Highlights:
- The AG also said if convicted for the July murders, Hasina would be ineligible to participate in the election
- Participation of AL not crucial for ensuring inclusive elections
There is no legal bar for BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia to participate in the next general election, said Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman today (27 December).
“The false and conspiratory cases filed against Khaleda Zia have already been settled. Therefore, there is no legal obstacle to her participation in the next election,” he said.
The attorney general was speaking at a shadow parliament organised by Debate for Democracy at the FDC in the capital.
“If convicted for the July murders, many Awami League leaders, including Sheikh Hasina, would be ineligible to participate in the election,” the attorney general said.
He also added that the participation of the Awami League is not crucial for ensuring inclusive elections.
“Those who have destroyed the election process, torn up the constitution, and violated people’s rights have been identified as the villains of history.
“They have been cast into the dustbin of history and will face imprisonment through trial,” the attorney general further said.
He noted that the martyrs of the July Uprising will forever be remembered as great heroes in history.
This revolution was driven by the spirit of the Liberation War and the determination to build a Bangladesh free from discrimination.
“Efforts are being made to undermine the achievements of this revolution, but no conspirator will succeed in destroying these gains,” said Asaduzzaman.
“The revolutionaries will remain united in their commitment to establishing and protecting human rights,” he hoped.
The event was presided over by the Chairman of Debate for Democracy Hasan Ahmed Chowdhury Kiron.
Kiron said that former Chief Justice Khairul Haque had annulled the caretaker government process with the malicious intention of keeping the previous fascist Awami League government in power indefinitely.
He emphasised that Khairul Haque’s arrest and trial for forging the verdict regarding the caretaker government process is an urgent demand.
“The fallen AL government deprived the people of their right to vote in this country. The Awami League has completely destroyed the electoral process through fraudulent, one-sided, and midnight elections,” he said.
In the last three elections, nearly everyone involved in the election process—including the Election Commission, administration, police, returning officers, and polling officers—was guilty of fraud, he added.
“All those who committed these electoral crimes must be brought to justice,” he added.
Kiron made 10 recommendations to ensure future elections are fair and acceptable. These recommendations include:
Taking initiatives to bring to justice all those involved in electoral crimes, including members of the Election Commission, who made past elections controversial and questionable.
Implementing strict legal provisions to prevent corrupt individuals, money launderers, bank robbers, and loan defaulters from participating in elections in any capacity.
Repealing all laws that may hinder the media from freely reporting during elections.
Ensuring that the Election Commission is independent, free from political influence, and resistant to any external pressure.
TBS
