Amir Khasru Warns Voters, Says “They Are Printing Ballots and Buying Burqas”

BNP Standing Committee member and Chattogram-11 (Port–Patenga) constituency candidate Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury has urged voters to remain vigilant on polling day for the 13th National Parliamentary Election.

Without naming any specific party, Amir Khasru said various reports circulating in newspapers and on social media point to suspicious activities. “They are printing ballots, making burqas, collecting National ID cards, and taking mobile numbers to send money via bKash,” he said. However, he added that such efforts would not succeed, as people would not be misled. “Everyone must remain alert considering these issues,” he cautioned.

He made the remarks while responding to journalists’ questions at a press conference held at his residence in the Mehedibag area of Chattogram city around 11:00 am on Monday (9 February). At the event, he also announced an 11-point set of commitments for his constituency, Chattogram-11.

Amir Khasru further said that if other political parties’ agendas and plans align with the BNP’s ideology and its 31-point program, and if the party deems it necessary, the BNP could consider forming a coalition government through dialogue—although he noted that such a possibility remains unlikely.

Warning against attempts to seize power through “backdoor” means, he said the public would respond through the ballot box. Referring to the current law and order situation, he described it as very poor and stressed that improving it would require joint efforts by the police and citizens. He emphasized that the BNP is a people-oriented party that has never compromised on democracy. “They did not even want elections because they do not trust the people,” he said, adding that any attempt to gain power undemocratically would be rejected by Bangladesh’s democracy-loving citizens through their votes.

Responding to questions about the Chattogram Port, former commerce minister Amir Khasru said foreign investors first ask about port turnaround time, delivery time, and efficiency when considering investment in Bangladesh. “Investment decisions depend on these factors,” he noted, stressing the need to bring the port’s efficiency, costs, and overall performance in line with global best practices.

Citing examples of successful port operators around the world, the former president of the Chattogram Chamber of Commerce said that if the BNP assumes cabinet responsibility, it would adopt global best practices to transform Chattogram into a logistics hub. “To become a logistics hub, efficiency must be increased. Otherwise, why would anyone come here? We must be efficient, provide quality service, and remain competitive—that will be our goal,” he said.

The press conference was attended by several BNP leaders, including Chattogram City BNP Member Secretary Nazimur Rahman, former General Secretary Abul Hashem, BNP International Affairs Subcommittee member Israfil Khasru, City BNP Joint Convener Saiful Alam, and Chattogram unit Nationalist Lawyers’ Forum Member Secretary Kamrul Islam Sazzad, among others.