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Download PDF Awami League (AL) President Sheikh Hasina yesterday once again asked the caretaker government to reconstitute the Election Commission (EC), revise the voter list and withdraw 300 politically appointed upazila election officers to create a level playing field before the upcoming election.
Declaring a non-stop countrywide blockade with effect from today, the AL chief also demanded appointment of a new chief adviser if the president fails to discharge his duties as the interim government head.
“We will withdraw the blockade only when we see the caretaker government taking effective measures to meet our demands and create an atmosphere conducive to holding a free and fair election,” Hasina told a crowded press briefing at her Dhanmondi office last night.
Urging all to observe the programme peacefully, the immediate past leader of the opposition said the demonstrators would retaliate, if attacked.
She called on the people to take part in the programme to “save the country and its democracy”.
“We gave time to President and Chief Adviser Iajuddin Ahmed to prove his neutrality and to create an atmosphere congenial to the conduct of a free and fair election but he failed,” Hasina said adding that instead of proving his neutrality, he [the president] has become more partisan.
The former prime minister also alleged that Iajuddin has in fact breached the oath he took as the chief adviser by saying that the present government is of presidential form.
The AL chief called upon the members of the law enforcement agencies to stay alert during the blockade as, she feared, the BNP-Jamaat coalition might commit subversive acts.
She also asked the president not to use the armed forces against the people to save a ‘corrupt and plunderer family’.
Earlier in the morning, at a meeting with the leaders of AL’s youth front Jubo League on the occasion of its 34th founding anniversary, Hasina said the blockade programme will have to be observed peacefully for the sake of country’s democracy, constitution and people’s right to vote.
Pointing to the CA to the CG, Hasina said, “Whose directions is he implementing? It seems that he does not have any conscience. People are in doubt about whether he is implementing Hawa Bhaban’s prescription after being super powerful with two posts.”
Terming the CEC a liar, she said a free and fair election is never possible under his jurisdiction. The country and nation must be freed from all conspiracies of BNP-Jamaat coalition. She urged all to be united and launch a greater movement to resist all conspiracies for election rigging.
Jubo League Chairman Jahangir Kabir Nanak and General Secretary Mirza Azam among others were present at the meeting.
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