Senior leaders of major political parties, along with political analysts, have laid emphasis on harmony among all the political parties in regard to conducting the upcoming general election in a free, fair, inclusive and peaceful manner.
Speaking at an award-giving ceremony organized by US-based organization Democracy International (DI) in a Dhaka hotel on Wednesday, members of the high command of the Awami League, BNP and Jatiya Party (JaPa) agreed that political coordination is essential in order to ensure peace in the polls.
Presenting crests of “Champion of Peace” to 39 central leaders of the three major political parties, the DI recognized their achievements in upholding peaceful and participatory elections in the past.
DI CEO Glenn Cowan was present at the function, representing DI.
AL leaders hopeful of peace among politicians
HT Imam, member of Awami League’s Central Working Committee, said everybody has to make an effort to establish peace, but political division is an obstacle to that process.
“It is everyone’s responsibility to work in collaboration in order to ensure that the election is held in a free and fair manner,” he added.
Imam, also the political adviser to the prime minister, further said the next general election is going to be festive, much like two such polls held in 1970 and 2008.
He added: “This is a matter to be proud of. The Liberation War and the election cannot be separated.”
Hasan Mahmud, the ruling party’s publication and publicity secretary, hinting at the Awami League-BNP arch-rivalry centering the state power, said there must be peace in politics. He also thanked the BNP for contesting the next polls making it a participatory one.
The former forests minister claimed that the Awami League always extends its hand to ensure peace in every sphere of life, and expressed hope that campaigning for the 11th parliamentary election would be festive and vibrant.
BNP leaders want political collaboration
BNP Standing Committee Member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan said: “Of course, we want peace, but we do not want to achieve peace of a graveyard. We want peace with justice. Where there is no justice, there is no peace.”
Moyeen, also a former minister, went on saying both his party and the ruling one have history of occupying polling stations.
He urged all political parties to come forward and help maintain a peaceful voting atmosphere as well as a free and fair one.
“Unfortunately, a political division between two major parties becomes a barrier to the process and there will be no peace until the parties settle the issues between them” he added.
Irrespective of own political objectives, the parties must become united in terms of real issues and major national crises, the BNP leader further added.
BNP leader Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury described peace as a parameter of human rights and said that all political parties should join hands to ensure and secure foundations of human rights.
“There is no chance of being selective, political harmony is a must without any shadow of doubt,” he remarked.
“We talk of peace and democracy while out of power, but become selective after assuming office,” he stated.
Also speaking at the event, Ziauddin Bablu, presidium member of JaPa, claimed that his party has been fighting to establish democracy in the country for the last 28 years and that they would undoubtedly accept the result of the election as a sign of respect to the public opinion.
Bablu added that the election carries huge importance when it comes to the continuation of democracy and constitutional process.
Among other awardees are: BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, its Vice-President Selima Rahman, Mahila Dal President Afroza Abbas, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, its Presidium Member Md Abdur Razzak, Juba Mahila League President Nazma Akter, and Jatiya Party Presidium Member Masuda Rashid Chowdhury
The event was a part of DI’s recently launched “Shantite Bijoy” campaign, aiming at engaging the major political parties, candidates and voters in Bangladesh as well as raising awareness of the importance of peaceful elections and tolerant politics. l
