JS polls: Our priorities and expectations

The 12th National Parliament Election is being held today ( Sunday, January 7). The citizens  will elect their representatives in the National Parliament through this election. According to the Constitution, the majority party in the elections will form the new government. This is the democratic process. The people of Bangladesh have sacrificed their lives again and again to maintain this process. Our civic responsibility is to show due respect to this process.

Allegations of rigging or specifically influencing elections have been raised in almost all past elections. However, the winning party formed the government after the election and the opposition parties eventually accepted it. Some political parties have boycotted elections in the past. As exercising franchise is a citizen's right, the decision of not excecise the rights to voting is also a democratic choice. Therefore, we must respect people’s choice, no matter whether they casting votes or refrain from exercise it.

But most importantly, the people of Bangladesh are traditionally enthusiastic about exercising their civil rights through voting. In the past, we have seen people stand in long queues outside the polling stations under the scorching sun or heavy rain. In the morning, a party may had created a scary atmosphere by launchig attacks, but by the noon, voters once again came to the polling station and stood in line to cast vote. The people of Bangladesh have set a rare example globally in terms of exercising their civil rights by casting vote.

This year's national elections are very important for the future of our country in many ways. It must not be overlooked that the incredible economic progress and prosperity of Bangladesh have placed the country at a new level of important spot in front of the world. Because of this progress, the other influential countries are becoming interested in Bangladesh more than before. There has also been a kind of competition between the powerful states to create a sphere of influence over Bangladesh. However, in the last two decades, the government of Bangladesh has remained steadfast in its own policies and ideologies. Through strong diplomatic wisdom, Bangladesh has been able to maintain an independent position from moving apart of the circle of influential states. As a result, Bangladesh has been slightly affected by the tension in world politics and economy.

We hope that the new government formed through today's elections will be able to continue Bangladesh's progress on the path of development and prosperity. At the same time, it will move forward successfully in building a smart Bangladesh in accordance with the modern world. There will be differences of opinion in the democratic political system. There will be individuals and organizations with different opinions. At the same time there will be consensus in question of greater national interests. In any case, revenge, sabotage, terrorism, brutality cannot be accepted to serve political interests. The new government should identify the subversive forces and take strict action against those. Also, to be vigilincidents of human rights violations should not happen through any organization or body in the government under any circumstances. Whoever is involved in the violation of human rights, strict action should be taken against them under the law. So that no influential country in the world can try to serve their interests by keeping the issue of human rights violation in front.

The new government will be formed through today's elections. Congratulations in advance to that government.