Press Secretary sees no possibility of AL’s participation in election

Apparently ruling out the possibility of the Awami League’s participation in the upcoming national election, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam on Monday said that no democratic country in the world would allow an organisation led by such a “terrible criminal” to engage in any form of activity, let alone taking part in elections.

“This (AL) party leader (Sheikh Hasina), is a fugitive from justice, sentenced to death for crimes against humanity, and is calling for terrorist attacks against Bangladesh,” he told UNB when asked whether the Awami League would be permitted to participate in the next general election.

The much-sought national election and a referendum on the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order 2025 will simultaneously be held on 12 February (Thursday) under a non-political government after 18 years as the Election Commission announced the schedule on Thursday evening.

Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin announced the schedule in his pre-recorded speech telecast by state-owned Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar recently.

According to the election schedule, the deadline for the submission of nomination paper is 29 December, while the scrutiny of nomination paper is on 30 December-4 January and the last date for the withdrawal of candidature is 20 January.

The election campaign will start on 22 January and continue till 48 hours before the balloting period (7:30am on 10 February).