People will prove Bangladesh is non-communal in next election: Mirza Fakhrul

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said that Bangladesh has always been a country with a non-communal spirit. But currently some quarters are trying to divide the country from a religious perspective, which is inauspicious for the country. He expressed hope that the people will once again prove in the next election that Bangladesh is a country that believes in non-communal and national spirit.

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said these things while talking to journalists after exchanging views with leaders of Bangladesh Christian Forum at the BNP Chairperson's office in Gulshan, the capital, on Monday (October 13).

The BNP Secretary General said, “We gained independence in 1971 for a separate nation and national identity. But now there is an attempt to move us away from that spirit. There are some trends in the country’s politics that are a threat to our unity and non-communal values.”

He said, “We believe that Bangladesh is a non-communal country. Our goal is to ensure equal rights for all citizens regardless of religion and caste. BNP always wants a Bangladesh where every person can enjoy their religious freedom and civil rights.”

Regarding the Proportional Representation (PR) system, Mirza Fakhrul said that this system proposed by the Reform Commission should not be implemented now, because it is new and unfamiliar to the people. He said, “If this system is introduced, the freedom of voters to personally elect candidates will be reduced. People will have to choose parties, not individuals, which is against the basic spirit of democracy.”

He further said, “We have always been in favor of a fair, free and acceptable election. If the government and the Election Commission truly want to organize such an election, then the participation and trust of the people must be given top priority.”

Mirza Fakhrul warned, “If a new voting system is suddenly introduced, the people will be confused. Now the people of the country are expecting a democratic government and a fair election. So this is not the time to implement any new experimental system.”

According to the BNP Secretary General, ensuring direct representation of the people is the main strength of democracy. Therefore, he called on the government to create an environment in the upcoming national election so that the people can freely express their opinions and vote in favor of a truly non-communal Bangladesh.