Govt 'betrayed' countrymen by not holding fresh elections after 2014 polls: Dr Kamal
The government “betrayed” the country's people by not conducting fresh elections after the controversial national polls on January 5, 2014, Gonoforum President Dr Kamal Hossain said yesterday.
Speaking at a public rally in Khulna's Hadis Park, he termed it a “violation of constitution”, and urged the people hold the government accountable for it.
Khulna unit of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) organised the rally.
The aim of the programme was to engage people with Greater National Unity, an alliance recently formed by Dr Kamal-led Jatiya Oikya Prokriya and Prof AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury-led Juktafront ahead of the 11th national election.
Dr Kamal said a “ceremony” was held in the name of election on January 5, 2014. Later, following a case, the ruling party had said that the election was held “amid a situation” and they would conduct a fresh one soon.
“I agreed with the government to hold another election… I couldn't imagine that the government would betray the country's people, taking advantage of their simplicity,” he said.
“Now, finally, they [the government] are saying they'll hold an election. It is tantamount to playing with the constitution; disregarding it,” added Dr Kamal, an eminent jurist who led the committee that formulated Bangladesh's constitution.
He urged the government, especially the law minister, to search case records in this regard.
Speaking at the rally, other leaders of the National Unity demanded cancelation of using electronic voting machines (EVM) in the upcoming national election, and resignation of the prime minister before announcing schedule for the polls.
JSD President ASM Abdur Rob, Gonoshasthaya Kendra founder Zafrullah Chowdhury and Nagorik Oikya convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna, among others, spoke at the programme.
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