Ruling out midterm polls amid repeated demand by opposition BNP, Information Minister Hasan Mahmud says the national election will be held after the current administration’s term expires.
“There will be no national election before 2022,” he said on Wednesday (Aug 7) during a discussion meeting.
The BNP’s activities still centre on over issues like caretaker government and election instead of standing by the people, according to him.
“The people of the country are now fighting against the dengue and recover the loss of flood. But instead of standing beside the people BNP is doing politics for polls.”
Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote (BSJ) organized the discussion marking 89th birth anniversary of Bangamata Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujib at Jatiya Press Club.
Responding to a demand of BNP leader Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir the information minister said the next general elections will be held on time after the expiry of the tenure of the present government.
“BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamir repeatedly calls for fresh elections, which will be held, but in December 2022 or early 2023. No elections before that.”
The BNP cannot accept the country’s development under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, said Hasan, who serves as the Publicity and Publication Secretary of the Awami League.
Bangladesh’s overall poverty rate has come down to 20 percent from 41 percent over the last 10 years of the Awami League administration, he said before adding per capita income shot up to about $2000 from $600 during the same time.