Only AL can hold a free & fair election in country, PM tells JS

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today unequivocally told the Parliament that only Awami League (AL) can hold a free, fair and impartial election, vowing to continue work for the country's people in the coming days ahead.

"Only Awami League can give free, fair and neural elections in this country, and I can unequivocally say it," she said, referring to the recent city corporation elections and parliamentary by-polls held during its regime.

She added: "Our goal is to protect voting rights of the people and attain economic emancipation of the people. We've been doing the work and will continue it."

The Premier made this remarks while delivering her valedictory speech at the 23rd session (Budget FY24 Session) of the current 11th parliament, reports BSS.

Sheikh Hasina, also Leader of the House, said none could raise a single question regarding the recent city elections in Barisal, Rajshahi, Khulna, Sylhet and Gazipur, adding: "Has the election ever been held in such a peaceful manner in Bangladesh in the past?"

Regarding the parliamentary by-election, she said every by-election was held in a fair, free and impartial manner.

Later, the session, which started on May 31, was prorogued after 22 sittings. Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury read out the prorogation order of the President.

Sheikh Hasina said that they have secured the voting rights of people, made them aware about their rights and kept the democratic trend uninterrupted in the country.

"They (BNP) didn't able to destroy democracy in the country by carrying out arson attack, murder and other misdeeds from 2009 to 2023," she said.

As Awami League (AL) is in power, she said, the democratic trend in the country has been continued, purchasing power of people has been increased and the country has attained the status of developing nation.

She added that people of the country has got independence through giving vote to their (AL) electoral symbol 'boat', while monga (famine) has been removed and food security has been ensured as they voted to boat.

Sheikh Hasina said the country's people have given vote to Awami League (AL) repeatedly, resulting they are getting the benefit of it.

"Today, we've cut down the poverty rate to 18 percent from 40 percent," she said, mentioning that it would have been reduced further if there was no Covid-19 pandemic and Ukraine-Russia war in the world.

She added even after the pandemic and war the government has been able to keep running the wheel of the country's economy through providing food, medical treatment and others to the people.

She continued: "We are working for the people as AL is remained in power and it is our responsibility to serve the people. We will continue to do it."

Inshallah, Bangladesh is moving ahead and will continue the forward marching, said Sheikh Hasina, referring to Bangladesh's attainment of the status of developing nation in 2021.

"Bangladesh will be a smart country by 2041, where it will have smart people, smart economy, smart society alongside building smart-skilled manpower, and dreams of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman will be fulfilled," she said.