Dhaka: BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has alleged that the interim government is deliberately stalling the national election process, despite public demand for democratic participation.
Speaking at a prayer gathering and Eid gift distribution event in Uttara on Thursday, organized by Rashid Group to commemorate the 44th death anniversary of BNP founder Zia ur Rahman, Rizvi criticized the current administration led by Nobel Laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus. He claimed that despite expectations for a swift return to democratic norms following the departure of Sheikh Hasina’s government, no meaningful steps have been taken to hold an election.
“Sheikh Hasina has effectively buried the concept of free and fair elections. After her departure, the public placed their hopes on Dr Yunus to restore voting rights. Unfortunately, we’re seeing only delay tactics,” Rizvi said.
He noted that the interim government is nearing its one-year mark in August but has failed to implement the electoral and institutional reforms expected by the public. Rizvi called for urgent action to ensure elections are held by December in accordance with the people’s wishes.
The BNP leader stressed that citizens are eager to exercise their voting rights after years of disenfranchisement.
Following his speech, Rizvi distributed Eid gifts to hundreds of people from low-income backgrounds.
Earlier in the day, at a press conference at the BNP’s Naya Paltan headquarters, Rizvi raised concerns over a surge in fake social media profiles falsely attributed to Dr Zubaida Rahman, wife of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, and their daughter Barrister Zaima Rahman.
He alleged that a “criminal syndicate” is behind the creation of these accounts, which are spreading disinformation through posts and AI-generated images and videos.
“These are calculated, malicious acts designed to mislead the public and tarnish the image of the Zia family,” Rizvi said.
He demanded immediate action against those responsible, urging law enforcement to identify and punish the perpetrators. Rizvi also warned the public not to fall for such deceptive content circulating online.
It is worth noting that tensions remain high in Bangladesh between political parties, the military leadership, and the interim government over the issue of elections.
While political factions and the armed forces are intensifying pressure on the interim administration to conduct polls within this year, the government insists that elections cannot be held without comprehensive electoral reforms—reforms it deems unachievable in the current timeframe. Sources suggest that the head of the interim government, Yunus, is expected to address the nation soon in what could be a pivotal moment in the country’s ongoing political crisis.
