BNP Issues Strong Warning Against Election Interference, Threatens Mass Protests
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Synopsis
On February 26, Khalida Zia's BNP cautioned the interim government and other parties in Bangladesh against election manipulation, asserting that any delays disguised as reforms would spark widespread protests. They emphasize the importance of prioritizing national elections over local ones amid rising tensions.
Key Takeaways
- BNP warns against election manipulation.
- Local elections before national elections are opposed.
- Protests are threatened if election delays occur.
- Public confidence in the interim government is declining.
- Former allies BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami are at odds.
Dhaka, Feb 26 (NationPress) The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by Khalida Zia, has issued a stern warning to the interim government under Mohammad Yunus and other political entities in Bangladesh against any interference with the national elections. They assert that any attempts to delay the national elections under the pretext of reforms would incite increased protest actions.
In an interview with Prothom Alo, BNP standing committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury stated, "The interim government has no authority to conduct any elections other than the national election. It is not acceptable for a few individuals to make unilateral decisions."
The BNP opposes the holding of local elections prior to the national elections, warning that such a move would foster a nationwide atmosphere of discord.
The party emphasized that any effort to prioritize local elections would encounter significant resistance and would be perceived as a conspiratorial maneuver, according to reports from Prothom Alo.
Previously, BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman criticized the interim government’s various policies, suggesting that public confidence in its governance is waning.
He further noted that any delay in the elections raises questions about who stands to gain.
The Dhaka Tribune reported Tarique Rahman as saying: “Instability is evident across various sectors in the country. Since the interim government assumed power, we have noted that different officials within this administration are making conflicting statements, leading to unrest in multiple regions.”
As the Election Commission of Bangladesh prepares for elections slated for December 2025, tensions have arisen between the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami regarding the timing of local elections.
With the BNP emerging as the largest political party following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government, they are prioritizing national elections, while Jamaat advocates for local government elections to occur first.
The discord between the two former allies appears to have intensified following the announcement of national poll dates.
