Flawed election will undermine all progress: Salahuddin

BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed has said that without a free and fair election, the interim government's achievements will hold no significance. He made the remarks on Thursday at a roundtable discussion titled “Expectations and Challenges of a Free and Fair Election”, organized by the Citizens’ Coalition at the CIRDAP auditorium in the capital’s Topkhana Road area.

"Ensuring a free, fair, and neutral election in February is one of the greatest challenges facing the nation," said Ahmed. “I believe the Election Commission is conducting its activities in line with the announced roadmap.”

While noting that the country may no longer be under fascist rule, he emphasized that there is still no consensus on transitioning through a democratic process. “There is still time, and I hope we can reach a consensus through dialogue,” he added.

The BNP leader further stressed that only an elected parliament has the constitutional authority to approve amendments. “If an alternative process is pursued, any revised constitution could later face legal challenges in court,” he warned.

Ahmed also acknowledged that while there are proposals for over a hundred reforms, complete agreement among all political parties may not be possible. “However, in the interest of the country and democracy, we hope to reach a consensus. That is the beauty of democracy,” he concluded.