BNP calls April election plan ‘imprudent’ and ‘ill-timed’

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Sunday strongly criticised the plan to hold the national election in April, calling it an “imprudent” and “irrational” decision.

“People see the decision to hold elections in April as unwise and poorly thought out,” Rizvi said during a food distribution event organized by the Jatiyatabadi Van and Rickshaw Sramik Dal in Dhaka.

He raised serious concerns about the timing and motives behind Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus’ announcement for an early April election.

“Why is the Chief Adviser committing to an April election based on the views of just a few individuals or political parties? April is a month marked by intense heat, storms, and rainfall. It’s also when SSC and other public exams take place,” Rizvi pointed out.

He further noted that Eid-ul-Fitr would have just ended by then. “If elections are held in April, campaigning would fall during Ramadan. How can anyone campaign while fasting? Will people observe their fasts or focus on election rallies?”

Rizvi accused the interim government of setting democracy and reform against each other.

He also claimed that both Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Sheikh Hasina aspired to stay in power indefinitely, and raised concerns that the interim government might share the same ambition.

The BNP leader accused the Awami League of systematically weakening democratic institutions over the past 15 to 16 years. “The people of this country have been denied their right to vote. Elections have been rigged, and Sheikh Hasina has destroyed the sanctity of free and fair polls.”

Rizvi emphasized that democracy depends on free and fair elections. “People must have the right to disagree and freely choose their leaders. That is the essence of elections.”

He reiterated BNP’s demand for elections to be held in December, which he said would be a more appropriate and practical time for voting.