People united again for a change, says Kamal

Jatiya Oikya Front (JOF) convener Dr. Kamal Hossain said on Monday people have become united for a change which would be reflected in the December 30 elections.
Terming Awami League-led political alliance an anti-people force, he expressed his optimism that the law enforcement agencies would not go for assisting such a force in the greater interest of democracy.
Praising various people's movements in the pre and post-liberation periods, the leader of the main opposition alliance said united people had defeated anti-people forces several times in the past.
"People are united again for a change. Inshallah we will be able to usher in change on December 30 if the polls are fair," he said at a press briefing at JOF central office in the capital.
Mr. Kamal, also president of Gono Forum, termed the 11th parliamentary elections very important and said the nation would celebrate 50 years of independence in 2021 when people would like to see a fairly elected government.
"So, people have to go to the polling stations to cast their votes," he said.
About the deployment of army, the noted jurist and a constitution writer said they played a neutral role in the past and hopefully would continue to do so for making the elections free and fair.
"We'll certainly stay in the voting race till the end," the leader of major opposition alliance of five political parties said.
Reading out a written statement, convener of Nagorik Oikya and a JOF contender for Bogura-2 constituency Mahmudur Rahman Manna said the overall situation has not improved yet even after deployment of paramilitary force Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB).
"Rather, BGB personnel had searched homes of the JOF leaders and activists in Mirzagonj of Patuakhali district," he alleged.
Terming election commission (EC) biased towards the ruling party, he said candidacies of JOF in various constituencies were scrapped by using the court but the commission is apathetic regarding polls rescheduling in these constituencies.
Expressing his optimism over deployment of military, he said the nation has high expectations from the patriotic force for playing a role that will help ensure a free, fair and participatory election.
BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said the government and the EC are jointly contributing to turn the forthcoming election into mockery.
Veteran freedom fighter and president of Krishak Sramik Janata League (KSJL) Bangabir Kader Siddique, Gonoshasthaya Kendra founder Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury and Gono Forum presidium member Jaglul Haider Afrik, among others, were present at the briefing.

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