PM Hasina hails January-7 election as the freest since 1975

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wednesday said that last month’s parliamentary election, which handed her her fourth consecutive term in office, was the most free, fair, and impartial vote in the country since 1975.

“I think this time the election was the most free, fair, and neutral of all the polls held after 1975,” she said about the January 7 election that was boycotted by the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

The premier made this remark while exchanging views with local leaders and activists of the Awami League and its associate bodies and local representatives from Tungipara Upazila of Gopalganj at her official residence, Ganabhaban.

She said there were many conspiracies and plots to thwart the election, as a party (BNP) founded in the hands of a military dictator wanted to prevent this democratic process.

“But the most important thing in this election was that people spontaneously went to the polling stations and cast their votes,” said Hasina, who is also the president of the Awami League.

The prime minister said the journey ahead for Bangladesh would not be so easy in the days to come. Many obstacles have to be overcome. Many conspiracies surround Bangladesh, she warned.

She said Bangladesh today has come a long way in socio-economic development.

“The people of Bangladesh are financially solvent today,” she said.

Talking about commodity prices, Hasina said that people with fixed incomes are facing some difficulty.

“If we all cultivate the fallow lands, then there will be no shortage of food. Rather, we can have surplus,” she said.

The PM said all the fallow lands will have to be brought under cultivation, and the government will extend assistance in this regard.

She urged the local government representatives to ensure that the development projects are implemented properly.

The PM asked them to gain public trust and confidence through their deeds.