BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman said on Saturday that there is still a long way to go in building a robust and strong democracy in the country.

He made this statement in a message on the eve of the International Day of Democracy. Since 2007, 15 September is observed as International Day of Democracy by United Nations member states to raise awareness about democracy and its intrinsic power.

“Personally, I and my party believe that there is no alternative to promoting and upholding democratic principles. Democracy is a universal value that recognises the freedom of thought and expression of the people. We are committed to building a safe, progressive, and democratic Bangladesh that will transcend national boundaries and contribute to global democratic development,” said Tarique Rahman.

“Therefore, we are committed to the goal of re-establishing democracy in Bangladesh unitedly,” he maintained, adding that the foundation of repairing our state will be free, fair, and participatory elections; the independence of the judiciary and media; and the institutional implementation of all democratic principles.

“Inshallah, we will build such a Bangladesh where the prosperity and self-reliance of future generations will be ensured, as well as an inclusive and liberal political environment and social stability and justice.”

Tarique Rahman prayed for the departed souls of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for establishing democracy in Bangladesh and expressed sympathy for those who were injured.

He said that the timeless philosophy of the martyred president Ziaur Rahman, rooted in Bangladeshi nationalism, was fundamentally based on multiparty democracy, which stood on the pillars of equality, human dignity, individual and freedom of speech, and social justice. Khaleda Zia further advanced this thought and philosophy in her relentless journey of uncompromising struggle.

Violent attacks by brutal autocratic rulers have repeatedly attempted to destroy this democratic Bangladesh, established through the people’s aspirations, he said, adding that against the backdrop of Khaleda Zia’s relentless struggle over the past decade and a half, the country witnessed the fall of the most heinous dictatorship in history on 5 August during the world-shaking mass uprising led by students and the public last July.

“The main theme of this year’s International Day of Democracy is ‘Navigating AI for Governance and Citizen Engagement’. This theme is very timely. To ensure the rule of law, technological advancement must be harnessed,” Tarique Rahman said.

He remarked that in the past 16-17 years, millions of voters were not allowed to exercise their right to vote. Elections were conducted with fake voters in national and local government elections. Several generations in the country have grown up in a frightening and authoritarian environment without practising and exercising democratic rights.

“Under misrule, freedoms and creativity, that is, human and intellectual development, were severely restricted, and people had to live amidst constant obstacles. The bright and promising future of the youth was destroyed. We still have a long way to go to build a robust and strong democracy because weaknesses in democracy still exist in most countries around the world.”

In a separate message on the occasion of International Day of Democracy, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said, “In the current changed situation, we must reach a system of governance where the people can directly participate in the governance system. Public opinion becomes the basis of that government’s administration. Peace, stability, development, and human rights can only be established in a democratic state system.”