Azam Khan urges govt to ensure security for voters

Janatar Dal Secretary General Azam Khan has said that people across the country are living in fear and uncertainty, unsure whether an election will even take place, and that there is no visible election atmosphere in Bangladesh.

Speaking at an election rally on Friday (30 January) at Laldighi Maidan in Chattogram city, Azam Khan said that even during previous elections held under the Awami League government, there had at least been a sense of electoral excitement, which he claimed was now completely absent.

He alleged that the current government had failed to create a conducive environment for voting, noting that he saw no enthusiasm among the public wherever he travelled.

Calling on the government to ensure that voters can cast their ballots safely, Azam Khan urged the authorities to provide security guarantees.

He suggested that, if necessary, voters should be transported to polling centres at government expense with the assistance of law enforcement agencies to ensure their safety.

He was speaking as the chief discussant at the rally organised in support of Janatar Dal’s Chattogram-9 parliamentary candidate, freedom fighter Md Haidar Ali Chowdhury, who is contesting with the pen symbol.

Azam Khan appealed to voters to support the Janatar Dal candidate, saying that if elected, Haidar Ali would ensure security for all communities, including minorities.

Addressing the gathering as chief guest, Janatar Dal Chairman Brigadier General (retd) Shamim Kamal said that the country had failed to achieve expected development and good governance over the past 54 years due to a lack of qualified leadership.

He said Janatar Dal would emerge as a major political force by promoting honest and competent leadership and would work to establish justice for the people.

The rally, chaired by Md Haidar Ali Chowdhury, was inaugurated by Major General (retd) Mahbubul Alam, head of Janatar Dal’s Ethics Committee. Special guests included the party’s Strategic Adviser Lieutenant General (retd) Sabbir Ahmed and Chief Coordinator and Spokesperson Major (retd) Del H Khan. Leaders from the Bangladesh Hindu Mahajot, including Jadu Singh, Shyamal Das and Narayan Das, also addressed the gathering.

Major General (retd) Mahbubul Alam said Janatar Dal was committed to establishing people’s rights and warned that oppression and repression against citizens would not be tolerated.

He claimed that voting for Janatar Dal candidates would usher in a new chapter in the country’s history, free from corruption, extortion and tender manipulation.

Lieutenant General (retd) Sabbir Ahmed urged voters to support Janatar Dal candidates to bring qualitative change to national politics.

In his closing remarks, Chattogram-9 candidate Md Haidar Ali Chowdhury said he had devoted his life to politics for the welfare of the people and pledged to work for the development and prosperity of the constituency if elected.