No more games over elections: Quader

PBC News:  Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Tuesday said there would be no games in the name of elections.  Elections will be held in due time as per the prevailing rules of the country, he added.

“The election commission would be formed by forming a search committee in consultation with the concerned stakeholders. There is no reason to have any doubts about the Election Commission and BNP will also have a representative here. The government is determined to hold free and fair elections,” Quader told reporters after visiting the progress works of three under-construction bridges at Aminbazar, Salehpur and Nayarhat areas of Savar, Dhaka.

Quader said, “All democratic parties have the right to protest peacefully. But if there is violence in the name of the movement and the lives and property of the people are threatened, then t Awami League will take the people with it and prevent to give a proper response.”

The administration also has a responsibility in the emerging situation, said Quader adding that law enforcement agencies will take immediate action to ensure the safety of people’s lives and property.

“Using bad words is a habitual fact of BNP. They conducted arson terrorism in the name of movement in 2013 and 2014. The party has burned people, set fire to buses, railway lines, and even set fire to land offices, where many land office records were stored for many years.”

“They (BNP) really want violence in the name of the movement. We are also ready for this.”

Regarding the next genearl elections, the minister said, “According to the country’s customary rules, elections will be held in Bangladesh in the same way as in other democratic countries of the world. There is no reason to doubt over the Election Commission.”

“The President will form the Election Commission through a search committee. If the election commission of the country is neutral then neutral election is possible. The issues which related to the election commission, including the administration, police and other law enforcement agencies, are under the control of the Election Commission. Therefore, a neutral election will be possible.”

Savar upazila chairman Manjurul Alam Rajib and officials of the Roads and Highways Department were, among others, present at that time.