahuddin made the remarks while speaking to reporters after a memorial publication event on martyred President Ziaur Rahman and an archive unveiling programme organised by the Bangladesh Research Analysis and Information Network (BRAIN) at the International Mother Language Institute Auditorium in the capital on Saturday.

The BNP leader said the people of Bangladesh are united in their demand for the national election to be held in early February next year.

"All the democratic people of this country have not struggled for local government elections. We have fought for 17 years for a free, fair and neutral national election. We have lost countless lives to establish our right to vote," he said.

Salahuddin, a BNP standing committee member, said the sacrifice of blood made by martyrs during the student-led mass uprising reflects the desire for a truly democratic state in this country. "We will certainly be able to build that democratic state if a political government is established through a free and fair national election," he added.