Sheikh Hasina-led govt will oversee next polls: Information Minister

Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Wednesday said that the present government will serve as the election-time government and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will be its head to oversee the next general election.

“In other democratic countries like India, Japan, Australia, the United Kingdom and various countries of continental Europe, the governments that have been serving …also serve as the election-time administration, and the same will happen in our country according to the constitution,” the minister told journalists during a views exchange meeting on contemporary issues at the ministry's meeting room at the Secretariat, reports UNB.

Responding to a question about BNP's representation in the election-time government and similar proposals made by the Awami League in 2014, Hasan Mahmud said, "Our party General Secretary Obaidul Quader has commented on the election-time government in response to a journalist's question. This is not a proposal for anyone, it is not yet time to say whether it will be or not.”

If BNP boycotts the election or if they stick to their demand for not joining the election without a caretaker government, there is no question of all these discussions, the minister said.

“We want to have a festive and international standard election with the participation of all political parties. Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Hasina has said in the UK that we want to hold a beautiful election like the UK. And to do that, we need the support of all political parties,” the information minister said.

He also said that if another political party wants to disrupt the election, it is not possible to organise a good election.

Being optimistic about BNP’s participation in the election, the minister said, “I hope BNP will take part in the election and help organise a good election in a festive atmosphere."

“We didn't start playing with anyone ahead of the election. We want to play during the elections and urge the BNP to play in that game. We want to play with them and score goals,” he said.

When asked about the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan in Pakistan and the protests and the warning for the movement of Pakistani citizens in other countries, Hasan Mahmud said that it was an internal matter of Pakistan.

"The matter is internal for Pakistan. However, the way the protests are taking place after the arrest of Imran Khan, which is also spreading in other countries, proves that he has a huge popularity among a section of the people,” he said.

On a question about the BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam’s comment that 'Pakistan was good', the minister said, "In the context of the chaotic situation in Pakistan today, journalists can ask Mirza Fakhrul for an explanation of his comments."