BNP, Jamaat content with HC verdict
The BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami yesterday welcomed the High Court's verdict that declared parts of the 15th amendment unconstitutional, removing a major obstacle to reinstating the non-party caretaker government system.
BNP Standing Committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said people's expectations had been met.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. In his immediate reaction to the HC ruling, Mosharraf said Sheikh Hasina had scrapped the caretaker government system to serve her party's interests, which led to "one-party rule" and ultimately to the fall of the previous Awami League government.
"People wanted it [caretaker government], and our leader Khaleda Zia introduced the caretaker government system. Sheikh Hasina abolished the system to secure her party's interests, paving the way for one-party rule and killing of democracy.
"As a result, the Awami League government fell, and Sheikh Hasina had to step down," Mosharraf told The Daily Star.
The BNP leader said three elections under caretaker governments allowed people to vote freely and change governments as per their will.
"The BNP came to power in 1991, Awami League took over in 1996, and the BNP returned to power in 2001. This shows that people were able to vote freely in the elections held under caretaker governments."
Mosharraf said people have fought for the last 16 years to restore the caretaker government system.
Accusing the AL of violating the constitution to cling on to power, Mosharraf said the parliamentary polls of 2014, 2018, and 2024 cannot be called elections.
Jamaat, on the other hand, congratulated the nation on the "restoration of voting rights".
In a statement, Mia Golam Parwar, secretary general of the party and also a former MP, hailed the HC's ruling as a significant victory for the people.
"The 15th constitutional amendment, passed by parliament on June 30, 2011, had stripped the people of their voting rights and ruined the electoral process.
"It also created a tendency to seize power without elections, resulting in no genuine elections being held in 2014, 2018, and 2024. What occurred in the name of elections was nothing but a farce," said Parwar.
Describing the HC verdict as a milestone for democracy, the Jamaat leader said it re-established people's rights.
"This is another victory for the people. We extend our heartfelt congratulations and greetings to the nation for this achievement in restoring voting rights through a legal battle."
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