Resist those trying to foil national polls: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has called upon her party’s leaders and activists as well as the countrymen to build a strong resistance against those who want to thwart the 12th general election scheduled for January 7.

“The upcoming general election will be held in a free, fair and peaceful manner. We will have to resist collectively those who will attempt to foil the election and harm the people’s lives and properties,” she said.

She came up with the call after inaugurating the selling of nomination forms for the 12th parliamentary election at the party's central office on 23 Bangabandhu Avenue in Dhaka on Saturday.

Hasina, also president of the ruling Awami League, collected a nomination paper for her to join the national polls from Gopalganj-3 parliamentary constituency.

Since its inception, Awami League is a disciplined political party and its all activities will be run in an organised and disciplined manner, she said adding that Awami League is an election-oriented party always.

She also expressed her optimism saying that the smart Bangladesh will be built under the management of the Awami League-led government in the coming days.

The country has progressed thanks to the democratic continuation for a long, said the prime minister.

She said a certain quarter is engaged in hatching a plot to thwart the national election by resorting to the acts of arson attack. 

They are trying to meet their evil design as they do not have trust in the people, she added.

Education is being disrupted due to the hartal called by the BNP-Jamaat clique, she said calling upon all to take part in the national polls shunning the path of politics of confrontation and violence.

“We will not allow anyone to go spare if an effort is hatched to foil the national election by resorting to the arson attack,” she warned.