Mahmudur Rahman Manna, president of Nagarik Oikya, said that the Awami League should not be allowed to participate in any elections until their trials are complete. He accused the Awami League of committing unforgivable acts of brutal torture, oppression, and killings over the past 15 years, which will remain a painful memory for the nation.
He made these remarks on Saturday (June 28) as the chief guest at a shadow parliament event in Dhaka’s FDC, titled “The Role of Young Voters in Power Transition.” The event was chaired by Hasan Ahmed Chowdhury Kiron, chairman of Debate for Democracy.
Manna called Sheikh Hasina a cruel dictator who surpassed even Hitler. He said anyone openly or secretly supporting the Awami League should be arrested and punished. He believes the Awami League can never return with a positive image. The spirit of July has ignited a fire in people’s hearts, which will burn like a torch for a long time. He noted that the youth who led the uprising have formed a party but haven’t yet reached everyone. There’s some inconsistency within the NCP, and they need to be more united and mature in their words and actions. While people once doubted whether elections would happen, they now believe elections will take place. Although political parties weren’t initially united on reforms, they are now coming together. Whoever forms the government in the future must govern with the aspirations of July in mind.
In his speech, Hasan Ahmed Chowdhury Kiron said that after the former prime minister fled, most Awami League leaders also escaped. He claimed the Awami League has no one left to lead or even participate in elections. Due to crimes like the July killings, disappearances, murders, money laundering, bank looting, corruption, and rigging elections over the past 15 years, the Awami League is likely to lose its acceptability for national elections. If Sheikh Hasina and her followers face punishment in trials, they will be deemed unfit to contest elections. He added that the false and conspiratorial cases filed by the fallen Awami League government against BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia have been resolved in court. The nation now wants to see her participate in the upcoming election, and he believes she will win by a huge margin in every constituency she contests, just like before.
Kiron also said that during the Awami League’s rule, three national elections were marred by massive irregularities, fraud, and vote theft, robbing people of their voting rights. Cases have been filed against 24 people, including three former chief election commissioners, for electoral crimes. Two chief election commissioners were arrested, but Justice Khairul Haque, who destroyed the election system by abolishing the caretaker government system, faced no trial. It remains unknown how or when Khairul Haque fled the country. Kiron called for his trial and arrest through Interpol, as he is a key figure in destroying Bangladesh’s election system and illegally keeping fascist Hasina in power through sham elections.
During the event, Kiron presented a 10-point proposal to ensure fair and acceptable national elections:
1. Hold the national election by February.
2. Punish those involved in past election fraud, including election commissioners, police, and administrators.
3. Amend the RPO to allow the Election Commission to stop elections if the environment isn’t suitable after the schedule is announced.
4. Arrange agenda-based dialogues with political parties and civil society organizations.
5. Take immediate action against those involved in election-related violence or intimidation.
6. Enforce strict laws to prevent corrupt individuals, money launderers, bank looters, and loan defaulters from participating in elections.
7. Allow reputable international election monitoring organizations to observe the upcoming election.
8. Repeal laws that restrict media from reporting during elections.
9. Arrange agenda-based dialogues with political parties and civil society for election system reforms.
10. Ensure all political parties reach a consensus to form a national government after the election.
At the Debate for Democracy event, themed “Young Voters Will Play a Key Role in Power Transition in the Next National Election,” the debating team from Eden Women’s College defeated Eastern University’s team. The judges were Professor Abu Muhammad Rais, Professor Dr. Tajul Islam Chowdhury Tuhin, and journalists Kazi Jebel, Zakir Hossain Liton, and Saidur Rahman. Trophies, crests, and certificates were awarded to the participating teams. The event was organized by Debate for Democracy.
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