BNP standing committee member Barrister Moudud Ahmed on Wednesday said the next general election must be held under a non-party administration, no mater whether the constitution needs to be amended or not.
“Many things had happened in the past beyond the constitution in the face of mass movements… the next election will be held under a non-party government, no mater whether the constitution needs to be amended or not,” he said.
Moudud came up with the remarks while addressing a discussion, titled ‘The role of Deshnetri in protecting independence, sovereignty and democracy’, arranged by Zia Sangskritik Sangathan (Zisas) at the Jatiya Press Club, marking BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia’s ‘jail release day’.
The BNP leader urged the government to reach a compromise over holding the election under a non-party government. Or else, he warned, they will realise their demand for restoration of the caretaker government through a tough street movement.
He alleged that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is now creating a smokescreen by frequently telling about protecting the constitution as he knows it very well that their defeat is inevitable if the election is held under a neutral administration.
Moudud recalled that then chief justice Sahabuddin Ahmed had been made President in 19191. “It was unconstitutional, but it had to be done in the face of people’s demand.”
He also reminded that there was no provision of caretaker government system in the constitution before 1996, but it had to be incorporated in it following a mass demand.
“Now it’s the demand of people that the election must be held under a non-party government. So, if necessary the constitution must be amended again as people is above the constitution,” the BNP leader argued.
Moudud said they want an election under a non-party government. “We want such a polls-time government that will be non-partisan one.”
He alleged that the government politicised the administration through appointing and giving postings people as per their choice. “A fair election is not possible under them.”
Chaired by Zisas president Abul Hashem Rana, the programme was addressed, among others, BNP vice chairman Dr Osman Farroque and Fazlur Rahman Patal.
Source: UNB Connect
