Ruling Awami League’s arch-rival BNP has floated its manifesto for the 11th Parliamentary Election pledging to raise GDP growth to 11 percent and to repeal the ‘black laws’ including Digital Security Act, Official Secrecy Act.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, on behalf of its jailed Chairperson Khaleda Zia, unveiled the manifesto at a city hotel on Tuesday (Dec 18).
Mirza Fakhrul said, “I want to assure you that no revenge will be taken against anyone if BNP is voted to power.
BNP’s promises also include ensuring the balance between the power of the president and the prime minister, making public the probe reports on BDR carnage and Bangladesh Bank reserve heist and conducting more investigations into the incidents.
The promises also include restoration of referendum system in the Constitution for establishing people’s democratic rights, introducing upper House of Parliament involving people of all walks of life, increased representation of women in all the constitutional institutions.
Mirza Fakhrul said, “Steps will be taken to prevent the revival of one-party rule and check corruption with forming a commission for reforming the judiciary.
“No ongoing development projects will be stopped, but the probe will be opened on any corruption in the mega projects with forming a youth parliament for the interests of the youth,” he said.
Mirza Fakhrul said, “Five percent of the GDP will be spent on the education sector and steps will be taken to ease traffic and remove public sufferings during the movement of the President and the Prime Minister.”
He also announced that a national commission will be formed to introduce a new political culture to get rid of the politics of vengeance and Ombudsman will be appointed to ensure the transparency and accountability of administration.
Mirza Fakhrul said, “An additionally armed police battalion will be constituted in I a bid to change the existing structure of Rapid Action Battalion.”
There will be no age limit for entering government jobs, except those of defence, police and Ansar, he said.
The control of lower courts will be bestowed upon the Supreme Court by amending Article 116 of the Constitution, said the BNP leader.
Mirza Fakhrul said freedom of expression will be ensured by removing online monitoring system and steps will be taken to end the extrajudicial killing, enforced disappearances, killings and inhuman physical and mental torture.
Zila Parishad will be elected through people’s direct vote and city government will be introduced in municipal areas, he said.
As many as 200,000 people will be recruited in the civil services based on merits and qualifications in the first three years of the government and steps will be taken to create another 10 million jobs in the five years, he said.