BNP has pledged to appoint 200,000 people in public services within three years, should they win the election. They have also vowed to make the recruitments through a corruption-free system and on the basis of merit and qualification.

The party made the pledge in their polls manifesto, which was unveiled on Tuesday (Dec 18) at the capital’s Hotel Lakeshore.

BNP, in their manifesto, have emphasised on 19-points including democracy, rule of law, judiciary and freedom of expression.

The manifesto was read out by the party’s General Secretary Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on behalf of the party chief Khaleda Zia, who is now behind bars on graft charges.

Other topics given importance in the manifesto include decentralisation of administration, economy, freedom fighters, youth, women, children, education, employment, energy, information technology, sports and culture, expatriate welfare, agriculture and industry, health and medical care, defence and police, housing, establishing pension fund and rationing fund, environment, foreign affairs, ethnic and minority communities.

National Standing Committee members, Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Nazrul Islam Khan and Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury were present during the manifesto’s unveiling.

BNP drafted their polls manifesto in line with their ‘Vision 2030’ with the slogan: “We will move forward together; we will vote for paddy sheaf.”

The manifesto focused on attracting new generation voters. Recent movements of the youth including quota reform, VAT-free education and road safety movement have been given importance.

Earlier, on Dec 17, opposition alliance Jatiya Oikya Front revealed their polls manifesto with the slogan: “power belongs to the people in a people’s republic.”

The alliance pledges to create balance in the state power, decentralise administration, foster national unity and ensure good governance among others.

They also assured that all pledges will be fulfilled within five years, should they get elected.