Govt resorting to tricks to delay election: Rizvi

BNP Senior Joint Secretary Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Thursday accused the interim government of using delaying tactics to postpone the national election, disregarding the hopes and expectations of the people.

He said, “Sheikh Hasina has seemingly relegated free and fair elections to the museum. After her removal, people hoped that Dr Muhammad Yunus would quickly restore their right to vote. But, the issue of the election is merely being stalled through various tactics.”

The BNP leader made the remarks during a doa mahfil and Eid gift distribution program held in capital's Uttara, organized by Rashid Group to observe the 44th death anniversary of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman.

Rizvi said the interim government, led by Prof Muhammad Yunus, is set to complete one year in office this August, yet no visible reforms have so far been carried out.

He urged the government to implement the necessary reforms promptly in a bid to hold the election by December, in line with the wishes of the people.

The BNP leader also said the people of the country are eagerly waiting for the election to choose their representatives, as they have long been deprived of their right to vote.

Later, Rizvi distributed Eid gifts to several hundred low-income group of people.

BNP Health Affairs Secretary Dr Rafiqul Islam, Dhaka North City Unit Member Secretary Mustafa Zaman, Joint Conveners SM Jahangir Hossain, ABMA Razzak, M Kafil Uddin Ahmed, and Rashid Group Chairman and Dhaka North City BNP Member Motaleb Hossain Raton were, among others, present.