Voters still unclear about referendum

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir yesterday said people have yet to understand the issue of the referendum and PR system.

Addressing a discussion at the Diploma Engineers Institution's multipurpose hall in Dhaka's Kakrail, he said, "People in Bangladesh understand 'one man, one vote'. A person contests elections, there is a symbol, and voters cast their ballots accordingly -- that is what we have followed since the beginning. Now they want to change that and hold a referendum."

"A referendum means a 'yes' or 'no' choice. But now they say there will be four questions on one ballot. People haven't understood anything yet. They probably won't understand even by the last day," he said.

Fakhrul said one political party had been "shouting" for PR, claiming elections would not be held without it.

"They made a lot of noise. But now their tone has softened. We are seeing hectic lobbying everywhere for the election. This is not right. People should be guided properly toward what they are being asked to accept."

Indirectly referring to Jamaat-e-Islami, he said, "Our party founder Ziaur Rahman gave them the opportunity to enter politics. After independence, they first came as IDL (Islamic Democratic League). Later they worked with the BNP, and we also worked with them. But unfortunately, in the last 10 years, we have seen no visible work from them to defeat fascist Hasina."

Urging Jamaat not to "fool or mislead people" by linking votes with "Jannat" [heaven], Fakhrul said Islam does not support the use of religion for political gain.

"Those who claim that getting a Jamaat ticket guarantees a ticket to heaven should show me where that is written. Using religion for political gain is something Islam never approves of," he said.

He said the BNP signed the July charter based on discussions with political parties. He regretted that the commission later submitted recommendations that included points beyond the agreed and signed document.

"In other words, the commission did not do the right job. It would have been best if they had simply included the points on which all political parties had agreed."

Meanwhile, at another programme yesterday, BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmad said those who exploit political ideology for their own gain never have a good end.

He said the Awami League has nearly disappeared by monopolising the narrative of the Liberation War and that no one should claim sole ownership of the student mass uprising of 2024.

"Whoever politicises ideology, their fate is never good," he said at a gathering at the Central Shaheed Minar.

On the death sentence verdict against Sheikh Hasina, Salahuddin said justice was served in line with the expectations of the people and international standards.

Addressing Jamaat-e-Islami, he said, "The nation has been longing to exercise voting rights for 17 years. Do not stand against that aspiration. Because your history is standing against the people's aspirations in 1971 and in 1947. If you oppose the aspirations of the people of Bangladesh now, the people will reject you."

Salahuddin also said the AL's "death took place in Dhaka, but burial was in Delhi".

"The fact that the Awami League leadership took refuge in India proves they were never a political force in this country. The Awami League was never a democratic party but a mafia-fascist force wearing a mask of democracy," he said.