Govt stance clear, Awami League cannot contest election: Press Secretary

The government has made it clear that the Awami League will not be allowed to participate in the upcoming parliamentary election, said chief adviser’s press secretary Shafiqul Alam.

He said the Election Commission has cancelled the Awami League’s party registration, and therefore the party cannot take part in the election. “The government’s position on this issue is clear,” he said.

Shafiqul Alam made the remarks on Wednesday afternoon during a briefing at the auditorium of the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka.

Referring to the killing of Dipu in Mymensingh, he said the government strongly condemned the murder of Dipu Chandra Das and that at least 12 people have been arrested after reviewing video and visual evidence. The law adviser has informed that the case will be tried under the speedy trial law. “We are giving the highest priority to the protection of minorities. Adequate security was ensured during Durga Puja and other major religious festivals,” he added.

On Tarique Rahman, the press secretary said the government welcomes his return to Bangladesh. Discussions are ongoing with his party regarding the necessary security arrangements. “We are coordinating whatever security the BNP has requested and providing all assistance sought from the government,” he said.

He also said 31 people have been arrested in connection with incidents involving The Daily Star and Prothom Alo, all based on video and visual evidence, with incriminating materials recovered from several of them.