Welcoming the decision by Gano Forum chief Kamal Hossain-led Jatiya Oikya Front and BNP-led 20-party Alliance to contest in the upcoming election, Awami League chief and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said it will further strengthen the democratic process.
"We want the election to be held in a free, fair and neutral manner. In the election, those who’ll get the mandate will form the government," she said during her opening remarks at a meeting of the party’s Parliamentary Board on Sunday.
Thanking all political parties for their decision to take part in the polls, she said, “We will contest in the election together to reflect the verdict of the people”.
On her weeklong talks with political parties between Nov 1 and 7, Hasina said they had discussed the ways of holding a free and participatory election. “The parties raised a number of demands in the dialogue and we have accepted most of them.”
The government will ensure that everybody gets equal opportunity to make the election all-inclusive, said the prime minister. “Bangladesh is moving ahead and the Awami League always wanted to continue the present pace of development and the trend should not be stopped”
The Awami League will try to nominate the best candidates for the race in all 300 constituencies but some seats will be shared with allies, said Hasina.

Members of the party’s board, responsible for nominating candidates, General Secretary Obaidul Quader, Presidium member Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim and advisors Amir Hossain Amu, Tofail Ahmed and Rashedul Alam attend the meeting at the Awami League headquarters in the city's Bangabandhu Avenue.