Jatiya Oikya Front leader Kamal Hossain on Saturday renewed his call for guarding the polling stations so that the parliamentary elections on 30 December are held in a free and fair manner, reports UNB.
“As the owner of the state, people must guard the polling stations so that the elections are held in a credible manner,” he told a press conference at the Jatiya Press Club in the afternoon.
“Both the media and people are saying that there might be hindrance in various ways to voting. We all will remain alert to protect the election process thwarting the obstruction, no matter who does it — the government or anyone else,” the Oikya Front leader added.
He urged the people to go to polling stations in the morning on the election day and make sure all of their neighbours can cast their votes without any hindrance.
Kamal Hossain said they want people to actively take part in governing the country. “The responsibility doesn’t end if only after the vote is cast. It’s a big responsibility to elect honest and competent persons after scrutiny while giving votes.”
The Oikya Front chief went on to say, “Because, if the country’s owners don’t elect their representatives properly, the entire nation will be deprived of good governance, constitutional rule and basic rights. Everyone will have to come forward considering it as a responsibility.”
Mentioning that the country’s people want a change, he said, “I, therefore, appeal to all of our people to unite as we’d obtained independence in 1971, and unite with the same determination to preserve and strengthen this independence as we move forward towards completing the 50th year of our independence in 2021.”
Kamal said he believes that free and fair election is an essential aspect of the independence and sovereignty of a country.
“If the right to vote cannot be exercised by the country’s people through free and fair election the very independence of the country is at stake.”
He said all the Oikya Front partners are conscious of the vital importance of nominating the best and worthiest candidates as people will establish their ownership of the country through the election.
Kamal also said a single list of candidates of the Jatiya Oikya Front will emerge after the scrutiny of the nomination papers. “My prayers will be with all of our candidates for their success and the victory of our people.