Sans 'open' 12th national polls, BD’s democracy would’ve been hijacked: Hasina

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said the country’s democracy would have been snatched away if the parliamentary election had not been open to all, BSS reports.

“Not only would the election have been discoloured with stigma, but also the country’s democracy would have been hijacked if the election had not been opened to all,” she said in her introductory speech at the extended meeting of the Awami League (AL) at her official residence, Ganabhaban.

Hasina, also the president of the ruling AL, mentioned that if the election had not been opened to her party's people, then Bangladesh’s status as a developing country would have been destroyed.

She added, “Don’t say that we forget the election manifesto that we placed before the election to retain this achievement,” mentioning that they follow the election manifesto every year during the budget formulation.

The Prime Minister continued to say her party has again opened upazila elections, which are approaching, to all her party members.

Hasina said, “It will also be scrutinised how much work has been done for the common people in the last 15 years while in power and who could not do that. Through it (scrutiny), we will judge who is more acceptable to the people.”

She issued a warning against any sort of confrontation in the upcoming local government elections. She said, adding, “We don’t want any kind of confrontation. Stern actions will be taken against the person, whoever he or she is responsible for their involvement.”

Mentioning that the 12th parliamentary election was free, fair, and neutral, Hasina, who was reelected as Bangladesh premier for the fourth consecutive term, said that those who want to raise questions about the election must clearly mention their evidence in favour of it.

She said that elections have been held in many developed countries around the world, but they have not yet been accepted by their opponents.

The Prime Minister added, “The election in Bangladesh was very fair. Public administration, armed forces, law and order forces, and all those involved in the election have performed their duties impartially.”

She said that she saw a big conspiracy regarding the 12th general election to make sure that voters did not come to polling stations, preventing the election from being held in a fair manner and making it easy to put the election under question.

Hasina went on, “I made this election open with the aim of ensuring that the election is not put under question.

She asked all to forget the enmity that evolved during the 12th parliamentary election, where the party nominated and party men contested separately.

“Let’s forget all that has happened. Everyone must work together. Work should be done keeping trust and faith in the people,” said the Prime Minister, adding, “If any problem arises somewhere, we are there to solve it; the central committee will do it. But there should be no suicidal conflict between ourselves.”